Nagpur: In a landmark move, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has become the first subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) to launch a futuristic human resources initiative – TEJAS (Transforming Emerging Juniors into Aspiring Stars). This strategic program is aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders in India’s vital energy sector.
TEJAS: Building Leadership from Within
Launched on September 23, 2025, the TEJAS program is more than a conventional training course. It is an innovative leadership development initiative tailored specifically for 657 Gen-Z officers across WCL. The initiative reflects a shift towards youth-driven, future-ready governance in the public sector.
Structured as a 12-day, 84-hour intensive program, TEJAS is split into 10 batches and designed to sharpen both technical expertise and managerial acumen. The program blends in-house and external learning, with 75% of sessions led by WCL’s internal experts, and the remaining 25% by domain specialists from outside the organization.
Inauguration by Top WCL Leadership
The program was inaugurated by Mr J. P. Dwivedi, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, WCL, in the presence of –
- Shri Bikram Ghosh, Director (Finance)
- Shri Anandji Prasad, Director Technical (Operations and P&P)
- Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande, Director (Human Resources)
- Shri Ajay Madhukar Mhetre, Chief Vigilance Officer
- Also present were Steering Committee members Shri Ashish Murthy and Shri S. R. Gabale.
Designed for a Digital-First, Energy-Smart Generation
TEJAS is tailored to the digital-native mindset of Gen-Z officers, preparing them to navigate and lead within an industry that is undergoing rapid digital and structural transformation.
The curriculum spans core subjects such as coal sector regulations, operations, safety, sustainability, and future challenges, positioning participants as holistic leaders equipped to drive change and innovation.
Leadership Behind the Vision
The visionary architect of TEJAS is Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande, Director (HR), WCL, who emphasized that the initiative reflects WCL’s commitment to transformational leadership and youth empowerment. His vision is to cultivate a robust leadership pipeline that will sustain WCL’s operational excellence and strategic resilience.
The program is being conducted under the HRD Department, led by GM (Min./HRD) Mr U. C. Gupta and his dedicated team.
Why TEJAS Matters: Industry Impact and National Significance
In a sector traditionally seen as resistant to rapid change, TEJAS marks a cultural and operational shift, positioning WCL as a thought leader in HR innovation within the public sector. It also aligns with national goals of talent modernization, capacity building, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
About WCL
WCL is one of the eight subsidiary companies of Coal India Limited (CIL) and plays a pivotal role in meeting India’s coal production and energy demands. The appointment of Mr. Paranjape is expected to bolster the company’s technical leadership and contribute to its long-term operational efficiency and sustainability goals.
