After its blockbuster debut in 2013, the RN Raikar Memorial International Conference which was launched to celebrate the invaluable contribution of RN Raikar in the field of concrete, returns to Mumbai with an ever-expanding list of distinguished technocrats and global participants.

Registering a 100 per cent-plus increase in terms of global involvement, the international event organised by India Chapter of American Concrete Institute (ICACI) will be held on 18th and 19th December at Hotel Lalit, Mumbai, with the umbrella theme – ‘Concrete Technology’.

Recognising the importance of ‘Brand India’ on the global circuit, the parent body, American Concrete Institute (ACI) is co-sponsoring the event and is supported by a handsome list of international bodies who have promised their support. These include Institute of Concrete Technology, London; Asian Concrete Foundation; Instituto Mexicano del Cemento y del Concreto, Mexico; Leeds University UK; Japan Concrete Institute; Korea Concrete Institute; International Union of Laboratories & Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures, France, amongst several others.

The event also has the backing of celebrated Indian bodies such as Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI); Builders Association of India; Indian Concrete Institute; Institute for Research, Development and Training of Construction Trade and Management, Bangalore.

Conference convener Dr S Manjrekar, noted, “Through this conference, we seek to promote advances in the science and technology of concrete. The first instalment of the RN Raikar Memorial International Conference was a stellar success and prompted over 100 national and international experts to block in advance their calendar for this year’s convention.”

The conference has already etched support of over 25 countries including USA, Mexico, Canada, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Turkey, Portugal, Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, UAE, Oman, Iran and Saudi Arabia. More experts and participating countries are expected to come onboard in the following weeks.

Pankaj Shah, President, ICACI commented, “Through this conference, we seek to introduce participants to cutting-edge technologies related to concrete construction, and to facilitate technology transfer in appropriate areas. It will also offer distinguished engineers and technocrats from the Indian sub-continent and abroad an opportunity to hobnob with global experts from the field of concrete. We have already received a very enthusiastic response from the engineering and building fraternity and we hope to enrol more participants through our special offers. For authors there is a rebate of 25 per cent and for students there is a rebate of 50 per cent on the conference fee.”

Dr Surendra P Shah, Walter P Murphy Professor of Civil Engineering (Emeritus), Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials, Northwestern University, USA, noted, “I was delighted to be the Honoree of the first R. N. Raikar Memorial International Conference held in December 2013. The entire event was very well organised and delivered rich technical content. It shaped up to be a very strong scientific conference. I am happy to be a mentor for this second conference as well as for the ‘Banthia – Basheer International Symposium’ which will be held as part of the 2-day concrete conclave.”

Through this conference, we seek to introduce participants to cutting-edge technologies related to concrete construction.
Pankaj Shah, President, ICACI

Through this conference, we seek to promote advances in the science and technology of concrete.
Dr. S. K. Manjrekar