THE DEF COL CLUB

Celebrating 4Years in Defence Colony

We Thank You All For Your Love & Support

“Special privilege discount for Members

Avail upto 20% OFF* throughout this month”

CELEBRATINGTHE OPENINGOF OUR 3RD CENTRE ON GOLF COURSE ROAD GURGAON

April, 2016

Dear Fellow Members,

Spring with its wonderful weather, chirping of

birds and blossoming buds, saw our Club giving you some memorable events. The Holi function was one of its kind and saw a record turnout of over 1500 Members and Guests. The Holi Bumper Tambola again saw more than 500 Members turning out to try their luck at winning the seven televisions which were the main prizes for the evening. The Committee's tasked with organising the various events need to be congratulated, specially the Entertainment and Bar teams for getting sponsors as also discounted liquor.

Members also turned out in large numbers and enjoyed witnessing the ongoing T 20 World Cup Matches being telecast on the big screen put up in our lawns. It is also planned to show the telecast IPL Matches on big screens.

Summer has set in and the swimming pool is now going to be the main attraction. We hope to have you in the pool by 13th April. The Swimming & Housing Committee's are working overtime to ready the pool in time, with the much needed facelift. They need to be applauded for putting in extra efforts to give the swimmers a much improved pool.

The Catering Department will soon undergo some changes. We hope to have a new Caterer in place, for both the main dining hall and the cafeteria, by the end of the month.

The SGM of the Club is scheduled for 17th April. The Agenda, Balance Sheet etc have already been circulated to all Members. We hope to see Members turning out in large numbers and giving their valuable suggestions and recommendations for the overall improvement of our Club.

All Green Card holders who have crossed the age of 25, are advised to apply for full Permanent Membership. A list of those Green Card Holders who have failed to apply for full Permanent Membership even after attaining the age of 25, is being compiled and will be circulated to all effected Members shortly.

Tenant Members who have not submitted their updated registered lease deeds, are advised to do so at the earliest, to avoid cancellation of their Memberships. Similarly those Members who were tenants earlier and have now been granted Permanent Membership, need to once again submit proofs of their ownership. The Club has also in the meantime formed a committee to look into these issues and take appropriate corrective action where required.

Members are once again requested to strictly adhere to Club Rules and Regulations, as also the dress code.

Signing off till the next edition.

FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT AND HGS

Major Ranjit SinghMajor Ranjit Singh (Veteran) Vice President

Shammi Chadha Hony Gen. Secretary

Shammi Chadha

A Gladiator of a Harvest. Happy Baisakhi

CLUB NEWSA WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring is here and I wish all

our esteemed members a w o n d e r f u l Baisakhi.

As you are aware, Baisakhi is being celebrated jointly by the Gumbad,

the Def Col Club and the A Block Club.

The President of the A Block Club, Mr Harjit Singh will be playing host to the grand Baisakhi celebrations at the A Block Club on 14th April 2016 where all are welcome You all have all already been informed about the SGM which is being held on 17th April 2016 and I therefore request to please come forward and speak your mind and provide suggestions for the betterment of your Club.

Improvement on all fronts is a continuous process and I welcome ideas that can be implemented — when there is a will we will find the way.

RAJINDER MALIKPresident, DCWA

Bumper tambola in March was a grand event. The attraction was 7 Samsung color TV's to be claimed.

A crowd of over 800 completely filled up the lawns and even moved over to the adjoining children’s park.

Mostly, there were clean winners. However, in case of multiple members vying, all were magnanimous in accepting the lucky draw procedure. Lucky Winners of the TVs— Mrs. Mamta Khungar, Mr. Arayan. Mrs.Renu Kumar, Mrs Param Oberoi, Mrs. Raka Chandiok, Mrs. Ritu Kapur and Mrs. Santosh Taneja .Congratulations to all and the team AC for making this event to remember. April is full of much awaited attractions— Opening of the swimming pool, joint Baisakhi celebrations and the Bumper tambola on the 29th. Summers are here and it is believed that mini fridges along with other electronic items will be available for grabs on Bumper day.

