It is a matter of pride and glory for us that one of our Alumni

Mr. Shashi Shekhar Mohanty has taken over as Managing

Director of Bokaro Steel Plant of Steel Authority of India Ltd.

He is a 1978 batch alumnus of UCE. He took over on July

31st, 2010. At present he is one of the youngest directors of

SAIL. I think he is the first Alumnus to reach such a high posi-

tion in SAIL.

Mr. Shashi Shekhar Mohanty is a 1977-78 batch Mechanical

Engineer from UCE. He is one of the top rankers of his batch.

He joined Rourkela Steel Plant as a Management Trainee

(Technical) in 1978. He was in Silicon Steel Mill in Rourkela

Steel Plant. He was the DGM in Plate Mill of RSP when he was promoted to the post of

General Manager in 2007 and transferred to Bhilai Steel Plant. Subsequently he became

Executive Director of Projects in 2009 and then Executive director ( Works ) in Bhilai

Steel Plant in 2010. He took over as Managing Director, Bokaro Steel Plant on 1st Au-

gust, 2010. He is just 54 yrs old, comparatively young in our parlance. Here he has al-

ready marked an impression as a result oriented and dynamic leader. His wife Dr. Vijay

Lakshmi Pattanaik is a doctor by profession. He has a son, who is working as a software

engineer in Bangalore . His daughter is a + 2 student at Bhilai.

UCE Alumnus takes over as the Managing Director at SAIL

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

UCE Alumnus takes over as the MD

of SAIL 1

OJEE, 2010: The Success Story 2

Alumni BBSR Chapter Campus drive 2

Interview with Honorable VC 3

Distributed Systems from a 30000 ft

view 4

Reminiscence of the 1st State Engi-

neer from UCE 5

VSSUT conducts 2nd Convocation 6

T&P Statistics 6

By: Er. Lambodar Upadhyaya, AGM, Bokaro Steel Plant, 1990 batch /Electrical

1

Dear Alumni,

At the outset we would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Diwali. It is that time of the year when the country brightens

up with lights, whether it is Durga Puja or Diwali. These festivities will have a special mention in the nostalgic lanes of all UCEans.

Diwali at UCE was often about 100s of rockets, Grand Feasts at hostels, 29 (cards) in the rooms and many more..

In this third successive issue of the newsletter, we have included columns by many alumni along with the Editorial team members. It

is a matter of immense pride and glory that our esteemed alumnus Er. Shashi Shekhar Mohanty has become the MD at SAIL, Bhilai.

We get a brief introduction about him in the opening page. OJEE 2010 has been the most talked about event at VSSUT so far. We

get a glimpse of the success story that was crafted through the hard work and sacrifice of many at VSSUT in Page 2. We also share a

story where BBSR Alumni chapter helped in conducting a campus drive for the Final year Civil students in Page 2. Our Honorable

VC, Prof. D. K. Tripathy recently completed a successful year at office. We will try to get glimpses of his journey and his visions in

Page 3. To promote the spirit of technology at VSSUT, we have invited a technical article in this issue, which would be on a very

high level so that most of us can relate to it. More on this in Page 4. Orissa has the maximum state engineers from VSSUT. We get to

hear from one of our oldest alumni on his reminiscence and vision of VSSUT in Page 5. VSSUT successfully conducted the 2nd

Convocation for the 2010 batch pass out students. We will get some glimpses of this mega event in Page 6. Also, in Page 6, we get

the statistics of the placements so far. With the software companies yet to come in the final semester, the students are doing exceed-

ingly good in the core companies.

Happy Reading!

Editorial Team

From the Editorial Team..

Er. Shashi Shekhar Mohanty

ver since its inception, UCE,

Burla has not only ensured in-

novation in learning but has

also shown its commitment and

diligence in every aspect: be it

academics, infrastructural or environmental.

