Gratitude to an architect

Gratitude to an architect

With bauxite from East coast region

deemed once unfit for alumina production,

on lands once unconnected untrodden

and on lands lying barren, the soil, being black cotton,

by tribal and hands unruly and raw

rejected once as threats for an industry to grow,

braving the bottleneck s of communication

fulfilled the lenders’ target date of production

amalgamating the equipment world over

you the architects of NALCO did the country a wonder

by bringing NALCO with its envied success story

ushering for Orissa an era with her industrial glory.

you, architects, made Nalco the only public sector

Since inception loss to her did never incur,

never it did beg the dole in any form to gain

but absorbed others' loss enduring the strain.

Sir, you are one among the architects of NALCO

for whom the nation and NALCO collective bow.

Agarwala Sir! Leaving aside a set job in a set township

you came down to an alien place facing all hardship

to build Nalco and equip her to grow in stature

training tribal and unruly lot to excel to world’s wonder.

We subordinate still feel the feel of your firm hold

which taught us not to waver but to be fearless and bold.

You, dwellers of Angul will remain gratefully forever

for generations the trades to live, you ensured in their armor.

Hey Lord We all Nalco collective and Oriyas pray together

for peace and bliss to Agrwalla Sir at your abode forever.

P K Routray

in the service of Lord

(A tribute to S S Agrwalla with tear. NALCO succeeded with bauxite deposit at PanchapaMali with old stalwarts like S S Agrawalla and others at NALCO’s apex management. Yesterday(0n 27/04/2020) we lost S S Agrwalla. This tribute is in his honor.)