Vol. 8, Issue No. 3, Sep 2016 From the Desk of the Director I wish to convey my greetings to all the readers of IJIRA Newsletter for very Happy Durga Puja and Diwali.

The last trimester has been very exciting and eventful at IJIRA. In this issue Hon’ble Secretary to the Govt. of , Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Rashmi Verma, IAS has inaugurated IJIRA Soil Testing Visit of Textile Secretary Laboratory in the august presence of Smt. Pushpa Activities of IJIRA as Subrahmanyam, IAS, Additional Secretary, MoT, GoI, Shri A CoE Madhukumar Reddy, IRTS, Jt. Secretary, MoT, GoI, Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Jute Commissioner, MoT, GoI and Shri Alok Kumar, IAS, Workshop on JGT in Development Commissioner of Handloom, MoT, GoI. They have also unveiled a book and Arunachal on, “Abstract of IJIRA Weekly Technical Lectures”. Pradesh  Due to commendable efforts of the Scientists and Technologists, IJIRA has developed Status of MoT Approved novel technology for industrial scale manufacturing of jute pulp based sanitary napkin. Projects under COE These napkins meet required BIS standards and also significantly cheaper that other activity – varieties available in the market. Demonstration of this product has been made in few  In Manipur schools in jute mills in association with National Jute Board and free samples have been  In Meghalaya given to the school girls.  Status of SLCC  In a remarkable achievement, IJIRA has signed a MoA with M/s Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd. Approved Projects and M/s Birds Jute and Exports Ltd. regarding commercialization of jute based low cost under COE activity – sanitary napkins. M/s. Intech has agreed to pay an amount of rupees fifty lakh as ToT  In Assam fees.  In Manipur   In Activities under CoE have also been phenomenal due to the sincere efforts of NERC, Guwahati as IJIRA has identified 103 projects in NER pertaining of application of jute geotextiles. Ongoing R&D Activities Ongoing Studies In parallel to these activities, IJIRA is also conducting sponsored R&D activities maintaining the approved timeline for each project components. Activities of IJIRA - NERC Lastly I will thank the editorial board for its effort to bring out this edition of IJIRA Newsletter. In all humility I hope that the readers will find our newsletter interesting and Services informative. Nonetheless I will welcome any positive suggestions/comments and IJIRA – Industry constructive criticism too which will help us to do better. Interactive Meet Dr. U.S. Sarma Other Activities Director, IJIRA 1 Meetings & Summits Publications VISIT OF SMT. RASHMI VERMA, IAS, TEXTILE SECRETARY

Smt. Rashmi Verma, IAS, Textile Secretary, alongwith Shri Madhukumar Reddy, IRTS Joint Secretary (Jute), MoT, Smt. Pushpa Subrahmanyan, Additional Secretary, Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, the Jute Commissioner, Shri Dipankar Mahto, IP&TA&FS, Deputy Jute Commissioner visited IJIRA on 6th September, 2016. Council Members, Shri D C Baheti, Ex Chairman, IJIRA, Shri A K Kankaria, Promoter, Bally Jute Co, Shri Sanjay Hada, Director, Reliance Jute Co (I) Ltd, Shri Alok Kumar, Director Handicraft and many other dignitaries were present apart from all S&T and Admin staff of IJIRA. Dr. U. S. Sarma, Director, IJIRA welcomed Smt. Rashmi Verma, IAS, Textile Secretary at the reception and bouquets were offered to the visiting dignitaries.

Secretary Textiles visited the IJIRA Exhibition Hall where various exhibits/products pertaining to diversified jute products were shown. She was explained about Jute-LLDE granules, a green initiative with which water tank has been prepared where 20% jute is used. Thereafter she was taken to Bio- Chemistry Division. Dr. S.K. Chakrabarti, Deputy Director and Head Bio-Chemistry Division explained about ecofriendly faster jute retting process and jute based female hygiene product. She appreciated the current activities of IJIRA after visiting the various laboratories.

2 Inauguration of IJIRA Soil Testing Laboratory

Secretary, MoT had inaugurated IJIRA Soil Testing Lab. the presence of all the dignitaries. The lab is set up for carrying out activities of IJIRA as CoE under Jute Geotextile project for the NER. It was a very rare moment for IJIRA.

