NDA GREETS VETERANS - 2026

Their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honoured – (Daniel Webster in Veterans Quotes)

The honour ‘Veteran’  is earned by those, who served the nation , with a pledge to safe guard the honour of their country till the last breath of life .

 

Sunday, 18 Jan 2026 was yet another Red letter Day for Navy Foundation Pune Chapter, when the Naval Training Team of National Defence Academy invited the Veterans of Pune Chapter for a grand get together and Feast. It was a pleasure for Meena and I to be invited for the get together that was organised at Peacock Bay as part of  Navy Week ongoing celebrations. The invite was from OIC NTT, on behalf of VAdm Anil Jaggi, Commandant NDA, facilitated by Cmde Sridar, Secy NFPC. 

 

As we entered  we were welcomed by OIC NTT and his Team. There was a huge white Shamiyana rigged at the Peacock bay with decorated round tables and chairs. At the Left flank a small stage was setup for the band and crooners. On the  right flanks  were rigged two well stocked up Bars. We met Commandant NDA, VAdm Anil Jaggi at the entrance as he arrived and recalled our Mumbai association when he was FOMA. Next as we entered the Shamiyana and greeted VAdm JS Bedi, VAdm Bangara, VAdm AV Subedar, VAdm CS Patham, RAdm V Balachandran, RAdm RJ Nadkarni and Surg VAdm Ravi Kalra my Cardiologist, Cmde Vikram Bakshi  and the dynamic couple Cmde SN Singh and his good lady Girija. We were literally on cloud 9 meeting and greeting our Naval brethren and the good ladies. Meena was on job with her Camera.

Lt Giri, Logo NTT took to stage and welcomed all present and invited President NFPC VAdm J Korde to address the gathering. Adm Korde thanked the Commandant and his brilliant team for the elaborate arrangements. He expressed his pleasure at the large turnout and gratitude to NDA for constant support to the Veterans community. Mrs Kanwal Bedi presented a Bouquet to Mrs Shalini Jaggi. VAdm Bangara, on behalf of NFPC presented a memento to the Commandant NDA. After the presentations VAdm Jaggi expressed his happiness at NFPC’s welfare activities and assured NDA’s support in its endeavours. After a short brief on developments in IN, he presented the NDA mento to President NFPC. A short movie showcasing the naval power was screened. The presentation was followed by continued meet and greet of Naval veterans of Pune amidst the flow of beer and drinks.   

 

The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is Priceless. It was a pleasure to meet Senior Veterans Cmde RP Singh,  Cmde N Kapur, Cmde AN Sonsale, Cmde Dileep Gupte, Cmde Arvind Sharma, Cmde Rajiv Jaswal and other colleagues with their charming ladies.

   We were indeed delighted to meet old Naval friends Surg Cdr RC Verma,  Capt M Chaturvedi, Birthday Boys Cdr UP Bapat and Cdr Phogat (who jointly sliced a large Cake, courtesy NDA)  Capt R Bhattacharjee (Treasurer NFPC), Capt PS Rana, Capt Rupesh Kumar, Capt PK Garg, Capt RM Oka, Capt PV Sahasrabuddhe, Capt VW Karve, Cdr Anil Charan (my SuperConnie Sn’P’), LtCdr DP Ashtekar (Connie FE), Cdr Sandeep Bedi, Capt SS Vaidya, Capt S Nadgouda, former Secy NFPC, Cdr K Chakrabarty, Cdr Balwant Singh, Capt S Vaidya, Cdr Milind Hastak, Cdr Vikram Karve (Blogger), Capt S Galande, Cdr Sandeep Bedi,  Capt RM Oka, Capt Nambiar (former PRO WNC), Cdr Sahasrabuddhe,  Cdr MS Phogat, Cdr DK Mali, LtCdr Wangdi, Capt Atul Sinha and their good ladies. Meena met some colleagues of her parents whom she used to call Uncle and Aunty as a kid in NOFRA, where she spent all her childhood.   The buffet lunch to follow was indeed a top class delectable feast: topped up by Gulab Jamun and sweet chocolate.

 As the Veterans started departing after about 2 hrs of interactive fun and gala,  Meena caught them in groups to click  snaps at the exit of Peacock bay.  Cmde NDA and President NFPC where the last to depart after meeting the catering staff, who had diligently attended to all the guests. They even paused at the Band shamiyana, to applaud and shake hands with the musicians. Meena clicked the Sayonara snaps and video.

     Hats off to NDA Team for the exceptional arrangements and super treat for about 300 Veterans, Spouses and Veer Naris.      

