2011 has been very engaging and successful year for IEEE Kolkata Section. Being the Treasurer of the Section for last 3 years I have witnessed how the activities of the section, various Chapters and Affinity Groups have grown significantly which is very encouraging. As I take up the responsibility of Secretary from 2012, I even feel more about the happenings of types of activities in different places in connection with the Kolkata Section.

The most important event of this year has been the hosting of IEEE Region 10 Meeting by the IEEE Kolkata Section at Swissotel, New town, which was held first time in Kolkata. It was well appreciated by the stakeholders and reflects the great planning and execution of the past Secretary and Chair of the Section and other Office Bearers.

Present focus of IEEE is Advancing Technology for Humanity. This was well covered through various discussions in the Region 10 event and we would like to adopt it in our activities of the Section in true spirit.

We have been requested by Region 10 Humanitarian Technology Activities Coordinator to form SIGHT (Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology) under this Section so that benefits may reach to the underserved. Formation of SIGHT has been principally adopted by our Section. It would be nice if young IEEE members join this group and think positively towards the contribution for socially responsible activities.

I had an opportunity to discuss with the Region 10 Women in Engineering Coordinator regarding enhancement of visibility and participation of more and more Women Engineers in different IEEE activities. Being a Woman Engineer, I would like to request all the Women Engineers of the Section to be actively visible through their participation in order to make this Affinity Group serve its purpose and objectives.

As you continue to engage and achieve through regular activities of the Section, it would be greatly helpful if you can update the profiles and personal activities of the respective Chapter or Affinity Groups which would in turn help to collate the information and perhaps help us to position the achievements of this Section with completeness.

Suggestions are always welcome as we embark on a path of forward journey with this New Year.

Iti Saha Misra
April 11, 2012