Vol. XI

A

No. 4

Prof. S. P. Mehrotra, Director, NML welcoming the gathering during the Inaugural Function in NML Auditorium

The day-long CSIR Foundation DayCelebration at National MetallurgicalLaboratory, Jamshedpur included, besidesthe formal function at the NML Auditorium,an essay competition among the staff, adebate competition among the school childrenand an Open Day for students,entrepreneurs and general public. Aboutone hundred children from ten differentschools were invited. Visits to differentdivisions of NML and lectures were arrangedfor the children.

Prof. S.Banerjee, Former Director, NationalMetallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur &RDCIS, Steel Authority of India Ltd.,

October 2004

CSIR FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

its , 80 04I^ Vim'

Ranchi formally inaugurated the functionby lighting the lamp in a traditional way.The function was attended by eminentscientists, local entrepreneurs, schoolstudents, dignitaries, and special inviteesincluding retired personnel and the press.

Prof. S.P.Mehrotra, Director, NationalMetallurgical Laboratory (NML) - aconstituent establishment of CSIR, in hiswelcome address gave an overview ofCSIR. He said that CSIR had performedits assigned role in consonance withnational needs and priorities. The decadeof the fifties was a period of institutionbuilding. Over two-thirds of the CSIR

laboratories were established during thisdecade. These laboratories provided tothe indigenous industry, in its incipientstages of growth back-up support inmetrology, standardisation, testing,analysis and supply of trained scientificmanpower. Most of the research scientistsin industry have, at sometime or other intheir career, had an association with oneof the CSIR laboratories.

The sixties could be termed a period ofconsolidation for the CSIR laboratoriesand the founding of specialized institutionsfor Industrial Toxicology, StructuralEngineering etc. Also, CSIR assisted industry

in the day-to-day technological problemsand import substitution. The beginning ofthe seventy to eighties saw industry and

CSIR attaining technological maturity. TheCSIR laboratories had by then moved onto the stage of development of indigenoustechnologies for pesticides, electronics,instrumentation, glass and ceramics,metals and alloys, and building materials.

By nineties the industry had also realizedthe importance of Research andDevelopment and set-up in-house R&Dunits. Linkages were established betweennational laboratories and industrial R&Dunits for technological co-operation.

CSIR today is well knit co-ordinated, actionoriented network of 38 researchlaboratories with over eighty extensioncentres and regional stations spreadthroughout the country. These laboratoriescover the whole gamut of Research andDevelopment activity ranging frommicroelectronics to metallurgy; medicinalplants to industrial machinery; chemicalsto molecular biology.

Prof. Mehrotra mentioned, "CSIR believes inprogress through partnership at all levels:local, national and global. And the strategyhas not only thrown up wonderfulopportunities, it has transformed theorganization. Opportunity arose from the factthat the concept-to-commercialization chainnecessarily crosses international boundaries.In an era of global connectivity throughmodern information technology, the virtuallaboratory is gaining ground. As a part oftheir global innovation, strategies, severalcompanies world over are scouting for newideas and patents. The ability to assembleand manage an effective global knowledgenetwork in a short time. rather thandeveloping in-house capability, is becomingthe key determinant of competitiveness."

Taking advantage of this strategic shiftunder the dynamic leadership of Dr. R.A.Mashelkar, Prof. Mehrotra said Council ofScientific and Industrial Research (CSIRiwith its chain of 38 Laboratories hadbecome a partner of industry around theworld. Mobil and Indian Institute ofPetroleum (IIP) have joined hands to jointlydevelop and market Mobil/IIP technologies

world-wide. In Latin America, Glaxo SmithKline Beacham has joined hands withIndian Institute of Chemical Technology in

exciting new projects on drugs. NationalChemical Laboratories' partnerships withgiants such as General Electric, a companywith R&D budget higher than India's totalR&D budget, was declared as a model forexternal R&D alliances by GE in 1998.

