MUMBAI PORT – Industrial Visit By Students of PGDM (International Business), 2022-24 Batch (26 Feb – 3 March 2023)
On February 26, 2023, students of PGDM (International Business) at BIMTECH had the opportunity to explore one of the most amazing states of India, i.e., Mumbai in Maharashtra. Students learned so much from traveling by train together alongwith Dr. Moinika Jain, Course Co-ordinator and Ms. Rupali Singh, Sr. Manager to visit ports and industries, performing so many activities like management games, and exploring different beaches and places.
On February 28, students had the opportunity to visit plant of Balmer Lawrie, Taloja, Mumbai, a leading Indian conglomerate with diverse business interests, including logistics, travel and tourism, and manufacturing. During the visit, the students learned about different aspects of the company’s operations and safety norms. The visit began with a presentation by the company’s representatives Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Lader Plant Head, Mr. Subhash T Agawane, Manager HR who provided an overview of Balmer Lawrie’s history, products and services and organizational structure. The students were then taken on a tour of the company’s manufacturing facility where they got a first-hand look at the production process for the company’s various products. They also had the opportunity to interact with the workers and managers and gain insights into their roles and responsibilities.
The students also learned about the various safety norms and practices followed by Balmer Lawrie to ensure the well-being of its employees and visitors. They were briefed about the company’s policies and procedures related to fire safety, hazardous material handling and emergency response. The students were also shown the various safety equipment and measures that the company had put in place to mitigate any potential risks.
The visit concluded with a Q&A session, where the students had the opportunity to clarify any doubts or queries they had about Balmer Lawrie’s operations and safety practices. Overall, the visit was an enriching experience for the students, as it provided them with practical insights into the functioning of a large Indian conglomerate and the importance of safety in the workplace. The visit ended with a group picture and some refreshments from the Company.
On March 1, 2023, the students left early for a visit planned for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Nhava Sheva Gateway Terminal (NSIGT), one of the largest ports in India, to learn about the port’s operations. As an international business program, which is all about having the different aspects of the global scenario, the port’s operations and functions, as well as visiting different sea ports are part of the curriculum. The students had an interactive session with the DP World officials and their CEO, Mr. Jibu K. Itty, and Ms. Neha Rajpoot, HR manager who provided insights into the operations of the port and how they manage to shift consignments on time. Nhava Sheva India Gateway Terminal (NSIGT), the second facility run by global port operator DP World at JNPT, is doing brisk business.
During the visit, the students were given a tour of the facilities and got to see first-hand the various processes involved in port operations, including cargo handling, container stacking, and transportation. Students got the opportunity to visit three main departments of the port: the engineering department, the simulator, and the main control room. Stimulator is the new technology used by the port that showcases the advancement and skilled labour needed to increase the efficiency of operations at the port. The control room is the heart of the port, where all the ships are tracked, and it is the most important department. Also, the management team explained the importance of efficient logistics in the timely delivery of goods and the role of technology in ensuring smooth functioning. The engineering department was basically about all the problems that people faced and how they resolved them. The main problem was with the spreader, which is used to hold the container and transfer containers from one place to another.
The students also learned about the various challenges faced by the port in managing its operations, such as congestion and delays caused by unfavorable weather conditions or logistical inefficiencies. The CEO and his dynamic team shared their strategies for addressing these challenges, including investing in infrastructure and technology, improving coordination with stakeholders, and developing contingency plans. Students gained practical knowledge about the logistics and supply chain management industry and got to interact with industry professionals, which will undoubtedly help them in their future careers. The visit also helped the students appreciate the critical role played by ports in facilitating global trade and the challenges involved in managing such complex operations.
Following the tour to the port, the students went to Alibaug, one of Mumbai’s most well-known locations, where we played management games and then had a tour of Alibaug Beach.
This educational trip enables the students to visit different places. We learn many things and the trip enriches our knowledge and broadens our outlook. These educational trips enhanced classroom learning, spark curiosity and creativity and helped students develop skills and knowledge that can benefit both personal and professional lives.
We had some time in between to have some fun at ‘The Imagica Theme Park’. We enjoyed with our friends and accompanying teachers. We also visited the Gateway of India which has historic significance and was built in the 20th Century. During the city tour of Mumbai we observed that it is a mix of iconic old-world charm architecture with the Taj Hotel and alike, modern high rises, cultural and traditional structures. Known as the commercial capital of India we saw that Mumbai is all about art, history, culture, food, theatre and cinema.
With memories of a lifetime, we all returned safe and sound to college on March 4 and got immersed into our normal routine.
