ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS

The idea of a Society of the Indian ceramists was first conceived by late Sirdar Krishen Singh in the year 1921. Subsequently, late T. W. Talwalkar, who, on his return to India at the end of 1927, having very much impressed with the activities of the American Ceramic Society, felt the need for a similar kind of Society in the country.

The inaugural meeting, attended by a handful people from the glass and ceramic fields, was held in the Library Hall of the Chemistry Building of Banaras Hindu University on April 15, 1928.

The “JOURNAL” of the “Indian Ceramic Society” was first published in September, 1928, which is now known as the "Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society". It is being published quarterly without interruption for about past five decades. The journal has an international Editorial Advisory Board, and its contents are regularly abstracted in the Ceramic Abstracts (American Ceramic Society) and Chemical Abstracts (American Chemical Society). The publication is classified as one of the core journals monitored by CAS and it is listed at the url : http//: www.cas.org/sent.html  . It is thus the most important Indian Journal in ceramics and allied subjects. This acts as the USP of our publication.

With the passage of time the Society grew and slowly stretches its wings. Today there are 14 Local Chapters spreading all over the country. And through these Local Chapters, the Society is achieving its set objectives to meet the growing demand of the day.

The activities of InCerS include broadly an appraisal of the trend of ceramic industry and research as also an analysis of the impact of the fast developing science and technology and business environment on the growth of indigenous ceramic industry. Emphasis is laid on fostering cordial and friendly relationship and co-operation among fellow members with a view to serving the interest of research and industry in a large way.

The Annual Session of InCerS is organized every year by one of its Chapters, under the guidance of the Council of the Indian Ceramic Society, and is attended by the delegates from all over India and abroad comprising scientists, technologists, equipment manufacturers, raw material suppliers, students and end-users in the field of ceramics including glass, pottery, sanitaryware, tile, whitewares, refractories and allied disciplines, representing industry, academic institutions, R&D organizations as well as guests and invited speakers.

The annual event of InCerS gives an opportunity to the delegates to have the benefit of exposure to the latest developments, and provides them with a suitable forum for sharing their ideas and experiences. It also provides the delegates to delve deeply to the problems and prospects of the Indian ceramic industry as a whole.

The ever increasing number of participants in the InCerS Annual Sessions comprising inter alia, invited lectures, technical sessions, seminars and symposia. The quality and number of technical and scientific papers presented in these meetings, and the high standard of discussions that follow are true reflections of the InCerS excellent progress towards the objectives envisaged by its founders.

The InCerS, during the Annual Session, bestows a number of awards to various personalities in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the ceramic and allied fields.

Activities through Local Chapters

In furthering its activities, the InCerS functions also through 14 Local Chapters, which are formed in different parts of the country — Bangalore, Bhilai, Chennai, Delhi, Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Kerala, Khurja, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam. They function through elected Committees of the respected Chapters and are guided by the norms, as laid down in the Constitution of the ‘Indian Ceramic Society’.

These Chapters hold meetings, seminars from time to time to discuss, analyze and focus topical subjects of interest to the members and organize exhibitions to give the ceramic industries an opportunity to have a direct exposure and inter-personal communication with the viewers and prospective buyers.

The Chapters also render technical support to local small ceramic units and maintain a close liaison with them for the benefit of the local ceramic community.

The InCerS has instituted an award, namely, “Best Chapter Award”, which is given to one of the Chapters every year, during the Annual Session of the Society, in recognition of its outstanding contributions and cognizable performance towards upholding the objectives of the Society.