Can you tell us more about your contributions to the industry and in your area of expertise ? After joining APSEB in 1969 as a Junior Engineer , I have improved electrification of villages , improvement of systems and also establishment of SPM centers in remote locations to reduce the transportation cost of Distribution Transformers and speedy arrangement of Distribution Transformers . As a Divisional Engineer / Operation , I made a critical analysis of energy losses in the Division and initiated replacement of defective meters , 100 % sealing of meters , section level meetings with the staff to improve the metered sales . These measures have resulted in reduction of energy losses from 20 % to 10 %.
Post unbundling of APSEB under electricity reforms in 1999 , the outlook of the organization has changed to suit the changed circumstances . Accountability has been introduced by fixing targets to each individual up to Section level in respect of Energy Drawl , Energy Utilization ( metered sales ), Revenue Demand raised , Revenue realization , Reduction of Technical & Commercial Losses . All the above exercise has been carried out by me for the entire Distribution Company . The exercise is the first of its kind in the organization and has been completed successfully . Besides the above work , it was observed that there was abnormal delay in release of new services , in attending to fuse off calls and in restoration of supply during outages . Consumer Service Centers opened at Sub-Division level were made to function effectively under my control . In addition to the above , I was drafted to conduct classes to O & M staff at Divisional level to inculcate performance oriented culture in place of the old and traditional culture which is resulting in technical and financial losses to the organization . In the reformed regime , it was felt that Consumer satisfaction needs to be looked into for improving the consumer satisfaction level . For this , Citizen Charter was framed for which the proposal on behalf of the Company was drafted by me and got approved by the competent authority .
When you were in the final year in OUCE , how did you see yourself ( professionally ) after 10 years , and how different was it in reality ? I admit that reality is always unalike from what is learnt in college . But involvement with work and people will make the work easier . The enthusiasm and zeal to learn is the key to success . Always keep the student in you alive .
When you look back to yourself as a “ student ” in OUCE , what is it that you would like to change and why ? The change I wish is that an engineer who is given the freedom to choose his field of expertise , gains proficiency and excels in it . For e . g ., if an Engineer wants to be in designing , he should be allowed to be in the design team for the tenure he wishes to continue . But an engineer is put in diverse areas through rotation which hampers him / her from gaining proficiency . I wish to see a change in the Indian system where engineers are allowed to excel in their field of interest .
Message to the Alumni :
Why do you think it is necessary to have an Alumni Association at OUCE ? OUCE over the years has produced excellent engineers who achieved great milestones in their respective fields . Alumni Association is essential to create a network of college students and the alumni . In my opinion , Alumni Association is a bridge between College and old students which connects them to their alma mater . It will also provide a platform for the existing students to get enlightened with the ideologies and thoughts that can be exchanged .
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