It’s a matter of extreme pride and immense

glory that our new born Unitary University

VSSUT did set a mark in the field of admini-

stration and management. This is best re-

flected by the smooth and successful conduct

of Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE-2010)

for admission into courses like Engineering,

Medicine, Lateral Entry, MBA, MCA, Phar-

macy.

Until last year, OJEE was being held on the

last Sunday of May. However due to effec-

tual management, this year it was held, a

record six weeks early, on the 18th of April,

2010 and the results were declared on 20th

of May, before the declaration of IIT-JEE

2010 results. There were in total 73,577 can-

didates appearing for the examination in

various disciplines.

It was really unfortunate to have lost the

Chairman of OJEE, Late Dr. S.K. Sar on

26th March 2010 at a critical juncture. He

played a major and pivotal role during the

initial stages and laid the perfect foundation

for the mammoth task ahead. After the sad

demise of Prof. S. K. Sar, his responsibilities

and endeavour were carried forward by our

Honourable Vice Chancellor and the APEX

Committee Chair-man of OJEE, Prof. Deb

Kumar Tripathy.

The OJEE Committee members from

VSSUT Burla consisting of Secretary- Prof.

Rakesh Mohanty, E-counselling Co-

ordinator- Prof. Debadutta Mishra and Mem-

ber – Prof. Su-kalyan Dash under the dy-

namic leadership of APEX Committee

Chairman Prof. Deb Kumar Tripathy, cred-

itably and competently coordinated the

whole procedure in a fair and transparent

manner. Adding to their efforts, were the

immense support and assistance provided by

the faculty and non-teaching staff of our

University.

This is the first time ever in the history of

Orissa JEE that e-counselling was conducted

for admission, like that of the IIT JEE and

AIEEE pattern. National Informatics Centre

(NIC) New-Delhi also played a significant

role in conducting the e-counselling for

OJEE. Unlike the previous years, where

document verification and allotment were

held on the same day, this year the candi-

dates were provided with minimum 4 weeks

time for online registration and the choice of

filing through the internet. The physical

document verification was held at 16 differ-

ent Nodal Centres across the State for 18

days giving the candidates an opportunity to

report at their nearest Examination centre.

Counselling was held in different phases to

make the procedure more transparent and

error free. Even on legal grounds, OJEE-

2010 was clear and transparent with lesser

number of court cases, unlike that of previ-

ous years. Most of the cases have been either

resolved or are in favour of OJEE-2010.

With heads held high, we can proudly say

that the herculean task of conducting OJEE-

2010 entrusted to VSSUT, Burla, by the

Government of Odisha has been successfully

accomplished. This further substantiates and

reinforces the quality policy of our institute

which has evolved over the years. The newly

established youngest university of the state

VSSUT, Burla has become a house hold

name in each and every corner of the state as

well as outside the state by getting wide me-

dia and press publicity after successful con-

duction of OJEE 2010.

E

The Success Story

BBSR Chapter Conducts Campus Drive for Civil

Students

This summer, UCE Alumni, BBSR Chapter organized a recruitment drive for the 2010 graduating students of VSSUT Burla at Hotel

Presidency in BBSR. Er. Bimal Mishra (1982 batch) and Er. Satish Agrawal (2007 batch) were the organizers of the campus drive in

which a total of 7 companies participated and which was entirely sponsored by the BBSR chapter. The campus drive which was tar-

geted for Civil Engineering students, was a success and was widely acclaimed by the students and the T&P committee. We look for-

ward to continued support from our esteemed alumni to help the students with Campus recruitments.

2

By: Prof. Rakesh Mohanty [1998 Batch, CSE (also Secretary, OJEE 2010)] and the Newsletter Team.

Team: Sir, First of all congratulations on the completion of a

successful year at office. In the past 1 year, we have seen a sea of

changes at VSSUT. Sir, we would like to hear from you some of

the key developmental activities at VSSUT that has happened in

the past one year.