SARAS made its successful maiden flighton 29th May, 2004. The aircraft has beenindigenously designed and built by ourown scientists and engineers. Swaraj orSonalika tractor has been designed byCMERI. The Amul baby food has beendeveloped by CFTRI. When a doctorprescribes E-MAL to a patient sufferingfrom cerebral malaria, he does not realisethe role of CDRI. When a paternity disputeis solved by using DNA finger printingtechnique, little does one realise that itwas pioneered in India by CCMB. When650 million voters receive indelible inkmarks, they hardly realise that the originaltechnology was developed by NPL. Allthis represents path-breaking activities ofCSIR laboratories. Now a plan is beingworked out to mitigate the distress offarmers by forging a partnership betweenICAR, CSIR, DST, DBT and others.

While CSIR is forging global corporatelevel partnerships, it is also forging unusuallocal partnerships by reaching theunreached in the remote corners of India.A village called Athaoni, on the border ofMaharashtra and Karnataka, is the placefrom where Kolhapuri chappals come tous. Till recently, they were made using atraditional technique. Our Scientists fromCentral Leather Research Institute (CLRI)studied this and helped reduce processingtime from 30 days to 10 days through theapplication of some good science. Thestamping process was standardised.Innovative changes in design, were madeto give the wearer more comfort. TodayCLRI has trained several artisans. Thishas not only enhanced the family incomesof the villages but also changed theirperception of science, development andchange in short, a micro socialtransformation. Similarly, NML Jamshedpurhas also been working in the societal

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mission projects in the area of ruraldrinking water , agriculture implements,artisan technology and so on . As for CSIR,it has learnt to be conscious about socio-economical and socio-cultural aspects aswell as techno - economics.

In early January 1996, CSIR preparedCSIR 2001:Vision and Strategy. This wasan explicit agenda with a detailed roadmap for CSIR to attain its true potential,visualised not in relation to what it used todo in the past but in relation to whatothers, the world over, were likely to do inthe future.

Dr. R. N. Ghosh, Director Grade Scientistintroduced the chief guest, Prof. S.Banerjee, the former Director RDCIS, SAILRanchi and also NML.

Chief Guest, Prof. S.Banerjee presentedthe Annual Awards and Prof. S. P.Mehrotra presented the memento to theNML Staff for year 2004. Prof. Banerjeealso released a book on 'A Compendiumof CSIR Diamond Jubilee Lectures held atNML' edited by Dr.R.P.Goel and Dr. N. G.Goswami.

Later, Prof. S. Banerjee addressed thegathering and delivered the CSIRFoundation Day Lecture on the topic"Micro-planning of R&D Projects: Impactand Problems".

Prof. Banerjee made his presentation withreference to the case studies of RDCIS,SAIL, Ranchi and CMMACS, Bangalore.He stressed as to how through MicroPlanning tremendous and unbelievablechanges can be brought into anorganisation. Prof. Banerjee said whileplanning set objectives to achieve aparticular goal but making continuousimprovements on the set objectives wasthe Micro Planning Strategy. He dealt withthe relationship among Man, Machine,Materials, Money and Minutes. Variousresearch results were also presented inthe area of micro planning along withnumerous opportunities in the field in avery lucid and thought provoking manner.

Shri Rameshwar Dass, Controller ofAdministration, NML proposed the vote ofthanks.

Prof. S. Banerjee delivering the CSIR Foundation Day Lecture

A student participant in the debate competition

kier School Scierrae Debate - 2004: Aspart of CSIR foundation celebration, InterSchool Science Debate was held at NMLon 22nd September, 2004 wherein nineschools, namely, : (1) Church School,Beldih Triangle; (2)D.A.V Public School,Bistupur; (3)Jamshedpur Public School,Baridih; (4)Kerala Samajam Model School,Sakchi; (5)Loyola School, Beldih; (6)MotilalNehru Public School, Sakchi; (7)RajendraVidyalaya, Sakchi; (8)Little Flower School,Telco and (9)Sacred Heart Convent, Sakchiparticipated. In a close contest, the winningfortune was showered on Shri AshishTrivedi and Shri Nirmalya Banerjee, LittleFlower School, Telco Colony. The runners- up team was Sacred Heart ConventSchool, Sakchi, represented by Ms.Shobhana lyer and Ms. Ishani Singh. ShriAshish Trivedi has been adjudged as thebest speaker.

