My First Industrial Visit of the Year – An Experience to Remember

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Greetings, everyone!

Celestial V, aka CH, here with yet another interesting experience to share—and this marks my first blog of the year! Without any delay, let’s dive right in.


A few days before January 9th, I received a WhatsApp notification about an industrial visit to the National Small Industries Corporation - Technical Service Center (NSIC-TSC) for second-year students. At first, I was sure I wouldn’t go—a clear no. But as time passed, the thought of missing this opportunity kept nagging at me. During the Sankranti celebration, I spoke to my faculty regarding the visit’s timings, and something in that conversation pushed me to change my decision. I decided to go, ready to face any consequences that might come my way.

After getting my mom’s approval, I was set for the visit. But another challenge awaited me—my health. Traveling by bus has never been a pleasant experience for me. This time, I had to handle myself. The excitement was real; I couldn't sleep the whole night.

The next morning, I packed my bag with snacks—especially Oreo, my go-to travel treat. Even though the journey was just 48 minutes, my previous bad experiences of traveling alone haunted me. Overthinking tired me and gave me a headache, but I knew I had to manage. To distract myself during the journey, I munched on Oreos and drank water while enjoying the scenic views of buildings, landscapes, and good music. Lost in my thoughts about the place and the learning experiences ahead, time flew by. After battling traffic for an hour, we finally reached our destination.






Exploring NSIC-TSC

The place was beautiful, filled with greenery and impressive infrastructure—an indicator that the experience would be worth it. Upon arrival, we headed to the seminar hall for an introductory session. A speaker introduced himself and NSIC-TSC, explaining its role in supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He outlined how the center assists businesses with marketing, training, credit support, and platform-building.

He elaborated on NSIC-TSC’s marketing assistance, which includes:

  1. Single Point Registration Scheme

  2. Tender and Consortia Marketing

  3. Raw Material Distribution

  4. E-Marketing Portal

  5. Marketing Events and Exhibitions.



  6. He also discussed how NSIC-TSC aids in the design and testing of defense products and provides support for commercial schemes. The four pillars of their mission—Marketing, Manpower, Money, and Material—were explained, along with the fact that there are eight NSIC-TSCs across India. The facility also provides manufacturing prototypes, PCB designs, and local energy support through energy audits for industries.

Additionally, we learned about their official website (MSME Global Market) and the Online Finance Facility Center (OFC). He highlighted the Rapid Incubation Program, where EV motor batteries are currently undergoing testing. Other key topics included government schemes, internships, and skill development courses under PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) and the Aspire Scheme.

Some of the ongoing projects showcased included:       

  • Automatic Sanitizer Machines

  • Women Safety Vehicles

  • EV Battery Testing

  • Vehicle Movement Control via RF Frequency

  • 3D Printer PrototypeS

Hands-on Exploration

After the briefing, we were divided into teams to explore different labs efficiently. The first stop was a lab where we saw various innovations:

  1. NVR (Network Video Recorder): Unlike a DVR, this IP-enabled device had internet connectivity and a hard disk for video recall and recording. It can be used in examination centers for live monitoring and can rotate up to 180 degrees.

  2. Panel Cleaning Robot: A prototype designed to clean solar panels effectively without causing damage.

  3. Line Following Robot: A robot capable of tracking live locations.

  4. Lithium-Ion Lead Acid Battery: Currently under testing for EV vehicles.

  5. Head-Motion Controlled Vehicle: A mobility vehicle designed for physically challenged individuals and patients. It operates on LoRa technology, requiring a transmitter fitted in the brain, but they are still searching for a portable energy source.

  6. Top-to-Bottom and Bottom-to-Top 3D Printers: While the bottom-to-top printer was standard, the top-to-bottom printer was fascinating, featuring an inverted platform and producing crystal-clear products.



Lunch Break & Fun Exploration

After our technical tour, we gathered for lunch. Our faculty ordered biryani for everyone, and my friends were especially excited about the chicken biryani. We sat together, ate, and enjoyed the moment.

Post-lunch, my friends and I decided to explore the buildings a little. We took the lift, visited different floors, and then took the stairs down, making it a fun adventure. We roamed the campus, noticing students staring at us as if we were aliens. Of course, we clicked some pictures before heading back to the seminar hall for one final interaction session.



Final Interaction & Business Insights

The speaker covered various business models, providing valuable insights into:

  • Freemium Business Model: Basic features are free, but premium features require a subscription (e.g., apps with free and paid versions).

  • Subscription Business Model: Recurring payments for services (e.g., Netflix, Spotify).

  • Marketplace Business Model: Platforms connecting buyers and sellers (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart).

  • Franchise Business Model: Businesses operating under a parent company’s brand (e.g., McDonald's, Paradise Biryani).

  • Razor Blade Business Model: A company provides both the product and the service (e.g., Gillette’s razors and blades).



He also discussed the Udyam Registration process, which is essential for anyone with an idea or prototype, as it allows access to incubation centers for testing and development.







Wrapping Up the Visit

With that, our visit came to an end. We gathered, boarded our buses, and retraced our journey home. Along the way, I spotted a military tank again—a fitting symbol of the knowledge we had gained. Our chase for learning ended for the day, but the excitement for future explorations had only begun.

Thank you for reading and for your time, dear readers. Stay tuned for more experiences ahead!

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