Celebrations Across Locations

Our teams welcomed traditional festivals with energy and warmth. Ganpati Visarjan saw heartfelt farewells to Lord Ganesha, filled with devotion and joy. Onam was celebrated with vibrant and colorful festivities across Cairn locations, while Vishwakarma Pooja honoured the creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication of our teams. The Navratri celebrations brought music, dance, and cheer to every corner of Cairn, making the month truly lively and memorable.

Cross-Location Highlights

Celebrations, learning, and teamwork were in full swing across Cairn’s locations. At the Corporate hub, Leadership Unplugged with Hitesh Vaid, CFO – Cairn Oil & Gas, offered candid conversations and valuable insights. The Coffee Connect Session with Manu Khanna, Director East Coast, fostered dialogue and collaboration, while Sweet Friday brought teams together, spreading joy and connection one treat at a time.

In the North-East, Engineers Day celebrated the brilliance of our engineers through the interactive “Nuts, Bolts & Brains” simulation exercise, engaging operators, supervisors, and managers alike. Wellness Bites: Nutrition Week encouraged friendly competition as employees participated in daily challenges tracked via a lively leaderboard.

RJ North marked 16 years of first oil from Mangala with Mangala Day celebrations, honouring decades of dedication, teamwork, and achievement.

On the West Coast, the Badminton Tournament energised the workplace, highlighting teamwork, sporting spirit, and friendly rivalry among employees.

In the East Coast, Townhall sessions with leadership, including Jasmin Sahurity and Manu Khanna, encouraged open discussions and strengthened connections across teams, bringing everyone closer to shared goals.

Across every location, these moments of connection, celebration, and learning highlighted the spirit that keeps our family thriving together.

Wellness at the Core

Under the theme #RoutinesRhythmsAndRealResults, Marsh Mercer led a series of engaging wellness sessions throughout September. From decoding supplements in Swipe Left on Bad Advice on September 10, exploring the power of routines in Rhythms Over Ruts on September 17, to building heart-healthy habits in Beat by Beat on September 24. These encouraged employees to rethink their daily routines, embrace healthier practices, and prioritise their well-being.

E-Learning for Women’s Health & Fitness Month

In celebration of Women’s Health & Fitness Month, dedicated e-learning courses were rolled out to support employees in adopting healthier lifestyles. These sessions provided practical tips, guidance, and tools to help women prioritise their physical and mental well-being, fostering awareness and encouraging proactive steps toward long-term health. By equipping employees with knowledge and resources, the initiative aimed to inspire confidence, balance, and empowerment in every aspect of life.

September was a month of harmony, where devotion, learning, celebration, and health came together to strengthen the Cairn family, reminding us that growth and well-being go hand in hand.

Contributed by Wellness Team

Contributed by Abha Verma

Contributed by Abha Verma

The event was a double milestone for me: I ran my 57th Half Marathon and made my debut as an official pacer for the event, helping other runners hit their 2 hour 20 minute goal. To be the first Vedanta Group employee to officially pace is something I’m truly proud of.

For anyone who doesn’t know, a pacer is the person who runs at a steady speed to guide others to the finish line on time. It’s a huge privilege to help others achieve their goals while staying focused on your own performance.

Just the week before, on September 14, 2025, I tackled the infamous Satara Hill Half Marathon , one of the toughest in the world, to complete my 56th Half Marathon. That finish earned me the prestigious 5 STAR Medal for completing five consecutive Satara editions within the time limit! My record there now stands at one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze medals, plus a Top 20 ranking in my age group over the past five years.

Every step and every medal I’ve earned is living proof of what you can do with discipline, perseverance, and a passion for pushing boundaries. I am so thankful for the support from the Vedanta family; it’s what motivates me to keep going.

Ultimately, these achievements are my way of living up to our Chairman’s inspiring vision of ‘Return to Society.’

Another achievement I’m thrilled to share: Last month in August, I received the Gujarat Gaurav (Pride) Award – 2025 in the Sports Category at the iconic Statue of Unity!

Honestly, none of this would be possible without the incredible encouragement from Cairn and all my amazing colleagues. I really hope my journey inspires others across our organisation to embrace wellness, set big challenges, and find the joy in pushing their own limits!