In presence of audience Director in his welcoming speech said that this august visit of the Secretary Textile is a remarkable day for IJIRA after a span of almost 11 years. Director briefed the history of IJIRA that it is the oldest among the TRAs which was founded in 1937 subsequently the present building was opened by the Honourable Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 02 January 1952. Director said that almost all the scientists of IJIRA are young and energetic and working with dedication to their assigned duties. Then the Director requested Deputy Directors and scientist to introduce them before the Textile Secretary. Accordingly the Scientist and Technical officers of IJIRA briefed their domain of works one by one.

Speech by Textile Secretary

Textile Secretary in her speech stated that it was her pleasure to visit this Institute which has so much of rich background with multi-dimensional current R&D activities. Smt. Verma informed that she heard about IJIRA but could not make it to come over here on earlier occasion. She said that IJIRA has 3 developed a lot of new products which need to be commercialized so that IJIRA can sustain itself. She also told that intellectual property rights of IJIRA need to be protected. She said that microbial faster retting has benefitted the jute farmers and industry. She desires that it should not be restricted to only four districts rather it should be extended to all jute growing areas from next year. She stated that there will be no dearth of funds from the Ministry for carrying out R&D projects. She emphasized productivity improvement of cost reduction in the existing jute processing unit to make it more sustainable. She concluded her speech by thanking the entire team of IJIRA, Director and all scientists of IJIRA for their dedicated work.

Speech by the Jute Commissioner The Jute Commissioner in his speech requested Textile Secretary to pay another visit to IJIRA next time having at least for half a day when she could be explained the entire area of research in more details. He explained the major areas of work in IJIRA are:- (a) Jute Geotextile (b) Development of Machinery (c) New Composites (d) Nano cellulose JC said that value added products as bio-ethanol and lignosulphonate production from jute sticks will also indirectly help the farmers for better jute price. Dr S K Chakrabarti, Deputy Director, IJIRA had given Vote of Thanks to the Secretary Textiles and dignitaries present in the Conference Hall.

4 IJIRA (CoE) Initiatives for Use of Jute Geotextiles in NER

A. Workshop at Assam and One Day Back to back Technical Workshop cum Exhibition on “Applications of Jute Geotextiles” was held on 14th September, 2016 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati and on 16th September, 2016 at Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The seminar was organized by Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association in association with Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and National Jute Board. The workshop which was organized with special focus to create awareness of Jute Geotextiles application in Civil Engineering projects in the state of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was attended by Engineers and Officials from various organizations like Public Works Department, Forest and Environment Dept., Soil Conservation Dept., Water Resource Dept., Rural Works Dept., Border Road Organization, PHED amongst others. The programme was followed by two technical sessions in which presentations were made on various aspects of application of Jute Geotextiles for different end uses. There was also an exhibition arranged on the venue depicting different products/ models of applied JGT on different types of sites.

The Workshop at Guwahati was inaugurated by “Chief Guest” Shri. Parimal Suklabaidya, Honourable Minister of Assam, PWD, Fisheries and Excise in the presence of Smt T Y Das, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, PWD & Irrigation Department, Govt. of Assam, Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Jute Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Dr. S S Porwal, VSM, Addl Director General , BRO, Dr. U.S. Sarma, Director, IJIRA amongst others.

The Second One Day Technical Workshop cum Exhibition on “Applications of Jute Geotextiles” which was held on 16th September, 2016 at Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated by T.H. Tayung, Secretary, Rural Works Dept., Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, in the presence of Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Jute Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Shri Kago Tabiyo, Chief Engineer, Rural Works Dept., Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. U S Sarma, Director, IJIRA amongst others.

5 Dr. Subrata Gupta, Jute Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Dr. U.S. Sarma, Director, IJIRA and Shri. Th. Basant Singh, OIC, NERC, Guwahati also had a meeting on the same day with Chief Secretary, Smt. Shakuntala Gamlin, IAS, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh on 16th September 2016 at the Office Chamber of Chief Secretary, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh regarding Applications of Jute Geotextiles in road construction, slope protection etc., where in the team had requested Chief Secretary for identification of projects for use of Jute Geotextiles and convening an early SLCC meeting of Arunachal Pradesh to deliberate new projects for application of Jute Geotextiles.

