By Fr Charles Anthony for BISMumbai

A new era in the field of education and technology dawned as Godrej & Boyce, a leading industrial conglomerate, unveiled its ‘Disha Robotics Lab’ dedicated to robotics and automation, which was inaugurated on 27 October 2023, at the Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (DBITI), Kurla.

The distinguished guests who graced the inauguration ceremony included a few representatives from Godrej & Boyce,  Fr Anthony Pinto - Rector, and Mr Amar Prabhu - Principal of DBITI.

The event commenced with a warm and traditional welcome for the dignitaries. Ms Harpreet Kaur and Mr Kamal Nandi, both representatives from Godrej & Boyce, further enhanced the eco-friendly spirit of the occasion by planting a sapling at the lab's entrance. The inauguration ceremony followed, with Ms Kaur cutting the ceremonial ribbon to mark the beginning of an exciting journey into the world of robotics and automation. This moment was followed by a solemn blessing of the lab by Fr Pinto.

The Disha Robotics Lab at DBITI, Kurla, is poised to become a hub for cutting-edge technology education. The facility will focus on various aspects of technology, including Smart Manufacturing, Robotics, Drones, IoT (Internet of Things), IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Modeling, and Simulation. It is designed to equip the workforce with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0 and the Smart Factory.

Following the inauguration, all gathered for a moment of prayer, wherein a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony took place, accompanied by a prayer song sung by the trainees. Fr Pinto delivered a warm welcome address, highlighting the values and the enduring relationship between Godrej & Boyce and DBITI. Student beneficiaries then addressed the audience, sharing how the training has positively impacted their lives and careers.

The programme continued with insightful speeches from various speakers. Ms Ashwini Deodeshmukh discussed the challenges presented by the rapidly changing workforce, where robots are poised to replace a significant number of jobs. She emphasised the importance of a positive mindset and mastering the skills to manage machines effectively. Mr Nandi spoke about how technology can enhance supply chain management capabilities, improving efficiency in the process. Mr Manish Sahu shed light on the hybrid training approach, combining classroom instruction with hands-on training to bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

In a symbolic moment, Ms Kaur and Mr Nandi handed over the key of the lab to Fr Pinto, signifying the transfer of ownership and the official commencement of operations at the Robotics Lab. Mr Prabhu concluded the event with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Godrej & Boyce for their unwavering support of the institute.