VC: The major changes that I would like to highlight are:

1. Modification of the course curriculum

2. VSSUT conducted 2 convocations

3. The AVC was renovated.

4. Formation of various councils like the Academic Council,

Board of Management, Finance Committee etc.

5. VSSUT conducted faculty interviews for the vacant posts.

6. 3 ladies hostels and 1 boys hostels are in progress

7. Open air auditorium was constructed.

8. Sanjeevani - a vatika of medicinal garden was planted

9. Gold and Silver medals were instituted for the University

10. Several infrastructure developments were carried out

Team: Sir, OJEE 2010 has undoubtedly been the most talked

about event at VSSUT. Sir, please share your feedback on the

conduct of OJEE by VSSUT this year.

VC: Orissa JEE this year was fully transparent. VSSUT intro-

duced e-counseling successfully. We had the longest counseling

of 75 days. We also had the least number of complaints and

court cases this year. The only problem was when the JEE aspi-

rants tried to change their web passwords through private col-

leges and other agents.

Team: Sir, as we prepare the engineers for tomorrow, it is very

important that the course curriculum is latest and at par the best

institutes of the country. Also, it is important that the faculty

positions are running full strength so as to have an optimized

faculty: student ratio. Sir, please share with us your views on

this.

VC: The course curriculum has been modified at par with the

IITs. However the faculty strength needs to be improved. We

have announced around 38 new faculty positions for VSSUT.

However, the money sanction is fully at the mercy of the govern-

ment. As of now, we have given appointment to around 1/3rd of

the available vacant posts only.

Team: Sir, Industry – Institute interaction is very important for

the engineers to stay synchronized with the latest trends and in-

novations in the world today. At the same time, it is an important

avenue for Professors to showcase their skill set in order to get

grants in the form of projects from the industries as well as the

centre. Sir, in this regard, please share with us your thoughts on

how we can improvise on this in the coming year. Also, Sir,

please share with us your thoughts on Internships at the National

and International level.

VC: The faculty have been asked to bring projects, but the pro-

gress is very slow. Internships at National and International level

are most welcome. The students have been asked to apply for

internships.

Team: Sir, prior to this, you have been in top-notch posts in NIT

Warangal and IIT Kharagpur. Sir, now as the Vice Chancellor of

a Unitary University, VSSUT, what do you consider are the big-

gest hurdles and challenges in the path

of progress?

VC: I think the biggest hurdle is fi-

nance. There is no financial or adminis-

trative autonomy. The Govt. is not very

eager to support VSSUT financially. All

major universities in Orissa have got

grants amounting to Crores of Rupees.

However, though VSSUT has submitted

multiple proposals, they have not been

accepted. Last year we just got around

48 lakhs Rupees, which were utilized for all the infrastructural

developments. Lack of furniture in classrooms and hostels is the

primary issue. Students are forced to stay in more numbers in a

single room due to shortage in hostel accommodation. We have

tried with all secretaries and ministers up to the CM level, but we

have not got any response from them.

Team: Sir, we lack some basic amenities like internet at the hos-

tels, University buses, latest journals and books at the library, up

gradation of instruments in the laboratories, well maintained

audio visual room etc. Sir, please share with us your view point

on these scenarios and how we can develop these amenities.

VC: The internet speed has been upgraded to 10 MBPS. We

have sought finance for laboratory up-gradation. Meanwhile, we

have given the AVC a new look. Money is the de-limiter.

Team: Universities like IITs, NITs, deemed universities like

KIIT, SRM, VIT, etc arrange student interactions with personali-

ties in the field of Science & Technology like visiting professors,

industrialists, management gurus, company personnel, etc. Sir,

can we expect something of that sort in our University too. We

have had Dr. Yash Pal interact with the students which was a

huge success, Sir can we repeat such events so that the students

get to learn from these eminent personalities.

VC: We are in the process of inviting many visiting scientists

and technologists. However, positional disadvantages and lack of

communication stand on the way.

