2025 - SALUTING THE VEER NARIS & OCTOGENARIANS- IMSC GET TOGETHER
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
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. Three years ago NFMC conducted a lovely Sammelan on 27th 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. Next year on 22 Jan 2023 it was decided to upgrade the Sammelan with addition of Octogenarians and their lovely souses. There were about 100 registrations for the event. Apart from Games there was melodious Karaoke session post Lunch. Last year we conducted the gettogether cum Picnic of Veer Naris and Octogenarians with lovely spouses at INS Hamla. There were games for all and a Karaoke session to follow post Lunch.
19 JAN 2025
Cdr Vadhera brought out a post in Telegram 2 months in advance regarding the conduct of the festivities including Karaoke singing and fun & games for both Veer Naris and Octogenarians in IMSC on 19 Jan. The post was duplicated on Whatsapp too. Star Gaze Entertainment volunteered to conduct Fun and Games apart from a stand up Comedy.
The Guests started arriving from 1030 hrs, though some were delayed due to traffic congestion caused by Mumbai Marathon. The Veterans and Veer Naris were visibly excited to meet and greet at the Sea-Lounge as light music played at the DJ corner. The Senior Veterans and Veer Naris to grace the event included exuberant RAdm GC Thadani (94 yrs), Capt & Mrs Raj Mohindra (91 yrs), Cmde & Mrs JC Bhatia, Cmde & Mrs OJ Mathur, Cmde SK Mongia, Cmde & Mrs ED Chauhan, Cmde & Mrs Emile Joshi, Cmde Mike Bhada, Capt & Mrs G Jhangiani Cdr & Mrs Ashok Shinde, LtCdr & Mrs Ashok Batra, Cdr & Mrs JS Cheema, Cdr & Mrs HC Medha, Cdr & Mrs SP Vohra, Cdr & Mrs SL Naithani, Cdr & Mrs VN Singh, LtCdr BD Nanda (Mr Rajesh Kohli & Sumati) LtCdr & Mrs Nirmal Singh, LtCdr GS Parmar & Daughter Manju, LtCdr & Mrs HS Dhillon, LtCdr & Mrs RD Verma, LtCdr & Mrs SS Malhotra, Dr Kanta Mukherjee and 24 Veer Naris.
Cdr Vadhera welcomed all present and elaborated upon the events to follow. He presented the Nonagenarian Sea-Caps sent by DNV to RAdm GC Thadani & Capt Raj Mohindra. RAdm Thadani addressed the gathering and appreciated the NFMC Committee for the care of Veterans and Veer Naris. Cdr Vadhera then presented a Copy of QD & Veterans Capt to Mrs Mala Raj, daughter of Late Cmde Narsimhan who would have been a centurion this year on 20 Apr. He also presented a special Prize to Mrs Meena Dutta, for her Photography/Videography of all NFMC events.
Cdr Raj Dutta narrated a few lines that Veterans could identify with, before introducing the members of Star Gaze Entertainment, Ms Greta Sequeira, MC Sachin, Standup Comedian Shrikar, Ashwin and Tulika.
Sachin made instant rapport with Audience and called upon Shrikar, stand up Comedian to entertain us. After the humorous show, The Team of Greta Sequeira lead the Ladies and Gentlemen to Fun and Games. There were 2 games each for the Ladies and Gents that were engrossing and well participated by the guests. Cdr Vadhera had arranged for some exciting Gifts that were immediately presented.
Mrs Sunita Vadhera presented the Prize of Max Balls in Bucket to Cmde Emile Joshi, who bucketed all 5. Farokh Tarapore gave away the next Prize of Bottle game to Cdr SP Vohra. Meena Dutta awarded the Sweets elimination dance to Veer Naris Rekha Malhan (1st) & Nandita Banerjee (2nd). Anahita gave away Prizes for the Cups Game to Mrs Superna Debnath (1st) and Mrs Balvinder Dhillon (2nd)
Five new CNS Octogenarian Mementos were Presented.
a) LtCdr BD Nanda was presented by Cdr Vijay Vadhera.
b) Cmde JC Bhatia was presented by Cmde OJ Mathur.
c) LtCdr SL Naithani was presented by Cmde Emile Joshi.
d) Cdr VN Singh was presented by Cmde Mike Bhada.
e) Capt (AMC) Dr Kanta Mukherjee was presented by RAdm GC Thadani.
After the presentations, even as light music played on, Lunch was served. The delectable Lunch was a multi-cuisine affair together with sweet Kulfi in sabudana kheer as the Dessert.
Cdr Vadhera initiated the short Karaoke session in his melodious voice, ‘Jawaniyaan ye mast mast’. The session of Karaoke comprised of a few Bollywood songs, mostly of the bygone era. Sung by Mr Rajesh Kohli, Mrs Mukti Ghosh, Cdrs Ritesh Menon and Raj Dutta. (Watch Video below)
Cdr & Mrs Vadhera presented a Box of Almonds, gift wrapped in nautical designer paper along with NFMC greetings card to all the Veer Naris and Octogenarians before their departure. The Boxes were made ready by the dedicated efforts of Farokh and Anahita.
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 WNC and Cdr Anil Malik, Secy IMSC & his dedicted Team for exceptional arrangement for the conduct of the VNs and Octogenarian Get-together.
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind
(Photography / Video editing by Mrs Meena Dutta)
PHOTOS
Wow Excellent coverage Sir coupled with lovely pics by Madam. Gr8 efforts put in to compile are commendable. Best Wishes n Warm Regards. Sarish Mathur
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarish for the encouragement always. God bless.
ReplyDeleteDear Sir, very well articulated, organised and covered by Ma'am and you, Sir 👌👌👌
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Abhishek. God bless.
DeleteAn excellent post. Enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dear
DeleteI love your blogs Raj, very well written with pictorial beautification that brings life in your blogs. Meena's photography brings smile, cheer and Josh on every Veteran and veer Nari.
ReplyDeleteGrateful Ma'am, for your encouragement and Tonic remark.
Delete“Beautifully organized event and brilliantly captured in both words and photographs. Fantastic job, Raj!”
ReplyDelete