“My role in this project is only security but of my own free will I stepped up to take on additional responsibilities like administration, enabling execution by coordinating with the client and such like,” he shares with a sense of achievement, “No one told me to do and this has given me immense personal satisfaction to assume larger roles in this project, giving me a seat at the table to voice my opinion.”

Now single, Major Venkatesh’s son, 21-​year-​old Thejas has completed his B Com with distinction and is presently pursuing CMA. “My hobbies are adventure sports when I get the time to pursue them,” he laughs. “I like gliding and have a personal para glider though the winds and altitude do not favour it and I also fly a double handle 6 feet stunt kite but the job I do is my biggest hobby! When you do a job that you love, you are not working and therefore never tired. I consider myself blessed!” One can almost sense him throwing a salute.

Having joined L&T on 26th September 2016, Jadav Ashvinkumar is still relatively new and on his first project with the company at the Mumbai Metro Line 03 – UGC Package – 1. “L&T is a great brand and everyone’s dream to work for,” he shares excitedly, “and I am looking to grow as a person with L&T!” At site, during these days of COVID-​19, Jadav’s areas of focus as an IR professional, have been to manage the workmen, their health, meet their requirements including food, essentials, medicines all towards keeping them engaged and committed to be ready to return to work when the lockdown is relaxed. “We have been one of the first sites to resume operations in May when we received the green signal from the client and the authorities,” he shares with satisfaction.

“We worked very well as a team to fight this virus always supported by our seniors,” says Jadav, extolling the merits of good teamwork. “We were able to face the challenges to get the required approvals to provide the rations, materials, disinfection spraying materials, PPEs, medicines and such like quickly and promptly.” The team distributed Vitamin‑C capsules to workmen and Homoeopathic Medicine — Arsenicum Album-​30 among the staff and workmen recommended by the Government of India (Ayush Ministry) to help the people build their immunity levels. “We introduced a helpline through an online consultant that was open 24x7 for all our people,” he adds. “They were connected through WhatsApp, video and audio calls that really helped.

Other areas that required Jadav’s attention were maintaining good housekeeping at the labour colony, sanitizing the buses transporting the workmen safe, ensuring screening of all workmen and maintaining discipline at their office. “Opening a grocery shop inside the camp was a good move to prevent workmen from going outside,” he says. “We stopped the entry of all outsiders into the camp and we had a fulltime doctor and nurse to do check-​ups and monitor their overall health,” he says ticking off other aspects he was coordinating at site. “We were also monitoring the health of the staff and workmen though our L&T Safety App.”

Working at Heavy Civil IC’s Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project has its own share of challenges as Mumbai is a ‘hot zone’ and people have to be doubly careful not to catch the infection. With additional responsibilities on their shoulders, H S Pruthviraj and team got down to the business of keeping the staff and workmen safe at their site. “First, we made the workmen aware of what was the threat posed by COVID-​19, what they should do and not do to remain safe,” he explains. “We stopped all movement of labour outside the camp and provided all the necessary materials at their doorstep even though there was a scarcity of materials in the market.” A big issue that the team was facing was to procure supplies of PPEs and food from vendors during the lockdown.

Having done the basics right, they started to build on them. “We built a sound ecosystem of the staff and workmen who were active during this pandemic situation and connected them through phones and WhatsApp to understand their needs and keep their morale high.” Through static communication like posters and pep talks, the team stressed on the benefit of social distancing and maintaining hygiene. “We were all in it together,” says Pruthviraj, lacing his fingers together, “and that is why we have been successful in our effort. As always, my site management, Admin and FAA Heads instructed and guided us properly,” he shares. “By collaborating with my IR team colleagues Umesh Tiwari, Siddartha Mukerjee and Pabitra Parida, and following my immediate superior, A M Patrawala’s instructions, we as a team, were able to handle the situation successfully.” Pruthviraj acknowledges the merit of teamwork.

“I play table tennis and badminton,” he shares about his hobbies, “In fact, in office we have a TT table and good partners to play with. Every day we play for half an hour after lunch and badminton on weekends by booking an indoor court.”

Finally, about the company, he says, “I am proud to be a part of this esteemed organization and wish that L&T will be my first and last organization!”

Mumbai has been in the eye of the COVID-​19 storm and therefore all projects in the Maximum City have had to be doubly cautious in their fight against the pandemic. EHS Engineer, Himanshu Shekhar is working at the Mumbai Metro project – UGC Package 7 near Paleshwar Temple in Andheri (East). On his first project with L&T, it has been tough going for Himanshu and his team, but he is delighted that he has joined a company that cares. “During the lockdown, L&T sheltered 800 workmen and have ensured their basic necessities at the labour colony that shows the affection of the Organisation for human beings that has made me feel proud to work here,” he declares squaring his shoulders. “I am also moved by the care and concern shown by my seniors who regularly follow up with me about my wellbeing and whether I need any assistance. It is very touching,” he shares emotionally.

One of the major problems facing the entire nation in the fight against COVID-​19 has been the spread of false and fake information that can have a disastrous effect especially on the workmen who are already on edge. “Due to the sudden outbreak of the virus, rumours were badly influencing the workmen and a few staff at site, some of whom were compelled to leave the site due to family sentiments. It was a challenge to convince and train the workmen to avoid getting infected. We formed the emergency team that is responsible for essential works at site as well as the Labour Colony.” The pressure on Himanshu and team is increasing as during the lockdown some essential services had to be kept running and now with the relaxations, operations have resumed. “We need to be even more careful and work strictly following all the SOPs taking all the necessary safety precautions,” he says, like a true EHS man.

With COVID-​19 creating havoc across the world, the people in the ‘hot spots’ are most at peril. M Vignesh Kumar, presently working at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project 3&4 Main Plant Civil Work Package is bang in the middle of one as the Tirunelveli district has been declared a ‘hot spot’ but that has not deterred this youngster to give his best to safeguard the health of 190 employees, 2,100 workmen and 300 of their family members at the site. “With over 2,500 people at site, our precautionary measures have to be very stringent to ensure that none get infected,” warns Vignesh. “We have put in place SOPs and are driving them with full vigour.”

Having joined L&T in 2013 as a Graduate Commercial Trainee, Vignesh spent the first four years of his tenure at the Cochin Metro Rail Project handling Industrial Relations and Administration. Ever since, he has been at the Kudankulam project. “One unique thing that we have done here in our fight against the pandemic is to create a group of volunteers through whom we are able to implement our SOPs more effectively,” he shares. “While all the essential materials are being regularly supplied, an important point at this time is for our workmen to be aware of the correct situation. It is very easy for them to be swayed by wrong reports and fake news. We have thus been spreading awareness and educating our workmen on the do’s and don’ts through posters in regional and national languages.”

On the home front, though still unmarried, Vignesh is extremely close to his parents and his younger brother. “My mother is my inspiration and motivation,” he shares emotionally. “My father is a driver and my most memorable moment was when my father gifted me a car on my 27th birthday! I celebrated that day with orphans of an old age home which was a very moving experience for me.” His likes a game of volleyball when he can find the time for it and loves long car drives.