The scene at the Spinning and Weaving Laboratory at Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute (SKSJTI) is not unusual at first. There is a room full of traditional textile spinning and weaving machines placed in neatly defined rows. What is unusual indeed is that they are all dysfunctional. Inches of dust adorn these machines perhaps to retain the vintage look.
“The lab does not really serve a practical purpose as none of the machines works. These machines are not in vogue any longer. We have to visit the industry to get hands-on experience,” said a second year B.Tech (Textile Technology) student.
More than 30 textile machines here today are used as show pieces. Students say most of the machines were brought from the Gokak Spinning Mill and are more than 60 years old. Right next to these old machines are makeshift classrooms in cubicles. “Is this a place where engineering students should sit? It is sad, considering that this college was initially started to cater to the textile industry.” According to A V Shivaprakash, head of the textiles department, they did invite tenders for new machines. “But suppliers did not show up,” he said.
An engineering student rued the shortage of classrooms, which forces students to wait for availability of classrooms, and of cleanliness of toilets and the central dome, under which one can find bird droppings.
The construction of a new building for the institute, which was sanctioned in 2006, is yet to be completed.
Principal Shashidhar S Ramatal initially demanded ‘proof’ when asked about these problems. “If students have problems, they have to talk to their respective HoDs,” he said. On the construction of the new building, he said, “We have asked the Public Works Department to give us at least two floors within six months.”