AGM 2022 - NAVY FOUNDATION MUMBAI CHAPTER
The bliss of interacting with like-minded Veterans is indeed priceless, we did realise when the world came to a standstill 2 yrs ago, forcing our foundation to conduct the AGMs virtually. The pandemic brought along a lot of misery; we lost some of our close friends, course-mates and relatives. It did teach us to be protective and provide utmost care to our health and build up our immunity. Along with misery it did bond the families closer in their very own homes. Albeit the Social interaction was virtual. We learnt to operate devices for Video conferencing. Now that the pandemic is on the decline, Life is fast rebounding to its usual quick pace.
The Annual General Meeting of the
Naval Veterans of Mumbai Chapter at IMSC Colaba, has always been a much awaited
affair organised in Apr/ May every year. This year it was planned for May 29th
after the Navy AGM in Goa scheduled on 22nd May, and a mail and
Whatsapp msg was sent to all NFMC Veterans and Veer Naris on 11 Feb regarding
the same. However, owing to our Treasurer LtCdr Farokh Tarapore’s busy
Yachting training schedule in foreign
shores in end May (where he’s coaching the Indian Team for Asiads), the AGM had
to be preponed to 08 May all members were informed on 11 Apr regarding the
change.
This year’s AGM was historic on two
counts, One… it was being held
physically after 15 Sep 2019, (when Cdr Vijay Vadhera was elected President
NFMC with a thumping majority), Two… the 3 yr terms of
both Cdr Vadhera (President) and LtCdr Farokh Tarapore (Treasurer) were
culminating and nominations for the two posts were sought by 10 Apr, vide the
post promulgated on 11 Feb. Attendance of members was sought by WA, and it was
heartening to see that 315 members, spouses and Veer naris had messaged
willingness to grace the get-together. Fiesta caterer was hired to provide delectable
snacks and multi-cuisine Lunch for all. An elaborate msg was promulgated on 22 Apr along with previous yr’s MOM,
Balance sheet and schedule of AGM that was planned to commence at 1130 hrs in
the Sea Lounge of IMSC for the members, even as their spouses enjoyed the
Fiesta snacks and Chaat at the Drona Hard enclosure ouside. Capt Rakesh
Agrawala and Cdr SK Patnaik kept the ladies regaled during the AGM.
PROCEEDINGS
The following Core Committee & Co-opted members of NFMC and a large quorum of 187 members, including our former CNS Adm Vijai Singh Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC ; former DGCG VAdm RF Contractor, PVSM, AVSM, VSM ; VAdm IC Rao, PVSM, AVSM; RAdm PK Sinha, AVSM, VSM ; RAdm V Balachandra, AVSM, NM, VSM; and RAdm DN Thukral, VSM attended the AGM. In addition, Cmde Sunil Rishiraj (CO Kunjali), Cmde Aditya Hara (CO Angre), Capt Sunil Anand (CRSO WNC), Cmde Sridar Ramaswamy (OIC NAVPEN), LtCdr Abhimanyu Shekhawat (NAVPEN), Cmde Ranadip Bose (OIC NAVPAY) also attended the AGM :--
a)
Cdr Vijay Vadhera,NM ----------President
b)
Cdr Rajinder Dutta
------------ Hon. Secy
c)
LCdr. FarokhTarapore ,VSM ---Hon. Treasurer
d)
Cdr Nozar Engineer
------------ Rep Western Suburbs
e)
Dr Mrs.KantaMukherjee------- Rep Western Suburbs
f)
Cdr Manjul Mayank
-----------Rep Western Suburbs
g)
Cmde Anand Singh -------------Rep Navi Mumbai
h)
Cdr GC Rai ------------------------Rep Navi Mumbai
i)
Cdr Kannan Ramdas----------- Rep Powai
j)
Cdr-At-Arms S K Patnaik------ Rep Powai
k)
Captain Rakesh Agrawala ----Rep Central Mumbai
l)
Cdr Dinesh Rai, NM -------------Rep South Mumbai
m)
Cdr Puran Rawat -----------------Rep South Mumbai
The AGM commenced
with observance of 2 minutes silence in honour of the Veterans, Spouses and
Veer Naris who left us for their heavenly abode since the last AGM held on 25
Apr 2021. The last post was played as all stood up to observe 2 mins silence.
The President in his address mentioned about the welfare measures been/ being
taken by NFMC managing committee, particularly during Covid times, the Webinars
being conducted every month, the recent Veer Naris get-together which shall be
an annual feature along with Octogenarians, the Veterans Day celebrations every
year in Jan, Matrimonial alliance being facilitated for Veteran members of all
3 services, the foreign tours undertaken pre-Covid times being resumed in Sep this year, the continued
updation of NFMC Master directory, the resumption of dignified last rites of
our members transiting to higher realms. He brought out that 60 new members had
joined our foundation since the last AGM. 11 of those present introduced themselves,
some with a touch of humour, declaring themselves
to be ‘happily married,’ a class oxymoron that’s second to none. Among the new
members we welcomed Veer
Nari Mrs Shyamal Vijayaraghava, who has shifted from Chennai to Mumbai. The Previous AGM’s Minutes and Balance sheet
was approved during the AGM. Among the Old Agenda points the utilization of Mankhurd
Officers’ Mess remained and Cdr Vadhera urged the members to utilize this facility as often as they could, to prevent
the facility being withdrawn.
