NDA GREETS VETERANS - 2026
Their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honoured – (Daniel Webster in Veterans Quotes)
The honour ‘Veteran’ is earned by those, who served the nation , with a pledge to safe guard the honour of their country till the last breath of life .
As we entered we were welcomed by OIC NTT and his Team. There was a huge white Shamiyana rigged at the Peacock bay with decorated round tables and chairs. At the Left flank a small stage was setup for the band and crooners. On the right flanks were rigged two well stocked up Bars. We met Commandant NDA, VAdm Anil Jaggi at the entrance as he arrived and recalled our Mumbai association when he was FOMA. Next as we entered the Shamiyana and greeted VAdm JS Bedi, VAdm Bangara, VAdm AV Subedar, VAdm CS Patham, RAdm V Balachandran, RAdm RJ Nadkarni and Surg VAdm Ravi Kalra my Cardiologist, Cmde Vikram Bakshi and the dynamic couple Cmde SN Singh and his good lady Girija. We were literally on cloud 9 meeting and greeting our Naval brethren and the good ladies. Meena was on job with her Camera.
Lt Giri, Logo NTT took to stage and welcomed all present and invited President NFPC VAdm J Korde to address the gathering. Adm Korde thanked the Commandant and his brilliant team for the elaborate arrangements. He expressed his pleasure at the large turnout and gratitude to NDA for constant support to the Veterans community. Mrs Kanwal Bedi presented a Bouquet to Mrs Shalini Jaggi. VAdm Bangara, on behalf of NFPC presented a memento to the Commandant NDA. After the presentations VAdm Jaggi expressed his happiness at NFPC’s welfare activities and assured NDA’s support in its endeavours. After a short brief on developments in IN, he presented the NDA mento to President NFPC. A short movie showcasing the naval power was screened. The presentation was followed by continued meet and greet of Naval veterans of Pune amidst the flow of beer and drinks.
The bliss of interacting with like minded Veterans is Priceless. It was a pleasure to meet Senior Veterans Cmde RP Singh, Cmde N Kapur, Cmde AN Sonsale, Cmde Dileep Gupte, Cmde Arvind Sharma, Cmde Rajiv Jaswal and other colleagues with their charming ladies.
We were indeed delighted to meet old Naval friends Surg Cdr RC Verma, Capt M Chaturvedi, Birthday Boys Cdr UP Bapat and Cdr Phogat (who jointly sliced a large Cake, courtesy NDA) Capt R Bhattacharjee (Treasurer NFPC), Capt PS Rana, Capt Rupesh Kumar, Capt PK Garg, Capt RM Oka, Capt PV Sahasrabuddhe, Capt VW Karve, Cdr Anil Charan (my SuperConnie Sn’P’), LtCdr DP Ashtekar (Connie FE), Cdr Sandeep Bedi, Capt SS Vaidya, Capt S Nadgouda, former Secy NFPC, Cdr K Chakrabarty, Cdr Balwant Singh, Capt S Vaidya, Cdr Milind Hastak, Cdr Vikram Karve (Blogger), Capt S Galande, Cdr Sandeep Bedi, Capt RM Oka, Capt Nambiar (former PRO WNC), Cdr Sahasrabuddhe, Cdr MS Phogat, Cdr DK Mali, LtCdr Wangdi, Capt Atul Sinha and their good ladies. Meena met some colleagues of her parents whom she used to call Uncle and Aunty as a kid in NOFRA, where she spent all her childhood. The buffet lunch to follow was indeed a top class delectable feast: topped up by Gulab Jamun and sweet chocolate.
As the Veterans started departing after about 2 hrs of interactive fun and gala, Meena caught them in groups to click snaps at the exit of Peacock bay. Cmde NDA and President NFPC where the last to depart after meeting the catering staff, who had diligently attended to all the guests. They even paused at the Band shamiyana, to applaud and shake hands with the musicians. Meena clicked the Sayonara snaps and video.
Hats off to NDA Team for the exceptional arrangements and super treat for about 300 Veterans, Spouses and Veer Naris.
Agar koi hum Veterans se poochhe, ke zindagi mein kya khoya aur kya paya ? Toh hum be-Jijhak kahenge, ‘Jo khoya vo hai hamara bachpan hamari nadaani, aur jo paya wo hai hamare Rab ki meharbani ’… !!!
Shano Varuna … Jai Hind !!
PS- Kindly double click to play Videos at the bottom.
PHOTOS
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