Discussion Forum
From the President's Desk
30-09-2022,
SSKZM Old Boys Association
Qtr. No. E-111,
Sainik School P.O,
Kazhakootam,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695585
22 Aug 2022
Dear members,
You are aware that it is only through contributions from members that OBA is able to undertake projects and activities for the benefit of our school and cadets. The current Executive Committee had carried out an assessment of the state of funds of the OBA and have decided that there is an urgent need for a fund raising. So, on behalf of the Executive Committee, I request all members for voluntary contributions to the OBA.
I wish to elaborate it a little more so that everyone gets a clear idea regarding the state of funds and its utilisation. As on 31 Mar 2022 we had a total of INR 70,23,101.83 in our accounts which are under two sub heads, Capital Accounts and Students Scholarship Fund (SSF). The Capital Head held a sum of INR 43,66,144.83 and SSF a sum of INR 26,47,331.00 (The difference of INR 9626.00 in the total is due to income received in Advance). Almost all of it has been invested in Fixed Deposits earning about INR 2,00,000/- and INR 1,25,000/- as interest in the two accounts respectively in a year . The interest income is taxable and we have been paying our taxes regularly. However, contributions by members are non-taxable. You will agree that a 53-year-old organisation like ours should be much healthier financially.
In addition to the interest from FDs, the OBA receives additional income in the form of Membership Fee and Old Boys Day Collections. This amount varies but on an average we get a total of about INR 1,30,000/- from these two heads. The expenditures have been tightly controlled and it is ensured that some amount is added to the corpus every year. The SSF is only utilised to support cadets who are unable to pay their Annual School Fees. You would be disappointed to know that we are able to give only INR 60,000/- towards support to poor students out of SSF. All other expenses including payment to the accountant, rent for office, website expenses, presentation of monetary awards to cadets, payment for plaques for OBA Achievement Awards, expenditure on OBA sponsored events (Late Harshan Memorial Basketball Tournament, Late NJ Nair Memorial Quiz/Debate Competition and Late NBN Memorial Teachers Enrichment Programme) and other miscellaneous expenditures are being paid from the Capital Account head. As you can see income is barely sufficient to fund the existing activities and we are unable to undertake any other activity for cadets, staff of the school or young Old Boys.
It is a relief that Sponsoring Batches took care of the expenditures during Old Boys Day in the previous years. However, the COVID Pandemic caused a major upset and Old Boys Day 2022 had to be held without the support of a Sponsoring Batch. The entire expenditure on the Old Boys Day, amounting to approximately INR 5 lakhs, had to be spent from the Capital Account of OBA thus depleting the Corpus by that amount.
Thus, it is absolutely necessary that we approach you all for generous contributions to the OBA account as depletion of Corpus would further reduce the amount available to fund the existing activities of the OBA. I urge all members to contribute as our strength lies in numbers and participation irrespective of amounts contributed by individuals.
The current EC would like to undertake meaningful and productive activities for overall growth of the school and also help young Old Boys. These would be in consultation with the school and after proper deliberations, taking into consideration the popular views of the members as well. I am sure we will receive your wholehearted support in making the OBA relevant and vibrant.
The Bank account details for the fund transfer are as under:-
Account No: 16170200005935
Account Name: M/s SSKZM OBA
IFSC: FDRL0001617
Federal Bank, Kazhakuttom
UPI ID: sskzmoba1@fbl
For easy transfer of money we have obtained UPI ID for the account as well. It is very important that you mention your Roll Number and name in the transaction while transferring the amount. This will help in accounting the receipts properly. We need to establish that these are contribution from members for it to be considered non-taxable.
With warm regards
Yours Sincerely,
Col M Sajjad (Retd) 574/74
President SSKZM OBA
From OBA President - State of Our School.. Dire Straits?
14-10-2020,
My dear Kazakhs,
1. I write to seek the assistance of Old Boys (OBs) to help out SSKZM on two pressing issues. Firstly, the dwindling financial assistance from Kerala govt for running of the School, including pay and pension of staff. Secondly, as to what assistance can be rendered by the OBA to improve the intake into NDA. We have lot many influential and well placed OBs amongst us, who can exert influence at the political and bureaucratic level, as also advice on the NDA intake.
