Indian Institute of Technology Alumni Victoria  (IITaV) organised a dinner on 7th August 2011 with Mrs and Dr. S.K.  Behera, the Consul General of India as Chief Guest. It was attended by  over 70 members, their spouses and children. The first issue of IITaV  newsletter was launched at the dinner.

Launching  the inaugural newsletter, Dr Behera said that, “I am happy to note that  IITaV has now taken a concrete shape and embarked on a series of  activities aimed at fostering close relations between India and  Australia. As we all know, the IIT alumni are one of the best brains in  India. Their synergy in doing any positive work will be tremendous.”

IITaV  President, Professor Arun Kumar outlined IITaV’s vision to contribute  to the social, economic and environmental development of Victoria in  particular and Australia in general. A key objective of IITaV is to  provide a platform for networking among IITians, business, academia and  the government.

Other  IITians contributing to Australia also spoke briefly. They included DD  Saxena and DD Saxena, a graduate of IIT Kanpur (1974) spoke about the  venture investment work being done in Wagga Wagga. The venture is to set  up the biggest and only the second integrated oilseed crushing and  refining plant in Australia. Dr Jay Vir Kaudinya (PhD, IIT Delhi 1985)  and his wife Dr Rachna Kaudinya (PhD, IIT Delhi 1986) spoke about  developing “Eco Pacific’s High Efficiency Gas Ducted Heater for  Residential Heating”. Professor Raman Singh of Monash University spoke  on the IIT Bombay and Monash University collaboration in setting up a  collaborative centre at the IIT campus in Mumbai.

Ravi  Singh provided a brief outline on the upcoming workshop being organised  by IITaV on 20 August 2011. Mr. Rajiv Lal proposed a vote of thanks.  Pictures from the evening can be accessed via this link.