National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) was   registered under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Public Societies Registration Act, 1350 Fasli (Act I of 1350F) on the 21^st day of June,  1983.

In this 50^th year of Indian Independence, we are remembering some of  India’s pioneer’s role in promoting Amateur Radio. It is a difficult task to bring out every detail of the numerous past achievements, however some  special  events & achievements in the past in the promotion of Amateur Radio in the country are highlighted here. The Amateur population in India which was around 1500  (in 1982 before NIAR was established) has raised to nearly 15,000  through its consistent promotional activities. This is ten fold increase.

A peoples movement in Information Technology is launched by NIAR.

1971-Members of HAL Amateur Radio Club, Ex-servicemen Association, members of the HAL Workers Union together organised a “Jawans Stall” at Secunderabad Railway station under the leadership of Mr. S. Suri.

1972-Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister received a cheque of Rs. 30,000/- from Mr. Suri representing HAL, Hyderabad division. The autograph by her was in 1978 after presenting a report on Hams role in Morvi disaster. ( pic on back cover)

1975-Registration of A.P. Amateur Radio Society (APARS).

1976-A.P Govt. constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Technical Education, Employment & Training with Director, Employees & Training and Director, Technical Education. This committee after going through lot of process and discussions with Mr. Suri, the founder  gave a report on the usefulness of Ham’s during natural calamities and other areas and on APARS to Government of AP. Later Mr. T.Anjaiah, Hon’ble Chief  Minister approved several proposals including the release of first AP grant of Rs.1,00,000 in 1980.

1982-A major All India Hamvention was conducted by APARS at Hyderabad which was attended by former prime minister Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi , VU2 RG.

APARS provided Amateur Radio network  during the 9^th Asian games - Asiad’82 held at New Delhi.

1983-APARS provided communication network at the Common Wealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) held at Goa.

A team of three members led by Mrs. Bharathi Prasad, VU2 RBI operated expedition station at  Lakshadweep Islands.  

        NIAR was established. Mr. V.N. Gadgil the then Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, GOI, inaugurated.

 Mr. S. Suri, VU2MY the Executive Vice-chairman & Director, NIAR was sent on global tour for two months to study many international Amateur Radio organisations. This was approved by Mrs. Indira Gandhi as Minister for Electronics & Prime Minister. 

NIAR emerged as a National Organisation in promotion of Amateur Radio.  Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India decided to recognise it as an Apex organisation and funding it to the tune of Rs. 95 lakhs.

1984-Established NIAR office at P.S. Nagar. (Mr. Suri’s residence)

1985-Shifted NIAR office to Road No.1, Banjara Hills.

1986-Constructed own buildings and moved NIAR office to Rajbhavan Road, Hyderabad.

Participated in RSGB (UK) and AMSAT (UK) conferences.

1987-NIAR conducted a major Dxpedition to Andaman & Nicobar Islands with a team of 30 members lead by Mrs. Bharati Prasad, VU2 RBI. She became number one among woman Hams and was Awarded World wide “DX”er  and “ Ambassador on the Air,”  by USA.

1987 ~ 1992 - All India Hamvention held at NIAR HQ.

1988-International Amateur Radio Union President and two other representatives visited NIAR.

1989-2^nd Laccadives Dxpedition was conducted by NIAR with a team of 5 members lead by Mr. S.Suri VU2 MY.

1991-Major Policy - Introduction of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) as an activity  under Work Experience from Class-IX onwards in all CBSE affiliated schools.

1993-Acquired office buildings at Delhi and started  expanding NIAR activities in North India.

1993-Mr. S.K. Arora, IAS, became, chairman. A team of 3 members under  his leadership with Mr. M.G. Gopal, IAS and Mr. S. Suri VU2MY visited Japan and other South East Asian countries. Interacted with officials of IARU, JARL and others.

1994-Colloboration with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and establishment of R.G. Amateur Radio Club.

1994-Major All India Hamvention held at Bangalore. Many politicians, IAS, IPS, representive of R.G.F are among the dignitaries who attended.

1994-NIAR receives “Golden Antenna” from German & Dutch Society - Mr. S.K. Arora, IAS represented, NIAR at Bad Bentheim, Germany in the presence of Indian Embassy officials and other high dignitaries including the Mayor.

1995-Major All India Conference at Delhi. Dr. Shrikant Jichkar, MP, Rajya Sabha who is also highly qualified person in India took over as Chairman.

He was, MP, Rajya Sabha also a former IPS/IAS, Ex-MLA, Minister,is the forerunner to take up amateur radio activities in Melghat areas and in a school in Nagpur and has organised a major Amateur Radio club at Nagpur.

1996-MPLAD scheme approves setting up Amateur Radio clubs in schools.

1997-Mr. N. Vittal recommended Public Sector Enterprises to establish Amateur Radio Clubs in their schools. ONGC, IOC Gujarat Refinery have already taken up and some more are on the pipeline.

1997~98-The Govt. of India entrusts a study of Socio-Economic Viability of Village Public Telephones to NIAR which was successfully completed.

NIAR participated in National Council for Emergency Managers (NCCEM), Global Forum of Natural Disaster Reduction (GFNDR) at Phoenix, USA and Disaster-98 at Orlardo, USA.

NIAR has reached an MOU with Disaster Emergency Resource Agency (DERA) USA to work out some details for further improvements in taking up Emergency Management areas through voluntary action.

        The Electronic Media and the press has been quoting APARS AND NIAR activities extensively since 1970. Door Darshan had telecast Video produced by NIAR (22 Minutes) in its prime time channels as well as in News coverages.

        The Indian and International press gave coverage to all NIAR’s major achievements. Some magazines even gave front page coverage making NIAR’s events as main news.

During this period several prominent leaders, eminent persons & Hams, people all walks of life from India and Abroad have visited NIAR and appreciated its activities.

Similarly NIAR had sponsored 17 members in all to several international Meetings / Conferences / Hamventions / Seminars, since 1975.  

We at NIAR thanks all its members for rendering their enormous support and encouragement to all its activities over the years. NIAR has reinstated its commitment  on the eve of 50 years of Indian Independence and 15 years of NIAR in Nation Building activities by service  through Amateur Radio.*