AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 82 | 101 The second picnic of the association was initially planned at a farmhouse in Guduvanchery. Due to the distance factor and the long travelling time, we finally chose the VANDALUR ZOO as our venue for our picnic on 8 October1997. Our distinguished member Capt VS Chitrapu of the Indian Forest Service was the Principal conservator of forests in Tamil Nadu. With one nod from the big boss, every arrangement at the Zoo including the forest guest house premises were top class. The conducted tour of the zoo was enjoyed by the children. The tennis ball cricket match, party games organized by Chitkala followed by two rounds of TOMBOLA where in attractive gift items provided by industrial houses (courtesy Col Mani of MCC) for winners was a big hit. The tasty lunch provided by Chutney caterers (Maj Giri), enabled us to enjoy the day out. Alas, both Tithala and Hema are no longer amidst us. The lord embraced them. In the Meeting held on 24 May 1998, the change of the committee members was announced by the Patron. Accordingly, Brig VA Subramanyam took over as the President and Lt Col M. Narayanan as Vice President and ably assisted by Wing Cdr Ravi Mani as the Secretary. The dynamic team was successful in enhancing the membership to 100. Regimental and Service friendships were used to attract membership. Ravi Mani brought the Airforce veterans closer to the Association. Air Marshal RS Naidu PVSM was the case in point who joined in July 1998. He presented the large fabricated wooden TOMBOLA Counter Board to the Association and this one of the permanent assets of the association that is held on ledger charge. It reminds all of the happy and healthy relationships that we have as an Inter Service Organization. The picnic organized by the committee on 13 Sept 1998 was at Mahabalipuram at the Temple bay restaurant was another day to remember. There were some interesting party games organized by Chitkala and Usha Subramanian which kept the audience riveted to their chairs. The prizes were attractive hampers and the competition was stiff. Our ladies were very talented and good organizers. Chilled beer and tetra pack soft drinks were welcome due to the heat of the sun rays on the pristine sand of Mahabalipuram resort. To round it off, Giri’s CHUTNEY team fed us with a delicious meal and some of our elder members were lulled to sleep in their seats under the air-conditioned comfort of the conference room of the resort hotel. The Teatime programme was kept as a surprise. We had organized Cake Cutting for celebrating two events- Our FOURTH anniversary and Birthday cum Wedding anniversary of Major Balachandran our founder member and first Secretary. Giri had added hot vegetable puff from his side!! During the return journey most of the members and ladies were fast asleep in the bus after such a tucking Our senior war veteran of the WW 2 from the Royal Indian Navy Mr K Rajagopalan IPS was so impressed about the picnic arrangements, he gave the