Contributed by Brijesh Oza

Known as the world’s highest ultra marathon, the race began at Khardung village (around 12,335 ft) and ended at Leh Market (11,500 ft), with the punishing climb to Khardungla Top (17,618 ft) standing as its most formidable stretch. With only 14 hours to finish and strict cut-offs along the way, the challenge was not just about endurance, but about grit, focus, and faith in oneself. Nearly 60 km of the route runs above 4,000 metres, where every breath has to be earned.

The Relentless Climb

The race began at 3:00 am under a sky full of stars and silence. The first 32 km, the ascent to Khardungla Top, is known for testing even the most seasoned runners. As the altitude climbed, oxygen thinned; every step grew heavier, and the cold bit deeper.

Despite years of running, from half marathons and full marathons to 50 km and 100 km ultras, I found myself entering a new territory. Just 3 km before reaching the top, exhaustion hit me. My legs ached, my head spun, and for the first time, I felt dangerously close to a DNF (Did Not Finish).

But you just keep moving. One step. Then another. After 6 hours and 30 minutes, I hit Khardungla Top. Standing there, surrounded by snow peaks and prayer flags, I realised victory isn’t about running fast; it’s about refusing to stop.

The Descent and the Sun

From the top, the route thankfully turned mostly downhill toward Leh, but the challenge wasn’t over. That thin air sticks around until South Pullu (14 km down), and every downhill stride punishes already exhausted legs. I hit South Pullu at 9 hours and 6 minutes, feeling completely drained but also intensely alive.

With 25 km to go, my mantra was simple: just keep moving. The sun rose high and fierce, and at that altitude, the intensity is brutal. My shoulders were burning, but I decided to wear those sunburns like badges of honor, it was proof of the battle I was fighting and winning.

The Final Push

I found my rhythm again and locked onto my 13 hour target. Entering Leh Market was electrifying; the crowd’s cheers and the finish line sight powered me with every last ounce of energy. I crossed the line in an astonishing 12:59:49, just 11 seconds under my goal, and a full hour before the official cutoff!

The moment I finished, the fatigue just vanished, it was replaced by pure, electric joy. That finish line wasn’t just 72 km behind me; it was the ultimate feeling of my mind beating that massive mountain.

Since 2016, running has been my path of self-discovery. From half marathons to full, and beyond to the extremes of 50 km and 100 km ultras. Yet, the Khardungla Challenge stands apart.

It’s not just a race, it’s a dialogue between human will and nature’s extremes. It’s a reminder that when the body gives in, the mind can still carry you forward. Crossing that line in Leh wasn’t the end of 72 kilometres, it was a celebration of belief, endurance, and the courage to keep going when everything tells you to stop.

To experience the spirit of this challenge, watch the National Geographic documentary: Watch here

Contributed by Ankit Bhavsar

Think of it this way, the Mangala field is moving to the next level of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The team is now scaling up to one of the largest full-field ASP floods in the world across the Mangala, Bhagyam, and Aishwariya (MBA) fields.

Why is this a big deal? This advanced technology is expected to unlock a substantial amount of additional oil, significantly extending the life of the field and delivering long-term value for the entire nation.

The entire event emphasised the ongoing partnership between Cairn and ONGC, a collaboration that is built on shared technological goals and a collective commitment to making India more energy self-reliant and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It’s a proud celebration as Cairn marks 16 years of Mangala First Oil, proving that partnership and perseverance really pay off.

Contributed by Wellverse Team

These championships not only bring global attention to India’s Northeast but also inspire local youth to dream big. By supporting events like this, we aim to create avenues for young people to excel both on and off the court.

Through such sponsorships, we continue to stand by our belief in empowering young minds and bringing communities together. From nurturing local prodigies to supporting para-athletes through Project Divyang, we believe true progress comes from creating opportunities for the next generation to shine.

Let’s cheer on these young champions and experience the excitement live as they chase their dreams on the court!

Contributed by Wellverse Team

On October 12, 2025 the much awaited Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon concluded with Cairn contributing more than 20% of overall VDHM target of contributing 5 million Poshan Packs. 

It was a simple idea: lace up, log in, and move together. This has now become something extraordinary. Over the course of 2 months, Virtual Marathons brought employees, business partners, families, and community members together. Across sites, our employees, business partners, along with community members, took part, showcasing teamwork and the power of ‘We.’

