I would like to tell you what I felt like, during the 7 day trip..
Nostalgic feelings filled our hearts and minds, when the Rotaractors of Malaysia, waved their hands at us, to say ‘bye’, while leaving home.
Those sweet memories surrounded us, for days, even after getting back to our routine. Each and every moment of this 7 day program was filled with fun and joy. It was something more than an Interclub exchange program can have. I would like to share some interesting moments that happened during their visit to India.
Going back to 10th of December, we greeted them, “Selamat Datang!” and offered a garland to all the rotaractors and rotarian, as soon as we received them at the airport, symbolizing the culture of India. It was a different experience for them, and we realized that they all liked it, when they never removed it off, till night.
On 11th December, we were anxious, while heading towards the house boat ride in Allepey! We were greatly satisfied when they admitted that, it was far better experience, than they expected it to be.
Most of the day went along with travelling from Allepey to Udumalpet on 12th December. They had never faced such a long travel in their lifetime, until they came to India J. While I was in a fear that they’ll hate this trip, my secretary Vishnu ensured that, each and everyone who participated, never feel bored, till we reached the place. In-fact, it was a humorous journey.
The intensity of humor rose high the next day. The unforgettable galatta took place at a hotel, near Parambikulam guest house, where they were served with the recipe, “Chicken 65”. Tasting it for the first time, they all started fighting, to get atleast the last piece of chicken, in their dishes. We were struck by a series of surprises at the guest house, which made us roll on the floor laughing. Fortunately, all of them were friendly enough to consider them jovial.
Coming back to our hometown Coimbatore, all our club members joined us with eager, and stayed with us throughout the program. Now comes the serious part - Community service projects at children’s homes in Thudiyalur. Your people were equally serious in getting the things done. They were preplanned in everything. I would frankly say that, they were perfect! They had an eye for every minute details. Apart from the donations at the homes, they were also kind enough in sharing the money for buying the hearing aid machine for a small kid.
I’m sure that all the rotaract clubs of Coimbatore will share a set of pages ,for the pictures in their scrapbook, that were taken during joint meeting to send off them. In the saga of Saicons, this event will be a bookmark.
Neither the members of Saibaba Colony nor those of UTP will forget this period, at any point of time in their lives! I wish this relationship continues in future.
RAC Saibaba Colony
