Tell us about your educational qualifications. What motivated you to complete your studies till your Ph.D.? And why did you choose this stream?
I did B Tech (Textile Technology) from Dr. B R Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar (erstwhile REC Jalandhar) in its first batch, i.e. 1989-1993. I was placed in the Vardhman group at Auro Spinning Mills Baddi, through campus interview in the year 1993. Thereafter, I did M Tech (Textile Engineering) at IIT Delhi, where I developed an interest in research work and was motivated to do Ph.D., which I pursued from IIT Delhi itself.
As far as choosing the stream is concerned, I will say, things were quite different about 35 years back. There were only a few engineering colleges in the country and students were interested to become engineers; there was nothing like a stream I was running for. I only had one thing in mind, whatever area I get into, I will give my best to it honestly and sincerely.
As a part of being an academician, research is an integral part. How do you develop a research temperament or what motivates you to carry out research in your labs?
While teaching, you are involved in learning through reading and experimenting; the curiosity to know more and understand your subject better leads you to research.
Would you like to share some interesting incidents/ instances that happened with you while working as a consultant to different industries or while teaching a batch of students…
I would say, the new generation is so dependent on Artificial Intelligence or IT that it is having a detrimental effect on the education system. Students are not ready to open the books or read the notes/slides given to them by the teacher. They just want to google everything; and now there is another, known as Chatgpt.
Recently, one of my students came to me with a question that was put to him during the examination. He showed me a solution to the problem, which was not correct; When I asked him where he has taken the solution? He said I used Chatgpt to study this formula. The formula to solve the question given by Chatgpt had all those variables required for the solution, but it shifted one of the variables from the denominator to the numerator and therefore wrong calculation was done.
What are the major differences in the industries earlier and now? Tell us about the work ethics as well apart from the technological advancements.
The industry has changed a lot during these three decades. The machines during the old days used to generate a lot of flies and create noise pollution. Its manufacturing process was largely dependent on labor. Presently, technological advancements have created a clean working environment on the shop floor and automation has reduced a large number of laborers. Industry 4.0 is the way forward. In a nutshell, I will say that the work environment in the textile industry has improved a lot during these years.
How do you teach/ inform your students about the latest developments in the industry and make them ready for working in the industry?
As a part of the curriculum, we have continuous interaction with the industry. Students undergo summer internships in the industry after the second year and the third year, as a part of the curriculum. Besides this, experts from the industry are invited to deliver talks for the students on a regular basis and students are also taken for industrial visits to nearby industries like JCT Phagwara, Vardhman Textiles Ludhiana & Baddi, Aarti International Ludhiana, Nahar Spinning Mills Lalru to name a few. These interactions with the industry make them aware of the latest developments in the industry and make them familiar with the industrial environment. Further, we continuously organize and participate in seminars, conferences, symposiums, and workshops in India and abroad to keep abreast with the latest in the field.
How do you think the pandemic has affected the education system? Tell us both the pros and cons
There has been a sharp rise in e-learning in the post covid era. The advantage is that e-resources can be used for a better teaching-learning system, with flexibility in timing. The students have access to the resources produced by faculties of IITs and other Institutions also. The disadvantage is that the students find it easy to search through their mobiles and laptops and are moving away from books. They trust any e-resources without checking their source and authenticity.
How are management studies important for Textile students? How does it help in increasing productivity?
One of the major segments of the textile industry is textile machinery manufacture and its marketing. Many of our students have been employed in the sales and marketing teams of these machine manufacturing companies and their sales offices. Moreover, being a manufacturing industry, knowledge of production management/industrial engineering techniques is essential to improve productivity. As you move from lower levels to higher positions, the knowledge of management concepts becomes more important.
What are some measures that need to be taken as a part of Quality Management in Apparel and Clothing?
Today, it’s the era of Total Quality Management (TQM), which involves everyone in the organization right from top management to the shopfloor worker. Collection and analysis of information about your customer requirements, product, operations, competition, and changing market trends are of utmost importance.
What are the new advancements in the nonwoven Industry that have been developed by RnD teams of different industries?
Nonwoven fabrics have the potential to replace almost all flexible materials and newer products are coming to the market every day. Per capita consumption of these fabrics is quite low in Indian and other Asian countries, which has great growth potential in the coming years. During the pandemic, we have seen the application of nonwoven fabrics in PPE kits and facemasks. These fabrics are waterproof and breathable fabrics, which do not allow the patient’s blood or other body fluids to pass through but will allow the water vapors to pass from inside to the outside environment.
What would be your suggestions for start-ups in the textile manufacturing sector? How can these ventures grow, considering the immense competition that lies in this sector?
There are several opportunities for start-ups in the textile industry. The government of India has also started a National Technical Textile Mission to promote technical textiles, under which the units which start manufacturing of technical textile products are provided funds for the development of technical textile machines and products. Moreover, several benefits in terms of capital subsidy are also available in technical and conventional textiles. Students can start their own enterprises in the spare parts or accessories required in the textile industry or even dyes and chemicals. Nowadays, students are having an inclination towards computers and Information technology. Textile engineers should apply their knowledge of computers and IT skills (coding, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, etc) to solve the issues of the textile industry, rather than shifting into the IT sector. This can be a very good start-up area for textile engineers.
What are the different parameters that a textile technologist must consider before launching a product? How can he/she tap the market and cater to the different variety of customers?
Market research is most important before launching a product. Understanding your consumers and their requirements is the key to making a successful launch.
What is included in the concept of sustainable textiles? What are some measures taken by leading brands toward sustainable textiles?
Most of the brands are now reducing the use of virgin raw materials and diverting the waste away from landfills. The industry is now focussing on recycling garments; which are divided into pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Now the industry is working on using post-consumer recycled fibers up to 75% – 85% for producing the fabrics.
What are some advancements in Medical Textiles? Tell us about some innovations in the use of natural products like honey, and tulsi in bandages…
For ages, Tulsi and Honey are known to have medicinal properties. Tulsi is now being used as an antibacterial agent in healthcare and hygiene fabrics. Manuka honey has greatly attracted the attention of the international scientific community for its biological properties, especially for its antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities, and is being used in wound dressings. This honey is derived from the manuka tree, which grows as a shrub or a small tree throughout New Zealand and eastern Australia.
