OTHER ACTIVITES
In keeping with its commitment to advancing leather science and supporting the industry, the Indian Leather Technologists’ Association (ILTA) undertakes a wide array of impactful activities beyond seminars and conferences. These include awards and scholarships, international collaborations, post-COVID digital initiatives, and ongoing member engagement programs.
🏅 A. Awards & Scholarships
To encourage academic excellence and recognize professional contributions, ILTA annually confers the following awards and scholarships:
Memorial Medals for Academic Excellence
Awarded to top-ranking students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Leather Technology, in memory of:
- B. M. Das
- Sanjoy Sen
- J. M. Dey
- Moni Banerjee
- S. S. Dutta
Best Contribution to JILTA
- J. Sinha Roy Memorial Award is presented to the author of the best scientific contribution published in JILTA (Journal of the Indian Leather Technologists’ Association) in a calendar year.
Moni Banerjee Memorial Scholarship
- Initiated in 2023, this scholarship supports a meritorious but financially underprivileged student pursuing B.Tech or M.Tech in Leather Technology.
🌍 B. International Seminars and Celebrations
ILTA has consistently commemorated its milestone anniversaries with impactful year-long programs involving high-level seminars, international collaborations, and special conferences:
Golden Jubilee (2000–2001)
- Celebrated with a series of memorial lectures and the First South East Asian Leather Conference at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata.
Diamond Jubilee (2010–2011)
- Year-long celebration featuring:
- Multiple national seminars and memorial lectures, including:
- M. Das Memorial Lecture
- Sanjoy Sen Memorial Lecture
- Moni Banerjee Memorial Lecture
- Y. Nayudamma Memorial Lecture
- Hosted the prestigious 8th AICLST (Asia International Conference on Leather Science & Technology) at Hotel The Stadel, Salt Lake City, Kolkata.
- Multiple national seminars and memorial lectures, including:
Platinum Jubilee (2025–2026) (Upcoming)
- Scheduled from 14th August 2025 to 13th August 2026
- Will include:
- Special year-long programs
- Memorial lectures
- Hosting of the 14th AICLST in Kolkata
- Year-long celebration featuring:
💻 C. Post-COVID Digital Activities
Despite global disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, ILTA adapted proactively, launching a series of digital programs focused on technical education, industry updates, and human resource development.
Technical Webinars
- Leather Facts
– Dr. Dietrich Tegtmeyer, Mr. N. Shafeeq Ahmed & Dr. K. J. Sreeram (30.09.2020) - Indian Footwear Industry – Pre-COVID & Post-COVID and Way Forward
– Mr. P. R. Aqeel Ahmed (01.12.2020) - Leather Fact
– Mr. Egbert Dikkers & Dr. Wouter Hendriksen (12.03.2021) - Branding of Leather
– Mr. Claudio Maffioletti, Prof. Dr. Ashok Banerjee & Mr. Gualtieri Gualberto (26.03.2021) - Vegan is Leather
– Mr. Gualtieri Gualberto (24.02.2024) - Future of Bisphenols
– Dr. Olga Ballus (09.05.2025)
👥 D. Talks on HRD (Human Resource Development)
- Future Employment Opportunity in Footwear Industry
– Mr. Irshad Mecca & Mr. Jose R. Suarez (09.12.2020) - Motivational Speech
– Dr. Buddhadeb Chattopadhyay (26.02.2021) - Peace at a Premium
– Mr. Utpal Chatterjee (03.09.2024) - Career Build Up
– Dr. Arijit Banerjee, Mr. Subir Verma & Mr. Ramesh Juneja (24.09.2024)
These programs have reached hundreds of professionals, researchers, and students, helping bridge the knowledge gap during and after the pandemic.
👥 E. Membership Strength
As of 31st March 2025, ILTA proudly comprises a strong community of approximately 550 members from India and abroad.
🎓 Membership Composition Includes:
- Leather Technologists from:
- Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology (GCELT), Kolkata
- Anna University, Chennai
- Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur
- Government Institute of Leather Technology, Jalandhar
- Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Kolkata
- Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), Agra
- Central Footwear Training Centre (CFTC), Budge Budge
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata
- Scientists and professionals from:
- Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI)
- Various R&D institutions and leather industries
ILTA continues to grow in strength and diversity, uniting professionals committed to the advancement of leather science and technology.
🤝 F. Relief and Humanitarian Activities
True to its values of social responsibility and solidarity, ILTA has consistently stood by communities in times of crisis. The Association has extended timely humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected regions through organized relief efforts and donations.
🌪️ Relief for Cyclone ‘Aila’ Victims – West Bengal (2009)
In 2009, the devastating cyclone ‘Aila’ severely impacted vast areas of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, displacing thousands and damaging infrastructure and livelihoods.
- ILTA played an active role in relief and rehabilitation, organizing direct distribution of emergency essentials.
- Relief materials included food, drinking water, clothing, and medicines, valued at approximately ₹1.8 lakhs.
- ILTA members personally participated in escorting and distributing supplies to the affected communities.
🌍 Relief for Nepal Earthquake Victims (2015)
In 2015, Nepal was struck by a catastrophic earthquake that resulted in massive loss of life and property.
- Demonstrating solidarity with the neighbouring country, ILTA donated ₹1.0 lakh towards relief operations.
- The donation was personally handed over to the Consul General of Nepal at Kolkata by ILTA’s President and General Secretary.
These acts of compassion reflect ILTA’s commitment not only to the scientific and industrial progress of the leather sector, but also to the welfare of society at large, especially in times of distress.