21st SOMAN MEMORIAL LECTURE & CINC’s LUNCH
Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter has been conducting Admiral BS Soman Memorial Lecture for the past 21 yrs. Eminent Speakers from across spectrum are invited to speak on a topic of interest. In the past, famous personalities as Ms Shobha De, Mr Rahul Bose, Mr Bharat Dabholkar, Mr Ananth Mahadevan have been invited for the talk and later interact with Veterans and Veer Naris.
The 21st Adm Soman Lecture was conducted at 1130 hrs in Mulla Auditorium, Colaba. VAdm Shekhar Sinha, PVSM,AVSM, NM(G) and Bar, (Retd), former FOC-in-C West had been invited as the Guest Speaker, who educated us on the burning Topic, “World in Disorder: India’s Opportunity”. VAdm DK Tripathy, AVSM, NM, FOC-in-C (West) had been invited as the Chief Guest. About 450 Naval personnel, serving as well as retired were invited including Adm VS Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC(Retd), our former CNS.
The Adm Soman Lecture was followed by the traditional C-in-C invitational Lunch for the Veterans as part of the Navy week Celebrations.
Veterans started arriving at the Mulla Auditorium by 1015 hrs. Among the senior Veterans who graced the occasion were Adm Vijai Shekhawat (our former CNS), VAdm Girish Luthra, VAdm AR Karve, VAdm RF Contractor, VAdm P Jaitly, VAdm KO Thakare, VAdm IC Rao, RAdm GC Thadani & RAdm DN Thukral. VAdm Shekhar Sinha, entered the Auditorium along with the Chief Guest VAdm DK Tripathi, AVSM, NM, FOC-in-C (West).
Cdr Raj 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 Shekhar Sinha, before welcoming him on stage. For next about 40 mins Adm Sinha engaged the Audience in elaborating on the Geopolitics and Geo-economics of the World including the ongoing middle-east chaos and disorder between Hamas and Isreal. The Qs-Ans session was as gripping and fascinating as Adm Sinha’s remarkable allocution. It was indicative of the interest and impact created by the Speaker. Our Arjuna Awardee Core Committee member LtCdr Farokh Tarapore delivered the Vote of Thanks, followed by felicitation of the Guest Speaker by President NFMC and C-in-C. Cdr Vadhera presented the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail boat and C-in-C presented the WNC memento to the Guest speaker, VAdm Shekhar Sinha. The function culminated with the singing of the National Anthem.
All the Veterans, spouses, Veer Naris and Invitees proceeded to IMSC for the traditional C-in-C’s Annual invitational Lunch.
CINC HOSTS VETERANS FOR LUNCH
One of the significant and much awaited Naval tradition during the Navy week celebrations is the Veterans’ lunch being hosted by CinC every year. The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is priceless and evident during such a buoyant gathering. 25 Nov 2023 was the day when VAdm DK Tripathi AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Sword-Arm of our fine Indian Navy had invited all Veterans with spouses and Veer Naris of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka for lunch. Invitation was flashed in major local dailies much in advance. All roads of Navy Colaba converged onto IMSC as hundreds of Veterans with their good ladies started gathering at Dhanush complex starting 12 noon. It was an absolute delight for the NFMC managing committee to interact with Veterans and usher them in . Among the senior Veterans who graced the occasion were Adm Vijai Shekhawat our former CNS, VAdm Girish Luthra, VAdm AR Karve, VAdm RF Contractor, VAdm P Jaitly, VAdm KO Thakare, VAdm IC Rao, RAdm GC Thadani & RAdm DN Thukral.
