Prof.Kamal Mohan Chopra, Chief Patron, Print Olympiad

The 5th edition of ‘Print Olympiad’ in 2022 is in progress these days. Print Olympiad is the India’s biggest Talent hunt in Printing and is the only competition of its kind anywhere in the world. The first round of the competition for the students currently studying in the printing institutions of South India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Lakshadweep and Puducherry) was organized at virtual platform on 22nd May, 2022.

As per the standard norms, to select ‘top student’ of each of the four zones (North, South, East and West), the regional level competition will be held ‘online’ and will be organized under the supervision of two ‘Regional Coordinators’. The coordinators will organize two rounds of online competition(s) to select top 3 to 5 students of the region. The final round to select the top student of the region, will be organized under the supervision of a national team where these 5 students will have to speak on a given topic for specific time. This will also involve votes from onlookers of the online event.

After completing the regional competitions (at virtual mood) the national finale will be organized in physical mood at some leading University/Institution. Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, the master brain of the Print Olympiad concept, always works towards the betterment of the printing fraternity and on these lines he conceived the idea of Print Olympiad to drill out the best brains among the printing students and also award them handsomely – the 1st prize is Rs.1,00,000.

The South Zone competitions are being hosted by the School of Engineering, Avinashilingam Institute for Women, Coimbatore along with AGP, Sivakasi. The south Zone coordinators for Print Olympiad are - Dr. (Mrs.) TKS Lakshmi Priya – Prof. and Head, Department of Printing Technology, Avinashilingam University and Dr. M Nandakumar, Principal Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic, Sivakasi.

The first round for the South Zone was moderated by Dr. (Mrs.) TKS Lakshmi Priya. Speaking about the concept and necessity of Print Olympiad, Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra gave a quick brief about the objectives of Print Olympiad which is to give opportunity to students of printing to showcase their technical knowledge and their technology-readiness. This unique event has attracted the attention of Printer associations all over the globe that many countries have extended their eagerness to join in.

In her inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr. Bharathi Harishankar praised the Print industry as one of the very few Industries that have survived the various industrial revolutions. Madam has a collection of over 3000 books in her home library, as visible behind her, all of which are neither a virtual backdrop nor meant for ornamental purposes - she has read them all. While the Internet can only be a puppet of data and words to its reader, book reading enhances critical and higher order thinking. Saying so, she appealed to the organizers to initiate a nation-wide “Reading Print Celebration” to promote the reading of printed matter among all ages. Being a researcher, she said that she has explored the intention of Print from a different perspective - printed personal invitations as a bildungsroman of a community. She concluded her inaugural address ascertaining that ‘Print can never go out of fashion but is reinventing itself, and therefore printing as a technology will survive for years to come’.

Mr. K. Rajendran, President, Master Printers and Lithographer’s Association, Chennai, the Guest of Honour, congratulated the candidates for having come this far. In his opening remarks he said that they are the Future of Print and a huge responsibility lies ahead of them for which they are to get ready. He briefed the current situation of Printing & Packaging industry in India and also the role of print teachers and student towards the futuristic development of the Print Industry.

After introduction of the two coordinators of the South Zone, by the Chief Patron, Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, the rules and instructions for 1st round online test were explained in detail to the candidates by Er. Bijender Kaushik, the Technical Coordinator, Print Olympiad.

After introduction three judges for the first round by the moderator, (I) Mr. C D Kumaravel, President, Coimbatore Master Printers Association Coimbatore, (ii) Prof. B Kumar, former Professor and Head, Department of Printing Technology, Anna University and (iii) Mr. D Nagarjuna, Retd HoD, Govt. Institute of Printing Technology Secundrabad, online draw for the Golden ‘Proud to be a Printer’ pin was held.

An online lucky draw was conducted during the meeting through the spinning wheel where the names of all the guests were flashing. The spinning wheel declared Mrs. A Arulmozhi as the winner to receive the Golden ‘Proud to be a Printer’ pin.

After, Mr. Anubhava Shiksharthi, Technical Advisor, Print Olympiad, gave his views and remarks, the online question paper link was broadcast to the contestants via WhatsApp individually. The participating eligible students were supposed to answer the set of 50 questions on Google form, in 30 minutes, in the presence of three eminent judges during this online meet. The entire team of judges and coordinators, monitored the conduct of the test. The students were insisted upon keeping their cameras open and use of headphones and laptop were mandated to mitigate any malpractices. After 30 minutes the test was concluded. The judges analyzed the results and declared 8 students eligible for the next round.

Ms. Vishwa Shree K from Anna University, Guindy, Chennai;
Ms Asshefa A from Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore;
Mr. Ebinezer Sam Prince from Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic College, Sivakasi;
Mr. Maneesh N from Inst. of Engg. & Tech., Calicut Univ., Thenhipalam;
Ms. Jilsha K. S. from Govt. Polytechnic College, Palakkad, Shoranur;
Ms. Prabavathi R from Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore;
Mr. Praveen Kumar M S from Anna University, Guindy, Chennai and
Mr. Midhun K from Govt. Polytechnic College, Palakkad, Shoranur, Kerala)

The entire event concluded with a warm Vote of thanks by Mr. Ashwani Gupta, the General Secretary of Jalandhar Printers Association and also the Co-Chairman at Print Olympiad.

Report by Dr. (Mrs.) TKS Lakshmi Priya