Happy-Go-Lucky ACCE Members Mark ‘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 M Visvesvaraya
“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 in his memory. 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.
Engineers operate at the interface between science and society. To identify the great work done by the hard-working engineers each year 15th September is celebrated as Engineers’ Day marking the birthday of Sir Visvesvaraya, recognizing his contributions in the field of hydel energy 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 15, 2017 to mark the ‘157th Birth Anniversary of Sir M Visvesvaraya’ and also the ’50th 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 St Sebastian Jubilee Hall, Bendore-Mangaluru. 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 Kalbhavi, 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 ‘always’ by Er Vimal Keerthi Jain. Chairman of ACCE(I)- Er Anil S D’Souza welcomed the gathering, and spoke about the achievements of ACCE(I)-Mangaluru chapter, and also its contribution to the community. Er Vijaya Vishnu Mayya also briefed about ACCE (I)-Mangaluru Chapter, and its great achievements all these years, and being Awarded as the National Best Centre 2016-17. Er Vinayak Pai briefed about the Techno-Week 2017 and asked for support from all the engineers to make it a success as always.
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 – thus the inauguration of the “Engineers’ Day and Launching of Techno-week 2017 was done by garlanding the portrait of Sir M Visvesvaraya and by lighting the traditional lamp. The honours were done by chief guest K Prabhakar Rao- Director (Works) MCFLtd-Mangaluru, along with guests of honour- Jayakumar, Vice President, Marketing of The Ramco Cements Ltd. and other ACCE (I)-Mangalore Centre members on the dais namely- Er Anil S D’Souza- Chairman, ACCE (I); Er T Vinayak Pai-Past Chairman- ACCE (I) and Adviser, Techno Week 2017, Er Satyaranjan Rao-Secretary, Er Arun Prabha- Treasurer, Er Vijaya Vishnu Mayya- National Vice President-ACCE (I), Er Suraj Kumar A -Advisor, Techno-Week ’17; Er Rakesh Nayak and Er Austin Miranda, both Conveners of Techno Week.
Addressing the gathering chief guest Prabhakar Rao 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 V’s 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 2017. 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 have 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 those days. Technology has advanced and its good to note that. Techno Week is the best initiative to spread the knowledge of engineering to the budding engineers. It was because of the passion you are all civil engineers. Passion is very much needed for someone to reach greater heights. But these days we see engineers poor in data analysis, which needs to be improved. Also, Integrity, Speed and Strategy are also needed to reach great heights. Role of a civil engineer is a must in building a strong nation. We can do it- and You Engineers can do it” added Rao.
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. “TECH Mantra” a Technical Magazine of Ramco Cements Co was also released during the occasion. A two minutes silence was observed to pay respect to the departed soul of P R Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, the Chairman of Ramco Group, who passed away on 11 May 2017.
Also during the occasion, the “Eminent Engineers Award” was presented to Er Noel F C Pinto- MD of N J Builders and Promoters, Mangaluru, and Er Yeshavanth Kumar Rai, MD of Classic Consultants-Mangaluru; and the “Anantha Mithra Kalbhavi Award” was presented to Er Ujwal D’Souza, Director of Operations, Marian Projects Pvt Ltd-Mangaluru. Er. Sathyaranjan Rao- 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 aka “The Karaoke Kings” entertaining the crowd with their golden voices, during the dinner time.
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 gives 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!
Eminent Engineer’s Award – Er Noel F C Pinto:
N J Builders & Promoters strongly believes in “Building Confidence Through Unmatched Quality”. Noel F C Pinto, Chairman, with his relentless determination and hard work is the pioneer of the company. Established in 1972 with an overall experience of 45 years, the company has pioneered in the construction of schools, colleges, hospitals, auditoriums, churches, convents, residential apartments, commercial complexes, independent bungalows, renovation of houses for home-stays, beach houses, service apartments, layouts & railway works. The creditability of their success and timely completion of their projects are NJ Builder’s tradesmen (both skilled & unskilled).
Their dedication, commitment and loyalty are what the company is proud of. Also, the backbone of their company is their strong and enthusiastic execution and management team. Their constant strive for Excellency and Transparency is their main objective, “Quality being Our MOTO”. The continuous strive for excellence by managing partner Noel F C Pinto, a civil engineer by qualification and with practical experience in construction has helped the company grow to its present status.
He is the Charter member of Lions Club of Balmatta and a Lion member since 1986, and was the president for four times and has conducted social, financial assistance to the sick people, Aids center, educating the downtrodden etc. He has constructed 9 R.C.C Houses for the homeless in his personal capacity at Bajpe. He has been contributing to the salary of teachers for the past 12 years.
Noel F C Pinto is married to Jacintha Pinto and has three Children who are married and well settled. His Eldest son Er. Vinod A R Pinto is also a Civil Engineer having Masters Degree and also member of ACCE (I) & CREDAI Mangaluru
Eminent Engineer’s Award -Er Yeshavanth Kumar Rai:
Er Yeshavanth Kumar Rai got his Bachelor of Technology Degree from the University of Mysore; Studied at KREC-Surathkal presently known as NITK. From 1980-1984, he worked with a private firm (Kondadi Jayaram Shetty) as structural site engineer and office assistance at Mangaluru.
He started his own office in 1985. Worked on different types of apartment buildings / commercial buildings / industrial buildings extra. Main work field Interior designs / Structural and Architectural designs. His major projects are Dr M V Shetty Institute of Technology-Moodbidri; Sarosh Institute of Hotel Management-Mangaluru; Dr M V Shetty College of Speech Therapy and Hearing; Dr M V Shetty College of Physiotherapy; Technical adviser and structural consultants for Abhiman Constructions; and Land Trades, including award-winning project “Sai Grandeur” (Land Trades). He is married to Preethi Y Rai
“Anantha Mitra Kalbhavi Award”- Er Ujwal D’Souza:
Er Ujwal D’souza is the Director of Operations at Marian Projects Pvt Ltd-Mangaluru; and also Managing Partner of Marian Infrastructures, Mangaluru. He got his Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Bangalore; Diploma in M S Projects; Certificate Courses in A-CAD, in ASCE, in Construction Project Management from IACT. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers; Fellow member of ACCE (I); Professional Engineer-ECI; Trained Internal Quality Auditor for Quality Management Systems. He has 27 years of professional experience in the field of Engineering ( In India- 18 years; Brunei, Qatar and Spain-9 years)
His major projects are: built 650 housing units in Vijayanagar, Bangalore; 42 housing quarters for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals; Housing schemes for Govt. of Brunei; Multipurpose workshop, Fire stations, Commercial Complex and Head Quarters Buildings for Qatar Petroleum; Composite building construction in Barcelona-Spain; Large-scale apartments in Mangaluru;
He had worked for Skyline Constructions Ltd-Bangalore as senior engineer; Site engineer at Galfar Engineering-Brunei; Deputy Construction manager for MFAR Constructions- Bangalore; Sr Engineer for Almuftah Contracting-Doha-Qatar; Project Coordinator-Harry BCN-Barcelona-Spain; Asst GM at Indu projects-Bangalore; Projects Coordinator at Emmanuel Constructions; presently Director of Operations at Marian Projects Pvt Ltd, Mangaluru; and Managing Partner of Marian Infrastructures.