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Initially the zone membership was hardly 16 and the zone had barely any money to conduct seminars. However, meetings were held with meagre contribution available. Since then under the inspired leadership of late Prof. J. G. Kane, the zone made considerable progress in achieving the objectives of the association. The membership increased to 32 in 1960, 51 in 1961, 64 in 1962, 101 in 1963, 104 in 1964, 169 in 1965 and 225 in 1966. Presently the membership is over 600. Year after year, the executive committee of the zone worked hard to keep the interest of the members alive and in turn al members have responded enthusiastically. It would be befitting here to mention the names of Dr. K. T. Achaya, late Mr. K. K. Ajila, Dr. B. P. Baliga, late Dr. N. R. Bhow, Mr. B. A. Desai, Late Mr. R. M. Desai, Mr. N. B. Godrej, Dr. K. S. Holla, Dr. C. B. Khanpara, late Dr. B. S. Mankodi, Mr. K. V. Mariwala, Mr. K. C. Mathur, Mr. P. N. Mathur, Dr. S. N. Modak, Mr. B. Z. Mullaji, Dr. N. L. Murty, Mr. V. M. Pai, Mr. B. F. Parekh, late Dr. S. M. Patel, Mr. S. Ramdas, Mr. P. C. Rao, Mr. V. V. Rao, Prof. D. Rebello, Dr. A. D. Shitole, Dr. B. Sreenivasan, late Mr. T. V. Subba Rao, Prof. V. vV. R. Subrahmanyam, Mr. M. S. Thakur, Mr. S. S. Varawala, late Dr. S. D. Vaidya and Dr. S. D. Varadarajan who worked tirelessly in different capacities to promote the various activities of the Zone. The Zone held its first seminar on 'Solvent Extraction Industry in India' in January 1966 at Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, with financial and other help from industries and it was an instant success. Since then, the zone has never looked back and held several Seminars and refresher courses which listed at end.
The members of the Zone have taken keen interest in the Central activities of OTAI. To cite an example, the Publication Committee of OTAI is working at Mumbai from 1969 and is effectively bringing out the prestigious Journal of the Oil Technologists' Association of India. The OTAI Publication Committee had late Mr, R. M. Desai, late Dr. S. M. Patel, Prof. V. V. R. Subrahmanyam, Mr. M. R. Padmanabhan, Dr. K. S. Holla and Mr. M. K. Janardan as previous Chairmen. Currently, Dr. B. R. Gaikwad is the Vice - President (formerly termed Chairman) of the Publication Committee.
The high standards which the journal has attained, is due to the untiring efforts of the past editors, Dr. N. V. Bringi, Prof. T. K. Venkatesan, Dr. V. V. S. Mani and Prof. V. V. R. Subrahmanyam. Dr. A. D. Shitole is the present editor.
Under the able guidance of late Prof. J. G. Kane with late Dr. S. M. Patel as Secretary and Prof. V. V. R. Subrahmanyam as Joint Secretary, Workshop Steering Committee functioned at Mumbai. It organized a workshop on measures to augment the supplies of oils and fats in the country and the action plan arising out of the workshop was presented to the Central Government and most of the proposals are now implemented.
International Co-ordination Council operated from Mumbai under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. B. Khanpara; a joint UNIDO - OTAI Programme was organized in which Oil Technologists from several countries were taken around India, for study of Oilseeds and Oil processing.
The Research, Investigation and Implementation Committee of OTAI have effectively functioned from Mumbai for several years under the Chairmanship of late Dr. S. M. Patel and subsequently under the Chairmanship of Prof. V. V. R. Subrahmanyam.
Due to distribution of Central Committees to Zones, now the Research, Investigation and Implementation Committee is functioning from Kolkata.
The Zone owes its present eminent position to the inspiring leadership and guidance of the distinguished personalities who served as its Presidents, namely late Prof. J. G. Kane, Prof. D. Rebello, Dr. C. B. Khanpara, late Dr. S. M. Patel, Prof. V. V. R. Subrahmanyam, Mr. N. B. Godrej, Mr. K. V. Mariwala, Dr. K. S. Holla, Dr. A. D. Shitole, Dr. V. V. S. Mani and Prof T. K. Venkatesan. Dr. B. R. Gaikwad is its presents President.
The past Honorary secretaries of the Zone were late Mr. T. V. Subba Rao, Dr. C. B. Khanpara, Shri V. M. Pai, late Dr. S. M. Patel, Dr. S. N. Modak, Prof V. V. R. Subrahmanyam, Mr. S. Ramdas, Dr. V. V. S. Mani, late Dr. B. S. Mankodi, late Dr. S. D. Vaidya and Dr. B. R. Gaikwad. Prof. D. N. Bhowmick is its present Honorary Secretary. The past Honorary Treasurers of the Zone were late Mr. R. M. Desai, Mr. P. C. Rao, Mr. M. R. Padmanabhan, Mr. D. C. Upadhyay, Prof. D. N. Bhowmick and Dr. B. R. Gaikwad. Mr. Manoj Biswas is its present Honorary Treasurer.
The Western Zone was able to function actively due to the tireless efforts put in by the office bearers and the other executive committee members, some of also took additional responsibility as Convenors of sub- committees like seminar, finance, education and membership.
Due to its diverse activities, the OTAI Western Zone was able to have its impact on development of several technologies invigorating the research activities, implementation of needed fiscal measures and imparting technical training to personnel associated with Oil industry. |
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