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Connect your minds to the stars
By Marisa de Silva
“Dare to dream and dream to dare,” was the former Chairman of the SPACE Commission of India, Prof. U.R. Rao’s exhortation to young engineers, at the inauguration of the centenary of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), on December 6, at the BMICH.

Students must always question any new knowledge they acquire, he said. Furthermore, parents must allow their children to pursue the career of their choice and children must not be pressurised by their parents, he added.
“One must do what one is born and destined to do,” Prof. Rao, who was a guest of honour, said.

Nobody can live up to his/her fullest potential if his heart is not in his work, he said. He also raised the question of how engineers intend to keep abreast of the rapidly increasing technological advancements in the world. He said that outer space may be able to provide some solutions, by helping to connect the world and bringing it closer together. He added that the ‘Space Elevator’, an idea presented by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, may even be made possible within the next 25 years or so, due to modern advancements such as nano-technology.
Chief guest Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake commended the IESL on its great achievement of celebrating hundred years since its inception in 1906.
“The Government will gladly provide the IESL all the assistance and facilities they require and I wish the Institute many more years of fruitful service to their country,” the Prime Minister said.

Two of the seven publications to be issued this year, written by Dr. (Mrs.) P. Sivasekaram and engineer S.D.S. Wijesundera, were also presented to the chief guest and the guests of honour.

A special commemorative stamp with the design of the IESL logo printed on its face, was issued to mark the centenary celebration of the Institute and presented to the guests of honour.

Awards of Excellence were presented to Prof. K.K.Y.W. Perera and Prof. Dayantha Sepala Wijesekera for their immense service to the country in the field of engineering.

Messages of felicitation from President Mahinda Rajapakse, and the presidents of the Institutes of Engineering from around the world were read out at the ceremony.

IESL president engineer Jayantha Ranatunga, president-elect engineer D.L. Taldena and the Director of the Cardiff Centre for Astro Biology, UK Prof. Chandra Wickremasinghe who was the other guest of honour also made addresses at the event.

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