Team: Sir, as you step into another year at office, we are sure

you expect a lot from the teaching staff and the students. Please

share with us few of your expectations from the teaching staff

and the students.

VC: Primarily I expect a good deal of research and publication.

In addition to that I expect good consultancy and continued edu-

cation in the form of short course, seminar and conferences.

Team: Sir, Alumni can be a great thrust to the momentum of

activities at the University. In this regard, please share with us

how do you anticipate the role of alumni to walk hand in hand

towards the common goal.

VC: Alumni should hold a get together at their alma mater every

year, be it on Foundation Day or any other day like NITs and

IITs. I expect alumni to constitute several awards/ medals/ chairs

and extend a helping hand in infrastructure development.

3

with Honorable Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. K. Tripathy

Prologue:

Recently, I went for an interview with a company whose job was to

process SMSes that are being sent in the US. One very small part of

their typical job involves sorting 10 years of data collected from

SMSes. Considering an SMS to be 100 characters long and a typical

usage of 400 million SMSes per day in the US, it is almost 100 TB

of data. Even with a typical server machine having infinite RAM,

this can’t be done in less than a year’s time. And this is just sorting;

their job involves much more intensive computation. Is 1 year time

just for sorting acceptable? Is the assumption of infinite RAM valid?

The answer is – NO. Then, can’t we process this huge data? The

answer is – of course, YES. The next question is - how! The idea of

dividing tasks to smaller units is age old. We use exactly the same

approach. We divide the huge task into smaller tasks; distribute them

to different machines to get the final result in a reasonable amount of

time. Let’s get into more specific details.

General concept:

There is a Master machine who manages a

bunch of Worker machines. When Master

gets a huge task, it divides it into smaller

chunks. Then, it assigns smaller chunks to

Workers. Once a Worker finishes its job and

returns result, Master sends another avail-

able chunk to that Worker. Once all the

chunks are finished, the Master declares the

end of computation.

Performance:

Since smaller chunks are individually proc-

essed by different Workers; it can achieve

high degree of parallelism. That makes the

processing time ridiculously less.

Fault Tolerance and Reliability:

Generally, Master takes care of assigning a

single chunk to more than one Worker, so

that if one Worker fails to process the

chunk, some other Worker would process it and it won’t affect the

overall result. So, end user gets a feel that nothing wrong has hap-

pened at all. Again, sometimes, Workers are placed in different cit-

ies, or even countries. So, a mishap like fire, storm or bomb blast at

one particular location does not affect the whole system.

Cost efficiency:

Like we discussed before, it is impossible to buy infinite RAM.

Likewise, it may be impossible for a small business to buy server

machines which could be expensive. But in a distributed system,

both Master and Workers can be commodity machines like our desk-

top or laptop machines. The implications are enormous. For exam-

ple, if a group of friends use their laptops to build a distributed sys-

tem, they can process frighteningly impossible tasks without virtu-

ally spending any amount of money!

There is no free lunch!

Like all good packages; a distributed environment comes with its

own interesting challenges.

How to choose a Master:

Let’s see what happens if we choose a single machine as Master for-

ever. What could happen if this machine fails? The whole system

goes down. Now, let’s see, what happens if we keep on ‘electing’ a

Master as need arises. This is a very good strategy as there is, no

more, a single point of failure. If an elected Master goes down, vot-

ing is done between all remaining machines to elect a new Master.

But, the problems with this approach could be transfer of data from

old (dead) master to new master and overhead of an election while

tasks are getting processed. So, is there a

unique solution? No. Some researchers ad-

vocate the use of one master (or a group of

masters) while others prefer electing a new

master only when need arises.

Faulty machines:

Machines could misbehave as they fail or

get hacked. How do we deal with such

situations? Research shows that if a system

with 3f+1 nodes has at max f faulty nodes,

the system can fully recover. But there are

other considerations like number of mes-

sages passed between nodes for recovery

which generally ends up taking huge net-

work traffic. In practice, a trade-off is made

between recovery and network traffic.