2 3

CLUBNITES

Rajinder Malik

BS GUPTA9810585303

AJAY BHARDWAJ9650163666

Talk to us for the best and sincere collaboration, sale or purchase of your most valuable property. We also specialize in construction for self use, renovation of existing property and new property on a percentage basis. Experience has its rewards

ROCK SOLID IN REAL ESTATE

A -1 Defence Colony, New Delhi -110024 Email : ajay.bhardwaj@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATES

The musical comedy play 75 not out' was attended and appreciated by a large audience. Thank you Living Room Theatre and the silent sponsor.

Special general Body Meeting is slated for the 17th of April. Members, please do come and voice your opinion for changes desired. It is your forum for you and by you.

Capt. Ravi Verma

It was Cricket fever all the way at the Club lawns for the T20 with food flavour fun and cheers for the Members. Every evening Members enjoyed all the matches especially the ones India played and won. Each evening the atmosphere was electrifying with

the dhol walas cheering the crowd, members and their kids waving the tri colour and lots of people with the Indian flag coloured tattoo on their face. It was not just "Housefull" but "Lawnfull" for all the matches.Watch out for a repeat for IPL.

SPECIAL GENERAL BODY MEETING.

SUNDAY 17TH APRIL 2016.

10 AM. MEMBERS PLEASE DO

ATTEND.

SPLASHES OF FUN

Your favourite Swimming Pool “Mansarovar” is now ready to welcome you with an all new look and designer gazebos for sun and shade.

POOL OPENS AT 4:30PM ON WEDNESDAY 13TH APRIL 2016. JUMP IN.

Cheer Leaders. Obviously this picture was taken during the last over of India vs West Indies match.

The subject of heritage conservation has been given a great deal of importance in many countries. In our case, despite

having an ancient history and a rich and diverse culture, we seem to have lagged behind in its conservation. Not with- standing this past indifference, there seems to be a renewed interest and attempt by a few individuals, organisations and media to assert its importance.

Before proceeding further, it is worthwhile to briefly explain the meaning of the term heritage. This term can refer to a broad range of objects, actions and ways of doing things. In fact, it can refer to anything of value that may have been transmitted to us by tradition. Heritage may be natural or man made.

Examples of natural heritage are rivers,

forests, lakes, gardens, open spaces, physiographic features etc. As for the man made types, they could either be tangible or intangible. The former includes towns, buildings, structures and other man made objects. The intangible kind is handed down to us from previous generations. It is constantly being re-created and includes traditions, community practices, spiritual beliefs, music, literature, skills and ceremonies, as a living cultural heritage that is closely linked to the tangible kinds. To conserve, means to look after or retain the cultural significance of the said heritage object, event or value and may include all of the processes of doing so, such as restoration or preservation if need be.

Our heritage is who we are. It is a part of our identity. It provides us with a sense of justifiable pride in our past achievements

and the zeal to perform even better in the future. It has been said that the man who has no inheritance has no future.

As with other typologies of heritage, India has a strong military heritage. One might therefore ask if this has been given the attention it deserves. It is well known that

4 5

A fact that is not too well known is that, if not for the ambition of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Lion of Punjab, who ruled from

1799 AD - 1839 AD), to expand his empire into Kashmir, today this region would be part of Afghanistan.

Prior to the 14th century, Kashmir had witnessed the Vedic period evolve into Buddhism, followed by Kashmir Shivaism and then around the 14th century, under the spiritual guidance of Sheikh Nooruddin Noormai, Islam started gaining ground. Between 1354 AD - 1540 AD, various Sultans ruled Kashmir. Then in 1540 AD, the Central Asians stepped into the valley, when Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat invaded on behalf of Mughal emperor, Humayun, thus starting the era of Mughal rule.

In 1738 AD, Emperor Nadir Shah of Iran, invaded India with a fifty thousand strong army, weakening the foundation of the Mughal empire. This led to Ahmed Shah Durrani, ruler of Afghanistan, invading and conquering Kashmir in 1753. KASHMIR THUS BECAME A PART OF AFGHANISTAN.

