We have now been in India for 11 days and so far it has been a memorable experience. I have seen and done so much since we first touched down in Chennai that it is difficult to remember everything, so I will do my best to recall some of the things uppermost in my memory.
I am a newspaper journalist and, as such, one of my vocational visits here was to visit The Hindu, one of India's best selling daily national newspapers. As well as getting to meet the Editor and a number of his staff, I was also able to learn that the paper's circulation is actually increasing by an average 4 per cent year on year - in sharp contrast to the pattern shown by newspapers in Britain where circulation has consistently dropped over the last decade.
I am a big cricket fan and so the chance to visit the Madras Cricket Club, an international Test venue for India, was an opportunity not to be missed. Staying on the cricket theme, I was also able to endear myself to members of the Rotary Club of Madras Pallava by proposing a round of applause for Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar who just days earlier scored his 45th Test century against Bangladesh.
I have visited Hindu temples, watched street performances and visited Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. I have also played street cricket (sadly scoring 0 and 1 in my two innings), toured Fort St Georged, the former seat of British colonial power in the city, and eaten an unbelievable amount of Indian cuisine.
It truly is quite unlike anything you will taste in the UK and has changed my view of Indian restaurants in Britain forever.
I have also found the Indians to be most hospitable and genuinely friendly people. My experience here to date has been amazing and long may it continue.
By Chris Richards
Sunday, 31 January 2010
28th - 31st
Firstly an apology to friends of Anna, Chris and Zoe as the Blog is light on what they are up to when with their hosts, but we rarely get together without there being committmnets and sufficient time to use the lap top, in order to bring every one up to date. Hope to put that right in next day or so - see entry for 30th. Also, problems down loading photos, so will see if that can also be rectified - there are enough IT specialists around, so should not prove too much of an issue.
So........on the 28th the Teams were picked up at 8.30 am and taken to see two Rotary projects. Firstly a school for children with mental disabilities, such as autism. The Club had provided specialist equipment to challenge the children. We met the Ch. Excec of the Charity running the school who was an American of Indian decent and now lives here and is dedicated to improve the lot of the 150 children at the residential school and the 3000 children in the country areas, where they provide advice and family support.
We then moved onto a local bakery. The shop, attached to the business, was as modern as any bread shop in the UK and the bread and pasteries where of equal standard. The difference being that the shop was the outlet for the training school that was also on the site. The school was run and managed by the Rotary Club. A regisered charity, all profits were either reinvested in the project, or to other needs supported by the Club. Last year a proportion of their income went to build new homes for people in the District who had been effected by the sunarmi. We were shown aroung the school. The students come from disadvantaged/poor backgrounds often from the countryside and undertake an intensive course in bread and pastry making. After about 6 months they are sufficiently skilled to enter the workforce, either locally, or it seemed, a fair proportion found employment with cruise liners. We had lunch at the school - just pasteries, both savoury and sweet and no curry in sight! Just like home.
Back with our hosts, I spent the rest of my afternoon - about 2 hrs observing domestic chores, like seeing where my daily milk came from, correct the cow in the back yard of my host's house. So from this simple side of urban life, suitably 'suited and booted', he then took myself and a team member from Sth Africa, with her hosts, to the Madrass Gymkarna Club for dinner. (It is interesting that, despite the Government's change of the City's name, many institutons, including many Rotry Clubs, still use the original English name.).
The Club, the oldest in Chennai, was what I imagined a colonial Club to be. Bridge was being played in the 'games' room and snooker tables was upstairs. We had an excelent dinner on the lawn, before moving off to the local night club - 10 Downing Street. It was karioaky night in the Club, so the ladies sang and men did what we do best - mime to the music and take the odd tipple or two! The last to leave - true, we then went for coffee, before getting home at 2 am. I have to say that our hosts were in there early 40's and my fellow team member was early 30's. So I felt privilidged to be out with the bright 'young things' and more amazed that I kept up, or perhaps they had made concessions for the old 'britisher'. More about the average age of Rotarians on return, but just to say that the greater majority seem to be in their 30 - 40s. The DG is 44 and the President of the No1 Rotary Club in Chennai, with 250 members, is 35. Where lies the future of Rotary International?
29th
Up early for 8.30 start, the two Teams spent the day sightseeing around Chennai. So a day of churches and temples and a walk on the beach. At the visit to the Shrine of St Thomas we just happened to meet a visitng Rotarian from Austrailia. A past DG, he was touring this part of the world, to vist projects supported by the Clubs in his District.. He was extremely complimentary of Rotary in India, especially 3230, saying that he could not fault the commitment of the Rotarians to get hands on involved with projects and most especially the financial propriety with which they managed donated monies.