       Agar koi hum Veterans se poochhe, ke zindagi mein kya khoya aur kya paya ? Toh hum be-Jijhak kahenge, ‘Jo khoya vo hai hamara bachpan hamari nadaani, aur jo paya wo hai hamare Rab ki meharbani ’… !!!

 

Shano Varuna … Jai Hind  !!

 

PS- Kindly double click to play Videos at the bottom.

PHOTOS

 FIFTH INDIAN VETERANS DAY PARADE - 2026

            THE WILLINGNESS WITH WHICH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO SERVE IN ANY WAR, NO MATTER HOW JUSTIFIED, SHALL BE DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL AS TO HOW THEY PERCEIVE THE VETERANS OF EARLIER WARS WERE TREATED AND APPRECIATED BY THEIR NATION – GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 

 

         History is replete with examples of an event happening for the first time at any place and time, going into the annals of history, creating sweet memories for the Gen next. One such historic event that shall be cherished by our country for times to come, was held on 12 Jan 2020 on the promenade of Marine Drive, Mumbai – The first ever Veterans Day Parade in India. An event worthy of emulation by not only the other Navy Foundation Chapters, but also the foundations of Army and Air Force pan-India. (Blog link on First Veterans Day Parade at the bottom) For the next two years Covid Pandemic gripped the world in its tentacles and the planned Veteran Day Parades for 2021 and 2022 had to be shelved. But that didn’t deter the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter. In every drawback we seek an opportunity however challenging it may seem. When we did perform the second Veterans Day Parade 3 years later, on 08 Jan 2023, with Governor Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari not only flagging off the Parade, but marching in steps with the Veterans,  Mumbai and the Nation looked up. The News like a Flash travelled Pan-India. The Success that was phenomenal and unprecedented can be gauged by the fact that hordes of Mumbaikars had flanked the sides of the Parade, shouted slogans and loudly sang Patriotic songs in unison, that could be heard miles away.  0n 7 Feb 2024 the Parade was flagged off by then Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Bais at same time same place, in the presence of VAdm SJ Singh, FOC-in-C West and Flag Offrs of the 3 services. At the NCPA, Chief Minister Shri Ek Nath Shinde paid a surprise visit to felicitate the War Veterans  Capt Raj Mohindra and Naik Deep Chand, the Kargil War Hero whose both legs and right Arm had been amputated.  

The Dawn of the magical 2025, had been brilliant for our fine Indian Navy. History was created with unprecedented commissioning of 3 Ships on the same day : destroyer INS Surat, stealth frigate INS Nilgiri and Submarine INS Vaghsheer by our PM Shri Narendra Modi on 15th Jan 2025. Cmde Ranjit Rai, a renowned Maritime Historian with a personal Maritime Museum to boast, who was here for the 4th Veterans Day Parade and Launch of his Pictorial book on IN History, quipped, “20 years from now, Indian Navy shall be a Force to reckon with in the world”. An AIR FM Rainbow on 11 Jan was organised in which Cdr Vadhera, Cmde Srikant Kesnur, Cdr Raj Dutta, LtCdr Niati Hirway and Col Vijay brought to the Mumbaikars, Life in the Armed Forces and the events of the Veterans Day in the Afternoon show by RJ Preeti. Next day on 12 Jan 2025 the Parade was flagged off by then Mah Governor (now Vice President)  H.E. Shri CP Radhakrishnan. After the Parade felicitation ceremony was conducted at NCPA followed by High Tea for all.   

GENESIS  

       The concept of the Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day), dates back to 11 Nov 1919, when U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a message to his countrymen on the first Armistice Day, in which he expressed what  the day meant to the Americans and honoured the Military Veterans of  WW-I. Every  year on November 11th at exactly 1100 hrs local time, every train in America and Canada comes to a standstill to observe a minute’s silence, followed by One Long Whistle, in memory of those  who served in their  military. Similarly, every year on 25 Apr since 1942, Australia & New Zealand have been celebrating the ANZAC day as their National day of reverence. The ANZAC DAY Parade is held every year in Australia in honour of the martyrs and Veterans of Austrlia, New Zealand and british India who landed in Gallipoli on 25 Apr 1942. In UK it’s called ‘Remembrance Day’ and held on 11th Nov every year. In Germany , it is known as ‘Volistrauertag Day’ and held on closest Sunday to 16th Nov every year. In Netherlands , it is called ‘Dodenherdenking Day’ and held on 04th May every year. These countries have been celebrating the Veterans day on their prominent dates since long, but the concept in India is just taking roots.

