OB DAY HELD ON 21.06.2008

A message from the President, OBA SSKZM.

Dear Alumni,

I am writing this to thank the Alumni who attended the OB Day functions on 21.06.08 and making it a grand success.

The minutes of the meeting of the AGBM held and the list of new office bearers would be separately circulated.

I would like to thank Shri Rajookrishnan, Vice President OBASSKZM who volunteered to step down this year due to his personal commitments. He has been the guiding pillar of the OBA EXEC Committee.

Similarly, I would like to thank Shri Jayshankar Warrier, outgoing General Secretary who also stepped down voluntarily. Shri Jayshankar Warrier inspite of his poor health coordinated all the activities of the OBA very well for the last two years.

Special thanks to Shri Haridas and 13 of his batchmates for sponsoring drinking water (mineral water) on OB Day.

The function began with a Guard of Honour at 0830 hrs by the SSKZM cadets to the Chief Guest Lt Gen SP Sreekumar PVSM AVSM ADC, SO-in-C followed by the 'Wreath Laying Ceremony'. Many senior Old Boys of the 1960s batches, 70s and 80s batches also attended the function.

This was followed by the inauguration of the Multimedia Lab by the Chief Guest who was instrumental in getting the computers from Army Headquarters.

After this the solemn ceremony of unveiling the Bust of Captain R Harshan , Ashok Chakra was done by the Chief Guest in presence of Harshan's father Shri Radhakrishnan Nair. I must mention here that the Alumni has been very generous in contributing for this noble venture.

The Harshan Pavilion in the Parade Ground was then inaugurated by Harshan's father. Mrs NJC Nair and son were also inviteees for this function.This idea of constructing a Pavilion was mooted by Harshan's batchmates - Sunil Gregory, Manu and others.

After this, the customary Cricket match (reduced to 10 overs), Basketball match, Volleyball match and Football match were played. The OBs won all matches except Cricket.

The AGBM was held therefater. There were not many points to be discussed. The Minutes of this Meeting will be circulated separately.

Lunch was held in two shifts - first shift for ladies at 1245 hrs - ladies and children were very Happy - also some enterprising Old Boys joined in the first shift (about 150 Old Boys only). I do not know the reason for this. Maybe they felt that the ladies and Children would leave nothing for the second shift.

However, the Registrar SSKZM took charge of the situation and thus there was ample food for the second shift also at 1430 hrs.

The career guidance counselling by Alumni was next. This was not carried out as expected as some OBs who volunteered to help did not turn up!!

The final event of the Day was the Commemoration Meeting and the GURUVANDANAM wherein the Masters (Retired as well as Present) were honoured by the sponsoring batch (batches of 1974 and 1983). Trophies and cash prizes donated by OBASSKZM were also distributed. In addition, SBI donated computers as well as cash prizes to SSKZM. This was due to the efforts of Col (Retd) Abraham K George (1970 batch).

The Chief Guest for this function was Lt Gen Sreekumar. In addition, we had a surprise guest - the Honourable member of Parliament Shri PC Thomas. Shri PC Thomas in his brief speech kept the audience spell bound by his narration of stories of the initial years at Pangode and Kazhakootam. Lt Gen Sreekumar in his speech exhorted the cadets to do well in their careers after leaving SSKZM and promised all help from the Alumni for this. Speeches were also given by Col Ajit Kumar Principal and Capt Louis George, OBA President.The Vote of thanks was proposed by Cdr R Maroli, the newly elected Joint Secretary of OBA.

The function ended with tea and refreshments.

The OBA is thankful to Col Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM, Lt Col Thomas (Registrar), Shri Sarma (Senior Master) and all other members of teaching as well as non-teaching staff for the wonderful efforts put in to make the functions on 21.06.08 a grand success. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. I am confident that this cooperation and Synergy between SSKZM and OBA would continue in the coming years also.

After the Old Boys' Day, I received an interesting feedback from a few families. They appreciated the efforts put in by all, OBA as well as SSKZM - like games for families , conducted tour, early lunch etc. However, they feel that there should be some organised programme (like GANAMELA) followed by dinner. This would be an occassion for Alumni to interact with each other and their families (and also to unwind after the running around at SSKZM the whole day).This need not be held at SSKZM. this could be held at Kazhakootam / Trivandrum.

May I request the sponsoring batch (1984 batch) to consider this event also whilst working out the Budget for sponsoring next year's OB Day (on Saturday 20 June 2009).

with warm regards,

Captain Louis George Meprath (642 / 1972)
President, OBASSKZM