B. Road Projects taken up by IJIRA (CoE) under Scheme for Promoting Usage of Geotechnical Textiles in North East Region

State Approved Projects by SLCC Approved Projects Projects identified by the State Ministry of Textiles, for TEV studies and Government to be placed in the Government of India Detailed Project Report II ensuing SLCC Preparation by the IJIRA (CoE) Assam -- 10 -- Manipur 04 31 -- Arunachal -- -- 09 Pradesh Mizoram -- -- 10 Total 04 41 19

C. Slope stabilization projects taken up by IJIRA (CoE) under Scheme for Promoting Usage of Geotechnical Textiles in North East Region

State Approved Projects by SLCC Approved Projects Projects identified by the State Ministry of Textiles, for TEV studies and Government to be placed in the Government of India Detailed Project Report II Concerned SLCC (Sanction Released) Preparation by the IJIRA (CoE) Assam -- 08 Manipur 01 22 Arunachal 09 Pradesh 6 Mizoram 02 Meghalaya 06 TOTAL 07 32 09

D. Work status for the approved Projects by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India for Application of Jute Geotextiles

Manipur:

a) Tendering process for the approved slope stabilization project at the site of 400 KV Power Substation at Thoubal Khunou, near Thoubal College, Manipur has been completed. b) Work is in progress for Tendering process for the approved four Road projects at Manipur.

Meghalaya: a) Work is in progress for Tendering process for the approved six slope stabilization project at Meghalaya.

E. Work status for the SLCC Approved Projects for TEV studies and Detailed Project Report II Preparation by the IJIRA (CoE)

ASSAM

Techno Economic Viability (TEV) study of 2 Road Projects under Environment and Forest Department, Government of Assam for slope stabilization and strengthening of pavement of the Forest Roads had been completed as per the detail given below:

a) Lokhora-Gharbanga Road at Lokhora, Kamrup (M), Assam of 15 km stretch with single lane and Jute Geotextiles application has been proposed for 5Km stretch of Road for strengthening of pavement where the granular sub base layer to be constructed as per the estimate.

b) Boko-Lampi Road located at Kamrup west of approx. 10Km of road stretch has been proposed for application of Jute Geotextiles to strengthen the pavement along with many vulnerable slope sites.

7 Techno Economic Viability (TEV) study of 5 slope sites out of 08 project sites approved by the SLCC for slope stabilization under soil conservation department had been completed as per the detail given below:

i. Sarania Hill, Kamrup: Slope protection by JGT almost 1650 sq. m in the Sarania Hill, Hemgiri Path of Kamrup. ii. Hengrabari, Kamrup: Slope area of almost 8000 sq. m in the Hengrabari Hills has been inspected for application of Jute Geotextiles for slope stabilization. iii. Noonmati, Kamrup (East): The sites are most vulnerable to landslide and 15,000 sq. m of area is required to protect from landslide and stabilization by means of JGT. iv. Chandmari, Kamrup (East): Almost 600 sq. m of downhill part needs protection from erosion and considered as very much suitable for application of Jute Geotextiles for slope stabilization of the proposed site. v. Gitanagar, Gita Mandir, Kamrup: Many sites have been visited in proposed location for slope stabilization and around 1350 sq .m of area as per the proposal is required for slope stabilization by JGT on the basis site analysis details.

MANIPUR

Techno Economic Viability (TEV) Study of four Roads under MSRRDA of Imphal East District had been completed as per the details given below:

a) 4.1 Km road from NH-39 to Urup

8 b) 5.0 Km road from Ekou Bazaar to Sadu Yengkhuman

c) 2.5 Km road from Saikul Road to Hangoipat

d) 2.07 Km road from Yumnam Khunou to Sinamkom

9 MIZORAM

As per the identified projects in the 3rd SLCC, Mizoram held on 24th August, 2016 proposed by Geology & Mineral Resources Department, Govt. of Mizoram, TEV Study had been carried out at the Project sites of Landslide Prone Area under Geology & Mineral Resources Department, Govt. of Mizoram for the viability of JGT application for slope stabilization located at Pehlawn Village and Kepran Village apporx. 110 km away from the Aizwal City.

Ongoing R&D Activities of IJIRA Presently IJIRA is carrying out eight R&D projects; seven sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and one sponsored by the National Jute Board. Followings are the project-wise activities carried out so far –

A. Design and Development of 50 kg Capacity Jute Bags considering Threshold Mechanical Properties and Physical Parameters

Under this R&D project, an empirical relationship has been established between yarn strength and fabric strength. Using the relationship the constructional parameters of the cloth has been worked out to achieve desired breaking strength. Also through systematic study, economic bag dimension and threshold porosity of food grain jute bag has been established. Considering these parameters jute bags of nine different types of constructions having different thread counts has been designed. Preparation of experimental bags are undergoing in a member jute mill.

