Minutes of meeting - 2nd OBA executive committee meeting

The second executive committee meeting of OBA was held at SSKZM on 30 Dec 2007.

The following Attended the meeting

From School

1. Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM and Patron, OBASSKZM.
2. Mr K Rajendran, Master - Coordinator OBASSKZM.

OBA

1. Captain Louis George Meprath (642 / 1972), President.
2. Dr Jayasankar R Warier (952 / 1980), General Secretary.
3. Mr G Jayakumar (892 / 1979), Treasurer
4. Mr Raj Kumar S (2569/1995). Joint Secretary
5. Mr U Thaju (1643/1986), EC Member (1986-90)
6. Mr P Premchandran Pillai (768 / 1977), Ex-General Secretary
7. Lt Colonel Rajesh K Nair (1039/1980), Ex- Registrar, SSKZM

The points discussed are as shown below

1. Welcome address by President OBASSKZM.
2. Address by Patron, OBASSKZM
3. Bust in honour of Late Captain Harshan, Ashok Chakra (2776 / 1997)
4. Students' Aid Fund
5. Pavilion Project of 1997 batch
6. OBA 2008 General Format of Programmes on OB day
7. Fees issue - contribution of State Govt. towards scholarships
8. Creation of blog
9. Any other points by the members

Welcome Address by President, OBA SSKZM

The meeting began by observing a minute's silence in memory of the dear departed Alumni. Thereafter, the President in his address thanked Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Mr K Rajendran and the OBA members for taking pains to be present for the EC meeting on a Sunday afternoon. The President informed that the OBA would continue to work in synergy with the School authorities for the development of the cadets.

Address by Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM and Patron,OBA SSKZM

The Principal briefed the gathering on the happenings at SSKZM. The following significant points were brought out:

1. Swimming Pool: The Swimming Pool construction though over; cannot still be utilised due to non-commissioning of the purifying plant and non -construction of the boundary wall. Without a proper boundary wall and a purifying plant, it would be unsafe to commission the Swimming Pool. Both these issues are being regularly taken up with the State Govt. The boundary wall would cost around Rs. 8.00 lakhs. The State Govt has not yet sanctioned funds for these
2. Computer Lab. A lecture hall has been converted into a Multi Media lab for use by the students. 36 networked computers with LCD projection systems etc will be housed in this hall with internet and digital display facility also provided. The computers promised during the visit of Gen JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, the then Chief of the Army Staff during his visit to the School in Feb 2007 will also be housed in this hall
3. Clock Tower. The Clock Tower is functioning well. However, the proposal to construct an internet hub on the first floor has still not materialised due to lack of funding by the State Govt. In addition, the finishing touches to the Clock Tower are still awaited.
4. Annual Day / POP. All events like Annual Day / POP were well conducted. Alumni also participated in these events. The Principal was proud to mention that for the first time in the history of SSKZM, a girl cadet also took part in the Passing - Out - Parade. This is a great achievement for the School as well as for the Alumni, as the girl Cadet (Cadet Priyanka) is the daughter of Lt Col Rajesh K Nair, Ex-Registrar of SSKZM.

The agenda points were then taken up for discussions.

Bust in honour of Late Captain R Harshan (2776 / 1977) , AC by OBA SSKZM: The President intimated that a Bust of Late Captain R Harshan, AC could be installed in the second quadrangle of the School Main Building. The Principal kindly agreed to the request made by the OBAEC that the installation work should be taken up by SSKZM. Funding for this would be provided by the OBA. The work is expected to take about 6 to 8 months to complete at an approximate cost of Rs. 1.60 lakhs (inclusive of Bust and structure surrounding the Bust - similar to the existing Bust of Late Colonel NJC Nair, AC, KC in the first quadrangle). The President thanked the Principal for agreeing to take up this task.

Students' Aid Fund: The President intimated that the existing procedure of identifying SAF beneficiaries by the School Authorities was adequate. The amounts given to each cadet under this scheme was Rs. 1000/-. However, this could be enhanced on a case-to-case basis.

Pavilion Project 1997 batch: The President intimated that he is in regular touch with Mr. Sunil Jose Gregory (2731 / 1997) regarding the Pavilion Project. The present status is that fund collection drive from batch-mates is on in full swing. The construction activity is likely to be started in Feb 2007.

OBA 2008 General Format of Programmes on OB day: The President intimated that based on the feedback received from Alumni, the General format for conduct of the OB day would generally remain unchanged viz. Wreath laying, Cricket Match, GBM, Football / Basketball / Volleyball matches, Commemoration Meeting etc. The finer details like timing for the various events would be finalised in the next meeting. However, points brought out by Alumni like provision of Bottled water at vantage points, programmes for family members, more registration counters, counters for career guidance to be manned by Alumni from various fields etc. would be kept in mind for implementation during OB day 2008.

Fees issue - contribution of State Govt: Mr. Premchandran Pillai gave a briefing on the subject. The current rate of Tuition Fees is Rs. 40,180/- for all cadets. Of this, the Kerala State Government contributes only Rs. 14,000/- for a full scholarship holder. At present, a major part of this fees are utilised for payment of salary and pensions of the Staff. The Tuition Fees are expected to go up once the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are implemented. It was the general opinion that the salary and pensions of the Staff should be paid either by the State Govt. or the Central Govt. The President intimated that the OBA would take up the matter at the appropriate forum at Delhi.

Creation of blog: The President informed that Mr. Raj Kumar (2569/1995), Joint Secretary has created a blog. Information could be posted on the blog by sending an E Mail to news@sskzm.org. The Principal also intimated that news items from SSKZM and photographs would be sent for inclusion. The President thanked the Principal for the same.

Any other points. Lt Col Rajesh Nair brought out the fact that there is a Master who retired prior to 1989 (i.e. before the pension scheme came into effect). He is not in receipt of any pension from SSKZM. Lt Col Rajesh was of the view that the OBA should consider giving a one - time grant to him as Gurudakshina. The President OBA requested the Principal to intimate how many Staff / Masters had retired prior to implementation of the pension scheme (indicating the date they joined SSKZM and the date they retired / resigned). The President opined that a decision on this point could be taken after the relevant information is obtained from SSKZM.

There being no other points the meeting was adjourned at 1730 hours.

Dr. Jayasankar R Warier, 952 / 1980
General Secretary, OBASSKZM
04 January 2008