My Plant Diary

The morning started with confusion about today’s holiday. A fake notice had been circulating, creating unnecessary uncertainty. Even during the morning meeting, people were unsure whether today was a working day or not. Small misinformation can create big disruptions. Once the confusion settled, we took our daily safety pledge – ‘GAGE DE SECURITY’. But a pledge is not just about repeating words—it’s about understanding their meaning. So, I took a moment to explain the deeper significance. Then came a familiar topic— workers retiring and contract workers replacing them. Again, I had to explain that nothing happens automatically. Performance matters. If anyone wants a permanent position, they must prove their capability, reliability, and commitment. But what really irritated me was when another worker tried to mix safety concerns with employment issues. Safety is non-negotiable. It’s for everyone, every day, in every situation. It cannot be diluted by other concerns. Morning Me...

The morning was not peaceful at all, as always. [That's why] I got ready early than everyday. There’s something refreshing about stepping out early in the morning, setting the tone for the day. Today was no different. With my laptop bag on my shoulder, I stepped out, greeting everyone along the way. As I walked, I met the children from the plant quarters. Their excitement, their smiles—it’s contagious. A selfie here, a handshake there. These small interactions make a difference. A child’s innocent excitement can wipe away even the heaviest thoughts. Reaching the road, I saw one of our employees cycling to the plant. He stopped, greeted me, and we exchanged a few words. Simple moments, yet powerful ones. A cycle, a conversation, an acknowledgment—it’s about staying connected with the people who keep the plant running. Then came Ghanshyam Jee’s vehicle . I took a lift to the plant. Another normal day, but is it really just that? What’s the Impact of Such Small Things? Break...

This morning’s meeting was a reminder of why we gather every day.  The purpose is simple but powerful —we start the day with  prayer , align on  safety , and commit to protecting  ourselves, our colleagues, and our machines.  Time is a resource, and I made it clear:  10 minutes of 100 people means 1000 minutes lost if not used wisely—more than two full man-days. Yet, despite the focus on discipline and efficiency, someone  raised a completely unrelated issue—salary delays.  Should I laugh or cry? The morning meeting is not a complaints forum. Still, I assured them that I would  look into the salary issue  and ensure timely payments. Clarifying My Approach I felt the need to address  misconceptions about my work style . Some people are clearly uncomfortable with the changes I am bringing in. I listed  four key things I have done  since joining WACEM: Strict punctuality  – Arriving  on time every day  at 7:00 ...

This morning started with an unusual frustration—I missed the prayer for the first time since joining WACEM. A simple lack of communication about the driver’s absence caused an unnecessary delay. If I had been informed, I could have arranged to come with another HOD. But this casual approach to work is deeply embedded in the plant culture. It’s in the way people handle tasks, the way they respond to issues, and even the way they accept problems instead of solving them. During the day, I came across a video on a Togo-based Facebook group showing a locomotive from TogoRail , one of our company’s businesses, emitting excessive exhaust smoke as it passed through Lomé. The comments under the post reflected public concern. I downloaded the video and sent it to the TogoRail in-charge . His response? “It might be an old video.” That’s the usual way of avoiding responsibility—deflect, deny, and move on. The Problem with ‘One Why’ Another motor failure today. This time, an air slide motor. ...

The ABC of Working at Height This morning, during the morning meeting , I spoke about something simple yet critical — the ABC of working at height with a safety belt. ✔ A – Anchoring: Always secure yourself to a strong and stable anchorage point. Without a proper anchor, the best safety belt is useless. ✔ B – Body wear: A full-body harness, worn correctly, distributes force evenly in case of a fall. A loose or improper fit can be just as dangerous as no harness at all. ✔ C – Connection: The lifeline or lanyard must be properly attached between the anchorage point and the harness. A single weak link can fail when it matters the most. It's basic knowledge , yet many accidents happen due to missing one of these steps. The goal is to make safety a habit, not just a checklist.

