PRAKASH 2024 — Lighting for Enlightening

Report: Lighting for Enlightening — PRAKASH 2024

The Need

There is much more to lighting than meets the eye. Lighting is not just about lamps and fixtures — it is a complete subject in itself, encompassing the art and science of lighting for a particular environment. Lighting load is approximately 20% of the total connected load. Due to long life and increased efficiencies created by automation, Smart Lighting has come a long way. The adoption of Human Centric Lighting has become a powerful tool, impacting mood, health, and behaviour.

Government Initiatives for Smart Lighting

Visualising its importance, several government policies are driving the adoption of Smart / LED lighting. For instance, EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited), a JV under the Ministry of Power, aims to install 1.6 crore smart LED streetlights under the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) across the nation. Similarly, under Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA), the Gram Ujala Scheme offers cheap LED bulbs in rural areas at INR 10. All these efforts are leading to increased demand for LED lighting, expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.2% during 2023–2027. However, no planned efforts have been made so far for creating the required infrastructure in terms of Quality Monitoring (Testing & Calibration), Skill Development, Design & Development, and other requirements of the Lighting Industry in general and MSMEs in particular.

Initiative for Bridging the Gap

To bridge this gap, an initiative was taken by the young team of Pune Local Centre (PLC) of the Indian Society of Lighting Engineers (ISLE), with We Spark Start Up Association and MIT World Peace University (MITWPU), Pune as joint organisers, to organise PRAKASH 2024.

The vibrant networking and sourcing platform for companies from across the entire Lighting Industry to showcase their expertise and services to investors and buyers looking for business in LED / Lighting and Smart Lighting (IoT Enabled) Industry was organised from 19 to 21 September 2024 at MIT World Peace University Campus, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra.

Supporting organisations included:

• K LiTE Industries — Powering Partner
• CLOVE Lighting — Lead Conference Partner
• LACMA (Luminaire Accessories Components Manufacturers Association) — Pavilion Partner
• Prolite Autoglow — Lanyard Partner
• Leap Infosystems — Exhibit Partner
• ECE India — Awards Partner
• Lighting Unlimited — Conference Session Partner
• PCERF (Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation) — Constro 2025 Event Partner
• IGBC Pune — Knowledge Partner
• Maha Metro — Mobility Partner
• Entelechy Group of Companies — Session Partner
• EESL — Industry Partner

Industry associations supporting the event: IIA Pune, AESA, IIID Pune, ASSOCHAM MSDC, ASSOCHAM GEM, BAI Pune, LiDAI, iNFHRA, MEPA, ISHRAE, ASHRAE, LACMA, FOCUS, and ECAM.

As per the tradition of MAEER's MIT, Pune, the event started with the felicitation of all dignitaries by Reverend Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad, CEO, MAEER's MIT Group of Institutes, in Gyaneshwar Hall. This was followed by a group photo with all dignitaries.

Inaugural Session — 19 September 2024

After reaching the venue, the event was inaugurated with Deep Prajwalan (lamp lighting) by Reverend Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad in the presence of Chief Guest Shri R. Vasudevan, Chairman Emeritus & Founder of M/s. VASCON Engineers, Dr. Milind Pande, Pro Vice-Chancellor of MITWPU, and other dignitaries.

Following the tradition of MIT Group of Institutes, the session started with the World Peace Prayer.

The Opening Address highlighting the background of the event was given by Mr. Virendra Borade, Hon. Secretary, ISLE – PLC and Convenor of the event.

Welcome Address was given by Prof. (Dr.) Milind Pande, Pro Vice Chancellor of MIT World Peace University, Pune. Details for the three days of PRAKASH 2024 were subsequently given by Mr. Sudhir Patil, Chairman, ISLE-PLC and Chair, PRAKASH 2024.

After felicitation of dignitaries by Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad, the House Magazine of ISLE, Lii International, was released by Mr. Harsha Joshi, Vice President of ISLE, along with all dignitaries.

