AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 78 of 237 The Members of the community were indeed a regular mix of bureaucrats/bankers/Estate Managers/ a sprinkling of Service veterans/Single women/doctors etc all established in cosy little villas (one/two bedrooms with attached baths, a hall and kitchenette, Utility area for Washers and Dryers) surrounded by strips of gardens; well connected by roads, decent and well paved and well-lit by Solar lights; The facades were uniform and placed in rows offering privacy yet allowing one to be a friendly and good neighbour! Services were provided by the establishment - regular maintenance of the living premises on a daily basis; monthly cleaning of every fan and fixtures; daily watering of the gardens; and of course regular 3 meals a day at the well-appointed Common Dining Hall; The Lounge/Club House at the centre reminded one of our Army Messes with a choice of Daily News Papers and Magazines. Regular visits by the Doctor; alternately taking the sick to the Hospital were part of the Resident Manager's duties. The Resident Nurse helped with minor aches/pains/ cuts and bruises. For the really older folks help to dry their wash/fold was carried out on extra payment. The Dhobi on the premises took care of the ironing! So it came to pass that we shut down the apartment at Chennai and chose to buy a cosy villa in the Retirement Community. We called our Home "Lazy Dayz". We chose to have a simpler dinner at night so gave up on the dinner at the dining hall; so it was possible to indulge in various treats as well, as, my Kitchenette was a fully equipped one! We did not have to venture out to pay bills, send out mail, other mundane chores as these were effortlessly carried out by the establishment! Running a home, managing the help, shopping for daily veggies/fruits, etc were no longer ours, as three meals were already signed for. Our shopping was entirely foraying into town, for pleasure, for visits to the CSD to pick up the Liquor quota, for the Sundowners! Many a civilian joined Rajan on cold wintery evenings ! We were located in very salubrious surroundings, with beautiful stretches for long walks, shady palm groves, crisp morning air exquisite sunrises where the morning sun was