South Asia Print Congress 1996

South Asia Print Congress with the theme “Print Vision 2001 - Challenges and Changes” was held at The Oberoi, New Delhi from January 13 to 15. The objective of learning and benefiting through regional cooperation was fulfilled by representatives of printing associations from various South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal who while apprising delegates of their experiences of the impact of new technologies and ideas, also demonstrated how to bridge the gap between old and new.

“It is predicted that by 2010, over half of the world’s total productivity will originate from Asian Countries. It is therefore vital that printers in South Asia prepare themselves to face the Challenges”, thus spoke Shri V. N. Chhabra, the Chairperson of South Asia Print Congress. He along with Shri V. K. Malik, the Organising Secretary and other colleagues planned the technical seminars, exhibition and Awards ceremony. To promote SAPC in the neighbouring SAARC countries DPA members went personally to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. An exhibition on Excellence in Printing’ was the high point of the event. DPA has never shied away from playing an active role even in the day-to-day affairs of the AIFMP. Being the largest affiliate of this apex body DPA has shouldered responsibility of holding at least one Governing Council meeting per year. Many of its eminent members have been Presidents of AIFMP and the meetings organised by DPA during their tenures bear special significance. The earliest conference on record is of the 4th session held on 20th December 1959, where nine important resolutions on various matters

relating to the industry were passed and adopted . These issues were stunting the development of the printing trade. Removal of presses from their present locations was a hotly debated issue even then. Exemption from peak-load restrictions, import of printing machinery and meeting the paper crisis were some of the other resolutions adopted. To create awareness among printers of Delhi and popularise the Association, local conferences were organised every year. To start with printer leaders of All India fame like Shri Ramu, Shri Ardeshir, Shri G.U. Mehta of Bombay, Shri Venkateswaran of Madras, Shri Hangal of Pune and Shri B.C. Ray (Saraswati Press) of Calcutta were invited to preside over these conferences and local dignitaries like Dr. Yudhvir Singh and Shri Gopi Nath Aman, the then Executive Councillors to inaugurate them.

The 29th All India Printers’ Conference, held in March 2001, was a roaring success and testimony to the organisational capability of DPA. This was a landmark conference for many reasons. It was for the first time that the conference was supported by Indian Newspaper Society and Indian Printing, Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers Association. The conference, inaugurated by the former Prime Minister, Shri I. K. Gujral, attracted 419 delegates from India and abroad and covered the latest print technology addressed by speakers from all parts of the world.

DPA Activities

The DPA holds monthly meetings of its executive body where all policy matters are discussed and mutually acceptable solutions arrived at. Another feather in the cap of the association was the organising of a Competition for Excellence in Printing in 1993, where a panel of eminent judges selected entries from small, medium and large printers for first, second and third prizes in various categories.

The Excellence in Printing Awards Function was held at Kanishka Hotel on Nov. 20, 1993 where the former President of India, Giani Zail Singh, gave away the prizes.

Service to Its Members

In the late 70 Shri S.S. Batra with the help of former presidents was able to buy a plot of 500 sq. yds in Naraina Phase-II. The spacious Printers Bhawan of DPA came into being there with the funds generated from printers, print suppliers and profits of the Pamex-83. This was primarily used as a Training Centre and Technical Library from 1988 onwards. More than 1400 students were trained in DTP, laser printing, scanning, screen printing etc.

In order to make use of the huge building which lay vacant, DPA managed to accomplish the gigantic task of turning the building into freehold property. After spending about Rs. 20 lakh on freeholding and subsequent renovation, a portion on ground floor has been leased out to the Janata Co-operative Bank. In 1981 DPA floated a Co-operative Group Housing Society and DDA allotted 7.29 acres of land to it at Rohini in 1993. More than 400 families are now living in this Printers’ Society.

To safeguard the interest of its members and their workforce has been the foremost goal of DPA. Time and again DPA has led demonstrations and sent its delegations to protest any hardships imposed on the printers. In 1982, Shri S. N. Mehta led a Protest March against unjustified and exorbitant paper price hikes by the paper mills. Most recently on May 11, 2007 DPA, in association with AIFMP, held a Press Conference at Chelmsford Club to highlight the plight of printers and publishers as a result of the unprecedented and frequent steep hikes in the prices of various varieties of paper The complex issue of Relocation of Industries from non-confirming residential areas to conforming industrial areas has affected hundreds of printers. The association has been assisting affected members by fighting at various levels including in Delhi High Court. Special mention must be made here of the efforts of Shri Vijay Mohan in pursuing the problems of displaced printers. Similarly, printers of industrial areas had a harrowing time when DPCC had changed the category of printers from Green to Orange and when their water and electicity connections were cut. DPA had to run from pillar to post to get the matter sorted out and water and electricity connections were restored.

Mr. Arun Berry has been handling this tedious issue by helping the printers. When the Sales Tax on Works Contract was first introduced by the Delhi Government, there was confusion all around as to its application and implication. DPA consulted various tax lawyers and held a seminar to clear the cobwebs from everybody’s minds. It helped in better understanding of the enforcement of the new tax. When VAT was introduced in 2005 the rate for printers was 12.5% but with the forceful efforts made by DPA the VAT was reduced to 4% only. To resolve problems faced by members about ESIC, DPA has organized interaction meetings with officials of ESIC and ILO.

The Mother of all fellowship events is undoubtedly the “Holi Milan” organised by DPA year after year. Supported by print suppliers and sponsored by leading paper manufacturers this annual event is looked forward to by all printers and their families. In the true spirit of bonhomie and camaraderie, Holi is played symbolically with a tilak followed by multi-faceted cultural programme. Everybody participates whole-heartedly enjoying the music and dance. There are a number of lucky dip prizes and to cap the evening a sumptuous dinner. To continue the spread of sociability and common touch amongst printers and their families DPA has organised Picnics at water parks.

Publications

What DPA does and achieves would not be known but for its mouth-piece DELHI PRINTER. Starting as a mere News Bulletin, almost from the time of formation of DPA, it has done yeoman’s service in putting forth the problems and views of printers to the concerned government departments.

One cannot talk about Delhi Printer without reference to Delhi Press where it was being edited and printed by Shri Naresh Nath from its inception to 2003. Its growth from a news-bulletin to an excellently produced journal is proof of the painstaking efforts of Shri V.K. Malik as its Editor and Printer. From May 2009 DPA launched the publication of Masik Samachar Patrika - a monthly newsletter in Hindi - to provide the members with the latest news of the Printing Industry and about the important activities of the association. The newsletter has proved highly popular.

Periodically, the association brings out a detailed Directory of Members. It gives useful data and helps buyers and suppliers to contact the printing presses apart from facilitating interaction among fellow printers. With the ever changing phone numbers, it is a most useful and handy publication. For the first time the 11th edition in 2012 carries photographs of members.

Website In keeping with curent trends, DPA also launched its website on the day of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Soon the members will have the facility of accessing Delhi Printer’s latest issues on the net and the E-savvy can get the updated information of the activities of DPA at the click of a button at www.delhiprinter.org.

Other Activities

The year 2003 is marked by a new direction to the activities of DPA. 24th February the birthday of Johannes Gutenberg, the Father of the Art of Printing, has been declared Printers’ Day.