Raj Dutta: January 2024

REPUBLIC DAY 2024 AT AMAR JAWAN

When a few like-minded Veterans assemble and bond together on a National Day, the euphoria created by them is bound to be priceless. It happened at 6pm on 26th Jan 2024 at Immaculate School Junction, Borivali (West), where about 12 Naval Veteran couples and 5 Veer Naris converged to celebrate 75th Republic Day and pay their 7th Anniv homage to the ‘Amar Jawan’ monument, resurrected by Veteran Octogenarian Lt Shreekant Bhende. The 26 JAN WhatsApp group of members has been meeting every year on National Days, barring the Covid years.

GROUP PHOTO

GENESIS

Lt Shreekant Bhende shifted to this location 11 yrs ago and noticed a dilapidated old statue peeping through the tall grass and plants on a traffic island, with its helmet missing and the gun in tatters. A pathetic sight it was and an insult to martyrs. Lt Bhende decided to restore its glory. But getting the requisite permission through the maze of municipal bureaucracy was a difficult task. He approached the municipal Commissioner who verbally approved the request to erect the ‘Amar Jawan’ monument. Lt Bhende then restored this monument by durable weather resistant FRP, that had been his lifeline for 22 yrs after his retirement. The monument was finally erected by Lt Bhende, and inaugurated by RAdm RM Bhatia, President NFMC, in the presence of RAdm S Mahindru (FOMA), Cdr Vijay Vadhera, Secy of the Foundation and other Veterans of the Navy on 07 Apr 2017, seven yrs ago. (Link on the Blog placed below)

26 JAN 2024

The Gathering of Naval Veterans, spouses and Veer Naris at Amar Jawan Borivali was unique this year for many reasons. The Ladies outnumbered Gents as 5 Veer Naris joined in at the Monument at Mary Immaculate School junction at 6 pm on Republic Day to pay respects to the soldiers KIA during our wars. Lt Shrikant Bhende, the Architect of Amar Jawan, had decided to honour the simpleton Veer Nari Akriti Sood, proud wife of Martyr Maj Anuj Sood, who laid down his Life for the Nation fighting militants in Kashmir on 02 May 2020, and was honoured with Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously). She is the proud daughter of my course-mate Veteran Cdr Kashmir Singh. GpCapt Yogesh Pai read out the Award Citation of Maj Anuj Sood as the last Post was played, after which Lt Bhenda presented the beautiful memento of Amar Jawan to Mrs Akriti Singh Sood. The meet and greet ceremony, the wreath laying, presentation and photography lasted half an hour after which the group moved to St Francis School where some Veterans and Veer Naris recounted their episodes from their Life in the Navy. The dinner to follow organised by Lt Bhende was delectable and sumptuous. Dignitaries who graced the festivities include Lt Shreekant & Mrs Indira Bhende, Gp Capt Yogesh Pai, Surg Capt & Mrs KM Shah, Cdr KK Sharma, Cdr KK Kutty, Cdr & Mrs Kashmir Singh, Cdr & Mrs Peter Saldhana, Veer Nari Mrs Anuprita Paranjape, Dr Shreelatha Bangar, Cdr & Mrs VS Shukla, Cdr & Mrs M Coutinho,Veer Nari Mrs Akriti Sood, Veer Nari Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Veer Nari Mrs Suparna Debnath and daughter.

Veteran GpCapt Yogesh Pai had been the Right hand of Lt Bhende right from planning to execution of this Grand affair. Yogesh BZ, you make us proud.

Dosto,

Shaheedon ki chittaon pe har baras lagenge mele,

Watan par mitne walon ka yehi Akiri nisan hoga.

CELEBRATIONS AT KHARGHAR

In the morning Our NFMC Veteran, Cdr Man Singh was invited for unfurling the Tricolour along with the oldest lady of the society, Mrs Chouhan, 90 yrs and preside over the Republic Day celebrations and the cultural program by Children at the Twin Towers, Sector 20, Kharghar. A High Tea had been organised for all members of the Society after the prize distribution.

