IEEE India Bulletin  Vol. 11 No. 1  January 2001

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE


From Excellence of 2000 to more ambitious programmes in 2001

2000: IEEE India Council and the associated Sections and Chapters had an excellent year. Regular reports during the year and the Chairman's Annual Report are designed first, to inform and then to try to actively involve a greater number of our members in the IEEE activities.

During the year the Bulletin completed ten years of publication. Professor V. K. Damodaran, our present Editor and Mr. N. T. Nair, the founding Editor have rendered yeomen's service to the profession by keeping the communication link alive, in spite of many difficulties. It was therefore with great pleasure that at ACE-2000, we were able to honour them. Dr. Bruce Eisenstein, the IEEE President, conferred a special Chairman's Award for distinguished service upon Professor V. K. Damodaran, in person. Mr. S. GopaKumar received the Award for Mr. N. T. Nair from the President.


2001: If India is to maintain the momentum in the IT industry and if our industry is to begin making a place for itself in the world's retail market place, the engineers in India will have to become more innovative. We shall have to begin using the cutting edge technologies in day-to-day products on a large scale. In this connection, the importance of the IEEE platform for keeping us informed about the new developments in our fields need not be restated.


The Government of India wants to take the GDP growth rate to 9% p.a. To avoid the bottleneck of shortage of competent professionals, it is trying to aggressively increase the number of seats in the engineering institutions. On the other hand the industry as well as the Universities which are better endowed than the famished ones in India, are able to attract competent academicians and researchers from Indian Universities and research laboratories. This could lead to a steep fall in standards unless the whole of the educational establishment works with a sense of purpose, which it has never shown till now.

IEEE in India can help alleviate this problem to some extent by sustaining a high level of technical programs at as many places as possible and by providing much larger opportunities of greater interaction among engineers working in India and those in the developed world through conferences, workshops and seminars. We may try to make every IEEE student member aware of state-of-the-art developments in their field, by inviting students to participate in national, regional and world-wide contests and by inviting them to participate in technical programs organized by Sections and Chapters.

I particularly call upon our members associated with IEEE Societies' regional operations to become more ambitious. They are doing a good job by involving a couple of centers for every program of Distinguished Visiting Lectures. Let us now try to use each such visit for dozens of our Section and Student Branch locations, so that at the end of every year, at least every Student Branch and every Section has been serviced by each society representative in our region. Wherever a Chapter of the Society does not exist, the program may be done by using the existence of all India Chapters. If the Section leadership is busy at some point of time, the Student Branch leaders will surely come forward to take advantage of such visits, if we plan the schedule by keeping the academic calendar in India in mind. India Council would be ready to do all it can in terms of use of its communication resources and the time and energy of its office-bearers and active members for such tasks.

Ahmedabad  01 January, 2001.

Dr. A. K. Aggarwal Chairman

E-mail : aka19@hotmail.com

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This issue is sponsored by

BOMBAY SECTION OF IEEE

This issue and all the back issues of this Bulletin from February 2000 can be visited at our website

STUDENT CHAPTER AT AJMER


Student Chapter Inaugurated at Engineering College, Ajmer

AELCOM, the student chapter at Engineering College, Ajmer was formally inaugurated on November 24, 2000 by Mr. Arun Kumar Gupta, General Manger, Telecom District, Ajmer of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Mr. Gupta has under his control the telecom services of a very big area of Rajasthan and has been responsible for installation and working of internet, ISDN and other IT related facilities apart form normal telephony services. Mr. Gupta presented the framed Chapter Formation Certificate to Dr. M. Raisinghani, Principal of the College as token of opening of the Chapter at college. On the occasion Mr. Gupta congratulated the members for taking such a step to increase their exposure to recent developments in technology and engineering. He hoped that the chapter would strive to serve its purpose. Aelcom has 36 student members.


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Mr. M. G. Toshniwal, Managing Director, Toshniwal Industries Pvt. Ltd. released AELCOM NEWS - the newsletter of the Chapter, Mr. Toshniwal is himself an electrical engineer and is also Member, Board of Governors, Engineering College, Ajmer. Mr. Toshniwal congratulated the students for their effort and success and wished them all success in their endeavor.

Dr. Raisinghani, Principal, Mr. M B S Agarwal, Gaurav Bhargava, Chair, Gaurav Gupta, Secretary, and D. Mathur, counselor, also spoke.