A Curious Sight in the Green Belt During my plant round today , something caught my eye— a single oleander tree, standing tall inside a dense green belt of eucalyptus trees. It must have been planted there by mistake. Or maybe it found its way on its own. But what’s striking is its height —as if it’s competing with the eucalyptus, trying to prove that it belongs, even though it wasn’t meant to be there. Survival. Growth. Adaptation. Is this the Miyawaki effect? The principle that trees planted in dense clusters push each other to grow faster and stronger? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just a sign that nature doesn’t always follow human plans—it makes its own. A lone fighter in an unfamiliar environment, thriving against the odds. There’s a lesson in that.

A Slow Start with a Stubborn Spirit The night was long and restless. Aches spread across my body like an uninvited guest, making sleep impossible. Every small movement felt heavy, every turn painful. Yet, the morning came as it always does, and I had a routine to follow. No matter how slow, I had to move. Some days, discipline is the only thing that keeps us going. I reached the morning meeting  a little weary, but present. Skipping it was never an option. Leadership is not about showing up when it’s easy—it’s about showing up when it’s hard.

I was not feeling well since yesterday and had body pains all night. Although my head felt lighter in the morning, I was feeling very weak. Everything happened in slow motion. After breakfast, my energy started increasing. I got off the car on the way before reaching the plant and came to the plant making videos and photos of the reflection of the plant in the small puddles of water formed on the roads after last night's rain. I had a few conversations with the security guard at the gate and photographed him in some different style. After coming to the office, I combined everything and made a video and posted it on social media. The plant has started functioning after a series of stoppages. In the post I have put up on LinkedIn about reading books, I have mentioned one thing that my visit to Bhavnagar District Library used to be a dangerous adventure. Link of the post. That was because before the library, some cattle keepers had illegally set up their camp in an open plot and their...

A Strange Gap in Facebook Birthdays Something unusual happened today— for the second day in a row, none of my Facebook friends had a birthday. Considering that I have almost 3,000 friends and usually wish 5-7 people daily , this was quite surprising. A small thing, but it made me pause. Patterns break sometimes, reminding us that even in the most regular things, there can be unexpected gaps. A Fresh Start After the Rains Last night, from 9 PM to 10 PM, a heavy shower poured down, washing away the dust and heat. The morning that followed was cool, fresh, and crisp. The air smelled different—like a new beginning. It is amazing how nature cleans itself and resets everything, while we, in our workplaces, struggle so much just to keep things organized. A Song, A Prayer, and A Truth In our morning gathering, a team member sang a prayer—one of my favorites. As I listened, I felt its rhythm matched closely with ‘Itni Shakti Hamen Dena Daata.’ Everyone needs a prayer. Because everyone...

Morning Prayer: The Power of Gratitude Today's morning meeting began with a simple yet powerful prayer by one of our workmen— a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for all that we have. It was a beautiful reminder that we often take our blessings for granted. We are fit and healthy—many are not. We have stable jobs—many struggle every day. Gratitude is not just about acknowledging what we have; it’s about recognizing the responsibility that comes with it. If we are privileged, we must do our best. Trainees’ Journey Ends, New Beginnings Await Today marked the last day of training for our trainees. We wished them well as they prepared to step into the real world of cement manufacturing. There were smiles, good wishes, selfies, and group photos—capturing the bond built over the past three months. Training is not just about learning skills; it’s about shaping the right mindset. I hope they carry forward what they learned here—not just about machines but about discipline, teamwork, a...

The Power of Unity: From Prayer to Performance This morning, something beautiful happened in our meeting. A colleague started reciting a prayer, and gradually, others joined in. Moments like these remind me why I appreciate collective prayer so much. When we pray together, we generate a collective energy that amplifies its impact manifold. I explained this with a simple physics analogy— when soldiers march in step on a wooden bridge, their synchronized movement creates resonance, which can break the bridge. This is the power of unity. Now, imagine using this same principle not for destruction, but for creation. If we align our efforts, work in sync, and channel our collective strength towards a common goal, our power will multiply. And this begins with something as simple as a shared prayer. A strong beginning leads to a strong outcome. Neglect Today, Crisis Tomorrow: HFO Pipeline Maintenance During my plant visit today, I noticed something concerning. The trench carrying the HFO...

