With an encouraging response from the industrial and scientific laser and photonics community in India, LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA 2014 (September 23-25, 2014, Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre), in its third edition moves to the silicon valley of India. This time, the trade fair features 80 leading international and Indian companies who will be showcasing their advanced laser and photonics technology. International pavilions from countries like China, Germany, UK, Japan and Lithuania will also be part of this unique networking platform for the laser and photonics industry in India. The event is supported by Ministry of Communication and Information Technology along with associations like the Indian Laser Association (ILA), Optical Society of India (OSI), The Optical Society and more.

Mr Bhupinder Singh, Deputy CEO, MMI India, shares some brief insights on the show that will take place this month for the first time in India.

This year the trade fair has moved to Bengaluru, do you foresee any benefit in doing so?

MMI India and the Exhibitor Advisory Board jointly decided on a one-off basis to re-locate the 2014 event venue to the heart of the southern Indian manufacturing region. The diverse industrial sectors in the south that stand to achieve significant technological progress through the use of laser technology will reap a rich dividend from Laser World of Photonics India. The trade fair for laser and optical technologies is being staged in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, in tandem with the established trade fairs electronica India and productronica India (also from the MMI India stable). The joint event creates significant synergies for visitors to the trade fair.

With its potent industry platform Laser World of Photonics India, MMI India is supporting the southern Indian region's strategy of harnessing this modern technology for production purposes. The trade fair in Bangalore taps into the state of Karnataka with its more than 61 million inhabitants and, further afield, cluster regions for application and research, such as, Chennai or Cochin. The heavily industrialised region leads the nation in fields such as, precision tool manufacturing or software exports and is the world's fourth largest technology cluster after Silicon Valley, Boston and London. A large proportion of optical fibre communication also links some of the best IT companies in India, making optical-fibre a topic of interest for all of these.

What are the key highlights of the event?

Laser World of Photonics India is the fastest growing platform in India to showcase the prominence of laser in today's world, and highlight its potential for the future through the trade fair. The exhibition will present the full spectrum of the photonics industry - components and manufacturing equipment.

Although laser and photonics are new technologies for the Indian industry, their varied applications across sectors are remarkable. Photonics, the technology of light energy, is considered to be the technology of the 21st century. It has become a fundamental technology in worldwide manufacturing industry, telecommunication, computing, healthcare and many other applications because of its advantage to work more effectively, minimally invasive and with greater precision and speed. The growing numbers of practical applications of photonics makes it an important field both for research and commercial development.

Laser World of Photonics India revolves around innovative products as well as the mentioned industrial solutions and applications, which reflects actual developments in the industry around the world. The exhibition intends to boost growth of the Indian laser industry by focusing on the industry's leading technologies.

Which companies will present their applications at Laser World of Photonics India 2014?

Spread across 35,000 sq.ft of space, the exhibition has received an overwhelming response. Key players like TRUMPF, Laser Science, Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd, IPG Photonics, EKSPLA, Amada Miyachi, Precitec, Mahr, Magod Laser, and Dynotech Instruments are among others who are present at the show.

Any concurrent programme with the exhibition?

Laser World of Photonics India is not just a trade fair, it offers the industry and visitors a perfect platform to network with the research academicians, experts, scientists and other renowned personalities of the Laser and Photonics industry. Like all our previous edition, this year also we have power packed conference/seminar and workshop.

On 23rd September there are short courses on Packaging of Optoelectronic Components and Nanophotonics: Design, Fabrication and Characterisation offered by The Optical Society (OSA). Also, MMI India along with The Optical Society of India is organising a Seminar on Laser Basics and Applications: The Way Forward.

On 24th September for the first time, The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has joined hands with Laser World of Photonics India and is organising a national conference on "Smart Manufacturing" to keep the automotive industry updated on the latest technologies and application of lasers for innovating manufacturing capabilities.

What are the objectives of this show?

The main objective of Laser World of Photonics India is to develop and grow diverse industrial applications in India with the use of laser technology, boost the awareness for the laser and photonics technology, deliver important impetus for Indian research institutes and universities in photonics, interlink the research sector and industry for the development of the technology. The event's claim - Progress in Light - reflects the development and growth opportunities that "light technology" has to offer Indian industry.

What are the key product areas at Laser World of Photonics India?

The key product areas are: Lasers and Optoelectronics, Optics, Sensors, Test and Measurement and Optical Measurement Systems, Laser Systems for Production Engineering and Optical Information Technology.

What profile of visitors will this event attract?

Visitors from rapidly growing industries such as automobile manufacturing, electronics, aviation and aerospace, photovoltaic and telecommunication should find the industry specific fair very interesting. However, in order to meet demand for goods in rapidly developing countries, branches and sectors such as precision mechanics, optics, jewellery production, textiles, and tool manufacturers have high demand for multidisciplinary technologies such as photonics and lasers. The event addresses users in the manufacturing industry as well as scientists and researchers.

How is Laser World of Photonics India different from other trade shows?

Messe M?nchen International is one of the world's leading trade fair organizers, offering around 40 trade fairs for industrial goods, consumer goods and new technologies in Munich alone. Every year we welcome over 30,000 exhibitors and more than 2 million visitors to Munich. In the laser and photonics sector, Messe M?nchen brings to India 40 years of experience with backed by a worldwide network of major laser and photonics associations and leading industry players. In India, Laser World of Photonics India is the only trade-fair on Lasers and Photonics.