30th IMF Anniversary
The Indian Maritime Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary on 30th November 2023. Founded in 1993 by a small group of Indian Navy and Merchant Navy Officers, IMF has risen to become a unique organization where retired officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Merchant Navy work together towards common objectives. The 30th anniversary celebration was held at Central Park Hotel in Pune. The occasion was graced by the presence of Commodore Rajan Vir, the Founder President of IMF who, at the age of 93 years, attended the anniversary function and took an enthusiastic part in the celebration. The event was intended to be a get-together of IMF Council members, past and present. Besides the council members, IMF members and others associated with IMF over the years were also present.
The programme began with the singing of the National Anthem. Capt Anand Dixit, President IMF, in his welcome address, narrated the history of IMF and told the audience about the various activities undertaken by it. Cmde Vir thereafter gave an inspiring talk and narrated some interesting anecdotes about the early days of IMF. Cmde Ajay Chitnis. Vice President IMF and Dr Vikram Nabar paid tribute to Cmde Vir and the work he had done. Cmde PK Malhotra in his talk narrated an interesting episode not known to many in the audience; In 1971, Capt Vir who was the Naval Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Singapore, while also performing the role of a naval attaché at the Embassy in Djakarta, overheard a conversation among the US naval officers at a gathering. He learned that they were attached to the US 7th fleet led by USS Enterprise and were heading for the Bay of Bengal where India was engaged in a war for the liberation of East Pakistan. Cmde Vir Promptly alerted the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi with this valuable piece of information.
With the talks over, it was now time for the high point of the day’s programme- Kathak dance recital by Ms Gayatri Kunte, granddaughter of Mrs Nalini Kunte, who is a long standing member and former Secretary of IMF. The dance recital performed in ‘Kathak’ began with a ‘Ganesh Vandana’ which is traditionally performed to invoke the grace of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of beginnings. The composition reflected a deeper and higher connection of the dancer to the higher power through movements depicting compassion, virtue and gratitude. The dancer manifests inner devotion and faith in the Lord for his auspicious form. The second composition was a ‘Jugalbandi’ which represented a dialogue between the percussionist and the dancer performed in ‘Nritta’ or pure dance. The composition comprised varied hand movements and high-speed footwork. The third composition was a ‘Sargam’ in raag Malhar which is associated with the monsoons. The composition comprised dance movements and footwork that depicted the onset of the rains, the thunder, a river and the dancing peacock. The highlight of the composition was represented through ‘chakkars’ or the rhythmic twirls akin to Kathak. Gayatri’s performance held the audience spell bound. Her grace and fluidity of movements was amazing. The audience showed their appreciation with a warm applause for the excellent performance.
The day’s programme was compered by the senior Council member and Rotarian Mr Yeazdi Batliwala who proposed the Vote of Thanks and requested the audience to proceed for refreshments. The High Tea was sponsored by Cmde Rajan Vir. The chefs of Central Park Hotel lived up to their reputation and presented a wide array of delicious dishes which were enjoyed and appreciated by all.
