NFMC SOLEMNISES VETERANS DAY 2021
Yes, NFMC did celebrate Veterans Day 2021, third year in a row, notwithstanding
the wrath of Pandemic. President NFMC’s signature statement, “When the going gets tough…..” aptly comes to the fore, not only for NFMC
but for India too. In the past year’s
COVID crisis that gripped the nation and the World, India has performed
remarkably well compared to other countries considering the casualties per
million.
Although the 2019 Veterans Day was a little subdued as
Cdr Vadhera had been in Australia with his elder daughter settled there, but he
monitored the proceedings of the NFMC Committee during the week preceding the
Veterans Day,14th Jan. Hoisting of Veterans Day Banners at prominent
places in Mumbai City, motivational lectures by CMs at various Schools and TV and Radio interviews
by Veterans that were conducted with elan. The Wreath Laying at the Colaba War
Memorial was followed by a get-together of Veterans at Sailors Institute for
tea, where the C-in-C interacted with Veteran personnel of all three forces.
To make
Veterans Day more vibrant, NFMC amalgamated additional events in Jan 2020.
Besides the TV / Radio broadcasts, Veterans Cricket and Sailing championships
were included. The highlight of festivities and the show-stealer was the First
ever Veterans Day Parade organized in grandiose style at the Marine drive on
the morning of 12 Jan 2020, in which over 600 Veterans, spouses, Veer Naris, Hon Capt (IN) Rabi Ahuja's 250 SCC cadets along with their dynamic band including girl cadets, NCC cadets and Police personnel participated with great pomp and show, (Link
for Veterans Day Parade placed below). The event garnered extensive media
coverage. After the wreath laying by the serving personnel and Veterans of the
three Services, a tea party was held at the Air Force Officers Mess, were the
Chief Guest Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, RRM interacted with all present. This was followed by 17th
Soman memorial Lecture in Asvini Auditorium, where Mr
Nitin Gokhale, a renowned strategic affairs Analyst spoke on the burning Topic,
‘The new great game in the Indo-Pacific’.
VETERANS DAY 2021
In consultation with WNC, NFMC had
planned events for Veterans Day in early Jan 2021 including the conduct of
Cricket and Sailing Tournaments between the C-in-C Teams and the Veterans on 03
Jan and 06 Jan respectively and Veterans Day Parade
was scheduled on Sunday 10 Jan 2021. However since there was no dilution seen
in the severity of the Pandemic, it was decided to shelve these events. Cdr
Vadhera promulgated to the Veterans, “The past few days / weeks have seen an
alarming rise in Covid cases in the city, as a result of which State Government
has imposed several restrictions afresh. The COVID situation is unlikely to
improve in the near future. Rightly so, HQWNC too has cancelled all the Navy
Day Events this month due to the Pandemic. Under the circumstances, it is
imperative that we prioritize safety and well-being of Veterans and Veer Naris.”
Having conducted the Veterans Day events in
2020 in a marvelous fashion, NFMC had planned similar events for 2021 in a
more illustrious way, but the current ongoing Pandemic forced us to shelve the
fanfare. Nevertheless it hadn't dampened our passion to observe the Veterans
Day this year too, in our unique style. Two events were planned… One- a
Surprise Gift to all Octogenarians and Veer Naris of Mumbai…Two-18th
Soman Memorial Lecture. This apart from Wreath Laying that was planned and
executed by HQ WNC at ‘Gaurav Stambh’, the Naval War Memorial in ND(Mb) at 0900
hrs on 14 Jan, by CinC, Senior Officers and Veteran representatives of all
three services. This was followed by Ex-Servicemen E-Rally online from
1100-1230 hrs. The E-Rally was conducted for the benefit of Veterans, where in
presentations were conducted by Officers of ECHS, NavPen and Canteen Services
and queries addressed. LtCdr Farokh Tarapore, on behalf of President and all
Veterans of NFMC laid the Wearth at the Naval War Memorial.
