Indian Science Congress Association

Mr. Trehan is known in the Scientific field because of his indulgence in the field of Telecommunication from 1971 till late 90s. Mr. Trehan has been instrumental bringing in Digital Switching Technology in India and played very active role in concluding Bilateral Agreement between India and France. In 1976 when the then Prime Minister of France – Mr. Francois Mitterrand and the Trade Minister - Mr. Raymond Barr met the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India – Mrs. Indira Gandhi. In fact, France wanted to get the business straight away but the competent Indian Telecommunication Officials did not agree with them but studied the Digital Switching Technology which was introduced in France for the first time in the World in early 70s. Later on in May 1982, this Technology was approved and India adopted this by setting up Plants in Mankapur and Palghat for this latest Technology! Mr. Trehan is proud of the fact that he could bring this infrastructure in the country which has laid the foundation of the economy of our Nation! While Roads, Railways, Power are the other important sectors of infrastructure development, but in Telecommunication, India has already achieved its milestone because of Mr. Trehan’s foresight & timely introduction of Digital Switching Technology, in 1982! For this and his related social activities, he has been given ‘The prestigious Award of Presidential Gold Medal’ by the Prime Minister of India at the Indian Science Congress Association Annual Session in Visakhapatnam on January 3, 2008! In 1993 when Dr. S Z Qasim was the General President of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) and the Member Planning Commission, he asked Mr. Trehan to become Life Member of ISCA. At the same time, Mr. Trehan was also requested to take over the Engineering Section of ISCA by Prof. Chowdiah – who was heading this Section in ISCA earlier. With this work in hand, Mr. Trehan took so much interest that in the ISCA history of 100 years, the only time the Chairman of a Section has been re-nominated (not elected) for second time. In those days ISCA did not provide enough funds but once taken the responsibility, Mr. Trehan had carried out this job with his own resources! In fact, Delhi and Hyderabad did not have ISCA Chapter in 1993-94. Mr. Trehan took initiative to establish ISCA Chapter in Delhi and with the help of Prof. B Ramachandra Rao, Former Member Parliament, from Andhra Pradesh established the Chapter in Hyderabad. In the first few years, till about 5 years back, for most of the ISCA functions, resources had been provided by Mr. Trehan only. It is only now since last few years that ISCA is contributing most of the funds towards the functions. In his quest for propagating Telecommunication, Mr. Trehan donated ‘MEKASTER AUDITORIUM’ to the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers (IETE) at Osmania University in Hyderabad which was inaugurated by the then Vice President of India, Late Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, in 1990.