AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 7- From the Archives CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 228 of 237 conduct the Tombola event of the programme much to the awe and delight of the members for his simplicity and enthusiasm. During the midst of the conduct of the second house when he was calling the shots and was his witty best, the skies opened up and there was a torrential downpour. Every one including our respected elder ladies pitched in with great enthusiasm and spontaneously helped in shifting all the outdoor arrangements to a small hall in the hostel complex. The caterer had already laid out the food and the task of shifting the food containers with least dilution was gigantic task which the veterans and the ladies managed in double quick time with no confusion. It was a great experience for the Vice president Col Viswanathan who was conducting the meet in the absence of the President who was out of station. Our caterer rose to the occasion and after a small delay warmed up the food once again and everyone enjoyed the hot food inside the crowded hall without any cribbing, as they must have experienced hardships in their service life. The 15 new members who joined our fold on that rainy day were awe struck with our spirit of cooperation and spontaneous reaction and they too joined in helping out. Executive committee meetings - Palani Centre Suitable accommodation and office space for holding the executive committee meeting was a problem that existed from the very inception. The meetings were held either in the residences of the President or in one of the committee members. There was no staff for typing and secretarial work of receiving and dispatching letters. Our Vice President Col N. Viswanathan was working as the Administrative Executive for managing the Massive building complex Palani Centre in T Nagar housing several business offices. He was magnanimous to obtain the permission from the owners to permit our monthly meetings at his office. AFVOA not only got a location for its office but also his stenographer cum clerk Mr Krishnamurthy (Ex Serviceman) to manage the Office. It was a great relief for the committee as well as to the members. The facility was available for several years till Col Viswanathan relinquished his appointment and we got a permanent location with the assistance of the GOC in the Armed Forces Tribunal complex at St Thomas Mount. CAMP GLORIA OUR NEW PICNIC LOCATION Our next bi-monthly meet for the year was the Picnic. Members always look forward to this event. This event would be remembered, as the location was a surprise. Maj Gen Aban Naidu one of our elderly venerable member had a farmhouse on the New Mahabalipuam road. Close to his farmhouse was a large property, which belonged to Major Dr George Thomas of the RIAMC – another Ex-serviceman. Dr Thomas was one of the founding fathers of the Kilpauk Mental hospital and a personal friend of the General being neighbours in Kilpauk. The large place of Dr Thomas was known as Camp Gloria in Perur village Nimmelli. In a casual conversation when Gen