20^th SOMAN MEMORIAL LECTURE & CINC’s LUNCH

 07 Jan 2023, was a Red letter day for the Naval Veterans of Mumbai chapter, even as they congragated at Mulla Aditorium at 1030 hrs for the Late Adm BS Soman Memorial lecture, that has Annually been conducted for the past two decades. The conduct of 20^th  Lecture was planned over 4 months in advance and invitation sent to VAdm Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Former FOCinC (West), Distinguished Fellow ORF and a renowned strategic affairs Analyst for a talk on a burning Topic, “The Indo-Pacific and the New Intersectionality of Geopolitics and Geoeconomics”. The venue planned was the Mulla Auditorium for the Lecture followed by CinC’s invitation for Lunch for all Veteran Naval Officers and Veer Naris for which e-invite had been forwarded by LtCdr Anil Malik, Secy IMSC besides Press Advert in local dailies.

Veterans started arriving at the Mulla Auditorium by 1015 hrs. VAdm Girish Luthra, an Alumnus of 54^th NDA entered the Auditorium along with the Chief Guest VAdm AB Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, FOCinC WNC. This Lecture was special as the present C-in-C had been the Chief of Staff  of the Guest Speaker, ten years ago. Apart fron the Flag officers from WNC, the Veteran Admirals who graced the occasion were ; Adm VS Shekhawat,  our former CNS, VAdm I Bedi from NOIDA, VAdm & Mrs IC Rao and RAdm & Mrs DN Thukral.

      Cdr Rajinder Dutta, Secy NFMC at the outset welcomed all the Veterans and ran through the presentation signifying the importance of organising the Adm Soman Memorial lecture every year. He then introduced the Speaker VAdm Girish Luthra, before welcoming him on stage. For next about 40 mins Adm Luthra engaged the Audience in elaborating on the Geopolitics and Geo-economics of the Indo-Pacific region from Ancient times, shift of the Global economic activity to Asia, development of new framework and partnerships, Rise and assertiveness of China, New strategies, Outlook and Approaches in the Indo-Pacific, Designs of PLA(N) China and Conceptualization of New World Order. The Qs-Ans session was as gripping and fascinating as Adm Luthra’s remarkable allocution. It was indicative of the interest and impact created by the Speaker. Cdr Raj Dutta then invited the CinC, Cdr Vijay Vadhera, Mrs Preeti Luthra, Mrs Sunita Vadhera, Dr Seema Sant, Mrs Jayadevi Anand on stage for the Presentation ceremony.

      Cdr Vadhera presented the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail boat to the Guest speaker VAdm Girish Luthra. Mrs Vadhera presented the book, ‘Health Secrets to light 100 Candles’ to Mrs Preeti Luthra.The book has been authored by our senior Veteran Cdr Ashok Shinde. Cdr Vadhera then presented the NFMC memento to Dr Seema Sant, the Assoc Dean of HRM Vesim Business school, for guiding Mrs Jayadevi Anand (w/o Cdr Vivek Anand of WNC) for the paper on ‘Veteran career transition- Nation building resource’. Dr Seema Sant then presented a memento to President NFMC. Our CinC presented WNC mementos to VAdm Luthra and Cdr Vadhera.

      VAdm AB Singh addressed the Veterans and Veer Naris commencing with New Years greetings. He congratulated President NFMC for measures undertaken for the Welfare of the fraternity besides planning and conduct of various Veterans Days events. He also briefed the gathering on service issues, the op deployment of ships, new projects being undertaken by the Navy, the last Phase of Karwar. President NFMC then delivered the ‘Vote of Thanks’. He was grateful to Adm Luthra for conceding to his request for being the Speaker for 20^th Memorial Lecture much in Advance. He also brought out that success of the Soman Memorial Lecture would not have been feasible without the active support of various units of WNC (FOMA, Kunjali, Angre, etc.)

 

CINC HOSTS VETERANS FOR LUNCH

     The Veterans ‘meet and greet’ session at the IMSC over a glass of Beer and delectable multicuisine Lunch hosted by our Commander in Chief exhibited close bonhomie and congeniality. The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is Priceless and was evident during this buoyant  gathering. The Pics below convey much more than words can express. The IMSC was well decked up with  a huge Centre Shamiyana, flanked by smaller ones towards the Sea side. The IMSC staff courteously looked after the guests with drinks and assorted eats. On the Southern end of the lawns live band with crooners beckoned merry couples to tap their feet and sway to their melodious tunes on the dance floor. President NFMC too crooned some fine melodious numbers (captured in the Videos below). It was heartening to see CinC reaching out to Veterans and Veer Naris with a warm handshake, until before his departure. our NFMC photographer was visibly euphoric when CinC shook hand with her.😄    

 

     The efficacious culmination 20^th Soman Memorial Lecture and CinC’s Lunch, was yet again a bright feather in our NFMC and WNC’s Hats. 

 

Sam No Varunah

 

Jai Hind  !!

(PS. Do double click the videos to play and zoom those for  your comfortable viewing) 

                                              VIDEOS 

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SOMAN MEMORIAL LECTURE SNAPS

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PRESIDENT & SECY NFMC FLANK

ADM VS SHEKHAWAT, OUR FORMER CNS 

WITH OUR  COS

OLD COLLEAGUES - ADM SHEKHAWAT,

VADM I BEDI & VADM IC RAO 

MEETING VADM I BEDI,  MY FORMER FOCWF & FOCINC SOUTH

VADM GIRISH LUTHRA DELIVERS THE TALK 

PRESIDENT NFMC FELICITATES SPEAKER

PRESIDENT NFMC FELICITATES DR SEEMA SANT

CINC FRLICITATES  SPEAKER

CINC FELICITATES PRESIDENT NFMC

CINC's ADDRESS

VOTE OF THANKS BY PRESIDENT NFMC

GROUP PHOTO

CINC HOSTS VETERANS FOR LUNCH

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SURG CMDE HANDE, CDR NOZAR, CO ASVINI, CDR VADHERA & RAJ  

ADM VS SHEKHAWAT FLANKED BY CDRs PURAN, RITESH & PRES NFMC

WITH RADM GC THADANI

CDR MURLI MENON & CDR UNNITHAN

CDR & MRS JUGAL KISHORE

THE QUEENS OF OUR HEARTS