            A need was felt to dedicate a Day for our Veterans due to two primary reasons : One - to honour them; Two – to resolve the problems faced by them after retirement. Four years ago, It was decided by the Army Headquarters and instructions were issued to all Sainik Welfare departments in the country to observe 14 Jan as the Veterans Day, the day when the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army, Field Marshal KM   Cariappa, OBE, who led the Indian forces to Victory in 1947 War, hung his uniform in 1953.

FIFTH  VETERANS DAY PARADE - 11 Jan 2026

Immense planning and preparation by President NFMC, Cdr Vijay Vadhera, resulted in the yet another phenomenal Success of the 5th Veterans Day Parade. An AIR FM Rainbow on 10 Jan was organised by Cmde Srikant Kesnur in which Capt Raj Dutta, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar with their good ladies Meena and Blossom and our enterprising Veer Nari Mrs Mukti ghosh brought to the Mumbaikars, Life in the Armed Forces and the events of the Veterans Day in the Afternoon show by RJ Mrunmayee Manaja.

 The earnest preparation for the 5th Veterans Day Parade began about six months ago. Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC had called on the Mah Governor H.E. Acharya Devvrat on 23 Sep 2024 to extend a formal invitation to flag Off the 5th Veterans Day Parade on Marine Drive on 11 Jan 2026. (ie a Sunday prior to 14 Jan.) The Call-on of was successful and the Governor ready agreed to our proposal. Cdr Vadhera met Ms Irani  and discussed the post Parade arrangements and the felicitation function as was done last year. During our VCons with Committee members Cdr Vadhera discussed other nitty gritties of the Parade including the format of Parade formation, detailing all CMs for various duties. An Ambulance with a Doc accompanying the Parade, conveying of  SCC cadets to the Venue and back, detailing of Committee members for the smooth conduct of Parade and later the felicitation function in NCPA. Cdr Vadhera also called on GOC MG&G Area, and discussed the Veterans Day Parade with Gen, who  promised full support including sponsoring 1000 breakfast for the Tri-Services Veterans, spouses and Veer Naris. AOC MAO  agreed to provide 1000 water-bottles. NCC Dir was kind enough to provide 25 NCC cadets.  Cmde (SCC) Rabi Ahuja, akin to earlier Parades, was very gracious to extend the 36 cadets Band to lead the Veterans Parade. Col Anurag Awashi and Mr Sandeep Unnithan from ChakraNewz Media house in Delhi were called-in for pr-publicity. Cmde Srikant Kesnur and Mrs Suma Chacko were requested for YouTube Live of entire Parade and Felicitation ceremony in NCPA later.        

   When all arrangement were in place, comes a setback a week prior to the D-Day, Governor’s Office regretted as H.E. was proceeding to Gujarat, holding twin Offices. As all arrangements were in place, our CinC VAdm K Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM  was requested to grace the occasion and Flag off the Parade. The Admiral gracefully consented.   

 

THE D DAY - 11 JAN 2026     

There was great fanfare at the broad roads opposite NCPA commencing 7 am  as Veterans had started arriving and chatted in great bonhomie. Even as the media was setting up their Cameras, Raj went Facebook live and started interviewing Cdr Vadhera, Capt Anoop Verma, VrC, Arjuna awardee LtCdr Farokh Tarapore, VSM,  Mr Sandeep Unnithan, (Editor-in-Chief of CHAKRA NEWZ), Col Anupam Awasthi (CEO Escape Velocity Media Works) and the Gallantry awardees on wheel chairs, Hon Lt Tej Singh Karayat, (from Vasai), Cdr SK Jana and Surg Cdr DK Bose. Ankit Tiwari had his Youtube team standby to film all proceedings commencing 7.30 AM, prior to C-in-C’s arrival at 0820 hrs. Cdr Vadhera was seen directing this  Committee members in a cool manner. Cmde Srikant kesnur and Mrs Suma Chacko  commenced the eloquent Commentary, interviewing Cdr Vadhera and the Senior Veterans on You-tube Live.     

