The AGM 2025 of Navy Foundation Pune Chapter was held on 11 May 2025 at Sanjog Hall, RSAMI, Pune. The event saw an overwhelming response, with Veterans turning up in large numbers along with their spouses.

Prior to the AGM, a presentation was made by Col Tingre and Mr Shivam Aaren of UdChalo, a company which provides a number of services to the Armed Forces, as well as Ex Servicemen including “providing travel solutions, ITR filing, deals on latest branded electronic gadgets, utility bill payments and helping them buy their own home” as per their Website. The company was formed in 2012 with the initial aim being to provide air ticketing services at affordable rates to the Armed Forces. Since then, it has expanded the scope of its activities and won several awards for MSMEs. It has also supported a number of noble ventures such as the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre at Pune to help soldiers who suffered disabilities on active duty lead a purposeful and fulfilling life. Their motto is Provision of Service to the Services.

Following the presentation, the Secretary brought the gathering to order and the General Body paid tribute by observing one minute of silence to the Veterans / Spouses and Veer Naaris, who had attained Sadgati since last AGM, as well as the victims of the unfortunate terror attack at Pahalgam and those service personnel and civilians who had laid down their lives in the just War on Terror declared by India in its aftermath.

The Proceedings of AGM commenced with the Opening Address of the President NFPC. He brought out the initiatives taken by NFPC since the last AGM, specifically highlighting the institution of NFPC Area Coordinators, which had ensured more focussed attention to NFPC veterans in various areas of Pune city. The President also coined the idea of creating a Buddy system for the welfare of senior veterans and Veernaris. Further he said that owing largely to the efforts of Adm Dinesh Tripathi, the Chief of Naval Staff, the NFPC had finally been allotted a plot of land by the Army in the Pune Cantonment for setting up the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Indian Navy Maritime Museum and facilities for veterans. He sought ideas from veterans on setting up the Museum as well as developing additional infrastructure exclusively for the use of naval veterans of Pune. He further said that a Board of Officers would also be constituted to examine all aspects and come out with a proposed plan. It was also brought out that excursions would be planned during this year.

Thereafter, Secretary NFPC submitted the Annual Report of the activities of NFPC during the past year, covering the Andharban trek (10 July 2024), NFPC Get Together to welcome Commandant NDA and CO Shivaji (06 Oct 2024), 5th Adm JG Nadkarni Memorial Lecture (30 Nov 2024), Veterans Day at Peacock Bay (19 Jan 2025) and Visit to INS Shivaji (16 Mar 2025). He also mentioned that a Flag Hoisting ceremony was planned on Navy Day 2024 at Lohagad Fort, but had to be cancelled as permission by Forest department was not given.. On completion the General Body approved the Minutes of the last AGM, Activity Report and Audited Balance Sheet for the year 2024-2025.

Thereafter Agenda Points were taken up for discussions. A point made by the late Capt Sanjiv Kapur, shortly before his passing, regarding participation in Families’ Day at sea for NFPC veterans was also discussed. The President stated that the point would be taken up with WNC and based on the approved quota, a day trip would be planned to Mumbai for interested veterans.

RAdm Ravindra Nadkarni delivered the Vote of Thanks.

The AGM was followed by the customary PLD and Lunch.

Overall the event was a grand success. Some photos of the event may be viewed here.