INTRODUCTION :

NICTAS is a Sectoral Information Centre under the National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) Programme of Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. It was set up at the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA), Ahmedabad in 1987. ATIRA is the pioneer in Textile Research and Development work in India and known internationally for its achievments.

Since the Indian economy has opened out for the world, under the GATT aggreement, the Indian Textile Industry is facing new challenges from International entrepreneurs. Therefore, today's managers / technologists / entrepreneurs / traders as well as policy makers need to expand their knowledge base to function more competitively. NICTAS is playing the role of information provider to fulfill these needs of the textile and allied industries in India.

NICTAS is a national effort towards optimum utilisation of available resources. The policy decisions of NICTAS are taken by a Committee, chaired by the Director, ATIRA, consisting of eminent personalities from all fields of textile. Services generated by NICTAS are expected to earn enough to cover all its recurring expenses.

OBJECTIVES :

• To integrate the economic, scientific, and technical information systems and services related to textile and allied subjects and services into an effective network - with the co-operation of textile research institutions, industry, trade and their associations, Government and other agencies.
• To build up a comprehensive collection of textile information from all available sources in the world with special emphasis on India.
• To develop resources and to propogate information in ways appropriate to the needs of users.
• To create awareness amongst all users' groups and to educate them in the utilisation of information.

FACILITES :

• A rich information collection in ATIRA Library which is unparalleled in India and staff of NICTAS Information Centre for quick responses.
• Computerised Library collection and created database of information published in India.
• Privilege of using all the infrastructural facilities of ATIRA.
• Fully equiped with all modern communication modes for quick response.
• Connection with other Information Centres in the country for exchange of the information.

NACID CENTRE at NICTAS for ANY SUBJECTS INFORMATION :

NACID centre is an extension of the NICTAS activities for serving users of all subjects, seeking for an information published globally in any discipline. NACID Centre is equip with a global connectivity and access to a commercial datacentres in the world offering databases on various subjects with uptodate information. For detail information please click the NACID link.

SERVICES OFFERED :

• CULT (Current Universal Literature on Textiles) : NICTAS, stregthens its users by providing more and more, relevant nascent information to the needed. Information is a commodity which helps to lay a concrete foundation in all walks of life. NICTAS is more concerned about the quality of the Researchers, Technocrats, Industrialists, etc. in the fields of Textile. Hence, NICTAS has developed a database covering the published literature in the field of TEXTILES during 1972 onwards. If you want to keep fully abreast of the latest information in your fields of interest, NICTAS can bring it to your table, without your having to request for it everytime. All you have to do is to cultivate this CULT culture. This is a standing order service.
• DOCUMENT PROCUREMENT : Procuring published papers, patent, standards, reports, conference proceedings, directories, etc.
• TRANSLATION SERVICE : Translation into English language from non-english languages.
• REFERRAL SERVICE : Giving reference to other organisations which have/can supply the needed information.
• REFERENCE SERVICE : Answers to a variety of queries:
  o Names and addresses of manufacturers and suppliers in India/abroad
  o Patent on a topic/ item
  o Standards on test methods/ products, etc.
  
• CONTENTS PAGE/S OF PERIODICALS : Supply of photocopies of contents pages of journals received by ATIRA/NICTAS.
• REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES : Supply of microfilms/photocopies.

PUBLICATIONS :

TEXINCON :

A quarterly periodical giving summarised information of interest to identified users' groups in the textile and allied industries in developing countries. The carefully designed contents of TEXINCON ensure that all users' groups would find some information of use in some context in each issue. Special features of the TEXINCON are :

• One lead article in a significant area written by a specialist for TEXINCON only.
• Contains 200 self-contained summaries of articles, books, developments, etc.
• 50 references of specific topics in the SPOTLIGHT section.
• VITAMIN a supplement which contains100 references classified according to the TEXINCON classes.
• Available in : Paper copy and IBM-PC Compatible Diskette.
• TEXINCON has received widespread acclaim from about a dozen different User Groups from developing countries.

STATE-OF-THE-ART-REPORTS Series: Under this activity, NICTAS is trying to cover various micro topics useful to Indian textile industry. Reports published so far under this series are --

1. APPAREL INDUSTRY IN INDIA :

   
   - Author : Dr. Ms.Ila Kantilal

2. DECENTRALISED SECTORS OF INDIAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY :

   
   - Authors : Dr. R.S. Gandhi, Mr. Y.C. Mehta and Mr. A.B. Talele

3. RAYON INDUSTRY IN INDIA :

   
   - Authors : Dr. B.H. Chalishazar

4. WOOL IN INDIAN TEXTILES :

   
   - Authors : Mr. N.P. Gupta, Mr. P.C. Patni and Dr. S. Parthasarathy

5. NEW HORIZONS FOR JUTE :

   
   - Authors : Dr. Ranganathan and Mr, Z.A. Quayyum

6. ROTOR SPINNING : Its Advantages, Limitations and Prospects in India

   
   - Authors : Dr. K. R. Salhotra and Dr. S. M. Ishthiaque

PUBLISHING SHORTLY in this Series :-

• MODERN WEAVING TECHNOLOGIES : Quo Vadis? What is Relevant for India

  
  - Authors : Dr. M. K. Talukdar and Prof. D. B. Ajgaonkar

REPORTS UNDER PREPARATION :-

• HANDLOOMS IN INDIA :

  
  - Authors : Dr. B.P. Sarkar and Mr. M.Prasad