About 150 persons including students of the college as well as practicing engineers from the city representing industry, utilities, service sector and educational institutions attended the programme

M. V. CHAUHAN STUDENT PAPER CONTEST 2000 : BEST PAPER

Abstract: The present day society provides a working environment that is insensitive to human behavior. From a macroscopic viewpoint, educational programs run in largely 'open-loop' fashion. Feedback from students is minimal, generally too late and microscopic (e.g. course evaluations). Feedback about students (especially how well they integrate knowledge) is virtually non existent. A review of underlying concepts governing the educational system was therefore felt timely. Hence we examine the entrance procedure for a student seeking admission to an engineering institute. GAMBLE (GA Based Machine Learning Expert) is a simple classifier system, which learns from the performance of the previous batches. This experience coupled with information about his aptitude enables the expert to guide the student towards the branch best suited for him. Genetics Based Machine Learning (GBML) forms our choice, as it is more human like, speculative, seeking better alternatives through the juxtaposition of hunches, inductive, using deductive procedures. Apportionment of credits involved in the evaluation of aptitude is carried out using the famous Bucket Brigade Algorithm. The tripartite process of Genetic Algorithm has been applied to make the system robust. The process of completeness and consistency has been explained.

Nikhil Bhatia, nikhiluee@yahoo.co.uk is a Bachelor student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Prashant Dixit, prashant.dixit@usa.net is a Bachelor student in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Mohit Sood, rite2mohit@yahoo.com is a Bachelor student in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering at the University of Roorkee.

History of Technology

Guglielmo Marconi sent his first transatlantic message 100 years ago to Utica, New York from this cornish beach



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ACE 2000 - REPORT FROM MUMBAI

ACE-2000 program was hosted by Bombay Section of IEEE from 15th to 17th December, 2000 at World Trade Centre, Cuff Parade, Mumbai.

On 15th December, tutorial sessions were conducted in the following topics:

1. Software Process Improvement
2. Digital Signal Processing
3. Mobile Computing

On 16th December, ACE 2000 started with the Keynote address by Dr. Mudur, NCST, Bombay and a number of papers were presented in two parallel sessions. Dr Ganesh and Mr A Lobo of TCS gave invited talks on "Software Engineering Code of Ethics" in the post lunch session. A total of 12 papers and 2 industry showcases were covered on the day.

On 17th December, an invited talk on "Communication Technology - Moving into the IP Era" was presented by Dr. M. V. Pitke, FIEEE. This was followed by presentation of eight papers on topics such as Evolution of Electronic Cash in future economy, Web based Metacomputing etc. The valedictory session started with the keynote address by Dr. D. B. Phatak, Head, K. R. School of IT, IIT , Bombay. After this IEEE Millennium Medals were presented by IEEE President Dr. Bruce Eisenstein to the Bombay Section medal winners. One of the highlights of this event was that Mr D N Purandare, a founder of IEEE activities in India and past Chair of the Section, inspite of his poor health personally came over to receive the Millennium Medal from the President.

Also the First India Council Best Volunteer Award was given to Mr. H. Kalyansundaram. IC Awards to Bulletin Editor Prof. V K Damodaran and earlier editor Mr N T Nair were also given away by the President. Subsequently, the IEEE President delivered the valedictory Address. His address included interesting comparisons of progress made by various developing countries.

In the evening of 16th December, dinner was arranged for delegates of ACE 2000 with the President of IEEE at the Radio Club, Mumbai.

All IEEE volunteers present for the technical activities met at the Royal Yacht Club for a dinner and to have family interaction as well as to meet the President of IEEE and Mrs. Eisenstein

It was also noteworthy that the IEEE President found time to visit the largest student branch in the world, at Pune and talk to the IEEE student members of PICT.

Overall, ACE-2000 program was a success with a number of other section dignitaries attending the program. The delegates expressed their satisfaction due to quality of papers presented and well-planned arrangements at the program.

A CD containing the papers presented at ACE-2000 were given to each delegate.

The sponsors to the ACE2000 were Tata Consultancy Services, Axes Technologies and NTPC.

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Dr. Bruce Eisenstein, President, IEEE delivering the valedictory address of ACE 2000 on 17.12.00 at Mumbai.

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H. Kalyana Sundaram receiving the India Council Chairman's first Best Volunteer Award from the President of IEEE at World Trade Centre, Mumbai

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Concluding the ACE 2000 on 17th Dec. Seated from Left: R. Muralidharan, A. K. Aggarwal, Bruce Eisenstein, D. B. Phatak and Quresh Bakir

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IAS UNDER MADRAS SECTION

The IEEE - Industrial Applications Society of IEEE, Madras Section was inaugurated on 29th December 2000 at IEEE premises by Er S. A. Soundara Rajan, Chairman, IEEE Madras Section.

He emphasized the need for starting such a society and invited many student members to take active interest in the activities. He mentioned that there is enormous increase in the starting of Students branches all over India especially in Tamil Nadu after the successful conduct of Student Congress 2000 at Chennai. Prof. R. Bhavani Shankar, a Senior Member and Executive Committee Member of IEEE, Madras Section offered felicitations. He complimented the students for starting the activities of the new Industrial applications Society at IEEE Madras Section banner. He emphasized the need for professional Societies with orientation towards Application Software to all areas of Engineering and Technology. He felt that this Society will bring more members and activities in the new year 2001.

