AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 79 | 101 In the initial stages of our growth story was well measured, with no grandiose ideas. Our limited finances and accommodation were the constraints. One must remember that in the Nineties, our pensions were meagre, not all of us could afford a four-wheeler; there were no Mobiles, laptops, WhatsApp or Secretarial help. These apart, the venue being the Youth Hostel, constraints like NO alcohol in the premises, had to be abided by the members. (One die hard veteran gave up the membership after learning of the restrictions). At the Youth Hostel, there were no waiters to answer the “KOI HAI “calls. It was Self-help service from the counter. A few volunteers who believed in the age-old dictum of respecting ladies brought the soft drinks in the Crockery provided by the Youth Hostel. The empty glasses were returned by the gracious ladies at the counter. Such was the austerity and the dignity that prevailed. There were a few Soothsayers who vouched that the Association will not last for more than a year at best! However, the best was yet to come. It was providential indeed, that Balachandran being an EME officer was working with the Maruti Garages on Mount Road. He met Lt Gen Sundara Rao PVSM (also from the EME) and requested him to join the Association. On 11 Nov 1994, at the Executive committee meeting was convened at residence of the General in Kalakshetra colony. It was here that “TEAM EXSOA” was constituted. The typed copy of the” Minutes of the Meeting” is a piece of history (available in our records). The newly elected President was the motivating factor. He had progressive ideas. His appeal letter dated 20 JULY 1995 to the members spelt out the concepts on which he wanted to progress. He preferred Consensus to Majority decisions. Not only must our meetings generate new ideas but also bring out volunteers to “Bell the Cat” “No suggestion masters but Doers” was his dictum. He was a man in a hurry!! (Appeal letter is in our records.} During the first Annual Day celebrations on 5 August 1995, apart from the usual socialization, Balachandran gave a surprise by producing the first Telephone Directory of the EXSOA and asked the President to Release the modest cyclostyled list of our members, alphabetically arranged with the telephone contact number alongside. It was typed, cut to size and stapled in his office overnight. The concept of the NIKE Shoe advertisement JUST DO IT” was adopted by Balachandran. The initial strength of 20 had grown to 69 members over the year. The best part being that we had now representation from all the three services. Our presence and reputation were growing among the veteran community of Chennai. We had improved our catering arrangements. Our member (another EME) GIRI was running a popular restaurant CHUTNEY in RA Puram. The first Buffet lunch was organized by EXSOA with liveried bearers with meals served in Food warmers for a princely contribution of Rs 35/- per head. (A long way from borrowed / hired crockery/ disposable plates and cups)