Crystal is happy to contribute in Government's initiatives for farmers

It is heartening to see the Government driving a slew of programmes with a view to increase the production, productivity and income of the farming sector. The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing through State Governments the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize (ISOPOM), besides others.

Under these schemes emphasis is given to easy and reliable access to inputs such as quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, suitable technology, extension services, support infrastructure and innovative marketing system. Further, to ensure remunerative price, Government announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural commodities every year. National Policy for Farmers, 2007 also has provisions to improve economic viability of farming.

Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries Shri Harish Rawat informed the Rajya Sabha today (April 27, 2012) that in order to improve credit flow to agriculture sector, Government decided in June, 2004 to double flow of agriculture credit in three years with reference to base year 2003-04. Flow of agriculture credit has consistently exceeded the targets since 2003-04. To facilitate flow of credit to farmers and increase financial inclusion, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) are being provided to farmers. From Kharif 2006-07, farmers are receiving crop loan up to principal amount of Rs 3 lakh at 7% rate of interest. In addition, since 2009-10, Government has been providing 1% interest subvention to farmers who repay loans on time. This subvention was increased to 2% in 2010-11 and 3% in 2011-12. Thus, effective rate of interest on crop loan up to Rs 3 lakh for farmers who repay on time has come down to 4% per annum.

We at Crystals are committed to supporting the initiatives of the Government and partner them as and when possible. We value the commitment of Government towards farmers.

PERFECT WORKPLACE – IS IT REAL?

Corporate, Outsourced, Up in the Air, Pursuit of Happiness and various other Bollywood and Hollywood movies have struck a chord with their global audiences particularly those in the corporate world. They compel one to think about our preferable workplace, our working style and what would be the ideal environment for oneself.

Theoretically speaking, an ideal workplace is one with good communication and team work systems that are conducive for productive and efficient working of its employees. It may be termed as workplace where employees can grow professionally as well as intellectually. However, there can be no comprehensive definition. Infinite permutations and combinations can be worked out in any given organization as each individual has a different set of expectations, needs, views and experiences.

In my opinion, the perfect workplace is where employees are comfortable and feel at home. This is crucial because it is directly linked with performance and employee’s alignment with the company values and goals. This was beautifully depicted in the romantic comedy, Outsourced where Tom Anderson (Josh Hamilton) was transferred to India where he experiences a culture shock. The film depicts travails and cross cultural conflict and how the salesman works his way through to be a part of the culture and find comfort in his working.

However, the company’s contribution in creating an ideal work environment is very limited. It is restricted only to providing resources, services and addressing employee needs. The environment and culture is fundamentally created by the employees; by the way we function, our attitude, behaviour towards each other and the like. It is the employees that create an enriching and dynamic environment. Thus, creating our perfect workplace is in our hands. Our environment primarily depends upon ‘US’ treating our co-workers with respect and support. It is dependent upon how we adapt to each other and shape our functioning as per our surroundings.

Interestingly, it always comes down to each one of us in terms of our way of dealing with us. The way we think has a direct impact on the way we behave and act. Suppose, we feel that this task is extremely difficult for me to do. Thinking this itself dropped my enthusiasm level to a large extent and moved me towards pessimism making it hard for me to initiate the project. So we need to THINK that we are working at an ideal workplace because only then we will be passionate about our work and only then we can focus on our working at our best.

 Another major error we commit in adapting to our workplace is that of comparison. Suppose your boss compared your work with one of your colleague. Both of you work on different aspects, come from different backgrounds and have diametrically opposite ways of functioning. You are bound to feel frustrated about the comparison. Similarly, even though two companies may be working in the same sector, their styles of functioning are bound to be different. This is again because the culture of the company created by its employees will be different from ours. And it is this difference in the thinking and working pattern of the employees that the company provides different kind of facilities. Hence, comparison should be always and only be done with the focus of improvisation and enrichment. If we desire a similar environment, our first target should be to create such working within ourselves and then spread it outwards to our colleagues, department and hence forth.

It takes an extraordinary organization to create an environment which is conducive and challenging for its employees. But such an organization is developed only when there are such individuals in the organization to make a difference. Thus, the perfect workplace is all about thinking, adapting and shaping.

‘THE PERFECT WORKPLACE EXISTS AND IT IS YOU’

-- By Radhika Gupta