Highlights of the 12th Convention of Indian Dairy Engineers (IDEA) and National Seminar
The 12th Convention IDEA and National Seminar on Engineering Interventions in Dairy Processing for Self-Reliant India was jointly organized by the IDEA and College of Dairy Technology, Warud (Pusad) at the CDTW (Pusad) during 15-16 December 2022. The programme witnessed nearly 200 participants from Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and West Bengal.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Col. AM Paturkar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences, Nagpur, in the noble presence of Er SC Aggarwal (President of IDEA), Dr IK Sawhney & Dr RK Chugh (Vice Presidents of IDEA), Dr Chitranayak Sinha (General Secretary of IDEA), Dr PG Wasnik (Convener), Dr MR Patil (Co-Convener), Dr Ananta Dhotre (Organising secretary) and Dr NM Khodwe (Co-organizing secretary).
Dr PG Wasnik welcomed all the delegates and outlined the programme schedule. Er. SC Aggarwal briefed the delegates on the history, aims and past conventions of the Indian Dairy Engineers Association. A souvenir consisting of the research papers and abstracts related to the theme was released by the Chief Guest. A book, ‘Textbook of Dairy Engineering, authored by Dr Ravikumar S and Dr Manjunatha BM, was also released on this occasion.’
Dr IK Sawhney described the IDEA’s highest and the most coveted Life Time Achievement Awards conferred upon eminent Dairy Engineers and the best thesis awards, which are given to meritorious research works in dairy engineering.
Dr JB Upadhyay (Ex-Principle of SMC College of Dairy Science, Anand, Gujarat), Dr AK Agrawal (Prof, Dairy Engineering, College of Dairy Technology, Raipur) and Er Sanjeev Sharma (General Manager, MILKFED, Punjab) were conferred with the IDEA Life Time Achievement Awards in recognition of their meritorious service to the field of Dairy Engineering. Similarly, the best M.Tech. and Ph.D. theses submitted in the subject of Dairy Engineering were also awarded. Dr. Rupesh Datir, Dr. Gajana Deshmukh and Dr Rajunaik B bagged awards for Ph.D. level, whereas the Er Abhinash P, Er Adityasukumar, Er Naveen Jose and Er Seethu BG bagged the awards for M.Tech.
Dr Paturkar, in his presidential address, welcomed the participants coming from different states and appreciated IDEA for extending this opportunity of holding a convention at CDTW, Pusad. He stressed different aspects of dairy production and processing that need to be revisited and strengthened in order to make India self-reliant in dairy processing. He congratulated the Life Time Achievement awardees and the best theses winners and wished the event a grand success before concluding. The theme of the seminar was covered through five technical sessions mentioned below and a poster session.
- Applications of Nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning And I-O-T In Dairy Industry
- Design Of New Processes Or Equipment For Mechanization In The Dairy Industry
- Techo-Engineering Interventions In Milk Production And Processing
- Emerging Technologies In The Field Of Dairy Processing And Quality Control
- Technological Approaches For Augmentation Of Entrepreneurship In Dairy Sector
- Updates on engineering interventions in milk processing on work floor: Industrial scenario
The valedictory session was held on 16 Dec. 2022 with Dr AU Bhikane (Director of Extn, Edu & Trng, MAFSU, Nagpur) as the Chief Guest and Dr AG Bhadania (Professor Emeritus) as the Guest of Honour. Er RK Chugh offered the welcome address and expressed pleasure about deliberations made during oral and poster sessions. This was followed by the presentation of convention report by Dr Anant V Dhotre. Dignitaries awarded certificates to the winners of oral and poster presentations made during the technical session. The Chief Guest enumerated university activities aimed at improving the dairy sector in Maharashtra. He also stressed the importance of organizing such events for the betterment of the dairy sector. The Guest of honour appreciated the event and the deliberations took place therein. He also highlighted the potential for developing CDTW (Pusad) as an Indian Institute of Dairy Technology. The program was concluded with a vote of thanks by Er NM Khodwe (co-organizing secretary).
The program received very good response from the sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers.
