The Third Week

On Monday 8^th Feb, both Teams moved out of Chennai for the country area of District 3230.  We were to be away for five days and four nights and it proved to be a challenging experience due to the amount of travel, number of Rotary meetings, visits to projects and sites of interest.  It also provided another facet of Rotary in the District. 

Leaving at 8 am, we traveled in a mini bus with variable air conditioning – now and then and this fact, due to a mid day temperature of 35 degrees, was to prove very tiring.  Our first trip was to Kanchipuram, about 4 hrs from Chennai.  We met local Rotarians who had arranged for us to visit the Temple, which was noted for having the largest decorated entrance in India. We then went for lunch and a meeting with another group of Rotarians.  Next it was a visit to a silk weaving factory, before going onto our over night hotel.  That evening a special joint Rotary meeting was held at the hotel and both Teams made their presentations.

The location was a special place of pilgrimage and so at 6 am a small group of us, led by Kari, the Rotarian host who was to stay with us throughout the 5 day trip, set off to find a sacred cave.  Unfortunately we missed the turning and found ourselves on the 15 km walk around the hill were the cave was situated.  It is believed that the journey around the hill will give the believer power and energy.  We did not know however you had to go in a certain direction and it was only when we kept meeting others walking towards us and smiling knowingly, that the penny dropped and we realized we were walking the wrong way.  Feeling decidedly tired we got off the route and went back to the hotel for breakfast

Suitably refreshed, the Teams then set off to the Yelagiri Hills.  Stopping on way for a joint Rotary Lunch Meeting, where it was only necessary for the Team members to make brief introductions, we then negotiated a tortuous journey climbing 1200 mtrs to our resort hotel, overlooking a lake.  We arrived in good time for some members to hire boats, while others, including me, attempted to catch up on sleep.  That evening 5 Clubs came to the Hotel and we gave our full presentation.  At the end of the meeting we moved outside for our meal and found that a wide screen projector had been set up and was showing clips from Indian musicals.  After a little time a bonfire was lit and we sat around telling tales and finishing off the odd beer or two!

Again getting up at 6 am, a smaller group of us than the day previously, walked even higher in the hills and visited a shrine, which also afforded fantastic views over the surrounding countryside.  After breakfast we set off for Vellore, where we were to spend two nights.  On route we went to the Vellore Technology University.  A new private establishment, now with about 5000 students, it provides degree courses recognized both in UK and USA.  We met the founder and Chancellor.   

After lunch at the University, we then made our way to the Golden Temple.  This was a very special visit.  The Golden Temple in Vellore is larger than its more famous counterpart at Amritsar.  It has been completed in the last 5 years and is a private undertaking by a 35 year old guru.  It is also a striking example of the quality of work that can be delivered.  India is dirty, dusty and litter strewn, however the vast areas of the Temple and its gardens were as neat and tidy as anywhere in the world.  So very different to the older temples we visited. We were there between 4pm to 6 pm and I estimate there were at least 1000 pilgrims visiting.  Due to the Rotary connections were able to miss the queues, which was just as well, as another joint meeting had been arranged for that evening!

Next morning at 6 am there was just Kari and myself for the walk!  No stamina these young ones. This time we went to the Fort in the center of Vellore and walked around the battlements.  The Fort is now used by the police as a recruiting center and it was good to see that they still do square bashing as part of their training.

When we were all together, we set of for Ranipet, about one hours drive from Vellore.  We were met on the outskirts of the town by the local Rotarians who firstly took us to visit a leather factory and then onto a shoe making factory. Neither of these locations had any retail outlet, which was a disappointment to many Team members!  Lunch with yet another group of Rotarians, including a visiting American, who in the 1970’s had joined the Ranipet Rotary Club for two years, when he had been the military attaché for Sth India.  He had not kept up his membership when he returned to the USA and was now visiting with his wife, to renew friendships. 

According to the program the afternoon was to be free time, but our ‘in country’ organizer had other ideas. So off we went to a new school, which was being run by a Rotarian.  Having been in existence for only 3 years, they now have 500 boys attending.  We met all the teachers at a staff meeting.

The Teams were able to grab a little shopping time at about 5 pm, only to find that Main Street, Ranipet is nothing like Oxford Street. For a start, the livestock you have to avoid in Oxford Street is not of the four leg variety!  At 6.30 pm we gathered for our final joint Rotary Meeting.  8 Clubs were represented, with 5 presidents being present.  At the conclusion we grabbed a quick curry and then made our way back to Vellore, arriving at 10’ish.  Just time to get a beer at the roof top bar (oh the tales to tell on our return).  All bars in India have to close at 10.30 pm. So early to bed – yes really!  Ok, not really.

On Friday we traveled back to Chennai arriving at 12.30 to be picked up by our new hosts………………………………………………………………………………….