AFVOA Newsletters of Year 2012

Page 46 of 80 I must confess we are nowhere near being a member-led organization. We are still management-led with the responsibilities kept on the shoulders of the office bearers and a few members, who are always ready to help in any which ways. I hate to complain but those who are quick to criticize are also the slowest to contribute with their time, effort, ideas and enthusiasm. Count the times you have voluntarily offered to do something for this Association of yours. There is much you can do. Just give us a call and we can sit down and discuss how you can make a difference to the Association, for the larger good. The autumn of life gets a spring in its step. That happens to members of the AFVOA. I am getting old. What does that mean? Getting old is about embracing life; it is about living longer, living together and living better. Age is only a number and healthy living is not a mirage. Together let us embrace, celebrate, live, rejoice. Growing old, staying young with AFVOA should be our motto. AFVOA’s care, concern, fellowship and bonhomie will enable us age in a wholesome and happy way. I am sure in your circle of friends and colleagues, there will be people who may be requested to speak at our meets on topics that will interest and inspire us. Do identify such people and we will send them a formal invitation to talk to us and spend a forenoon in our company. Some of you have children who have achieved much in life. We will be happy to hear them and meet them. A few of our members are currently travelling abroad. I request them to bring back photographs, speak to us of their experiences and share their memories in the Newsletter. With best wishes Maj Gen CT Chari MEETING GONE BY: THE MEETING HELD ON 28 JUL 2012 By a generous gesture on the part of the HQ Area, we were granted permission to use the Sainik Institute on 28 Jul 2012 for our get-together, raising day celebrations and the AGM. It was a cloudy day with veterans coming in strength for the meet. Col Varadan, our Secretary assisted by Col A Krishnaswami got busy collecting the cheques, dishing out tokens, providing information on various issues and answering queries from members. Theirs is always an onerous task but as usual they performed this chore with much cheer and bonhomie. The ladies rejoiced with tambola activity starting at 10:30 am sharp. Brig VA Subramanian was conspicuous getting the tickets sold ably assisted by Ms Lalitha Mohandas. The houses were played with the usual gusto. New faces won some money and the die-hards took their share of the wealth. The air-conditioned ambience supported the arduous task of keeping up with VAS and his many reminders about the snowball. Chennai and snowballs, well expressions such as these can never become