On return, early to bed - 5 am start the next day.
30th/31st
The start of the mid term break. We knew we were gong to Coorg, that it was in the hills and famous for growing coffee. We did not know we had a 9 hour train journey to Mysore, then after a couple of hours waiting around, whilst spare clothing was purchased for a team member from Sth Africa who had had her luggage misplaced by a porter in Chennai, we then embarked on a 3 hour drive, on the most tortuous road I have ever been on. Most of the way was single track and unmade. It seemed that most of India was on the road, jostling for road space and trying to avoid going into the ravines, clearly visable on the right of the vehicle. But again, this was normal for our driver and we made it tired, but unscatheed, to the Resort from where this portion of the Blog is being sent. Great accommodation with many facilities, including Indian massage. We are accompanied by three Rotarians and their families, so a real holiday feeling.
So........on the 28th the Teams were picked up at 8.30 am and taken to see two Rotary projects. Firstly a school for children with mental disabilities, such as autism. The Club had provided specialist equipment to challenge the children. We met the Ch. Excec of the Charity running the school who was an American of Indian decent and now lives here and is dedicated to improve the lot of the 150 children at the residential school and the 3000 children in the country areas, where they provide advice and family support.
We then moved onto a local bakery. The shop, attached to the business, was as modern as any bread shop in the UK and the bread and pasteries where of equal standard. The difference being that the shop was the outlet for the training school that was also on the site. The school was run and managed by the Rotary Club. A regisered charity, all profits were either reinvested in the project, or to other needs supported by the Club. Last year a proportion of their income went to build new homes for people in the District who had been effected by the sunarmi. We were shown aroung the school. The students come from disadvantaged/poor backgrounds often from the countryside and undertake an intensive course in bread and pastry making. After about 6 months they are sufficiently skilled to enter the workforce, either locally, or it seemed, a fair proportion found employment with cruise liners. We had lunch at the school - just pasteries, both savoury and sweet and no curry in sight! Just like home.
Back with our hosts, I spent the rest of my afternoon - about 2 hrs observing domestic chores, like seeing where my daily milk came from, correct the cow in the back yard of my host's house. So from this simple side of urban life, suitably 'suited and booted', he then took myself and a team member from Sth Africa, with her hosts, to the Madrass Gymkarna Club for dinner. (It is interesting that, despite the Government's change of the City's name, many institutons, including many Rotry Clubs, still use the original English name.).
The Club, the oldest in Chennai, was what I imagined a colonial Club to be. Bridge was being played in the 'games' room and snooker tables was upstairs. We had an excelent dinner on the lawn, before moving off to the local night club - 10 Downing Street. It was karioaky night in the Club, so the ladies sang and men did what we do best - mime to the music and take the odd tipple or two! The last to leave - true, we then went for coffee, before getting home at 2 am. I have to say that our hosts were in there early 40's and my fellow team member was early 30's. So I felt privilidged to be out with the bright 'young things' and more amazed that I kept up, or perhaps they had made concessions for the old 'britisher'. More about the average age of Rotarians on return, but just to say that the greater majority seem to be in their 30 - 40s. The DG is 44 and the President of the No1 Rotary Club in Chennai, with 250 members, is 35. Where lies the future of Rotary International?
29th
Up early for 8.30 start, the two Teams spent the day sightseeing around Chennai. So a day of churches and temples and a walk on the beach. At the visit to the Shrine of St Thomas we just happened to meet a visitng Rotarian from Austrailia. A past DG, he was touring this part of the world, to vist projects supported by the Clubs in his District.. He was extremely complimentary of Rotary in India, especially 3230, saying that he could not fault the commitment of the Rotarians to get hands on involved with projects and most especially the financial propriety with which they managed donated monies.
On return, early to bed - 5 am start the next day.
