HISTORY OF AIRRF PUNE

AIRRF Pune Branch was founded on 01.03.1987 by Late Shri B.D. Dashputre retired Station Supdt. Pune Railway Station who was Founder President of the branch. He continued to serve the pensioners till he breathed his last on 13th June 1993. From the formation of Branch till June 2002 the office of the Branch was functioning in the residence of Late B. D. Dashputre founder President for which branch expresses its gratitude.

 

Late Shri B.B. Joshi, “A” Special Guard, Pune took over as 2nd President and worked up to 1995.

Late Shri S.D. Bansod, Dy. CSTE Central Railway took over as 3rd President and worked up to 2005.

Shri S.R. Bodhe, “A” Special Guard, Mumbai took over as 4th President and worked up to 2012.

Shri J.M. Laturkar, Station Suppdt., Pune took over as 5th President and worked up to 2024.

Shri Arvind D. Kamble, Station Suppdt., GIT took over as 6th President and is in continuance.

Right from 1989 to 1996 Shri N.B. Pathak DCS Central Railway worked as Secretary of the Branch. He resigned in 2003 due to ill health and was taking care of the Branch as Adviser.

From 1996, Shri. K. M. Shinde, retired Loco Foreman (GPR), S.C. Railway was managing the secretary-ship of the branch till 2019 and handed over the charge to his successor Shri Kusumakar Damle who is continuing till date.

Shri S.R. Bodhe retired Mail Guard of Bombay Division Central Railway was taking care of the Branch in the capacity of Vice President for five years and leading this Branch to the computer Age. First time in the history of AIRRF HQ Pune Branch has succeeded in launching its own Website having the full information, activities and development not only of Pune Branch but also of AIRRF HQ at Mumbai. This was done in 2002 with initiative of Shri Bodhe and with the help of his daughter.

Under the President-ship of Shri S D Bansod in June 2002 Pune Branch purchased its own office as initiated by Shri Bodhe and thus have its own accommodation as a duly furnished Office in the heart of city. After 3 years in Oct 2005 Shri Bansod resigned as President due to his ill health. Unfortunately, on 13th Oct 2006 Shri S D Bansod Passed away.

Shri Bodhe is also contributing for computerization of Pune Branch and this work is highly appreciated. From March 2007 the complete data information of our all-life members was uploaded in our office computer. This very difficult and hard task was completed by Late Shri K S Kulkarni and Shri A N Ganpule within six months.

DURING THIS COURSE OF TIME OF 39 YEARS, WE HAVE LOST FOLLOWING VERY SINCERE AND DEVOTED OFFICIALS:

  1. N. Barde, Wkg. President (Retired DME) | P. L. Garud, Vice President (Retired AEN) | N. B. Pathak, Wkg. President (Retired DCS)
    K. S.Kulkarni, Joint Secretary | V. D. Patankar, Treasurer | S. S. Vaidya, Treasurer | S. L. Borkar, Joint Secretary
    V. K. Kulkarni, PCKD In-charge, P.N. Kulkarni, Vice Secretary, Vijay Pradhan, Treasurer. V.N. Gore, Treasurer.

During the last 37 years, due to sincere efforts and hard work done for pensioners by our branch total membership till 31st December 2024 increased up to 7568 members out of which 4554 are live members. The Branch is registered with the Charity Commissioner, Pune under Public Trust Act of 1950 and Society’s Registration Act of 1860. The Branch has been exempted from paying Income Tax for the branch and also the donors.

The federation is committed for the welfare of the pensioners.

DURING THIS BATTLE OF 39 YEARS WE HAVE LOST FOLLOWING VERY SINCERE AND DEVOTED OFFICIALS:

S. N. Barde, Wkg. President (Retired DME) | P. L. Garud, Vice President (Retired AEN) | N. B. Pathak, Wkg. President (Retired DCS)
K. S.Kulkarni, Joint Secretary | V. D. Patankar, Treasurer | S. S. Vaidya, Treasure | S. L. Borkar, Joint Secretary
V. K. Kulkarni, PCKD In-charge Gore, Treasurer

During the last 23 years, due to sincere efforts and hard work done for pensioners by our branch, the life membership has increased to 4243 in June 2016. The Branch is registered with the Charity Commissioner, Pune under Public Trust Act of 1950 and Society’s Registration Act of 1860. The Branch has been exempted from paying Income Tax for the branch and also the donors.
Shri. S. R. Bodhe continued as President of the Branch up-to 2012 and after completion of his tenure, Shri. J. M. Laturkar, ex. S. S. Pune took over as President of the Branch and worked upto august 2024 shree Arvind.D.Kamble to over as president is still continuing on this post