The India Post, Chandigarh, December 28 2008:The second day of CHEMCON-2008 started with the celebration of Shri Dhirubhai Ambani Commemoration Day on the occasion of his 75th Birth Anniversary. His Excellency, Dr. A. R. Kidwai, the Governor of Haryana inaugurated the function at Law Auditorium Panjab University by paying tribute to Shri Dhirubhai Ambani and he congratulated Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab university on its Golden Jubilee and its continuous service towards the field of education and research.
Prof. G.D. Yadav, Chairman of National Organizing Committee of CHEMCON-2008 talked about the visionary leadership of Shri Dhirubhai Ambani under whose guidance Indian Industry saw its new rising phase and remembered him as an epitome of entrepreneurship.
The Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Prof. R. C. Sobti, highlighted the various steps taken by Panjab University in promoting alternate sources of energy like using solar heating plants in hostels and canteens.
Shri. Gopal Jha, the Senior Vice President of Reliance Industries Ltd. said," Shri. Dhirubhai Ambani has inspired courage and commitment among common people to achieve their dreams. We need to build infrastructure, train young minds and develop world class R&D to make the India , which Mr. Ambani dreamt of. Sh. Ambani always said 'Think big, Think Fast, Ideas are nobody’s monopoly.
Dr. R. B. Grover, Director, Strategic Planning, Deptt. Of Atomic Energy andDirector,HomiBhabha National Institute of Atomic Energy paid rich tributes to Sh. Dhirubhai Ambani by quoting "Acquisition of Knowledge & creation of Wealth has always been a part of our culture, that is why we worship Goddess lakshmi and Saraswati together". He also discussed about the crisis that India might have to face in terms of energy if all the resources available aren't used to the fullest along with that he briefly highlighted upon all new emerging technologies to produce energy and also gave various steps to overcome them. He also said that even if we use all the resources available to us even then we would need to import 30% energy by middle of the century. Of all the emerging fields he emphasized on using nuclear energy to overcome this problem. He told about various steps that are being taken by Indian Govt. like nuclear deal that was recently signed with USA . And told about its uranium which is the major raw product for nuclear plant. He stressed upon the need to reuse spent fuel. He was awarded the Shri. Dhirubhai Oration Award for his contribution in the field of Energy.
The distinguished chemical engineering alumni of Panjab University , Prof. Rajinder Kumar, IISc, Bangalore , Prof. Arvind Verma, Purdue University , and Prof. S.K. Sharma,Emeritus Professor, Panjab University were felicitated on the occasion.
The Indo-US Joint Symposium started today and which will continue tomorrow and it will ultimately culminate in a workshop in which new ways will be discussed to bring in Energy technology revolution and overcome the global problem in the field of energy. During this session Dr. Ramesh Ramachandram ,Dow India , spoke on importance of sustainable growth in the coming times. Mr. Ben Wilhite, from University of Connecticut spoke on portable reforming of biofuels. Other speakers who took part in this session were Prof. Bala Subramaniam, Kansas University , Dr. M.O.Garg, IIP Dehradun,Prof. Arvind Lali, ICT, Mumbai, Prof. A. Varma, Purdue University , who is an alumnus of DCET, Panjab University, Prof S.K.Sharma, Panjab University, Prof. Muthanna AL-Dahan, Washington University, St. Louis, Dr.Rajiv Kumar, Tata Chemicals Ltd, Pune. Various technical and posters sessions were held in the Dept. which continued till the evening. An Exhibition has also been set up in which various companies like K.C. Engineers Pvt. Ltd.,Kickstart Placements, Indiasoft put up their stalls.
At the end of day the delegates were enthralled by cultural performances by Rangla Punjab and the student volunteers.
The third day will have many more technical sessions and the continuation of INDO-US Joint Symposium.