East Coast: Taking the First Lap

The East Coast kicked off VDHM 2025 with a bang. Registration counters across offices and plant sites became hubs of energy, with employees joining fitness challenges, cheered on by leadership. The momentum continued at KIMS Hospital, where doctors, nurses, and visitors joined in enthusiastically.

Ravva Beach: Where Sand Met Spirit

As the sun rose over Ravva Beach, runners gathered at the Living Quarters for a scenic marathon blending physical participation with virtual connection. Some ran along the shore, others joined via fitness apps. Hydration points, safety protocols, and a virtual celebration brought everyone together.

RJ North: Moving Beyond the Office

The RJ North team kicked off VDHM with a strong start, driving high engagement through a well-structured registration process. The focus here had shifted from sign-ups to shared experiences, with Barmer picnics, team treks, and walkathons at Bhagyam and partner sites. The activities brought employees together, helping them unwind, connect with nature, and celebrate fitness.

West Coast: Fitness Meets Fun

Wellness on the West Coast came alive through colors, competition, and community spirit. On the badminton courts, 27 players battled it out, covering 36 km.

At Suvali Beach, 53 participants, including business partners, turned a high-energy cricket match into a fitness celebration, logging 1,09,460 steps. The night ended with 67 participants swirling through Garba at Suvali Plant, collectively dancing 2,01,000 steps.

These moments proved that wellness can be woven into culture, play, and passion, turning healthy habits into fun.

Running with Purpose: #RunForZeroHunger

Through Nand Ghar, every kilometer we contributed, Vedanta will provide Poshan Packs for children, supporting their nutrition, education, and growth. 

From East to West, across hospitals, beaches, factories, and homes, the Virtual Marathon emphasised participation, teamwork, and shared purpose over finishing first. Employees, families, and community members came together to celebrate wellness, unity, and engagement. Every runner, cheerleader, and volunteer helped make the event more than a race, a true celebration of connection in motion.

Contributed by Honey Shah

The workshop featured thought-provoking leadership sessions, panel discussions, and presentations from partners including Schlumberger, SPOG, L&T, Petrofac, SLB, TCI, Techwysh, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and Fleetx. Discussions covered behavior-based safety interventions, human performance, incident learning, the role of AI in safety, wellness, and sustainability. Interactive stalls demonstrated cutting-edge safety solutions, while our in-house generative AI chatbot –  iCairn, highlighted how digital innovations are enhancing safety practices across operations.

The session was organised and led by Swapnil Sharma, Head of HSE, with the objective of fostering a proactive safety culture and strengthening behavioral safety practices across contractor teams. Leadership insights were shared by Mahesh Mahajan, Vedanta Group Head Health & Safety; Brig BS Shekhawat, Director Cairn Assets; Avinash Bohra, Head Wells & Drilling; and industry partner Jagannath Joshi from Baker Hughes. The panel on AI in Safety featured Subhash K Singh, Director Ops Exc. & CHSESO; Sandeep Gupta, Chief Digital & Information Officer; Shashank Dixit, Country HSEQ Manager, Halliburton; and Mukesh Pachauri, Principal, Govt. Girls College, Barmer.

The workshop energised participants, reinforcing accountability, care, and continuous improvement in safety. Every dialogue, demonstration, and insight reiterated Cairn’s commitment to making safety a shared responsibility, ensuring that employees and partners can operate securely while embracing innovation.

Contributed by Marzook Madappalli

This new name captures the essence of our journey. “i” stands for Intelligent, Insightful, and Integrated, while ‘CAIRN’ symbolises clarity, guidance, and direction, serving as a beacon for our digital transformation. While the name has changed, the platform continues to offer the same intuitive interface, powerful features, and secure environment you have come to rely on.

A key enhancement on iCAIRN is the launch of step-by-step SAP process guides. You can now ask questions and receive instant answers in seconds, removing delays and eliminating confusion. Everything is easily accessible in the Highlighted Modules section, making support quicker, simpler, and more effective than ever.

Over the coming weeks, all references to Caira across systems and documentation will transition to iCAIRN. Stay tuned for new enhancements and exciting use cases that will make the platform even more impactful in your daily work. You can access iCAIRN now at https://icairn.cairnindia.com/

This is a step forward in our digital journey. With iCAIRN guiding the way, we are making work smarter, faster, and more connected.

Contributed by Aayushi Singh