RENDEZVOUS HAMLA- 2022
A Veteran is one who has given his
Life to something Bigger than himself ~~ Joseph Campbell
PRELUDE
Post the 2020 Pandemic that had thrown a colossal challenge to
mankind and restricted them in their ability to manoeuvre, due to
imposing lockdowns; even as the COVID-19 gripped the world in its
clutches, some extraordinary people, most of them unsung heroes emerged as
Corona Warriors. They comprised Health Care workers, Armed Forces,
Paramilitary, Policemen, Delivery men and the like. The World bows to
them. 2020 and 2021 owes it to them.
NFMC, comprising 15 Committee members under
the leadership of Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G) (Retd but not tired) endeavored in their small humble way to
continue the welfare efforts for the Veterans and Veer Naris of the Mumbai
Foundation, whether it was procurement and distribution of of Face shields,
face masks, Homeopathic immunity booster doses or the distribution of American
Almonds to Octogenarians and Veer Naris during the Veterans Day on 14 Jan for
the past 2 years. The committee met on a weekly basis on Video conference to
discuss issues. Monthly lectures were organised by inviting eminent speakers on
VCons covering health related topics. For their stupendous efforts Cdr Vadhera,
President NFMC had organised a get-together in INS Hamla for Committee members
and spouses for 18-20 Oct last year 2021. The welfare activities continued and
this year too endeavor was to conduct all Veterans Day activities in Jan 2022
including the 2nd Veterans Day Parade, which had to be shelved after
having played the Cricket match between Veterans XI and CinC XI on 02 Jan 2022
that was won by the later and the Veterans had to unfortunately relinquish the
trophy that they had handsomely clinched in the previous year. Other events had
to be shelved as the Covid raised its ugly head yet again in the form of
Omicron, but fizzled out in a couple of months. In its dilution and lifting of
restrictions, NFMC organised a get-together for Veer Naris in IMSC on 27 Mar.
The 40 Veer Naris who converged to the Sea-Lounge had a whale of a time tiptoeing
Cat walk, crooning Karaoke followed by sumptuous delectable Lunch in Company; the
successful conduct of AGM 2022 on 09 May, in which the President and Treasurer
were re-elected unanimously; and the outstanding NFMC’s 4th Foreign
trip : The Tour of South Africa from 05-16 Sep for 48 Veterans including 10
Veer Naris ;; called for a committee members get-together second time in INS
Hamla from 15-17 Oct 2022 on Dutch expenses basis (No cost to NFMC).
HAMLA
CMs MEET
Cdr Vadhera spoke to Cmde Neeraj Malhotra, CO Hamla
who was delighted by the idea and booked 14 shacks for 15-17 Oct. All the CMs
were eagerly looking forward the meet and greet, but Four couldn’t join at the last moment due to urgent
commitment, Cmde Anand Singh, Cdr GC Rai, Cdr SK Patnaik and Cdr Kanan Ramdas
with their better halves. However, we’d invited Wg Cdr Kolhatkar and Veer Nari
Rekha Malhan too, who had indulged and burnt the midnight LEDs to turn out a
wonderful Blog on South Africa. It was a pleasure to meet and greet Cdr
Surinder-Gurinder and Cmde Odakkal
Johnson-Vinita our new committee members. The menus chalked out by our 37 yrs young Veer
Nari, Dr Kanta Mukherjee and Anahita, were approved sans discussion.
INS Hamla
had dwelt into minutest details to plan our get-together, to ensure pampered
comfort for the Veteran CMs. The Program chalked out by Team Hamla, stood us in
awe and made us feel revered.
