AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 4 of 84  Brig M R Varma  Wg Cdr TT Visuvasam  Flt Lt S Wilson Meeting Gone By - “An Impression” by Wg Cdr Ravi Mani The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way . ~ Unknown . The annual picnic held on Sunday, 23 Dec 2001 was perhaps among the most pleasant and enjoyable such gatherings that the members and their spouses had attended. The torrential rain of the three days preceding the picnic caused some trepidation as to its effect on the attendance, with a number of members ringing up the organisers on the evening of the winter solstice, converting their “ayes” to “nays”. However, with the typical spirit that the veterans have brought over into the eventide of their lives, it was decided to “bash on regardless”. Arrangements had been made for about 120 heads, itself a figure of glorious and calculated risk taking, so typical of the war-gaming scenarios of our active lives. As usual, the members of the organising committee were handicapped in the absence of positive/negative confirmation from the large majority of our members till the very last minute, literally. God blesses the old soldier! - it stopped raining on Sunday the 23rd, and though the skies were a grey overcast, during the morning, the grounds of the Youth Hostel were full enough to remove the apprehensions of a large scale “no show”. Breakfast packets comprising of idlis, vadas, chutney and sambar tastefully packed in disposable casseroles were handed over to the members. Many who were already hungry, quickly consumed the contents and also washed it down with coffee/tea – though the intention of the organisers was that the breakfast should be consumed during the journey. As soon as the people had gathered and were busy collecting their eats, Arun and Arathi, the two delightful teen aged children of Cmdr Prasad, handed out slips seeking information on the day, date, month and year of birth. Some among the assembly were a trifle apprehensive about the manner of use of this classified information, but gave in nevertheless. But more about this later. Meanwhile, boarding of the two coaches provided through the courtesy and concern of the GOC Area, also got under way. A few minutes were spent in the mandatory roll call, and the caravan consisting of the two buses and a few officers who preferred to drive down in their own cars, started rolling out at 0845 hours, a little behind schedule. Col Vishwanathan was no longer sweating, as we had 92 heads on board. The drive along the East Coast Road was pleasant and uneventful, and we arrived at the Century Auditorium at Camp Gloria, No 41, Perur Colony, Perur Village, Nemmeli about an hour later. The chosen spot was truly idyllic, with the manmade structures so blending with Nature, as not to sound a jarring note at all. There were trees, ducks, geese, a beautiful medium size open-sided auditorium which was fashioned in the Laurie Baker style, a few cottages, and adequate and clean facilities, including drinking water. Grateful thanks are due to Maj Gen Aban Naidu for suggesting the location to the organising committee. We were welcomed personally by the caretaker, Mr Robin Bricks with refreshing cool drinks. As soon as the members settled down in the auditorium, members were told that the information collected by the two teen-agers was to be used in the members ‘Finding their Family’. The team led by Brig Muthulaxmi emerged worthy winners. Mrs Usha Subramanian then took