CSR F xilir" n Day Essay ConipetiUon- 2004 : As part of CSIR foundationcelebration, Essay competition was held atNML on 16 September, 2004 in Hindi and

English. The topic for the essay competitionwas "A Vibrant Democracy Needs a StrongOpposition". The winners are as follows: InHindi Group, Shri A. K. Thakur receivedthe 1st prize; Shri S. K. Khiste secondprize and Shri Parmarth Suman receivedthe third prize. In English Group 1st prizewas awarded to Shri Aloke Kumar, followedby second and third prizes to Dr. S. K. Dasand Dr. J. Konar respectively.

Meritorious Prize in Science Subject -2004 : Sri P.V. Kiran Kumar (Class XII)was given a lump sum cash award ofRs.2,000/- for securing above 90% marksin all the three Science subjects.

Congratulation 1• Dr. A. Chattopadhyay, Scientist, has

been awarded the Silver Medal ofThe Mining, Geological andMetallurgical Institute of India, Calcuttafor his paper on "Petro-MineralogicalCharacteristics & Genesis of Gold inBanded Iron Formation fromAjjennahalli Area, Tumkur District,Karnataka.for the year 2002-2003.

• Dr. Arvind Sinha, Scientist, has beenawarded the MRSI Medal for 2005which will be presented during theAnnual General Meeting of MRSI tobe held at Pune during 9-12 February.2005

• Dr. S. Srikanth, Scientist, NML MadrasCentre, has been selected for"Metallurgists of the Year" awards ofthe Indian Institute of Metals for theyear 2004.

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From the Directors DesA ..............

Prof. S. P. Mehrotra

It gives me great pleasure in sharing withyou the information of various events atNML that have taken place since my lastcommunication in February, 2004. Duringthis period a number of luminaries visitedour laboratory. Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, DG,CSIR visited us on 10.04. 2004 andaddressed the staff members of NML. Hespoke of the great strides made by Science& Technology in India in the recent pastand the contributions of the CSIR in theseadvancements. He was apprised of thetechnological breakthroughs of NMLthrough posters and brief presentations.The other dignitaries who visited NMLduring this period include Prof. DavidJankins of CSIRO, Australia, Dr.G.V.Sinhaof PEAK, Gmbh., Germany, ShriS.Thawani, MD, Jamipol, Prof. A.K.Lahiri,Department of Metallurgy, IISc., Bangalore,Prof. Y.Sahai, Ohio State University, USA,Shri A.S.Mathur, President (Works), UshaMartin. They all addressed the scientistsand shared their knowledge andexperiences with us. Air Marshal A.K.Singh visited NML along with hisengineering experts. He was veryappreciative of NML's contributions ininvestigating failures in aircraftcomponents. He stated that NML haddirectly helped in saving several humanlives. A delegation from CII, EasternRegion visited NML on August 17. The

delegation visited our facilities and wasapprised of the capabilities and potentialsof NML towards solving the industrialproblems. The members of the delegationexpressed their desire to work in closecollaboration with NML in finding solutionsto their problems.

The functioning of a professionallymanaged organisation is facilitated by amaster plan that defines its vision andobjectives. Following this line, it has beenfelt necessary to prepare an R&D masterplan and vision document for the NML. Anumber of meetings and brain stormingsessions have been held in the laboratoryto identify the niche areas to be pursuedat NML to optimally utilise its manpowerand infrastructure. For an R&Dorganisation (Like NML), the followingaspects are identified as the essentialparts of the vision document.

i. Identification of the areas in whichR&D should be pursued by thelaboratory singly or in collaborationwith other organisations (within thecountry and abroad) - in the short andlong run.

ii. Discussion on methodology (in termsof manpower deployment, infrastructuredevelopment and financial outlay) asto how the R&D activities should bepursued.

