AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 83 | 101 suggestion to all of us stating that such picnics should be organized TWICE in a year!! Picnics became the acid test for members to assess the performance of the managing committee during the year. All other activities carried out by the team during the year were taken for granted as routine!! Subby, Ravi and Narayanan had played their role admirably and subsequent meetings till May1999, were just cake walk and the planning for the induction of a new team had commenced. Suggestions of Subby, Narayanan and Ravi Mani for consideration by the Association were as under a) Institutionalising an award for the Cadets of the OTA CHENNAI b) Either setting up/help in the management of a Care Home for the needy and elderly. c) Setting up of a Re employment cell /Re trainer/Refresher facilities for those looking out for gainful employment through a placement cell. As per the wishes of the Patron Volunteered to Stand for the election as the New President on 30 May 1999 with his request that Narayanan and Ravi Mani again stand for election. In such matters the GB merely clapped their hands in unison to convey the approval. TEAM MUTHU was constituted. All of them had held responsibilities in the earlier committees and as such “Carry on with the good work” was the advice from the patron. Wing Cdr Essaki Muthu was a respected member not only because of he is being elderly. He prior to retirement was also the Principal of the Sainik School Belgaum. He was soft spoken, courteous to a fault, very respectful hard working and above all a pleasing personality one would like to work with. We affectionately named him “MasterJI” His silent contribution to the organization will be remembered. Alas, he is not amidst as anymore and a large number of us paid tributes during his last journey. We pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace. The Kargil war clouds and our initial setbacks had caused concern amongst the veteran community. Apart from the customary standing up to observe a minutes silence for the Martyrs the members unanimously resolved to send an amount of Rs 5000/- from the Association to the Army Central welfare Fund as our contribution towards” OP VIJAY” fund raising activity. The Fifth anniversary was celebrated during the picnic organized at ”NEELKANTH” gardens a beautiful and large guest house near the coast line on the East Coast Road adjoining VGP.(Venue Courtesy Col MANI)The memorable day became lively because of the party games organized by the ladies. Sulochana Krishnaswami, Bhuvana Pasupathy and Usha Mani stole the thunder by organising interesting games and kept the audience enthralled guessing for the answers. Col Mani and Usha had won the admiration for organizing gifts from the local industrialists for distribution during picnics which is a very gracious gesture. The