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Air Force Association - India
To broaden public understanding of Air Force's role in the nation's security and welfare

To broaden public understanding of Air Force's role in the nation's security and welfare

Kerala

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2011-05-20 08:31

President:
President : Air Cmde NUK Nair VSM (Retd)
Date of holding of the appointment : 2006
Address : TC-55/2233, Geetham Sai Nagar, Pappanamclode
Trivandrum-695018, Kerala
Contact Numbers : 9846086134
E-mail ID : reachnuknair@gmail.com		 Secretery
Secretary : HFL S Sreekumar (Retd)
Date of holding of the appointment : 2008
Address : TC-14/2064, Amritakripa
Venpalavattom, Anayara.PO
Trivandrum-695029 Kerala
Contact Numbers : 9895230822
E-mail ID : amritakripasree@indiatimes.com
Treasurer
Treasurer : Ex-JWO G Prahaladan
Date of holding of the appointment : 2006
Address : Govindam, Post Office Jn.
Maniyar.PO, Punalur,
Kollam-691325, Kerala
Contact Numbers : 9495432091
E-mail ID (if any) : Nil		 Branch Contact Details
C/O HQ SAC (U), AF
Akkulam
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala - 695031
Contact Numbers -0471-2551361 Office Extn- 7606
E-mail: afakerala@rediffmail.com
 

History of Air force association Kerala

 

Branch

The Branch was formed in 1981 with AVM KA Joseph (Retd) as the first Branch President. The Branch started its functioning from Kottayam, about a hundred miles north of Thiruvananthapuram. After the demise of AVM KA Joseph, the first Branch president Wg Cdr AG Mathews took over as President in 1984. Four years later in 1988, when Wg Cdr AF Mathews shifted to Chennai, Air Cmde G Radhakrishana (Retd) became the third president of the Branch, a post which he held for almost 14 years till handing over charge in May 2002 to AVM KB Kurup, VSM (Retd), the present Branch President.

The Branch Office was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram in 1988. The location and address of the Branch office was the residence of the last President, which happened to be located close to HQ SAC, IAF, then. In Aug 2003, a small but well furnished office accommodation was provided by the unit administration in the SMC building in the domestic campus of HQ SAC. A Clk GD tradesman posted to HQ SAC to work at AFA

The membership of the Branch has steadily grown over the years mainly through central recruitment at the time of retirement of the individual. From strength of about 1600 in 1993, the strength has now become 7000. Branch recruitment has also picked up over the years and the drive is on to enroll each and every retired Air force Personnel residing in the state. A unique feature of Kerala Branch is that the strength is almost uniformly distributed throughout the length and breadth of the state. Except for two smaller border districts, the remaining twelve districts have an approximate strength of around 500-700.

The Branch follows an organizational structure similar to that of the Central Office. The President is assisted by a management Committee consisting of vice president, a Hony Secretary and an Hony Treasurer. All these are nominated. There is an Executive Committee similar to the Governing Council at the Head Office in Delhi, consisting of 12 members, each representing a district, as far as possible. Six of them were elected during the last Branch AGM and six have been nominated. While the office bearers transact day to day business, the executive committee meets periodically to review functioning of the Branch. Another feature of our functioning has been that the Branch AGM and Family get-together are held in rotation at different locations each year. This gives an opportunity to members residing in all regions of the state to participate.

Because Kerala has only one Air force formation as a focal point, viz, HQ SAC in Thiruvananthapuram, contact and communication with members residing far and wide across the length of the state has always remained a serous problem. Information needs to be disseminated periodically to members on pension and welfare matters, medical care policies, job opportunities etc. 

In order to enhance interaction between members and to improve communication and dissemination of information at grass root level, district wise chapters have been started since year 2002. The executive member from each district has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the effort. So far there are eight such district wise chapters functioning. More would be planned in due course of time. These chapters hold periodic meetings/family get-togethers where dissemination of information takes place and problems faced by members are discussed and suitable advice rendered especially in matter concerning family welfare.

A monthly newsletter has been started from Apr 2004, which is sent by e-mail to all members having an e-mail ID and to chapter offices for dissemination of information to members. This newsletter covers information received from Head Office for dissemination to members as well as information on employment opportunities, death of members, seeking old friends, etc.
 

Branch Activities

 

The Annual General Body Meeting for 2011 of AFA Kerala Branch was conducted on        18 Dec 2011.  As has been the normal tradition of rotation of location, this year, the meeting and family get-together was held at Dist. Co-operative Bank Auditorium, Pulimoodu Jn., Mavelikkara, Alappuzha.  The meeting was coordinated by Alappuzha chapter of this branch.

 

Around 800 members & their families attended the meeting. The meeting commenced at 1000 hrs with a prayer.  Alappuzha Chapter President Wg Cdr (Retd) CO John, welcomed all those present.  This was followed by Presidential Address by the Branch President Air Cmde NUK Nair VSM (Retd).  He outlined the growth of the branch since its formation and highlighted important aspects concerning the members.  Later, seminars on health care tips and various ECHS facilities by O i/c ECHS, Alappuzha and welfare matters by Zila Sainik Welfare officer were conducted.

 

Air Mshl SP Singh AVSM VM, AOC-in-C Southern Air Command, IAF was the chief guest.   In his inaugural address he spoke about the activities being launched by Air Force for the welfare of retired air warriors.  He was very happy to see such a huge gathering of         Ex-Airwarriors and families.  The Air Mshl graciously went to the octogenarians present at their seats for a warm shake-hand and to inquire about their well-being and present them with AFA mementoes.  Air Mshl SP Singh gave away cash awards and merit certificates to the children of AFA members who had scored very high marks in the class X examinations.  A cash award of Rs. 1001/- to the top scorer of the merit list is sponsored by Ex-JWO Radhakrishnan VSM on an yearly basis.  Other cash awards of scholarship endowment (Rs. 1000/- each) is instituted by HQ SAC, IAF. 

 

Followed by this, the Air Mshl delivered an inspiring address to all AFA members and senior veterans, which was applauded by all.  He has presented a beautiful photograph of SU-30 aircraft to the Air Force Association Kerala Branch. The AGM concluded with a happy note, greeting each other a happy and prosperous X’mas & New Year.

 

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