ROORKEE: IIT Roorkee inaugurated the 32nd IAHR (International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research) Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems, on Wednesday.
The four-day prestigious event fosters global collaboration and innovation in hydraulic machinery. The symposium is aimed towards shaping India’s hydraulic systems sector, addressing critical national and global challenges in sustainable development.
The inauguration began with the ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by the timeless institute anthem, “Jayati Jayati Vidya Sansthan,” written by renowned poet Sumitranandan Pant. The anthem set the tone for a forward-looking event driven by tradition.
Prof. Arun Kumar, Chair of the Organising Committee, welcomed the gathering, emphasising IIT Roorkee’s enduring legacy in engineering. He highlighted the symposium’s role in contributing to India’s national priorities, particularly in sustainable energy and clean water management.
While addressing the gathering he said, “We aim to foster technological advancements through hydropower, pumping systems, and pumped storage development, crucial for achieving India’s net-zero goal.”
Notable attendees included Prof. M.K. Singhal, Head of the Hydro and Renewable Energy Department, and Prof. Andallib Tariq, Head of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, who both stressed interdisciplinary collaboration as essential to driving innovations aligned with national objectives.
Prof. Stefan Riedelbauch from the University of Stuttgart started the symposium with a traditional hammer-hitting ceremony.
Later, he highlighted the global significance of the symposium, calling it a “confluence of ideas” vital for advancing hydraulic machinery worldwide.
In his Presidential Address, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, envisioned the symposium as a platform for engineering breakthroughs, contributing to initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Clean Ganga.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by the National Anthem, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies in hydraulic systems.