Conclusion:

Despite of unique challenges, Distributed

systems opens up a new area of computing.

Epilogue:

The company I interviewed for uses an open-source framework

called as Hadoop. It’s a popular implementation of a concept called

as Map-Reduce (which is a core concept of functional programming

but has been recently used and popularized by Google by using it in

large scale distributed systems). And Hadoop has the record of sort-

ing 100TB of data in only 173 minutes!

References:

1. http://sortbenchmark.org/

2. Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms (Andrew S. Tan-

nenbaum and Maarten Van Steen)

By: Er. Sibasish Acharya, Technical Architect, Citi Group, USA. 2004 batch /Computer Science & Engg.

4

In my vision, I see the entire complex from Jharsuguda,

Sambalpur, Hirakud, Burla, Chiplima and Bargarh as an

attractive Technical Tourist Terminus,

with Hirakud dam project, as the centre of at-

traction. UCE (now VSSUT) can play a pivotal

role in making this dream come true.

This can evolve around the following prominent

marvels including the HDP and VSSUT can be

the prime movers.

- Hirakud dam with its magnanimous structures

with multifaceted problems and projected solu-

tions (Cracking of concrete dams, gate problems and renova-

tions, additional spillway requirements and types, power chan-

nel with problems of weeds, power houses at dam toe and at

Chiplima, canal networks and their structures.)

- Existence of Prominent Educational Institutions like VSSUT,

VSSMC, Sambalpur University and concerned institutions with

all their facilities. (Exhibition pavilions can be opened and labo-

ratories and libraries can be developed.)

- Development of medical facilities in the College to attract out-

siders.

- Establishing Industries all around and

Thermal Power Plants at IB and other loca-

tions.

- Working on the development of Islands

and hillocks in the reservoir and all around

(examples of development can be taken

from the Sentosa islands in Malaysia )

- MCL and other local coal belt areas with

lifting, handling and backfilling mechanism.

Developments called for in the following areas-

a. Means of approach by air (developments of Jamadarpali

airport and other helipads), by train and road

b. Halting facilities for which enough space is available.

c. Developments to suit tourist attractions.

By: Er. Ramesh Chandra Tripathy, Passout of 3rd Batch of UCE, Retd. Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources, Orissa

It was on a fine morning in August, 1952 that I came to

Burla (then known as Hirakud Colony), where my father

was a special class contractor en-

gaged in the construction of Hira-

kud Dam. As a student of class

VIII of Hirakud High School,

Burla I was awestruck at the very sight of

the huge earth moving machineries in

construction of the earth dam and exca-

vation of the power channel. My visits to the work sites of the

project with my father etched the overall process in my

mind, without comprehension of their implications. From

the surroundings and discussions with my father and uncles,

a reverence was developed in my mind towards engineers. I

passed matriculation from Utkal University in 1956 and the

same year UCE, the first Engineering College of Odisha was

established in Burla. The main college building was under

construction and since the Dam was nearing completion, some

‘F’ type quarters of the project, were utilised as the hostels.

I took admission in UCE, in the 3rd batch in 1958. As students,

we had deep regards towards the Principal Prof. B. Prasad and

other prominent personalities such as Prof. B. Behera, Prof. B.

Mahapatra and Prof. S. K. Basu. I still recollect the won-

derful sight of hundreds of bi-cycles moving up and down

the road from UCE to Burla Township four times a day.

After graduation in Civil and Municipal Engineering in

1962 I had the opportunity to provide my squirrel contribu-

tion in the construction of Hirakud Stage-II Power House at

Chiplima. During my subsequent service career I was

never posted directly in Hirakud Dam Project, but was con-

nected with the Project, particularly

for problems related to the gate

system. As the Engineer-in-Chief,

Water Resources, Hirakud Dam

and UCE always had a place of

pride in my heart, with the realisa-

tion that I was the first student of

UCE to occupy the post. After superannuation, I have been

connected with the Hirakud dam as a member of the Dam

Safety Review panel, constituted by the Govt. of Odisha.

