EDUCATIONAL TOUR
On Sunday, 23rd February, 2013, an excited group of over 75 IASAP ladies commenced their
journey from Mumbai in 2 buses, and another 31 enthusiastic IASAP members from Pune joined
in the Educational Tour to L&T’s Leadership Development Academy at Lonavala. It was Yvonne
Alphonso - IASAP All India President who thought a visit to L&T’s LDA would enhance our
learning, and Grace Tressler, an L&T-ite, brought it to fruition by obtaining the necessary
permissions with the senior-most executives, and Mr. Neville Lobo, Director, LDA, graciously
acceded to our request, and that’s how we reached Lonavala.
At 6.00 am, the buses rolled out from Mumbai heading towards Lonavala. Enjoying the bus ride
with a mini snack, a cup of hot tea and a sing-song session by our nightingales Janice, Vijayam,
Grace and many others in chorus, we reached the beautiful site, and well in time for a super and
sumptuous breakfast. Mr. Marshall D’ Souza, Facility Maintenance Head of LDA warmly
welcomed and guided us to the battery-operated buggies – L&T’s compliance with green concept
regulations, precludes entry of outside vehicles.
As per schedule, we assembled in one of the huge halls at the Learning Centre. Yvonne started
off by welcoming Ms. Veena Bengle, Pune Chapter Chair and her team to this offsite.
She continued by sharing news and other information, especially about the much-awaited
ASA Congress to be held in Karachi, Pakistan during September 2014.
Now for the actual learning, Ms. Rajashree, Program Manager, LDA took us through a virtual
walk-through of the LDA Campus, Programs and Infrastructure Facilities, by means of a
presentation.
 The Management Development Centre (MDC), inaugurated in 1997, was initially was built on 7½
acres of land. Today, the idea of `Management’ has yielded to the larger and more inspirational
concept of `Leader’. MDC has now metamorphosed into the `Leadership Development Academy’
and the capacity has expanded to 23½ acres of land.
 LDA’s objective is to provide world-class training, and support learning & development to the
Company. Leadership development takes place through various programs at the LDA, directly
through hand-picked faculty and through tie-ups with reputed Indian and international
universities viz. IIMs, XLRI, Symbiosis, Narsee Monjee. The LDA has been recognized by
Symbiosis International University, enabling L&T-ites to pursue their Ph.D. Programs with
National Law School of India University, National Institute of Construction Management and
Research and many more.
 The ATL Facility which Rajashree spoke about at length made Any Time Learning easily available
online for L&T-ites to complete various Certification Programs/Modules at their convenience.
The 7-Step Leadership Development approach of the company was explained in detail.
 Infrastructure facilities :
 There are 2 Learning Centres at the LDA.
o Learning Centre 1 has 6 learning halls and 1 hall specially designed to conduct assessments,
a computer lab with 8 computers, 6 syndicate rooms with capacity of 30- 45
o Learning Centre 2 has four learning halls
o A computer lab with 24 computers
o 22 syndicate rooms, fully equipped for confidential discussions
o An auditorium to seat 300 participants, or if the dorma partition is used, 2 learning halls
emerge fully equipped to accommodate 90 persons on each side. All the halls have good
acoustics.
 Lecture rooms are modelled on global centres of learning. One can choose from a variety of
seating patterns – theatre seating, conference style or group discussion.
 The tele-presence facility belongs to a boundary-less university which overcomes the limitations
of geography. Incorporating state-of-the-art IT systems, it can help students attend a class
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conducted by professors and experts across the globe. It allows simultaneous lectures and live,
real-time interaction and connects 16 locations at a time. The process is highly interactive, aptly
supported by movement-sensitive inbuilt cameras.
Keeping the Indian values in mind, a separate Gurukul (hexagonal-shape) has been created
within the campus in the open under a mango tree for conducting various Art of Living, Soft
Behavioural programs, Meditation, etc.
The library, the soul of every learning centre, has over 8500 titles with shelves spread over two
floors. They expect to increase this number to 50000 soon. The library has been specially
designed to meet the needs of the browser as well as the researcher with reading area, private
reading rooms, DVD browser area, wi-fi connectivity and easy access for all.
