Bengal entrepreneurs flock for a slice of defence budget pie

Business & Economy

defencekolkata11nov2016

Kolkata :

A few months ago when the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) made an effort to introduce Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in West Bengal to the defence sector, there were few takers. On Friday, there was overwhelming response at the CII’s 7th Industry Defence Linkage in the city with entrepreneurs aiming at a slice of the huge defence budget pie.

“The Army is best suited as its relatively easier to meet our requirements. Our requirements are simply humongous. Of the 130-140 schemes at any time, nearly 40% are below Rs 150 crore. This makes wider participation possible.

Even big ticket items like armour and artillery are integrated systems of sub-systems. There are over 100 vendors for the T-90 tank and at one point it has to come down to MSMEs. We are looking for new technology dozers and other equipment. There is great potential in eastern India where there are a number of mines,” Lt Gen Subrata Saha, deputy chief of Army staff (planning and system) said during the event.

According to him, the Army is already interacting with academic institutions like the Indian Institute if Science and IITs to enable technology development. MSMEs can easily participate for supply of equipment worth more than $ 9.6 billion that is now imported.

“There is no reason why this kind of money should be allowed to leave the country. We took industrialists and scientists to the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir so they may form their own opinions and come up with suggestions. After the Uri attack, two persons came up with very good suggestions that have been forwarded. We also plan to take industrialists and scientists from the east to Sikkim for a similar experience,” Lt Gen Saha said.
Among the others who spoke at the conference were V S Noronha, vice president, Tata Motors, Rajib Chakraborty, general manager, Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore, K R Nautiyal, IG and commander, Coast Guard Region (North East), Rear Admiral S P Lal, assistant chief of material, Indian Navy and Air Commodore H S Basra, principal director (plans), Air Force Headquarters.

Noronha appreciated Lt Gen Saha’s efforts to move from city to city in a bid to encourage Indian entrepreneurs. There has been a lot of effort in promoting Make in India in the last two years and this has provided long term opportunities for entrepreneurs, he said. He felt that defence clusters can be set up at several locations and funding can be arranged by CII’s SME Finance Facilitation Centre. Commander Nautiyal said that entrepreneurs can look towards participating during maintenance of ships and refits.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Kolkata News / by Jayanta Gupta / TNN / November 09th, 2016

Kolkata artist to give shirish tree a makeover at Nandan

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Sculptor Deep Saha’s tree sculpture at Nandan draws inspiration from musical instruments and films. (Samir Jana/HT Photo)
Sculptor Deep Saha’s tree sculpture at Nandan draws inspiration from musical instruments and films. (Samir Jana/HT Photo)

A 30-feet shirish tree that stood tall on the Nandan campus and played host to numerous discussions involving film buffs is set for a makeover. Nandan witnessed many discussions among movie-lovers on Truffaut and Godard over lemon tea sitting under the shirish tree.

But now, one might find it difficult to locate the same tree. Covered with tarpaulin, men are seen with saw and hammers carving the tree to give it a shape.

Deep Saha, a pass out of Government College of Arts & Craft, Kolkata, in 1998, is working on a tree sculpture at Nandan campus for beautification before the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) that begins on November 11.

“I wanted to do something with the tree and hence asked the KIFF authorities if I could do a sculpture on it. I was given a free hand,” said the 41-year-old sculptor.

Nandan is getting a makeover before the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). (Samir Jana/HT Photo)
Nandan is getting a makeover before the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). (Samir Jana/HT Photo)

Saha’s sculpture draws inspiration from musical instruments and films. “Since it is a figurative sculpture, it will be an amalgamation of human figures and musical instruments. I also plan to experiment with colours,” said Saha, who has also done the hand-shaped fountain near Raj Bhavan, Esplanade. He has also made sculptures to beautify the city at Eco Park, Princep Ghat and Mahajati Sadan.

It’s been just eight days since the Golf Green resident has started working on the sculpture at Nandan campus. He informed that he spends approximately 12 hours every day on the sculpture. “The work won’t be complete within November 11. We will again start working after the KIFF gets over,” said Saha, who has done shows in Mumbai.

In the meantime, Saha is excited to have received an offer from union shipping minister Nitin Gadkari to make sculptures in Delhi. However, he is yet to meet the minister and discuss the offer.

Atri Bhattacharya, information and cultural affairs secretary, said chief minister wanted to start the renovation work at Nandan for a long time. “Before the film festival begins, the film buffs will have a renewed Nandan campus, which will be more environment friendly,” he said.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home / by Anindita Acharya, Hindustan Times, New Delhi / November 09th, 2016