AFVOA Newletters of Year 2008

Page 9 of 56 GOC Graces the Occasion 13. Maj Gen EJ Kochekkan, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC ATNK&K Area and Mrs Saro Kochekkan, in spite of their busy schedules made it convenient to attend the Picnic. It was a great source of pleasure for all the members. The GOC listened to the sing song led by Sqn Ldr Unni Nair and listened to a few numbers by Mrs Lalitha Mohandas and other ladies. 14. In his address the GOC made the following points:- (a) He was happy to announce that Madras Medical Mission Hospital had joined the ECHS fold. The agreement to that effect had been signed the previous day by the Station Commander and they would start accepting patients with immediate effect. This announcement was received with loud cheers by all veterans and families present. (b) In connection with the Republic Day the Governor would be inviting guests to the In House (Tea) at the Raj Bhavan. Those Veterans who receive invitations should attend without fail. He desired that not only in this function but in all socio-military functions in Station veterans should turn up in strength with miniature medals to show our solidarity. (c) To another round of applause he announced that he was happy to see such joyful faces amongst the elders. In order that more such functions be held he offered to foot the bill for the Picnic. 15. Mrs. Saro Kochekkan expressed her pleasure at being a part of the gathering. She congratulated the AFVOA for organizing such functions and wished all present a joyous day and a long and happy life. 16. The GOC joined the members at lunch. During lunch members had a very good opportunity to inter act with him. Owing to prior engagement he left soon after lunch. Before leaving he wished our President speedy recovery from the discomfort he was undergoing. Tambola 17. Two houses of Tambola were played. They were conducted by Mrs Lalitha Mohandas and Brig VA Subramanyam. In the First House prizes were won by Mrs. Amalaraj, Ms Anitha Radhakrishnan and Lt Col Reddy. First full house of Rs. 400/- went to Ms. Vijayalakshmi Ramesh and the second full house went to Col Raju. In the Second House prizes went to Mrs. Manju Jain, Lt Gen VC Jain, Mrs Susheela Balakrishnan and Mrs Chithkala Govindaswamy. First full house of Rs. 500/ went to Brig (Miss) Durga Bai who also won the Snowball of Rs. 1,300/- in 52 counts. The second full house was won by Mrs Jothi Raja. Guest Speaker 18 The guest speaker of the day was Dr. N Vijayaraghavan, a leading and reputed Oncologist of Chennai. The Doctor has already extended a standing invitation to provide free consultation on Oncology to any ECHS member who may need such consultation. The Guest Speaker was introduced by Brig VN Money, Station Commander. 19. Dr. Vijayaraghavan gave an interesting talk keeping the audience in splits of laughter entwining astrology, humour and medical sciences. Excerpt, “One time when we were near Trichy my father could not walk, talk or take solid food. So our family astrologer advised my grand mother to take him to the banks of the River Kaveri every day. He wanted this to be done for about a year or so. The fresh breeze from the river would do him good, he had said. And it was to be so. When my grand mother took my father to the astrologer my father was 3 months old. A year later my father could walk, talk and take solid food.”