The LDA combines the rigours of learning with the softer hues of recreation: a beautiful pool
that conforms to international standards (25 m x 15 m). The outdoor recreational facility at the
LDA has a built-up area of 45550 sq.ft, and houses world-class synthetic coated lawn tennis
courts, basketball and volley ball courts. Apart from this, a 1.2 km jogging track is embellished
with landscaped horticulture. For those who wish to learn the basics of golf, there is a GolfPutting Green Lawn ready.
The indoor sports-cum-recreation facility offers games such as snooker, table tennis, carrom,
chess, playing cards, and a modern gymnasium on the ground floor. The first floor presents a
calm and relaxed setting with its magnificent décor conducive to activities such as yoga and
meditation.
A spa with Jacuzzi, steam bath, etc. is another facility provided.
The cafeteria is impressive, generous and designed to accommodate 300 diners at a time as it
provides 2 floors with 2 separate dining areas. There are 2 separate kitchens - vegetarian and
non-vegetarian, to satisfy all diners.
The LDA has 5 residential blocks with twin-sharing, single occupancy rooms and suites. The
residential blocks are connected by an aesthetically designed bridge. LDA has a total of 194
rooms and accommodates around 320 program participants at any given time.
Learning infrastructure of this kind is too good to restrict to L&T, so they have allowed the LDA
to open its doors to other corporates. A number of training programs are conducted by
companies like IDFC, Siemens, Piaggio, etc.
The virtual tour concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Yvonne to Rajashree and her team with
special thanks and a memento to Mr. Neville Lobo for approving this visit.
`Seeing is Believing’, and so we split into 3 groups each led by Rajashree, Natasha and Marshall
for a full tour of the campus. We witnessed every part of the facility as presented to us in the
slides. The LDA has a grace and charm that speaks of thoughtful and tasteful design. It has the
air of a retreat home that welcomes everyone into its fold. The atmosphere is serene and
surrounded by lush green plants. The buildings at the LDA are certified ‘Green Buildings’
to conserve energy using solar lighting and heating systems. The imposing gateway projects
L&T’s world-class engineering and construction image. An elliptical archway, extending into the
limits of space and merging with vertical and horizontal planes, projects the multidimensional
facets of L&T.
After a long walk, buggy rides and innumerable photo sessions, the group came back to the
Dining Hall for a splendid buffet lunch spread.
Post lunch, the team assembled back in the Learning Centre, this time for some fun-filled
sessions. But first, we paid due respect to the memory of Ms Roxanne Mistry from the
Taj Group, an active GC member who lost her young life to Cancer, by observing 2-minutes
silence.
We split into 10 groups thereafter, and enjoyed some games, conducted by bubbly Sharon
Pires. Cryptic quizzes which needed common sense to solve, a game which had us eating
wrapped goodies (like chocolates, a groundnut, coconut pieces, even carrots) in quick-time, had
us in splits. The game of Housie had prizes which kept going on and on and on, with first house,
second house, third house, interspersed with prizes for Bull’s Eye, four corners and single lucky
number, and made us want more.
LDA rules prohibit giving tips to any particular worker. While the GC members were busy
adjudging the winner of the quizzes, Grace informed everyone about a Welfare Fund that is kept
to aid the housekeeping and estate maintenance staff, for their education, health, medical
needs, welfare and upbringing including their families. In a matter of moments, we collected an
amount of Rs.5220/- which was donated to this Fund.
At the tea break, we were served varieties of cookies, delicious cakes baked in the LDA kitchen,
and samosas. It was so enjoyable.
Lonavala is synonymous for its famous chikki, fudge, sweets and Cookies. Everything was
meticulously arranged within the campus, so could lighten our purses and return with loads of
the sweet stuff.
After a group photo session (the skilled photographer managed to include all 106 beautiful ladies
in one frame), we dispersed to board our buses home. There was perfect blending with the
Mumbai and Pune members. As we exchanged our goodbyes, we offered our sincere thanks to
Mr. Marshall, and his team and finally raised 3 Cheers to our very own petite Grace Tressler who
stands as tall as the L&T giant for making this trip an educative, inspirational and memorable
one. Being an L&T-ite myself, made me immensely proud.
Learning is a race without a finish line. So, for more information on how Corporates can avail of
LDA’s facilities, please visit the e-brochure at http://lnt-mdc.com, or write to:
Rajashree.Chakraborty@larsentoubro.com, or call Tel: 02114 302211.
AKSHATA VICHARE
LARSEN & TOUBRO