The shacks
were spick and span to receive guests by 1000 hrs on the D Day. The CMs started
arriving from various locations spread over Mumbai. Dinesh Rai-Archana, Manjul-Alka
and Surinder-Gurinder were the early birds to land at the Sea Breeze Hard, preceding
Meena and I. By 1245 hrs all had arrived after having dropped their paraphernalia
in the allotted shacks. The Jhappi/Pappi endured till Cmde Neeraj, CO Hamla
joined in with his smiling team of Cdr Roy (ExO), Capt Praveen Kumar (TC), and
LtCdr Tanuj Singh (Mess Secy). Cdr Vadhera introduces all the Veteran members
to the CO and his Team. The Bar was exquisitely rigged with beer and assorted
drinks. The lunch that followed subsequent to the beer session had been
delectably catered for, topped up with mouth-watering ‘Gaajar Halwa’.
After a
short Siesta, quite a few Veterans, spouses and kids mustered at 1700 hrs at
the Sea Breeze Hard, while our Arjuna awardee LtCdr Farokh Tarapore and Cdr Vadhera were on a
request call to deliver a pep-talk to about 60 young Hamla Officers on the intricacies
of effective sailing and Farokh’s life time experiences (Pics below). The evening was
dedicated to sports. Veterans tried their hand at beach Volleyball. It was
heartening to see Cdr Surinder, despite his earlier leg ailment during services
hockey, enthusiastically steering his team. Wg Cdr Kolhatkar played well and so
did Abhishek Kankan. Meena was the only Lady amongst the other players,
although she had specialized in Basket Ball during her school time. We’d
included some youngsters also in the two teams. When the scores were level
after sunset the same two teams contested for a Tug of War match. Meena was the
anchor-woman of Team A and Kolhatkar the Anchor man for Team B. Incidentally
this too ended in a draw after changing sides. The Hip, Hip Hurray could be
heard in Aksa beach 5 kms away.
The prized
itinerary, Karaoke night with Barbeque commenced with arrival of Cmde Neeraj
Malhotra, CO Hamla & First Lady Ratika as our Chief Guests along with Capt
Praveen Kumar and his butter half, Cdr Sarita Nagayach
(Former GTO and now our NFMC member), and LtCdr Tanuj Singh (Mess Secy) apart
from 7 young Slts whom Halma fielded as good singers. Subsequent to the
introductions and drinks been served, Cdr Vadhera beckoned Raj Dutta to steer the Karaoke evening in his
rich baritone. Cdr Vadhera initiated the show with a melodious number, that set
the ball rolling with uninhibited melodious numbers by Cdr Manjul Mayank, Mrs
Archana Rai, Mrs Sarita Nagayach, Capt Praveen Kumar, Ms Akanksha Kankan, Raj
and Duets by Cdr Vadhera and Mamta Kankan, The First lady too crooned a song
sans Karaoke. The 4 SubLts too sang quite well. The drinks and Barbeque servings continued
till the Soup was served. The guests left entirely satiated by a wonderful melodious
evening and delectable Continental spread.
Despite
most of us having called it a day around midnight, quite a few gathered at the Sea beach
early morning at 0700 hrs for trick photography for couples. The poses were
suggested by Meena to Uday-Rekha, Johnson-Vinita, Surinder-Gurinder, Ajay-Archana,
Dinesh-Archana, Vijay-Sunita and the results were Amazing (Photos and Videos placed
below). This was followed by a visit the Hamla Miyawaki Forest at 0800 hrs,
escorted by the Gunnery Officer, Cdr Rajesh, who briefed us extensively on the
planting of the Miyawaki Forest by Hamla just outside the main gate and showed
the Palm sapling that Dr Kanta and Farokh had planted last year. After a
sumptuous breakfast the forenoon was planned for a visit to INS Trata extension FSB (Forward Staging Base) enclave at the southern end of
Marve road by the Hamla Mini Bus. LtCdr Arul received us at the FSB Helipad and
briefed us on the Coastal battery for Defence of Mumbai
against air attacks during war. He then escorted us to the Rest rooms for
snacks and refreshment. Veterans are adapted in enjoying themselves in any
scenario. There was a large seat swing in a garden and the romantic Veterans
took to posing on it as Meena shot them in turns. On return the Bus was halted
at Hamla Canteen and the NWWA Shop for a peep. Everyone reassembled at the Hard
at 1230 hrs for PLD and delectable Lunch topped up with Navy’s favorite
specialty ‘Trunk of Tree’ Pudding cake.