In the year 1819 AD, the Sikh King, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, having pushed the Afghans out of Punjab, establishing the western frontier of his empire at Peshawar (Pakistan), turned his full attention northwards towards Kashmir. His objective was to reclaim Kashmir from the Afghans. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in 1819 AD, sent a force under Diwan Chand, leading to the ousting of Durrani Afghanis from Kashmir and making it a part of the Sikh empire and thus subsequently India.

After the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Kingdom including Kashmir was annexed by the British.

Major Ranjit Singh (Veteran)

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT KASHMIR

THE CHANGING MOODS & COLOURS OF HOLI

It was the biggest and the most colorful event in the city which all Mem-bers look forward to. It is also the day when friends of Members request to be invited to as it is the biggest happening with well organised event

that's splashing good. The Entertainment Chairman Manish Taneja and his team did a splendid job with bouncy and a sliding water pool, dholkis and the works. The Bar team ensured that good cheer flowed like water of the day. Pity it will take another year for a repeat of the same fun and frolic.

STAND OUT FROM THE REST

BATRA CATERERS & DECORATORS(A UNIT OF KRISHNA TENT HOUSE)

CHOICE DECORATION, CATERING, CROCKERY SERVICES, CORPORATE EVENTS

CONTACT: PIYUSH BATRA - 9811378478, 9810359559, RAJENDRA BATRA : 9717897893

Landline off. : 011-24690989 56, Sewa Nagar Market, Kasturba Nagar, New Delhi - 110003

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

for

DEF COL CLUB MEMBERS

THE VALUE OF HERITAGE

our forces have a rich and glorious history that goes back to the times of the Mahabharata about three thousand years or more. Its achievements stand in a continuum through the period of the princely states and colonial rule to the present times.

During World War I, our army numbered about 1.25 million men and was approximately twice that size in World War II. Size is not necessarily an indicator of achievement but the award of Victoria Crosses numbering 18 and 30, in the two World Wars respectively, stand testimony to its performance. These traditions have continued in the post independence era, with the award of over 20 PVC’s and 155 MVC’s. Yet as an example, how many war memorials do we have? In England and Wales there are 70,000. Remember that in terms of area, India is about 25 times larger in size and has a longer history.

While physical structures are important symbols of commemoration, the most significant feature about them is what they represent-the intangible content. These are the virtues and human qualities of service of the soldier. They carry a universal flavour and include courage, honour, camaraderie, fitness, discipline, dedication to duty and a host of related qualities and attributes.

Therefore the greatest tribute we can pay to our Forces, is to conserve through application, the value system traditionally followed by them. Commemoration of events is after all a means to revitalising those standards of human and community behaviour that civic societies and ancient civilizations are expected to have. Through perception and remembrance, it becomes possible to re-affirm the significance of such qualities. This is all the more relevant in a society that is becoming increasingly

complex in a race for greater economic well being, and so- called globalisation. We as individuals need to ponder on these facts and determine our own and sometimes personal ways of conserving such a heritage

Prof. Raman D. Surie

RING ROAD

NDSE-II NDSE-II

ANSAL PLAZA

ANDREWSGANG

NEETI BAGH

MASJID MOTH

UDAY

PAR

K

AUGU

ST K

RANT

I MAR

G

LEELA RAM MKT

LA COSTE SHOWROOM

MEHRASONJEWELLERS

SOUTH EX.PLAZA-I

SOUTH EX. -TOWERBASEMENT

CAR PARKING

SHRIKRISHNA TEMPLE

WE ARE HERESOUTH EX. PLAZA-II

G-25, Ground Floor, South Ex. Plaza-II, 209 Masjid Moth, South Extension, Part-II, New Delhi-110049Phone +91-11-41553111, Mobile +91 9818622799, Email: atyourpetservice@hotmail.com