In the evening the Raghunath Vihar Society conducted a cultural programme in which Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G), President NFMC sang a couple of Songs on Karaoke. (Photos & Videos Below)

SAM NO VARUNAH

JAI HIND

AMAR JAWAN BLOG- Double Click the link below - https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2019/01/amar-jawan-monument-borivali-26-jan.html

VIDEOS

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AMAR JAWAN CELEBRATIOS

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbBOcVFkf6I&ab_channel=MeenaDutta

THE AMAR JAWAN MONUMENT

CDR VS SHUIKLA, LT S BHENDE, CDR COUTINHO & CDR KK SHARMA

CDR KK SHARMA PINNING LAPEL TO CDR KK KUTTY

MRS INDIRA BHENDE AND OTHER VETERANS

MRS KASHMIR SINGH & DAUGHTER AKRITI

A GROUP PHOTO

WREATH LAYING

PROUD VETERANS AND VEER NARIS

VEER NARIS MRS ANUPRITA & MUKTI

DR SHREELATHA BANGER & MRS ANUPRITA

MRS KASHMIR SINGH & DAUGHTER AKRITI SINGH SOOD

MRS ANUPRITA PARANJAPE

MRS MUKTI GHOSH

CDR M COUTINHO RECALLS

CDR KK KUTTY RECOUNTS HIS NAVY DAYS

CDR KASHMIR SINGH RECALLS HIS NAVY TIME

DR MRS DAKSHA SHAH

MRS BHENDE, DR SHREELATHA BANGER & DR SHAH

CDR VS SHUKLA RECOUNTS

DR SHREELATHA BANGER ADDRESSES

VEER NARIS SUPARNA DEBNATH & MUKTI GHOSH

MOTHER DAUGHTER

CHARMING LADIES ANUPRITA, INDIRA & MUKTI

MRS INDIRA BHENDE

THE MISHTI CORNER

VEER NARIS AKRITI & SUPARNA

KHARGHAR SNAPS

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SALUTING THE VEER NARIS & OCTOGENARIANS

- INS HAMLA GET-TOGETHER- 21 JAN 2024

Veer Nari- She sacrificed her better half for your better future – Indian Army

Octogenarians have been the foundation pillars of our Armed Forces, they deserve Nation’s respect - NFMC

THE BONHOMIE

PRELUDE

The primary Aim of Navy Foundation is Welfare of Veterans and Veer Naris. NFMC has been following this objective in letter and spirit. NFMC is endowed with an added quality Empathy, that it displays in abandon. The quality that quintessentially conveys that I understand your pain, grief and condition. Two years ago NFMC conducted a lovely Sammelan on 27^th Mar for 37 NFMC Veer Naris, including 92 yrs young Veer Nari Mrs Kamla Bhushan accompanied by her smart daughter Neerja Malik and Veer Nari Mrs Poonam Gulati who drove all the way from Pune. The Catwalk by the Veer Naris with 9 elegant ladies gracefully strolling the ramp of Sea-Lounge of IMSC was indeed the show stealer that was followed-up by the enthralling Corner elimination dance. Last year it was decided to upgrade the Sammelan with addition of Octogenarians and their lovely spouses. There were about 100 registrations for the event, conducted on 22 Jan 2023 in IMSC. The Senior Veterans to grace the event included our former CNS Admiral Vijai Shekhawat, VAdm IC Rao and RAdm DN Thukral. RAdm Dev Thukral also brought in Sponsorship for the event. Apart from Games there was melodious Karaoke session post Lunch.

22 JAN 2024

This year it was decided to conduct the gettogether cum Picnic for Veer Naris and Octogenarians with lovely spouses at INS Hamla for a refreshing change. Cdr Vadhera established an instant rapport with freshly appointed CO, Cmde Sankardeep Bharali, who expressed his warm willingness for NFMC to host the Veterans and Veer Naris at his Wardroom. There were over 50 registrations for the event. Cdr Vadhera brought out the post regarding the conduct of the festivities including Karaoke singing and fun & games for both Veer Naris and Octogenarians.

To facilitate the arrangements the Managing Committee and spouses checked in at the Hamla shacks on 20 Jan and hosted the CO, TC, ExO, GO with their lovely ladies and Lt Akanksha Mehra (our nominated Coordinator) for Karaoke and Dinner at the Hamla beachside Institute during the evening. After the formal introductions and meet and greet, Cdr Raj Dutta steered the Karaoke session. The Singers for the evening were Cdr Vadhera, Ms Sonali Bharti, Lt Akanksha, Raj and Master Siddhant Bharti. Mrs Mukti Ghosh had a bad throat and had to drop-out. Mrs Sunita Vadhera’s Punjabi song on special request drew huge applause. Cdr Vadhera stole the lime-light with maximum melodiuos solos and Duets. Cdr Aris too sang a melodious number of Arijit. The Dinner to follow was delectable topped up with delicious Trunk of Tree pudding. Anahita came up for special praise for the awesome Menu that she had chalked out.

