INDIA NATIONAL OFFICE

India is The Salvation Army's oldest mission field. Frederick St. George de Latour Tucker, of the Indian Civil Service, read a copy of The War Cry, became a Salvationist and, as Major Tucker (later Commissioner Booth-Tucker), took the Indian name of Fakir Singh and commenced Army's work in Bombay on 19th September 1882. The adoption of Indian food, dress, names, and customs gave the pioneers ready access to the people, especially in the villages.

In addition to evangelistic work, various social programs were commenced for the relief of distress from famine, flood, and epidemic. Educational facilities such as elementary, secondary, and industrial schools, cottage industries, and settlements were provided for the depressed classes. Medical work originated in Nagercoil in 1893 when Captain (Dr.) Harry Andrews set up a dispensary at the headquarters there. The medical work has grown from this. Work among the Criminal Tribes began in 1908 at the government's invitation.

The Salvation Army is registered as a Guarantee Company under the Indian Companies Act. 1913. The name of the company is "The Salvation Army". The Chairman of this Association is Colonel Lalhmingliana Hmar, and the Vice Chairman is Colonel P. John William and the Secretary of this association is Colonel S. P. Simon

The National Office for India serves the country's six territories. The Conference of Indian Leaders (COIL), established in 1989, meets annually to coordinate national Salvation Army affairs and give direction to the National Executive Officer.

Several national offices had been established in earlier years, including the Editorial, Literary, and Audit Offices. The establishment of The Salvation Army Health Services Advisory Council (SAHSAC) in 1986 was a regionally based support to many aspects of Salvation Army work in India.

An administrative reorganization took place in 2008 which resulted in all the Secretarial departments being brought together in one building under the leadership of a National Executive Officer with the result that, for the first time, the India National Office could function as a whole and not as separate departments to support the six territories.

National Executive Officer: Colonel S. P. Simon (Effective from 1st November 2021)

Secretary for Women's Development & Administrator: Colonel Annamma Simon (Effective from 1st November 2021)

Spiritual Life Development Secretary for India: --

Secretary for Human Resources Development: Major Samson Macwan

Cashier, Maintenance & Facility Officer: Major Kalpana Macwan

Chief Financial Officer & Projects Secretary: Major Shaijuraj Lalas (Effective from 1st April 2021)

Editor, The War Cry & Secretary for Communications: Major Evama Shaijuraj (Effective from 1st April 2021)

Administrator, The Salvation Army Retreat Centre, Coonoor: Major Franklin Christu Dhas

Home Care Officer, The Salvation Army Retreat Centre, Coonoor: Major Dhanpakshi Selvi

National Business Secretary for C & A, Mumbai: Captain Aseervadam Cheeli

Education Secretary & Zonal Child Protection Specialist (Outside India), Mumbai: Captain Latha Cheeli (Effective from 1st April 2021)

Secretary for Youth & Children and Child Protection: Captain Charles Chalrimawia (Effective from 1st September 2023)

Secretary for Health & Emergency: Captain Kewal Masih (Effective from 1st April 2021)

Secretary for Social and Anti-Human Trafficking: Captain Sheetal Rani (Effective from 1st April 2021)

Postal Address:
The Salvation Army
India National Office
37, Lenin Sarani (1st Floor), Dharamtala post
P. O. Box. 8994, Kolkata - 700013, West Bengal, India
Phone: [91] (33) 2249 7210
email: national@inn.salvationarmy.org