AFOVA Newletters of Year 2001

Page 10 of 52 of the usual 6.00 pm. The attendance again far exceeded the confirmations, with around a hundred people turning up. When the meeting was called to order, a minute’s silence was observed to pay homage to the victims of one of the worst earth quakes which devastated Gujarat on Republic day. 6. A proposal for raising funds for Gujarat victims was mooted. However it was felt that it would be more prudent to make the contributions individually, rather than route the same through AFVOA, who anyway had no secretariat to carry out such duties. 7. Maj Gen Aban Naidu felt that there was need for greater inter action between the serving and those who had served in the Armed Forces. And this should be more visible to the general civilian public, which will go a long way in enhancing the awareness about the Armed Forces in this part of the country. He mentioned that the method that he had followed while he was GOC Delhi Area, may be examined for its feasibility. The method suggested was that when any veteran officer in the station passed away, the Sevice headquarters of the concerned be informed. Thereafter, they depute a representative along with a small detachment of men with arms, to attend the funeral/cremation. The detachment can also pay homage in uniform and fire the laid down number of blank rounds at the crematorium/burial ground. He suggested that the committee may examine the suggestion and take necessary steps in this regard. 8. Lt Col GR Rajendran mentioned that in view of the vast expertise in managerial functions that veteran officers possessed, as also the fact that many of the children of such officers were abroad, it may be well worth to float a limited company in the area of Information Technology. Wg Cdr PS Murthy mentioned the concessions given by Sahara airlines for all retired officers. Perhaps one of the chief and most desirable qualities of all is to have the ability to persevere against adverse conditions. ˜ Unknown 9. Due to lack of rains, a large number of people are either deepening the existing bore wells, or digging new ones. And on that Sunday, we had one such contraption, just outside our venue, making a deafening noise, in an attempt to drill a new well. The noise level remaining unusually high did not deter our inveterate Tambola players. The members aspiring to win handsome prizes in Tambola had to be satisfied with playing one house only. In spite of increasing the value of the snow ball to Rs 850.00, in 52 counts, it still rolled out of the hands of the limited few who tried their luck. One of our guests Mrs Robertson claimed a minor prize, but the house remained with one of our own – Lt Col K S Raja. New Members A friend is a person who knows all about you – and still likes you. ˜ Hubbard 10. The fraternity welcomes the following new members and hopes that their association with the AFVOA will be both fruitful and enjoyable. a) Brig Harish Chawla, Signals b) Fig Offr KPN Rao, c) Mrs Padma Rathnavelu, (wife of Col Rathnavelu)