Lecture-Workshop on Electron Microscopy and its Application

Report on Lecture Workshop on Electron Microscopy and its application.

Date of Program: 20-21 February 2018

Exhibition on Scanning Electron Microscope images February 19 to 21, 2018

Dear all,

It is with utmost joy and pride that I am presenting the report of Lecture-workshop conducted on Electron Microscopy and its application at Sophisticated Instrumentation and Computation Centre (SICC), University of Kerala. Dr. Ashalatha S Nair, Coordinator, DST Purse, had been the real force behind the conduct of this program. Dr. G Subodh, Head, Department of Physics, University of Kerala decided that we should co-host the program of hand on training on Electron Microscope facility installed in the university. Department Council decided that I should be the Organizing Secretary for the conduct of the seminar. Attaching here with the Brochure for your reference to get a know how of the nature of the program conducted.

Let me share with you with some photos of the exhibits of the SEM Micro graphs displayed on the above-mentioned days. The exhibits aroused curiosity among the participants to know about the details of the pictures. I hope you all will be curiosity to know what these pictures actually represent.

Let me share with you a few words about my Guide who taught me how to be like what I am now. The above photo shows the first indigenous SEM machine installed in CSIR-CECRI, Kolkata. Dr. Peter Koshy was the Chief Scientist in charge of this SEM facility in the CSIR lab and I would like to mention that this facility was the first of this kind in the nation during those years. I met Dr. Peter Koshy when I completed my M Sc. I was fortunate enough to meet him with JRF qualification to do research under him. The journey with him have a long list of memorable events. But to state in few words, he taught me a new way to look upon life. So this Lecture workshop I dedicate to my Guide Late Dr. Peter Koshy for I really know how great teacher he was!!!.

Now coming to the event details. Let me share with you the detailed program schedule of the event.

Day 1 20.02.2018

On 9:30 pm, the registration started. At 10:00 am, there were 40 registered participants. The inaugural event started with the prayer song. Dr. G Subodh, HOD, Department of Physics, welcomed the gathering while Dr. Asthalatha S Nair, Coordinator, DST PURSE (Phase II) delivered the presidential address. Dr. P Prabhakara Rao, Head, Chief Scientist, Material Science Division, NIIST inaugurated the function followed by his inaugural address. Dr. V Biju, Dr. K Satheesh Kumar felicitated the function while I thanked each and everyone in my vote of thanks. It was decided early that we should have a formal program schedule for the function so that we could touch upon the theme points well in time. After the inaugural ceremony, we have a group photo of the participants and the organizers along with tea break. The participants were from various disciplines and they were very enthusiastic to interact with the invited speakers.

The first keynote address was delivered at 11:15 am. The lecture was delivered by Dr. P Prabhakara Rao. The talk mainly focussed on how to handle the Electron Microscope with care and dedication. The mechanics behind the operations, the skill needed for the operator, the focus needed for the researcher and about how time consuming the process can be while doing meaningful research. The talk end at 1:30 pm and then we had technical sessions handled by Mr. M R Chandran. Let me share with you few words about him. Chandran Mash (we call him like that) has served his entire career as an electron Microscopist at NIIST. If someone asks me “Who is an electron Microscopist?” then definitely I will point to him as he is the very definition to be an electron Microscopist. For 30 years and more he had served NIIST with JOEL SEM where number of researchers (Subodh sir, Biju sir, Jawahar Sir and myself…in the long list of researchers) has benefitted. His photos are rated very highly among researchers such that his photos were published many times in the cover pages of many top science peer reviewed journals. To get him as the person to handle technical sessions was a delight to watch. He was assisted by Mr. Syam and Mrs. Soumya who were in full swing with Chandran mash whole day to clear the minds of researchers from diverse backgrounds of science.

Meanwhile we had also arranged an exhibition for general public during the open hours of university. The program was officially inaugurated by Dr. Achuthsankar S Nair. Achuthsankar sir has been always a constant supporter and well-wisher of our department and his presence attracted many visitors to see the exhibition. The exhibitions involved 50 micrographs taken by M R Chandran sir during his career.

Day 2 21.02.2018

On second day of the lecture-workshop, we had two speakers, Dr. K G Gopchandran (Head, Department of Optoelectronics) and Dr. Manoj Rama Varma (Chief Scientist, NIIST). Both are known for their oratory skills that participants were so keenly watching their style of speech. Gopchandran sir emphasised on how to look the micrograph and the way we look changes everything. His speech highlighted the ways where experience meets with intellect. Probably, it was our privilege and pride that we have him in our university as resource person when situation demands most. During the tea break, we had a surprise visit. Our Vice chancellor, Prof. P K Radhakrhinan. His visit to SICC during a seminar time was a total surprise for us. Vice chancellor wished us all the very best for the conduct of the seminar as well as reminded us that SICC is a dream come true for University of Kerala and we should use it wisely in the next 20 years to its full capacity so that research may flourish in future years.

Now to speak about Manoj sir, He is a born teacher. You may ask whether teachers are born. Yes, he has an untiring spirit, dedication, modulation which holds the students to their seats without even a moment of blinking of their eyes. We are happy that we had him as the speaker for the final and concluding keynote address. Last but not least let me share with you some news regarding the valedictory function. Prof. V P Mahadevan Pillai, Former HOD, Department of Optoelectronics, chaired the Valedictory function. He shared many of his views about uplifting the cooperative mentality of faculty in our university. Let me share with you the story that he shared in the valedictory function.

Once upon a time, three scientist-One Indian, One American and one Chinese was travelling in a flight carrying a pot containing Indian Crabs. Due to some confusions the pot which was closed safely, opened up suddenly. All passengers in the flight panicked but the Indian scientist didn’t. He explained them not to panic because Indian Crabs have a peculiar behaviour. If any one of the crab tries to escape the pot, all others will pull his leg and put him back to the pot. The Story was very hilarious presented to the audience that we were put in thoughts through this joke. Yes, we should change, a change which will benefit all of us. It is now scientifically proven that one doesn’t benefit all by himself, one benefits is all others in his surroundings benefit. He was definitely speaking about the collaborative projects that we should undertake in due course of time so that we may be known for our cooperative co-existence rather than individual eminences.

Now it is time to thank all my patient blog readers who took time to go through this special event. There were many who contributed in various ways to make this program a success. For a change, let me thank them all by not mentioning them individually. It is time to understand that Success is not an individual effort. Thank you all for making me a part of it.