2. I shall request the batch reps to circulate this to your respective batches by way of their batch WhatsApp group or Googlegroup/ Yahoogroup and obtain feedback/ ideas from them. 1974 batch has volunteered to collate these feedbacks and put it up to the EC for further action. To this end, I shall request the batch reps to either post your reply in the OBA Batch Council group or PM to Col Sajjad, No 8547940918 , mail id sajjad574@hotmail.com or Brig Josekutty, No 9619498282 or mail id josekutty_kurian@yahoo.co.in.
3. Financial Assistance from Kerala govt. SSKZM requires approximately Rs 10 crores every year from the State govt, on recurrent basis, for its smooth running, including payment of pay and pensions to staff. The previous LBA Chairman, Air Marshal Suresh, C-in-C Southern Air Command used to take lots of interest in the School and with his good equation with the Kerala govt hierarchy, he could have his way. Things are not that smooth presently.
4. The top Kerala govt hierarchy, including Mr Thomas Isaac, Finance minister, is fully seized of the problem, but the present financial crunch resulting from COVID, has made it difficult for them. It is here that we require the intervention of some influential OBs, who can continue pushing at the top political (more important) and bureaucratic level. The School is interested in pushing through a long term MOU with the Kerala govt, so that this yearly ritual of going around with the begging bowl can be avoided. Suggestions and ideas from OBs to mitigate this problem would be most welcome.
5. Intake into NDA. By now it's a known fact that the poor intake into NDA is the root cause for Kerala govt's apathy towards our cause. They are rightly pointing out as to why they should spend so much money on the School, when the basic purpose for its setting up is not being met, ie being a feeder institution for the Defence Forces Academies.
6. Interaction by few of the concerned OBs with students, ex-students and parents reveals that it is not the disinterest of the students which is the primary reason for such pathetic intake into NDA. Many of the genuinely interested cadets are not able to clear the UPSC exam, because it's much more tougher these days, I am told.
7. The OBA intends to initiate the following actions in the foreseeable future, of course with permission and concurrence of the School administration:-
a) Reps of the volunteer OBs, if required, with a hired Psychologist, interact informally with the senior students, without the presence of School staff or senior administrators. Starting with 12th std, we can have separate sittings with upto 9th std.
b) Again OBA reps would interact with the PTA President and other volunteer parents of present and ex-students to get their side of the story, as to what is lacking- is it lack of interest or motivation of the students or is it lack of proper coaching and guidance for the UPSC exam and SSB interview? Again, it should be 1-on-1 with parents only with no School staff present.
c) OBA reps should interact with the present teaching staff of the School and get their views, ideas and suggestions for improving this pathetic state of affairs, which in all fairness, is a blot on the teaching staff too.
d) After all these interactions, the nominated OBA team should give a detailed presentation to the School administration, ie the Principal, Headmaster and Adm Officer, with the recommendations and the way forward. This OBA committee should continue to interact with the School to help them out as and when they face any hinderance, either by way of procedural or financial.
8. If required, OBA could also financially sponsor special coaching sessions for UPSC exam and SSB interview, for both present and past students, by specialised coaching academics in Kerala or if required even from Delhi, by getting their faculty over to the School campus. I am sure our illustrious alumni would be willing to financially help in such positive ventures of the OBA.
9. All of us Kazakhs owe it to that great institution for what we are today. It is therefore incumbent on us to rise to the occasion and help it out during this difficult period that it is passing through.
Thanking you all and Jai Hind.
Cdr Sam T Samuel
President, OBA SSKZM
.A Tribute to Gen Isaac John Koshy by K Babu Gireesh 158/65
25-07-2020,
Isaac John Koshy was an elite athlete. Virtually at every athletic meet he represented our school, he won a trophy or championship. In school, he was unstoppable. He won almost all events he participated except for the 100 hundred meters which Mathew C. Kottam (13), who is no more with us, gave him a decent challenge. A slow start meant Kottam winning the race. Other events like long jump, hop step and jump, 200M and high jump, he breezed thru, with convincing wins. Hard work, perseverance and self-discipline contributed to his success.