B. Utilization of Jute Sticks & Jute Waste for Extraction of Value added Chemicals for Industrial uses

For lignosulphonate production two methods, sulfite pretreatment (SPL) and dilute acid (DA) pretreatment have been used to overcome recalcitrance of lignocelluloses in jute sticks. Recovery of total saccharides (hexoses and pentoses) has been found higher in SPL (87.9%) than that of DA (56.7%). SPL pretreatment produced approximately 8-10% of the lignin as lignosulfonate, which is a potential high-value co-product.

10 After extraction of lignosulphonate from SPL-pretreated jute sticks, mixed yeast culture has been used for high titer bioethanol production through fermentation (65.1%).

Fig: Lignosulphonate from Jute sticks

C. Faster Retting of jute plant through Bio-Chemical intervention  Farmers’ Awareness Programmes on the faster retting of jute plants using biochemical formulation (IJIRA-SUBHRA) have been organized at fourteen different jute growing places in association with Jute Corporation of India  Farmers’ registration has been done to carry out jute plant retting in the major jute growing districts like Hooghly, Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24-Parganas registering 179 jute farmers  125 demonstration/field trials on faster retting of jute using IJIRA microbial consortium have been carried out in 18 blocks of 4 jute growing districts

Fig: Field trials of Faster Retting D. Biochemical Softening of Hard Root Cuttings of Jute for Better Utilization  Biochemical formulation has been optimized for softening of hard root cuttings of jute  Shop floor trials in another member jute mill (M/s Naihati Jute Mill) have been successfully completed on sacking warp quality (10.00 lb/spy) incorporating 10-12% biochemically softened root cuttings with reduction in batch cost.

11 E. Jute-Thermoplastic Composites for Green Product Development  IJIRA has carried out industrial scale trial for incorporation of 20% Jute waste fibre (loom flocks) in polymeric composites at Patton International Ltd. An entire shift of production has been explored for Jute Composite production and it run satisfactorily.  To developed in-house capacity for processing of wide range of Jute reinforced plastics, Kneader- Extruder machine which is the prime processing machine for melt blending of jute waste fibre (loom flocks) and polymer granules has been planned to be installed at IJIRA. Fabrication for Kneader- Extruder machine has been initiated.  For detailed characterization of developed composite material, a test mould for moulding test samples has been fabricated by CIPET, Haldia. The mould has been prepared and physical characterization studies with the test samples have been initiated.  Quality check-list (e.g. thread waste %, dust % and residual oil content) of jute caddies suitable for Jute-Thermoplastic green composites has been prepared. Bulk quantity of segregated loom caddies has been procured from identified Jute mill for thermoplastic composites.  Several trials for moulding of products (shown below) using Jute-Thermoplastic composite granules have been carried out in partner industries.

Cap of Pen Separator of Exide battery

Weighing machine cover

12 F. Development of Standards for use of Jute Geotextiles (JGTs) in Rural Roads  Experimental plan of Laboratory Simulation Study has been chalked out and work has been initiated.  Different types of sub-grade soils to be tested has been procured and their testing are in progress  Durability and Serviceability strength of different types of Jute Geotextile after different duration on different kinds of soil under buried condition is under progress  Blended jute geotextile fabrics have been prepared in a jute mill.

G. Development of High Speed Roller Drafting System for Improvement in Jute Drawing Frame Productivity

 Fabrication of the table top model is undertaken to carry out initial experiments on the fibre length distribution and the quality of sliver and jute yarn.

H. Process Development, Automation and Pilot Scale Manufacturing of Jute Based Low Cost Sanitary Napkins

 IJIRA in association with the National Jute Board carried out promotional activity of jute based low cost sanitary napkins at 3 different jute mills (Gloster Ltd., Bowreah Jute Mills Ltd. and Ludlow Jute and Specialties Ltd.).

 MoA has been signed among IJIRA, Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd. and Birds Jute and Exports Ltd. regarding commercialization of jute based low cost sanitary napkins. Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd. has agreed to pay IJIRA Rs. 50 lakh as technology transfer fees.  Photographs depict the signing in ceremony in the presence of Jute Commissioner, Deputy Jute Commissioner and Chairman, IJIRA and presentation of cheque of Rs. 20 lakhs as first installment of payment by M/s. Intech safety Pvt. Ltd.

