The 32nd Indian Engineering Congress organized by the Institution of Engineers (IEI), Tamilnadu State Centre in Chennai, on December 21-23 was largely attended. The 3-day Conference and symposium witnessed paper presentations and enlightened speeches by various chapters of the Institution as part of the technical sessions.

The theme of this Conference was Innovation and Engineering Competitive Strategy Perspective, covering all aspects of innovation and engineering aimed at better understanding and knowledge sharing among the engineering fraternity.

Mr. Er. T.M. Gunaraja, Council Member, IEI, TNSC, in his opening address, said the theme chosen for this Congress was of topical interest since engineers are really the brain behind the new inventions based on technologies to make human life more comfortable and secure.

He said: “We have excellent potential to grow in diversified areas and excel in engineering. We need an enormous number of engineers to write the next story of success. The essence of engineering education, now spreading fast in India, is a very positive sign as it not only caters to the emerging needs but also provides manpower to the country to enable it to march further ahead. IEI is a venture contributing to this endeavour. It endows fresh graduates with a vision and mission based on transparency, accountability and accessibility.”

Mr. Sarat Kumar Acharya, Chairman, NLC India Ltd. (Neyveli Lignite), in his special address, referred to India’s power sector, which was earlier handicapped with poor quality, registering an unprecedented turnaround, particularly in the past three years. Today, the country is in a comfortable position with adequate power available at affordable rates on a real time basis round the clock.

He also stressed the need for reforms to ensure enhanced power availability, projected power requirement fuelled by rapid pace of development, etc.

Mr. M.C. Sampath, Tamil Nadu Minister of Industries, who inaugurated the 3-day Conference, assured all Government support to the engineering fraternity. Welcoming the august gathering during the inauguration, Dr. G. Ranganath, Principal, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, and Chairman, IEI, Tamil Nadu State Centre, Chennai, gave an overview about the 32nd Indian Engineering Congress and extended his wholehearted gratitude to all those who have supported the mega event.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Banwarilal Purohit, Tamil Nadu Governor, said that the deliberations at the technical sessions would surely have generated more awareness and promoted newer ideas for greater innovation and creativity in various engineering disciplines.

The valedictory session was addressed by Mr. Ram Nath Kovind,  President of India, who said the topics selected for discussion were of great relevance today, and the emerging innovative techniques and trends would positively help the society to advance further. This Congress would also provide opportunities to the delegates to exchange their views and ideas with the objective of involving the student community in making higher technological achievements.

Dr. G. Ranganath, Principal, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, and Chairman, IEI, Tamil Nadu State Centre, Chennai, Er. T.M. Gunaraja, Co-Chairman, Er. R. Ramdoss, Honorary Secretary, IEI, Dr. R. Velraj, Professor & Director, Institute for Energy Studies, Anna University, and IEI, Chennai Chapter, Dr. P. Rajamani, Head of IEI – Madurai Chapter, and Dr. R. Selvaraj, BHEL, and Head of IEI, Trichy Chapter, together worked hard to make the 3-day event in Chennai a grand success.