  The Parade was set up at the start point on Marine drive at about 0800 hrs. Leading the Parade was smartly turned out platoon of SCC band playing melodious beats in unison. Behind them were the War Veterans on 4 Wheel Chairs, Nk Deep Chand (the Kargil War Hero), Hon Lt Tej Singh Karayat, Cdr SK Jana and Surg Cdr DK Bose,   followed by CMs & Gallantry Awardees. Behind them the Veterans Day Parade Banner, and Veteran Offrs platoon of Navy, Army and Air Force, followed by the second Banner, behind which were Veteran Jawans of the three services. It was heartening to meet VAdm KO Thakare, President of NFNC, who came all the way from Nagpur to attend the Veterans Day Parade and the RGC meeting the next day.  All Flag Officers had formed up in their sparkling whites and star studded rank badges and the entire Parade had been flanked by hoards of Mumbaikars shouting Patriotic slogans. The Chief Guest VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM,  FOC-in-C (West) arrived at 0820 hrs, received by Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G), President NFMC, Lt Gen DS Kushwah, AVSM, SM, GOC MG&G Area and AVM PS Wadodar,  AOC (MAO). C-in-C smilingly met the Veterans, Flag Officers and Gallantry Awardees on wheel chairs and walked to the immediate squad behind, all platoons at the rear and the SCC band in front. Cmde Kesnur took a short Byte from C-in-C followed by TV media personnel requesting him for a brief Live msg for their TVs.  LtCdr Farokh hailed the marching orders  in his commanding voice, as the C-in-C, GOC and AOC lowered Flag November and flagged off the Parade. The C-in-C, along with GOC and AOC marched almost a km before departure and got captured in Meena’s Camera for the exceptional reels for posterity.

 The Parade continued for about 2 kms along Marine Drive, with Civil crowd continuously cheering up the Veterans. After 2 Kms march the Parade wheeled back around a tree to return to the start point where it culminated with great fanfare. The general public  very jovially kept cheering  the Veterans clicking on their personal mobiles.

All Veterans and Veer Naris then moved inside The NCPA Auditorium for the felicitation ceremony.   

NCPA FELICITATION CEREMONY

The NCPA auditorium was almost half full with about 500 participants of the Veterans Day Parade. Cdr Raj Dutta took to stage and welcomed all present to the Veterans Day felicitation ceremony. A two mins Silence was observed as the last post was played in honour of the Martyrs of our Wars. He then invited Cdr Vijay Vahera NM(G), President NFMC  to address the gathering. Cdr Vadhera brought out the genesis of Veterans Day that is being observed the World over since 1919 as a mark of respect to Martyrs of WW-I, in the form of Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day. How he conceptualized Veterans Day Parade taking a cue from ANZAC Day, when he was in Australia in 2019. That year he planned the big event and eventually organized and conducted the First ever Veterans Day Parade on 12 Jan 2020 at the Marine Drive (Blog below). For the next 2 years the Parade had been planned, but got cancelled due to the Pandemic. The next three Parades in 2023, 2024 and 2025 had been a great Success,  albeit NFMC’s ultimate Aim is to make the Veterans Day Parade Pan-India, in various cities on a Sunday morning prior to 14 Jan, simultaneously being beamed live on various TV channels. Hopefully it may materialize soon. He thanked all the organisations, who came together to pool in resources to make the 5th Veterans Day Parade a grand success. 

Raj then announced and requested President NFMC to felicitate the following with NFMC memento of the Golden Sail Boat.

A) Cdr Anoop Verma, VrC, (Retd).In July 1987, then Lt Anoop Verma was part of Indian Peacekeeping Force deployed in Sri Lanka. He was awarded VIR CHAKRA, for his daring act of of destruction of 14 LTTE speed boats at Jaffna Lagoon areaand alo the take over of the Jaffna township along with the Indian Army.

B) Mr Sandeep Unnithan –Editor-in-Chief of CHAKRA NEWZ

C) Col Anurag Awashi (Retd).– CEO, Escape Velocity Media Works

D) WgCdr SS Krishnamurthy – Helicopter Pilot and1971 War hero who was present at the surrender ceremony in Dhaka on 16 Dec 1971. His son Cdr Nikhil is the Command PRO in WNC.

E) Cmde Srikant Kesnur,VSM and Mrs Sumi (w/o our Committee member  Cdr Tony Chacko), who beautifully broadcast our Parade on YouTube Live.

F)  Mrs Meena Dutta, NFMC Photographer, (w/o Hon Secy Capt Raj Dutta), who captured the full parade on Video.

G) Sandeep Gupta, POELP(Retd).  He exemplifies the rare combination of a Proud Soldier & mentor for aspiring children, in shaping thousands of young aspirants into joining NDA & Other Defence academies.

H) Ramesh JS Chandra, MCELR(Retd).  Another Proud Submariner who has been the force behind getting all Rotarians to attend the Parade.

I) Marcos PO Harish Chandra Chaube , Safety & Disaster Management Officer who has been very active in all Disaster Management in Mumbai.

J) Sgt Sampat Nana Patil (Retd) from Nashik, who is the Founder & CEO of TIRANGA BHARAT FACILITY

K) Dr Archana Deshmukh – President of RASHTRIYA SAINIK SANTHAN who has always been taking part in our Parade.

L) District Rotary Governor Rotarian Mr Manish Motwani.

M) President Rotary Club of Bombay Pier Rotarian Mrs Noopar Desai.

