Felicitating Octogenarians - Cmde Premkumar, Cdr SS Kumar and Lt Cdr Jacob Abraham

Three octogenerians, namely Cdr SS Kumar, Cmde RP Premkumar VSM, and Lt Cdr Jacob Abraham, were felicitated in a well attended function on 18th May 2025, Sunday. 

The FOTNA R Adm Satish Kumar NM hosted the event and  presented the octogenerians with the plaque from the Navy. Mrs Neelima Shenai presented potted indoor plants to Mrs Susan Abraham and also to the octogenetians felicitated. The Octogenerian citations from NHQ were handed over by President NFCC. The Octogenerians were presented with Angawastram by the President and the Vice President  of NFCC. Further, Cdr Balaji and Mrs Balaji presented the Octogenerians with nice Ponnadai and lovely rose bouquets. 

The event was dotted with nice speeches by FOTNA, and by the octogenerians, who shared their mile stones in the Navy and after Navy.

 FOTNA started with one minute silence by all  in respect of the recently departed veteran, Cdr S Wilson aged 94 and Mrs Panicker, W/O Lt Cdr Panicker.  He warmly  recollected the services of Naval  veterans and stated that the veterans were the people who laid a solid foundation for today's  Navy. FOTNA also mentioned that next At Home would be conducted in a bigger veneu so that all Veterans can be invited for the same. He also mentioned that efforts are in hand to improve the ECHS service. On his request, special campaign is arranged by CO Adyar/ NPM Adyar to get retired icards issued to those veterans in need, expediciously. 

 All three octogenerians spoke about interesting times in Navy and the 1971 war. The oldest, Cdr SS Kumar, spoke about his service tenures in Navy. Cmde Premkumar shared his experience as a Torpedo Specialist and also as a part of Dr Abdul Kalam's team in DMRL Hyderabad. Lt Cdr Jacob Abraham shared his experiences  after Navy,  in setting up a Navigation Training Establishment  from scratch,  in a foreign land.  Cdr MD Menon spoke about his experience with the Octogenerians, 

The Secretary NFCC compered the function and vote of thanks was rendered by the President NFCC.  The felicitation was followed by a PLD and buffet lunch and a visit by ladies to the Samudri souvenirs shop. 

Overall, the function was well organised and well attended, and all participants had a good time with good chats about Navy  and  reminiscing life in Navy..