THOUGHTS SHARING BY Er. A. K. BOHRA ON THE ENGINEARS DAY,

15.09.2012

At Kalinga Polytechnic, KIIT, Bhubaneswar

Er. A. K. Bohra, Chief Executive OfficerCentral Services Office

NESCO, WESCO, SOUTHCO1

Tribute to Er. M. Visveswaraiah

Celebrating today, the 15th of September as Engineer’s Day, the birthday of eminent Indian Engineer and the Statesman Er. Shri Mokshagundam Visveswaraiah, is a fitting tribute to all the Engineering profession but it does not stop at that.

Shri M. Visveswaraiah’s valuable discourse on economic planning in India titled as ‘Planned Economy for India & Re-constructing India’ was the first available document on the planning effort of the country and is widely regarded as the parent source matter for economic planners. Thus engineers ought to welcome this widening of role, as it offers them a bigger canvas to operate in. 2

Background & Potential Head

For the Nation’s programmes, Socio Economic up-liftment of citizens is necessary, which is only possible through large scale infrastructure development.

Realizing the needs & viewing the development in neighboring State China, India has also decided for large scale infrastructure development.

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Background & Potential Ahead

It may be appreciated that any infrastructure or machine or equipment can not be developed without the involvement of Engineers. Even the Operation & Maintenance also needs the involvement of Engineers.

Understanding the need of building Infrastructure, and learning from the nabhour country- China, Govt. of India decided to undertake massive infrastructure development in different fields for the Socio-Economic upliftment of citizens and competing with developed Countries

Therefore the Engineers requires to play a very vital role in the Nation building. Thus creates a heavy demand of Engineers.

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Development & Planning in India

With above background, Govt. of India in 10th , 11th & 12th Five year Plans have given major thrust on infrastructure development across the country by allocating around 70% of the Plan outlay for infrastructure development in different sectors.

The infrastructure development includes Construction of Roads, Bridges, Rail Network, Metro Rail, Electrification, Setting up Power Generating Stations, Airport building, Health Services, Education etc. Accordingly different schemes have been formulated and notified by the Central Government like, PMGSY, PMGY, IAP, RGGVY, NRHM, JNNSM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission) etc. 5

Development & Planning in India

Besides several Central Government schemes, our state has also taken initiatives in development of infrastructure through its own funding to cover the last mile habitants, which are not covered in the Central Schemes.

The BGJY, BSVY, GGY, BRGF (Backward Region Grant Fund), BKVY (Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana for Deep Bore wells), RWSS (Rural Water Supply & Sanitation) are some of the schemes already under implementation in Odisha

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Development & Planning in India

As regards to RGGVY scheme, for Electrification of Rural house holds covering all villages of more than 100 population & providing free electric connection to BPL families, it may be appreciated that Odisha has been the biggest beneficiary of the scheme with an allocation of 10% (Rs. 3800 Cr.) of the total Scheme outlay.

The scheme is being executed by CPSUs and estimated to be complete latest by Sept.2013.

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Challenges to Face

Presently, the concept of an ‘Engineer’ & ‘Engineering’ is no longer a single word to be viewed in isolation. Over the time, the roles of an Engineer & Manager have merged into a new concept called ‘Managereeing’ and today any successful Engineer has to be a Manager.

Thus learning of managerial skills now necessary for engineers.

Presently the Engineering Education does not have provision of Industrial participation. Therefore many Engineers after acquiring qualifications face challenges in the practical field and specially in the Industry or Utility, where no induction training is imparted and engineer is subjected to work from day one.

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Challenges to Face

Another challenge being faced by the Engineering Professionals presently is that, irrespective of the streams after acquiring the qualification, they prefer to go in IT Sector by acquiring some of the IT knowledge after engineering.

Thanks to IT sector, that it has opened a wide employment potential but due to migration of many engineers in IT sector, Core Engineering Sector lacks in fulfilling its demand. 9

Challenges to Face

As I have seen that due to competition or otherwise, a student while studying becomes used to of using empirical formulae or different tools or thumb rules in attempting question papers.

Although it enables him in securing marks but due to lack of knowledge of fundamental principles, he faces challenges in the career afterwards.

It may be understood that, every tool or empirical formulae are based upon certain assumptions, which may not hold good in the field looking to environment and ground realities, therefore the constraints of the formulas or tools used becomes the constraints of the engineer to deliver the proper goods. 10

Challenges to Face

According to me, there has to be a passion towards Core Engineering and Research & Development Sector to undertake innovations and exploration of new areas of engineering or reengineering of the existing system for achieving better efficiency in deliverables.

I would like to give an example got from a very famous recent movie named 3-Idiots regarding the exploration of the instrument that could write at zero gravity conditions and to achieve that, America spent million of dollars, hired consultants and after 2 years could develop a crystal that can write an anti gravity conditions. The Russian outdid them, they wrote with a pencil. That lesson withstand is that ideas not required only but important is to correlate the Idea with Reality. 11

Sharing of my Experience

In the beginning of my career in Rajasthan State Electricity Board, I was posted in Jaipur Distribution Sub-division, without receiving any Induction Training. From the day one I faced certain challenges.

The innovative ideas used for construction of LT line by using a cantilever cross arm of even 9 feet length for shifting of existing line from GI pipes grouted in the walls of two opposite houses of a narrow street, appreciated by my seniors.

Design & Installation of a low cost LT Distribution Pillar Box by eliminating the open fuses or the naked wires used as a fuse link between two insulators.

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Sharing of my Experience

In Odisha, so far not only we have successfully implemented IT Applications but also worked on Automation of different activities.

Unfortunately, unlike Telephone or Mobile connections, where the disconnection and reconnection takes place from the source, in Power Distribution sector we need to approach to individual house for recovery of outstanding dues and executing disconnection which is severely resisted by the local habitants.

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Sharing of my Experience

To eliminate the manual interventions not only in reconnections or disconnections but also in meter reading and spot billing we are presently working on Smart Metering implementation, which have facility for acquiring reading data of energy consumptions remotely at every 15 minute intervals and also enables to disconnect or reconnect the connection from remotely only.

This become possible by using PLC, Zigbee, GPRS or GSM networks along with some hardware and proper Software application

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Concluding Remarks

Today we can say with pride that in India the use of high quality Engineering has been legacy since ancient time. In our State the 12th century temple of Lord Jagannath & Konark Sun temple and 9th century temple of Lingaraj and other centuries old temples are the live marvelous examples of use of high quality Engineering & Architecture.

With the above submission, I would like to wish you all the very best in your upcoming career and would urge that, there is no substitute to the sincerity, hard work & innovative skills which can do wonders and set examples for successor generations.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to address such a brilliant and talented students of Kalinga Polytechnic, KIIT Polytechnic Management, and eminent speakers contributed their thoughts today.

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Thank You

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