Overnight ride to Kumbakonam and Charter of Thanjavur Sub Chapter
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Overnight ride to Kumbakonam and Charter of Thanjavur Sub Chapter – Dated – 3rd May to 5th May. The distance covered 870km, total.
After 3 months of serious discussion with Thanjavur Biker Rotarians, it was decided to do a Charter presentation of Thanjavur Sub Chapter on 4th May, Saturday in Kumbakonam. Invites were sent to other Sub Chapters and to India Chapter members. Since it was clashing with the India Chapter’s regular monthly ride, the Core committee had decided to convert it into an overnight ride keeping in mind the distance to be covered. From India Chapter, 7 members had registered for it, Hassan Sub Chapter had 11 members joining and one member from. Coimbatore Sub Chapter. 19 members going for a Charter presentation was a great number.
All the background work of the hotel booking was done by our Thanjavur members led by Rtn. Baraneedaran and his team. During this time of the year Kumbakonam city temperature goes up to 42′ , as such it was decided by both Bangalore riders and Hassan riders to start at 4.30 am from respective cities. Fortunately this was a great decision and Bangalore riders had reached Kumbakonam hotel close to 12.45 pm on 3rd May. All were received by the Thanjavur team in the traditional way with roses and kumkum/chandan tilak.
It was a wonderful feeling of welcome. Rtn Baraneedaran took good care of all the riders from Bangalore in settling them in their rooms. All decided to freshen up and join over lunch and after which took some rest. Close to 4.30 pm Hassan team too joined all in the hotel. Rtn. Mahesh Prassanna from Coimbatore Sub Chapter had joined the Bangalore team mid way to Kumbakonam and had come to the hotel. In the evening at 7 pm, our hosts from Thanjavur had organised an informal get together just to understand each other and prepare for next day’s function.
It was also decided that Kumbakonam is a Temple town with over 2k temple around it and few with powerful diety, many wanted to visit atleast 2 to 3 big temples. Hosts Baraneedaran and his team gladly accepted our request to take us around Kumbakonam the next morning at 7 am. After a lavish dinner and fellowship all retired to their rooms. On 4th morning all had woken up early and after bath all were ready for the first round of Temple visit. Rtn Baraneedaran and Rtn Arunrajavel took all the visiting Ifmr’ian to a popular temple and it took virtually more than one hour to complete the special darshan of diety.
Soon we were back to hotel for Breakfast and a joint meeting organised by Rtn Mohan of Hassan Sub Chapter with various Rotary clubs of Kumbakonam. All attended the same by 11 am, it was over. Many of visiting riders wanted to explore few more temple, again we were out and this time saw a huge ASI maintained Temple. By 1.30 pm, all were back to hotel, Hassan team decided to go ahead for some shopping in Kumbakonam, famous for Brass ware and Silk.
The Charter Ceremony was scheduled for 7 pm in the evening, all had gathered for the grand event, over 25 new members from Thanjavur, few Club President and over 19 visiting Ifmr’ian were present, hall was packed. Soon we were joined by PDG Ramesh Babu of Thanjavur District, who is also representing Zone 5 in RI, chief guest for the evening. The Charter Ceremony started on time by IFMR India Chapter President Rajesh AR, he gave a brief introduction about the history of it and it’s working. PDG Ramesh Babu did the honor on presenting the Charter Certificate to the Charter Chairman of Thanjavur Sub Chapter.
All the new members were inducted by pinning lapel pins of IFMR INDIA. Lot of felicitation took place, all the visiting Ifmr’ian were recognised by Thanjavur team. In return small gifts were presented to new members of Thanjavur Sub Chapter. Charter Chairman Baraneedaran gave his acceptance speech, PDG Ramesh Babu assured 100% support to the new sub Chapter from his side, was very positive about its future. Soon the grand function came to an end and all joined for dinner with fellowship time.
A highly energetic evening came to an end on a very positive note that few members from new Sub Chapter will ride with visiting team of IFMR’IAN when they leave early morning for Bangalore/Hassan for some distance. The commitment and enthusiasm of Thanjavur Sub Chapter members was visible and next day morning all visiting Ifmr’ian left Kumbakonam, again at 4.30am to beat the heat, few Thanjavur Sub Chapter members did join the ride for 40km distance. Highly satisfied Sub Chapter Charter came to a close.