Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi organized a Special Training for the Executives of Blackrock Mining & Mineral Consultancy (BRMMC) on 28 June and 01-02 July 2024 on the campus.

The welcome address was given by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director XISS where he welcomed all attendees and expressed sincere thanks to BRMMC for choosing XISS as the training partner. Dr Kujur reiterated the institution’s dedication of delivering an outstanding training program, aimed at equipping trainee executives with the necessary knowledge and skills for their professional advancement through training modules and its subjects.

Dr Kujur discussed the challenges faced by outsiders in the local field, citing missionaries' efforts among tribals as an illustrative example and emphasized that these training sessions will enhance executives' work ethics and soft skills by drawing on local historical and contextual insights, aiming to improve effectiveness and adaptability. He said that understanding the tribal worldview, particularly the Nature-Human-Spirit Continuum, is a crucial aspect of our sensitization efforts. This holistic perspective will not only foster a deeper appreciation and respect for their cultures but will also provide assistance to the agencies or field executives to boost a relationship with the people there for better opportunities.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Amritanshu Prasad, CEO-BRMMC where he articulated the rationale behind the training for the Land Executives at XISS and emphasized that the Institute stands out not only for its comprehensive approach for management education but also for its dedication to the holistic development of rural areas. He mentioned that the institution’s unique focus aligns perfectly with the objectives of fostering sustainable and inclusive growth in rural regions, making it an ideal choice for equipping Land Executives with the necessary skills and knowledge. He also urged the executives, to remain open to learning new things during the sessions.

Earlier in the training, the dynamics were set by Dr Amar Eron Tigga, Dean Academics, where he stated that XISS is dedicated to nurturing professionals who embrace diversity and are deeply committed to social justice, ethics, and service. He highlighted the three 'P' principles of XISS: People, Planet, and Profit and these guiding principles reflect the institution's commitment to fostering a balanced and sustainable approach to development.

The sessions highlighted the importance of integrating academic and legal theories with practical knowledge and ground realities faced by executives. This synthesis will lead to productive discussions, bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. The approach of the sessions was to ensure that the training is not only informative but also relevant and actionable, preparing executives to effectively navigate and address the challenges they encounter in their roles.

The training was held across several sessions on topics namely, CNT Act 1908 & its implications for Land Acquisition and Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act 1957 & its implications taken by Rashmi Katyayan, Advocate-Writer and Fr Xavier Soreng SJ, LLM &JESA, Jesuit Conference of South Asia, New Delhi.

This was followed by two sessions on Land Acquisition Act 1894 & 2013 & Indian Forest Act 1927, Forest Conservation Act 1980, Forest Rights Act 2006, and Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act 2023 by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur and Research Scholars of XISS, Seerat Kachhap and Eva Jyoti Lakra. A session on Experiences of Land Acquisition for Mining: Challenges & Opportunities was taken by Himalay Indraprastha, Deputy Manager, CCL, Ranchi.

In the following two days, Dr Amar Tigga and Dr Ramakant Agrawal took a session on Public Interface Skills including Negotiation & Communication Skills, while Dr Pooja and Dr Binit Lakra took a session on Role of Inter-personal relations, Teamwork, and Self-development respectively.

Meanwhile, a session on Problem-Solving and Learning System was taken by Dr Anant Kumar and Dr Bhabani Prasad Mahapatra. The MDP concluded with a Valedictory Session graced by Mr Bimal Sinha, HR Head, Thriveni Sainik Mining Pvt. Ltd (TSMPL). On the concluding day, the sessions included Takeaways and Learnings, Evaluation Sessions as the day ended with concluding words & certificate distribution.