Hirakud Dam and UCE (VSSUT) Reminiscences and a Vision

This dream can come true with public private partnership and sponsorships.

A committee can be formed involving local populace and various authorities.

New ideas can be called for in several forums.

I urge HDP & VSSUT to take the lead. Er. R. C. Tripathy

5

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VSS University of Technology Burla Sambalpur, Orissa PIN—768018 Phone: 0663 2430211 Fax: 0663 2430204 Email: info@uceburla.ac.in Website: www.uceburla.ac.in

Editorial Team: Sibasish Acharya (2004 Computer Science & Engineerng) Sandeep Kumar Mishra (2005 Mechanical Engineering) Simpi Patel (4th Year Computer Science and Engineering) Rituparna Mohanty (4th Year Computer Science and Engineering) Sritam Jena (4th Year Electrical Engineering) Sandeep Kumar Tripathy (3rd Year Civil Engineering) Shradha Mohanty (3rd Year Electrical Engineering) Saberi Mohapatra (2nd Year, Computer Science and Engineering) Please send your suggestions and feedback at vssutnewsletter@gmail.com

CONVOCATION VSSUT organized its Second Annual convocation for the 2009 –

2010 batch students on 9th October, 2010. This was the second suc-

cessful convocation conducted by VSSUT within a quick span of

one year of being given the varsity status. The Audio Visual Club

witnessed the felicitation of about 203 graduates of the year 2009-

2010 in a ceremony that was graced by Honorable Chancellor Shri

M. C. Bhandare, Governor of Odisha, with the eminent scientist

and educationist, Padma Bhushan Prof. Yash Pal (Chancellor,

JNU) as the chief guest who had a very lively interaction with the

students where he impressed upon them the need to think logically

and analytically rather than mugging up volumes of books.

The convocation was declared open by the Honorable chancellor.

The certificates were handed over by the Honorable Vice-

Chancellor, VSSUT, Prof D.K.Tripathy in the presence of the chief

guest Prof. Yash Pal, Registrar Shri Suradev Sahu, members of

Board of Management & Academic Council and faculty members.

Honorable Chancellor gave away the University Gold medal for

the Best Engineering Graduate of 2009-2010 to Miss Supriya Mo-

hanty of Civil Engineering, and the University Gold medal for the

Best Engineering Post-Graduate of 2009-2010 to Miss Madhusmita

Sahoo of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and the

Gold medal for the best Post-Graduate in Computer Applications

went to Sri Tushar Ranjan Patra. Also, for the first time, University

Silver medals were given to respective branch toppers.

Shri Bhandare, in his graduation speech, urged the students to work

hard at the work place in order to prove themselves and to be capa-

ble of meeting all challenges. He said that it would in turn raise the

fame and name of VSSUT.

In the latter part of the ceremony, mementoes were presented to the

Chief Guest and to the Honorable Chancellor by our Honorable

Vice-Chancellor. The ceremony concluded with the National An-

them.

Prof. Yash Pal conducted an interaction session for the students

and the faculty on the 8th of October in the Auditorium, which was

houseful and very unique experience.

The whole program was a great success!

6

As of Date: 30th Oct 2010

Civil Mech Electrical Electronics Comp Sc Manufacturing IT

Tata Motors 5 1 1

Shapoorji Pallonji Corpn Ltd. 8 5

Vedanta 5 4 1

Mahindra & Mahindra 5

Soma Enterprises 1

Larsen & Toubro (E.S.) 4 5 1

Jindal Stainless Ltd. 1 2 3 1 2

10 26 13 1 5

Total Placements so far at VSSUT: 55

By: The Editorial team