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Earlier this month, I had the privilege of visiting the campus of my alma mater, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, at the invitation of the Civil Engineering Department. I delivered a lecture to civil engineering students. When I asked HoD what topic he would like me to speak on, he graciously left the choice to me. After giving it considerable thought, I decided to speak on a subject that I believe is relevant to every student aspiring to build a

N o one can deny or undermine the importance of standards in civil engineering. They provide minimum benchmarks that should be followed while planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, retrofitting, demolishing, or recycling any civil engineering structure. I n India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body established under the BIS Act, 2016, to promote the harmonious development of activities related to standardization, marking, and quality

S tructural Auditing and Retrofitting of Buildings is always a challenging assignment for any civil or structural engineer. It demands a clear understanding of fundamental structural analysis and design, building materials, construction practices, construction chemicals, non-destructive testing techniques, code requirements, retrofitting methodologies, and computational skills. Above all, it requires strong investigative acumen and a sound troubleshooting aptitude. S tructura

E very system and procedure within government must be a beacon of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. In a true democracy, these mechanisms are not just administrative necessities—they are the living embodiment of the people's aspirations. They must rise above vested interests, amplify every voice, and guarantee that no perspective is overlooked. Only then can democracy flourish, vibrant and resilient, built on the foundation of trust and inclusivity. T he status o

Recently, while teaching master’s students from civil engineering and architecture backgrounds, I was struck by a recurring and...

I n the grand orchestra of life, the importance of clear and effective communication can never be undermined. It is the melody that binds...

Before the first brick is laid, before the first column rises from the earth, and long before the foundation is dug, a building begins in...

E very building has a story, and often, the foundation of that story begins with a civil or structural engineer. These professionals are...

A single drop ignored becomes a silent architect of decay—seepage doesn’t knock, it seeps into the soul of a structure. L et us face it—if you live in India, you have likely encountered it: that creeping damp patch on a wall, the salty white crust near the base of a wall or pillar, rusty-colored patches or spalling of concrete, or that faint musty smell in a closed room after the rains. At times, you may have even witnessed basements flooded with water seeping through walls a

for the best experience, view on desktop C onstructing a building is a significant challenge, especially for individuals in India without...

"We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us." - Winston Churchill S ome time ago, I was invited to a technical seminar organized by...

This piece is in continuation with my earlier blog titled "Unfinished Journey of Engineers Bill," posted earlier....

I do not think anybody can disagree with the following anonymous quote: In any profession, a person's integrity is his or her most...

The concept of sustainability and sustainable development has become increasingly critical in the context of global environmental...

India has a vast power transmission network. According to one estimate India has more than 450,000 circuit kilometers of transmission...

Author (on left) with Doyens of Structural Engineering Everyone knows that engineering is about applying scientific and mathematical...

A paper based on this blog was published in the journal 'The Bridge & Structural Engineer' Vol.54, No.3 September 2024 published by...

(with focus on management & technical consultancy) BACKGROUND One of the world’s largest economies, India has made tremendous strides in...

Being a Civil/Structural engineer, structural safety particularly of buildings and other civil engineering structures is always on my top...