AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 34 of 56 Defence Officers Institute This long standing demand of the AFVOA is in the advanced stage of planning and establishment. Others Other preparatory initiatives include envisaged activities towards development of Library, Cultural, Games and Sports, facilities; Women’s welfare; Veterans Participation in the Republic Day Parade; and AFVOA role as a civil society carrying out liaison relating to RTI Act etc.. The above is a tentative list and the AFVOA Committee welcomes suggestions and recommendations for other areas of activities and also indicate willingness to volunteer for promotion and participation in the various specific areas. In this context, Members may kindly recall our Secretary, at our last AGM on 8 June 2008, outlining a dream plan of various activities (in the nature of Pillars) adding up to supporting a canopy (a larger hemispherical dome) which will symbolise the much expanded version of AFVOA in the years to come! Let us make a concerted beginning towards that structure for AFVOA! Patience, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: It is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. John Lubbock Obituary It was with a heavy heart that members of the AFVOA received the news of the sad demise of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw on 27 Jun 2008. He was one of the Greatest sons of India arid a soldier in the highest traditions of the Indian Armed Forces. A Tribute to Sam Bahadur Post-Independence India has not produced many real life heroes. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who passed away on June 27, was undoubtedly one of the greatest soldiers who walked on this holy land before our eyes. He was the most celebrated fighter-general modern India produced. He was an icon not only because of his courage, integrity, patriotism and strategic mastery but also because by all accounts he was a fantastic human being. The Field Marshal, according to the reminiscences of his other decorated contemporaries, ranked along with military geniuses like Rommel, Montgomery, Cariappa and Patton who led brilliant campaigns and raised the morale of their soldiers when faced with insurmountable obstacles in war. His victory over Pakistan, the crushing battering he delivered on the enemy soldiers in 1971 in East Pakistan, his supervision of the creation of Bangladesh established him as a legendary leader of titanic dimensions, but his sense of humour, soldier-like simplicity and grace endeared him to every Indian. For those of us Indians in their prime, Manekshaw was a youth ideal. He might have inspired many youngsters in the seventies and eighties to choose the army as their career option. We salute him. (Extract from ORGANISER EDIT) To know when to be generous and when to be firm, that is wisdom.