If Day one belonged to Veterans Karaoke. Day two was
even more splendid and enhanced our respect for INS Hamla in looking after
Veterans starting from a Visit to home-grown Miyawaki Forest, followed by a
splendid Tour of FSB (Forward Staging Base) Trata. The evening unfolded with further Woww surprises as
CO Hamla had organized a DJ Nite in the Wardroom, where the entire Hamla Staff
and under-trainee officers made the Veterans feel special. The under-trainees
gathered in groups around Veterans, who shared their Naval experiences down
memory lane against some soft DJ music. In a while the DJ turned on fast paced
beats and beckoned everyone to take to the floor, initiated with senior
Veterans. In no time the floor was jam-packed with youngsters too grooving
& gyrating vigorously (Pics and Videos below). The scene resembled that of
Navy Ball. Later the CO took to stage and felicitated the Veterans
individually. Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC spoke about the relevance and genesis
of Navy Foundation and introduced each NFMC committee member and their better
halves to the youngsters. He presented the NFMC memento of the Golden Sailboat
to CO Hamla after which Mrs Sunita Vadhera presented the famous book “How to
light the 100th Candle of your Life” (authored by our NFMC Veteran
Cdr Ashok Shinde) to the First Lady Hamla, Mrs Ratika Malhotra. The Veterans
were awed by the Catering Décor welcoming NFMC. The elaborate Royale Dinner was
an exquisite spread to select from, topped up with King Jalebi in Ras Malai. We
couldn’t thank the CO and staff enough for the unique and special evening
dedicated to Veterans.
Next morning
we gathered at the Sea-Breeze hard at 8 AM to celebrate the Cake-cutting by
Birthday girl Mrs Archana Kumar. We all sang for her and relished the
delectable yellow Cake dexterously baked
by expert Hamla Chefs. Clearing of individual Bills was followed by Couples
and group photos and Jhappi-Pappi and Sayonara and 3 Jai’s for Hamla.
Our utmost gratitude to the CO for the exceptional
manner in which the Staff of Hamla left no stone unturned to ensure all comfort
for Veteran Committee members to carry along sweetest memories to relish in
foot-prints of time. (The memories are forever stored below to relive by a
click)
The messages exchanged between President NFMC and CO
Hamla prior departure, makes my belief firmer of the superior ethos of our fine
Indian Navy.
-------------------------------------
Dear Cmde Neeraj Malhotra!
On behalf of
NFMC Committee Members & also from my own heart, I am at a loss of words
this morning to express our deep gratitude. Hamla has been home & your team
has made us feel as a treasured family. We are overwhelmed and at same time
salute the meticulous efficient manner that our stay was arranged in highest 🏟Naval standards. The interactions with your team
especially Gen Next will stay treasured. Ratika & you have been amazing
hosts. May Hamla continue to shine on the Naval and National firmament.
Jai Hind & Sam No Varunah ⚓️
Cdr Vijay Vadhera
(Retired but not yet Tired)
President NFMC
17 Oct 22
-----------------------------------------
Good morning sir
You are and will
always continue to be family for us
We all have so
much to learn from all of you and especially you sir
Your Josh, clarity
of thought and painstaking meticulous planning coupled with attention to detail
and most importantly zest for life are truly inspirational
Looking forward to
greater connect with NFMC and many more good times together 😊🙏🏻 Best Regards
Neeraj
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As the last few
of us said sayonara and bid adieu to Hamla, wheeling out our Tata Manza, the
smile on our lips was reflective of the honour bestowed on us Veterans by our
Naval establishment that we were once privileged to be a part of during our
Subs-courses.
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind
P.S. The Blog wouldn't have been complete without assistance from our unofficial photographer Meena Dutta. Do not forget to click on the outstanding Videos
Wonderful
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir
DeleteWonderful pictures and narrative
ReplyDeleteGrateful Sir, for the tonic comment
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