During the weekly VCons on Thursday, it
was decided to courier a packet of rich American Almonds wrapped in a classic
nautical paper, along with a greeting card from President and managing
committee of NFMC. The Committee members contacted the Octogenarians and Veer
naris in respective areas to update their addresses. Lt Cdr Farokh Tarapore
designed the wrapping paper and the Gift Box and arranged to courier the boxes
to 68 Veer Naris and 47 Octogenarians of NFMC. Additionally, the Gift Boxes were also
couriered to the OICs and Doctors of the 4 ECHS in Mumbai and suburbs. It was a noble task
well executed on the eve of Veterans Day. Cdr Vadhera’s mobile Inbox was
flooded with messages of appreciation on the Veterans Day. Apart from running
the Courier, Cdr PS Rawat personally handed over the Gifts packets to OIC and
medical officers of ECHS Malad. Similar goodwill was extended by Cdr SK Patnaik
for ECHS Kanjur Marg. Veer Nari and NFMC lady CM, Dr Kanta Mukherjee personally
handed over the Gift Boxes to Senior Veterans of Anchorage Juhu. (Pics below)
The 18th Admiral Soman Lecture was held
virtually on MS Team at 1900 hrs on *Thursday 14 Jan 2021. Invitation Cards for the lecture were
designed by Ms Shikha Kohli and She was presented with a Gift Hamper by Cdr
Manjul Mayank for her noble gesture. The invitation cards were forwarded to 60
Senior Officers by Whats App. Although the invitation for the Chief Guest had
been extended to FOCinC West, our Patron NFMC, but due to CinC’s pre-occupation
RAdm V Srinivas, NM, Flag Officer Maharashtra Naval Area presided over
the function. The Guest Speaker was *Cmde Srikant Kesnur, Director
Maritime War College, who by his well-researched and thought-provoking
engagement with our esteemed Veterans, escorted them down memory lane on a
topic that’s so close to our hearts, *Memory
& Remembrance-Ties that bind Veterans with Navy and Nation*
Besides MSc and MPhil obtained as part
of courses attended, Cmde Srikant Kesnur is a PG Diploma in Journalism, MA in
History and also holds a PhD in African Studies. He has been the lead
author/Chief Editor of nine books and many journals brought out by the Indian
Navy. Over the past few years, Cmde Srikant Kesnur has been deeply involved in
Navy's outreach initiatives through his articles in various publications and
lectures at various institutions, forums and seminars. He has played the role
of maritime evangelist and influencer with great zeal and dedication. This has
led him, in recent years, to study and examine the nature of Memory and
Remembrance and how it relates to threads between the serving community, the
veterans and general public.
His engagement with Veterans, including
former CsNS – Admiral L Ramdas and Admiral VS Shekhawat, had drawn huge
applause from the audience. Cmde Kesnur
spoke on the elements that construct the Umbilical cord connecting the serving
with the Veterans. He spoke on the genesis of the Forces and Navy in
particular, the Naval museums, the lack of teachings of Naval History in
Academies and courses. He dwelled at length on memory makers- History books,
Photo essays, Coffee table books, Heritage walks, Exhibitions during- IFR, PFR, Milans,
Art Festivals, Documentary films, TV serials, movies, First Day Covers/Stamps,
Open Air exhibits etc. Challenges of Vikrant/ Viraat, need of serious
historians and Academicians to light and carry the torch. He suggested the
Roadmap by formal teachings of Naval History at various levels and echelons,
developing storages of resources, and mentoring partnership with
Veterans, making Navy-books freely available within and outside. The
Qs/Ans session to follow did bring out the fact that the onus of strengthening
the threads of Naval history, to a large extent lies with eminent Veterans who
could script quality memoires seriously.
The enlightening talk was followed by
the presentation of NFMC memento to Cmde Kesnur by LtCdr Farokh Tarapore, on
behalf of President NFMC. RAdm V Srinivas, our Chief Guest then addressed the
Veterans and thanked Cmde Kesnur for a well-researched enlightening talk. Cdr
Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC extended the ‘Vote of Thanks’ to all the
Veterans. The National Anthem to follow concluded the online 18th
Soman Memorial lecture. Never in the past 18 years would have one visualised
the conduct of a memorial lecture online.
Capt R Agarawala, NFMC committee member of Central Mumbai, flagged off a Youth
Marathon Run on Veterans Day in his locality and Lt Srikant Bhende paid homage
to Martyrs at the ‘Ámar Jawan’, the monument that he has raised and preserved
at Borivali West.
The Pandemic having dampened the passion
of festivities this year, NFMC is certain to bounce back in celebrating
Veterans Day 2022, with enhanced vigour and intensified dedicated spirit. The
encouragement received from Veterans and Veer Naris acts like an effervescent
catalyst for NFMC managing committee, aptly lead by its President.
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind !
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PS :
Dear President,
Sudesh joins me in thanking
you and the Managing Committee for the magnificent gesture of sending us a gift
on occasion of the Veterans Day.
As you know, I was the
Founding Secretary of the Mumbai Chapter and thereafter its President for 9
years. Prior to that I was the Founding Secretary of Anchor-hold which was
founded by that incredible Naval Officer Cmde Jadhav Chatterji. I say this
because throughout my 25-year association with Anchor-hold and the Navy
Foundation, I had never come across such a splendid gesture on the part of any
ex-servicemen’s organisation. BZ to you and the MC!
I must also commend you and
the MC for selecting ‘badams’ as the gift. According to the Vedas, the Vedic
badams induce certain ‘Shakti’ in aging couples. I’m glad that you have not
gone for the American California brand which tend to create certain explosive
situations which can potentially go out of hand!
With warm regards to you and
all members of the Managing Committee.
Raj Mohindra
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Link for the First Veterans day Parade in
India.
http://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2020/01/maiden-indian-veterans-day-parade.html
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