NFMC AGM 2023
The bliss of interacting with like-minded Veterans is indeed priceless, as was evident during the overwhelming gatherings of Veterans and Veer Naris during the Veterans Day events in Jan this year. The 2nd Veterans Day Parade made NFMC showcase the Solidarity and Bonhomie Of Mumbai Veterans of all three services. The Cricket Tournament, the Sailing Race and the Octogenarians and Veer Naris Gala, has not only brought the Veterans close together but acted as a bridge to bring the serving and retired fraternity closer together on the same Platform.
The Annual General Meeting of the Naval Veterans of Mumbai Chapter at IMSC Colaba, has always been a much awaited and sought after affair organised in Apr/ May every year. This year it was planned for May 25th, but uncertainty of the Navy AGM in Delhi and later its scheduling for 18th Jun, the NFMC AGM was firmed up for 25th Jun in IMSC and promulgated to Veterans.
Bells for the AGM were tolled in early Feb with a tentative schedule of AGM in May with Previous yrs Balance Sheet and invited Nominations for the post of Hon. Secy by 10th Apr as Cdr Rajinder Dutta had completed his 3 yrs term successfully and desired to step down.
PROCEEDINGS
The Annual General Body meeting of the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter was held at 1200 hrs. on Sunday 25th Jun 2023 in the Sea-Lounge of IMSC and despite torrential rains was attended by 187 members (including 19 Veer Naris). In addition 125 spouses who had accompanied the Veterans including Mrs Lolly Ramdas (spouse of our former CNS Adm L Ramdas, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM; who abstained due to ill health.) were entertained at the Drona Hard by free Games of Tambola with attractive prizes amidst rounds of Chat and Pani-pooris. Mrs Meenu Sahi and Mrs Meena Dutta called the two Houses and gave away attractive Prizes. It was also heartening to meet our Senior member Veer Nari Poonam Gulati, who came all the way from Pune to attend the AGM. Hard copies of Quarter Deck 2022 were made available to Veterans and Veer Naries at the IMSC Lounge. A stall was set up by RamaRao, ex PO from Bangalore for Naval Souvenirs, that was much sought after. The PLD and Lunch to follow, post AGM was exquisite, sumptuous and multi-cuisine and drew much appreciation from the Veterans and Veer Naris. A melodious Karaoke session post lunch was the Icing on the Cake on the AGM Day.
The following Core Committee & Co-opted members of NFMC and a large quorum of 187 members, including former Flag officers attended the AGM: --
CNS Adm Vijai Singh Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, former CNS;
VAdm & Mrs. Parvesh Jaitly, PVSM, AVSM, VSM;
VAdm SKK Krishnan, AVSM, VSM;
VAdm & Mrs. IC Rao, PVSM, AVSM;
RAdm PK Sinha, AVSM, VSM;
RAdm DN Thukral, VSM and
RAdm & Mrs RC Kochhar, AVSM, NM, VSM
Management Committee :
Core Committee:
Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G),President
Cdr Rajinder Dutta, (Hon. Secy)
LCdr. FarokhTarapore, VSM, (Hon. Treasurer)
Committee Members
Cdr Nozar Engineer ( Rep Western Suburbs)
Cdr Manjul Mayank (Rep Western Suburbs)
Cmde Anand Singh (Rep Navi Mumbai)
Cdr Man Singh (Rep Navi Mumbai)
Cdr GC Rai (Rep Navi Mumbai)
Cdr Ajay Kumar (Rep Navi Mumbai)
Cdr Kannan Ramdas (Rep Powai)
Cdr-At-Arms S K Patnaik (Rep Powai)
Cmde Odakkal Johnson (Rep Central Mumbai)
Cmde Rajbir Singh Bhadana, VSM (Rep South Mumbai)
Cdr Dinesh Rai, NM(G) (Rep South Mumbai)
Cdr Puran Rawat (Rep South Mumbai)
Cdr Surinder Paul (Rep Thane)
In addition, Cmde Supradeepan (LOIC NAVPEN) and Cmde P Chandel (DIR RC ECHS) also attended the AGM.
A CPR Demo had been arranged by Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC for the benefit of all Veterans, spouses and Veer Naris present, at 1130 hrs prior to commencent of AGM. Surg LtCdr Shekhar with his 2 MAs elaborated upon when and how to perform the CPR in case of an unfortunate Cardiac emergency, while awaiting medical help. The audience doubts were well addressed by the Medical Officer. The Demo was appreciated by all Veterans.
At the outset Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC welcomed all members present at the AGM and expressed his delight on Veterans turning up in large numbers. He briefly went about the schedule of the AGM proceedings. The AGM started with observance of 2 minutes silence in honour of the 26 Veterans, Spouses and Veer Naris who left us for their heavenly abode since the last AGM held on 08 May 2022. 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, the Veterans Day events conducted in Jan this year, starting with 2nd Veterans day Parade and culminating with Veer Naris and Octogenarian get-together in IMSC on 22nd Jan 2023, Matrimonial alliance being facilitated for Veteran members of all 3 services, the four foreign tours undertaken and the fifth one scheduled in NE India for 31 Oct-10 Nov. He brought out that 91 new members had joined our foundation since the last AGM; 9 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. Cdr Vadhera also briefed the members on important decisions taken by CNS during the recently concluded Navy AGM/GCM held in Delhi on 18 Jun 2023 (MsOM awaited).
