AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 44 of 56 Patron Lt Gen C Sundara Rao, PVSM Tele: 24461085 President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Maj Gen A Balasubrahmanian AVSM Sigs Tele: 24993148 Brig Mohan Thomas, AOC Tele: 22294080 Lt Col CR Sundar, Madras Tele: 22290186 Lt Col M Narayanan, Engrs Tele: 24488546 No 5 of 2008 Newsletter #05/2008 17 Oct 2008 (FOR CIRCULATION AMONG MEMBERS ONLY) The next bi-monthly meeting will be held at Palm Grove Ecological Park and Sports Complex, Island Grounds on Sunday, 02 Nov 2008. The meeting will commence with Tambola at 1100 h. Details are at Para 33. The small courtesies sweeten life; the greater ennoble it. - Christian Nestell Bovee From The Editorial Team 1. Traditionally, "Veterans” were perceived to be grand old men with large moustache, a be-medaled hero, who led and fought wars. The present day scenario is a bit different. The veteran today is merely "Re Attired”. He wishes to remain Energetic, Active, and prove that he is still useful to the society by accepting and shouldering new responsibilities. He wants to make his life more meaningful and also lead a comfortable life. An officer veteran on the other hand soon realizes, that in this fast changing world, where in "EXCEL TO PROGRESS” is the mantra, he has to compete to meet the demands of the market. His Diligence, Discipline, Devotion and Dependability, combined with that ever Positive attitude to deliver the desired results, automatically brings the respect to the Uniform that he wore once. We as Veterans MUST strive to uphold our rich personality traits like Honesty, Reliability, Sincerity and Punctuality, to ensure that we are always sought after and preferred. 2. All of us are aware of the media Blitz over the 6th Pay commission's recommendations. It had created a piquant situation for the Government and its leaders. The lack of attention to details by the members of the commission and appreciation of the consequent implications on command and control system in the Armed Forces , has resulted in the setting up of the Anomalies Committee and formation of a Group of Ministers to rectify the discrepancies pointed out by the three Service Chiefs. An exercise that could well have been avoided had our initial request for the incorporation of a Defence Service representative in the commission was heeded to. Our AFVOA Veterans had also taken the lead in vociferously presenting the grave anomalies. A host of E mails are being generated and circulated and these are giving various signals to our Association to join hands in the “quest for justice.” 3. As an association, we have not joined either of the newly formed Indian Ex Service Movement or the old Indian Ex Servicemen League and have left it to the officers to make their choice.