“I am Retired Col. Arun Krishna Moghe. My childhood was gratifying as we had to move from place to place since my father was working for the State Public Works Department. After graduating from college, I joined the Indian Military Academy. It was my decision to join the Indian Army despite coming from a middle-class backdrop. My family was extremely supportive.

I was more of an outgoing sports person and was into shooting, rowing, cricket and swimming and athletics. While in NCC I was selected from the Maharashtra State for Shooting Competitions. After joining the Indian Military Academy, I completed my Graduation in Engineering and served in North Bengal, Sikkim and later on Delhi.

I took part in the 1965 war where our unit was posted in the Lahore Sector. There our task was to lay Land Mines to prevent enemy tanks from making any headway south of Lahore. In the area of ‘Asal Uttar’ a big battle took place between Indian and Pakistani tanks, the area is referred to as the ‘Graveyard’ for Pakistani Tanks. Unfortunately, I lost a close friend who accidentally landed on a land mine. That was the sad part of it, but duty is a duty and I have seen so many people lose life to save the country from the enemy and I was proud to be a part of it. I was also part of the 1971 war where I was involved in the training of the Mukti Bahini and later, I was one of the first ones to be in Dhaka.

After this, I was placed in Shakargarh Sector in West Pakistan before the captured territory was handed back to Pakistan. Later, I commanded an engineer regiment in Nagaland- Manipur. Later, I was lucky to get another command of an engineer regiment in Assam-Arunachal and later in Allahabad. Subsequently, I was in Sri Lanka as a part of the IPKF. Earlier, while at Allahabad, I was called upon to carry out massive flood relief operations in Bihar. There, I was awarded the Chief of Army Staffs Commendation Card.”

“I decided to take pre-Mature Retirement from the Indian Army. I then headed an institution for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Soldiers for 9 years. My focus was to make them self reliant. I felt glad when the government recognized my work and was awarded outstanding work in the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers.

I also received the FICCI award for the same.
Later, I served as CEO for International Longevity Centre (ILC) and International Leprosy Union (ILU). I felt great that the ILU got the WHO’s Sasakawa Memorial Award for Outstanding work in Leprosy Eradication in India. This was very satisfying work. I wanted to continue supporting and helping people within my capacity.

While I was working for International Longevity Centre (ILC) and International Leprosy Union (ILU) in Pune, my commitment to social causes got known in Hyderabad.

I was duly given the responsibility of setting up an organization that will attend to social needs. Later, Aparna Novel Society for Welfare and Research (ANSWER) was created as an NGO. With due deliberations and study, we came to the first step of building a Home for the Needy Children.  The Home is called KUTUMBAM.
Speaking about “ANSWER”, here we provide Children with Good Education, Food and Accommodation. I believe children are the future of this country, they have the capability to change the nation when they grow up. So, providing them with Good Discipline, Education and an Opportunity to Discover themselves will shape the Future of a Country. I work here along with my Wife and we feel like Grandparents when the boys come running complaining about little things and small fights. Indeed they are our Grand Children and we will do our best for them and their Careers. The boys here are extremely well behaved and most of them are academically top in their respective class, let me tell you this satisfaction is everything.

I believe that every person has some unique talent and potential. We want to discover this uniqueness, provide opportunity and the motivation to succeed in the chosen field. At the same time, we would like to inculcate some key values. I am confident that the members of Kutumbam will become productive and responsible citizens of this Country.

Finally, I would like to advise everyone out there to be satisfied and happy with whatever you have. Be responsible and always say ‘Yes’ to an opportunity that crosses your path.”

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