Speaking on ‘Print & Beyond’, Chopra earlier printing was considered to be an art. Then with the adaption of offset, it became a combination of art, science and chemistry. In the computer age, electronics was also included and soon digital printing emerged. “It is a continuing story. Now space science, architecture and biology are also included in printing. Printing now is not merely ink on paper; it has grown into a vast technology, printers that spit out three-dimensional human cells and even organs, including the heart and liver, may seem like science fiction. But real scientists are taking real cracks at such a reality,” he said.

Chopra added that change is the law of nature and with Industry 4.0, printing is going to change. He emphasised on the need to adopt the change and persuaded the students to learn about the change and what is coming next. He said, “It is the time, rather I will say, it is the only time to work hard for your future.”

TAI felicitates Kamal Chopra

The Textile Association of India (TAI), the apex body of Indian textile industry, felicitated Kamal Chopra for his contributions in printing engineering. The felicitation was a part of the Global Innovators and Researchers Conclave, organised at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, Sonipat, Haryana.

This two days conclave was attended by the barons of textile industry of India along with students and faculty of DCR University. Dr Rajendra Kumar Anayath, vice-chancellor of the University was the chief guest of the conclave.

In his opening remark, Rajendra Kamar Anayath stressed on the need of emerging technologies for the overall development of the country.

“Printing is his passion and I have seen his dedication towards this technology. His global networking with leaders of this industry is unparalleled. The work of Prof Kamal Chopra for the development of printing in India cannot be overlooked. He is the prime tool for the development of Print Education in India and is associated with so many universities, national as well as international for the growth of printing industry,” said Anayath about Chopra.

Chopra said that printing is a part and parcel of textile industry because it is only because of printing that the value of textile is enhanced. While plain cloth can be available at nominal cost after printing its value is increased manifolds.

Highlighting the Indian printing industry, Chopra said the printing sector in India has developed into a growing multifaceted business. Its leaders in graphic design, print quality and capability are nearly at par with their global counterparts. India’s printing infrastructure has changed significantly over the past decade. Many high-end machines have been installed and demand is growing rapidly. Digital and hybrid machines have become popular and are receiving more investment nowadays.

Dr Avind Sinha, president, Textile Association of India, said, textile and printing has the binding relationship. Without printing, textile cannot said to be complete. The diversity of the fabrics as well as design was always intrigued by new looks ruled by different outfits and extravagant costumes which gave rise to the elaborate fashion industry of today. Evidence of textile printing was found in China and among the Incas in Peru in the first century. In Europe printed patterns on textiles were introduced much later due to the difficulty in achieving durable printing, which does not fade or wash off. It was not until the development of a durable dying stuff that enabled the first printing of patterns on textiles to emerge.

Dr Sinha further added that the country’s biggest man-made fibre (MMF) industry has taken a big leap forward in digital printing technology to meet the demand in domestic and international markets for innovative designs on saris and dress material. From hand-block and screen printing by machine, the MMF industry has come a long way in the last one decade. Textile entrepreneurs now are investing heavily in digital technology, which is the fastest growing method of printing textiles.

OPA souvenir released

The Offset Printers Association (OPA) published the Glimpse of 64th AGM and 237th Governing Council Meeting of AIFMP. This 108 pages hard bound volume carries the photographs of the recently concluded annual general body meeting of the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP). The AGM was organised by OPA in association with all the affiliate associations of Punjab at Amritsar during September 2017.

The volume was released jointly by the Presidents of 16-printers associations of Punjab, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir during a simple but glittering ceremony at Ludhiana. Speaking on the occasion Subhash Chander, former president of AIFMP said that it is for the first time ever that such an effort is made to keep afresh the memories of the meeting. He appreciated the idea of OPA and said that other associations may take a cue. It will become a collector’s item because without this book, such record may vanish with the passage of time. Appreciating the activities of OPA, Subhash Chander congratulated the team OPA for their novel ideas and brilliant execution. Copies of this souvenir may be circulated to all the affiliates, he suggested.

Giving details of the AGM, Kamal Chopra said those were the memorable four days and printers associations from all over the Punjab were united to welcome the GC/GB members and their families. It is for the first time ever in the history of AIFMP that record number of 325 delegates, along with their families, reached Amritsar on the call given by OPA. The event click started on 17th September with Pamex road show followed with press conference. Before the scheduled meeting days 19 and 20 September delegates were delighted to visit Golden Temple and Wagah Border on 18th of September. The book is divided in 4 parts covering the glimpse of each day.

OPA celebrates Republic Day  

Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) celebrated 69th Republic Day at its office at South City, Ludhiana. Parveen Aggarwal, president, OPA, hoisted the national flag outside the official premises of OPA. The day is especially important for the printing industry because it was the day when Dr B R Ambedkar dedicated the ‘Printed’ Constitution of India to the nation. In this way printers are also part and parcel of the constitution of India. Members celebrated the day with dignity and OPA hosted lunch to all the members present at the occasion.

New team at OPA

In accordance with the constitution of OPA, following members are nominated to work as the managing body of Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) for the year 2018.

Parveen Aggarwal of BBF Industries is president; Kushl Kumar Jain of Jain Packwell is senior vice president; Manoj Verma of Welldone Packers (India) and Gagandeep Singh of Pal Box Factory are vice president; Kamal Chopra of Foil Printers is general secretary; Hans Raj Chopra of Roop Rang Printing Press is finance secretary; Amarjot Arora of Amarjot Box Factory is secretary; Manoj Kalra of Fine Packages is joint secretary along with executive members.

OPA calendar released

The official calendar of OPA for the year 2018 was released jointly by Subhash Chander, former president AIFMP; Maninder Singh, vice-president (N) AIFMP; Ashwani Gupta, treasurer AIFMP; Parveen Aggarwal, president and Kamal Chopra, general secretary, OPA.

The calendar was released in the presence of print leaders of 16 different printers associations from 15 cities of northern part of the country. Besides dates and regular holidays, the calendar carries the details about the printers’ event anywhere in the world.