Raj Dutta

Mumbai Naval Aviation Get-together-2024

One of the significant and much awaited event early in the year for Naval Aviators and the Associated officers of Aviation (Air Tech/Av Med/Met/ATC), is the Get-together hosted every year by INS Shikra in IMSC. The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is priceless and evident during such a buoyant gathering. 04 Feb was a special day for us as Cmde Venkatesh Iyer, CO Shikra deviated from the established norm and planned to hold it in Shikra itself.

THE ALBATROSSES

The planning of the event was marvelous and execution fantabulous, right from arrival of guests. The Senior Veteran Aviators who graced the occasion included RAdm Sanjay Vadgaonkar, Cmde Mike Bhada, Veer Nari Neela Purohit, Cmde Kuldeep Tanksale, Cdr Anil Charan, Cdr DD Naik, Cdr Anil Bakshi, Cdr Shailendra Sharma, Cdr Jasbir Singh, Cdr Arun Kumar, Cdr VK Punera, Capt AK Lambhate, Cdr NP Bhagat, Capt Sahasrabuddhe, Cdr Kalliapan, Cdr Dilip Baijal, Cdr KC Shekhar, Capt MK Sarmah, Capt Vinod Bhasin, Cdr Nalin Chopra, Cdr Utpal Banerjee, Cdr D Jambekar, Capt Sanjay Karve, Capt HPS Sodhi, Cdr MCV Jose, Cdr Pankaj Bhardwaj, Capt Sarish Mathur, Capt Sajiv Sharma, Cdr AK Sharma, Cdr Ranvir Shekhawat, Cdr Sanjiv Sehgal, Capt Sanjay Vaidya, Cdr Madhavi, Cdr Sanjay Bodhaka, Cdr Praveen Bhaik, Cdr Hardip Singh and their good ladies. Chronic Bachelors Capt Sheel Priya Verma and Lt Vivek Saraswat seemed the happiest of the lot. It was a pleasure to meet Capt Brij Kishore, Cd Met O, with whom I had relished some wonderful moments in Chilka, 20 yrs ago.

The staff of Shikra left no stone unturned to make us feel like a VVIP. Bonhomie seen was evident as old Aviation pals were meeting after a long time....Nostalgia just flowed....Ample drinks of Choice and delectable spread was splendid....Aircraft lined up for Photo ops was an added attraction besides individual couple snaps against a super backdrop, that was developed and presented to every couple along with a attractive carry bag containing aviation mementos of 70 th Anniversary and an excellent Aviation Calander 2024.

The stupendous success of the Wonderful Event can be gauged by the Feed-forward remarks placed below. Our Respects to Team Shikra for the Fabulous Day well spent. We have carried back super memories to glance back in footprints of Time....Salutes Cmde Venkatesh Iyer, to you and your Adorable Team.

SAM NO VARUNAH

JAI HIND

FEED FORWARD REMARKS

Ø My dear Cmde Iyer. My hearty congratulations to you and your team at Shikra for the meticulously choreographed Aviators Day out at Shikra. The attention to details was quite evident and so was the effort put in by one and all.Thank you Shikra for your kind hospitality as also for the goody bag, full of pleasant surprises. God bless you All. …Cmde Mike Bhada.

Ø BZ to CO Shikra, Capt Air and your dream team. Extremely well organised and as mentioned, with an eye for details. Each item in the goody bag has been handpicked, unlike the mundane purses, clutch bags and key chains. What set you apart was catering for the drivers, a factor which nobody pays heed to. VMT, Guys, happy landings and God's speed…RAdm Sanjay Vadgaonkar.

Ø Dear Team Shikra, Deepa joins me in thanking each and everyone of you including families, to make 70yrs of Naval Aviators gtg a very memorable event .It was here that I had spent most of my Naval innings and best part with the same crew ,Capt Iyyer , Hanspal and co who are holding the Fort today...One had to be here to see how our Naval base Kunjali, Kunjali II has transformed to INS Shikra in last 2 decades...Wonderful interacting with senior Aviators like 85 yrs young Cmde Bhada Sir,others and all my friends with whom I had the pleasure of sharing cockpit, in same Naval base once upon a time in Mumbai/ Navy/ and even Now.Wishing greater Glory to Naval Avaiators Fraternity in times to come The show must go on. . And we must continue to touch the sky with Glory...Happy landings..��As tge event is over and group may disperse , I am taking liberty to share the sweet memories of lifetime which were recollected yesterday....Cdr Sanjay Bodhka.

Ø Awesome, if I may say in one word. Thank you CO Shikra and his team. Minutest of details looked into. Naval Aviators get together is going bigger and better every time. This must continue. Safe flying..Cdr Jasbir Singh.

Ø NAG-24 - Planned and executed to perfection. Bonhomie, eye for detail, cheers and happiness all around in a setting that brings back memories and nostalgia. Interacting with the younger breed of Aviators - some of them second generation Naviators made it special. Immense gratitude to the Team shikra who made this event memorable which will continue to stay with us through the thoughtful memetoes shared with us. Venky Sir, Chaitanya and the entire team - you guys rock. Thank you once more. God speed and Safe landings. Regards Cdr Srinivas Tata

Ø Thanks a ton for the lovely GTG with special thanks to team Shikra for such a fantastically minutely detailed organised event. We really felt privileged to be there and as a veteran Naval Aviator...God bless...Cdr Dilip Baijal.

Ø FSI Standards Event. BZ to Team Shikra and a personal thank you to Venky and Chaitanya..VMT and Happy Landings...⚓Regards,Cmde Kalpesh Rawal

Ø The entire Naval Aviation Get Together today was flawless in it's execution and the tremendous effort of each and every individual of Shikra was evident and visible. The bonhomie and spirit was invigorating and will remain in our memory for years to come. May Shikra continue with this tradition. Wishing entire team Shikra and all families good tidings and happiness always. Ravi and Rashmi Sohonee

Ø Thanks a lot to the wonderful Shikra team! Very well organised and excellent hospitality and warmth ��God bless you all and wish you safe landings …Cdr MCV Jose.

Ø Thank you team Shikra for the wonderful and memorable afternoon .Personal touch and eye for details was very evident. Wish you all Safe flying and Happy landings….Capt AK Lambhate.

Ø NAG 24 a memorable afternoon was very well organised with high elan and alacrity. Well done and Thanks to Team Shikra. Safe Flying and Happy Landings. ..Capt Sarish Mathur

VIDEOS

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(GTG REEL)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDOL12nunV4&t=26s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta

(Link To 360Deg clips)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-yhl-S3-9azPrDLJfk4Tsk09wrU9IveE

SNAPS

(A PHOTO IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS)

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