Next item was honouring the Octogenarians that is
being
undertaken by CMs of respective Areas by visiting
Veterans on their 80th Birthday. RAdm PK Sinha, AVSM,
VSM (50131-H) was presented memento by our former CNS, Adm VS Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC
(00189-B). Cmde ED Chauhan, NM (00480-R) was presented memento by VAdm IC Rao,
PVSM,AVSM (40061-Y)
The Hon. Secy brought out that
LtCdr Farokh Tarapore (our Hon Treasurer for 12 long yrs) had successfully
accomplished his 4th term now. Fresh nominations for
the post had been sought by 10 Apr 2022. Since no nominations had been received
by due date, Lt Cdr Farokh was re-elected for a further term of 3 yrs. Cdr
Vijay Vadhera had been Hon Secy NFMC for 12 long yrs at a stretch followed by
President elect for 3 yrs. Fresh nominations for the post had been sought by 10
Apr 2022. Since no nominations had been received by due date, Cdr Vadhera stood
re-elected for another term of 3 years. It was heartening to see all hands up
for proposing and seconding both these appointments.
The Hon. Secy spoke on the
Genesis of NFMC, the role of the foundation including dignified last rites to
the Veterans, spouses and Veer naris, leaving for their heavenly abode, the
nomination of Mentors for the Veer Naaris and the honoring of the Octogenarians
on their 80th Birthday. He wished the Veterans and the Foundation
Best wishes in times to come.
The president thanked all the Veterans for
attending the AGM and making it a historic event with overwhelming attendance
of 187 members, reposing faith in the present Managing Committee and
re-electing the President and Treasurer for another term of 3 yrs. He thanked
the HQ WNC and associated establishments for total support to the Veterans
fraternity at all times. He was grateful to RAdm Sanjeev Sharma CSO(P&A),
for ensuring all help to the Veterans. He then presented the NFMC memento to
CSO(P&A) bidding him a warm farewell on behalf of all Veterans, as he
proceeds to NHQ in end May to take over as ACOL. Mrs Sunita Vadhera presented
Mrs Archana Sharma the famous book authored by NFMC Veteran Cdr Ashok Shinde,
“Health Secrets to light the 100th Candle” . The AGM concluded by
singing of the National Anthem.
GALA INTERACTION
The meet and greet session then
started amidst rounds of Beer and drinks and sumptuous Eats. Meena kept
clicking groups of Veterans and Veer Naris meeting after a long time, capturing
the prized moments to be frozen in footprints of Time. It was indeed a pleasure for me to interact
with 3 of my COs ; Cmde HA Gokhale (Betwa), who has recently shifted from Pune
to Mumbai, Cdr VK Punera and Cdr Shailendra Sharma (both COs INAS 315 - IL-38s)
and their good ladies. It was pleasure and honour to interact with 92 yrs young
Nonagenarian Lt CL Chawla, whom Meena called ‘Uncle’ from her childhood days.
Everyone that I happen to interact with
had a word of praise for the NFMC Management Committee under the leadership of
Cdr Vijay Vadhera. Soon the Karaoke session was initiated and the Ladies homed
on to the dance floor swaying to the melodious numbers being crooned. (videos
below) The young and energetic Karoke performers comprised Cdr Vijay Vadhera,
Cdrs Raj, Ritesh Menon, Anoop Verma, H Subrananiam, Mrs Renu Agarwal, Mrs
Meenakshi Verma, Nishi Kumar, Cdr RK Sharma and Lt Ambika, the JA from INS
Angre (Video below).
A Kiosk
each had been established by Kunjali and Angre for the renewal of New format ID
Cards Dependent Cards of Veterans, Dependents and Veer Naris at the entrance of
the Sea-Lounge. An NFMC initiative that was well appreciated. The multi-cuisine Lunch was a delectable pursuit
topped up with exceptionally delicious Kulfi dipped in mouth-watering Kheer
along with varied pastries. (Menu displayed below) Cdr Vadhera and I being the
hosts were the last to hit the Drona Hard for Lunch, which indeed was an
exquisite affair.
A remarkable day revelled in magnificiently. 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 ’… !!!
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind.
👇👇👇
About the Author
Commander Rajinder Dutta (Retd) has been a Naval Pilot and a
Qualified Flying Instructor with about 3000 hrs of flying on various fixed wing
Aircraft of Indian Navy, viz HT-2, HPT-32, Kirans, Islander, Super Connie,
Fokker F-27 and IL-38.
He
is the Hon Secy of NFMC, a Master of Ceremonies and an avid blogger.
http://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/
Very nicely written blog. Covered all aspects in detail. The photos added to it makes it very interesting.
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