AFVOA Newletters of Year 2007

Page 5 of 68 families. Veterans Healthcare is something I am trying to understand & of it more later. 9. The State of the Union Address by President Bush, Had amongst the audience in the senate house , in addition to the Chiefs , Gallantry award winners , who were included by name in the address to standing ovation ! The New Governor of Minisota has decided to exempt the veterans from State Income-tax! 10. Not that everything is ticketyboo! but like the proverbial ANNAPAKSHI, let us pick up the goodies worth our while and emulation. 11. We were deeply sorry to learn about the sad demise of our elder veteran & role model, Cdr VSP Mudaliar. He devoted his unbounded energy till the last day for others. He spoke to me the day I was leaving for States to share his views for the 6th Pay Commission & was planning to fly to New Delhi to present those to the League. We will miss his very inspiring presence in our meetings and remember his self-reliant ways to be emulated. We pray for the benevolent soul to rest in peace. I conclude by wishing you all the very best for other activities on the anvil. “ Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.” - APJ Abdul Kalam Meeting Gone By – A Resume 12. The year culminated in the sixth meeting of the Association members on 07 Jan 2007 at “ Camp Gloria”, our usual haunt, for the Annual Picnic. As in the past, members congregated at the Youth Hostel, Indira Nagar, at 0800 hrs and the three buses left for the picnic venue at 0830 hrs and reached Camp Gloria at 0930 hrs. A few members had arrived directly at Camp Gloria. Breakfast consisting of Venn Pongal, Vadai, chutney, sambar and tea was served in stylish plastic trays like never before. The change in the menu as well as the presentation was relished by all. Members were interacting with each other till 1015 hrs when the Secretary announced the day’s schedule. He explained that three outdoor games would precede the two indoor games and introduced all those responsible for conducting them. 13. Gp Capt & Mrs Mohandas conducted the first outdoor game named “Thematic Enactment” . Four groups of five individuals each participated in the game. The conduct of the game was unique in nature, in that, the participants after drawing a card of their choice, had to quickly comprehend the situation and enact scenes without inhibition. This was a ‘first of its kind’ game which generated lot of cheer around encouraging the participants. The group of five led by Mrs. Rukmani Gopal was adjudged the first and the one led by Mrs. Pramila Rajan was the runner up. 14. The second outdoor game, “The Time Machine” was conducted by Lt Col & Mrs CR Sundar. The couple took the participants as well as the audience to their School / College days when they displayed their talent of flying air planes and arrows made of paper to attract the attention of their ‘targets’. A well thought out game with enthusiastic participation only encouraged the authors further. The group of ten led by Lt Col M J Reddy was adjudged the first and the one led by Mrs Rukhmani Gopal came second. 15. Brig & Mrs Mohan Thomas conducted the third interesting outdoor game called “One, Two, Three, Buss….” . Repeated announcements were made for individuals aged from 9 years to 90 years to participate in the game. A large number did turn up and the rules of the