PAMPER YOUR PET AT PAMPERED PET SPAOPEN 10 AM TO 8 PM• FULL GROOMING PACKAGES

• HOT & COLD SHOWERS• BLOW DRY & PERFUMING• DE-SHEDDING & BRUSHING• PET MASSAGE & COMBING• NAIL CLIPPING• EAR CLEANING• ANAL GLAND CLEANING• TEETH BRUSHING• PET FOODS, SNACKS, TREATS & ACCESSORIES• CAR PARKING (PAID)• ONSITE FREE WIFI

PAMPERED PET SPA

OPEN 7 DAYS

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENTDOCTOR AVAILABLE HERE Debit & Credit Cards AcceptedFREE HOME DELIVERY OF PET FOOD (3KMS)

Ritual and Continuity: Varanasi is over three thousand years old.

Beating of the Retreat: (Source: www.Reuters.com/news/pictures/B.Mathur; Jan. 2011)

Investing inMutual Funds

Why do investors Feel Lost

Over the years,investors have hadmyriad experiences withMutual Fund.

Investing in the right mutualfund schemes is only the first step. Your task does notend there.As an investoryou need expert advise.

Here PTIC has major roleto play & building up yourwealth.

pt icindia .comC-345, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110024, IndiaHotline : +91 4666 7999, Mobile : +91 9811224550ptic@pticindia.com | www.pticindia.com

PTI C

a wealth creation company

6 7

Fro

m t

he

des

k

of t

he

Edit

or

Ever since the Holy War and the rise of the Crusades began in 1095, when armies of Christians from Western Europe

responded to Pope Urban II’s plea to go to war to protect the Holy land, the two highest commandments in Christianity—“to love God” and “love your neighbor as yourself,” simple Christians like me have been subject to continuance suffering even a thousand years later- Friday after Friday after Friday by some of my closest friends from the Punjab who never forget to wish me “Happy Good Friday” year after year without fear.

(Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Gospel of St Luke 23:34 )

At the same time I am grateful for such wonderful friends who have put so much vigour and shakkar into this great country of ours much more than what Richard the “Loin” Heart could have done in the Crusades.

I once had the great opportunity and joy to do a corporate film for a client with Khuswant Singhji, the great man in the light bulb of the Illustrated Weekly. We travelled around Rajasthan for days during filming and he even as an agnostic showed undivided reverence at the Dargah of Salim Chisti in Mt Abu as well as in a dilapidated church in Bhilwara which we visited. He had the uncanny ability to joke about all things including himself and his tribe. Today when my good Friends wish me “Happy Good Friday,” I am convinced that our Lord was not born in the Punjab because where would they ever find the 3 wise men to carry gifts of frankinscence and myrrh to the babe born in a manger.

I am more and more convinced that my good friends who wish me are from the bloodline that courageously fought for our freedom and drove the King and the Crown out of our beloved country in 1947—not through violence but by simply beginning to speak the English Language openly without fear of repercussions. (Don’t Phikaar! Deekhi jayeegi).

Obviously the British decided “Hey John if this is what’s going to happen to our language, let’s phutto from here.”

Who else, tell me would have the courage to name their cricket team with a number like XI in the middle of their name. (eg. KINGS XI PUNJAB)

I remember in my boarding school days as a kid when the teacher taught us to sing “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands”–Only one kid from Ambarsar clapped.

His name was Happy. Born on a Friday circa 1955

These little ones grow up to be Happier and merrier in the passing years. These very protégées have contributed so much and proved their mettle as our brave hearts.

It is because of my friends here that Wren & Martin stopped publication in India, Wouldn’t you a publisher do the same specially when you hear phrases like “My puttar up India down London with Air India and then from Brimminghaam up Umrika”

Somehow Pummy Auntie and Lucky Uncle who got their vija to UK in the early 70’s have toiled hard to earn a place in South Hall and have stood in a long line to buy a fridge from Selfridges—the one place where they believed sold only fridges. Even today they don’t talk of their relatives in Middlesex for some strange reasons of gender perhaps. Having seen the Gemini Circus back home, they still long to see the animals at Oxford Circus.

