The Solvent Extraction Industry
Was very small in Sixty Three.
Meal was exported then as now.
The government would scrape and bow
To all who could bring dollars back
And Manubhai Shah kept a track.
The industry couldn't advance
If development was left to chance.
A national body he thought was best
As regional groups in the South and West
Could never speak with just one voice.
Of course he made a perfect choice.
And so back then the industry,
Coordinated nationally,
And SEA came into being
And after Fifty years on seeing
The Pomp of the Golden Jubilee,
I doubt anyone in Sixty Three,
Could have known that SEA would be
The massive giant we now see.
850 members it can boast
With plants both inland and on the coast.
Its voice is heard everywhere.
A broader scope is clearly there.
Whether the issue is oil or seed,
Chemicals or meal or feed.
The voice the government will heed
Is our own SEA indeed.
It's recognised for canalisation
As well as for registration.
And as for knowledge dissemination
Globoil's the leader in the nation.
I've always found it very pleasant
To deal with leaders past and present
But what makes SEA so much better
Is undoubtedly Shri BV Mehta.
And for its Golden Jubilee
They've constituted a committee.
Luminaries of the industry
Will gaze in crystal balls and see
A vision for the industry.
The 'Foreword' task came to me.
And so of course I will strive
To pen my vision 2025.
Right now dark clouds are everywhere.
But above the clouds the weather's fair.
Like a plane we should soar
Above the gloom and look for more.
If we can alter our behaviour
Agriculture can be our saviour.
If our policies are bold
Our yields can rise many fold.
Oil seeds we have always had
The yields so far have been bad.
But newer seeds are at hand
And yields will rise, I understand.
More Oil Palm can be made to grow.
And lots of palm oil will then flow.
As cotton and maize both expand
Their oils will also be at hand.
And self sufficiency by '25
Is something for which we can strive.
The task is tough but with some toil
All can be grown on our soil.
An import duty would be of aid
On refined oils more should be paid.
Refining then would be done here
And that's something that we will all cheer.
Our Oleochemicals will grow
And biofuels will also flow.
Technology will be brought to bear.
With efficiency everywhere
Our future will be very bright
If this vision is kept insight.
Now some may think it is a pity
I don't explain the nitty-gritty.
So I suggest you take a look
At the rest of our excellent book!
