1. Shri H.L.Bajaj, Member(Technical), Appellate Tribunal Electricity and former IEEE Director of Region 10.

2. Shri H.P.Khicha, Chairman, Electrical Science Division, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Past Chairman, IEEE Bangalore Section and Past EXECOM Member of Region 10.

3. Dr.Adapa Rambabu, EPRI,USA.

4. Dr.A.K.Tripathi, Director General, CPRI and Chairman IEEE Bangalore Section.

5. Shri D.G.Sohony, ED, POWERGRID, SRTS-II and Chairman Power Engineering Society Chapter, Bangalore.

In his inaugural speech Shri H.L.Bajaj had congratulated the Chair of Section and PES Chapter and  formally declared  the following office bearers elected for the PES Chapter, Bangalore.  

1.                  Shri D.G.Sohony, SR-II, POWERGRID as Chairman

2.                  Shri V.K.Agrawal, SRLDC, POWERGRID as Vice Chairman

3.                  Shri K.Ramakrishna, SRLDC,POWERGRID as Secretary

4.                  Shri M Arunachalam, BHEL as Joint Secretary

5.                  Shri M.M.Babu Narayanan, CPRI as Treasurer 

He had appreciated the efforts and the timely inauguration of the PES Chapter under Bangalore Section.  He had conveyed that time, place and  opportunity are very important for bringing into action such  society activities which are in need of the day for improving  the power situation in India. He had emphasized that since competition is very high for India to sustain the WTO challenges, in which education and new technology play a major role and the IEEE professional activities like that of the Power Engineering Society would definitely help  to achieve the goals.  He advised all the Power Engineering fraternity to encourage IEEE professional activities  especially that of PES Chapter and help the Nation growing ahead. 

            Prof.  H.P.Kincha in his  presidential address informed the participants that it is a re-birth for PES Chapter which was vibrant in the yester years.  He had emphasized that the power and environmental problem has set goals pretty high for the  technocrats in India and IEEE has to remain vibrant in networking expertise and providing  appropriate solution  from various fronts.  He had also advised PES Chapter to  involve in “Managing Complexity in a Distributed World”(MCDES) , an IISc - centenary Conference scheduled to be held in May 2008 commensurating with the  celebration of Indian Institute of Science. 

            Dr.Rambabu Adapa shared his experience as Treasurer of the Santaclara PES Chapter, Sanfrancisco emphasizing the need for PES Bangalore Chapter, being an infant,  for evolving finances through Section support, sponsorship, conducting tutorials / technical talks and ensuring reasonable participation.  Thus the Chapter can also get nominated  for Outstanding Chapter Awards etc., and try to get assistance from HQ. Further, he had advised that by getting registered for distinguished  lecturers (DLT) Programmes, the Chapter can get expert faculty from abroad and within India in areas like FACTS, power quality, power reform, wind integration, etc. 

            Dr.A.K.Tripathi had briefed  the gathering on the IEEE activities of the Section, the efforts that went into the formation of Power Engineering Society. He had also explained the benefit that can be derived  by the IEEE members and the Power Engineers with special reference  of striking a balance between  the investors and consumers in the power sector for overcoming the power crisis and national economy  problems.  He assured the support of the Section for the Chapter activities and expressed his confidence that the Chapter will remain vibrant in its activities through participation from Power Sector leaders like BHEL, POWERGRD, CPRI, IISc. , KPCL, KPTCL and  other Industries. 

            Shri D.G.Sohony thanked all the speakers for  their advice and explained the audience that the target of IEEE PES Chapter and technical requirement therein to help networking globally for  filling the demand – supply gap with involvement of like minded people.  He had also  conveyed that the Chapter could be a right platform to market the ideas of power industry and their  technical experts through IEEE activities.  He was  hopeful that joint decision would always give good results. He had mentioned that Chapters immediate target would be the membership drive. 

            Shri K.Ramakrishna, Secretary PES Chapter informed  the procedures followed for getting PES Chapter approved and ensured the gathering that with the right guidance of the experts and leaders both from IEEE and Industry, the  Chapter would definitely  perform and live to the expectations expressed.  He had also informed that apart from the five office bearers  formally elected to the IEEE  PES Bangalore Chapter, interested volunteers who can  contribute for the  functioning and growth of PES Chapter are welcomed,   who can later be co-opted as Executive Committee members. 

            Shri M.M.Babunarayanan presented vote of thanks.  He thanked all the dignitaries on the Dias  for making convenient  to attend the inaugural function and for their valuable advice.  He had also thanked all the members and invitees of the function for their presence  which made really a difference in making the event a grand success.