N) President Rotary Club of Malabar Hill Rotarian Sunil Talwar.

President NFMC Took this opportunity to present a memento and letter sent by NHQ, to felicitate our youngest Octogenarian Cdr SK Jana (Retd) who turned 80 on 10 Jan 2026.

 Raj then acknowledged the contribution of SCC and NCC cadets with a big round of applause and requested everyone to rise for the National Anthem that was sung with great patriotic fervour. All were requested to proceed for a sumptuous Breakfast, at the foyers outside, drawing curtains to the most important Veterans event of the Year.  At the Foyer Deepak from Chakra-Newz interviewed the Veterans for media publicity of this grand event.

Dosto, Shaheedon ki chittaon par har baras lagenge mele,

Watan pat mitne walon ka yehi aakhri Nisan hoga.

Looking forward to the Next Veterans Day Parade on Sun 10 Jan 2027, same time, same place. Until then…

It was the Fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade conducted by NFMC, assisted by various agencies and the Nation to look up to.

My concluding lines: *Outstanding events are an outcome of the outstanding efforts of an outstanding person leading his team in an innovative way....NFMC is blessed by Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G) at the helm ....Respects and Regards....Capt Raj Dutta, Hon Secy NFMC.

Sam No Varunah,

Jai Hind

(PS - Grateful to Mrs Meena Dutta for the prized photos and Video editing.)

PHOTOS 

Curtain Raiser Article by Cmde Srikant Kesnur,VSM, PhD (Retd)

Curtain Raiser-2

Wreath Laying at War Memorial

NEWS FLASH NEXT DAY

EARLY BIRDS AT PARADE

VADM KO THAKARE WITH GOC

VADM THAKARE, GOC & VETERANS

VETERANS OF 02/90 CHILKA BATCH

VETERANS FLANK CDR VIJAY & MRS SUNITA VADHERA

WAR VETERANS ON WHEEL CHAIRS

RAJ GREETS WAR VETERAN CAPT SS SETHI

TRISERVICES BONHOMIE

BRIG DESHMUKH, WGCDR JC VERMA, RADM SANDEEP VERMA,

CDRs DINESH, NEVIL & DR ARCHANA

FGOFFR ISHITA, LTCDR NIDHI, CDR VADHERA, 

CMDE AHLUWALIA & CDR ASHO SHINDE

NEVIL  & DINESH FLANK RADM 

MUKTI, GURINDER & ANAHITA FLANK MRS BHATIA 

GUDDI SISTERS

WgCdr JC Verma on YouTube Live

SUMA INTERVIEWS WGCDR JC VERMA 

 HIS SON RADM SANDEEP VERMA (CSO P&A) LOOKS ON

DR SHREELATHA BANGAR

MRS SUNITA & DR KANTA MUKHERJEE

BEAUTIFUL LADIES 

CDR SHINDE & CMDE AHLUWALIA 

SUMA IN A CHAT WITH SANDEEP UNNITHAN

AVM WADODKAR, CDR DINESH, SURG RADM M HONWAD

BIRDS OF SAME FEATHER - TONY & SUMA

CMDE KESNUR IN A CHAT WITH C-IN-C

CMDE JC & MRS URMILA BHATIA

STALWARTS - SANDEEP, FAROH & COL AWASTHI

PARADE FORMED UP

CO ASVINI PRESENTS A WHEEL CHAIR TO HON. LT  KARAYAT

CINC MEETS NK DEEP CHAND, KARGIL HERO

CINC WITH GALLANTRY AWARDEES

CINC FLAGS OFF PARADE 

VETERANS DAY PARADE COMMENCES

PARADE IN PROGRESS

SANDEEP UNNITHAN, VADM THAKARE 

PRESIDENT NFMC & COMMITTEE MEMBERS

RAJ, MEENA, MUKTI, BLOSSOM & SUMIT IN AIR FM STUDIO

THE BROADCASTERS AT AIR HOUSE

GOC MEETS CDR VADHERA, PRESIDENT NFMC 

WREATH LAYING AT WAR MEMORIAL ON VETERANS DAY

VIDEOS

(DOUBLE CLICK & FINGER ZOOM)

👇👇👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNvsGHWTcU

VIDEO-1 (VDP)👆

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gEOFg_vhxs

VIDEO-2 (NCPA FELICITATION)

CINC's MESSAGE

CDR VADHERA'S MESSAGE

LTCDR FAROH'S MESSAGE

CINC SPEAKS TO PRESS

VDP

VDP-2

VDP-3

VDP-4

VID-5

VID-6

VID-7

VID-8

AIR FM-1

AIR FM-2

AIR FM-3