AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 154 of 332 There is a system in place where anybody can sponsor a breakfast, lunch, dinner or all the meals for the day, on the occasion of a birthday, wedding day or in memory of their near and dear ones. The elders say a prayer for the welfare of the sponsor before partaking the food. Care is taken to give them healthy and nutritious food. A resident warden and counsellors take care of the elders. The cook also stays on the premises. A nurse comes in daily to check their health conditions and a doctor is on standby mode always. I had the privilege of escorting the elders (pattis) to the Air Force Station to witness the passing out parade of trainees, to the camp theatre for recreational films. They had the privilege of visiting the Flying Instructors School and had high tea with the crew members. Few visits included AFWWA Day celebrations, bara khana with all families of the AF Station. AFWWA (L) has been kind enough to send a mini bus to take the elders to visit Camp Mandir for darshan and have Prasad, during Durga Puja. They are always treated as VIPs and have khana in the first batch served by officers and men. The continued support of AFWWA (L) and the Air Force authorities has been a shot in the arm for me. No doubt, I am indebted to them always for coming forward to lend a helping hand off and on. In the early 2000s, as I used to mention about the Home in the AFVOA (Armed Forces Veteran Officers Association) – a general ‘gupshup’ – little did I realise that a few large hearted and compassionate members would come forward time and again and hand over cheques to be utilised for the elders. Col Krishnaswamy, VrC, Brig. Muthulakshmi & so many others had donated generously. Late Air Mshl Ramachandran was very kind to send in a cheque. Air Mshl & Mrs. Varthaman gave furniture to the Old Age Home. Dr. Shobha Varthaman & her sister have conducted a Medical camp for the elders on World Women’s day under the aegis of Rotary club, Tambaram. Sankara Nethralaya has conducted eye camp and Hindu Mission Hospital free cataract surgery for elders. Our own Fauji brethren even after being posted out, keep sending donations – must mention here Air Cmde & Mrs Rippon Gupta, Air Cmde & Mrs. Har Kamal Sokhey and Air Cmde & Mrs. Jack Basra. It will be amiss on my part if I were not to mention the immense contribution of serving personnel too. The list is endless and I am over whelmed by the love and affection being showered upon by the large Air Force family.