Inauguration of 26th Indian Engineering Congress

 

The 26th Indian Engineering Congress organized by The Institution of Engineers (India) and hosted by the Karnataka State Centre was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Water Resources, Government of Kanataka, Mr Basavaraj Bommai in a traditional manner by lighting the lamp, on December 16, 2011 at Bangalore. 

Mr Bommai in his inaugural address stressed that the current global scenario of economic slow-down provides a unique opportunity to the engineering community to face the challenge through innovation by producing new products which will be more useful and cost effective. The Inaugural Session was also graced by the Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka, Mr Basavaraj Bommai, Mr G Prabhakar, President, IEI; Mr S L Garg, President Elect, IEI and many illustrious Past Presidents of the Institution. The function was attended by Vice-Presidents and Council Members, IEI and large number of distinguished engineers from reputed organizations, technocrats, scientists, research scholars, and engineering students. Earlier, the welcome address was given by the Chairman, Organising Committee and Council Member, IEI, Dr L V Muralikrishna Reddy. Mr G Prabhakar, President, IEI, in his address highlighted the role of engineers in research and development towards the development of the nation. ‘Engineers must increasingly transform themselves from designers and builders to project life – cycles sustainers’, he added. Mr Murgesh Nirani, Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka, expressed the hope that the engineers through their education and training will be able to meet the challenges ahead. Mr S L Garg, President-elect, IEI, mentioned that IEI should play active role in advising the Government on various technical matters crucial to the growth of the nation. During the inaugural session, besides presentation WFEO Medal to Mr B J Vasoya, Past President, IEI and Vice President, WFEO; Honorary Life Fellowship of IEI was conferred on Lt Gen (Dr) V J Sundaram, Former Chairman-BOG, NDRF,IEI and Mr B D Mundhra, Managing Director, Simplex Infrastructures Ltd. Honorary Fellowship of IEI was conferred on HE Shri Shekhar Dutt, Governor of Chattisgarh who also delivered the 33rd Sir R N Mookerjee Memorial Lecture. The 54th Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr A Ramachandran, Chairman BOG, ESCI. IEI Industry Excellence Award 2011 was awarded to SAIL, BEL, TCS and Crompton Greaves Ltd. Several other prizes including NDRF Design Awards, Safety and Quality Awards and Institution prizes were also presented. The day’s event also included Glimpses of Engineering Personalities where Eminent Engineering Personalities were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the profession. At the end of inaugural session, Maj Gen R K Sanan, VSM (Retd), Secretary and Director General of the Institution, proposed the vote of thanks.