Next day the CMs were at the venue at 1100 hrs to discuss and finalise the last bit nitty gritties of the Fun games. The Managing Committee members cheerfully greeted the guests as they started arriving Hamla Ante-room commencing 1130 hrs. The Senior Veterans and Veer Naris to grace the event included RAdm GC Thadani (93 yrs), Cmde & Mrs OJ Mathur, Surg Capt & Mrs KM Shah, Cdr SL Bhatla, Surg Cdr DK Bose, Cdr & Mrs HC Medha, LtCdr & Mrs Nirmal Singh, LtCdr GS Parmar, Lt & Mrs SS Dhillon, Mrs Ranjana Auditto, Mrs Janki Bhandoola, Dr Kanta Mukherjee, Mrs Sudha Chopra, Mrs Patricia Desylva, Mrs Betty Gomes, Dr Shreelatha Banger, Mrs Sharda Sharma, Mrs Swarn Lata Chand, Mrs Dolly Gangwani, Mrs Anuprita Paranjape, Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Mrs Mallika Giri, Mrs Nandita Banerjee and Mrs Suparna Debnath.

The Veterans and Veer Naris were visibly excited to meet and greet at the Ante-room as light music played at the DJ corner. Raj, who anchored the proceedings began with a few heartwarming lines followed by a few words by RAdm GC Thadani on his recall of his midshipmen days that drew huge applause. Raj explained about the party games to follow for the Veer Naris and Octogenarians. Cdr Vadhera had arranged for some exciting Gifts. The games (Corner elimination dance, Musical chairs and Passing the Parcel) were engrossing and well participated by the guests. Cdr Vadhera presented the CNS Memento to the youngest Octogenarian, Lt SS Dhillon. Mrs Ranjana Auditto, Dr Kanta Mukherjee and Mrs Sunita Vadhera awarded the Winners of various Games conducted :

a) Corner elimination Dance : Veer Nari Dr Kanta Mukherjee and Lt SS Dhillon

b) Musical Chairs : Veer Nari Mrs Mukti Ghosh and Cdr SL Bhatla

c) Passing the parcel : Mrs Suparna Debnath and Lt SS Dhillon

d) Special Life-Time Award : RAdm GC Thadani, VSM

e) Special Award for NFMC Photography : Ms Meena Dutta

After the presentations, even as light music played on, Lunch was being served. The delectable Lunch was a multi-cuisine affair together with sweet carrot-roll dipped in ice-cream as the Dessert.

Cdr Vadhera initiated the short Karaoke session in his melodious voice, ‘Pukarta Chala hoon main’. The session of Karaoke comprised of a few Bollywood songs, mostly of the bygone era. Cdr Medha sang ‘Phoolon ke rang se’, followed by a duet by Cdr Vadhera with Sonali and a Solo by Raj.

Cdr & Mrs Vadhera presented a Box of Almonds, gift wrapped in nautical designer paper along with an NFMC greetings card to all the Veer Naris and Octogenarians present. At the Sayonara time the glint in the eyes of Veer Naris and senior Veterans conveyed their appreciation to the organizers as they warmly shook hands prior departure. It was a funtastic Day conceptualized and organized by President NFMC Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G) and assisted by all committee members and their charming better halves. The success of the event can be assessed by the fact that each and every Veer Nari and Senior Veterans What’s-apped their appreciation and rang up the President after reaching their homes. It has motivated the NFMC Committee to perform even better, in the future events and towards the welfare of Veterans and Veer Naris.

Team NFMC (All Committee Members) is utmost Grateful to Team Hamla for exceptional arrangement for the conduct of the VNs and Octogenarian Get-together. (Cmde Sankardeep Bharali-CO, Capt Varun Prakash-Training Capt, Cdr Aris T Kunjumon- EXO,. Cdr Balveer Singh-GO, Lt Cdr Ravikant Baliwada-SEDO, Lt Tarun Sangwan-Wardroom Mess Secretary and Lt Akanksha Mehra (Overall Coordinator and Karaoke singer)

Sam No Varunah

Jai Hind

(Photos and lovely youtube reels below by Meena Dutta)

VIDEOS

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VIDEO-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5SV26-Nd7U&ab_channel=MeenaDutta

VIDEO-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_R3MV2xZtM&ab_channel=MeenaDutta

PHOTOS

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