 The appointment is particularly significant because India had joined the OIV through the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB), a part of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, less than 2 years ago in 2011 when it was elected unanimously as a member with full rights.
The appointment is an honour for him, the Indian Grape Processing Board and India in general. It is undoubtedly also a result of his high qualifications and experience. He is the Director of National Research Centre for Grapes (ICAR) based in Pune. He has been involved in agricultural research and development for the last three decades with work related to food science and technology. He has got several awards and is the author of numerous publications. With a remarkable career in the vine and wine sector, Dr. Adsule has undoubtedly all the necessary skills to carry out his new role within the OIV Scientific and Technical Committee, according to OIV.
The job of the Ad-hoc Group RSEC ('Dried grapes') covers an important number of issues relevant to the production of dried grapes, at international level: The specificities of the dried grapes sector in the OIV Environmental Sustainability Guidelines (more details in the adopted Resolution OIV-VITI 422-2011) of the OIV) according to a Press Release on Monday.
One of the major future works of such an Ad-hoc Group is the drafting of the production techniques of dried grapes, i.e. the various drying techniques. The Committee of experts within this Group is also responsible for developing a three-year draft strategic plan that describes the general framework for scientific activity, as well as its practical outcomes.
Commenting on the unanimous choice, a seemingly pleased Director General of OIV, Federico Castellucci comments, ‘During my recent visit to Pune last September, I was able to assure myself not only of Dr. Adsule's scientific level, but also became aware of his high management capacity within the National Research Centre for Grapes.'
Castellucci had visited India last September, especially to attend the 200th wine dinner and 10th year celebrations of the Delhi Wine Club on September 21 on the invitation of its President, Subhash Arora who had then coordinated with IGPB to invite him formally for various other meetings and visits including one in Pune where he met Dr. Adsule.
On his return to Delhi where he spent a day before going back to Paris where OIV is based, he had expressed his pleasure on meeting Dr Adsule and was impressed by him. He was keen that the Director of ICAR be involved with OIV. The limiting factor, if any, was the imminent retirement of Dr. Adsule. However, his retirement is not until May 2013 and it has worked in Adsule’s favour. We are happy about the honour conferred on him, IGPB and India and wish him well and hope he will make a solid contribution and keep the Indian flag flying high.
Capt Sanjay Gahlot, CEO of IGPB and Director at the Ministry of Food processing Industries (MOFPI) was very pleased when I broke the news to him about Adsule’s appointment. ‘Dear Subhash Ji, thanks for this wonderful news. Dr. Adsule is a very deserving candidate to be appointed for this important job,’ adding that he has received several awards and recognitions earlier too-including the Golden Jubilee Medal Award for securing highest CGPA for M.Sc. 40 years ago in 1973.
One of his most important contributions to the wine industry has been his help to IGPB in drafting of Indian Wine standards based on his interactions with OIV - the first and foremost task that needs to be accomplished by the Grape Processing Board.
OIV is a UN-type of intergovernmental Organisation and the scientific and technical reference for the global vitivinicultural sector. Its field of competence is not only wine but also includes table grapes, dried grapes, musts, fortified wines, special wines (like the bio wines being made by some ambitious Indian producers) as well as spirits, alcohols of vitivinicultural origin –including brandy and grappa.
The 36th World Congress of Vine and Wine is being held in Bucharest (Rumania) from June 2-7, 2013 along with the 11th General Assembly of the OIV. India was unanimously elected a full member at the 9th General Assembly in Porto in June 2011 where coincidentally, Subhash Arora, President of Indian Wine Academy and Editor of delWine, was awarded a ‘ Mérite de l’OIV’ medal for rendering a meritorious service in the field of wine in the world.
Subhash Arora
Tags: Indian Grape Processing Board, National Research Centre for Grapes (ICAR), OIV, IGPB, MOFPI, World Congress of Vine and Wine, Mérite de l’OIV |