SIPA’s first meet

South India Printers’ Association’s (SIPA) first meet was held at Madurai, headed by the eminent industrialist AMSG Ashokan, president, SIPA/immediate past president of AIFMP (All India Federation of Master Printers), New Delhi along with the newly elected secretaries P Arul and Rtn TT Karthi.

AMSG Ashokan envisaged his plan – PRINT YATRA to take the SIPA team to Singapore, China, Malaysia and other countries. Shridhar of USAM representing the Hewlett Packard, Tamil Nadu gave a brief presentation about the Singapore trip with personalised digitally printed samples. He said that stay in the hotel will be provided to all the SIPA members free of cost in Singapore and only the travelling amount has to be borne by them that too Cox & King will help in getting visa and travel arrangement with best possible discounts.

Ashokan also invited all the members to take part in upcoming PAMEX 2015 exhibition to be held at Mumbai. As the chairman of PAMEX 2015, he offered the SIPA members a special discount for their stay and travel.

He also invited all the SIPA members to take part in AIFMP’s flagship event NAEP (National Awards for Excellence in Printing) and showcase their product and compete with national and international level printers. As it is to be hosted by SMPA (Sivakasi Master Printers’ Association) at Chennai in September 2015, under his guidance & supervision, he insisted all the SIPA members to take part in the national level awards.

Ashokan also passed the resolution to raise the membership level to 45 by the next quarter. Salem Printers’ Association has voluntarily accepted to host the next SIPA meeting and to carry Print Yatra for their members.

The presence of Thiru O Venugopal from KMPA, Kerala and update on Association activities towards Print Education with in house training in support with Government initiatives which will overcome shortage of skilled work force was highly appreciated.

All the members of SIPA were advised to get the SSI certificate by visiting MSME online to avail lot of benefits like subsidy from Central and State Governments. More than 50 members from 15 associations from various parts of south India participated in the meet.