Darshan Impossible: The Rotary Mission that Moved Mountains (and People)
As the roosters of T. Nagar, Chennai, were still debating whether to cock-a-doodle-doo, two early birds from the Rotary nest were already out and about. Rtn. Sashi, editor of “Voice of RID 3233,” found himself power-walking to keep up with the energetic District Governor, Rtn. S. Mahaveer Bothra. At 6 AM, when most sensible folks were still cuddling their pillows, these two were pounding the pavement, ready to serve up some serious conversation with a side of humour. Between dodging eager street vendors and inhaling the intoxicating aroma of filter coffee, Rtn. Sashi managed to extract the juicy details of how one man turned a laddu offering into a love train to Tirupathi. Buckle up, dear readers, for a journey that’s part divine intervention, part Rotary determination, and a whole lot of “only in India” magic!
Your first major act as president of RC TNagar was offering Tirupathi laddu. How did that sweet gesture turn into a grand trip?
Well, you know how it is – give a Rotarian a laddu, and they will ask for a pilgrimage! It just shows that sometimes, the smallest offerings can lead to the biggest adventures.
You’ve made Tirupathi trips a tradition. Is Lord Venkateswara your lucky charm?
Let’s just say He’s my divine project manager. When our goals are noble, I believe He ensures our projects are divinely approved!
From taking club members to taking 1008 challenged children to Tirupathi – that’s quite a leap. What inspired this massive undertaking?
It was a mix of divine inspiration and a desire to do more. I wanted to create an experience that would not only touch these children’s lives but also showcase Rotary’s impact on a grand scale.
Organizing this trip must have been challenging. What was your biggest hurdle?
Honestly? Everything! From getting permissions to arranging logistics for 1500 people, it was like solving a giant puzzle. But with faith and fantastic teamwork, we made it happen.
You mentioned starting with zero money. How did you manage to fund such a massive project?
It’s amazing how the universe conspires to help when your cause is noble. Sponsors appeared like magic, and Rotarians stepped up brilliantly. It was like watching a real-life crowdfunding campaign unfold!
Renting an entire train sounds like quite an adventure. Any funny incidents during the journey?
Well, let’s just say managing 1000 excited children on a train is its own kind of roller coaster ride! But with clowns and magicians on board, it was more comedy central than chaos.
You had 16 committees for this project. How did you ensure everyone was on the same page?
It was like conducting an orchestra – each committee had its tune, but we all played in harmony. Regular meetings, clear communication, and a shared vision kept us in sync.
The night before the trip, it rained heavily. Did you ever consider postponing?
(Bothra Ji Laughs) Postpone? With 1000 eager children and Lord Venkateswara waiting? Not a chance! We Rotarians are all-weather friends, after all.
You mentioned innovative packaging for breakfast. Can you elaborate on that?
Ah, yes! We created what I like to call “spill-proof miracle boxes.” They cost more than the breakfast itself, but hey, you can’t put a price on clean train seats!
How did you manage to get Tirupathi Devasthanam’s permission for such a large group?
I think even the Devasthanam officials realized that saying no to 1008 special children would be like saying no to Lord Venkateswara Himself!
What was the most heartwarming moment of the trip for you?
Seeing the joy on the children’s faces during darshan. In that moment, all the challenges we faced seemed insignificant compared to the happiness we had brought.
This project has certainly raised Rotary’s public image. What’s your message to those inspired by this initiative?
Dream big, serve bigger! When we come together with a noble cause, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Rotary is not just about wearing a pin, it’s about making a difference.
Any plans to top this project in the future?
(Bothra Ji Winks) Well, I hear the Moon is lovely this time of year… But seriously, our focus is always on how we can serve better, not necessarily bigger.
You mentioned taking insurance for each child. Did you also insure your sanity during this project?
(Chuckles) I wish! But you know, Rotarians have a natural immunity against project-induced insanity. It’s part of our service package!
If Lord Venkateswara were to grade this project, what score do you think He’d give?
I would like to think He’d give us a divine 10/10! But knowing Him, He’d probably say, “Great job, now what’s next?” Gods are overachievers like that, you know.
If you could give one piece of advice to future Rotary leaders planning ambitious projects, what would it be?
Remember, in Rotary, impossible is just a word that hasn’t met determined Rotarians yet. Dream big, plan meticulously, and always pack extra laddus – they work wonders in crisis management!
Finally, if you could sum up this entire experience in one sentence?
It’s proof that with faith, fellowship, and a bit of Rotary magic, we can move mountains – or in this case, move 1500 people to a mountain!