I am grateful for all my good friends who have supported me as Vice President of our beloved Club for 4 years although I am led to believe it was primarily due to the en masse Christian votes from around the B Block church. I may have missed out a few votes of people like Michael, Lilly, Mary and the Braganza's who were probably busy with their roles in Goan bar scenes on the sets of Bollywood. All the same, thank you all for you once again for your Happy Good Friday wishes—year after year.

I have tried very hard to explain that the Cross on the Hot Cross Bun is not baked by the Red Cross Association, nor is the Playboy Bunny related to the Easter Bunny—but there comes a point in life when the brain gives up.

Every morning when I am on my knees and look up to heaven for salvation, I am at the same time deeply grateful to the Lord that many of my good friends at the Club including Titoo haven’t heard of “Ash Wednesday” yet.

That will be the day.

Sam Mathews Note: It needs mention here that no Christian was injured during the entire writing of this editorial.Physically no. Mentally-maybe.

CLUBWATCHYOUR FORUM TO SPEAK UP

We would like to thank each and every member who voluntarily made a contribution for the family of Rajesh

Chauhan. As they say, drops make an ocean, the total collection was approximately Rs 2,50,000 which came in the form of cash and cheques. Besides this the Club has contributed over Rs 2,00,000 directly towards the family. What needs special mention here is that members have come forward with a promise for the future of the children of the bereaved.

Our Members, Mr Rajeev Chopra and Mr Harry Mehra have taken upon themselves to undertake the cost of education to the children of Rajesh Chauhan. We thank you for this wonderful thought. God bless you all.

Editor.

Dear Editor,

Thanks to efforts of our Municipal Councilor, Mr Abhishek Dutt, sanction has accorded for construction of "Wall Of Honour" near the Gumbad of our colony.

To the best of my knowledge this Wall will be the first of its kind in any colony. It will be a tribute to all the Veterans who laid the foundation of Defence Colony and turned it into one of the best in Delhi.

The Wall of Honour will have inscribed on it names of all veterans and serving officers of the three services who are and have been residents of Defence Colony. It will have names of Service Chiefs and gallantly award winners as also war veterans.

All Service Officers of the Colony who have not yet given their details, please contact the office of Mr Abhishek Dutt immediately.

The Wall of Honour will be inaugurated in July this year. Details of the function will be intimated shortly.

We the Services Officers of Defence Colony, must thank Mr Abhishek Dutt for getting the project for construction of Wall of Honour, sanctioned and approved.

Major Ranjit Singh (Veteran)Vice President,DCWA Club.

Dear Editor,

Pleased to receive the March issue of Club Times. Congrats and compliments on the format and content.

Mr A J S Chhatwal

Mr A J S Chhatwal, Founder Member of the Club played the Veterans ITF Tennis Tournament Grade 3 at Pattaya, Thailand in the 60-65 age group from Feb 6 to 11, 2016 and in the Muzaffarnagar ITF Grade 4 age group 55-65 from 29th Feb. to 5th

March 2016 and his results are :

-Winner - Singles- In both Tournaments

-Runner Up-Doubles-Pattaya and Winner Doubles -Muzaffarnagar

He now has 14 ITF Titles in Singles and 15 in Doubles plus another 16 as Runner Up in Singles and Doubles.

In addition he has also won the India Nationals 7 times in Singles and 8 times in Doubles in the last 9 years of continuous participation as organised by AITA.

He Continues to be the No 1 player in the 60-65 age group from India with a current ITF World Ranking of 87 in Singles (best ever 36) and 48 in Doubles (best ever 48) as on 15th March 2016

He is also ranked No 1 in India in the 55-65 age group in Singles and Doubles as per the latest rankings of the AITA

“This year Team AC is involved in so many things that they miss out on basics like doing a simple spell check.”

C L U B T O O N S

AND ALL GOOD THINGS FROM SOME OF MY GOOD FRIENDS.

All printed matter contained in this newsletter is based on information received from those featured in it. The views, ideas, comments and opinions expressed are solely of those featured, and the editor and publisher do not necessarily subscribe to the same.Designed and produced through courtesy of Sam Mathews. For Free & Private Circulation Only.