AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 85 | 101 The Patron issued a New Year 2000 message to all the members and urged them to continue to endeavour in the 21st century to ensure that our children and grandchildren become responsible citizens. The first meeting of the Millennium was held on 23 Jan2000 and a bunch of new members joined. Our energetic lady member Brig K. Muthulaxmi, of the Nightingale service now a qualified and practicing lawyer gave a highly informative talk on the preparation of a “WILL”. The talk reminded the audience that we are not getting younger and that it is never late too start and earlier the better. The brochure she had compiled was extremely useful. On 1 May 2000, decision was taken that in future communications to our members will be in the form of a NEWSLETTER. Accordingly, Newsletter 1 of 2000 was issued from that day (record available) Brig Subby volunteered to be the Editor. Subsequent Newsletters 2,3 and 4 conveyed news to the members about the meetings gone by, matters pertaining to activities like talks by invited speakers, new members and discussion points posed by the Patron. The general body had to take a view on the points raised by our elder and respected member Maj Gen Aban Naidu had raised two issues pertaining to the EXSOA-  Should the EXSOA be a Registered Society?  Should the Name of EXSOA be changed? If so, what should it be? Maj Gen Aban Naidu had served as the Defence Attache in the USA while in service. Right from the day he joined our association, he pointed out that the name “EXSERVICE OFFICERS” is not appropriate. It conveys that we are no longer service officers. We as Service officers having received the “COMMISSION” from the President of India are privileged to carry our Rank and status for life. In the USA, the soldier on retirement is termed as a VETERAN and as such his stature in society is recognized and respected. In the fitness of things EXSOA ADYAR should be renamed as ARMED FORCES VETERAN OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. (AFVOA) CHENNAI. The GB meeting held on 14 May 2000 held at the Youth hostel INDIRA NAGAR duly deliberated the proposal put forward by Gen Aban Naidu and took the momentous decision unanimously. With thunderous rounds of applauses, the GB adopted the motion and decided to rename EXSOA ADYAR as ARMED FORCES VETERAN OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (AFVOA) CHENNAI. Newsletter 3/2000 dated10 July is the last one carrying the name EXSOA (record available).The Patron raised the matter with the GOC of the Area with a request that it be taken up with higher headquarters for incorporating the terminology ”Veteran” instead of Ex Servicemen. It is gratifying to note that the service HQs are slowly adopting the term