The finalisation of the document on themaster plan has been consciously delayedas we decided to first carry out a rigorous

SWOT analysis for the laboratory. A scan

of the internal and external environment isan important part of the strategic planningprocess. It is a tool for auditing anorganisation and its environment and isthe first stage of planning on key issues.We intend to have a detailed discussionon SWOT analysis in today's RC Meeting.The master plan vision document will be

finalised immediately after today'sdiscussion and will be presented to theRC in its next meeting.

The ambitious network research projectentitled 'Technology for Engineering CriticalAssessment (TECA)', initiated under the10th five year plan of CSIR, has beenformally launched on 01.04.2004. In thisproject besides NML several other CSIRlaboratories (CMERI, CGCRI, NAL, SERC,RRL, Bhopal, CBRI, CRRI), IIT, Kharagpur,IGCAR, Kalpakkam are participating withNML on 19.07.2004 in which all theparticipating laboratories/organisations tookpart. The planning for the implementationof TECA was discussed at great lengthand the immediate milestones wereidentified. Ten other networking projectsin which NML is participating areprogressing satisfactorily.

Significant progress has been made underthe SDF supported project 'Maximisingblast furnace productivity with Indian ironore'. Process models developed andvalidated with plant data are being furthercalibrated for implementation at plant(s).Promising results have been obtained fromthe experimental activities under theproject. On the initiative of Secretary,Ministry of steel (MoS), the above findingswere presented in a workshop organisedon May 07, 2004 in Kolkata which wasattended by more than 70 experts fromseveral steel plants who appreciated thework accomplished and stronglyrecommended continuation of the workfor successful implementation. Sub-sequently, on Empowered Committee'sstrong recommendations the MoS hasapproved project extension till December2005 with expanded mandate forsuccessful implementation of the process

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model/real time simulator at the designatedfurnaces.

The steering committee meeting for theproject on 'Mechano-chemical activationin improved blended cement processing'was held at NML on July 2, 2004. Theprogress made in the project was highlyappreciated by the Steering Committee.

For the Processing of Polymetallic SeaNodules Project sponsored by Departmentof Ocean Development (DOD), Govt. ofIndia, Rs.173.00 lakhs have been receivedin the current financial year. Four activitiesrelated to the cobalt recovery improvementin NML's Reduction Roast, AmmoniaLeaching Process and Utilisation ofLeached Sea Nodules Residue are beingcarried out under this programme. In therecent Standing Committee of DOD atNIO, Goa, the members appreciated thework on improvement of cobalt recoveryfrom 50 to 80%. Work on setting-up apilot plant to produce ferro-silico-manganese from leached sea nodulesresidue is in progress.

A process developed and patentedinternationally on 'Extraction of nickel fromspent catalyst' has been demonstrated toM/s SMC Technology, Malaysia duringAugust 23 to 26, 2004. The processensures very high recovery of nickel andthe know-how transfer would involveearning of foreign exchange for thelaboratory, with a scope of transferringNML's technology to several other globalplayers.

Beside TECA and other CSIR networkingproject, forty-six new projects have beenassigned to us since my lastcommunication. I congratulate all the PLsand their team members for securing theseprojects and wish that the projects areexecuted as per their schedule culminatinginto results that satisfy the customers.

Five MoUs have been signed during theperiod with the following organisations:BARC, Mumbai; Meghalaya StateElectricity Board, Shillong, Meghalaya;Indian Ocean Garnet Sanda Co. Pvt. Ltd.,Tuticorn; NMITLI/ CSIR; NRDC, New Delhi.

(Source: Director's Desk, 30th August,2004)

The 49th Research Council Meeting

aRC Meeting in progress

The 49th Research Council meeting was held on August 30, 2004. The meeting was attendedby its Chairman, Shri B.Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel and members: Prof. M.Chakraborty, IIT Kharagpur; Dr. Pradip, TRDDC Pune; Dr.V.N.Misra, Director, RRL,Bhubaneswar; Dr.N.Ramakrishnan, Director, RRL Bhopal; Dr.S.K.Tamotia; Prof. S.P. Mehrotra,Director, NML and Shri K.K. Gupta, Sr. Scientist, NML.

