VETERANS DAY -14 JAN 2024

Man in his present, either dreams of a bright future or dwells in his glorious past. Even as we exit the *Veterans Day Fortnight* of  Festivities, lets glance back to recapitulate the recent events of NFMC.

          

WREATH LAYING AT GAURAV STAMBH ON VETERANS DAY 2024

The Year 2024 began with a Bang for NFMC as we reclinched the Sailing Trophy beating the WNC Team once again on 05 Jan 2024. Sat 06 Jan was dedicated to Cricket net practice at renovated Kohli Stadium. Sunday 07 Jan 2024 was a Red letter day for us as the 3rd Veterans Day Parade was flaged off by Governor of Maharashtra and blessed by CM of Maharashtra for the Felicitation ceremony at NCPA Tata Auditorium later. Sat 13 Jan was the Cricket tournament of NFMC Presidents XI and CinC XI, which the later won by some hard hitting by Pilots Cmdes Sumit Bhatnagar and VR Iyer, who made their balls fly around the Kohli stadium. Veterans did respond well in the later part of the inning with good batting by Cdr Pravin and Cmde BS Arora, eventually slipping by 37 runs short of the 131 runs target in 15 allotted overs. Looking forward to 05 Jan 2025 to avenge.

 

14 JAN 2024   

 The Veterans Day was eventful with Wreath Laying at Gaurav Stambh Naval Dockyard in the morning, IAF Airshow at Marine drive at Noon time, Sailors Rally at Sagar Sailors Home in the Afternoon and a Musical Evening for Veteran Offrs, Sailors and families at Mulla Auditorium in the evening.   

WREATH LAYING

 On the occasion of the 8th Armed Forces Veterans Day on 14 Jan 24, wreaths were laid at a solemn ceremony at the Gaurav Stambh, Naval Dockyard, by  Vice Adm Sanjay J Singh, FOCINC Western Naval Command,  Lt Gen HS Kahlon, GOC Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area, AVM Rajat Mohan, AOC Mairitime Air Operations, Rear Adm Manish Chadha, FOMA, and Veterans .The event was conducted in tribute to the valour, courage, dedication and sacrifices of numerous bravehearts in the line of duty, underscoring the finest traditions of the Armed Forces in Nation Building, said the PIB release. Among the Senior Veterans Brig Deshmukh and Cdr Vijay Vadhera President NFMC also laid the wreath and paid homage.

 AIR SHOW AT MARINE DRIVE The IAF Airshow was conducted at Noon time on 12,13 and 14 Jan 2024 over Marine drive in Mumbai. President NFMC had received 140 Airshow passes for Veterans that were kept at the reception at IMSC and SAGAR for distribution to Veterans on First come First serve basis.

 While Cdr Vijay Vadhera went for Wreath laying in the morning, Mrs Sunita Vadhera, Monica, Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Cdr Surinder Paul, Gurinder, Raj and Meena Dutta proceeded to Marine Drive. Air Force had made ample arrangements for seating on the Marine Drive Promenade. It was after 20 years  the IAF aerobatics Surya Kiran team had come to the City.  The commentators welcomed the spectators and wished a Very Happy Veterans Day to all.  The Governor arrived just before Noon when the Aakash Ganga sky diving team was making their landings on Chaupati. It was impressive and spectacular to watch the sky divers in pairs and trio gliding down. Soon the 10 Hawks in Box formation made their appearance, flew past and soared Vertically up, performed Loops, Barrel rolls, Bomb burst, and cris-cross scissoring maneuvers, putting the spectators in a trans for half an hour. Next The Sarang Team of 5 ALH Helos performed some awesome stunts. The Hawks and ALH Helos mesmerized all present with spectacular aerobatics with smoke generation thrown in for effect. A SU-30 also showed some stunning display of firing its decoy flares and slow speed flying with min radius steep turns. The organizers had distributed refreshment boxes with assorted snacks to all spectators, a fine gesture.  The Show lasted for an hour and half. The Commentators were fabulous and described the aircraft maneuvers and drew the attention of spectators in the right direction.         

 MUSICAL EVENING AT MULLA AUDITORIUM

Although Musical Evening had been planned in Mulla Auditorium on Veterans Day 3 months in advance, but it was approved only a week before and Sujaan Music was given a Go Ahead. About 150 Veterans and families, including a few from our sister services Army and Air Force attended the musical evening. Among the dignitaries Senior Veterans, LtGen & Mrs M Ganguly, Brig Kapil & Mrs Sangeeta Malhotra and Wg Cdr & Mrs Gehlot attended the Musical Evening that commenced at sharp 5 pm. Cdr Raj Dutta took to stage and welcomed all, on behalf of President NFMC and introduced the Sujaan Group Founder Shri Gaurang Ratanjankar, Mr Rajesh Kohli and the beautiful Anchors Ms Shreya Prabhu and Dr Deepa Bhandarkar. For the next two hours Sujaan Music put the Audience in a mesmerizing trance with their melodious numbers. Cdr Vijay Vadhera and Raj too exhibited their talent. Veteran Shashikant Mishra, MCERA too came in with enticing mimicry of a few Bollywood stars in his unique style.  After the show Cdr Vijay and Mrs Sunita Vadhera felicitated the Sujaan Stars, Shashikant and Meena Dutta, the NFMC photographer. Cdr Vadhera addressed the spectators  on the ethos of Veterans Day and thanked the Sujaan group for honouring the Veterans with their spectacular performance and requested them to mark their calendar for the next show on 14 Jan 2025 same time, same place.  The High Tea was lavish in snacks at the Mulla Lawns, where the spectators and Sujaan stars merrily interacted. The Sujaan stars were later escorted by NFMC CMs for drinks and dinner at IMSC.

