Raj Dutta

AGM-2018 AT IMSC

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The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is Priceless…The Annual General Meeting of the Naval Veterans of Mumbai Chapter at IMSC Colaba, is a much awaited affair organised in May/Jun every year. However this year it was preponed to Sun, 15 Apr and conjoined with Adm BS Soman memorial lecture, for which the guest speaker was the International movie legend Kabir Bedi, who held the entire audience in a spell as he spoke from experience on ‘Adapting to change in the fast changing World’. Commander Vineet Wason, who as an NDA cadet was super thrilled by a handsome handshake with Kabir, had arranged for him as the Guest speaker for the talk. This was followed by interaction with Kabir over drinks and lunch at IMSC.

Later the AGM was conducted at the same venue, steered by Commander Vijay Vadhera. Over 200 veterans have registered into the Foundation during the past year, updating the strength to over a thousand . A min’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Veterans who had left our gang for their Heavenly abode in the last one year. This was followed by the new members introducing themselves and their good ladies, some with a touch of humour, declaring themselves to be ‘happily married,’ a class oxymoron that’s second to none. Two writers whose articles found a place in the yearly Quarter Deck magazine were awarded Rs 5K each, Cmde KK Garg and yours truly. I have been fortunate to get my articles published in the last 5 issues of QD. After getting the audited Balance sheet of last year passed by the majority, a few insignificant Agenda points were discussed before a humorous Magic show by Commander Praveen Tulpule. Later Mrs Shekhawat give away prizes to the awardees.Mrs Shail Lodha Mehta was the Best dressed lady for the Day and the award for the Best dressed Male went to Lt Bhende. Besides Cdr Vineet Wason had plenty of other prizes for various other categories.

A spectacular day spent wonderfully. Awaiting next interaction with Veterans during the forthcoming Navy Week celebrations…Cheers ! Agar koi hum Veterans se poochhe, ke zindagi mein kya khoya aur kya paya ? Toh hum bejijhak kahenge, ‘Jo khoya vo hai hamara bachpan hamari nadaani, aur jo paya wo hai hamare Rab ki meharbani ’… !!!