Handmade paper by students of Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic College

The Department of Printing Technology, Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic College, Sivakasi celebrated Paper Day on 1 August 2019. M Nandakumar, principal and head of the Department – Printing Technology, presided over the function. Printing technology students and members of staff gathered to celebrate the event and students presented handmade paper. 

G Venkateswaran, lecturer (SS), Printing Technology, welcomed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion, Nandakumar said that the day was important and to be marked by every printer. He stated that the students are fortunate to join a diploma in printing technology. He also emphasized the opportunities that lay ahead for printing technology students in the industry as the competition is lesser than the other disciplines of engineering.

Nandakumar also insisted on the importance of conserving paper. He motivated the students to prepare handmade paper and insisted them to ensure that no waste paper will be burnt in the institution in the future. He encouraged all the first and second year students to join hands with the final year students to prepare handmade paper. He pointed out that India generates 62 million tons of waste every year, of which less than 60% is collected and around 15% processed. The institution generates around 4500 kilograms of waste paper. The collection of all the possible waste paper and process it to prepare new handmade paper is crucial.

The Handmade Project Work students were honored by Nandakumar with a memento. An album of 42 varieties of handmade paper was released. The varieties of handmade papers prepared by the students were displayed for the first and second year students. A live demonstration of the preparation of the handmade paper was also hosted. Nandakumar unveiled a new test made pest-proof handmade paper prepared by the students using an additive of an extract made from neem tree leaves.

Selvan A Ashokraj, a final year student in Printing Technology, narrated the making of handmade paper. M Pugazh, lecturer (SS), Printing Technology, took a pledge on reusing, recycling and reducing the usage of paper with 130 students. N. Sivaraman, lecturer (SS), Printing Technology, delivered a vote of thanks to conclude the session.