30th/31st
The start of the mid term break. We knew we were gong to Coorg, that it was in the hills and famous for growing coffee. We did not know we had a 9 hour train journey to Mysore, then after a couple of hours waiting around, whilst spare clothing was purchased for a team member from Sth Africa who had had her luggage misplaced by a porter in Chennai, we then embarked on a 3 hour drive, on the most tortuous road I have ever been on. Most of the way was single track and unmade. It seemed that most of India was on the road, jostling for road space and trying to avoid going into the ravines, clearly visable on the right of the vehicle. But again, this was normal for our driver and we made it tired, but unscatheed, to the Resort from where this portion of the Blog is being sent. Great accommodation with many facilities, including Indian massage. We are accompanied by three Rotarians and their families, so a real holiday feeling.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
27th
Tfoday was allocated to vocational visits and together with Raj, the lead of the Sth African Team, I started the day by going to the Ofices of the Police White Collar Crime and Confiscation Unit. We also saw the head of the Stolen Idol Recovery Unit. Our arrival was met by 5 TV crews and at least 20 photographers. Either the police had 'guilded the lilly' over the purpose of our visit, or it was a slow news day. That evening, when the event was the rolling news item on at least two news channels and then the next day, when the visit was covered with pics in two national daily papers, we found that perhaps the police had slightly exagerated our importance, but it did get good cover for the Rotary GSE. The visit was very interesting and the expertise of the Officer in Charge of the Confiscation Unit was readily apparent. Also, we learned of the problem of idols being stolen from temples and shipped abroad, where they fetch exceptional prices.
In the afternoon, I visited the workplace of my host, a large departmental store which dealt in both retail and wholesale transactions. I also heard of his role in managing the family charity, which provides schooling and technical training to 5000 students.
The Team met up at 6 pm at the Madras Pallava Rotary Club, for their regular wekly meeting. We were made most welcome and after the Club business we gave our presentaion on our work, family and interests back home. The 30 min presentation seemed to be well received. The Club business was then completed and we shared a meal and drink with the members and enjoyed some excellent fellowship.
In the afternoon, I visited the workplace of my host, a large departmental store which dealt in both retail and wholesale transactions. I also heard of his role in managing the family charity, which provides schooling and technical training to 5000 students.
The Team met up at 6 pm at the Madras Pallava Rotary Club, for their regular wekly meeting. We were made most welcome and after the Club business we gave our presentaion on our work, family and interests back home. The 30 min presentation seemed to be well received. The Club business was then completed and we shared a meal and drink with the members and enjoyed some excellent fellowship.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Change of host
26th saw the team moving from our first host to another Rotarian. I know we had all had excellent hosts for the first few days, so we were were sorry to be moving on.I was to move to Raj, who I had got to know prior to the visit as he was the GSE Liaison Officer. Also he headed up the reception committee on our arrival. After settling in the Teams came together at 6 pm at Alma Mater. This is an inspirational/spiritual center, led by T Rowgadajay. The Leader is used to giving talks to large crowds and in India he has a very large following and so we were privileged that he was prepared to impart his thoughts to such a small group. He spoke non stop for 2 hrs and then posed for photos and individual one to ones. Interesting - I have his latest book. On conclusion my host then took me to drop in on another Clubs charter evening, before moving on for dinner. We then called at the home of his Club President, before arriving home our selves at 12.30 am.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Upto the 25/1/10
phew - ever since arriving in Chennai on 21st, our feet do not seemed to have left the ground, save for a few hours sleep!
After a great farwell from our DG Sandy, David, Mervyn and Gary the flight from Heathrow to Bangalore and then onto Chennai was smooth and univentful - save for the increasing excitement from the Team. Anna seemed to have this personal mantra - ' I am going to India, I really am'
We were met at Chennai by Raj and his Team and after travelling for about 16 hrs we were ready for a little sleep - so after a 45 drive into the Town we went for breakfast. Clearly the local Rotarians thought we had had our rest! Of course, this journey provided the Team members with their first view of India and they were not disappointed. All the preconcieved immages were there in abundance!
After another three hours or so we did arrive at our overnight hotel and were able to grab a few hours rest before being tken out to dinner.
On 22nd we were collected by our first host, but not before having been asked to get up at 7 am in order to attend an Indian Wedding. The cellebrations start at about 6 am and we were present for the breakfast and were able to witness the actual ceremony.
My host, Bala and his wife live in a very spacious home and I was made most welcome.
In the evening the Team met up at the Chennai Club for a 'Assimulation Meeting'. We met the District Govenor Annan and his wife Mina. Also present were the other GSE Team from Sth Africa. A livily group, led by a serving police officer, the Team members were soon getting on to gether well. This augers well for the next month, as we will be in each others company for many hours.
On the 23/1 we all travelled to the 'Boys Town' a project run by the Chennai Central Rotary Club and which provides education and training to boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. A residential school, the commitment of the staff and the application of the boys was very evident.
In the evening I went with Bala to a RYLA camp. Held in a poor village, over three days, members of a local Rotoract Club were providing help and assistance, including a health camp. Back to bed at 11 pm.