Prof. S.P. Mehrotra, Director, NML in his opening remarks gave a hearty welcome to theChairman, RC members, Special invitees - Dr. Amit Chatterjee, Chief Technology Officer; Dr.D.Bhattacharya, Chief R&D and Scientific Services. Dr. S.Chandra, R&D Head of Tata Steeland Dr. A.K.Verma from CSIR, HO, New Delhi, and the Scientists present. A large number ofNML Scientists and Technical Officers of Tata Steel also attended the meeting. The programmestarted with an open door session in the Lecture Hall.

Prof. S.P.Mehrotra in his presentation on the state of NML's R&D programme informed theResearch Council members about the visits of numerous luminaries who came to NML andshared their knowledge with the scientists. Prof. Mehrotra in his address mentioned theimportance of a master plan defining its vision and objectives for a professionally managedorganisation like NML. He apprised the Research Council members about the meetings andbrain storming sessions held at NML to identify the niche areas to be addressed by thelaboratory to optimally utilise its resources, chart the requisite road map to achieve thetargeted goals. The progress made on various project, such as TECA - the CSIR networkproject (where NML is working as a nodal agency); SDF sponsored project on 'Maximisingblast furnace productivity with Indian iron ore'; 'Mechano-chemical activation in improvedblended cement processing; and 'Processing of polymetallic sea nodule' project were presentedto the RC members.

Shri B.Muthuraman, Chairman, Research Council opined that with the kind of changes takingplace at NML and the laboratory's initiative in taking up projects are 'Implementable in nature' willsee a double ECF for the laboratory in the very near future. The action taken on therecommendations of the 48th Research Council Meeting held on 26th June, 2004 was discussedand the minutes were confirmed. The Research Council reviewed all Sponsored Projects, Grant-in-Aid Projects, Collaborative Projects, CSIR Network Projects, Technical Services Projects,Exploratory Projects both ongoing and completed projects.

The SWOT analysis for NML was presented before the Research Council, which contained adetailed description of the procedure involved in collection and collation of data and theprocess of identification of the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.

I

RC Chairman Shri B. Muthuraman with Director NML

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Shri K.K.Gupta, Secretary, RCthanked the chairman and themembers of the Research Councilfor taking up their valuable timefor attending the meeting andreviewing the laboratory's R&Dprogramme and said that theinputs and suggestions providedby them will give an appropriatedirection to the ongoing activitiesof the laboratory.

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Seminar on Corrosion , Failures and Mitigation (CFM-2004)

Chief Guest Dr. T Mukherjee lighting the lamp at the Inaugural Function of CFM 2004

A seminar on Corrosion, Failures andMitigation (CFM-2004) was held at thelaboratory during 18-19 August, 2004. Itwas jointly organised by NationalMetallurgical Laboratory, Electro-chemicalSociety of India and the Indian Institute ofMetals (IIM), Jamshedpur Chapter. Theseminar was inspired by the United Nationsdeclaration of the last decade asInternational Decade of Natural DisasterReduction. Dr. T. Mukherjee, DeputyManaging Director (Steel) Tata Steel wasthe chief guest of the seminar.

Prof. S.P.Mehrotra, while delivering thewelcome address, highlighted on theimportance and relevance of corrosion."India loses about 3-4 percent of GrossNational Product (GNP) running intothousands of crores of rupees every year,out of which, at least 20-50 percent ofthese colossal losses could be avoided,"he informed. Prof. Mehrotra emphasisedon the implementation of new and multi-dimensional methods to combat corrosion."The need of the hour is to combinevarious fields of science to checkcorrosion," he added. Prof. Mehrotrafurther pointed out that bridges, powerplants, fertilizer plants fail because ofcorrosion, leading to loss of lives andproductivity.

Dr. S.K. Narang, chairman of the seminartalked about the theme of the seminarand described NML's contribution in thefield of corrosion and its mitigation, since

its inception in 1950.

