MUSCAT : As an organization that places immense importance on its employees, considering them one of the most valuable assets of the company, Khimji Ramdas Group recently felicitated 25 of its employees for completing 25 years of service. A total of 397 awardees completed a 25-year tenure between 2010 and 2021. In the 12^th edition in 2022, 26 more employees were added to the list, out of which 18 were Omani nationals. As a mark of respect, 25 grams of gold were given to the employees for their ongoing contribution to the company.

Commenting on the ceremony, Pankaj Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas Group said, “One of the core pillars of Khimji Ramdas is ‘care’, and that begins with our employees. We have achieved great milestones and the credit, undoubtedly, goes to the unfaltering dedication, professionalism, and responsibility that our employees have demonstrated. The inherent values of trust, commitment, and learning have been the cornerstone of our success and these beliefs have formed the base of a strong and long-running organisation. While we congratulate all the awardees at the event, we also thank them for their years of loyalty, hard work, and faith in the company.”

Meanwhile, Nailesh Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas Group further added saying, “Our employees are the ambassadors of our organisation and play a quintessential role in its success story. On behalf of the entire board of directors, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped create the strong brand identity of Khimji Ramdas. These contributions are of paramount importance to the continued growth of the organisation and are a mark of passion, perseverance, and dedication.”

A cherished tradition of honouring long-serving employees, the awards recognised the employees who had joined Khimji Ramdas in the mid-90s and have, since then, scaled new heights as they have furthered their job responsibilities and roles.

Said Abdullah Said Shereiqi who works in the Khimji Ramdas Nizwa Branch said, “The most profound thing at Khimji Ramdas is the amount of importance the company places on appreciating the efforts of its employees while respecting their needs. As a long-term employee of the company, I have always felt supported, encouraged, and motivated to keep learning and progressing in my career.”

The KR Group, through the years, has remained steadfast in giving opportunities to the Omani workforce while playing a vital role in helping them grow through the ranks.

Jamila Issa Ali Albalushi who works at the Pizza Hut Mabela branch, which is a part of Khimji Ramdas Lifestyle Cluster, expressed her pride in being a part of such a reputable company saying, “Khimji Ramdas has been a progressive company that has focused on empowering women. I am the first Omani woman from my family to work in the field of hospitality and the first Omani woman to get promoted in the branch that I am working in. I followed in my father’s footsteps, who had been a loyal employee of Khimji Ramdas for 52 years. He was one of the first employees to join the company. Though I started out doing a job that I loved, I quickly progressed from kitchen staff to the regional manager. This is a testament to the opportunities the company provides for its employees.”

Sharing a similar opinion, Samir Jan Mohammed Ghulam, a site supervisor in the Building Materials Business at KR Infrastructure Cluster said, “I built my career at Khimji Ramdas. The work culture at Khimji Ramdas encouraged me to learn new skills at the company’s garage and I was soon promoted to the post of assistant mechanic. The company also gave me a chance to explore other avenues of interest as I then tried my skills in the shipping sector before moving to the Sports and Fitness segment where I grew to a senior employee position.”

Promoting a conducive work environment that promotes productivity, Khimji Ramdas has been encouraging its employees to explore new challenges, diversify their knowledge, and lead by example.

Commenting on her years of service at Khimji Ramdas, Zakiya Hamood Mohammed Al Rahbi, Assistant Divisional Manager at Khimji Ramdas Shipping Business, Projects & Logistics Cluster said, “Despite the size of the company, the attention and respect given to every employee is commendable. Although I started out as a delivery worker, the company recognized my keen interest in accounting and helped me acquire a suitable role in the relevant department where I was the only woman at that time. The culture of sharing experiences, mentoring, and encouraging one another is prominent at Khimji Ramdas and has been instrumental to my personal and professional growth.”

Through ongoing training sessions, employee development workshops, and continuously rewarding individuals for their efforts, Khimji Ramdas has been successful in nurturing the national workforce and giving them the necessary exposure to become leaders of tomorrow.