Raj Dutta

22nd SOMAN MEMORIAL LECTURE & CINC’s LUNCH

Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter has been conducting the Admiral BS Soman Memorial Lecture for the past 22 yrs. Eminent Speakers from across spectrum are invited to speak on a topic of interest. In the past famous personalities as Ms Shobha De, Mr Rahul Bose, Mr Bharat Dabholkar, Mr Kabir Bedi, Mr Ananth Mahadevan, VAdm Girish Luthra and VAdm Shekhar Sinha have been invited for the talk and later interact with Veterans and Veer Naris.

The 22nd Adm Soman Lecture was conducted at 1100 hrs in Agastya Auditorium, INHS Asvini, Colaba. VAdm Abhay Raghunath Karve, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), former FOC-in-C (South) had been invited as the Guest Speaker, who educated us on the Legal Topic, “The Indian Constitution, Navy Act, Navy Regulations ; Useful and beneficial Provisions ”. VAdm SJ Singh, AVSM, NM, FOC-in-C (West) had been invited as the Chief Guest. About 240 Navy personnel, serving as well as retired were invited including Adm VS Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC(Retd), our former CNS. The Adm Soman Lecture was followed by the traditional C-in-C invitational Lunch for the Veterans as part of the Navy week Celebrations.

15 Dec 2024, was a Red letter day for the Naval Veterans of Mumbai chapter, even as they congregated at Agastya Aditorium at 1000 hrs onwards for the Adm BS Soman Memorial lecture, that has Annually been conducted for the past two decades. The conduct of 22nd Memorial Lecture was planned over 4 months in advance by Cdr Vijay Vadhera and invitation sent to VAdm AR Karve, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), former FOC-in-C South, a renowned Legal expert as the Member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Regional Bench Mumbai, which is equivalent to a High Court Judge. The venue planned was the Asvini Auditorium for the Lecture, followed by CinC’s invitational Lunch for all Veteran Naval Officers, Spouses and Veer Naris for which e-invite had been forwarded by Cdr Anil Malik, Secy IMSC besides a Press Advert in local dailies.

Veterans started arriving at the Asvini Auditorium by 1000 hrs.Among the Senior Veterans who graced the occasion were Adm Vijai Shekhawat, our former CNS, VAdm IC Rao, RAdm DN Thural, RAdm RC kochhar. Members from Pune Chapter ; RAdm & Mrs Ravi Nadkarni, Mrs Ranjana Auditto and Cdr & Mrs CR Taterwal from Jaipur Chapter graced the occasion. On Cdr Vadhera’s invite VAdm Gurcharan Singh, Comdt NDA also drove from Pune. Besides the COS and most flag officers of the Command with their graceful ladies were also present. At 1100 hrs, President NFMC escorted the Chief Guest VAdm & Mrs SJ Singh, AVSM, NM, FOC-in-C (West), along with the Guest Speaker.

Cdr Raj Dutta, Secy NFMC at the outset welcomed all the Veterans and ran through the presentation signifying the importance of organising the Adm Soman Memorial lecture every year. He then introduced the Speaker VAdm Abhay Karve, PVSM, AVSM before welcoming him on stage. For next about 40 mins Adm Karve engaged the Audience in the engrossing talk on Legal matters. He made the talk lively and interesting by relating the regulations to some interesting cases, which kept the interest of the Audience alive. The Qs-Ans session was as gripping and fascinating as Adm Karve’s remarkable elocution. It was reflective of the interest and impact created by the Speaker. Our Arjuna Awardee NFMC Committee member, LtCdr Farokh Tarapore delivered the Vote of Thanks in a humorous manner, that regaled the audience. It was followed by felicitation of the Guest Speaker and his good Lady. Cdr Vadhera presented the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail boat to the Guest speaker VAdm Abhay Karve. Mrs Sunita Vadhera presented the book, ‘Health Secrets to light 100 Candles’ to Mrs Sharmila Karve. The Author of the book Cdr Ashok Shinde, who was present among the Audience was requested to rise, amidst a thunderous applause. The function culminated with the singing of the National Anthem.

All the Veterans, spouses, Veer Naris and Invitees proceeded to IMSC for the traditional C-in-C’s Annual invitational Lunch.

CINC HOSTS VETERANS FOR LUNCH

One of the significant and much awaited Naval tradition during the Navy week celebrations is the Veterans’ lunch being hosted by CinC every year. The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is priceless and evident during such a buoyant gathering. 15 Dec 2024 was the day when VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Sword-Arm of our fine Indian Navy had invited all Veterans with spouses of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka for lunch. Invitation was flashed in major local dailies much in advance. All roads of Navy Colaba converged onto IMSC as hundreds of Veterans with their good ladies started gathering at Dhanush complex starting 12 noon. It was an absolute delight for the Chairman & Secy IMSC to interact with Veterans & Veer Naris and usher them in. Among the Senior Veterans who graced the occasion were Adm Vijai Shekhawat our former CNS, VAdm Girish Luthra, VAdm AR Karve, VAdm IC Rao, RAdm GC Thadani, RAdm RC Kochhar with their good ladies. From Pune we had VAdm Gursharan Singh, Comdt NDA with his Mother, RAdm & Mrs Ravi Nadkarni and Mrs Ranjana Auditto.

At the outset C-in-C, warmly welcomed all the guests for the invitational Lunch, after which the SSO(Welfare) in his elaborate AV presentation briefed the gathering about the Naval activities in the year gone by, the Naval plans for the future and the welfare measures by the Command particularly the ECHS issues and efforts on the welfare measures for Veterans.

Later the bars were opened and the veterans interacted with each other and dwelt on their past nostalgic memories in the Navy. The ‘meet and greet’ session at the IMSC over a glass of Beer and delectable multi-cuisine Lunch hosted by our Commander-in-Chief exhibited close bonhomie and congeniality. The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is Priceless and was evident during this buoyant gathering. The Pics below convey much more than words can express. The IMSC was well decked up with a huge Centre Shamiyana, flanked by smaller ones towards the Sea side. The IMSC staff courteously looked after the guests with drinks and assorted eats. All the Veterans and Veer Naris that I interacted with were of immense praise for the arrangements made by IMSC for the function. Everyone captured enough memories to glance back in footprints of time to come. Until we meet again for the Day-Nite cricket match on 5th and Sailing match on 6th Jan 2025 between Veterans and CinC Teams; Cheers.