13 Ongoing Studies of IJIRA A. Techno-commercial feasibility study of Rice Bran Oil in processing of jute fibres

 Successful Mill trial with Modified RBO technology has been carried out at Hukumchand Jute Mill on sacking weft quality (23.3 lb/Spy).  Completion report has been submitted to National Jute Board (NJB) and Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).

B. Studies on transmigration of mineral oil hydrocarbons from jute /synthetic bags to packed food items  Study of transmigration of mineral oil hydrocarbon to packed rice and wheat grains from Jute and synthetic bags has been completed.  Project completion report has been submitted to National Jute Board (NJB) and Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).

C. Productivity Norms for 580 g B. Twill Jute Bag

 IJIRA has been entrusted to carry out the study for the formulation of Productivity norms for 580g B. Twill Jute Bag stipulated under IS 16186: 2014  Draft productivity norms for ‘Type A’ and ‘Type B’ 580g B. Twill bag has been formulated after compilation and analysis of verified data of 22 jute mills  The draft ‘Productivity Norms’ has been accepted at the 2nd Technical Committee meeting held on 23rd September 2016.

14 Activities of IJIRA – NERC, Guwahati

Launching of RMG Production Facilities

The Ready-made Garment Facility (RMG) at IJIRA-NERC, PSC, Guwahati consists of 25 Machines of precision Industrial Sewing Machines and allied machineries. The RMG facilities at IJIRA-NERC are to be utilized on 50:50 basis for commercial & training respectively. IJIRA - NERC shall get user fee and its recurring cost most of cost of Electricity & Security shall comedown.

Recently M/s. JEYCEE, a private firm from Police Bazar, Shillong, Meghalaya submitted a proposal to utilize the RMG facilities. The said proposal was subsequently approved by the competent authority and an MOU was signed.

In the light of above, launching of the said RMG facility utilization at IJIRA- NERC, PSC Guwahati was done by Dr. Subrata Gupta, Hon’ble Jute Commissioner and Director IJIRA along with officers of IJIRA and Textile Commissioner on 13th September, 2016.

M/s. JEYCEE shall be utilizing half of the RMG facility i.e., approximately 18 machines for producing School Uniforms, Shirts, Trousers etc.

Jute Raw Material Bank (JRMB) As per the inspection carried out by the representatives of National Jute Board Office, Kolkata on 4th & 5th August 2016, IJIRA – NERC has been selected for opening of JRMB by NJB.

PSC-ACTIVITIES FOR JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2016

 Power-loom Weaving Training: 04 persons have been trained in one batch in the area of pre- weaving, weaving technology and post weaving section in our own shed at NERC Office and 10 persons had been trained in one batch in the area of pre-weaving, weaving technology in Aizawl, Mizoram.

 Testing and Technical Consultancy 47 yarn and fabric samples had been tested during this period

15  Technical Consultancy: IJIRA-NERC & PSC had been done technical consultancy as well as AMC at IIHT, Guwahati and Powerloom unit at Aizawl, Mizoram.

 Group Insurance Scheme (GIS ) Group Insurance had been registered for the 32 powerloom weavers/ workers in the decentralized powerloom Industry in NER.

Services

Integrated Scheme for Acquisition of Plant and Machinery (ISAPM) IJIRA continues its work in ISAPM in association with National Jute Board. IJIRA is recently working for the De-Novo registration of foreign Vendors under ISAPM. Joint inspection under ISAPM has been conducted in 10 jute mills.

IJIRA – JUTE Industry Interactive Meet From February, 2016, IJIRA has started interactive meet with individual jute mills to understand their practical problems at the mill level where IJIRA can technically contribute to solve those issues. Five such interactive meets with jute mills followed by follow-up meet have been organized by IJIRA in between February and March, 2016. As per the identified technical problems of the mills, IJIRA S&T teams have paid visit to the respective mills on various occasions to address those issues. Sixth interactive was organized with M/s The Naihati Jute Mills Ltd.

