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ONE OF the great things about undertaking the role of international president is the opportunity it presents to meet many of the Institution’s members in various locations throughout the world. Looking back to this year’s Annual General Meeting in Blackpool in July, one of the encouraging aspects of the Institution, contained in the Annual Report for 2007, was that membership increased by 4% during that year. Furthermore, as I recognised in my inauguration speech, if the Institution was ultimately to achieve its aims and objectives, its members would be a key element in that.
In the light of this, it was a pleasure to visit India recently for the inauguration of two re-established branches in Southern and Eastern India, as well as visiting members of the branch in Western India.
My visit commenced in Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra, hosted by members of the Western India Branch. I was particularly grateful for the assistance of Mr U K Tatkare and Mr S K Rane. The Branch enjoys the support of Mumbai Fire Brigade, whose chief fire officer, Mr Sawant, also serves as Branch president.
Local challenges
In my interaction with members of the Branch, it became clear that the context in which fire engineers operate throughout the world can present significant local challenges. Mumbai, for example, is rapidly developing into the predominant commercial and industrial hub of India, which brings with it issues such as increasing numbers of people and the need to develop key aspects of infrastructure, such as housing and road networks. It is encouraging to see the desire of Branch members to further develop themselves professionally in order to rise to those challenges.
My next port of call was the Southern India Branch, based in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. The main purpose of my visit was to inaugurate the re-established Branch here, although it had also taken the opportunity to host a technical seminar. The event was supported by the director of fire and rescue services, as well as other senior local government officials and the Fire and Safety Association of India.
The seminar attracted a large audience, and there is clearly a great thirst for technical knowledge and understanding among the Institution’s members here, as shown by the many enquiries the Branch receives about the Institution’s examinations and Engineering Council registration. I would like to thank Branch members once again for their help, particularly Branch president, Mr Maruthappa, and secretary, Mr Namasivayam.
My final visit while in India was to preside over the inauguration of a second re-established branch, Eastern India, based in Kolkata, West Bengal. As in Chennai, the Branch was hosting a technical seminar. Supported by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, this event was further honoured by the attendance not only of the director of fire and emergency services for West Bengal, but also the Minister-in-Charge of the department of fire and emergency services for the Government of West Bengal.
Once again, the value of professional recognition through qualifications and membership of a professional institution was evident among those who attended. Thanks to Branch president, Mr B M Sen, and secretary, Mr D P Biswas, for their support and assistance.
No report relating to a visit to the Institution’s branches in India would be complete without mentioning Mr G B Menon, a Life Fellow of the Institution and retired fire advisor to the Government of India. Mr Menon, who is now 84 years of age and who has been a member of the Institution since 1952, accompanied me throughout my visit, and his advice and wisdom were invaluable. He has been instrumental in both branches being re-established, and his enthusiasm for the work of the Institution shows no sign of diminishing. He is clearly a well-revered figure throughout the fire community in India.
I opened this month’s President’s Desk with comments about the importance of members within the Institution. My recent experience in India has demonstrated that, whether members are comparatively inexperienced or have a long track record of involvement in fire, they are a vital component of the Institution’s work and its ability to influence communities throughout the world in order to make people safer from fire.
Paul Richardson
BEng (Hons), BSc, CEng, FIFireE, MCGI
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