MAM
India’s energy heroes leap from oilfields to comic pages
MUMBAI: India has welcomed a new set of heroes and they do not fly or wield cosmic weapons. Instead, they don iconic orange suits and the grit to keep a nation moving. ONGC’s Energy Soldiers have stepped out of oil rigs and seismic surveys and marched straight into the colourful world of Amar Chitra Katha in a new comic titled The Energy Superhero.
The graphic novel is more than a creative experiment. It is a national invitation designed to demystify the tough, technical world of oil and gas exploration for young readers. What better way to celebrate fifty years of the Mumbai High discovery than by turning India’s industrial might into a story children actually want to read.
The idea found its spark within ONGC’s golden jubilee plans and quickly shaped itself into a vibrant collaboration. The company believed Amar Chitra Katha was the perfect canvas to capture its remarkable history. Now, that belief has materialised in bright panels that make complex science feel like pure adventure.
Readers follow four curious children, Anne, Gaganjeet, Bhavani and Arko on a school trip to the Subir Raha Oil Museum. Through their eyes, everyday machinery and processes transform into imaginative quests. Mumbai High becomes an explorer’s map waiting to be decoded. Seismic surveys resemble thrilling detective work beneath the Earth’s crust. Giant rigs like the iconic Sagar Samrat appear as towering wonders from a futuristic tale.
The comic does not stop at drilling and discovery. It walks young readers through the full journey of energy as it is refined, transported and eventually powers daily life. At its heart, the story shines a light on the people behind the machines. Geologists in remote terrains, engineers mastering immense equipment and community workers ensuring sustainable progress all take their place as heroes.
A cheerful character named Chutki introduces ONGC’s growing green energy efforts and CSR initiatives, reinforcing the message that true power includes care for the planet and its people.
In a move that keeps the story accessible, the comic is available to read for free on the Amar Chitra Katha app. There is a growing belief that translations in every Indian language will help the story inspire children across the country.
The Energy Superhero is ultimately a warm salute to the nation’s unsung energy workforce. It offers young readers a window into a world usually hidden beneath steel and sea spray and invites them to imagine themselves as the next generation of explorers, innovators and maybe even superheroes.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
