International Welding Conference-96 Mumbai 5th To 7th December 96

Respected Prof. P. Rama Rao, Mr. S. Bhattacharyya - M.D. of ESAB India, Dr. J. F. Key - President of American Welding Society Mr. C. C. Girotra - Chairman of Mumbai Branch, Mr. N. K. Sarkar - Vice Chairman of Mumbai Branch and Honorary Secretary of Organizing Committee, Dr. S. Bhattacharyya - Honorary Secretary of Mumbai Branch and dear delegates from abroad and from my motherland, India. It gives me great pleasure to be before you and share some of my thoughts on this momentous occasion. >4s the President of The Indian Institute of Welding, I join you and share with you, a sense of achievement, a satisfaction, in organizing this International Welding Conference 1996. On this occasion, I am tempted to look back. It was way back in 1966, that The Indian Institute of Welding was established with objectives to promote the advancement of Science and Technology of Welding and its allied subjects by organizing Seminars. Workshops, Conferences, Refresher Courses, etc. on these subjects at different places. Provide Technical Guidance and Consultation to the Industries and Educational Institutions etc. Provide Technical Information on Welding Research and Education. Conduct Associate Membership Examination equivalent to a Degree Examination, to offer an Education programme and Certification for Human Resource Development and career opportunities, besides incentive for personnel in profession, publish, issue and circulate Technical journals, Periodicals etc. on the subjects and to establish and maintain a Library service for the Welding professionals, coordinate and liase with other technical organisations like /AlA/S, SWS, Phi IV.S, Ind W. Society, TWI, etc. Our Institute has been endeavoring to fulfil these objectives to the best possible way over the years.