Dr. S.K.Narang chairman, organisingcommittee of the seminar spoke aboutthe seminar and introduced the chief guestto the gathering. He spoke about thecorrosion and how can it be prevented orminimised. He said a certain percentageof the nation's GDP is being spent for theprevention of corrosion. To preventcorrosion many known methods areavailable and it should be implementedeffectively.

Chief Guest and Deputy Managing Director(Steel), Tata Steel, Dr. T. Mukherjee afterreleasing the souvenir and inauguratingthe seminar stressed on total preventionof corrosion. "We should not take corrosionas granted and that it would always bethere to live with," said Dr. Mukherjeeciting the example of Howrah and someother railway bridges in India, which arestill working efficiently. He also talked aboutthe steel houses being marketed by M/sBHP, Australia who guarantees 50 yearslife of the Steel Houses, even in areasnear the sea coast and market thesehouses throughout the world. He addedthat corrosion can be prevented throughknown methods. In India the steel is usedby automobile industries, railways,industries etc. We should keep updatingthe methods and knowledge of preventionof corrosion on a regular basis. On thisoccasion he also spoke about the steelhouse. The steel houses are more cheaper

than the concrete house and the life ofsteel houses are more. The methods ofthe metal protection was elaborated in theseminar. NML has been playing a pivotalrole in championing the cause of corrosionprevention in India. The United Nationshas acknowledged the influence ofcorrosion in our lives by declaring the lastdecade as international decade of nationaldisaster reduction. Dr. Mukherjee has alsolaid special emphasis on minimizingdisasters due to corrosion. This nationalseminar was organised at an opportunatemoment to reiterate the significance ofcorrosion. The phenomenon of corrosionis the centre of R&D activities today toidentify various factors that have influenceon the design of components.

The seminar addressed many issues ofnational relevance and industrial concernpertinent to corrosion. This seminarprovided a forum for exchange anddissemination of novel ideas andknowledge related to the science andengineering of corrosion and also be asuitable platform for launching meaningfulsolutions for mitigation of corrosion. Hespecified that NML is on the job ofdeveloping new methods to prevent thecorrosion in certain aspects. The seminarhad four technical sessions and spreadover two days in which about 22 papersincluding five keynote lectures weredeliberated. The seminar was attendedby 40 delegates from all over India.

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Seminar on "Amorphous and Nano-materials:

4Materials Research Society of India (MRSI),Jamshedpur Chapter in collaboration withNML, organized a one-day seminar on"Amorphous and Nano-materials: Synthesisand Characterisation" on 27th August, 2004.

The event started with the inaugural function,followed by presentations of research papersby the participants. The presentation wasdivided into three technical sessions. Thetechnical presentations were as followed

.- Self-Propagating High TemperatureSynthesis of Nano and Fine in-situCeramic Hard Composite by S.K.Mishra

Formation of Bulk Amorphous Phase inT-Binary Alloys Through LowTemperature Annealing - AThermodynamic Analysis byS.Ranganathan

Bulk Glass Formation in Fe-Co-Ni-Zr(Nb)-B Soft Magnetic Alloys by B.Majumdar

dr

Effect of Sintering on Magnetic Propertiesof Bulk Glassy Fe71 Nb3 .7 Cull A13Mn0.8Si13.5B7 Powder Compacts byA.K.Panda

.- Biomedical Aspects of MagneticNanoparticles by Suprabha Nayar

Wishing a HappyRetired Life...

Shri Basudev Patra (T.A.Gr.l1/4);Dr. Venkatesh Rao (Scientist 'G');Dr. S.K. Narang (Scientist 'F'); ShriHaripal Singh (T.O. 'C'); Shri S.K.Jena (Tech. Gr.l/4); Ms. Rita Biswas(Asstt.'G'Gr.l); Shri R.C. Behra(T.A.Gr.l1/4); Shri Afzai Ahmed (SO'G'); Shri Samar Das (T.0. (E-I); ShriT.N. Goswami (TO. 'A' Gr.ll!5); ShriS.P. Chakraborty (T.A.Gr.11/4); Shri V.Hariharan (T.A.Gr.ll/4); Ms.Mejari(Safaiwata).

