Aero. Society, Chennai

[Dr.A.JOSEPH STANLEY MIT, Anna University]

Dear Members,

One of my former Director, MIT, used say very often that 'sometimes you have blow your own trumpet or somebody will blow in the wrong direction'.

This I am writing mainly for younger members, because others know. In 2003-05, I was the vice-chairman of the Aero.Soc., Chennai branch and Mr.Saraswath, Regional Director,AAI, was the Chairman . In Jan'2005, a two day seminar on Recent trends in Aviation was conducted in commemoration of the birth centenary of the first aviator Mr.Tata. I was the Organizing committee chairman and so it was conducted in the MIT in a grand manner.Te seminar was inaugurated by Chairman Airport Authority of India and many senior officers from DGCA, Airlines,DRDO participated and delivered lectures. Because of this I was elected as Chairman of the chennai branch for the period 2005-07. In 2006 I have conducted National Conference on 'Computational Methods in  Aerospace Engineering' inaugurated by Director, GTRE. More than 60 papers were received in CFD and FEM and reviewed by Prof.Tulapurgara, Prof.B.T.N.S.Sridhar and Prof.Dhanaraj. This was the first National conference conducted in MIT( Prof.NSV, was the Chairman of the Society, before 2003). I have also conducted first time in the MIT, the Council meeting of the Aero.Soc.of India. Dr.Madhavan Nair, Mr.Bhatia, Mr.Ashok bushan and other council members participated in the meeting. (The seven times council member could not conduct it in Chennai). In 2007 a two national seminar was conducted on 'Airworthines and Accident investigation in MIT.For the two seminars and one conference grand dinners were sponsored by the Hindustan University, at Hotel Radha Park, Chennai.  For the first time the  Areo. Society members and family visited INS Rajali, during my tenure as Chairman. From 2007-09, the Aero. Society Chairman was Prof.Job Kurian and he has conducted the AGM of the Society at Chennai.

From 2009-11Comr.Vasan was the chairman. During this period there was no major National level activities, except Lectures arranged by Wing Cr. Muthuswamy. Hence once again I have been elected Chairman from 2011-13. During my previous period as chairman, I was also the H.O.D., Aero.Dept., MIT. Hence I had the freedom to decide the departmental activities. But now I am in a different set up where it requires time to organize major events and may be because of that I was not able perform as in my previous period, as expected by the members. Because of this I wanted to hand over the Chairman post last year and arranged the AGM in a hotel for the first time. But there were only twenty members present and none of these senior members were trere and the people present persuaded me to continue. In the first year we conducted two executive meetings at HIET and the response was poor(only office bearers attended).In the second year we have not conducted  the executive meeting, because I meet the secretary here itself and I do not want to travel to HIET to meet Prof.Asokan and two more people.  I wish the incoming team will i conduct more activities. I also wish that Prof.NSV and Comr.Vasan will tell the activities, they have conducted as Chairman of the Chennai branch, so that the incoming team can emulate them.

Wish best wishes

Dr.A.JOSEPH STANLEY

Note: Some more things I may add to my 'comrades' in the AGM     

[Seshadri Vasan]

Dear Friends,

Was trying to figure out what was sought to be conveyed in the long mail from the present Chairman.  There have been concerns expressed by members about the lack of activity and a dysfunctional AeSI during the last two years! There have also been concerns about the roles and missions of the AeSI at the national and International level. We are not surely discussing what was done in the period not under purview at all (that happened long time ago).  Spent some time yesterday, debating if I should respond at all to this provocative piece by Dr Stanley or just ignore it . Almost let it pass, but having been in the defence service for over 34 years, have been taught not to attack but defend when ever required with all that you possess.(Though I wish India changes this policy in the light of  recent provocations from across the border and gets pro active like the Israelis and punish our adversaries when ever they get in to the mischief mode).

Coming back to the contents of the mail, there is a reference to the wisdom of  blowing one's own trumpet! If we just restrict to the last two years which is what is in question it is clear that the Trumpet had nothing to crow about. At best it has now made some strange unpleasant noises(called apaswaram by the musicians).The trumpet could have been left alone . This untimely blowing of the trumpet with  apaswaram  just a few days before the AGM  has done more damage than good. 

Dr Stanely has thrown a gauntlet and has asked what have Dr NSV and Commodore Vasan done.Though I feel that there was no need to mention any names,let me speak for myself and  just bring out a few things that were done (surely no one expects me to remember all the activities during 2009 to 2011).

