Temples of Modern India

Last month we visited Bhilai  –second largest town in the state of Chhattisgarh – Bhilai is most known for  'The Best Integrated Steel Plant' in the country, Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). We had decided that we will spend one day for plant visit and Esther also joined us. It was almost 3 -3.5 hrs of walk covering Plate Mill, Merchant Mill , Rail & Structural Mill and URM. 

BSP was set up with the help of the USSR in 1955.Walking through the old plant with the older machinery to the latest URM unit  was like seeing the evolution of  machinery and technology in last 60 yrs right in front to you. We also saw the latest Coke Oven Battery, got inside the Battery Pusher – It has a small cabin for the operator which is air conditioned and equipped with latest software.Next stop was at SMS1 (Steel melting Shop – Old one)- what a spectacular sight of molten steel being pored, but heat and tough working conditions. For Esther this was a whole new world. Infact while walking through the Older part of the factory it was like walking through the sets of those Sci-fi movies  J One thing I realised was - how important it is for students (especially Higher secondary ) to see what are the different fields of work. Why, what they study is not all irrelevant – and why one should take interest and effort in discovering one’s interest and then pursuing that.

It was the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who first dubbed our factories, research laboratories, irrigation dams and power stations as the temples of modern India. I believe what people need now is visit to these modern temples to get inspired, get new hope and strength to plan, contribute and build stronger, developed nation