On 24/1 We were programmed for a free day - but in my case Bala had other ideas! At 9 am, after breakfast and 30 mins travel we went firstly to Sri Ramakrishna Math - an inspiration school for 700 boys run by a religous order. Early days and it will be good to do some follow up enquiries, but first reactions are that this is an imprssive example of help being given to boys from poor/slum backgrounds, which enables them to get gainful employment from 16 yrs. We then went to a health camp being organised by a local charity and run by NGOs and doctors, who work at the State Hospital, but give their time free to the camp. The camp, set up in a local school, was attended by 100's of people who received free tratment and drugs for such ailments as diabetus, hypertension as well as eye, dentaland other routine tretments. In the evening we went to a Rotary District Foundation Dinner to honour a local surgeon who had retired after 40 years treating leprosy victims with corective surgery for their misahpened limbs. DG Annan and the Regional Minister were present.
25/1. Vocational Day. With Raj the Team leader from Sth Africa we visited the Tamil Nadu Police Training School. A new build opened two years ago it is still being extended but currently provides training for about 300 constables and 50 sub inspectors. In the after noon Bala and I went to visit an IT firm run by one of his Club members who out of a work force of 650 employs some 20% with physical disabilities. In the evening both Teams came together at the Charter evening of a Chennai Rotary Club. Bed at 11.30!!
Please view the above as a draft - more detail to be inserted as well as photos, but time and my lack of ability is at present preventing doing a better job!
After a great farwell from our DG Sandy, David, Mervyn and Gary the flight from Heathrow to Bangalore and then onto Chennai was smooth and univentful - save for the increasing excitement from the Team. Anna seemed to have this personal mantra - ' I am going to India, I really am'
We were met at Chennai by Raj and his Team and after travelling for about 16 hrs we were ready for a little sleep - so after a 45 drive into the Town we went for breakfast. Clearly the local Rotarians thought we had had our rest! Of course, this journey provided the Team members with their first view of India and they were not disappointed. All the preconcieved immages were there in abundance!
After another three hours or so we did arrive at our overnight hotel and were able to grab a few hours rest before being tken out to dinner.
On 22nd we were collected by our first host, but not before having been asked to get up at 7 am in order to attend an Indian Wedding. The cellebrations start at about 6 am and we were present for the breakfast and were able to witness the actual ceremony.
My host, Bala and his wife live in a very spacious home and I was made most welcome.
In the evening the Team met up at the Chennai Club for a 'Assimulation Meeting'. We met the District Govenor Annan and his wife Mina. Also present were the other GSE Team from Sth Africa. A livily group, led by a serving police officer, the Team members were soon getting on to gether well. This augers well for the next month, as we will be in each others company for many hours.
On the 23/1 we all travelled to the 'Boys Town' a project run by the Chennai Central Rotary Club and which provides education and training to boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. A residential school, the commitment of the staff and the application of the boys was very evident.
In the evening I went with Bala to a RYLA camp. Held in a poor village, over three days, members of a local Rotoract Club were providing help and assistance, including a health camp. Back to bed at 11 pm.
On 24/1 We were programmed for a free day - but in my case Bala had other ideas! At 9 am, after breakfast and 30 mins travel we went firstly to Sri Ramakrishna Math - an inspiration school for 700 boys run by a religous order. Early days and it will be good to do some follow up enquiries, but first reactions are that this is an imprssive example of help being given to boys from poor/slum backgrounds, which enables them to get gainful employment from 16 yrs. We then went to a health camp being organised by a local charity and run by NGOs and doctors, who work at the State Hospital, but give their time free to the camp. The camp, set up in a local school, was attended by 100's of people who received free tratment and drugs for such ailments as diabetus, hypertension as well as eye, dentaland other routine tretments. In the evening we went to a Rotary District Foundation Dinner to honour a local surgeon who had retired after 40 years treating leprosy victims with corective surgery for their misahpened limbs. DG Annan and the Regional Minister were present.
25/1. Vocational Day. With Raj the Team leader from Sth Africa we visited the Tamil Nadu Police Training School. A new build opened two years ago it is still being extended but currently provides training for about 300 constables and 50 sub inspectors. In the after noon Bala and I went to visit an IT firm run by one of his Club members who out of a work force of 650 employs some 20% with physical disabilities. In the evening both Teams came together at the Charter evening of a Chennai Rotary Club. Bed at 11.30!!
Please view the above as a draft - more detail to be inserted as well as photos, but time and my lack of ability is at present preventing doing a better job!
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
The day before
Met with Vernon, Amwell Club Club President, who handed over 10 banners for exchange whilst in India.
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