The 16th edition of the annual technical summit VASTRA 2019 was celebrated on February 15 and 16. Organized by the Textile Manufacturers Department of VJTI Mumbai, it is a national-level technical and fashion summit devoted to creating an unforgettable experience for all its participants and simultaneously providing unique opportunities to the budding textile technologists for showcasing their talents to large audiences and top-notch judges.
India ITME Society was the title sponsor of VASTRA 2019 in association with LIVA fluid fashion, A.T.E. Enterprises, Garware Technical Fibres and Suvin Advisors Pvt. Ltd.
The event attracted hundreds of dignitaries from all over India, including the notable alumni of the Textile Manufactures Department and guests from the textile industry. The opening day commenced with the inaugural function wherein the audience was addressed by Mr. Yogesh Kusumgar, Chairman – Kusumgar Corporates, Dr. Anup Rakshit, Executive Director – ITTA, Dr. Dhiren Patel, Director – VJTI, Dr. Suranjana Gangopadhyay, HoD, and Mr. Bhupendra Thakur, Head – Operations, India ITME Society.
VASTRA is known for its competitive events like technical papers presentation, technical poster presentation, product marketing, technical quiz, Xpression, spontaneous sketching, garment display and Fashion Philia. Students from many colleges in India participated in all the events which were judged by prominent personalities from the textile industry.
Guest lectures were delivered by industry experts like Mr. Gurudas Aras, Director – A.T.E. Enterprises, Mr. Rakesh Gaikwad, National Sales Manager – DSM, Mr. Pranav Khanna, Intellecap – Mumbai, and Mr. Navin Agrawal, VP – A.T.E. Enterprises.
The Textile Alumni Meet (TAM) was organized under the banner of VASTRA 2019. The event witnessed the presence of prominent alumni of the department, Mr. Gurudas Aras, Director – A.T.E. Enterprises, and Mr. Vikas Sharan, Director – Saurer Textile Solutions, as guests of honor, along with Mr. Umesh Gupta, Chairman – VJTI Alumni Association, who graced the inaugural session. The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of the Golden Jubilee batch of 1969 and the Silver Jubilee batch of 1994.
The Textile Department has received funding under the CSR activity from Banswara Syntex Ltd., Oerlikon India, Rieter India Pvt. Ltd., Kusumgar Corporates and Saurer India Pvt. Ltd. A.T.E. Enterprises has sponsored fellowships to three indigent and deserving students. Suvin Advisors has supported the department with the tender preparation, architectural and electrical designing expertise. Funds have also been received from the generous alumni for the development of the departmental infrastructure.
Textile Alumni Meet (TAM) provided a platform for interaction and networking amongst the prominent industry personnel and the students of the department. Prof. Sunil Tetambe and Student GS – Mr. Yash Trivedi thanked all participants and supporters for making VASTRA 2019 a big success.