AFA, Begumpet, arguably the best in India

The Air Force Association (AP and Telangana branch) conducted its 34th annual general meeting for its members on Sunday at Air Force Station, Begumpet. Air Chief Marshal IH Latif, former chief of the air staff, accompanied by wife Bilkees Latif, attended the programme. The meeting was chaired by the president of the branch, Wing Commander TJ Reddy.

• AGM on Sunday and spells out various initiatives
• Former Air Chief MarshalI IH Latif and wife among the attendees

Reddy highlighted various activities of the branch and recent initiatives taken for the welfare of the members. He mentioned that the past year was remarkable, making it arguably the most active of all AFA branches in India.

“The activities in the last one year included signing of MoU between Air HQ and Keolis Hyderabad Metro Rapid Transport System (HMRTS) on January 8. This culminated in some of the air veterans getting employed in Hyderabad Metro Rail project operations in April 2014,” he said.

TJ Reddy later gave a brief report he had recently made to the Chief of Air Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, on September 4 about various problems faced by the air veterans and their families including issues related to award of pension. He also reminded members to use the recently introduced voice guidance facility in which messages regarding latest policy changes and information on ensuing activities of the branch could be availed.

Col. Ramesh Kumar briefly explained the benefits on offer to ex-servicemen from the Government of Telangana and appreciated the role played by the Air Force Association for the cause of retired armed forces personnel and their dependents.

Air Commodore Suresh Badyal, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Begumpet, was the chief guest. Col. (retd) P Ramesh Kumar, director, Department of Sainik Welfare; Vimal Dhammi, Captain; S Sriram, station education officer, Begumpet and KBRC Murthy, chief of HR, Keolis HMRTS, were the guests of honour at the event.