A regional convention, Eastern Region Convention (ERC) on “Attracting & Retaining Talent: A Challenge for Organisational Excellence” was organised by Sambalpur Chapter of Indian Society for Training Development (ISTD) at Conference Hall (Auditorium)of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) on 4th & 5th December 2009. Participants from almost all the corporate operating in the eastern region of India came for their participation in it. The inaugural session was chaired by Sri Y. Manohar as the National President, ISTD.  At the outset Sri S.C.Padhy, Director Personnel, MCL delivered his welcome address as the Chairman ISTD, Sambalpur Chapter. Sri P. Bhattacharya, IAS, National Vice President ISTD spoke about ISTD and ERC-2009. Sri M.B.V. Rau, Vice President (East) spoke activities of ISTD in the eastern region. The Keynote address was delivered by Sri M.B.S.Sastry, Past National President & Fellow ISTD. A well stocked souvenir was released by the Chief Guest Sri S.R.Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director, MCL. He also spoke to the occasion. The session was concluded with vote of thanks by Sri A. Kumar, Convenor, ERC-2009.

The Technical Session-I  of Day-I was chaired by Sri P.K.Chatterjee, Managing Director, Indo Asahi Glass Company. Sri C.K.Podder, Executive Director, Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited; Dr Tarapada Dash, Vice President (Human Resources) Tata Refractories Limited & Sri Chiranjit Sen, Vice President (Human Resources) HINDALCO were the speakers of that session. The Technical Session-II was chaired by Sri A.K.Tewary, Director Technical Operation, MCL. Sri P.K.Chatterjee, Managing Director, IAG Industries, Kolkata; Sri S.C.Padhy, Director Personnel, MCL & Prof. S.Mohanty, Professor Sociology, Sambalpur University were the speakers of the session. The Technical Session-III was chaired by Sri P.Bhattacharya (IAS), National Vice President, ISTD. Sri M.B.S.Sastry, Management Consultant, Kolkata, Dr P.K.Sahu, Deputy General Manager 9Human Resources) Steel Authority of India Limited, Rourkela & Sri Shiv Prasad Meher, Manager Public Relations, BISWA with Sri Bhawan Shankar Mishra, Manager Health, BISWA were the speakers of the session.  Prof P.N.Panda, Member National Council, ISTD, anchored the programme. There was a variety cultural programme on Odissi & Sambalpuri dances at the Auditorium. A Gazal Nite was also organised at the sprawling lawn in front of the Auditorium at the late evening and that was followed by dinner.

Programme on Day-II was started with the Technical Session-IV that was chaired by Sri M.V.B.Rau, Vice President, Vice President (East) ISTD. Ms Sabnam Siddiqui, Professor Human Resources, RIMS, Rourkela, Dr S.R.Gollapudi, Director Gitam University, Visakapatnam & Sri Devanand Samal Manager Public Relations, WESCO, Burla were the speakers of the session. The Technical Session-V was chaired by Sri C.K.Podder, Executive Director Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited. The lone speaker of the session was Dr V.Narendra, Head (Corporate Learning & Development), Hindusthan Zinc Limited.

The Valedictory Session was chaired by Sri P.Bhattacharya (IAS), National Vice President ISTD. Dr A.K.Das Mahapatra summed up the convention proceedings. Sri MVB Rau, Vice President (East) expressed his view on impression about the convention. Sri S.C.Padhy, Director Personnel, MCL & Chairman ISTD, Sambalpur Chapter was spoke about the convention. Sri V.Srinivasan, Head HINDALCO, Hirakud, delivered his speech as the Guest of Honour. Dr S.K.Tamotia, Vice Chairman & Deputy Director General, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Bhubaneswar spoke to the occasion as the Chief Guest. The ERC-2009 was concluded with vote of thanks by Sri P.K.Sahoo, Hon Secretary, ISTD, Sambalpur Chapter.