2026 - SALUTING THE VEER NARIS & OCTOGENARIANS- IMSC GET TOGETHER
Veer Nari- She sacrificed her better half for your better future – Indian Army
Octogenarians have been the foundation pillars of our Armed Forces, they deserve Nation’s respect - NFMC
PRELUDE
The primary Aim of Navy Foundation is Welfare of Veterans and Veer Naris. NFMC has been following this objective in letter and spirit. NFMC is endowed with an added quality Empathy, that it displays in abandon. The quality that quintessentially conveys that I understand your pain, grief and condition. Four years ago NFMC conducted a lovely Sammelan on 27th Mar for 37 NFMC Veer Naris, including 92 yrs young Veer Nari Mrs Kamla Bhushan accompanied by her smart daughter Neerja Malik and Veer Nari Mrs Poonam Gulati who drove all the way from Pune. The Catwalk by the Veer Naris with 9 elegant ladies gracefully strolling the ramp of Sea-Lounge of IMSC was indeed the show steal-er that was followed-up by the enthralling Corner elimination dance. Next year on 22 Jan 2023 it was decided to upgrade the Sammelan with addition of Octogenarians and their lovely souses. There were about 100 registrations for the event. Apart from Games there was melodious Karaoke session post Lunch. In 2024 we conducted the gettogether cum Picnic of Veer Naris and Octogenarians with lovely spouses at INS Hamla. There were games for all and a Karaoke session to follow post Lunch. Last year on 19 Jan 2025 the Octogenarians and Veer Naris get-together was held in IMSC. Star Gaze Entertainment volunteered to conduct Fun and Games apart from a stand up Comedy. The Team of Greta Sequera lead the Ladies and Gentlemen to Fun and Games. 5 Octogenarians were also presented the new Mementos from DESA/NHQ.
31 JAN 2026
Cdr Vadhera brought out a post in Telegram 2 months in advance regarding the conduct of the festivities including Karaoke singing and fun & games for both Veer Naris and Octogenarians in IMSC on 31 Jan 2026. The post was duplicated on Whatsapp too. Mrs Suma Chacko, a renowned Master of Ceremonies was entrusted with conduct of Fun and Games, besides the Karaoke too.
The Guests started arriving from 1100 hrs, though some were delayed due to traffic congestion. The Veterans and Veer Naris were visibly excited to meet and greet at the Sea-Lounge as light music played at the DJ corner. The Senior Veterans to grace the event included exuberant VAdm Parvesh Jaitly, RAdm PK Sinha, Capt & Mrs Raj Mohindra (93 yrs), Cmde JC Bhatia, Cmde & Mrs OJ Mathur, Cmde & Mrs ED Chauhan, Cmde & Mrs Jal Postwala, Cmde & Mrs LK Mishra, Cmde & Mrs PL Patwardhan, Surg Capt AM Madhwal escorted by Cmde SR Gouniyal, Capt & Mrs Ratnakar Barick (from Nasik), Cdr & Mrs VS Shukla, Cdr & Mrs Ashok Shinde, Cdr & Mrs OP Bhandari, Cdr & Mrs SP Vohra, Cdr AK Shrivastava and Son, Surg Cdr DK Bose (with Mr Rishi Chadda), LtCdr GS Parmar & Son Tony, LtCdr & Mrs HS Dhillon, LtCdr & Mrs SS Malhotra, LtCdr & Mrs Nirmal Singh, Dr Kanta Mukherjee and 24 Veer Naris.
Among the Veer Naris who graced the occasion were Mrs Rajana Auditto from Pune, Mrs Anuprita Paranjape, Mrs Swarn Lata Chand, Mrs Mallika Giri, Mrs Lalitha Ganeshan, Mrs Mridula Naik, Mrs Dolly Gangani, Mrs Rekha Malhan, Mrs Nandita Banerjee, Mrs Betty Gomes, Mrs Sudha Chopra, Mrs Kunj Bali with Sister Nishi Kumar, Mrs Joji Puri, Mrs Janki Bhandoola with Son Ajay, Mrs Sharmila Namdeo with Daughter Abhilasha, Mrs Jeroo Contractor, Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Mrs Zarine Naval Khambhata, Mrs Aruna Kapoor, VN Anjali Sharma, In addition Cmde TK Suresh, Cdr Mohan Phillip and a few course mates also were our esteemed guests.
After arrival of all guests Capt Raj Dutta took to stage and on behalf of President NFMC welcomed all and requested Cdr Vadhera to present NHQ Octogenarian Memento to Capt Ratnakar Barick who celebrated his 80th Birthday on 18 Sep 2025 and had come from Nasik for the function. After the presentation Cdr Vadhera welcomed all present and elaborated upon the events to follow and handed over the Stage to Mrs Suma Chacko to conduct the Fun & Games and Karaoke. Capt Sumit and Blossom & Cdr Surinder and Gurinder helped in conduct of four games for Octogenarians and Veer Naris. Meena captured the happy moments in her lens from a Bird’s eye view.
The presentation of Awards was done by eminent guests to the Winners and Runners ups. Results are as follows.
GENTS
Musical Chairs : Winner - Cmde LK Mishra
: Runners up - Capt Ratnakar Barick
Passing Parcel : Winners - Cdr GS Parmar
: Runners up - Cdr Ashok Shinde
LADIES
Musical Chairs : Winner - Mrs Pearl Chauhan
: Runners up - Mrs Jojy Puri
Passing Parcel : Winners - Mrs Madhuri Mishra
: Runners up - Mrs Pearl Chauhan
After the presentations, even as light music played on, Lunch was served. The delectable Lunch was a multi-cuisine affair together with sweet Kulfi in sabudana kheer as the Dessert.
Cdr Vadhera initiated the short Karaoke session in his melodious voice, ‘Jawaniyaan ye mast mast’. The session of Karaoke comprised of a few Bollywood songs including melodious duets, mostly of the bygone era, sung by Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Capt Raj Dutta, Cdr Anoop Verma, Mrs Meenakshi Verma, Cdr AK Shrivastava, Mrs Sharmila Namdeo + Abhilasha.
Cdr & Mrs Vadhera presented a Box of Almonds, gift wrapped in nautical designer paper along with NFMC greetings card to all the Veer Naris and Octogenarians before their departure. The Boxes were made ready by the dedicated efforts of Farokh and Anahita.
At the Sayonara time the glint in the eyes of Veer Naris and senior Veterans conveyed their appreciation to the organizers as they warmly shook hands prior departure. It was a funtastic Day conceptualized and organized by President NFMC Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G) and assisted by all committee members and their charming better halves. The success of the event can be assessed by the fact that each and every Veer Nari and Senior Veterans What’s-apped their appreciation and rang up the President after reaching their homes. It has motivated the NFMC Committee to perform even better, in the future events and towards the welfare of Veterans and Veer Naris.
Team NFMC (All Committee Members) is utmost Grateful to WNC and Cdr Tahzeeb, Secy IMSC & his dedicated Team for exceptional arrangement for the conduct of the VNs and Octogenarian Get-together. Until we all meet again for the forthcoming AGM on 07 Jun 2026, here’s wishing Sayonara, Cheers !!
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind
(PS- Photo/ Videography by Ms Meena Dutta)
(PHOTOS)
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