AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 43 of 56 taken in various contingencies. Needless to say that it is the first time a work of this nature has been undertaken by any organization in our country, nay, we may say the entire world; for retirement and its after math are subjects that are not seriously discussed in any fora. NAVODHAYA breaks this barrier and is sure to be the forerunner of all such publications in the future. This hand book is not an overnight creation by just a few. The idea was first mooted when it was found that when veterans passed away, literally no one knew what to do. Obsequies were done on vague experiences and were never uniform. That was the time when it was felt necessary to codify the orders and instruction for conducting the last rites and give guidance to the NOK. This code was initially christened Suryasthaman and work began. However, as time passed on and our Association gained more and more experience in the events of a Veteran’s life in was natural that the scope of work had to be expanded to make it a general guide book. That was when work progressed in earnest and the present team headed by Maj Gen R Karthikeyan has been successful in compiling the guide book. At this stage it was felt that Suryasthaman would be an inadequate, inappropriate and inauspicious name for such a work and the name of NAVODHAYA was suggested by Maj Gen EJ Kochekkan, GOC, ATNK&K Area. This hand book, in addition to subjects aforementioned, has broken many grounds. One chapter worth mentioning is ‘Learning to Live Alone’. This subject which is a taboo among the living has been discussed with deep understanding and an inordinate humane touch which could only have been done by men who possess a caring nature of exceptional level. The handbook comes with excellent testimonials from Gen Deepak Kapoor, Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, GOG-in-C Southern Command and Maj Gen Kochekkan, GOC ATNK&K Area. The GOC will also do us the honour of releasing the booklet and presenting the first copy to Maj Gen Aban Naidu who is our eldest and one of our oldest member. Prudence helps Life safe, but does not often make it happy. Samuel Johnson The next bi-monthly meeting will be held at Palm Grove Ecological Park and Sports Complex, Island Grounds on Sunday, 31 Aug 2008. The meeting will commence with Tambola at 1800 h. The highlights of the meeting will be the Release of our publication NAVODHAYA by Maj Gen EJ Kochekkan, AVSM, SM, VSM and our Raising Day Celebration. Please send in your payments of Rs. 50/- per head along with your confirmations.