AFVOA Newletters of Year 2007

Page 47 of 68 Officer is a voracious reader and has widely traveled in India and abroad. He is married to Mrs Saro Jacob and they are blessed with two children, Miss Ann Eppen Kochekkan who is working in Delhi and Master Jacob Eppen Kochekkan who is studying to become an IT Engineer. 8. The General took over as the General Officer Commanding of Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area on 11 July 2007. 9. Mrs Saro Eppen Kochekkan did her secondary education from Nicolsen School, Kerala and Senior Secondary School from Christian College, Kerala. She is a science graduate and has done her masters in Sociology. During the course of her married life she has also taught in various schools. 10. Other than the routine AWWA activities she is actively involved in campaigning for the cause for special children, orphans and widows. She is also committed to spreading cancer awareness among women and has organized several cancer awareness programs. Speech by Maj Gen E J Kochekkan, SM, VSM, GOC ATNK & K Area 12. The Chief Guest gave a very interesting speech which he began by congratulating the AFVOA for its activities and active participation in station life. He went on to state that he was well aware of the requirements of veterans of all ranks. 13. He then took on certain aspects common to most stations such as ECHS and discussed the measures he was considering to make the system beneficial to all. He out lined the system of ‘Help Line’ and vehicle stand-by for veterans in distress. He assured all present that he would do all that he could to ensure that veterans were not put to unnecessary hard ships be it in matters of health or in matters concerning their pensions. 14. All present gave the GOC a standing ovation at the end of his excellent speech. The President of the AFVOA thanked the GOC for his kind words and expressed the hope that the association could have the continued patronage of his HQ and Staff Officers. Happiness isn’t simply something you experience: it’s something you remember. Oscar Levant The Guest Speaker was Introduced by Col A Krishnaswamy, VrC, VSM & Bar 15. Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM a product of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, retired from the Indian Army as Vice Chief of Army Staff on 31 st Dec 06 after 40 years of meritorious service. 16. An Engineer, paratrooper and a frontline Combat Officer, he has seen active service in 1971 war as also in counter insurgency operation in J&K. 17. An alumni of Defence Services Staff college at Wellington, the officer has held important staff, instructional and command appointments in all the army hierarchal appointments. Prior to being appointed as the Vice Chief, the officer was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the important Western Command of the Army. The officer has also been our Defence attaché at Ankara Turkey in the rank of Col. Decorated for distinguished service right through his career; the officer is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Visisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) and Visisht Seva Medal (VSM). 18. The General has since been appointed as a Consultant to the Defence Research and