Isaac John Koshy, only child born to doctor parents in Mavellikara, joined Sainik School in Class IX in June 1962. He was in my house, “New Blue House”. Quite tall for his age, slim and friendly, with his hair parted in the middle, he stood out among the new comers. He did well in studies. Few weeks into school he would be shifted to a group of students who were given special coaching in athletics, during our PT time. Athletics was quite natural to him, not surprising, given the fact that his father was a good football player. Though he had only a short 18 months stay in school, he dramatically improved his athletic skills and become a serious contender with M.C.Kottam, then the all Kerala Schools 100 M juniors champion. By the time we moved to Kazhakootam, he has established himself as a force to reckon with in athletics. Not only us, but our parents including mine (know very little about sports) were impressed about his athletic abilities. Of course, his parents were the proudest. (Many parents came to school on “sports” day to meet and watch their wards in action).
Koshy had a friendly, calm demeanor. Joined NDA after his 10th standard. He was a great “cheer” leader, on and off the athletic field. Those days, I used to dabble in basic Calculus, just out of curiosity, and one day, Koshy came to know about it. He came to me after dinner and complimented my self-study. I did not think too much of it then. But years later I realized that the compliment showed a very high level of civic maturity that the 15 year old had. He always kept his cool even when something did not go his way which was very seldom. He had enough time to explain should one have any question whether it was Physics, the SSB, fasting before Easter or officers wearing civilian clothes in Army HQ. He did it well too.
He was very affable. Excelled in what he did. A true Champion. A remarkable person. We will miss him. He will always have a special place in our hearts. So long … Koshy.
.Need Data of SSKZM Alumni in USA to create a Whatsapp Group
00-00-0000, Pradeep Kumar K
I need an export of the data for our SSKZM alumni in the USA to start a Whatsapp group to grow our brotherhood here. I would really appreciate any help from the admin to make this a reality. Our SSKZM buddies in New Jersey have tasked me with getting this off to a great start this weekend. Any suggestions / thoughts are welcome.
Please feel free to ping me on Whatsapp or call at 1-908-477-3496.
Best regards,
Pradeep Kumar (1136)
.
Stat-speak Commissioned officers List from School
10-05-2020,
Dear Alumni,
All about commissioned officers from alma mater is given below.
Total Offrs in the Armed Forces : 788
Batch with maximum OBs in Armed Forces : 35 (Batch of 1979)
Highest no from school from a batch - Army 24 (79 Batch)
Highest no from school from a batch - Navy 1972, 2000, 2007, 2012 (11 Each)
Highest no from school from a batch - IAF 10 (83 Batch)
Highest % entrant - 1972 (31/67 in Defence)
Another interesting Stat is that first decade (1965-75) of SSKZM and the last decade (2005-15), has almost identical strength joining the forces.........cheers
30 Batches with more than 15 offrs in the Armed forces.....(Now please dont fight each other)!!!!!!!
1979 Batch 35
1972 Batch 31
1968 Batch 28
1982 Batch 27
1974 batch 25
1983 Batch 24
2007 Batch 24
1981 Batch 22
2011 Batch 22
1973 Batch 21
1984 Batch 21
1988 Batch 21
1969 Batch 20
1976 Batch 20
2002 Batch 20
2005 Batch 20
2000 batch 19
1965 Batch 18
1975 Batch 18
1977 Batch 18
1980 Batch 18
1998 Batch 18
2003 Batch 18
2004 Batch 17
2012 Batch 17
1997 Batch 16
2006 Batch 16
2009 Batch 16
1970 Batch 15
Thanking everyone who helped me to finally arrive at this compiled list
Now I have done my part. Updated all commissioned officers in the list. Please go through the list, If any error spotted, pl let me know.
All list available under Hall of Fame...... Procedure to login.......
Please visit the OBA website sskzmoba.org
For first time users for login, pl follow the steps as enumerated below
1. Click login
2. Click forgot password / first time login
3. Message will appear 'your 6-digit OTP has been sent to your registered email xxx@com.
4. Please login with OTP, change password if you desire.
5. If the email shown is incorrect, please let me know, I shall enter your desired email.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 above again.
Padmaraj (Pappan)
2298/93
New Look Web
19-06-2019,
Thanks a ton, Prabha, Rajkumar and Col Rajiv for a wonderful effort
.