1. The very forum that is in use as google groups which Dr Stanely has used to pour out his heart was created by me on the next day of my being elected as the  Chairman. This has enhanced the levels of connectivity, intercommunication and ease of contacting other members.  The fact that every one is comfortable wit the Google group of the Aesi Chennai chapter bears testimony that innovations do work when sustained and nurtured . If we just go back to the group mailing system and its use in the last two years, the lack of communication is conspicuous by its absence. The notices for meetings and other activities if any never reached me( In any case they were few and far between) except twice!!
2. The visibility of the chapter remained high through out the period that our team was in office. There were regular meetings,seminars including national level lectures, interactions, inauguration of different aviation related activities(including the inauguration of the Aero Society in Coinbatore), Work shop for children thanks to IIT,Quizzes  and Aero model displays.
3. The Chapter was a major source of providing inputs to the AeSI HQs on so many issues. This happened due to the active participation and inputs from the members who were concerned about the roles and missions of the chapter. The discussions points during the AGMs at Delhi/Bangalore during that time clearly illustrates the interest taken by the team to remain interactive with the HQs on a regular basis. 
4. All the details are available on the AeSI Google group archives and those who want to access them will get a glimpse of the varied nature of activity conducted by our team.I have neither the time nor inclination  to  put it all together as there is so much that the team  has done!  Let me take this opportunity to place on record my grateful thanks for  the invaluable service rendered by Dr Augustine, Wg Cdr Muthusamy and Yogi who contributed to the team effort as office bearers. We were in constant touch always thinking of what more could be done . It was a team effort and though we did not ask for or work for it, it earned laurels from all. 
5. I must remind Dr Stanley and the members that I was the Vice Chairman after him  some time in 2004/05 and remained in that chair for many years  till taking over as the Chairman of the AeSI in 2009. As Vice Chair, have contributed to the best of my ability and rarely did I miss any meeting of the Executive council/AGMs  despite distances .So whether it was in the IIT, AAI premises or in MIT, was always there in time and ensured that the team worked efficiently. Those days even the fly over was not there and on all occasions, have parked my car on the side road and have walked to MIT  on some days  to contribute. And in sheer contrast, had no occasion to attend even one meeting in the last two years!!
6. Was a member of the organising committee of  most of the   national level events that Dr Stanley has mentioned. So  it is again a team effort and not due to any single person.  
7. Am happy that The Chairman has mentioned INS Rajali visit. There is no way it would have happened but for the good will enjoyed by the Commissioning Commanding Officer of INS Rajali( happens to be me!). All the ground work and coordination was done by me by directly talking to the CO of Rajali. The  visiting members and the families had the rare privilege of visiting the  Naval air station and even were allowed to get inside the military aircraft.Have  no issues if the then Chairman wants to take the credit! BTW, many colleges in Tamil Nadu have benefited from the visit to Rajali which was facilitated by me when ever I was approached both in my capacity as the Chairman of AeSI as well as in my individual capacity.  
8. The reasons cited for electing Dr Stanely are erroneous. The members always felt that an Institutional support is always desirable and hence it was invariably with one of the organisations viz IIT(M),MIT, AAI etc.,  Perhaps the only exception was when I was elected the chairman and perhaps in the last election . I had no organisational support as such since I had retired  in 2003. This was made good by the spontaneous support by IIT for all our meetings, seminars and lectures. So to say now that since the present Chairman suffered from lack of an organisational support  does not hold water. 

I have been compelled to share my responses with the members as I will not be in station to attend the AGM and there is always a need to get the records straight. Let me through this forum assure the new office bearers, that any support required  for revamping the chapter will be provided . Such a support was available even to the present incumbents on a  mere phone call or a mail, unfortunately it was never asked!

Finally  must also thank Dr Stanley for all that has done in different capacities for the Chapter during the long years of his association with the Society. He has also been magnanimous in confessing that he was not able to contribute as much during the present tenure as Chairman. On behalf of all the members would like to wish him all the very best in both his personal and private endeavours. 

Last but not the least, let me make it very very clear that I am not getting in to a slinging match with any one. Even if there are further responses or provocations will not be responding to any such mails to waste my  precious time and effort.

Warm regards

Vasan

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Commodore RS Vasan IN(Retd)
Head,Strategy and Security Studies
Center for Asia Studies,Chennai

Mobile 9962482815 Res 91 44 65198828 Off 91 44 42113140
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