AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 149 of 170 “Naturally we run into extremes. ‘When we are healthy and young, we think that all the wealth of the world will be ours, and when later we get kicked about by society like footballs and get older, we sit in a corner and croak and throw cold water on the enthusiasm of others. ………………” Swami Vivekananda Introduction 4. The meeting of the 19 th October had an ambitious and long agenda, with the underlying assumption that the much-awaited NE Monsoon would spare the veterans a drenching. This hope was not belied. It was almost as if the extensive cloud mass centred just north of the Chennai area was aware of the importance of this particular occasion, the welcome rains commencing just one hour after the meeting ended. The veterans hope, along with all the Madrassis (which veteran would willingly prefer being called a Chennai-ite or a Chennaian -for that matter, can one think of the Madras Regiment being called the Chennai Regiment!), that we get more than enough rain in the ensuing two months, and that the NE Monsoon bids adieu in time for our annual picnic in mid-December. 5. The first item that was slated for the afternoon’s programme was the scrutiny and receipt of applications for the ECHS by Col AS Rao and his staff from the Station Headquarters, commencing 1500 hours onwards. This was to be followed up with Tombola commencing from 1700 hours, and the formal meeting starting off at 1800 hours. This meeting was also special in the fact that we were to honour as many as FIVE elders, one of whom had seen more than the Biblical four score and ten summers. ECHS 6. Col AS Rao and his staff were kept busy from 1500 hours till quite late in the evening scrutinising and receiving completed applications forms from those of our members (as well as non members) who had made the payment by means of an MRO, and whose documentation which the members hoped were complete. The occasion was also utilised by members who had yet to get all the documentation ready to have their applications forms vetted. As was mentioned by the Patron later on in the evening, Col Rao’s act of grace in coming over with his staff and spending the better part of a Sunday was a Godsend for the more elderly among our members, who would otherwise have had to perforce to climb to a more elevated level to reach Col Rao’s office on the second floor of the Station Headquarters building. Col Rao was more than thorough in his scrutiny, as evinced by the fact, that of the 45 members who submitted the forms, he accepted only about fifteen. Members had perforce to go over to the Station Headquarters subsequently to hand over the forms, after they were duly rectified. In that sense, Col Rao’s presence helped clarify the minds of members as to the exact nature of requirements. Tombola/Housie 7. Brig VA Subramanyam and Capt Gregory were ready with the wherewithal for Tombola at precisely 1705 hours. However, there were then only 10 brave souls present, the rest of the right-on-time birds being with Col Rao. It was at almost 1745 hours that calling of the numbers for the first house of the day commenced. The snowball of Rs 1100/- was to be won in 49 counts. There was time for a second house too, and this one found many takers from among the gathering crowd. The snowball rolled over from both the games played, and is there for the taking by the lucky one at our next meeting. In memoriam