A special interactive session, “Reflections,” was organised at Coal Bhawan Headquarters. On the occasion, Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra, former Chairman-cum-Managing Director of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and a renowned mining expert of the Indian coal industry, participated as the chief guest and interacted with BCCL officers and employees on various contemporary topics related to the mining industry.
Drawing upon his vast professional experience, Dr. Mishra shared insights on mining operations, project management, production planning, safety, organisational development, leadership skills, human resource management, innovation, and technological upgradation in the evolving industrial environment.
BCCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Director (Human Resources) Murali Krishna Ramaiya, Director (Technical/Operations) Sanjay Kumar Singh, along with General Managers, Department Heads at Koyla Bhawan Headquarters, Regional General Managers, and other officers attended the programme.
The programme began with a formal welcome for Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the singing of the Coal India song. Manoj Kumar Agarwal welcomed and felicitated Dr. Mishra by presenting him with a shawl, a coconut, and a bouquet.
In his welcome address, Manoj Kumar Agarwal described Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra as a distinguished mining expert, accomplished administrator, and inspirational leader whose professional journey serves as a source of motivation for the entire coal fraternity. He said that during nearly four decades of distinguished service, Dr. Mishra had provided new direction to various Coal India subsidiaries through technical expertise, visionary leadership, innovation, and a result-oriented work culture.
He noted that under Dr. Mishra’s leadership as CMD of SECL and ECL, both companies achieved remarkable success. He added that Dr. Mishra’s leadership style, commitment to excellence, innovation, and dedication to nation-building continue to inspire professionals across the industry. He expressed confidence that the interaction would motivate BCCL officers and employees towards organisational excellence, innovation, and responsible leadership.
In his address, Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra shared nearly four decades of practical experience in the coal industry and highlighted the technical dimensions of modern mining. He said the coal industry forms the backbone of India’s energy security and emphasised the need to adopt modern technologies, scientific mining methods, digital innovation, and sustainable and safe mining practices to meet future challenges.
He observed that the greatest strength of any organisation is its human resource. According to him, when a work culture is built on transparency, communication, accountability, innovation, and teamwork, organisations consistently achieve new milestones. He encouraged officers and young engineers to remain lifelong learners, continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills, and view every challenge as an opportunity for growth.
Dr. Mishra said the objective of leadership should extend beyond achieving production and business targets to building trust, encouraging participation, promoting a positive work culture, and strengthening human values within the organisation. Stressing that safety must remain the highest priority, he said production and safety complement each other and that sustainable development requires equal emphasis on environmental protection, social responsibility, and technological innovation.
He also remarked that among all Coal India subsidiaries, BCCL operates under some of the most challenging conditions. Despite these challenges, he said, the company continues to make significant innovations and positive strides in coal production and several other operational areas, which he described as highly commendable.
Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra is widely regarded as one of the most respected mining experts, experienced administrators, and corporate leaders in the Indian coal industry. During his distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, he held several key technical, operational, project management, and leadership positions across various Coal India subsidiaries.
An alumnus of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad with a B.Tech. in Mining Engineering, Dr. Mishra also holds a First Class Mine Manager Certificate from DGMS and a Ph.D. He has served in key positions at CCL, BCCL, and OMDC before leading both ECL and SECL as Chairman-cum-Managing Director.
Under his leadership, several significant achievements were recorded in production, project management, technological innovation, human resource development, corporate social responsibility, and environmental protection. He currently serves as Professor of Practice at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur, and as a Visiting Faculty at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur, mentoring aspiring engineers and management professionals.
Following his address, an interactive question-and-answer session was held, during which Dr. Mishra responded to participants’ queries and encouraged them to pursue professional excellence with a positive attitude.
In the concluding session, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, on behalf of the BCCL management, honoured Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra with a memento.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Sudhakar Prasad, General Manager (Mining/HRD). The proceedings were conducted by Safoora Rubab, Senior Manager (Human Resources). Officers and staff of the HRD Department played a significant role in ensuring the successful organisation of the programme.
