(Continued from last Post)
5.5 The Contribution of C.T. (Figure 5.1)
5.5.1 General: A perusal of the bound volumes of the Construction Tribune (referred to in the last part of subhead 5.4) has clearly demonstrated a wide domain of various topics dealt with (through different issues/volumes of this technical fortnightly news-record). The topics so dealt with covered issues relating broadly to different aspects of constructional/developmental scenario of north eastern region in particular and of India in general. To cover all those topics in the way they were dealt with in the relevant issues/volumes of the publication itself is truly beyond the scope of this chapter. What has been honestly attempted herein is to present a zest of the contribution of this news-record over the period of its survival (from 1982 to 1995). To achieve this objective, the flowchart of Figure 5.2 has been systematically adopted.
5.5.2 Major Articles Published (Figure 5.2): Many articles relating to different technical aspects were published through the pages of the Construction Tribune during its period of survival. These articles were authored by persons having appreciable knowledge and skills in their own domains of professional activities. Even today, I remember all of them with deep gratitude for their honorary services to this news-record. As a representative sample, only a few of the major articles, so published get reflected in Table 5.1 (a) & 5.1 (b) appearing below:
The 24 articles, mentioned through Table 5.1 truly reflect the participation of many dignified persons having expertise in their respective domains of activities. Many more authors participated in the similar ways. I regret my limitations of space for mentioning the topics of all the articles in one article/book. However, I still remember with deep regards and gratitude
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the honorary support extended by all of them to the Construction Tribune through their highly valuable articles (including the ones not appearing in Table 5.1).
5.5.3 Topics of Editorials Published (Figure 5.2): Different domains of developmental activities were dealt with through the editorials of this technical news-record. Most of these Editorials were on topics relating to construction industry in view of the field of specialisation of the editor (myself). To mention all the topics of Editorials is also a limitation caused by the space of an article or a book. As such, only a representative sample of the topics of Editorials has been mentioned herein, as given below:
1. How to Derive Maximum Benefits from the Proposed IIT in Assam,2. Housing Shortage in India—an Analysis, Allotment of Works and Cost of Civil Engineering Projects,3. Installation of Deep Tube Wells (continued in a number of issues), 4. An Analysis of the Performance of Namrup Fertilizer Plant, 5. Irrigation in Assam—an Analysis, Jorhat Engineering College——its Contribution and Areas for Improvements (Editorial published in the Special Issue released on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration of JEC in 1987), 6. Civil Engineering as a Profession—a Challenge Today, Tests for Properties of Brick and Brickwork, Item No. 245 of APWD Schedule of Rates for Buildings (Civil Works), 1981—82 (A mistake was discussed),7. Subansiri Dam Project vis-à-vis Government of Arunachal Pradesh, 8. Problems Faced by Engineering College Students, 9. The Brahmaputra—the River of Sorrow, Power Position of Assam at a Glance, Discussion on Analysis of Infilled Frames subject to racking with design recommendations, 10. Construction Activities in India—A Challenge to Construction Industry (Published in two issues), 11. Subansiri Dam Project vis-à-vis the Package of Economic Measures in Assam Accord, 12. A Discussion on Unconventional Building Bricks, 13. Utilisation of Natural Gas, 14. Development of Irrigation in Assam, 15. Bricks from Fly Ash—a New Technology (developed by National Council for Cement and Building Materials), 16. International Year of Shelter vis-à-vis Housing Policy, 17. Gas-based Thermal Power Project at Kathalguri—an Analysis, 18. National Grid vis-à-vis the Utilisation of Power during off-peak demand hours, 20. Flood in Assam—a National Problem,21. Problems and Prospects of Electric Distribution in the North East,22. Present State of Road Research in India (published in two issues), 23. A Few Aspects of Earthquake Study in NE Region, 24. A Discussion on the Functioning