Annual Get Together 2012 Mangla (Day-2)

The day-2 was a bright sunny day. The events planned for the second day included golf for the golfers. And for the non golfers and their families, a visit to the Mangla Fort was planned, followed by games/horse riding for children at the Army Water Sports Club, boat riding in the Mangla Dam Lake, followed by lunch abroad three rafts inside Mangla Dam Lake. 

Since the golfers were too busy with their clubs to beat the balls, there is no coverage available (so far). I missed the visit to the fort and went direct to the AWSC for the lunch, therefore could not cover the events at the Mangla Fort and the games/boat riding at the AWSC. However thanks to Muazzem, who has sent me a few photos of these events which can be seen as herein under:

Followed by the Golf, visit to Mangla Fort and boating, everyone boarded the rafts, men and wives on one raft and children on the second and were slowly taken inside the Mangla Lake. Unlike last year, the water was clear and of sea green colour stretched for miles.

After the lunch, the seating plan was changed for a briefing by the course secretary Asif, who apprised the course mates of the latest news about the course and everyone listened to him very attentively. He started off with the news of the shahadat of Dr Sharjeel, son of Shahid Noor, who embraced shahadat in the Waziristan recently and everyone offered fateha and prayed for the bereaved family. 

Thereafter, he also conveyed the good news of proceeding on haj by our course mates, namely Saeed Akram, Sami Ullah, Mohsin Amir, and conveyed their special greetings for the course. He also mentioned of Maj Arshad's absence, who is a regular participant in all course gatherings, as he had gone to Lahore on his nephew's marriage. The good news of promotion of Mohsin Amir in the grade 20 were also broken, who is presently working in NADRA.

The secret of sponsoring the lunch on the raft was also broken and it was told that Jamal Zia had borne the expenses of the lunch, on which he got a loud applause from everyone. All those who had not received or collected the shields, sponsored personally by Major Wasif were also asked to collect from Asif at the end of the ceremony. The efforts by Zaheer Ul Islam to look after the course mates were also apprised and lauded by everyone. Before handing over the mike to Agha Umer Farooq, who has recently retired, to say a few words about his settling down, Tariq Khan was thanked on behalf of the course for the wonderful get together arrangements.

Ihtesham got late and arrived after the ceremony was almost over - but it was pleasure to see him and everyone welcomed him with open arms and embraces.

Back on the land, there was a group photo of all the participating officers. As it happens with the photographer, no one is willing to give him a place to be in the group and take the shot instead. This happened in the following case too and I had to rush over to find a space for myself and almost falling over the commando Khokhar - to the amusement of everyone.

The gathering then started to drift away - thanking Tariq Khan for his two days long hospitality. Like his hospitality two times, the next two gatherings were to be hosted by Salim Nawaz - more of these next and next to next year.

Photo Credit: While most of the photos have been taken by me, some of the photos have been shared by Mushtaq and Asif Ilyas and 

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Annual Get Together, 2009, Abbottabad, Day-2

The day on 12th April 2009 started with a usual golfers' morning. Though the attendance was not as rich as 2008, still more than 50 officers and their families made it to the second day. While the golfers were away, the rest of the non-golfers and families were taken to the PT School for a spectacular Paragliding show and a demo on Unarmed Combat.

Upon return of the families from the PT School, putting competition for the ladies and children, folk dances by recruits of the Piffers Centre, mouth watering brunch - served with sweet and sour Lassi, lots of laughter and photos followed.

The prize distribution ceremony was the last event to award prizes ladies-children and male golfers and participants of musical chair. The best part of the ceremony was the departure from the usual and instead of calling the seniors members, Hashim and Ikram Kiani were invited for prize distribution. For giving away prizes to the ladies and girls, Begum Javed Sultan was honoured to be the chief guest for the day and called upon to give away the prizes. Before the prize distribution ceremony, Munawar Ahmed Sulehria headed a joint "Fateha" for all the deceased course mates, near and dear ones of those alive and a prayer for the love and happiness for all course mates, their families and relatives. 

While winding up, the course secretary Asif commended and lauded the efforts of Ghazanfar and the Piffers Centre for making the gathering a memorable and cherished event forever. Asif must also be complemented for taking a departure from the usual for selecting the Chief Guests and event guests and also assisting Ghazanfar for arranging and coordinating the show.

The wonderful two days at Abbottabad ended with a group photo and a hearty thank you to Ghazanfar for having arranged two of the best events consecutively, that is 2008 and this year 2009. 

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Annual Get Together - 2008, Abbottabad (Day-2)

More than 60 officers along with their families and children came to Abbottabad to share the joy and fun that was artfully laid out by Ghazanfar Ali and the Piffers Centre - a two day event that will be cherished and remembered by all of us for as long as we are. I would specially like to mention of Aslam, who had come all the way from Bhahawalpur, changing buses and hiring taxis to attend the gathering - bravo!!

The proceeding of the day included a 9-Holes match for the golfers, putting competition for the ladies and children, a power-gliding demo, band display, folk dances by recruits of the Piffers Centre, mouth watering brunch, lots of laughers and photos.

After the golfers, the first to enter was the smartly dressed brass band of the Piffers Centre. The marched into the ground and came close to the specially allocated space for them to occupy it for the day.

While the golf match was in progress and the ladies were busy in the putting competition, there appeared a lone power glider right in front of the arena and attracted every one's attention. The glider circled the arena and came very close before pulling up and finally landed into the lush green patch in front of the visitors' stand which was cordoned off on both side by equi-spaced over hundred years old towering cedar trees. Children and officers both went to the glider and congratulated him for his superb gliding ability while the glider answered various questions put forth by the inquisitive children.

Then, while the officers formed into various groups to chat and share old memories, there was a musical chair for the ladies. It was well contested competition with lots of pushes, finally wives of Jalal and Najeeb remained to contest the final. It was well contested by both competitors and ultimately Mrs. Jalal won it.

 

 

 

The prize distribution ceremony was the last event to award prizes ladies-children and male golfers and participants of musical chair. More photographs will be added as and when received from Ghazanfar and other course mates. No award for the winning tug of war team as Qadri - the sports sergeant of Tariq company made it more of a fun game rather than a competition. We all enjoyed it - though.

The proceedings of the ended with a thank-you from Azhar Ali Shah to Ghazanfar Ali, his team and the Piffers Centre and a hip hip hurray for them. Then as a good will gesture, everyone threw Ghazanfar in the air three times. Then slowly and gradually every one started to leave - embracing each other with a hope to meet again next year - INSHALLAH. and so came to an a two days mega event - laid out very well painstakingly by the organizers - certainly this get together was the best so far held and its beautiful memories would be cherished as long as we are. THANK YOU GHAZANFAR and everyone who made it to Abbottabad.

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