AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 8 of 56 arriving veterans and families. He provided parking space for private vehicles. Rest room facilities and drinking water was made available at the Youth Hostel. 4. Sharply at 0700 hrs three school buses of 756 Indep Tpt Pl, ASC (Civ GT) along with PA eqpt from ATNK&K Area Sig Coy arrived. Our thanks go to Lt Col M Ravindran, OC Tpt Pl and Lt Col Ramneek Kalra for providing the afore said resources as also to Col GS and Col Q of HQ ATNK&K Area. 5. Those assembled were marshaled by Col A Krishnaswami VrC, VSM** and Brig (Mrs) K Muthulaxmy and boarding began at 0730 hrs. At 0800 hrs the buses departed and all the picnickers had a pleasant ride for about an hour along the East Coast Road that cool Sunday morning. Fresh sea breeze wafting in from the Bay of Bengal made the journey an agreeably pleasing experience. 6. Hot and delicious breakfast was provided by Mr. Maharaj, our caterer as the people arrived at the venue. After breakfast and rest all present were invited to assemble in the Century Hall where the Secretary briefed them on the lay out of Camp Gloria and also on the program for the day. Outdoor Games 7. The Veteran in-charge of out door games was Brig Mohan Thomas, our Vice President. He called for volunteers to form five teams of 15 members each. Veterans, families and guests were permitted to take part. Each team when formed had to have at least 2 members of 75 years or above of age, 3 members between 65 to 74 and 5 members of the age group 50 to 65. To build team spirit the teams were named after rivers viz., Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari, Vaigai and Periyaar. 8. There were four game spots. They were (a) Putting a golf ball from 20 feet with a putter. The number of strokes to be counted. (b) Hitting a croquet ball using a croquet mallet through three hoops each 8 feet apart. The number of strokes to be counted. (c) Hitting three cricket stumps with a volley ball from 20 feet away. Hits to be counted for three attempts. (d) Throwing a basketball through a hoop 8 feet away and 8 feet above ground. Three attempts per player with scores counted. 9. As the teams went around from one game to another not only the players but also the observers and cheerers had a nice time. Ultimately Kaveri team won the overall championship and they carried away the First Prize. 10. We need to thank the referees who were Col AV Amalaraj, Gp Capt LV Mohandas, VSM, Mrs Lalitha Mohandas and Mrs Kavitha Valentine. Karaoke 11. Sqn Ldr CK Unni Nair who is one of our most talented members and a gifted musician contributed enormously to the fun during the Picnic. He himself sang some excellent numbers in Malayalam and Hindi and encouraged volunteers to join him in Karaoke. Mrs Lalitha Mohandas, Dr Vaidehi Pandurangan and Mrs Prasanna gave lilting songs. Station Commander Joins the Picnic 12. Brig VN Money, Station Commander was kind enough to join us at the Picnic avenue. It was indeed nice of him to find the time to be with us amidst all the activities of the Station that he is involved in.