IJIRA – M/s The Naihati Jute Mills Ltd. Interactive Meet:

The meet was organized on 29th September, 2016 at IJIRA. A six member technical team led by Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, Chief Executive (Works), M/s The Naihati Jute Mills interacted with the Scientists and Technologist of IJIRA on various issues of maintenance of spreader machine, roll former, 3rd drawing, spinning frame, looms etc. They also informed about various issues of the mill regarding process control, productivity, quality control and material handling etc.

IJIRA technical team will visit to the mill soon to address the issues at floor level.

Other Activities Technical Lectures IJIRA has been continuing to organise technical lectures on emerging technologies, products, processes, etc. for jute sector. From July 2016 to September 2016, two such events were organised including by IJIRA Scientists and Technologists. Details are available on the web site of IJIRA (www.ijira.org).

16 Fig: Weekly Technical lecture at IJIRA by Shri Palash Paul, Scientist, IJIRA, on “Standard Procedure of Inspection of B. Twill Jute Bags”, in the presence of industry representatives.

NABL Accreditation (ISO 17025:2005) of IJIRA Laboratories IJIRA Physical and Chemical Testing Laboratories have been accredited by the NABL with effect from 16.06.2016 and valid up to 15.06.2018. IJIRA is now in process of getting NABL accreditation of its Calibration laboratories.

Meetings & Summits

1. Dr. U. S. Sarma, Director, IJIRA attended the 10th meeting of “Empowered Committee” constituted under Technology Mission on Technical textiles (TMTT) on 9th Semtember 2016 at Ministry of Textiles, New Delhi 2. Shri Partha Sanyal attended the meeting on,“Upgradation of estimated provisional pricing formula for B.Twill Jute Bags for both type A and type B bags of 580g”, at Ministry of Textile, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi on 9th September 2016 and 20th September 2016. 3. Dr. U. S. Sarma, Director, IJIRA along with Shri Palash Paul, Scientist, IJIRA attended Stakeholders meeting on online procurement of B. Twill Sacking Bag on 8th September 2016 at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 4. Shri Th. Basanta Singh along with Shri A.K. Haloi and Shri Rafi Ahmed of IJIRA – NERC attended the 2nd State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) Meeting of Assam under the Scheme for Promoting uses of Geotechnical Textiles in NER on 06th September 2016 at conference room of the Commissioner & Special Secretary, Govt. of Assam, PWRD, Block B, Assam Secretariat, Dispur. 5. Shri Th. Basanta Singh, Officer in Charge, IJIRA-NERC, Guwahati attended the following State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) Meetings under the Scheme for Promoting uses of Geotechnical Textiles in NER: a) 1st SLCC Meeting of Nagaland on 12th August 2016 at the Office Chamber of Commissioner & Secretary (Works & Housing), Kohima, Nagaland. b) 5th SLCC Meeting of Manipur on 17th August 2016 at the Office Chamber of Chief Secretary, Govt. Of Manipur. c) 3rd SLCC meeting of Mizoram on 24th August 2016 at the Office Chamber of Chief Secretary, Govt. of Mizoram. 6. Shri Partha Sanyal and Shri Gopal Mukhopadhyay attended the 7th Technical Committee Meeting of ISAPM held on 4th July 2016 at National Jute Board Kolkata

17 7. Shri Th. Basanta Singh, Officer in Charge, IJIRA-NERC, Guwahati attended the 3rd Project Appraisal and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) of R & D Scheme for the period 2014-15 to 2018- 19 on 04.07.2016 at Office of Textile Commissioner, Mumbai.

RAC Meeting

 3rd IJIRA’s Research Advisory Committee meeting was held on 10th August, 2016 at IJIRA.

Publications

A paper titled "Textile coloration with natural resources of Northeast India" by Ritwik Chakraborty, Th. Basanta Singh, A. K. Haloi & S. K. Chakrabarti had been selected for publication as well as for oral presentation for two-days national workshop on natural dyeing of ‘Textiles: In Batik and Shibori Style’ organized by TElQIP Cell, University of Calcutta and Department of Jute and Fibre Technology, University of Calcutta on 16th & 17th September 20I6. In this connection, a presentation was delivered by Shri Ritwik Chakraborty depicting the R&D work carried out on Parkia speciosa & Clerodendrum bracteatum found in NER of India.

18 Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association 17, Taratala Road, Kolkata – 700088 Tel : +91 33 66269200/29/41, Fax : +91 33 66269204 / 227, E-mail : [email protected], Web : www.ijira.org JUTE IS ECO – FRIENDLY AND RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY 19