AGM-2019  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 Apr/ May every year. This year it was programmed for 28^th Apr and conjoined with Adm BS Soman memorial lecture, for which the guest speaker was the International  movie legend Mr Ananth Mahadevan, who held the entire audience in a spell as he spoke from experience with a rich sprinkling of humour on ‘Breaking the glass ceiling of nepotism - A Common Man’s Journey To Success In Bollywood’. This was followed by interaction with him over drinks and lunch at IMSC.
 

    Later the AGM was conducted at the same venue at 1500 hrs, steered by Commander Vijay Vadhera. Over 200 veterans have registered into the Foundation during the past year, updating the strength to 1178. 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. Friends of the Veterans who had breathed their last recounted their memories and invaluable contribution to the Navy and the Society post-retirement. 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. Every year to encourage penmanship for Quarter Deck magazine, NFMC awards Veterans whose articles find a place in QD as per the promulgated topics. Cdr Raj Dutta,  whose article was published for 6^th  yr in succession was awarded Rs 5K. Meena Dutta was felicitated for being the Official photographer for 2018-19. After getting the audited Balance sheet of last year passed by the majority, a few ECHS  Agenda points were discussed. It was then time to honour the Octogenarians. They were pleased to receive their Mementos from Veer Naris. RAdm RM Bhatia, President NFMC, in his concluding remarks thanked all Veterans for their cooperation to him and his team in the smooth running of affairs of the Foundation for the past 3 yrs. Due to his relocation to Gurugram recently it was decided to hold the election of the new President in the near future.     

     

       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 be-jijhak kahenge, ‘Jo khoya vo hai hamara bachpan hamari nadaani, aur jo paya wo hai hamare Rab ki meharbani ’… !!!

 

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