Synthesis and Characterisation"*-Studies on Nanocrystalline Nickel

synthesized by electrodeposition by RajivMishra

or Development of Conducting PolyanilineCoating for Superior CorrosionResistance by T.K.Rout

.- Synthesis, Transport and DielectricProperties of Polypyrrole Fe304Nanocomposite by Ashis Dey

Dynamic Elastic Properties of MetallicAlloys and Metglasses by P. K.Mukhopadhyay

Processing of Nanostructured UltrasoftMagnetic Materials by B.Majumdar

Borate based Spintronics Material byGlass-Ceramic Route by M.Pal

.- Nano-sized Alumina by A.K.Verma

Effect on Joule Heating on GiantMagneto-Impedance Behaviour inCo-Fe based Amorphous Wire by S.K.Pal

Crystallisation and ElectrochemicalBehaviour of CoFeCrSiB basedAmorphous Alloys by Seema Kumari

Synthesis of Nano Crystalline CobaltOxide and Cobalt Nickel Oxide by M.Bhattacharya

Crystallisation Studies on (FeO.79Co0.21)75+xSil5-4x x + (0-10) Alloys by A.K.Khanra

.- Synthesis and characterization of spraydried Sm doped PZT ceramics by ManishRaj.

Welcome at NML

Dr.(Mrs.)S. Nayar, (Sct C);Dr. R.K.Sahu, (Sct C); Dr, A. K. Panda,(Sct B); Dr. S. K. Sahoo, (Sct B);Shri P.Poddar, (Sct B); Dr.D.Mishra,(Sct B); Shri N.Narasaiah. (Sct B);Shri M.Ghosh, (Sct B); Dr. A. K.Pramanik. (Sct B); Shri A. K.Mandhyan, (Sct B); Shri G. K. Mandai,(Sct B); Miss Emila Panda, (Sct B);Shri D. Vandal, (Sct B);Shri 0. P. Dhawan, A. 0.; Shri A.Kujur, F&A Officer; Shri K.D.Pathak,S.O.(F&A); Shri V.K.Gond, S.O. (G)(Admn).

Recognition

Prof. S.PMehrotra, Director, NMLhas been appointed as TheNational Academy of Sciences,India nominee to the Council ofIndian National Academy ofEngineers.

Dr.B.R . Nayak , Scientist has beenawarded the CSIR Young ScientistAward - 2004 in the field of Earth,Atmosphere, Ocean and PlanetarySciences.

European Universitiestie-up with NML, IEMS

Four leading universities of Europe teamedup with the city based Institute ofEnvironmental Management and Studies(IEMS) and the National MetallurgicalLaboratory (NML) for a project to combatarsenic contamination in ground water ineastern India.

The University of Stuttgart (Germany),Queen's University (Belfast), University ofLeideer (Netherlands) and Miguel HermandezUniversity (Spain) along with the IEMS andNML have launched a two-year project toreduce arsenic contamination in groundwaterin West Bengal. The six partners would thenexpand their coverage area to Jharkhandand Bihar followed by other parts of EasternIndia. The same technology will be appliedfor treatment of contaminated water andthen duplicate it in other affected areas likeMidnapur and Purulia.

Later the project will stretch over to otheraffected countries like Bangladesh, China,Malaysia and Germany. For the pilot projectthe six partner team would identify the worstaffected village in 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

The overall objective is to formulate practice-based guidelines for a rural water treatmentscheme for Eastern India that ensuresarsenic-free water for consumption andirrigation at low cost.

The reason behind choosing Eastern Indiais that the arsenic content in this part of thecountry is alarming. With low economicgrowth, over 75 percent of the ruralpopulation does not have access to drinkingwater. And, the rural community is in urgentneed of a low cost and eco-friendlytechnology to combat arsenic contamination.

