1. 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 Officer
Central Services Office
NESCO, WESCO, SOUTHCO1
2. 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.
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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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.
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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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.
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10. 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
11. 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.
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12. 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.12
13. 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.13
14. 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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15. 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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