ACCE marks ‘Engineers Day’ with Launch of ‘Techno-Week ‘
“Hard work performed in a disciplined manner will in most cases keep the worker fit and also prolong his life. The way to build a nation is to build a good citizen. The majority of the citizens should be efficient, of good character and possess a reasonable high sense of duty. To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money” – Sir MVisvesvaraya
“Roofs help us to survive, But we build it. No software, No hardware without a proper roof. When civil engineers rest, the world rests. Civil Engineer forever. Civil Engineer rules. Civil Engineer Rocks-Proud to be a Civil Engineer” – a Civil Engineer’s testimony
Mangaluru: “Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours.”- These were the words of the greatest engineer India has ever seen, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya- the engineer whose birthday is celebrated as “Engineers Day” all over India on the 15th of September every year. Visvesvaraya is often used as a metaphor here for an extremely intelligent person. We say “He has Visvesvaraya’s brain”. Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1860-1962) was a prominent Indian engineer, scholar, visionary, and statesman. His birthday, 15-September, is celebrated as “Engineer’s Day” in India in his memory.
Engineers operate at the interface between science and society. To identify the great works done by the hard working engineers each year 15th September is celebrated as Engineers’ Day marking the birth day of Sir Visvesvaraya, recognizing his contributions in the field of hydelenergy in India. Like every year, this year also ACCE (I), which comprises of efficient technocrats who have been serving the local community and the nation, acknowledged the work of this great engineer by celebrating this day jubilantly. They interacted and discussed the importance and works of the engineers in today’s era.
Engineers are the harbingers of change. They can change the way the world lives. They are the silent revolutionaries and unsung heroes who ceaselessly engage themselves in nation building activities. On September 17, 2016 to mark the 156th Birth Anniversary of Sir M Visvesvaraya and also the 49th Engineers’ Day, the fraternity of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India)- (ACCE(I) Mangalore Centre in association with Ramco Cements Ltd celebrated the occasion at Hotel Ocean Pearl. It was a time to recollect the invaluable contribution made towards the community and the nation building by these gifted engineers, and also about the life and achievements of India’s pioneering and greatest engineer of all times, Sir M Visvesvaraya.
Er Rajendra Ro Kalbavi, the pro-compere of the occasion with his witty punchlines began the programme with thought-provoking words of Civil Engineers- ” We design, We Construct, We Observe, We Initiate, We Drive, We Move, We Accelerate the World, We are the gears of Progress, We are the future of the Nation, We are Engineers, and I am Proud to be an Engineer”, which was followed by invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by Er Vimal Keerthi Jain. Chairman of ACCE(I)- Er Vinayak T Pai welcomed the gathering, and spoke about the achievements of ACCE(I)-Mangaluru chapter, and also its contribution to the community. Er
Light symbolizes knowledge while darkness represents ignorance. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Furthermore, knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp in reverence to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray: “Deepajyothi parabrahma, Deepa sarva tamopahaha, Deepena saadhyate saram, Sandhyaa deeponamostute” (I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp; whose light is the Knowledge Principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life)- thus the inauguration of the “Engineers’ Day and Launching of Techno-week 2016 was done by garlanding the portrait of Sir M Visvesvaraya and by lighting the traditional lamp. The honours were done by chief guest H Kumar- Managing Director, MRPL, along with guest of honour- Jayakumar, Vice President, Marketing of The Ramco Cements Ltd. and other ACCE (I)-Mangalore Centre members on the dais namely- Er T Vinayak Pai-Chairman, Er Mohammed Iqbal-Secretary, Er Premanand A – Treasurer, Er Vijaya Vishnu Mayya- Past Chairman/Advisor-Techno Week-16, Er Suraj Kumar A -Advisor, Techno-Week ’16; Er Anil S D’Souza and Er Arun Raj- both Techno-Week 2016 Conveners.
Addressing the gathering chief guest H Kumar said, ” Engineers are the backbone of development and technology. Sir Visvesvaraya had proved that with dedication, will power and commitment even the impossible could be accomplished. Bharat Ratna Sir M V was considered an engineering wizard. He was not just an engineer, but an individual who was ready to take any work that would contribute to nation building. A genius by his own means, Sir M Vs works remain a tremendous source of inspiration and guiding light for engineers at all times. I humbly request that all the engineers gathered here to follow in the footsteps of Sir M V, because engineers just like Sir M V through their technological feats can transform the world into a better place to live.”
