Dr. Suresh Das, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council

for Science, Technology and Environment,

Dr. J. Letha, Vice-Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological

University, Dr. Indranil Manna, Director, IIT Kanpur,

Dr. S. Pradeep Kumar, Member Secretary, Kerala State Council

for Science, Technology and Environment,

Shri Mar Pauly Kannookadan, Chairman, IDET,

Dr. Nixon Kuruvila, Principal, Sahrdaya College of Engineering and

Technology, Kodakara,

Respected Teachers and My beloved Students,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,

I am very happy to inaugurate the Kerala Technological Congress (KETCON 2018) and TEKON 2018, the two mega technical events organized jointly by the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, at Sahrdaya College of Engineering & Technology, Thrissur. It adds to my joy that we could also present the Kerala Technological University's Researcher of the Year Award during this mega technological event.

Let me at the outset, congratulate the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment for organizing these events to foster inter-institutional relationship and to strengthen technological research in the Engineering Colleges of our State.

All over the world, Technology has made its mark as a game-changer. Since we live in a technology driven world, we cannot limit the scope of Technology to machines and factories alone. Today, technological advances have augmented our skills, changed our life-style and even re-shaped our attitudes. Many technologies have shed their complexities and become tools in the hands of the common man. More importantly, technologies influence the world's economic conditions and today, we are living in the age of Disruptive Technologies which re-define our lives.

In such a scenario, it is essential that students of Engineering regularly update their technological awareness to keep pace with the new developments. At a time when technology and innovation influence the industry, our concern should be on how best to utilize our technical knowledge for the benefit of society. Technical interactions and discussions like KETCON 2018 and TEKON 2018 would certainly guide us in exploring new avenues of activity on the basis of emerging technologies.

I am informed that the Kerala Technological Congress would involve the presentation of technical papers by many researchers from all over the State. The students get an opportunity to listen to and interact with the experts in frontier areas of technology. Such an active interaction would encourage the students, academia and practicing professionals to suggest innovations. The list of areas for paper representations is impressively wide; it covers new areas like Internet of Things, Robotics, Nano-Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and so on.

I am happy that the Technological Congress aims to encourage the spirit of research in Engineering. As all of us know, though India produces more Engineers than many developed nations, the number of people pursuing research in Engineering is rather low. Most of our students see a degree in Engineering as a mere passport to a job, mostly in the Information Technology sector, where they often ignore higher studies and research options. This attitude has to change and
I hope that the paper presentations would encourage at least some of you to take up research as your future activity.

Along with the Technological Congress, we have the annual TEKON 2018, organized by the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment, as a contest for innovative engineering projects. The Council, which has an impressive track record in encouraging development in Kerala through scientific research and technological innovation, has taken keen interest in planning this programme. I feel that TEKON can be seen as a rehearsal for the pitching sessions for those interested in establishing Start-up ventures. By winning prizes for well presented ideas, they can boost their confidence and gain exposure.

Initiatives like these should enable students of Engineering and Technology to be the masters of their own innovative ideas. Digital India is strengthening our optical fibre network; many of our cities are setting up Metro Rail Systems; the number of houses to be built is around fifty million; the new roads and railways in the country would extend to thousands of miles. All these certainly point towards bright prospects for Engineers. But, prospects will be brighter for those innovators who would help the nation meet these targets with better efficiency and lesser costs. However, prospects will be brightest for the people whose innovations would ensure progress that improves the lives of the most ordinary people in our society.

I would also remind my dear students that they should never let technology efface the humanism that life has bestowed on them. The technology you create should benefit not just the industry, but the farmer, the laborer, the toiler, the tiller, the sanitation worker and the unknown and unseen people around us.

I compliment the Sahrdaya College authorities, teachers and students for the excellent arrangements they have made to host these technical events. I hope the students of this College would have greatly benefited from the interactions.

I also greet all the keynote speakers and students who are presenting papers and projects and wish them all the best.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind