AGM Minutes

AGM Minutes

The 16th Annual General Body Meeting of NDRI Graduates Alumni Association was convened on September, 20th 2025 at 04.30 PM in Dr. D Sundaresan Auditorium, ICAR -NDRI, Karnal under the chairmanship of Dr. S S Mann, President, NGAA. The meeting was attended by 110 life members and 23 student members. The President formally declared the AGBM open.

Dr. S S Mann, President, NGAA welcomed all the members to the 16th AGBM. The assembly observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to all the graduates who passed away. As per available records, out of 1873 graduates, 190 (including 48 Life Members) have passed away until 2025.

Dr. S S Mann, President, NGAA welcomed all the members to the 16th AGBM and presented an overview of NGAA activities taken up during the previous year.

a) Strengthened Collaboration with ICAR-NDRI: The MoU underscores NGAA’s commitment to supporting NDRI graduate students through initiatives focused on skill enhancement, pedagogical advancement, and academic–industry collaboration. By reaffirming its dedication to student welfare and institutional growth, NGAA continues to serve as a dynamic bridge between academia and industry, fostering opportunities for holistic development and professional excellence.

b) Significant Donations for CSR Activities: Donations of ₹10.0 Lacs was contributed by Mr. Narayan Majumdar (1979) for CSR activities during the year.

c) Recognition of Excellence: In today’s function Sh. A K Aggarwal (Batch of 1974), Executive Director, Modern Dairies Limited was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” and Dr. P N Raju, Senior Scientist, ICAR-NDRI, was recognized for the “Best Teacher Award” for his exceptional contributions.

d) Student Outreach and Engagement with First-Year B. Tech Students: Mr. Ashok Rao held a series of lively interactive sessions with students of the B. Tech Dairy Technology (DT), Food Technology (FT), and Biotechnology (BT) programs. In these engagements, he inspired the students by sharing the vision and mission of NGAA and showcasing its wide-ranging initiatives. He highlighted how the Association serves as a strong pillar of support for young professionals, opening doors to mentorship, specialized training, guest lectures, scholarships, industry connections, and invaluable professional networking, encouraging students to actively leverage these opportunities for their personal & professional growth.

e) Freshers’ Welcome Function: The Freshers’ Welcome Function, held on November 22, 2024, was graced by Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala (Batch of 1983) as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Bhanwala shared inspiring insights from his personal journey and encouraged the freshers to embrace both academic rigor and leadership opportunities during their time at NDRI. Dr. S. S. Mann, President of NGAA, joined as the Special Guest and highlighted the Association’s vital role in nurturing student growth, strengthening alumni connections, and building enduring bridges between academia and industry.

f) East Chapter Alumni Meet, Kolkata: The East Chapter of NGAA organized a vibrant and well-attended alumni meet in Kolkata on January 25, 2025. The gathering, graciously hosted by Mr. Narayan Majumdar (Batch of 1979), was honored by the presence of Dr. S. S. Mann, Mr. R. P. Singh, and Mr. Ashok Rao. The NGAA leadership used the occasion to share a comprehensive overview of the Association’s ongoing initiatives, recent achievements, and future plans, with a special focus on strengthening alumni engagement, enhancing student support, and deepening industry–institute linkages.

g) Advocacy for Inclusion of NDRI Students in ARS-2025 Eligibility (Discipline Code 56): A representation was given by the President, NGAA to DG, ICAR; Chairman ASRB and Hon’ble Agriculture Minister, GOI regarding the recent notification for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-2025 examination, dated 24th February 2025 where B.Tech. (DT) / M. Tech (DE) will be not eligible for the examination. This additional criterion (foot note) has rendered ineligible those candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in disciplines other than Agricultural Engineering. The matter was actively pursued by President, NGAA with the ICAR authorities and the matter was brought to a logical conclusion. The amendment now carried out makes B. Tech (DT) / M. Tech (DE) eligible for appearing for Discipline Code-56 under ARS-2025. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for NGAA, reflecting its unwavering commitment to safeguarding student interests, upholding academic integrity, and ensuring equitable opportunities for NDRI graduates.

h) Students Sports Meet 2024: Dr. S. S. Mann, The President of NGAA inaugurated the Students’ Sports Meet 2024 as the Chief Guest on August 25, 2024, at ICAR–NDRI, Karnal. On this occasion, NGAA also proudly sponsored customized T-shirts for the B. Tech (DT) students participating in the Annual Sports Meet. This thoughtful gesture not only added to the vibrant spirit of the event but also symbolized the alumni’s encouragement, solidarity, and continued support for the student community.

i) Key Achievements of NDRI Graduates:

* Dr. Ram P. Aneja (Batch of 1960), was honored with the 16th Dr. Kurien Award – 2025 by the Indian Dairy Association.

* Dr. B N Mathur (Batch of 1963), was honored with the prestigious Oration Award by Indian Dairy Association.

* Dr. Jagjit Singh Punjrath (Batch of 1962), was honored with the IDA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his monumental contributions to India’s dairy sector and international dairy development.

* Dr. S S Mann (Batch of 1971) was bestowed the IDA Patronship – 2025 on in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the Indian Dairy and Food Processing Industries for over five decades.

* Shri Sudhir Kumar Singh (Batch of 1981) was conferred the IDA Fellowship – 2025 by IDA in recognition of his outstanding service to IDA and transformative contributions to the Indian dairy sector.

* Mr. Kuldeep Sharma (Batch of 1987) has made significant contributions to the Indian dairy sector through his thought leadership and active participation in key national events.

* Mr. Balendu Chaudhary (Batch of 2003), currently serving as the Head of Fresh Foods Business, Grocery B2C at Reliance Retail Ltd, was invited to deliver the Keynote Address at the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) on September 11, 2024.

* Mr. Saurabh Chaudhary (Batch of 2013) was invited to deliver a lecture at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Workshop on Food Safety, held on June 6, 2025.

* Dr. T N Tiwari (Batch of 1987), a globally respected Dairy Technologist and Food Scientist, was honoured with the prestigious title of “Best Nutrition Man of India” at the Global Health and Wellness Summit 2025 held in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 1, 2025 on the occasion of National Doctor’s Day.

* Mr. S S Mann (Batch of 1971), Chairman, Mann Ventures and President, NGAA, was conferred the prestigious Honoris Causa degree by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, during the 21st Convocation Ceremony held at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, on April 22, 2025. This esteemed recognition was awarded to Mr. Mann in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to the dairy industry, spanning several decades of impactful leadership, innovation and commitment

j) Registration Under Key Provisions: Keeping with the high standards of the governance, NGAA has successfully registered under PAN, TAN, GST, and obtained 12A & 80G certifications under the Income Tax Act, as well as registration for undertaking CSR activities under the Companies Act. Registration under 12 A, 80 G and under Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CSR initiatives making NGAA eligible to receive CSR funds increases its credibility amongst the donors for adhering to high standards of governance and transparency in the working of NGAA.

k) Training & Guest Lectures for Skill Enhancement: On Sept.7, 2024, the 4th-year B. Tech (Dairy Technology) students at ICAR–NDRI, Karnal, had the valuable opportunity to participate in the FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) program, fully sponsored by NGAA. To further enrich their learning experience, visiting graduate alumni also conducted inspiring guest lectures on soft skills, equipping students with practical insights and confidence to face future professional challenges.

l) Support for B. Tech Students: NGAA proudly supports a deserving B. Tech student with a monthly scholarship of ₹5,000, continuing throughout the student’s journey until graduation. This initiative reflects the Association’s commitment to nurturing talent, promoting academic excellence, and empowering the next generation of dairy professionals.

m) International Internship for B. Tech (DT) Students: NGAA proudly sponsored two students for a one-month internship at Purdue University, USA, providing financial support of ₹ 3.00 lakhs each. This opportunity not only offered the students invaluable global exposure but also enriched their learning experience, reflecting NGAA’s commitment to empowering future leaders in the dairy and food industry.

