AFVOA Newletters of Year 2011

Page 40 of 44 Terror Squad, please take a Note of the new ALL INDIA TOLL-FREE Terror Help-line “1090”. Your city’s Police or Anti-Terror squadwill take action as quickly as possible. Remember that this single number 1090 is valid all over India This is a toll free number and can be dialled frommobile phones also. Moreover, the identity of the caller will be kept a secret. Let us make each and every citizen of India aware about this facility. An all faithprayermeeting for themartyrs of uniformed forces of independent Indiawas organised by theNaval Maritime Foundation supported by the Rotary Club of Madras Central at the Ethiraj College auditorium on 14 Sep 2011. Our Patron Lt Gen (Retd) CSundaraRao, PVSMand President Maj Gen (Retd) CTChari, AVSMattended themeeting. They laid wreaths on behalf of the AFVOA. This function was well attended with the diplomatic corps in strength AUTISM INCHILDREN Ms Mythily Chari made two presentations to increase awareness about Autism in Children for families of serving personnel of Chennai Garrison.On 10Oct 2011, shemade thepresentation at theSeminar Hall ofMHChennai and again on 11 Oct 2011 at Golden PalmSainik Institute, Fort St George. Teachers from the Army Public School and Shaurya School also attended. Her message was simply this. Spot the autistic child early. Provide the necessary interventions immediately thereafter. Delay will only complicate matters. She has offered to give these awareness talks to family groups and school teachers at other establishments on invitation. Plan, Agenda, Vision Maj Gen (Retd) CT Chari, AVSM I have been discussingwithmany of you on howwe need tomove forward as an organization, now that we have built the necessary launch pad over the last many years. Everybody agrees that we need a refreshed plan, a new agenda and a larger vision. I have been thinking about this. In this issue of the newsletter, I shall present some broad contours of what I have beenmulling over. Let me start by saying that the very first requirement is to generate volunteer interest in the proposals that I have. I have no doubt volunteers from among our fraternity will be available on all activities that we undertake. The second requirement is to build circles of volunteers with shared interests. The third requirement is to have three persons from each circle, facilitating and coordinating the activities of the circles. The volunteers within the circles may elect their facilitators and coordinators fromwithin themselves. Coming over to specifics, let us first see what more we can do for ourselves; we are doing some things yes, I dare say we can do much more for ourselves. Organising different activities to enhance our bonding as a group. Isn’t that happening now? Yes, in a small way, much more can be done. I know there is a golf do. Say we have some other recreational dos. Example. A bridge tournament with husband and wife pairs. May be buddy pairs. Our bridge lovers can come up with proposals that can generate interest and in the bargain, get people meeting up from time to time. How about a morning’s power walk followed by breakfast at the Island Grounds. The walk can be competitive with participants grouped age-wise, timings noted. Husband and wife aggregate timings and find the fittest couple. Endless are the possibilities of just having fun and in the bargain getting to know each other better. Apart from the Picnic, how about a Retreat at a location 100 to 150 kms out of Chennai with an overnight stay and interesting activities there. Many such engagements are possible and can be planned. I amsure therewill bemore ideas from you all. We can work it out to enhance the fun factor. Aim is to make ourselves a happy and active lot.