He further said, ” I can see the energy, enthusiasm and commitment on the faces of all you engineers preparing for the Techno-week 2016. You engineers have a great challenge between a scientist and technology. I too have gone through lots of pain and various challenges during my engineering days and also when I was at the helm of many posts . But these days education and learning has been easy due to digital technology like Internet etc-by the click of a button you can retrieve any information you need. It wasn’t that way during my engineering days nearly 36 years ago. Technology has advance these and its good to note that. We have fast trains and other automotive -wouldn’t be nice if a train reaches in three hours from Mangaluru to Bengaluru, then who will take a flight? Such trains will be invented soon. Since water plays a important role these days, as engineers we all should convert sewage water into useful water for drinking and other uses. Let’s work to make Mangaluru the first city to recycle sewage water into useful water. We can do it- and You Engineers can do it”.
Also during the occasion, the Eminent Engineers Award” was presented to Dr Subhash C Yargal, and Er M Purushotham Kottary; and the “Anantha Mithra Kalbhavi Award” was presented to Er Eknath Dandakeri. Dr Subhash Yargal is currently working as professor and coordinator for Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction. He dis civil engineering at NITK-Surathkal, and PG and doctoral degrees in Engineering from Indian Institute of Science-Bengaluru. He has completed his post Doctoral Research from Tokyo-Japan in the area of wind hazard mitigation.
He has published more than 200 technical papers in reputed national and international journals and conferences. He has also won many prestigious awards, and has been felicitated by many organizations. Seven students have completed Doctoral Degrees under his supervision, and he has been a examiner for 20 Doctoral theses at various universities. He is serving as an Editorial Board member of International Journal for Structural Fire Engineering, United Kingdom; and American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. He is a life member of many Engineering associations/organizations.
Er Purushotham Kottary has over 47 years of service in the field of constructions at various Construction firms, building residential, commercial and multi-storeyed buildings, bridges- and also constructed the Bank Colony.
He is the proprietor of Shree Navadurga Constructions. He is the director of Sri Satyanarayana Multipurpose Co-op Society, Mangaluru; Director of Pranava Sowhardha Sahakari Ltd, President of Civil Contractor’s Association, PTA Besant Evening College, Adarsha Vidya Vardhaka Sangha, DK Jilla Kottary Samaja Sudharaka Sangha, Sri Arasu Jarandaya Bunta Varahi Daivastana; and Founder member of Sarvajanikia Ganeshothsava Samithi in Padavingady.
Er Eknath Dandekeri has done his Civil Engineering from NIE, Mysuru, M Tech from NITK, Surathkal, and Theses at Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai. Worked as engineer for various Engineering firms, and later started working as a structural consultant for ‘Sigma Civil and Structural Consultants’-Mangaluru. He is active member of ACCE (India), Indian Society of Earthquake Technology, and Indian Concrete Institute.
He is a recipient of BR Samaga Young Civil Engineer Award; and is a active member of Rotary Club of Mangalore Downtown. As a energetic sportsman, he has participated in District Level football championships, and Taluk Level Kabaddi Championships.
Jayakumar also spoke on the growth of the Ramco cement Company, where he said that apart from routine tests, Ramco is involved in finding solutions to concrete challenges faced by various customers and projects. Customers satisfaction is the utmost priority of Ramco Company, he said. Jayakumar also said that the relationship between Ramco and ACCE-Mangaluru has been great for the last so many years, and will continue in the same trend in the future years where unique projects/programmes will be planned for the betterment of the community. Er Vijay Vishnu Mayya- the Advisor of Techno-Week 2016 briefed the gathering about the 36 projects during the Week, and also said that this year for the First time in the History of ACCE (India), Mangalore Chapter, the Engineers’ Day was inaugurated on 15 September 2016 at the Mangaluru City Corporation Council Hall, graced by Mayor Harinath and other MCC officials.
Er. Mohammad Iqbal-Secretary of the association proposed the vote of thanks. The event was organized successfully and left its imprints like flowing water embarks its impression on a pebbled shore. It gave an opportunity to everyone to remember and cherish the works of Sir Visvesvaraya. And as always, the celebration ends with a bunch of engineers entertaining the crowd with their golden voices.
In conclusion, Engineering is not merely knowing and being knowledgeable; engineering is not merely analysis; engineering is not merely the possession of the capacity to get elegant solutions to non-existent engineering problems; engineering is practicing the art of the organized forcing of technological change. Civil engineers build the World, CS/IT create the Magic, Mech/Auto move the World, EE give power to the World, EC/TC connect the World and make it smaller. Hence Engineers are True Creators- and that’s very much true. Long live the CIVIL ENGINEERS!