AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 135 of 153 keep fit as they grow older, they should look at community service. It stops your ageing process by at least 40%. Besides you do something worthwhile”. Jaya is equally committed to work. She adds “Retired people have so much talent and experience to offer. When we are young, we might have had the ideas, but responsibilities stopped us from going ahead. Now is the time to do something useful to community.” (source: Harmony October 2004) 67. International Day of Disabled Persons. 03 Dec 2004 Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Our President, gave away the national awards for the welfare of persons with disabilities for the year 2004 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 03 Dec 2004. We record with pride that our past President, AVM V Krishnaswamy, VSM, received the Presidential award under the category “Best Institution for the Cause of Persons With Disabilities” in his capacity as the Director of the Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children, located at Chennai. (the above has been contributed by Col A Krishnaswami, VrC, VSM** and Brig NB Subramanian) Navy Foundation 68. Shri K A Rajagopalan IPS (Retd), a member of the AFVOA served the Royal Indian Navy during World War II. At the end of the War, he joined the Police services. Nevertheless, he continued his association with the Navy. He was an active member of the NAVY Foundation, Chennai Chapter. The Navy Foundation as is well known, is primarily devoted to the needs and welfare of the retired Naval personnel. The Foundation publishes a quarterly magazine called ‘Quarter Deck’. Shri Rajagopalan has made significant contribution towards improving the financial health of the publication. In recognition of his efforts, the Chief of the Naval Staff at the Annual General Meeting of the Governing Council and the members of the various chapters, held at Bangalore on 15th Oct honoured him by presenting him with a silver plaque. The Association salutes Shri Rajagopalan on the honour bestowed on him, and hopes that he will do likewise for the AFVOA as well. Obituary 70. Members of the AFOVA mourned the demise of the following: a) Shri SP Chudappa Raja, father of Brig SP Balachandran, passed away on 08 th Oct 2004. He was 86 years of age. Telephone: 5218 4916. b) Lt Col Thomas Cherian passed away on 12 th Oct 2004. He resided at No 69, Pachaiappa Hostel Road, Chetpet, Chennai – 600 031. Telephone 2641 1078. c) Smt Rajalakshmi, mother of Wg Cdr Ravi Mani, breathed her last on 21 st Oct 2004. Telephone 0831 – 24 2528 d) Wg Cdr CB Amarendra, an octogenarian, whom we had honoured recently, breathed his last on 06 th Dec 2004. He lived at No 1-D, Eden Apartments’, Kilpauk garden 1 st Street, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010. telephone 2644 7690. We pray for the departed souls. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.