At the arrival of the C-in-C, Secy NFMC drew the attention of the guests and invited the Commander in Chief to address the Veterans. C-in-C in his elaborate address briefed the gathering about the Naval activities in the year gone by, the Naval plans for the future and the welfare measures by the Command particularly the ECHS issues and efforts on the welfare measures for Veterans. Cdr Vadhera then responded to the CinC’s Address, elaborating on the welfare measures being adopted by the NFMC, the continued efforts in enhancing the Chapter’s membership that had shot upto 1450 including 4 former CNS, 13 former C-in-C (including VAdm Girish Luthra, VAdm AR Karve and VAdm Shekhar Sinha, who were present), 420 outstation, 51 overseas members, 84 Octogenarians, 17 Nonagenarians and 104 Veer Naaris, NFMC being the largest among the 18 Navy Foundation Chapters. He then mentioned about the activities spread throughout the year. He also highlighted the plans that are afoot for the celebration of the 3rd Veteran’s Day Parade and other activites in Jan 2023, on a grander scale with ample media publicity. He was grateful to INHS Asvini to render immediate medical help to Veterans with institutionalized Patient Buddy system at the reception Hall. INS Angre, Shikra, Kunjali, Tanaji, Naval Dockyard and Hamla are always forthcoming and could always be banked upon in crisis. We are indeed blessed to be in the Lap of Indian Navy that cares for its Veterans and Veer Naris.
The efficacious culmination 21st 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 !!
FEEDBACKS
Ø Good morning sir. Much grateful for the great opportunity to deliver Admiral Soman lecture here in Mulla Auditorium 25/11. It was nice to see audience participation and enthusiasm of veterans. I am blessed to be part of NFMC. Meeting Adm Shekhawat and so many Senior and contemporary veterans including my two course mates was a bonus. Good you had scheduled Veterans lunch which gave me opportunity to meet hundreds of seniors and juniors who I had served with. Lots of affection and cheer. Of course our committee team gave me a lot of attention. HQ WNC & Particularly CinC left no stone unturned to ensure to make me feel at home. Much much gratitude. Yes your activities justify your slogan “Retired but not tired” My fond regards to the Committee members & big big respect and thanks to you. Proud to be part of NFMC. Jai Hind. VAdm Shekhar Sinha.
Ø Well spoken Vijay, NFMC under your leadership and with the collective colleagues has succeeded in raising the bar for care and connect of Veterans and Veer Naris as well as their wards. BZ/ Cmde Biman Mistry
Ø Congratulations,������ Vijay on an extremely well conducted 21st Soman Memorial Lecture followed by a sumptuous Lunch hosted by the Cin C at the IMSC. An outstanding Lecture by Adm Shekhar Sinha, who spoke on World in Disorder - India's Opportunity with an equally interesting Question-Answer session. One could see that a lot of hard work had gone in for this annual event. Well Done,Vijay. .... Proud of You VAdm Rusi Contractor
Ø Thank Vadhera Sir, for sharing the messages of Adm Sinha. . I completely agree with the comments of Adms Shekhawat and Contractor. Indeed the lecture and lunch were both outstanding . You and your team really are committed to the cause of the Foundation and all of you do selfless work for the community. We appreciate your zeal motivation and commitment. Rgds, VAdm Abhay Karve
Ø Dear Vijay, Thanks for Sharing. It was by far one of the Best CinCs Veterans Lunch I have attended. I saw that a lot of hard work had gone in to make each & every Veteran & Veer Naaris welcome & treated with respect ������ The general ambiance was also very nice and comforting & the lunch was also superb !! Thanks. Kudos to You Vijay & Your NFMC Team God Bless VAdm Rusi Contractor
Ø Dear Cdr Vijay Vadhera sir, kudos to you, the NFMC Committee and WNC for the excellent Memorial Lecture and Veterans Luncheon. Thanks for facilitating my attendance. Best wishes and warm regards. VAdm Thakare, President Nagpur Chapter
Ø Good Morning. Please accept our heartiest thanks for organising yesterday 's event in the utmost professional way. Heartiest congratulations to you and your strong & dedicated team. I think that it will be a good idea if the text of the C-in-C address to Veterans could be circulated in our WA Group. Thanks once again. Cdr. UBS NEGI, VASHI
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