IEEE BANGALORE SECTION SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION

July 21, 2001 was a memorable day for the Bangalore Section. The Section celebrated the Silver Jubilee on that day. It was a sentimental gathering of IEEE members and families - from the youngest student member to the veteran, from the current EXECOM member to the Section's first office bearers and Fellows. They gathered in large number (about 250 including spouses) at the Le Meridien on July 21, and filled the hall in a great mood of celebration.

The evening started with the members registering, meeting friends and other members as they arrived and networking over a cup of tea/coffee before the start of formal proceedings. Prof. S. Sadadagopan, Director of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore was the Chief Guest for the occasion. The Section Secretary Mr. Anurag Kumar welcomed the gathering to start the celebration program. Following this, in the absence of Section Chairman Prof. Rajgopal, the Section Vice Chairman Prof. Sankaran addressed the members noting the significance of the occasion, and how the IEEE activities in the Section have been an enriching experience over the years, and should continue to in the coming years.

One of the Section's past Chairmen, Prof. Jenkins, was then invited to give a brief look into the Section's 25 years' history. Prof. Jenkins recalled early beginnings and how the Section was formed in July of 1976 along with those of Bombay and Delhi, with Mr. Ravi Kirloskar as the First Chairman and Mr. P.N. Hiriyannaiah as Secretary. He recounted how the Section grew under the efforts and leadership of officers Mr. Ravi Kirloskar, Mr. Hiriyannaiah, Prof. I.G. Sharma, Dr.Ramamoorthy and others, and some of the landmarks achieved over the years. Finally he recounted the strengths and current weaknesses of the Section, and wished a bright future for the Section.

The Section's History, in printed form, was then formally released by Mr. Hiriyannaiah, Secretary of the first EXECOM of the Section and later Section Chairman. He presented the firsy copy of the History to the Chief Guest Prof. Sadagopan. The good efforts by Mr. Arjuna Rao Chavala and Prof. Jenkins in bringing out this printed version was recognised.

The attendees included several Past Chairmen, Fellows and Life members. The Section recognised their presence and contribution to the Section by a gift to mark the occasion, presented by the Vice Chairman to the Past Chairmen, Fellows and Life members & Senior Members present. This was followed by an address by some of them reminiscing and recalling their experiences in the Section and with IEEE worldwide. Mr. Hiriyannaiah spoke, and was followed by Prof. H.N.R. Rao, Mr. C.S. Subramanian and Prof. H.P. Khincha. Their accounts on the early years of the Section and other IEEE events were entertaining and an eye-opener for many of the newer members.

The Chief Guest Prof. Sadagopan was called upon to address the gathering. He recalled the grand history of IEEE itself, and how over the years this organisation has benefitted the professionals, and how IEEE always managed to excel in doing some of the things to the benefit of the members better than other similar professional societies.

The Section Treasurer then proposed a vote of thanks, and invited the members and their spouses to a cultural program of music, followed by dinner.