They know that already. The staff is the pillar that gives strength to Tisco's much-sung `other' activities in this area of Bihar as they not only belch fire in the steelmaking furnaces, but figure in Tata Steel's dreams of becoming one of the best corporate citizens. The company supports a very large rural development programme with over 100 experts manning the division. For instance, they train the rural youth in chicken-farming, crop development methods, cattle care etc on a work-share basis. Training is imparted for skill development, self-employment or recreation in towns.

Tisco runs schools, and not just for its own employees, besides carrying out better hygiene and healthcare awareness programmes through its fleet of ambulances. A Tata relief committeeundertakes work during natural calamities or accidents by directly reaching out to the needy.

``Most important of all is the work we have done towards preserving our ecology through our Green Millenium scheme,'' says Irani.

``We decided last year to plant 1 million trees at the rate of 1,000 trees in the remaining 1,000 days to usher in the next century. That target has already been achieved with 500 days remaining. Now we have revised our target to 1.5 million trees. The idea is to ensure maximum greening of the surroundings,'' he adds. The saplings are given free of charge to people on the condition that they will look after them properly. This is -- Creating a little green in steel hearts for a greener corporate India. On corporate governance, Irani says an excellent relationship is shared by Tisco board, management, shareholders and customers. ``The board has seven to nine meetings a year and we share a very strong coalition between all the constituents which we are trying to strengthen further byfully sharing all possible information.''

Similarly, Tisco goes all out to satisfy the financial analysts and more importantly, keep the FIs regularly posted, ``not just when in the need of funds''.It also reserves similar detailed disclosures for Indian investors as for those abroad. On the hitches to corporate governance, Irani feels quite a few corporates who look for short-cuts will not last very long. ``Dishonest promoters are a blot on India. They should be ostracized and nothing be done to help them.''