A vibrant celebration of women’s strength, unity and leadership
Bilaspur South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) marked a significant milestone in promoting women empowerment with the grand inauguration of the ‘SECL Nari Shakti Sports Festival 2025’ at its Headquarters in Bilaspur. The two-day sports extravaganza is being organised on December 13 and 14, 2025, at the Vasant Vihar Sports Ground, SECL Bilaspur.
The festival was formally inaugurated by Smt. Shashi Duhan, Chairperson, Shraddha Mahila Mandal, who hoisted the flag and declared the event open. Addressing the gathering, she stated that this is possibly the first time such a dedicated ‘Nari Shakti Sports Festival’ is being organised in any subsidiary of Coal India Limited, making it a pioneering initiative by SECL.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Smt. Duhan said the festival is not merely a sports competition but a celebration of the enthusiasm, energy and leadership of SECL’s women. By bringing homemakers and working women together on a common platform, the initiative aims to strengthen bonding within the SECL family while promoting teamwork, self-confidence and a healthy sporting spirit.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Vice-Presidents of Shraddha Mahila Mandal—Smt. Anitha Franklin, Smt. Hasina Kumar and Smt. Vinita Jain—as distinguished guests. They were accorded a traditional welcome with shawls, coconuts, bouquets and saplings. The welcome address was delivered by Smt. Sujata Rani, Head of Department (Executive Establishment), SECL Headquarters.
At the outset, participants from four groups—Purple, Blue, Green and Red—were introduced to the dignitaries. Adding to the enthusiasm, Smt. Shashi Duhan herself took part in the traditional ‘Pithoo’ game, motivating the participants and setting an inspiring example.
The Sports Festival features a wide array of competitive events, including 50-metre and 100-metre races, 4×50-metre relay, badminton, kho-kho, chess and table tennis. Fun-filled activities such as matka race, jalebi race, three-legged race and lemon race have also been included, adding a festive spirit to the event.
SECL continues to undertake several initiatives towards women empowerment. Earlier this year, Coal India’s first women-led dispensary was inaugurated at SECL, further underlining the organisation’s commitment to inclusive growth. Organised under the aegis of Shraddha Mahila Mandal, the Nari Shakti Sports Festival stands as a symbol of positivity, cooperation and sportsmanship.
Similar Nari Shakti Sports Festivals are being organised across various SECL Areas, with a grand finale scheduled to be held in the coming days at SECL Hasdeo Area, where winning teams from all areas will compete together.
The valedictory ceremony of the two-day Headquarters-level competition will be held on December 14, 2025, in the afternoon. On this occasion, CMD, SECL, Shri Harish Duhan, along with the Functional Directors, will felicitate the winners and conclude the celebrations.