Focus on technical textiles: Gen. VK Singh at 58th JTC

The Joint Technological Conference (JTC) is an annual feature of India’s premier textiles research associations ATIRA, BTRA, SITRA and NITRA. This is a jointly organised prestigious techno-conference in which delegates from the textile and clothing industry take part. The major technical developments in the field of textile technology, based on the R&D works carried out by four TRAs during the year, are presented and deliberated in the conference. The 58th edition of this event was hosted by NITRA at its campus in Ghaziabad on February 15, 2019.

Gen. VK Singh, MoS for External Affairs illuminated the 58th JTC as Chief Guest. Also present on occasion were eminent industrialists S K Kapoor and Raj Kumar Jain, respective Chairman and Vice Chairman of NITRA, Director General, NITRA Dr Arindum Basu and respective Directors of ATIRA, BTRA, and SITRA MN Subramanian, Dr Anjan K Mukhopadhaya and Dr Prakash Vasudevan.  Emeritus Prof VK Kothari and Prof R Chattopadhyay, both from IIT Delhi along with MK Garg from Alps Industries chaired the three technical sessions. During the daylong conference, 12 technical papers were presented to about 200 industry professionals. In the sidelines of the 58th JTC, an exhibition and a poster presentation event was also organised to mark the moment.

SK Kapoor, Chairman, NITRA, in his welcome address mentioned that, TRAs are the flag-bearers of textile research in India and are also acting as implementing agencies for MoT. He urged the industry to provide more support to TRAs and create an environment so that TRAs can wholeheartedly concentrate on research works and pass on its fruits to Indian textile industry.

Dr Arindam Basu, Director General, NITRA while presenting the Combined Report on the Activities and Achievements of TRAs, informed that this year a large number of R&D projects were conducted by TRAs. These researches are mostly funded by Government of India but 30 per cent contribution for each research is borne by various private companies of textile industry, so these researches are focused on practical solution on the industry’s various problems or areas of improvements. Besides, many in-house researches are also undertaken. The progress and outcome of the projects, whether ongoing or completed, are very satisfactory.

Apart from research, informed Dr Basu, TRAs are also acting on customised technical consultancy, accurate material testing, manpower training and conducting R&D on emerging technical textiles areas to meet the needs of the industry.

Noted industrialist and Vice Chairman NITRA Raj Kumar Jain opined that besides conventional textile research, TRAs should emphasise more on technical textiles. He asserted that technical textiles products under make-in-India would not only bring in foreign currency to India’s coffer but would also create a lot of new jobs for youngsters.

 

Gen VK Singh expressed happiness over the activities and achievements of the TRAs and advised them to develop marketable products so that buyers from world market rely on Indian textile products in preference to other countries. He also urged the TRAs to focus on technical textiles through CoEs that are established in TRAs.

The Chief Guest was particularly satisfied with NITRA’s substantial R&D and many product developments in the area of Protective Textiles. He also suggested a few new areas where NITRA can work. At the end, the MoS felicitated nine NITRA employees who have completed 25 years of dedicated service to NITRA.

Dr Prakash Vasudevan, Director, SITRA, while delivering the formal vote of thanks, mentioned that the TRAs have pioneered the act of R&D for the Indian textiles industry for over 60 years now. They have played a lead role in developing the Indian textile industry by conducting need-based research and other supporting activities that help the industry grow and meet the cost and quality standard of a globalised market.