Friday, 3 October 2025

 HAMLA   OUTING - 2025

RENDEZVOUS HAMLA- 2025

A Veteran is one who has given his Life to something Bigger than himself   ~~  Joseph Campbell

JUBILLANT WINNERS OF TUG-OF-WAR

    37 Committee Members and spouses converged at Hamla on 27 Sep 2025 for a 2 day Picnic including Fun and games. Cdr Vadhera had tied up with Cmde Raahul Mahajan, CO Hamla, who was delighted by the idea and booked 16 shacks for 27- 29 Sep. The first evening was Volleyball and Tug of War followed by preparation for Karaoke for the Final Musical evening on 28 Sep, in which CO Hamla was invited as the Chief Guest. All Singers were presented beautiful mementos by our Arjuna Awardee LtCdr Farokh Tarapore after the wonderful Geeton bhari Shaam, well compered by Veteran LtCdr Nidhi Taneja. Since it had been raining heavily for the two days CO Hamla extended an invite for us in early Mar 2026 too. Anahita came in for praise for the Superb Menu suggestion. On the forenoon of 28 Sep there was Brainstorming session coordinated by Cdr Vadhera, who spoke on the essentials of maintaining Family Log book/ Will nominations, Cdr Brahm Swaroop spoke on Acupressure while Farokh educated everyone of esentials of good health and wellness. It was a funtastic outing in which the rains tried to play spoil sport, but failed to dampen our spirits. After departure Cdr Vadhera, Dr Kanta Mukherjee, Raj and Meena proceeded to Classique Club in Andheri on an invite by our Nonagenarian Cdr SL Bhatla for Lunch.  

 PRELUDE

        Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC had organised a get-together in INS Hamla for Committee members and spouses 18-20 Oct 2021 and 14-17 Oct 2022. Then in Sep 2023 the CMs and spouses ventured out to INA Ezhimala for a shot trip. The Picnic at Hamla in Jan 2024 was amalgamated with Octos and Veer Naris gettogether. The recent outing at INS Hamla was the 4th Picnic in Hamla.

 HAMLA CMs MEET

     Cdr Vadhera spoke to Cmde Raahul Mahajan, CO Hamla who was delighted by the idea and booked 16 shacks for 27- 29 Sep . All the CMs were eagerly looking forward to the meet and greet.  The menus chalked out by our young Veer Nari, Dr Kanta Mukherjee and Anahita, were approved sans discussion.  

      INS Hamla had dwelt into minutest details to plan our get-together, to ensure pampered comfort for the Veteran CMs. The Program chalked out by Team Hamla, stood us in awe and made us feel revered.  The Shack allocation and Program promulgated by Cdr Vadhera is reflective of the preparations afoot to make our Picnic jazzy.

ALLOCATION OF SHACKS AS FOLLOWS 

1) Cdr Vijay Vadhera = Sea Breeze-1 (2)

2) LCdr F Tarapore = Sea Breeze-2 ( 2+1)

3) Sea Gull-1 = Cdr Gulab Rai (2+1)

4) Sea Gull-2 = Cdr Nozar Engineer (2)

5) Top-1 = Dr Kanta Mukherjee (2)

6) Top-2 = LCdr Nidhi Taneja (2)

7) Foxle- 1 = Capt Raj Dutta (2+1)

8) Foxle-2 = VN Mukti Ghosh. (1)

9) Coral-1 = Cdr Brahm Swaroop (2)

10) Coral-2 = Cmde Anand Singh (2)

11) Oyester-1 = Capt Sumeet Bhatnagar (2+1)

12) Oyester-2 = Cdr Kannan Ramdas (2)

13) Sea Land-1 = Cdr Tony Chacko (2+1)

14) Sea Land-2 + Sea Rock -1 = Cdr Dinesh Rai (2+2)

15) Sea Land-3 = Cdr Anoop Verma (2)

16) Sea Land-4 + Sea Rock-2 = Cdr A Kankan (2+2)

 

FORMAT OF OUR GET TOGETHER WAS PLANNED  AS FOLLOWS :-

Sat 27 Sep =

1200 hrs- Arrive Hamla and occupy ur allotted shacks

1230 -1430 hrs - Meet and Greet at Officers Institute. Beer �� followed by Biryani lunch

1430-1645 hrs- Compulsory Siesta

1700 - 1900 hrs- Water / Beach Sports & High Tea

1930 -2230 hrs- Music,Dance & Karaoke followed by Drinks & Dinner . Trial run to select the Karaoke Singers for Sunday’s musical evening would be conducted. Farokh (CJI) with Anahita, Blossom, Shashi & Sumi will decide who all will take part in Musical evening on Sunday.Dress- Casual ( No Shorts & Chappal / Sandals). Ladies to put on Dancing shoes.

