Volume V, Issue 5
Going International… IndoIndo-Russian Workshop Inside Editorial
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Reality Check 3 Tandoori Nights
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Interview: Slain
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Workshops
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A Tribute
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Interview: Akash
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Points Tally
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Club Activity
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Mixed Bag
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The Fun Page
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The Indo Russian Workshop on Topical Problems in Solid Mechanics was organized at BITS, Pilani – Goa Campus from November 11 - 14, 2008. The workshop featured key research going on in elite institutions in India (BITS, IITs, IISc, BARC, DMRL) and Russia in the field of Applied, Theoretical and Experimental Mechanics. There were 40 participants in all. The workshop was a platform for exchange of innovative ideas and a clear contrast could be drawn between the research communities of both the countries. While the Russian researchers relied mostly on mathematical and numerical models to study their problems, their Indian counterparts took an approach that was more experimental and less analytical. One notable feature about the participation was that it included both senior researchers using conventional methods and young researchers using more of numerical techniques, both of them equally rich in the results they draw. One of the most notable quotes conveying this difference was given by Prof. T. Kant (IIT B), a senior researcher in Mechanics, during his paper on the effectiveness of using Shell Theory over newer numerical techniques. As a conclusion he said : “Not many people use this theory (Shell Theory) these days… now a days they use the Finite Elements” and the crowd, all eminent researchers in the field of Mechanics, burst into laughter! The workshop concluded with the Indian and Russian scientists exchanging ideas for collaborative projects in the field of Mechanics. The workshop was coordinated by Prof. N. K Gupta (IIT Delhi) and Prof. A. V Manzhirov (Russian Academy of Science). The participants were overwhelmed by the hospitality offered by the host institute.
Creating History: OASIS 2008 Oasis. That elusive place where travellers quench their thirst. For where can one find the gift of water among the sea of sand? Well, we also felt a similar kind of relief when we visited and participated in Oasis 2008, the cultural fest of BITS-Pilani. Why, you may ask? Well, after a gruelling, sweaty two-day journey and a very dusty bus journey to Pilani, we heaved a sigh of relief when we saw a tell-tale glow-in-the-dark BITS sign on the gates to BITS-Pilani. And after a minimal two-hour wait, we were graciously escorted to the rooms we were allotted. Oasis was organized decently. There were more than 60 events, yet they pulled it off well, just as they have been doing it for 37 years. Events ranged from serious (Oasis Quiz, Razzmatazz, Tarang) to the fun (BLAB (Jam), Suicide at Midnight, Bull’s eye). The events normally began on time, except for the Audi events which had very shoddy scheduling. Some events were postponed by six hours! However, the fun factor was high at Pilani, with a 24-hour dance floor and food courts (which boasted of CCD and Dominos). The special performances with KK and Lounge Piranha being the icing on the cake. The most exhilarating moment came during the valedictory ceremony, when we lifted the Oasis Cup. It was at that moment we realized that we had done it! We had swept Oasis (figuratively anyway). Lunches at Connaught, breakfast in the IC, lounging in the Sky Lawns, everything was so memorable. But eventually we had to bid farewell to Oasis. - a BPGC participant at Oasis