Prof. S. S. Narayanan delivered a Lecture in the Workshop on "WEB COMMUNICAITONS AND E-COMMERCE" on the occasion. His lecture was well received and appreciated by the Students who attended the workshop. About 50 students from various Technical Institutions participated in the workshop and had good interaction with the students.

-Report from Madras Section

 

Er S.A. Soundara Rajan, Chairman, Awarding Certificate to Mr. Sajjan Raghavan. Prof. S.S. Narayanan, Chairman, Computer Society in the Middle


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2001 SECTION OFFICE BEARERS

Bombay Section

The AGM of the Bombay section was held on 22 Dec 2000 at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club and following have been elected as Section officers for ther year 2001.

1. Prof. Juzer Vasi - Section Chairman, Dept of Electrical Engg., IIT Bombay, vasi@ee.iitb.ernet.in
2. Mr R Muralidharan - Immediate Past Chair, OSS Systems India Ltd., Mumbai, r.muralidharan@ieee.org
3. Prof. B R Prabhu - Vice Chair, Fr. Agnel College of Engg., Bandra, bprabhu@vsnl.com
4. Mr Raju Hira - Treasurer, TCS, Mumbai, raju@mumbai.tcs.co.in
5. Prof. Uday Desai - Secretary, Dept of Electrical Engg., IIT Bombay, ubdesai@ee.iitb.ernet.in

Chairs of Section's Chapters:

1. Communications Society - Dr M V Pitke, pitke@vsnl.com
2. IA/PE Joint Society - Mr D M Tagare, mcpl@pn1.vsnl.net.in
3. AP/ED Joint Society - Prof Girish Kunar
4. Computer Society - Mr R Muralidharan, r.muralidharan@computer.org

The section executive committee members are Dr V K Madan, Dr Y G K Patro, Mr A K Banerjee, Prof. A Shaiwalla, Prof. M M Shah and Mr H Kalyanasundaram.

Bombay Section is the Second largest section in Region 10 and has 30 student branches. The World's largest ever student branch is the Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT) in the Section, with 857 student members. The Section will be celebrating its Silver jubilee in 2001 and all are encouraged to visit the site www.ieee.org/bombay

Delhi Section

E-mail : ieeedsec@nda.vsnl.net.in
URL : http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r10/delhi

R.K.Asthana
Chairman
C-20 Takshshila Apartments
57 Indraprastha Ext., Delhi -110 092
Tel: 2240390 (R), 6001093 (O)
Fax : +91-11- 6492587 (O)
E-mail: asthana@ieee.org

Dinesh P. Gupta
Secretary
99B Pocket 1,
Phase I Mayur Vihar, New Delhi - 110 091
Tel: 2255407 (R), 6001010/Ext.2481 (O)
Fax : +91-11-6493021 (O)
E-mail: dpgupta@ieee.org

Prof. S.S.Jamuar
Treasurer
Dept. of Electrical Engineering IIT, Hauz Khas,, New Delhi - 110 016
Tel : 6582959 (R), 6591070 (O)
Fax : +91-11-6581606 (O)
E-mail : ssjamuar@ieee.org

Dr. Aggarwal suffers bone injury

IEEE India Council Chairman, Dr. A.K. Aggarwal recently fell down in the bath room and suffered injuries to his femur bone. Members may bear with him for lack of communication during the period of his treatment. We pray for his speedy recovery. - Editor

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EDITORIAL

From Mumbai to Delhi and from Sections to Students

The performance of IEEE Sections, Chapters and Student Branches in India during the last year, with which the millennium leaf has turned over, has been impressive. A very successful ACE 2000 at Mumbai, with energising technical talks and effective interaction with the volunteers of IEEE from almost all parts of the country has now left all members and office bearers of IEEE organs in India with the expectation of an yet successful ACE 2001 - the first ACE of the millennium - at Delhi. With many IEEE veterans at Delhi, let us hope, this would be the best unchallenged for years.

The IC committee which met at Mumbai has re-emphasized the need to have technical activities outside the section capital city and also on adding more and more student branches, and more importantly the re-vitalisation of almost 60 of our student branches, which are either dead or dying. The visit of IEEE President Dr. Bruce Eisenstein to the world's largest student branch at PICT, Pune should encourage us to strive for nurturing better student branches under each of our sections. Let us be determined to succeed.

 

Trivandrum 01 Jan 2001

V. K. Damodaran Editor E-mail: vkd@ieee.org




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WISE AND OTHERWISE

"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."
-Alan Saporta

"Only the suppressed word is dangerous."
-Ludwig Boerne

"What we think or what we believe in is, in the end, of little consequence.
The only thing of consequence is what we do."
-John Ruskin

"By asking for the impossible, we obtain the possible"
-Italian Proverb

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