AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 47 of 56 President then requested Maj Gen R Kaarthikeyan, the Chairman of the Editorial Committee to brief the audience regarding the contents of the book also highlight the importance of the various aspects that have been brought out in the book. He paid tributes to the Editorial Team for their commitment, dedication, selfless service and above all for ensuring the release of the book on schedule. 15. Maj Gen R Karthikeyan lucidly explained the various aspects that have been very methodically covered in the book for the benefit of the veterans and their families. He brought out that the team had taken great care to ensure accuracy through proper research and study. He exhorted the audience that he and his Team would be immensely satisfied if all the veterans present would give an assurance that they would all read the book carefully and take the suggested actions without delay. The chapters on “Self Assessment” and the poignantly compiled chapter on “Learning to live alone” must be read jointly by both the veteran and the spouse. Towards the end he introduced Mrs. Kalaivani, proprietor of M/s Maruthy Laser Printers to the audience, thanking her for printing the book well in time. Mrs. Kalaivani, was kind enough to distribute the ‘Emergency Card’ in a pouch free of cost to all the members present. 16. Maj Gen R Karthikeyan requested Col A Krishnaswami to share his views with the audience as it was he who originated the idea to bring out such a publication and had compiled a lot of data for the same. Col A Krishnaswami thanked the Chairman and the Team for handling the entire project in the true military fashion. But for the revival of the project which was lying dormant since 2004, by Chairman and his Team the publication wouldn’t have fructified. The concept of the book originated after several live examples of distress faced by the wives on the demise of the veterans came to light. The Patron, in 2002, had wanted a comprehensive handbook on the various aspects pertaining to the actions to be taken veteran as well as the spouse on the demise of the veteran. This was to be tackled in three parts – (a) Prior to, (b) On the occurrence of and (c) on the demise of the veteran. The team then consisted of Col A Krishnaswami and Wg Cdr ME Muthu. The project then was designated as “Suryasthaman”. A lot of work was done but the project was not published. Today, the end product, named “Navodhaya” very appropriately, was a source of great satisfaction to the two flag bearers of the project viz: Col A Krishnaswami, VrC, VSM & Bar and Wg Cdr ME Muthu. 17. The GOC was then requested to release the book and hand over the first copy to our senior veteran, Maj Gen Aban Naidu, PVSM, AVSM and later address the gathering. The release ceremony was very poignant and the GOC complimented the Editorial Team for their excellent teamwork and read out the message of the GOC-in-C, Southern Command that was received by him to be read out during the release ceremony. The message of the Army Comdr was widely applauded. 18. The GOC complimented for its various initiatives and suggested that the AFVOA enlarges its field of activity on the lines of what is being done by the ESM in Kerala especially in Cochin & Trivandrum. He desired that the AFVOA examined the various proposals and try and implement welfare measures suitable to Chennai in particular. As an example, he highlighted the plight of ESM & their families walking a long distance to reach the EXHS Clinic from bus stands. As an immediate welfare measure he presented a 5-seater Maruti Omni van to the AFVOA to be utilized for transporting the ESM patients. Symbolically the keys of the vehicle were handed over to the President. The gesture was applauded by the audience and the GOC was thanked by the President. He also expressed his desire that the AFVOA should examine fresh measures towards ESM welfare. 19. The GOC also informed the audience on the various proposals being examined towards the ESM welfare in the Stn like Old Age Home for all ranks, Officers’ Institute, etc. 20. The Secretary thanked the GOC and all members for their participation on this momentous occasion. The dinner was announced and meeting declared closed.