Listening to Machines, Leading with Action Another day, another lesson—this time from the car. On my way to the plant, I noticed an abnormal sound. It had traveled to Lomé yesterday, so I immediately asked the driver to get it checked. A failed bearing was found. A small issue, but a timely catch. This took me back to a memory from 2011-12. I was traveling from our Meghalaya plant to Guwahati in a Scorpio when I heard a faint, unusual noise. I told the driver. He insisted there was nothing wrong. But my instinct told me otherwise. We pulled over to check—and what we found was alarming. All the nuts of the rear wheel had loosened. Worse, the continuous driving had worn out the threads on the bolts. We tightened whatever we could and drove cautiously to Guwahati. Even today, the memory gives me goosebumps. A reminder: never ignore a machine when it tries to talk to you. Whether it's a car, a kiln, or a conveyor—listening saves lives. Morning Talk: Recognizing Good Work & The P...

Morning Begins with a Blockade The day started on a frustrating note— OTR blocked all incoming and outgoing movement of our plant. I stood at the gate, watching. A plant must breathe—materials must flow in, cement must flow out. But today, everything was frozen. Let’s see how this unfolds. A Small Journey, A Big Question My driver had to go to Lomé for some vehicle-related document renewal. But with roads blocked, I wondered: 💭 How much fuel will be wasted today? Some losses are obvious—like shutdowns and breakdowns. Others, like unplanned fuel wastage, quietly eat into efficiency. Morning Meeting: The Power of Reporting Despite the roadblock, the morning meeting started on a positive note. I recited: "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha, Sarve Santu Niramayah..." ( May all be happy, may all be free from illness... ) I explained its meaning—happiness and safety are interconnected. Then, I spoke about Reporting—the 5th and most important cardinal rule of safety. 📌...

Sunday’s Gift: A Dance of Nature Before diving into today, I must talk about yesterday— Sunday, a day of unexpected beauty. After lunch, I returned early from the plant. As I stepped outside, a strong wind swept through the campus. Cotton-like flowers from the tallest tree soared in the air, drifting like snowfall, covering the road in white. I stood still, mesmerized. Moments like these are not to be missed. I captured that in a video—because nature has its way of reminding us to pause, appreciate, and breathe. And then, as it happens here, the weather changed in an instant. Suddenly, heavy rain poured down. I didn’t run for shelter. I walked into the rain. There’s a special joy in getting drenched, in feeling the weight of water pulling you into the present moment. Some joys are simple. Some joys are irreplaceable. For me, bathing in the rain is one of them. I can never give up this fun. Morning Session: Warm-Up Before the Race Today began with prayer and an exercise...

A Walk, A Lesson Last night, after dinner, I took my routine walk. Walking helps me unwind, but I also keep my eyes open—there’s always something to learn, some moments to capture. Under a streetlight, I saw a security guard. He was sitting on a stool, focused, writing something in a notebook. Curious, I asked him what he was doing. "I am preparing for an exam," he replied. That moment stayed with me. We are all learners. We all strive to grow, no matter our position, no matter the time or place. Morning Meeting: 1% Growth, Every Day I shared this incident with my team in the morning talk. "We always try to learn and grow. Education is the key to growth." Then, I reinforced the "1% improvement daily" concept. Small, consistent progress compounds into major transformation over time. "If you improve by just 1% every day, in a year, you’ll be 37 times better than where you started." I let that thought settle in. The nods in the room to...

This morning, as I stepped out of my home, a song naturally found its way to my lips: "होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं, रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं। गिले शिकवे भूल कर दोस्तों, दुश्मन भी गले लग जाते हैं।" "On Holi, hearts bloom with delight, Colors blend, so vibrant and bright. With love, we let old grudges sway, Even foes embrace this day!" 🌸🎨💖 I didn’t just sing—I recorded myself walking through the streets of Togo, capturing the moment as it happened. Some kids nearby noticed me. At first, they just stared. Then they smiled. And in that instant, the video transformed from just a clip into something real and alive—pure, natural joy. Breakfast, But Just on Sundays Breakfast with Ghanshyam Jee. Always a pleasure. But not an everyday thing. We decided—just once a week. Sunday is the day. 😆 Morning Talk: The Machine We Live In Today’s talk was simple, yet deeply personal. "We grow older—day by day, week by week, year by year. Whether we like it or not...