A Giant Leap For Women
The oil and gas sector has traditionally seen very low women representation at the management level, especially in India. Alka Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) and Director Human Resources (HR), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), twice made history by first becoming the first-ever woman Functional Director (HR) in November 2018 and then getting the additional charge of CMD in January 2022. She became the first woman ever to head India’s most valuable oil and gas public sector enterprise.
“I am sure this would serve as a beginning for more women to join the top echelons of the energy corporations, which has traditionally been a male bastion. But for that, women need to take up challenges, learn new skills continuously and have an unwavering sense of self-belief,” says Mittal.
Humble beginnings
Mittal began her journey at ONGC as a graduate trainee in 1985. She credits her seniors for the exemplary mentoring and her zeal for learning which helped her grow through the ranks. “I utilised every opportunity that came my way; whether it was heading HR at Jorhat in Assam, being Head-CSR, leading skill development in the company, or when I was made a member of the OMPL Board,” says Mittal.
Grooming women for top positions
During her tenure as the Director (HR), ONGC implemented CSR Projects worth over Rs 600 crore in two years in key social areas like healthcare, education, skill development, environment, women empowerment and rural development. ONGC spent over Rs 550 crore on CSR during the pandemic in 2020-21.
Mittal has laid great emphasis on encouraging women to take up challenging assignments, including postings in fields and installations so that they build core technical competency to grow to top leadership positions in the company. In 2021, Mittal launched a unique leadership development programme called ‘URJASVINI’ to mentor & groom high-potential women executives for leadership positions.
She has successfully initiated and led several far-reaching improvements in employee practices and focused on tapping the opportunities within the workforce to drive productivity and innovation.
During the Covid pandemic, Mittal led from the front to ensure that the human resources of ONGC were taken care of and extended all support in terms of medical facilities, a safe and secure work environment, special welfare facilities, continuous learning and development, as well as emotional and mental wellbeing.
Mittal says that she upholds sincerity, integrity, ethics and dedication to duty as a professional and a leader. She acknowledges her seniors at ONGC, who, according to her, have dedicated their lives for the betterment of society and inspire her to strive for a better world for all.