n) Successful Seminar Organization: The 12th National Seminar on “Globalization of Indian Dairy Industry” was successfully organized, representing yet another milestone achievement for NGAA in its ongoing efforts to promote knowledge exchange, industry–academia collaboration, and professional development.

o) Centre of Excellence in Dairy Education: Dr. Dheer Singh, Director & Vice Chancellor, NDRI, informed the delegates that ICAR-NDRI has agreed to establish a Centre of Excellence. This approval for the Centre of Excellence on the NDRI campus marks a momentous milestone for NGAA. The model of the Centre of Excellence was formally unveiled by the Chief Guest of the occasion Padma Bhushan Dr. R. S. Paroda. In a remarkable gesture of commitment to advancing dairy education, Dr. S. S. Mann pledged to contribute ₹2.00 crore from his personal funds toward the project. This visionary initiative promises to elevate dairy education and research to new heights, and all members were warmly invited to contribute generously to support this transformative endeavor.

The members present at the meeting expressed their appreciation in the current Central Executive Committee (CEC) for these remarkable accomplishments.

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS AGBM HELD ON 28.09.2024: The minutes of 15th AGBM held on 28.09.2024 were circulated via mail to all members, as well as uploaded on the website of NGAA. No comments were received on the minutes and accordingly the minutes are placed before the AGBM for approval. The members approved the minutes and adopted the following resolution:

“Resolved that the minutes of the 15th AGBM dated 28.09.2024 are hereby approved without any amendments.”.

3. PRESENTATION OF NGAA ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FY 2024-2025 BY PRESIDENT, NGAA:

Ms. Vibha Batra, Executive Member, NGAA presented the financials along with the audited statement of income and expenditure for the FY 2024 – 2025. The presentation was made for the last three financial years of the present CEC (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25). The opening balance as on 01.04.22 was Rs. 36.28 Lacs which now in three years’ time has increased to Rs. 134.62 Lacs as on 31.03.25.

As on 31.03.2025 the total funds collected from Membership (Rs. 16.50 Lacs); Corpus Fund (Rs. 56.65 Lacs); CSR Funds (Rs. 10.00 Lacs) and the opening balance as on 01.04.2022 (Rs. 36.28 Lacs) totaling to Rs. 119.50 still lie with the Association. Thus, during the last three years the Association has been able to build a surplus of Rs. 98.00 Lacs. The entire expenses towards the organization of the conference for three years, CSR funds of Rs. 50.00 Lacs to NDRI and all other expenses were met out of the sponsorship received from the various institutions supporting NGAA for holding the events. The members present applauded the efforts made by the CEC in the last three years in generating funds for the Association. The members deliberated on the matter and approved the financial report of NGAA for the FY 2024 – 2025 by adopting the following resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 16 / 3

“Resolved that the consolidated Audited Financial Report of NGAA for the financial year 2024 – 2025 presented at the 16th AGBM is hereby approved”.

APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY 2026 – 2027 ?

The CEC proposed the budget for FY 2026-2027 for approval by the AGBM. The members deliberated on the matter and approved the budget of NGAA for the FY 2026 – 2027 by adopting the following resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 16 / 4

“Resolved that the proposed budget of NGAA for the financial year 2025 – 2026 is hereby approved”.

6. APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR & REMUNERATION FOR THE FY 2025 – 2026

The CEC approved the proposal to re-appoint M/s Amit Ved & Co., Karnal as the Auditor for the FY 2025 – 2026 at the same renumeration of ₹ 20,000 per annum for Annual Audits. The General Body approved the proposed budget with the following resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 16 / 5

“Resolved that M/s Amit Ved & Co., Karnal be appointed as the Auditor for the FY 2025 – 2026 on the same renumeration of ₹ 20,000 per annum for statutory audits and other statutory and regulatory matters”.

