Keeping pace with international standards and state of the art technology is essential for growth of rubber sector: Dr. K.N. Raghavan
Keeping pace with International standards and state of the art technology is essential for sustenance and growth of both upstream and downstream activities in rubber sector and training and upskilling activities are essential to keep the sector alive and vibrant, said Dr. K.N. Raghavan, Executive Director, Rubber Board. He was delivering the inaugural address in the ceremony for upgrading Rubber Training Institute (RTI) to National Institute of Rubber Training (NIRT). Whatever has been achieved by mankind is only because of advances in science and it is cutting-edge technology that determines the world leader. In order to meet the ever increasing demand of natural rubber from the consuming industry, an integrated approach of training, research and extension in a structured manner is essential. The most sacred of all virtues is knowledge. NIRT is to impart of knowledge. The Institute should try to stay ahead in all fronts, and the aim should be to become internationally acclaimed, he added.
Dr. Sabu Thomas, vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, launched the ‘Microsite’ of the Institute in the function. Quoting Lord Todd, the Nobel laureate in 1957, Dr. Sabu said that world would have been a different place without elastomers viz. rubber, plastic, fibre etc. NIRT is the only institute that take care of the training needs of farmers, traders and manufacturing industry in the rubber sector and has been helpful throughout the years in creating excellent manpower. The Institute is giving excellent training for rubber cultivation, processing, product manufacture, skill development and entrepreneurship motivation. He also proposed a course of action to be followed by the NIRT to transform it to an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence.
Dr. Jiju P. Alex (Planning Board Member, Government of Kerala & Ex. Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University), Dr. A.K. Krishnakumar (Principal Advisor, Schoolnet India Ltd, Ex. Rubber Production Commissioner and Ex. Executive Director, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited), Mr. Prahalad Reddy (General Manager and Unit Head, MRF, Kottayam), Dr. R. Mukhopadhyay (Chairman, Indian Rubber Institute and Director & Chief Executive of Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute), Dr. R.K. Matthan (President, Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association and Latex Expert cum Consultant), Ms. Sudha P. (Director, Training, Rubber Board) and Dr. Alice John (Deputy Director, Rubber Plantation Development Training) spoke on the occasion.
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has upgraded the Rubber Training Institute (RTI) under the Rubber Board as National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT), as per the recommendation of the national committee on external evaluation engaged for the performance evaluation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework Scheme of the Rubber Board.
