Shri N. Dhanuka (2004 - 2005 )

Compass has surpassed along a long journey of more than 10 years and time has come for us to recapitulate the past and build a brighter future. Executive Committee or the Office Bearers are the executors but concept lies with all of us. We need a strong team where veterans are to guide the younger ones. The younger ones with their innovative talent, should volunteer by more numbers and consult with the elders to grasp their invaluable experience. A cohesive force should prevail upon the total system of running the Association.

There are success and failure. We should neither be overwhelmed nor be pain-stricken. Criticism in such a large body is inevitable. This has two sides ibid. Criticism should be accepted in a positive manner. Criticizer should also munch the past before criticizing the present. Responsibility is another factor that is to be shared. Responsibility should not be the liability of the Executive Committee or Office Bearers alone. After all, our motto is to build a strong COMPASS. We are sure we can move ahead with this feeling of oneness.

Executive Commettee Meeting

We had this year conducted 13 Executive Committee Meeting. Apart from the Executive Committee Meetings, we have regularly held Exhibition Committee Meeting during COMPASS 2005.

Compass Office

The Executive Committee this year has more number of members who became the part of the committee for the first time. The young and energetic team under the guidance of the President did some perpetual tasks like :

a) Visiting the COMPASS frequently.
b) More meeting of the Office Bearers.
c) Toning up the day-to-day administration of the COMPASS Office.
d) Service Tax Registration was done of COMPASS

Extra Ordinary General Body Meeting

An Extra Ordinary General Body Meeting was held on 20th April, 2005 to discuss and derive a decision on the Compass Exhibition, 2005.

Seminars and Workshop

Yet another achievement for the Association when we have succeeded in holding a Camp on Sales Tax Registration at our Office where 34 members got their Registration done hassle-free. We thank Deptt. of Commercial Taxes, West Bengal for supporting us. We had also participated for another S. T. Registration Camp with other Trade Associations for the benefit of our members. The Sales Tax Commissioner of West Bengal himself gave away the Registration Certificates to our members at our office.

Membership

We had 12 more Life Members and 5 more Annual Members this year, enhancing our member strength.

Social Activities

COMPASS continue to patronize the Computer Centers at Ankur in Jadavpur and Amraguri Yuba Sangha, Howrah.

Fellowship

Renewed fellowship was ensured this year. A grand Diwali Meet was organized for and with the members with their family at a larger space with more enchanting and entertaining programs. The most unique part of the meet was that family members of the Principal Companies too joined the gathering.

Circular to the Members

We continued to circulate news on important events and trade news to our dear members through website and also on print media through courier.

Identity Card to the Members

COMPASS has made laminated Identity Cards with Photograph for the members and reached them to each of the members. In the event, any member has not received the same, may contact COMPASS Office.

Website

New look website was launched in February, 2005.

Features incorporated were :-

· archive of mailers
· meet your fellow member
· new members
· e-executive message board
· members’ discussion forum

Concern of the members

Zero Import Duty for the Computer accessories has left us with more stiff competition par International market. For our sustenance, we need to be more active with our activities and liaise with the statutory authorities for making our path enhancing for our comfort ability.

Value Added Tax

We have made representations to the State Government regarding amendment of certain clauses of VAT. We have done a seminar of VAT and Frienge Benefit Tax on 21st May, 2005. It was more of a question and answer session and members present were benefited a lot.

SSI

We have made representation with the State Government, that Government Agencies are buying IT hardware from MNC’s without inviting tenders, subsequently Government issued to the concerned departments that in future all procurements will be done through tenders only.

COMPASS EXHIBITION, 2005

The Present Executive Committee started well with the preparation of the Exhibition, giving a new look and feature. President took on the responsibility of the position of Chairman of the Exhibition. The Exhibition had a larger venue, more participation and much wider publicity. President had made earnest attempt to take along all, with him, in executing the Mega Exhibition. But friends, there are six seasons in a year. All the days are not spring. There is a rain too that spoils the day. This has happened for the first time in Compass Exhibition that the Pavilion’ could not withstand the adversity of storm and torrential rain in two sudden spells in 8 hours time. This resulted in abandoning the Exhibition. We have put hard work but in spite of our hard effort, the situation arose which was beyond our control. The Executive Committee met and decided for an Extra Ordinary General Body Meeting where consensus was arrived at to refund the participant’s fee at a prescribed rate. We should learn from the lapses and in future more measurements should be taken to prevent such happing, Interallia, more initiative from members ought to come up so that more talents are readily available, for executing even a larger event. That should be the true spirit of fellowship in our Association.