Reverend Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad was conferred with the विश्व शांति प्रकाश दीप (Vishwa Shanti Prakash Deep) Award by ISLE for promoting the first ever Industry Oriented Techno Managerial Post Graduate Program in Lighting Technology & Management, way back in 2007. This honour was conferred by Chief Guest Shri R. Vasudevan and Mr. Harsha Joshi, Vice President – ISLE.

Chief Guest Shri R. Vasudevan mentioned that appropriate lighting is an important constituent for improving the lifestyle of citizens — the adoption of appropriate lighting systems can improve energy efficiency and safety. Replying to the conferment, Dr. Karad stressed that for enlightening the world, Vishwa Shanti is equally important, and emphasised the need for coordination between Science and Spiritualism so that Bharat becomes Vishwaguru in the 21st Century.

Subsequently, Dr. Prakash Barjatia, Governing Body Member since 2003 and Director – Education & Training of ISLE, was conferred with the जीवन गौरव (Life Time Achievement Award) by ISLE at the hands of Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad for his long association with ISLE since 1991 and his untiring efforts in promoting educational activities including Student Chapters since 2006.

Acknowledging with thanks the love and affection of Team PRAKASH 2024 for conferment of this award, Dr. Barjatia highlighted the need for spreading lighting education.

The Inaugural Session was attended by more than 100 participants, including Mr. Shailesh Rajput, Joint Director of Industries; Mr. Vinod Agrawal, Director – Pune Metro; Shri Atul Gadgil, Director, Pune Metro; and Shri Jayant Inamdar (Convener of CONSTRO 2025). The session was concluded with Vote of Thanks by Shri Umesh Unnikrishnan, Director – We Spark Start Up Association and Joint Organiser of PRAKASH 2024.

Tour of PRAKASH 2024 — Expo

After the Inaugural Session, distinguished guests including Chief Guest Shri R. Vasudevan and Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad visited the Expo in which 30 companies participated for displaying their products and services. Approximately 3,500 participants visited the Expo.

Industry CEO Roundtable — 19 September 2024 (12:30 – 14:00 Hrs.)

Theme: Adoption of Smart Lighting 2030 – Policy Support & Growth Strategies
Session Moderator: LD Ekta Sanghvi — Director, Lighting Concepts
Session Chair: Dr. Prakash Barjatia, GB Member & Director – Education & Training, ISLE

This is probably the first time in the history of the Lighting Industry that about 50 representatives from 22+ professional associations representing manufacturing, users (direct and indirect), academicians, architects, interior decorators, builders, lighting designers, MEP consultants, etc. took active part in the CEO Round Table (brainstorming session).

The CEO Round Table started with an introduction by Session Chair Dr. Barjatia explaining the gap between what exists and what is needed. For the purpose, the concept of a Centre of Excellence for LED/Lighting Industry, specifically for MSMEs, was explained by him.

After introduction of all participants, the session was moderated by LD Ms. Ekta Sanghvi. During discussions, almost all participants were of the opinion that the existing problem is mainly due to ignorance on the subject of Lighting / Illumination. A need was felt by all on bringing awareness amongst not only users, but also amongst manufacturers, designers, interior decorators, and specifiers. Professional bodies like ISLE and academics like MIT should conduct short-term / long-term online / offline specific courses for lighting designers, interior decorators, architects, and even users for the appreciation of lighting.

On being informed by Dr. Barjatia about the National Lighting Code – 2010 and ISLE's efforts for its revision about three years back, a majority of participants showed their ignorance on the same. Considering the necessity of such a code, it is recommended that the concerned agency viz. BIS should be followed up for the issue of its updated version. Another important issue is the standardisation and quality monitoring of LED and lighting products. Relevant to all the above issues, the concept of CoE appears to be the appropriate solution.

At the end of the CEO Round Table, Prof. (Dr.) Milind Pande, Pro Vice Chancellor, MITWPU University, Pune announced the establishment of an exclusive Centre for Lighting Education.