 SUJAAN MUSIC

 Sujaan Music specialises in conducting live musical performances and music related events for all occasions across the country. Sujaan is the brainchild of Padma-Bhushan awardee, Pt. SN Ratanjankar, who was a pioneer, a distinguished scholar and a teacher of Hindustani classical music. He was awarded Fellowship by the Sangeet Natak Academy in 1963 in recognition for his immense contributions to the field of music. He has published many books which are considered as recommended texts for aspiring musicians. He has also taught several legends like Music Director Roshan, Talat Mehmood & Madan Mohan.

 Gaurang Ratanjankar, Grandson of Pt. SN Ratanjankar and founder of Sujaan Music, has over 25 years of training in Indian classical and Bollywood light classical music. Gaurang ji has been performing at large musical concerts and representing various professional musical groups. Sujaan Music is now an institution with a legacy inherited over 3 generations with experience in performing and conducting live musical shows for various events and occasions.

 Mr. Rajesh kohli has held senior leadership positions in sales and marketing of various multi National companies . He is also an accredited coach from international coach federation with certificate from Cambridge university . Currently Pursuing consultancy in pharma sector besides mentoring corporate executives. Rajesh is a passionate Vocalist with sujaan music.

 Anchor Dr. Deepa Bhandarkar Consulting Pediatrician & Neonatologist. A post graduate from the prestigious Seth G. S . Medical College - A Gold medallist. Practising at her own  Blossoms Children clinic at Andheri. Passionate about music & singing & thus associated with Gaurang Sir & Sujaan Music for the past 7 years. She has specialised  in Public speaking & anchoring.

 Anchor Ms Shreya Prabhu brings over 18 years of extensive experience in the field of Learning & Development, and has been  associated with multinational companies. Currently, she serves as the head of the Communities department at SFA Pvt Ltd. Shreya has been passionately pursuing professional anchoring for the past decade, engaging in a variety of events . She has established herself in the music industry by hosting more than 60 musical shows.

 The Sujaan Singers : Mr Gaurang Ratanjankar, Mrs Rajesh Kohli, Mr Girish Bhandarkar, Mr Prakash Prabhu, Mrs Suvarna Kulkarni, Mrs Jyotsna Adarkar, Mrs Lakshmi Soni, Mrs Kiran Suresh Jumani.

 Apart from the Anchors and Singers, their souses who attended the show were also felicitated by President NFMC: Mrs Sumati Kohli, Mr Mukul Adarkar, Mr Vishwajit Kulkarni.

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 Looking forward to look up the Veer Naris and Octogenarians at the INS Hamla meet on Sun 21 Jan 2024. Until then…

 

Sam No Varunah

Jai Hind

 

(Grateful to Ms Meena Dutta for photo coverage and Video editings) 

VIDEOS

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(DOUBLE CLICK THE LINK BELOW)

COMPLETE VIDEO OF MUSICAL EVE 

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https://youtu.be/7_xzpNFmmhA?si=BYL3p70iuoKVbK3F

VIDEO-2

AIR SHOW

https://youtu.be/CMJRykH1PrQ?si=mitzZRvBfLjZRCip

PHOTOS

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WREATH LAYING GAURAV STAMBH

MS MONICA FLANKED BY CHARMING LADIES

MEENA, MUKTI GURINDER & SUNITA MAAM

NFMC LADIES WITH AN IAF OFFICER

MEENA WITH SARANG LEADER

GALLERIES AT MUSICAL EVE AT MULLA 

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PRESIDENT NFMC WITH DIGNITARIES

CMDE BADHANA IN CHAT WITH LTGEN M GANGULY

THE TROUP SINGS OM SHANTI

SHRI GAURANG & LAKSHMI SING A DUET

SHASHIKANT MISHRA REGALES AUDIENCE

GROUP PHOTO POST FELICITATIONS

Mr RAJESH WITH CDR & MRS VEDHERA

NFMC FIRST COUPLE

SQUADRON MATES

THE STAR PERFORMERS

CDR & MRS SUNITA VADHERA WITH LTCDR BD NANDA

MRS VADHERA WITH CMDE & MRS OJ MATHUR

SHASHIKANT WITH VETERANS

DR KANTA M AND MEENA

THE PERFORMERS AT IMSC