AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 81 | 101 he continue with his stentorian voice to mesmerize the audience. The ladies also enjoyed the party games organized by the enthusiastic Chitkala Govindaswamy who had many talents like quizzing, doll making, Scrabble and every year coming out with novel themes for the Dussera KOLU festival. Members and their families conveyed their desire for an outdoor Picnic once in a year. The idea was welcomed by the members. However, for the managing committee it was a challenge as it involved a lot of planning. The Patron approved of the idea and relaxed the rule regarding consumption of HARD DRINKS. (Beer and Gin were permitted). The local Army formation headquarters were kind enough to provide transport on Amenity rates. With the influence and goodwill of our member Col RI Subramanian (Col Mani) working in the Madras Chamber of Commerce, we organized the FIRST EXSOA Picnic on 8 Dec1996 at the HEMAMALINI GARDENS near Uthandi. Members and the families enjoyed the day long outdoor with Drinks, lunch and tea arrangements and transport facility from Youth Hostel and back for a token contribution of Rs 50/ per head. It has become an annual event of the Association since then. In the AGM held on 9 Mar1997, CMDE Tirthala N. Krishnaswami was detailed to volunteer for the post of President as it was ruled by the Patron that it was the turn of the NAVY to hold the fort with Brig VA Subramanyam (Subby) as the VP. The team jelled very well, and we had quite a few new members added to our strength. The THIRD anniversary of the Association meeting was scheduled for31 August to coincide with the SEVENTYFIFTH Birthday of our Patron. Two Cakes were cut, and everyone present had a fill. The Good news that was announced was that the Army Benevolent Fund had renamed the erstwhile Octogenarian grant to Platinum Grant and enhanced the award money from Rs 20000/- to Rs 50000/. Subby took the initiative to publish the first sample NEWSY newsletter for the ASSOCIATION on8 October 1997. (Records available) Earlier communications were more like Notices for the Meetings. Balaswamy felt that there was a requirement of issuing an Addenda for the Telephone directory of 1995, this second modest directory was released by the Patron. (Records available) It must be kept on record that a permanent caterer Mr Maharaj (Traditional Cooks from Rajasthan) for our meets was brought by Mrs Hema Krishnaswami, the wife of the President. He provided a sumptuous and delicious spread of food items to the entire satisfaction of the members and charged very reasonably. He has grown with the Association and continues to serve us till date. Rightly, he was honoured and called as a special invitee for our Silver jubilee functions in Aug 2019. (Man Management in the Forces)