upto and including District 3230 Conference

On Thursday 4th we had an early start for our visit to Pondicherry, 140 kms from Chennai.  The journey took some 4 hrs, although we did have a stop at a temple built around 1000 years ago on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.  After lunch in ‘Pondy’, we visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and observed the many followers of Sri Aurobindo meditating and revering the teacher and his wife, who was referred to as ‘The Mother’.  Interestingly Sri had spent some 14 years in Manchester, who said nothing happens north of Watford Gap!  We next visited a paper making factory and then walked along the Promenade.  The other interesting fact about Pondicherry is that it is an independent city outside the control of Tamil Nadu.  It used to be a French protectorate and even today the French have a right of access to the town without a visa.  This has caused a number of French to move here and settle in a commune.  We then made our way back to Chennai arriving around 9 pm.

On Friday 5^th, both Teams were taken on a cultural visit to Sarala’s Art Center.  This was a small village that had been established in the 1960’s to provide a center where non traditional artists, both painters and sculptors could work and give each other mutual support.  Today the Center is accepted world wide, with artists visiting from many different countries to study and work together.  We next visited Dakshiana Chitra Craft Foundation, where typical houses from South India have been erected to give a depiction of how people lived and worked from the mid 1800’s to the present day,  We also saw a presentation by a visiting dance troop from Malaysia.

Friday also marked the start of the Rotary District Conference, with a social event in the evening for the organizers, some 150, plus partners!  Those attending were asked to dress in typical local dress.  See photos of the Team, looking very smart. An excellent evening of fellowship, it was surprising to realize how many Rotarians we had already got to know and we are only half way through the visit.  Back to our hosts by 11 pm.

Sunday 7^th February: Anna Lives!!

Hello and greetings to all readers of this blog. Sorry there has been no contact from me as of yet, but all of Sandy’s words of advice could not have prepared me for the schedule we are following, it is busy, to say the least!

India is amazing; it’s busy, beautiful, bustling, colourful, fascinating and all consuming. We have already done so much, and my initial thought that this would be the best way to see this amazing country seems to have been correct, due to the organizational skills of our hosts, and the vast range of rotary projects which we would otherwise have no access too.

Some of the highlights for me so far have been the Rotary project trip to a workshop for women who will be able to generate their own income from the sewing they are taught to do there, the attached crèche facility for their children. Later that day we visited the boys school, which is entirely organized by Rotary and runs like clockwork. The School evidently helps the prospects of a great many.

I was also taken to Tirupati, a very important temple to Hindus with the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara. This trip accomplished for me something I have always wanted to do; it is seen as a kind of pilgrimage for Hindus and treated with absolute reverence by the many that flock there. The emotionally charged atmosphere in this beautiful and vast temple made this one of the most amazing days of my life.

As we are so late into the blog, I will just cast my mind back over the last 24 hours, and tell you a little about the district conference. I arrived with my hosts, Subramanian, and his wife Shanthi (means peace) at about 8.15 am. The first thing to strike me was the sheer size of the conference center, and the huge effort that had gone into all of the preparations. There was a brass band, a red carpet, and about 10 people in a welcoming committee giving us “Namaste” as we went in. All this, before even entering the building! I met with Paul, Zoe and Chris and some of the members of the South African team in the foyer, and we had a quick look around the center. There are many stalls, both to do with rotary projects and some that seem to be typical Indian arts, such as paper making and silk weaving.

Anna has gone off shopping for more things Indian, I dread to think how much she will have to pay in excess luggage, but there is a cunning plan to get items home – more of that later when we give details of the Indian incoming GSE Team which includes Roule, a manager with FedEx!  So it is back to your intrepid repoter.

Just a few facts and figures on the conference – there are 4200 registrations.  3000 Rotarians, 800 wifes (Anns) and 400 children (Annets). Breakfast, lunch and dinner was available on both days, for all persons registered.  It was fascinating to see mass catering at its very best.  OK it was served on a fresh banana leaf (disposable) and you were not given any utensils, unless asked for.  Eating with fingers only is the way virtually everyone uses.  But for each meal there would be at least 8 types of food, each served directly onto the leaf.  The only choice you had was whether to go non veg, or veg (most people were veg). The other facility, of which full use was made, was the Bar. Serving mostly hard liquor, there was little call for beer, or wine.The other feature was the extremely loud disco music that was played constantly and the fact that it was patronized mostly by the male Rotarians who seemed very happy, especially dancing together!  I was urged, or more truthfully I was tricked, to get on the dance floor myself – yet another interesting experience, but it did earn lots of ‘brownie points’, for the Britisher. .

The main auditorium is huge seating 2000 and was was completely packed. Next door there was an overspill hall and there were also separate programs for the Ann’s and Annet’s. When it is realized that in the film world, Chennai is larger than Bollywood, you will get a sense of the technology that was used to support the presentations.  The wide screen was the largest in India.

The first part of the ceremony was the lighting of candles by the various dignitaries present. Then past DG’s were recognized, before the opening address by a National Minister of State.  Following the presentation of a Rotary Lifetime Award to a prominent Doctor, who was pioneering Private Health Care, the RI Rep gave his address.  The session ended with the DG restating his aim that, during his year, Members and Clubs within the District will give $1,000,000 to Foundation.  At which point it was announced that an individual was pledging there and then $100,000 and this was then followed by the presentation of a cheque for another $50,000, again from an individual Rotarian.  Over the two day conference a further $50,000 was pledged.  It is anticipated that the target will be exceeded, by the end of June.

The afternoon session contained the usual mix of inspirational and vocational addresses.  On my return to UK I will speak of the remarks made by the recently retired head of the Indian armed Services on his justification of the role of the Indian Army at the time of Independence – it was interesting!!!  The final session on the first day was the light entertainment section, again with the film studios making a very colourful and talented contribution.

On the Sunday, everyone turned up for breakfast – really excellent food. After a couple of sections in Tamil, it was the turn of the GSE Teams to give their presentations.  Both Teams had been asked to limit their presentations to 15 mins which, following a good deal of reordering, we just about achieved.  Unfortunately the Sth. African Team was unable to cut down on what was a fulsome PR feature on their Country. They over ran by 20 mins, causing much consternation amongst the Conference Planners. We later received good reports form members of the audience who appreciated that we attempted to recount our early impressions of India and what we were hoping to get from the visit. 

Then followed short introductions to the outgoing teams from India.  The Team to the UK is to be led by Vijay and the members seem to be excellent ambassadors for their District.  There is a lady sports reporter for a national newspaper, a lady front of camera TV reporter, a lady banker and a manager with Fed Ex.

As it was the 7^th February and an international polio day, a vacination booth had been set up at the Conference, for local children.  All the Team members visited and were allowed to administer the vaccine.

To be continued ...........................