SCIN is ready!

Contributed by Mr Prateek Lohiya, SABDU, SCIN New Delhi

As I start to write this article, it dawned upon me that today (26 January), India is celebrating its 72^nd Republic Day, to commemorate the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in year 1950, and the country became a republic. It is a reminiscence of the fact that Sumitomo Corporation also established its first overseas office in the city of Mumbai in 1950.

There are indeed many similarities between India, a country of 1.3 billion people with its young demography, looking towards its bright future and yet holding to its rich culture of more than 5,000 years, and Sumitomo Corporation, which is always standing tall and ready to conquer the new frontiers in this ever changing and challenging business environment, yet never forgetting its history. We at Sumitomo Corporation India (SCIN) are extremely privileged to get the best of both Worlds!

Sumitomo Corporation India – Accepting fresh Challenges and moving towards the Future

All of us were recently faced with this once in a lifetime situation due to COVID-19 pandemic. India was one of the worst effected countries and suffered enormously both in terms of economic and loss of lives. In SCIN as well, 3 of our colleagues, Mr Sachin, Ms Paromita and Ms Deepa at New Delhi office were diagnosed with COVID-19 and one of them had to be admitted in the hospital for almost a month! Yet, we accepted this challenge and continued working hard despite all odds. All 3 team members have resumed work (with a stronger fervour) and set an example for the rest of us on how to overcome this tough situation and continue working towards our common goal – the growth of SC.

Our Corona Warriors

Mr Sachin Sharma
Iron, Steel & Non Ferrous Metals Dept

Ms Paromita Chatterjee
Chemicals Dept

Ms Deepa Pradeep
Mineral Resources and Energy Dept

At this junction, I also recall reading the New Year message of SC President Mr Hyodo and SCAO Group CEO Mr Shiomi on taking fresh challenges and working towards the future. Let me assure on behalf of Team SC India that we are roaring to step into the future with new zeal and ready to accept the challenges. With 4 offices in cities of Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru, we are at the cross roads of venturing into a brighter 2021 and beyond. Our team of 88 employees, in the domains of Automotive, Chemicals, Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Logistics, Metal, Mineral Resources, New Business Development and Corporate Unit are committed to contribute towards the growth of the Indian Society and Sumitomo Corporation.

SCIN Bengaluru office located in WeWork
(Wework is an American commercial real estate company that provides flexible shared workspaces for
technology startups and services for other enterprises)

Team SC India knows that we have to overcome many challenges in future. We have established a new office in Bengaluru, which will focus on startups and DX. I have been fortunate to be a part of the Bengaluru office since SC decided to explore opening one and now it is ready to take the first baby steps. We have to tap the potential that India offers in the start-up domain and appropriately strategise in order to create synergies’ with our Business Units. We have the potential to be a leader in SC in terms of exploring technological innovations, which is critical for the growth of developing economies around the globe. This in fact reminds me of the time when India decided on a mission to Mars and became the first country ever to successfully reach Mars in its very first attempt. The cost of that mission was even lower than some of the highly budgeted Hollywood movies!

I also want to highlight a remarkable story of dedication by our team. During COVID-19 pandemic, we all had to work from home and encountered several issues like VPN connections, adopting to new technology i.e. MS Teams and aspects related to stress due to the dramatic changes in our personal and work life. During such times, our team members from HR & GA ensured that it was business as usual. They had to work tirelessly at all times and yet have always been professional and gave their best support to the rest of our SC India team. I vividly remember calling our IT GM late at night on a Sunday for some system related issue and despite the fact that I was encroaching on his personal family time, he spoke to me with a smile and resolved the issue without a fuss. It was as if I was part of his family, in need of his support at that moment. Examples like this gave an inspiration to all of us to work as ONE SC. And yes, this is also the philosophy of India, which teaches us that the ‘World is One Family’.

SCIN Team’s activities went on – before and during COVID-19 pandemic!

Visiting NGOs before COVID-19 and during COVID-19 with all necessary precautions in place of course!
(NGOs – Non-governmental organisations, beneficiaries of SCIN CSR programme)

POSH session before and during COVID-19 (POSH – Preventation of Sexual Harassment)

Team SC India is Ready

As I pen down this article, it fills me with immense pride that I am a part of a company, which is at the threshold of achieving greater heights by working towards a better society.

Team SC India is ready to conquer the future!