AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 45 of 56 4. The AFVOA resolves to project the veterans Concerns and View points pertaining to their Welfare to the authorities and ensure that they are heard and also endeavour to protect their interests. We should remain vigilant and also seek the correct data with the help of the “ Right to Information Act”. That would ensure that our rights and privileges are protected. 5. The string of festivities like Navarathiri, Durga Pooja and Diwali have kept us busy and have indeed revitalized us. We are sure that it brought happiness and generated good will. The Editorial team wishes members joy, prosperity and good health in this season of festivals. Great thoughts, like great deeds, need No trumpet - Nathan Bailey From The President’s Desk 6. Hello fellow Veterans, it would be almost two months since our last "Three-in-one" Meeting on 31 August 2008, was held. We released our long awaited publication Navodhaya at the hand of Maj Gen E.J.Kochekkan , AVSM ,VSM,SM,GOC, ATNK&K Area . This event was followed by an inspiring address by the GOC exhorting further initiatives from ESM Groups venturing towards entrepreneurship, self help and support financing to create viable employment opportunities for ESM in diverse fields of expertise. Such initiatives could also seek to mitigate problems faced by the ESM towards health care. As an example, the "last mile problem" currently faced by ESM ( to and fro) in reaching the ECHS clinic in Chennai for the medical check-ups. The GOC set the ball rolling for the AFVOA by donating us a MARUTI OMNI 5-seater vehicle, and dedicated it towards "ESM’s Welfare". The vehicle could be used for bringing the veterans and their family members from the bus stand to the clinic/drop them back at convenient timings at a concession. I would appeal to our Veterans living close to the ECHS Clinic to come forward in order to coordinate the functioning of the support system ( meagre as it may be, for a start) to ensure optimal utility for the benefit of the ESM fraternity. The third event and finale before Dinner, was the cutting of the 14th Anniversary Cake by our Patron. The cake was relished by all members and guests with good wishes and happiness for our Association. 7. Yes, it is true that ever since the last meet, veterans have been patiently awaiting the approval of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and its implementation. That apart, the settlement of the long standing court rulings including the ECHS refunds for the ESM, are also awaited. Perhaps our AFVOA Committee that pressed our proposals to the 6 th Pay Commission should now plan for a wider agenda while preparing for the 7th pay commission! AFVOA Activities 8. Our Bimonthly meetings have become a popular feature, judging from the participation by growing numbers of our members and their spouses. Apart from our TDS ( Tambola, Dinner and Social bonhomie! ), we have also scheduled illustrated talks on current defence trends in the Services, healthcare, promotion of arts, and flower arrangement competitions, etc. Our desire to create greater interaction and exploitation of inherent talents and skills in wide ranging areas across our veterans and their families are yet to bear fruit. Such talents can be shared with our serving brethren as well as the civil society and the media in this culture rich city of Chennai. The need for such initiatives stand re-emphasised by the recent turn of events in the last few months when the Veteran Community had to confront the lack of understanding of the public and the media at large on the primordial role of the Defence Services in ensuring the Safety, Honour and Welfare of our country and the total voluntary commitment of the servicemen to the national cause with all the attendant diverse calls of duty. 9. May I draw the attention of our Members to a number of areas outlined in our