AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 84 | 101 provision of Amenity transport and PA equipment from the local Area Head Quarters for our Picnics was because of the cordial relationship that prevailed between the Serving and retired officers After a sumptuous lunch provided by the newly inducted MAHARAJ caterers, time for departure had come when we were faced with a problem of one of our vehicles getting stuck on the sand. With collective brute force coupled with intelligent suggestions from the ladies to put palm leaves under the tyres, recovery of the vehicle without a crane was accomplished. ” Old Soldiers never say Die” In Nov 1999, our Patron had gone to Bangalore on a private visit and stayed in one of the guest rooms of the Army Messes. In the room a directory of veterans of Bangalore was kept. The directory not only contained the names of the veterans but also “Yellow pages” business listing of officers and/or their spouses detailing their present professional activities. He desired that EXSOA too work on a similar project and come out with a directory incorporating the details of officers of the three services staying in Chennai. An independent project team was formed to go into all aspects of collecting, collating, alphabetically list them and work out the financial aspects of printing. The President, Muthu and his able secretary Ravi Mani appreciating the enormity of the project, included Brig Subby, Col Viswanathan, Gp Capt Palaniswami, Cdr Prasad and Me to the team and assigned responsibilities. We also examined the suggestion of garnering advertisements for insertion in the directory. Rates for full/half/quarter page advertisements were worked out and notices were printed for circulation to prospective firms and donors. Ravi Mani the computer buff wold put all our handwritten notes in his computer and opened a Folder for the project. Narayanan was to run the routine of managing the meetings which he did admirably well. The year 1999 was ending, Y2K (2000) was a few days away. We had a very poignant and piquant situation to face. Our member Wing Cdr K Rajagopal needed our help in such an adverse financial situation. The savings of Rajagopal were getting depleted by the day as his dear wife Prabha was a victim of the dreaded Blood Cancer and the vibrant and active member has been bravely facing the situation. Self-esteem had prevented the family to seek monetary assistance from the brotherhood of members. EXSOA stepped in and the Patron issued an appeal letter on20 December to the members for contributing their Mite to help Wing Cdr Rajagopal. The response was spontaneous and the brother hood amongst the members to come to the assistance of of members became a reality and spread camaraderie was firmly established. A token contribution of Rs 10000/- towards the treatment expenses of Mrs Prabha Rajagopal.