7. ANY OTHER MATTER

General Secretary, NGAA requested the President for introduction of additional agenda with regards to the CEC decision to appraise the general body with regards to the various issues raised by Mr. Sandeep Singh. The President accorded approval for the additional agenda to the General Secretary. The General Secretary distributed the copies of the additional agenda to the members attending the meeting.

a) Membership Expansion: As of 2025, out of the total 1,873 students who have graduated till 2025, only 741 (40%) are registered Life Members. It was discussed & decided that each graduate should enroll at least one new member to help expand the membership base.

Mr. Padma Kumar (Batch of 1983) has volunteered to lead efforts in expanding NGAA’s membership and presence in New Zealand & Australia with NGAA providing him the necessary support as required.

The Batch of 2000–2004 became the first batch to achieve 100% Life Membership, a milestone applauded by all present. Other batches were also encouraged to enroll current non-members as Life Members.

Mr. Kuldeep Sharma & Mr. Amit Khurana emphasized that all the final year B. Tech students should all be enrolled as Life Members and actively involved NGAA activities.

b) Sponsorship & support for Annual Meets: The continued success and high standards of the Annual Meets rely on the active participation and support of all NGAA members. Every member is encouraged to contribute by securing sponsorships, as these resources play a vital role in enhancing the quality, reach, and impact of the events. Together, through collective effort and generosity, we can ensure that each Annual Meet remains a vibrant platform for networking, learning, and celebrating the achievements of our alumni community.

c) Mobilization of NGAA Corpus Fund: The President of NGAA urged all members to come forward and contribute to the Corpus Fund, emphasizing that such support is vital for realizing the Association’s initiatives. Members were acknowledged for their generous contributions made during the current year: Mr. S. Menon (1969), Mr. Balwinder Singh (1979), and Mr. Chintan Kharbanda (2007) each contributed ₹1,00,000, while Mr. Narayan Majumdar (1979) contributed ₹30,000. A heartfelt appeal was made to all members to contribute ₹10,000 or more, enabling NGAA to continue its mission of advancing the interests of students, strengthening the Institute, and fostering the NGAA community.

d) NGAA Elections 2025: The current Central Executive Committee (CEC) was nominated in the 13th AGBM on 02.09.2022 for three years and now their term has expired on 01.09.2025. In accordance with the Constitution, the official election notification for NGAA Elections 2025 was issued on July 3, 2025, with Dr. Latha Sabikhi appointed as the Returning Officer. At the close of the nomination period, one valid nomination was received—Mr. Ankit Deep submitted his candidature for the post of Treasurer. As no other nominations were filed, Mr. Ankit Deep was declared elected unopposed as Treasurer of NGAA. No nominations were received for any of the remaining posts. The results of the Elections were notified by Dr. Latha Sabikhi, Returning Officer via mail to the President, NGAA on 24.07.2025. The matter was discussed in the CEC meeting held on 25.07.2025 and the CEC decided to place the matter before the AGBM for deliberations and for the appointment of the new CEC for the upcoming term.

After detailed discussions that took place in the AGBM, on the future course of action, the general body unanimously decided to appoint Dr. S. S. Mann, as President of NGAA, for the next term of 2025 - 2028. The members also unanimously authorized Dr. Mann to select his team of office bearers in the overall interest of the Association as per the Constitution. The members upon deliberation approved the appointment of Dr. S. S. Mann, as President of NGAA, with the authority to select his team of office bearers by adopting the following resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 16 / 6

“Resolved that the Dr. S S Mann, is hereby appointed as President NGAA for the next term 2025 – 2028. He is further authorized to appoint the team of office bearers and Executive Members for the next term of 2025 to 2028”.