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Hindi PakhwadaCelebrated

2004 1

Chief Guest Shri-A. Gupta releasing the Souvenir (SALIL-2004) on his left, Prof. S. P. Mehrotra,Director NML and right side, Dr. S. K. Narang

A two day long seminar in Hindi on 'Water: Conservation, Purification and Harvesting'was conducted during 9-10 September; 2004. The seminar was inaugurated by ShriRamendra Gupta, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Uranium Corporation of India Limited.

While welcoming the Guests and participants, Prof. S. P. Mehrotra, Director NML, said"National Metallurgical Laboratory will soon set up a water laboratory-the first of its kindin the eastern region of the country. The vital instruments for the purpose has alreadybeen procured. 'The state-of-the-art laboratory would conduct different tests related towater. We are waiting for more instruments and in process of completing the installation,"Prof. Mehrotra added, "The laboratory would test the insecticide and pesticide levels inwater and would also conduct Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical OxygenDemand tests. A large section of the population residing in rural areas of the country donot get water fit to drink. These people are not even able to earn enough for their dailybread. Our aim will be to provide such poor people with a water-purifying technology thatwill be either free of cost or get at a nominal charge to have drinking water".

Over 40 delegates from premier institutions across the country took part in the two-dayseminar which were divided into five technical sessions. Scientists of national andinternational repute presented around 26 papers on the first day of the seminar and threwlight on the water scenario in the country. In the three technical sessions held on the firstday the various topics dealt with were rainwater conservation, arrangement of water onthe domestic and community level, water management and water pollution.

In one of the presentations, it was revealed that the water in Dorkasai village has a highlevel of iron content. NML Scientists has solved the problem by devising a special methodof water purification. 'High iron content makes water non-potable. It was also making thetubes non functional. We solved the problem by way of a special filter,' said one of theScientist.

Dr. R. P. Bhagat, Scientist and convener of the seminar proposed the vote of thanks.

Hindi Pakhwara was celebrated during 1-14September, 2004. On this occasion variousprogramme in Hindi were also organised.

Prof. S. P. Mehrotra, Director NML andChairman, Nagar Rajbhasa Karanyay Samitiin his inaugural speech said that differentlanguages are spoken in India and almost allof them understand Hindi. What is needednow is the self-confidence. Efforts should bemade amongst people so that one can dowork in Hindi comfortably.

Speaking on this occasion former senior scientistDr. S.K. Narang said that Hindi language hasbeen flourishing all over India. Shri RameshwarDass, Controller of Administration said that mostof the staff at NML are taking interest and doingtheir work in Hindi.

Shri Jayanandan, Editor, Tisco Samachar wasthe Chief Guest during the Closing Ceremony.The Chief Guest gave away the prizes to thewinners of the competition conducted duringthe fortnight. In the Non Hindi short storywriting competition Ms. Jhumki Hait won thefirst prize while Mr. Mahendra K. Mahato andMs. Swati Dey shared the second and thethird prize respectively. In the essaycompetition, Shri Ram Kumar was adjudgedas first, Ms. Swati Dey as second andDr Jayant Konar as third prize winners. InHindi essay competition Ms. Sushma Minzwas given the first prize followed byMr. Rakesh Singh Roshan as second and Mr.Ajay Kumar Thakur as third respectively. Inthe administrative vocabulary competition,Shri P. Patnaik was declared first followed byMs. Swati Dey as second and Mr. JayantKonar as the third prize winner. In Hindisection Mr. A.K.Thakur received the first prize,while Mr. R.K.S. Roushan and Mr. Alok Kumarshared the second and the third prize. In thequick speech competition Mr. Alok Kumar,Mr. R.K.S. Roushan, Ranu Verma and Mr. LalMahajan were adjudged first, second, thirdand fourth respectively. The vote of thankswas proposed by Dr. Aruna Bahadur.

Compiled, Edited & Produced by Dr. N. G. Goswami, Head, Information Management and Dissemination Centre, NMLPublished by Director, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur - 831 007

Phone : 91+ (0657) 2271715, 2271709-14, E-mail : director@nmlindia.org, Website : www.nmlindia.orgPrinted at Steel City Press Limited, Jamshedpur - 831 001, Ph. : (0657) 2439861