About Us

  1. An Institute was planned by ARMY WELFARE HOUSING ORGANIZATION (AWHO) and as such a building for it was constructed in Sector-29 Noida. This lay unoccupied for a long time as sufficient funds to be paid for it to AWHO were not available. Efforts to obtain a loan from a bank were not successful. This hurdle was eventually overcome with sustained hard work and with a lot of help from the Adjutant General, Army HQ and from the then Army Chief, Gen SF Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM. 
  1. The Club was registered as Arun Vihar Institute on 22 Mar 1991 for Retired and Serving Officers. It aimed to function on “No Loss” basis with the objectives to provide:- 
  • Social and recreational facilities to the original allottees of residential accommodation in Arun Vihar complex and other ex-servicemen who may become members.
  • Officers’ mess facilities to serving service officers staying in Arun Vihar. 
  1. Arun Vihar Institute (AVI) started to function in 1992 with an adhoc body which had Lt Gen VP Gupta as President, Brig SPS Shrikent, MVC, as Vice President and Lt Col SN Bhardwaj as the Secretary. Once the building was taken over, it had to be given a facelift and provided the furnishings and accessories for which there were only limited funds. Mohan Meaken, always a supporter of the Defence Services, provided some generous help in setting up the bar. Getting the electricity connection for the Club was an arduous, long-drawn affair and the Club worked on temporary connection for quite some time.
  2. The initial Management team worked very hard and got the Club going by Aug 1992. Interestingly, in order to attract the Members to the Club announcements were made in all the Sectors with a hired public address system. AVI was formally inaugurated on 26 Jan 1993. 
  1. The procurement of the liquor license for the Club from the Civil Authorities proved another onerous task. To facilitate this process and to conform to the Civil Laws, AVI was renamed AVI (Club) in 1993. The Bar License was finally obtained and Bar facility provided in the Club on 10 Sep 1994. The then President Maj Gen K Jai Singh and his team were able to get the Army Bar established by getting sanction of Army HQ to consume 10% of the CSD quota in the Club. In 2004, Excise Department of UP Government arbitrarily withdrew the concession of using Army Liquor in the Club, though this practice is prevalent in many Clubs in the Country including in the State of UP. Since then, the Members have had to consume liquor purchased on civil rates. Efforts made at various levels to restore this facility have not yet been fruitful. 
  1. The Club building went through a major renovation when additional rooms were added on ground and first floors. An expansion plan was drawn up in 1996-97 and approval obtained from AWHO and Noida Authority in 1998. An additional block was inaugurated by Lt Gen SS Grewal, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Adjutant General, Army HQ on 27 Aug 2000. 
  1. Over the years, with continuous upgradation of the facilities by successive Management Teams, AVI has become a popular and much sought after venue for entertainment and relaxation for the members from its very humble beginning. AVI (Club) has made a niche for itself in the vibrant and ever-expanding satellite township of Noida. Initially, Library was established in the Club. However, due to the paucity of funds, it only consisted of books donated by the residents. Even when books started getting purchased, there was no cataloguing system in place. In 2005, a semi-automated cataloguing system was setup. Later, in 2010, a fully automated cataloguing and issue/ receipt system has been setup along with a dedicated computer for a Query System. Three internet terminals have also been provided for the use of the Members. 
  1. The Club now has a Lounge, a Bar, and a Restaurant with a fine ambience. There are a number of Party Rooms, a Banquet Hall and two Lawns for hosting various Functions of the Club. Caterers and Decorators have been empaneled to provide these facilities at reasonable rates. Outdoor Sports facilities include Tennis and Badminton Courts. Further expansion in the Club is also envisaged to include a Swimming Pool, a Second Banquet Hall, and Guest Rooms. 
  1. For recreation, there are the Card Rooms and Mahjong Room, a Billiards Room, TV Room, and a well-equipped Gym. All the indoor areas have been Air-conditioned over the years. Standby Generators provide the backup electric supply for the entire premises. Regular Tambola sessions are held in the Club. Entertainment programmes or Club Nights are held regularly. The Rain Dance in the summers and the New Year Function of the Club on 31 Dec are considered to be the highlights in the whole of Noida. 
  1. A proposal to change the name from Arun Vihar Institute (Club) to Army Veterans Institute (Club) without losing the Acronym AVI (Club) was initiated and was unanimously approved in the General Body Meeting on 17 Mar 2024. The very same proposal was once again unanimously approved by the General Body on 13 Oct 2024. All the administrative and legal formalities were attended to implicitly and thus AVI (Club) was rechristened as Army Veterans Institute (Club) on 01 Dec 2024, while Col Subhash Sharma was the President of the Club. 
  1. Rationale for Change of Name. The name change reflects our deep respect and gratitude towards our veterans and all the members recognize their invaluable contribution. As we embrace this new identity, we, the members, reaffirm our commitment to:- 
  • Supporting Veterans’ welfare and well being.
  • Presenting the rich history of the Indian Army.
  • Fostering camaraderie and esprit de corps among veterans.
  • Providing a platform for community engagement and net working.   
  1. The Club provides an excellent venue for various like-minded persons to meet regularly to revive memories of their days of fellowship and camaraderie. There are various Regimental groups that meet frequently. Ladies Clubs associated with Regiments and many Kitty groups gather on fixed frequencies. All these gatherings help the members keep their service association intact and also help recharge their motivation. 
  1. As of Mar 2025, the Club has a Membership of 3,590 and is run by a Management Committee (MC) comprising of a President, Vice President and six Members elected annually by Club Members. General Manager Administration selected by the MC is responsible for the day to day functioning of the Club. AVI (Club) has Reciprocal Affiliations with 42 Clubs in other Cities.