Message from the President

Let me first apologize for not being physically present on such an important
occasion. Let me convey my warm greeting to all those present here-
distinguished invitees, speakers, delegates and members of INSARM. I am sure
ARMS 2010 organized by our Thiruvananthapuram Chapter will be a
professionally and otherwise satisfying event for all.
This also marks an important milestone in the activities of INSARM. Several
new initiatives have been initiated and are going to be discussed during the
AGM. I would like to summarize the current status on a major initiative taken
by INSARM on setting up of national Museum.

National museum on Aerospace and related

Mechanisms
INSARM, under the initiative of Mr. Abdul Majid, founder
President, had taken a decision of establishing a national
museum on mechanisms and their applications a few years
back. A committee headed by Sri VA Thomas has studied
and brought out a report outlining the scope details of such
a museum. A national committee under chairmanship of Dr P
S Nair was set up to follow up and take further action for
realization of the Museum.

After interactions with Dr Madhavan Nair the then Chairman

ISRO and Mr Ashok Naik, the then MD of HAL, Bangalore
complex, suggestion to setup the National Museum as part
of the already well functioning HAL heritage centre was
considered the most practicable approach. The INSARM
museum committee, which included members from HAL,
ISRO and several other organizations, studied different
aspects involved. A tentative layout was of the Museum at
HAL Heritage Centre was then worked out. A few
suggestions given below were identified for discussion and
formal approval by ISRO/HAL, INSARM and any other
participating agencies.

As there is no spare building space available at the heritage

centre for this activity, HAL would only be able to spare the
ground space for putting up a hanger/shed for the museum.
The proposal is that ISRO would take up the responsibility
for erecting this hanger/shed. This could be a low cost pre-
engineered type construction with arrangements for display
of working models of mechanisms along with respective end
applications. INSARM will take responsibility for identifying,
obtaining and displaying the display items (soft and hard)
contributed by different establishments in the country (from
ISRO, HAL, DRDO labs, etc.). HAL heritage Centre will be
responsible for maintenance and running of the museum
once it is established. INSARM will assist on a continuous
basis by providing technical expertise in enhancing the
educational value of a visit to this museum by professional,
student and general visitors.
While the concept has been discussed and has found wide
acceptance, a formal MOU/agreement indicating the
commitment of all parties involved is yet to be worked out.
Considerable time has been spent to reach this stage. All
efforts are now on for this and a meeting with ISRO and HAL
authorities expected to take place shortly. We hope that
DRDO will also play a major role in this national effort.

As president of INSARM and Chairman of the national

Committee I am indeed very confident of establishing this
museum as a centre for information and education for all as
planned. In spite of slower than expected progress at
present I expect to have the written terms of agreement
participating agencies soon. INSARM needs help and
encouragement from all for this.

Thank you

Dr P S Nair