Opening ceremony of the Thacker Memorial Lawn Tennis Tournament 

The Thacker Lawn Tennis Tournament was organised during 17-20 December 2019 at the CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani. The tournament was inaugurated on 16 December 2019, with a grand inaugural event. On this occasion, Professor Alok Dhawan, Director, CSIR-IITR, Lucknow, was the Chief Guest and Dr R.K. Sinha, Secretary, CSIR-Sports Promotion Board (SPB), CSIR-Human Resource Development Center (HRDC), Ghaziabad, was the Guest of Honour. The Inaugural function was presided by Dr P.K. Khanna, Officiating Director, CSIR-CEERI.

In his address, Prof. Alok Dhawan wished all the players to give a good performance. He praised the work culture of CSIR and said that such tournaments provide players of different laboratories a healthy platform to interact. In his address, he said that he is very happy to see the performances of CVM Band and patriotic songs sung by small kids of the school. He wished the students a bright future. 

During the inaugural ceremony, Dr R.K. Sinha briefed about Prof. M.S. Thacker and the tournament. Dr Sinha also apprised the gathering about the CSIR-SPB activities and thanked the Director, CSIR-CEERI for hosting the event in a grand manner. 

In his welcome address, Dr P.K. Khanna acknowledged the players who brought laurels to the institute with their performances in SSBMT and other CSIR tournaments last year. 

Later, Dr J.L. Raheja, Chief Scientist, and Head, PMEBD proposed the vote of thanks.

CSIR-CEERI hosted the tournament jointly with CSIR-SPB during which 12 CSIR laboratories (CBRI, CDRI, CECRI, CEERI (A, B), CFTRI, CLRI, IICT, IMMT, NCL, NAL, SERC and CMC) participated in three events —individual singles, individual doubles and team events. Besides, two local teams (BITS-PILANI and BET-PILANI) also participated.

The closing and award distribution ceremony of the tournament (TMLTT 2019) was held on 20 December 2019 and was presided over by Dr P.K. Khanna.  Dr Prasanna Kumar SM, Director & CEO, BKBIET, Pilani, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The winners were rewarded by the Chief Guest Dr Prasanna Kumar and Dr P.K. Khanna with trophies and certificates.

In his address, Dr Prasanna Kumar SM said that by looking at the fitness of the players it is apparently clear that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body. He said that through sports we learn many important lessons of life like discipline, patience, perseverance and dedication. These attributes also contribute a lot to our career development. Earlier, Member of CSIR Sports Promotion Board and tournament observer Dr Shobhana Chaudhary from CSIR-NISCAIR honoured all the referees by presenting mementos.