 

Sunday 28 Sep =

0830-0930 hrs- Breakfast

0930- 1045 hrs- Visit Hamla Canteen & NWWA Shop

1100-1300 hrs- Assemble in Officers Institute for COMPULSORY BRAIN STORMING SESSION , to be actively taken part , by all CM’s and their own Spouses , on following topics. It would be moderated by Kanta Ma’am , Cdr Vadhera , Brahm & Farokh. 

1) What have been your biggest regrets in life ??- Moderated by me.

2) If you were elected as President NFMC, what more you would do , to make it more vibrant.(Ladies can also take part) -Moderated by me

3) Amongst our CM’s and their wives, Who listens to whom more ?? Any practical solution to this problem ???- Moderated by Kanta Ma’am

4) Importance of Family log book. Moderated by Cdr Vadhera.

5) Importance of Living healthy. Moderated by Farokh

6) Accupresuure as alternate health medicine. Moderated by Brahm

1300-1430 hrs- Beer & Lunch, followed by Tambola by Meena.

1430-1700 hrs- Compulsory Siesta

1700-1800 hrs- High Tea

1900 -2230 hrs- After putting on your best attire ( both by Girls & Boys) assemble in the Institute latest by 1900 hrs for Karaoke evening, Cocktail & Dinner hosted by us for CO and HOD’s of Hamla. CSO(P&A), Col & Mrs Vijay Kumar and Capt & Mrs Gaurav Mahajan (CRSO) have also been invited.

Monday 29 Sep =

 0800-0900 hrs- Breakfast. Pay your individual bills and depart after PAPPI JHAPPI .

------------------------------------------------------------- 

     The shacks were spick and span to receive guests by 1000 hrs on the D Day. The CMs started arriving from various locations spread over Mumbai.  By 1245 mostl had arrived after having dropped their paraphernalia in the allotted shacks. The Jhappi/Pappi endured till Cmde Raahul Mahajan, CO Hamla joined in with his smiling team of Cdr Sandeep (ExO), Capt Vipul Vohra (TC), and Lt Shalini Singh (Mess Secy). Cdr Vadhera introduced all the Veteran members to the CO and his Team. The Bar was exquisitely rigged with beer and assorted drinks. The lunch that followed subsequent to the beer session had been delectably catered for, topped up with mouth-watering ‘Ice-cream Dessert’.           

After a short Siesta, quite a few Veterans, spouses and kids mustered at 1700 hrs at the Sea Breeze Hard,  Meena and Raj had fetched 2 Cakes enroute to celebrate NFMC darling Anahita’s Birthday. Everyone flocked around the celebration table and sang the Birthday Song as Anahita sliced the Cakes. Farokh offered her the first piece, after which the ladies cut the cakes for all to savour.   The evening was dedicated to sports. Veterans tried their hand at beach Volleyball. Tony and Sumit the 2 appointed Capts selected their teams. The best of 3 match games were won by Team Tony. Meena and Srishthi were the 2 Ladies amongst the other players.  Next it was time for a Tug of War match. Meena was the anchor-woman of Team A Captained by Tony Chacko. The other Team Capt was Sumit. The teams were equal in numbers and Josh. Tug of War too was handsomely won by Team Tony Chacko. (Snaps below)   

    The prized itinerary, Karaoke Evening with Barbeque commenced with arrival of LtCdr Nidhi Taneja, our MC for the show. Albeit it was a Practice evening for the next day's Finale. The First song was by Cdr Vadhera, who beckoned everyone to the floor for dance. Others to follow were Brahm Swaroop, Mukti Ghosh, Dr Kanta Mukherjee, Mamta Kankan, Archana Rai, Kalpana Swaroop, Shashi Anand, Blossom Bhatnagar, and Raj. We missed the crooning of Sonali and Siddhant who couldn’t join us in Hamla.   The drinks and Barbeque servings continued till the Dinner was served. The guests called it a day entirely satiated by a wonderful melodious evening and delectable Continental spread.

Next morning even as the rains continued their fury relentless, after Breakfast, there was Brainstorming session coordinated by Cdr Vadhera, who spoke on the essentials of maintaining Family Log book/ Will nominations, Cdr Brahm Swaroop spoke on Acupressure while Farokh educated everyone of esentials of good health and wellness. The Chinese Lunch after the PLD was awesome. Due to the incessant rains, Our well meaning LO Lt Shruti had shifted the Location for the musical evening, from AOI hard to the Blue room.

All of us converged to the well setup Blue Room in Hamla Wardroom. In one corner was the DJ and Karaoke setup, with a Big screen for the Asia Cup Final. On the opposite end was the Dinner table laid up. The Bar was open offering drinks of choice and assorted small eats being served lavishly. Cdr Sandeep Sabat (ExO), Cdr Balveer Singh (GO), and Capt Vipul Vohra (TC) soon arrived with their good ladies and cheerfully met the CMs and spouses. The Core-Committee received the CO, Cmde and Mrs Raahul Mahajan and escorted them in and after the initial meet and greet, Cdr Vadhera took to stage and welcomed the Chief guest and on behalf of all CMs thanked him for the Funtastic two days at Hamla. He presented the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail Boat to Cmde Raahul Mahajan. The later in his talk expressed disappointment due to the RainGods playing spoil sport, and offered to book shacks for us in early Mar next year, and invited us for another Gala. Cmde and Mrs Mahajan took leave as they had a pre-committed  engagement.