The President informed the general body that Mr. Narayan Majumdar is being nominated as Vice President and Mr. Vikas Gulia as Joint Treasurer. The selection of the rest of the team will be completed within the next 15 days, and members will be duly notified.

e) Student Life Membership: Currently, the student membership fee stands at ₹3,000, with the remaining ₹2,000 payable within one year of graduation. However, it was observed that the transition rate from Student to Life Membership was very low. In its meeting held on June 25, 2025, the Central Executive Committee approved a significant revision. It was unanimously resolved that all graduate students will henceforth be enrolled directly as Life Members, replacing the earlier Student Membership category. Accordingly, a one-time Student Life Membership fee has been fixed at ₹4,000. The matter is now placed before the House for ratification of the decision taken by the CEC. The members upon deliberation approved the ratification in Student Membership fee by adopting the following resolution

RESOLUTION NO. 16 / 7

“Resolved that a one-time Student Life Membership fee of ₹4,000 is hereby fixed, replacing the previous membership fee of Rs. 3,000 plus Rs. 2,000 payable within one year of graduation”.

f) The additional agenda papers have already been circulated to the members attending the AGBM. The General Secretary informed the members that agenda is related to the various issues / allegations raised by Mr. Sandeep Singh (1992) on the NGAA Professionals’ WhatsApp group during the period August 31 to September 4, 2025, which was followed by an email sent to the official NGAA address on September 5, 2025 for the governing body.

In the CEC meeting held on September 7, 2025, the issue was discussed, and the General Secretary was asked to prepare a point-by-point reply to the allegations concerning the overall functioning of the CEC. Since the members attending the AGBM were aware of the conversation on WhatsApp group, members present in the meeting expressed their anguish, displeasure and considered it unfortunate and that the matter should have been addressed to the CEC through mail and if still not satisfied then to the AGBM by following the proper process as per the Constitution, rather than discussion on the WhatsApp group. Also, any member wishing to raise such issue should have been present in the AGBM. The matter was placed before the House for further deliberation and decision.

The General Secretary informed the members about the procedure for submission of proposals for additions or alterations to the Memorandum or the Rules and Regulations of the Association. Any such proposal from a member must be submitted to the General Secretary at least 90 days prior to the AGBM. The proposal will then be considered by the CEC and circulated to all members of the Association at least 30 days before the AGBM. Members are required to forward their proposals only through the official email ID (ndri.grads@gmail.com).

Mr. Sandeep Singh raised some issues related to amendment in the constitution in WhatsApp group rather than following the above-mentioned procedure for the reason best known to him. Despite this procedural lapse, the CEC, in the larger interest of transparency and fairness, has exceptionally taken note of the concerns and referred the matter to the AGBM for appropriate consideration and resolution.

Members also expressed concern over debates regarding NGAA being carried out on the WhatsApp group, which is not the appropriate forum for discussions on the functioning of the Association. It was suggested that the Admin should re-circulate the guidelines for the proper use of the WhatsApp group and delete such posts which are not related, while informing the concerned member to submit his query or suggestion to the CEC on the official mail (ndri.grads@gmail.com).

Several members placed on record their appreciation for the functioning of the CEC and the selfless services rendered by its members. At the same time, they expressed displeasure regarding the manner in which the entire discussion continued on the WhatsApp group. Some members even suggested removal of the concerned member from the group, noting that such issues should have been raised at the AGBM.

In addition, some members proposed the formation of a Grievance Committee to address any issues, concerns, or complaints raised by members in the future.

After detailed deliberations, it was unanimously decided by the members present to constitute a committee comprising Mr. Y. K. Arora, Mr. Narayan Majumdar, and Mr. Sudhir Kumar Singh to investigate the entire matter. The committee will review the reply submitted by the General Secretary of the CEC and provide opportunity of personal hearing to Mr. Sandeep Singh. It was further decided that the Committee shall submit its report by October 31, 2025, to the President, NGAA and the decision of the committee will be binding on all parties.

It was further resolved to constitute a Grievance Committee to address any issues, concerns, or complaints raised by members in the future. The Committee will review submissions and provide recommendations to the CEC for further action.

Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair and with the promise by members to further the cause of NGAA to make it more vibrant.

Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair and with the promise by members to further the cause of NGAA to make it more vibrant.

Any suggestions / comments on the contents of the MoM may kindly be mailed back at ndri.grads@gmail.com