Day 1 — Technical Sessions & Awards (19 September 2024)

Technical Session 1 (14:30 – 15:10 Hrs.) — Spirituality through Lighting
Speaker: LD Shri Abhijit Salunke, Light & Visual Artist, Beuno Lighting Design, Pune. The significance of lighting in volumes of space exceeds its function of illumination — light is a creative tool manipulated to infuse a space with a metaphysical spirit, influencing the emotional states of its occupants.

Technical Session 2 (15:10 – 15:30 Hrs.) — Human Centric Lighting (IGBC Perspective)
Speaker: Ar. (Dr.) Poorva Keskar — Chairman, IGBC Pune. Human Centric Lighting (HCL) uses light to improve human well-being, performance, and productivity by mimicking natural light to support the body's functions and circadian rhythm.

ISLE PRAKASH Awards 2024 (15:30 – 16:30 Hrs.)

Instituted for the first time, 30 participants actively participated in the Lighting Design Competition, moderated and chaired by Ar. Namrata Dhamankar with Jury Members LD Shri Kaustubh Nandurbarkar, Ar. Shreyas Sarmalkar, and Er. Makrand Sainis.

• Best Innovative Lighting Product — Award: Shri Sushant Thorat, M/s. Clove Lighting Pvt. Ltd.
• Best Innovative Lighting Product — Jury Recommendation: Ms. Ekta Sanghavi, M/s. Lighting Concepts
• Best Creative Artificial Lighting Design — Institutional: Nirmit Jhaveri, M/s. Atelier Light
• Best Creative Artificial Lighting Design — Commercial: Nirmit Jhaveri, M/s. Atelier Lights
• Best Creative Artificial Lighting Design — Residential: Nirmit Jhaveri, M/s. Atelier Lights
• Best Creative Artificial Lighting Design — Others (Mix Use, Museum etc.): M/s. Atelier Lights
• Best Architectural Design Project with Daylight — Residential: Ms. Yamini Deshmukh, M/s. Lalit Deshmukh
• Best Architectural Design Project with Daylight — Jury Recommendation — Residential: Mr. Anil Ranka
• Best Young Lighting Professional: Ar. Ifthikhar Ilyas, M/s. Litelab

Day 2 — Friday, 20 September 2024

• Session 1 — 3 Ps of Lighting Industry – Precision, Protect, Performance: LD Ekta Sanghvi, Director, Lighting Concepts Pvt Ltd
• Session 2 — Integration of Smart Lighting with IoT: Shri Bhavesh Doshi, CEO and Founder, Entelechy Group of Companies
• Session 3 — Govt Policies on Industrial Development, PSI, Cluster Development, Delayed Payment under MSMED Act 2006: Shri Shailesh Rajput, Joint Director of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra
• Session 4 — Demystifying Technical Jargons in Lighting: LD Shri Mandar Bankhele, Partner, Lighting Ergonomics
• Session 5 — Infrastructure Lighting for Metro — Case Study: Shri Atul Gadgil, Director (Works), Maha Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., Pune

Day 3 — Saturday, 21 September 2024

• Session 1 — A Workshop on Understanding Light: LD Kaustubh Nandurbarkar, Semblance Design Studio
• Session 2 — Installation Practices for Outdoor Lighting: Shri Omprakash Todi, CEO, Ovistech Systems
• Session 3 — PRAKASH YATRA and METRO Samvad: Mr. Manoj Kumar Daniel, Dy. General Manager, Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., Pune

Signing of MoUs

MoUs were signed between ISLE and the following organisations:

• LiDAI — Lighting Designers Association of India
• ISHRAE — Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers
• iNFHRA — Infrastructure, Facility, Human Resource & Realty Association
• FOCUS — Forum of Critical Utility Services

Achievements of PRAKASH 2024

• Participation of 22+ professional organisations related to lighting directly or indirectly
• Institution of ISLE PRAKASH 2024 Awards for lighting design, product, and project categories
• Launched Women Wing of ISLE with more than 15 women members
• Recognition of MITWPU, Pune as a source for spreading lighting education