Er. RamaRao
– a guiding light of
FACEAT &P
An Article from Our Building and Construction
Civil engineers of the state of Tamil Nadu would
be grateful to
Er N RamaRao, Er Kumaran, Er R MohanRaj and Er S
Rajendran for their efforts in mooting the idea of
a single confederacy and assembling their
fraternity together through their respective associations to form
Federation of All Civil Engineers Associations
of Tamil Nadu and
Puducherry (FACEAT&P).
And one
of them is revered ever as their friend, philosopher and guide – he is RamaRao,
the charter
president of FACEAT&P. He, along with
MohanRaj, was instrumental in mobilizing the civil engineers
all over the state and making them realize their
true potential.
They have been working restlessly in the last
6-7 years for the civil engineering community and their
family - their uplift and welfare. There are no
words to describe. And now the federation is probably the
first of its kind in the country.
A civil engineer by profession with wide
experience, the 65-yearold RamaRao pioneered many
innovative structures including single and
double basement buildings in Salem during his 30-
plus years of practice. He is the charter
president of Salem Civil Engineers Association, a pioneer of
all civil engineers association across the state
He was instrumental in mustering support to
FACEAT&P formation. Having served so long for the civil
engineering society and all his commitments
fulfilled, he is now relaxing with a lighter assignment
and is involved in religious activities.
He narrates FACEAT&P story, his experience
and other relevant information in an interview. Excerpts
of the interview follow:
Tell us about
FACEAT&P, its origin, growth, etc….
It all started when we organised protest against
cement price hike.
It was mooted by Er Kumaran who was the
president of Salem Civil Engineers Association at that time.
He suggested fighting the cause unitedly with
similar associations from other parts of the state. And
we mobilized civil engineers other areas and
successfully conducted the
protest rallies.
At that time, we discussed the idea of a common
platform for us
and immediately implemented it. Thus was formed
the FACEAT&P.
Kumaran compelled me to be the president of the
federation and every
other people seconded it.
Er Kumaran became treasurer and Er MohanRaj was
the secretary for
the new confluence. Er Rajendran, the current
president, was elected
the vice president.
Following my tenure, Er MohanRaj took over
presidentship
and performed excellently. There are also many
other people who worked
towards shaping up of the federation - Er
Chandramouli from Erode,
Er Thayumanavan of Cuddalore, Er Gandhi from
Kumbakonam, Er
Senthilkumar from Sirkazhi and Er ‘Mama’
Kalyanasundaram to name
a few.
How were you able to
convince the member associations?
When we started off, we were faced with
obstacles. Many raised
eyebrows at the formation and apprehensions
reigned. But now I can look back satisfactorily given
that we have developed brotherhood among civil
engineering fraternity.
In the initial stages, myself and MohanRaj
traveled extensively driving over 15 lakh kms and
interacted with many people. We convinced every
one of them that
unity is strength. Our hard work paid off.
The number of associations affiliated to
FACEAT&P increased
from 30 at the start to over 48 during my tenure
and now it is 68. This
included Puducherry also and the member size has
increased from
3000 at the beginning to 8000 now.
The strength is still growing. And now I need
not worry about
new places as wherever I go I can easily get the
help, professionally
and personally as well, of engineers located in
the area. This is the case
for any engineer from any part of this state.
The reason behind the
founding of FACEAT&P
was cement price hike
but what sustained federation?
We began with cement price hike. We bore the
fruit of being united.
And only when engineers started meeting each
other through such
platform, we came to understand every other’s
problem and expertise.
In one association, approval seemed to be a
major problem and in
another, there was a member who is an authority
in rules and regulations
all over Tamil Nadu.
Problems with cement affect general public also.
In a way, that
took us closer to the public. But we found later
that these were not at all
an issue and were faced with much bigger
hurdles. Sand issue was even
complex.
And we found building plan approval, engineer
registration and
LPA (Local Planning Authority) membership
directly affected
only us. If you take building plan approval, a
plan to be approved in
Yercaud only if architect signs and not the
engineer. This is because of
Architects’ council efforts.
Almost all parts of Tamil Nadu fall under
seismic area. In such a
situation, weightage of stability and aesthetics
has to be introspected.
I have no hard feelings with our brethrens but
want to spell reality.
In Kerala, an engineer, registered in a
particular place, is allowed
to practise and submit drawings anywhere in the
state but with
proportionate fees structure. But it is not the
same in Tamil Nadu and the
practice is restricted to the place of
registration. .
The Boards of LPAs in Tamil Nadu do have members
other than
relevant civil engineer. We need to change this
trend. And Engineers Bill has to be passed.
No politician is concerned about it. There is no
proper representation in
favour of the Bill. We only have to take
initiative. We are taking steps to
pass the bill in the parliament.
Tell us about activities
of FACEAT&P and its
hierarchy… The federation was initiated by
Kumaran with a view of taking it globally. And
MohanRaj has been
actively involved in bringing the union to this
level. He has put up a
lot of efforts and that should not be
squandered.
Thus we have decided to be fully involved in
development of
FACEAT&P upto five presidential tenures and
until it reaches a level
of consolidation with solidarity. We have been
working towards setting
up a governing body so that the federation
functions in an orderly
manner. There is already a high level committee
but that is only an
advisory body.
Your plans of taking
the forum to the national level…
Yes, we have plans but it will take some time.
First of all, we want to
build the state level league stronger. Then we
can reach other states.
There are no concrete developments in other
southern states except for
Kerala.
In Karnataka, there are not many associations
and many towns
don’t have enough strength. But it will happen
one day.
Your Engineers Day
message…
I wish that our associations celebrate Engineers
Day in such a
manner that our community is held in high
respect in the society. Not
like Gandhi Jayanthi celebration, which is being
observed without revering Gandhian ideologies.
Finally, about you… Completing diploma, I initially
worked with Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Best &
Crompton and UMC
Steel. Then I started practising in Salem. I
have constructed many
buildings in Salem.
After over 30 years of professional practice, I
planned to lead a retired
life, but one of my clients wanted to look after
their group activities. Thus I have taken up the assignment.
My two sons, both civil engineers, are well
settled in Gulf. My daughter
is well settled in Hosur with her spouse with
TVS.
Other main articles
Er RamaRao
– a guiding light of FACEAT&P
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The 3 Rs of Sustainable Site Design
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Bianca
FACEAT&P Association News
Salem Civil Engineers Association
FACEAT&P Member Welfare Trust President’s
Message
COCENA Celebrates Engineers Day
CEAT Celebrates Engineers Day gleefully
President’s Message - Pledge Our Commitment
Regular Feature
Plan – Page No-44/48
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