The Previous AGM’s Minutes and Balance sheet was approved during the AGM. There were no Old Agenda points and none new were received, implying the super efficacy of our organisation .
Next item was honouring the Octogenarians by CNS mementos that is being undertaken by CMs of respective Areas by visiting Veterans on their 80th Birthday.
Surg CDR D K Bose was presented CNS memento by Capt Raj Mohindra.
Cdr GS Sra was presented memento by VAdm P Jaitly,
LtCdr RS Chopra was presented memento by RAdm RC Kochhar,
Cdr Ashok Shinde was presented memento by VAdm SKK Krishnan.
QUARTER DECK AWARDS
NFMC has been traditionally awarding Veterans whose Articles get published in Quarter Deck 2022 as per nominated topics given by DESA. Cmde Srikant B Kesnur, VSM and Cdr Rajinder Dutta (8th time in succession) were awarded cash award of Rs 5000/ each for their articles. Adm VS Shekhawat awarded Cmde Srikant, while Raj received it from VAdm IC Rao.
Cdr Rajinder Dutta, Hon Secy had accomplished his term of 3 yrs and desired to step down. Nominations for the post were sought. Since no nominations had been received by due date i.e 10 Apr 23, with the approval of the General Body and on behalf of all Committee members, Cdr Vadhera requested Cdr Rajinder Dutta to continue as Hon Secy for a further period of 3 years, which he relented. Cmde Lali Sachdeva proposed the nomination and Cdr Shailendra Sharma seconded it. Raj humorously remarked that he deserved a treat from both of them.
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 thanked the Veterans for renominating him for another term and 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 Hon Secy for another term. He thanked the HQ WNC and associated establishments for total support to the Veterans fraternity at all times. He was grateful to our esteemed member Cdr Ashim Mahajan, Hd of Sales, Defence Business (North & West) BACARDI India Pvt Ltd for offering complementary Cocktails and Mocktails for about 300 Veterans and Veer Naris. Kudos to Cdr Ashim Mahajan, the dashing Son of Cdr N Mahajan, settled in Delhi.
The Vote of thanks was Proposed by RAdm DN Thukral, VSM, who complimented the Managing Committee for the dedicated honorable work being done and wished them all the very Best. The Vote of Thanks was seconded by Cdr Ashok Shinde, the famed author of the book, 'How to light your 100th Candle'.
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 2 of my COs ; Cmde HA Gokhale (Betwa), who has recently shifted from Pune to Mumbai, and Cdr Shailendra Sharma (COs INAS 315 - IL-38s) . It was a pleasure and honour to interact with elderly Veterans and my coursemates Capt HPS Sodhi & Cdr SD Singh. Everyone that I happen to interact with had a word of praise for the NFMC Management Committee under the leadership of Cdr Vijay Vadhera. The multi-cuisine Lunch was a delectable pursuit topped up with exceptionally delicious Kulfi dipped in mouth-watering Faluda along with varied pastries.
Soon the Karaoke session was initiated and the Ladies homed on to the dance floor swaying to the melodious numbers being crooned. (Pics and videos below) The young and energetic Karoke performers comprised Cdr Vijay Vadhera, Cdrs Raj, Ritesh Menon, Anoop Verma, Mrs Renu Agarwal, Mrs Meenakshi Verma, Cmde Sridar, Mukti Ghosh, Mrs Archana Rai , Mrs Rekha Malhan, Dr Ratna Mahendra and Mrs Neeta Prakash. Panjabi Folklore by Mrs Manmeet Singh and Mrs Sunita Vadhera.
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.
(Grateful to the Navy Photographer and our very own Photo-video snapper Mrs Meena Dutta. Double click the videos at the bottom)
CMDE RAMESH KUMAR & CAPT SANJAY KARVE SMILE
AS THEIR COURSEMATE CAPT DIWAKAR RAISES A QUERY
  THE QUEENS CORNER   CAPT & MRS PK JINDAL  THE SMILING PHOTOGRAPHER DRAWS A CONGENIAL RESPONSE  COURSEMATES LOBBY  PHOTOGRAPHER'S SISTER NISHI KUMAR   LAUGHTER IS CONTAGEOUS CDR SK SHARMA WITH CDR & MRS JUGAL KISHORE   CMDE & MRS VIMAL KUMAR  |
  THE CORE COMMITTEE - FAROKH, VIJAY & RAJ    2 MINS SILENCE - TRIBUTE TO FRIENDS WE LOST   |
CMDE SRIKANT KESNUR INTRODUCES HIMSELF
CMDE S KESNUR RECEIVES QD Rs 5K AWARD FROM ADM VS SHEKHAWAT
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