In a novel initiative to foster goodwill and deeper engagement with local communities, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL) recently organized its first-ever ‘Sneh Milan Mela’ in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh under its Bhatgaon Area. The event, which brought together SECL employees, their families, and nearby villagers, is part of SECL’s broader approach to build trust and cooperation essential for smooth land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of mining operations. The vibrant gathering featured cultural performances, including songs, dances, and a highlight puppet act with the social message of drug de-addiction. Women employees and local participants set up food stalls offering traditional cuisines, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Over 600 attendees including SECL employees, and members of nearby communities joined the celebration, which emphasized unity and shared progress. The Mela aligns with the vision of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy who during his recent visit to SECL reached out to people on ground zero, had lunch with coal miners and underscored the importance of grassroots engagement and worker welfare. The appointment letters were presented at a formal event graced by Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. She praised SECL’s initiatives to empower affected families and called on youth to contribute to the region’s growth. SECL is actively working to expand its operations, particularly in its three flagship mega projects Gevra, Dipka, and Kusmunda which together contribute over 70 per cent of the company’s coal production. Facilitating community cooperation is key to these expansions. In FY 2024–25 alone, SECL provided employment to 807 people in lieu of land acquisition, the highest such figure in the company’s history underscoring its commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth. SECL CMD Harish Duhan said, “At SECL, our mission goes beyond mining. We are deeply committed to improving the lives of people in our operational areas through sustained employment and community engagement. Events like Sneh Milan Mela reflect our holistic approach to development where building trust with communities is as vital as operational efficiency in driving long-term progress.”