Cotton innovation shines in Southern India

Engineering institutes are focusing on entrepreneurship development, which is a welcoming sign, says Prof Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA.

Innovation is needed in developing sustainable advanced products from cotton.  

In a function to inaugurate “Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Cell,’’  at  Dindigul, India-based RVS College of Engineering, the importance of  translating ideas to reality was emphasised. 

Dindigul region is an important cotton spinning region in the state of Tamil Nadu with about 800 cotton spinning mills.  

I had the opportunity to lecture to about 100 people in the audience, the need to work on ideas that will help the society, such as using sustainable materials.   

Speaking at the event, Dr Binod Badhri Advisor, RVS Group of Institutions, emphasised the importance of innovation pipeline in higher education institutions. Researchers from the institution exhibited products that came out of their research such as cotton-bamboo sanitary napkins, cotton oil seed crusher, method to automatically inflate tires, etc. 

“Entrepreneurship education should be part of curriculum in higher education institutes, which will help many to be job creators,” stated Dr Vaidyanathan Krishnakumar, Director, RVS Group of Institutions.  

My lecture promoted the value-added applications of cotton such as cotton-layered face masks and oil absorbents using mini demonstrations. Natural fibres like cotton, bamboo, and their blends can be used to develop advanced products like conveyor belts, medical pads, toxic chemical absorbents, etc., which was evident from many products displayed at the exhibition at the institute.   

Engineering institutes are focusing on entrepreneurship development, which is a welcoming sign. 

About the Author:

Dr Seshadri Ramkumar is the Professor, Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, at Texas Tech University, Texas, USA. Email: s.ramkumar@ttu.edu, or http://www.tiehh.ttu.edu/sramkumar