  Raj invited LtCdr Nidhi Taneja to continue and compere the Musical evening. Soon the dance floor was abuzz with graceful couples even as Cdr Vadhera melodiously crooned “Aage bhi jaane na tu”. Other songs to follow were replica of last evening with a better finesse. All Singers were presented beautiful Microphone mementos by our Arjuna Awardee LtCdr Farokh Tarapore after the wonderful Geeton bhari Shaam, well compered by Veteran LtCdr Nidhi Taneja.  The Dinner spread was exquisite suiting to everyones tastebuds, topped up with delicious Navy favorite Trunk of tree.

Even as all guests left for Shacks the Core-Committee of Cdr Vadhera, Farokh & Raj and Meena along with Mukti stayed back to cheer up Team India in Asia Cup to bag home the Trophy. It was a nail-biting finish in the final over, with Farokh’s analytic comments, that Tilak overheard.     

The next morning it was a relaxed assorted Breakfast of Poori Bhajji, Bread- Omelette, reflecting of the wonderful two days at this majestic establishment.  Clearing of individual Bills was followed by Couples and group photos and Jhappi-Pappi and Sayonara and 3 Jai’s for Hamla.    

Our utmost gratitude to the CO for the exceptional manner in which the Staff of Hamla left no stone unturned to ensure all comfort for Veteran Committee members to carry along sweetest memories to relish in foot-prints of time. (The memories are forever stored below to relive by a click). 

 Until we meet-up again in Mar 2026. 

PS- Those we missed during Hamla Picnic. They couldn’t join due to health or having been away : Our First Lady Mrs Sunita Vadhera  and Ms Monica, Cdr Surinder-Gurinder, Surg Capt Ratna Mahindra, Cdr & Mrs SK Sharma, Cdr & Mrs Saorabh Agarwal, Cdr & Mrs Man Singh, Cdr & Mrs Nevil Malao,

  

Sam No Varunah

Jai Hind

VIDEOS

For all songs

👇👇👇

(DOUBLE CLICK TO PLAY)


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/107GSo9faLJ6L0A8R13Og2MX-rmA1-9GS

GOOGLE DRIVE KARAOKE FINALE 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeGOA0Urg6c

KARAOKE NITE PART-1👆

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zj-nvHwrqo

KARAOKE NITE PART-2👆

REELS FOR PLEASURE 👇👇👇
(DOUBLE CLICK AND ENJOY)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rTjwfVtqhFQ

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JRX2Qi77tf0

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V6hGZX6HvSA

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/O8Z6cliT-9c

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F90LBfImQGM

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AJfyugf6E6M

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X_eFU2T232E

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mu-KgTefP3k


CDR BRAHM'S TALK





PHOTOS 







ABHISHEK & SON

FAROKH- ANAHITA 

FAROKH- ANAHITA 


ANAHITA- MEENA

GULAB- MADHU

GULAB- MADHU

FAROKH- ANAHITA 

FAROKH- ANAHITA 

KANNAN-GUDDI

TONY- SUMA

BRAHM-KALPANA

DINESH- ARCHANA

ANAHITA WITH DAD

MUKTI & SANAYA

VIEW FROM BAR

CC MEMBERS- CDR VADHERA, FAROKH & RAJ

CDR VADHERA PRESENTS NFMC MEMENTO TO CO HAMLA

CO HAMLA FELICITATES PRESIDENT NFMC

CDR VADHERA PRESENTS NFMC BAG TO MRS MAHAJAN








TONY CHACKO

SUMIT & BRAHM FLANK DR KANTA M


MUKTI, NIDHI, DR KANTA, SHALINI, ANAHITA & MEENA


MADHU WITH ABHISHEK'S MOM

QUEENS' CORNER


KANKAN  FAMILY

2 M's - MUKTI AND MEENA

GRACEFUL DR KANTA M

DR KANTA BEING FELICITATAED

MAMTA RECEIVES MEMENTO

MUKTI BEING FELICITATED

BRAHM WITH MEMENTO


FAROKH AWARDS CDR VADHERA


NIDHI BEING FELICITATED

THE AWARDEES WHO CROONED

THE CORE COMMITTEE WATCHING ASIA CUP FINALS

WITH ExO HAMLA & LO LT  SHALINI

BRAHM UNDER KALPANA'S THUMB


CLASSIQUE CLUB ANDHERI- CDR VADHERS, DR KANTA, RAJ & MEENA
WITH CDR SL BHATLA & FAMILY




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