A.G.C.C. Ltd., 25. Need for Production of Skilled Workers, 26. Countersignatures of Cheques by Deputy Commissioner—an Analysis, 27. Maharashtra Earthquake—A Moment of National Sorrow, 28. Lakwa Thermal Power Station—Phase II Extension—An Analysis, 29. Statutory Recognition for the Profession of Consulting Engineers, 30. Cost of Construction—-an Analysis in the Light of APWD and CPWD Schedules of Rates,31. Waste Management in a Town or City, 32. Problems Facing ASEB, Selection of Consultants—the Criterion of Lowest Bidding: A Harmful Trend, 33. Aseismic Construction in North East Region, 34. Capacity Utilisation of Power Plants in Assam, 35. Transmission and Distribution Losses—An Area Requiring Attention of Power Engineers,36. Aspect of Pending Bills—Its Impact on Contractors and Developmental Activities,37. Durability Requirements of Concrete. Research and Development Activities of SERC, Madras (written after the Editor’s visit to the Centre in 1989), 38. Address to the 20th Open Session of Assam Public Health Engineers’ Association, 39. Consultancy Works and the Role of Consultants, 40. A Discussion with ASEB’s Chairman on Power Problems, 41. Problem of Unemployed Graduate Engineers—An Analysis, 42. The Environment and the Consulting Engineer, 43. Conservation of Electrical Energy, National Housing Policy, 44. Housing Shortage in India—an Analysis, 45. North Eastern Council Completes 16 Years of Its Existence, 46. Glorious Twenty Five Years of Bhakra Dam etc.
The topics given above are not exhaustive. There are, in fact many more topics on which the editorials appeared. However, expectedly, the ones appearing above amply demonstrate the wide range of discussions on developmental activities through this technical new-record for the benefit of the readers. In fact, I myself (being the editor) enhanced my own knowledge on different domains in the process of preparing the editorials for the Construction Tribune.
5.5.4 Special Issues Published (Figure 5.2): A few of Special Issues of this fortnightly technical news-record were published. Two of these have been briefly stated herein. The two snipping shots of the front pages of these two Special Issues appear in Image 5.11.
(a) Special Issues published on the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebration of Jorhat Engineering College, Assam: The college completed twenty-five years of its existence in 1985 itself. The silver jubilee celebration was held in 1986 on account of the untimely death of Prof. S. Sarma (the then-Principal of the college). As a mark of respect to this college, two special issues marked as Part A and Part B of this publication were consecutively brought out. The salient aspects of Part A (shown by Image 5.11 (a)), included an Editorial entitled ‘Jorhat Engineering College—its Contributions and Areas for Improvement’. In addition,two important articles, as mentioned in Table 5.1 (b) under Sl. Nos. 19 & 20, both being authored by two dignitaries (as appearing in the table) were published. Another important feature of the Part A of this Special Issue was the ‘Principal, JEC Answers the Questions Raised in the Editorial’. Prof. S. D. Phukan was then the Principal In-Charge. The Part B of this special issue included a detailed account of the silver jubilee celebration apart from two more valuable articles.
(b) Special Issue published on the occasion of Inauguration of Koliabhomora Bridge at Tejpur, Assam: The Koliabhomora Bridge over river Brahmaputra was inaugurated by Shri Rajib Gandhi, the then-Prime Minister of India on 14.04.1987. A Special Issue of this news-record (as appearing in Image 5.11 (b) was brought out. The construction period of this bridge was followed by me closely by making a number of visits to the construction site. Therefore, the editorial for this special issue was written on ‘The Koliabhomora Bridge’, wherein various aspects such as Salient details of the bridge, Agencies involved in its execution, Typical construction problems faced and solved etc. were briefly dealt with including a few construction aspects shown in Image 5.12.
A number of major articles authored by engineers (including Late Tosheswar Sarma) on topics such as ‘N.F. Railway recreates history’, ‘Planning for Bhomoraguri Road Bridge’, ‘The Koliabhomora Bridge’ etc. appeared in this special issue.
5.5.5 Salient Reports Published (Figure 5.2): (To be continued in the next Post of this Blog).
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