On 3rd October, 2011, Rotaract Club of Behala and Rotary Club of Behala jointly arranged for "Puja Parikrama 2011", a yearly Durga Puja Tour with the students of Mentaid , inmates of “Apon Ghar" and " Santi Niwas". Rtrs George, Arijit, Samina, Rituparna, Shireen and Debdatta attended.

We began the Parikrama from Behala and traveled to Gariahat to see the Ekdalia and Singhi Park Pujas. The News Channel "24 Ghanta" aired the interview of our Rotary President live and even shpoke to the children of Mentaid. After this they were served breakfast in the bus and the Pandal hopping continued to Park Circus. After Park Circus, the bus proceeded to North Calcutta. Our guests had a blast as they danced and made merry with the "Dhakis". After building up an appetite, they proceeded for Lunch at Bhim Nag's House like every year.

Everyone left with a smile on their face and it was a thoroughly enjoyable time for all.

Representing Rotaract Club Behala as the President, with Rtr Samina and Rtr Deepanjan- President RC Bolpur-shantiniketan from R.I.D 3240 accompanying me, for a goodwill visit to R.I.D 3250, was an awesome experience.

The destination was Biharsharif- some 30 kms from Bakhtiyarpur and we were to attend a mega event of Rotaract Club of Biharsharif. Reaching the place the next morning we were given an awesome reception lead by the DRR(E) of R.I.D 3250 Rtr Parmeshwar Mahto.

The event was called Rota contest and was a grand event which seemed to be one of the most awaited event of the town as said by the Mayor of Biharsharif during the inaugural. Rtr George, Rtr Samina and Rtr Deepanjan were made to sit on the dais and also were requested to speak on their experience. They were also welcomed by a standing ovation from the audience and were made to feel like VVIP’s.

Despite having travelled to many other RI Districts in India this was undoubtedly the best reception from any rotaract club that I have ever experienced. Right from arranging a hotel to taking us out to visit the nearby mountain, we enjoyed to the fullest. Tough a very short trip, yet, one of the most enjoyable one. We exchanged bulletins with RC Biharsharif and the DRR of R.I.D 3250- Rtr Vishnu Bhoot.

We were also hosted for some great meals and reception was simply outstanding. Mementos, letterheads and district directories were presented to us along with DRR’s lapel pin. Some great rotaracting and wonderful people to interact with, we simply had a good weekend. Before coming back, we did promise to visit them again in the near future with more Rotaractors from our club and also expressed our wish to work together in the future.

Rota Utsav

 

On 27th November, 2011, Rotaract Club of Behala organised and hosted their annual Bijoy-Diwali get together - Rota-Utsav along with Rotaract clubs of Cossipore, Joka, Lansdowne and North East, with Special Guest RC TagoreLand and Interact Club of DAV Public School. The event was a grand success and was attended by Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors. The stage was set with graceful posters done by our talented Rotaracter Ananya of Rotaract Club of Behala. The proceedings began with a couple of delightful anecdotes from Rtn. (Dr) Siddharth Chakraborty, President, Rotary Club of Behala, followed by a few words from DRR Aloke Agarwal and Rtn. Debasish Sarkar.

Then began the performances -Rotaractor Mousumi of Rotaract Club of Behala recited poetry flawlessly, after which Driftwood took the stage. They belted out some memorable numbers and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed every minute of their act.Special Guest Rtr. Tathagata from RC TagoreLand then recited Tagore's Work and Interactor Rishabh sang some traditional songs. Rotaractors from RC North East arranged for a beautiful dance performance after this. The event ended with two hilarious plays.

The first play was a joint effort by Rotaract Clubs of Joka and Landsdowne about a wanna be actress Antorina Jolie who would go to any lengths to achieve stardom. The histrionics of the lead pair, and Rotaracter Souravs effortless portrayal of a selfish Christian ghost had the audience in splits. This was followed by more laughter as Rotaract Clubs of Behala and Cossipore presented a spoof on a certain portion of the Ramayan wherein Surpanakha was abducted by Ravan by mistake. A seductive Surpanakha, a masculine and hirsute Sita, a timid Ravan with his intimidating and rap-music-loving bodyguards and a modern-day Lakshman who prefers to go by "Lucky" made sure the play was a super hit and had the audience rolling in the aisles. So much so that they have been asked for an encore performance at a Rotary Behala meeting very soon! This was followed by a graceful dance recital by Rotaracter Mousumi, and the day ended on a harmonious and melodious note.

Hoopla! Rota Carnival for Kids!

 

Sunday, 20th November, 2011. Sarada Mandir Ground in Parnashree was decorated with balloons and streamers, there were two bouncy castles, games, a tattoo artist, a tiny ferris wheel and a toy train track. One of the stars of the show was a young pony, which tirelessly walked around the ground with tiny little kids on his back.

The event - Rotary, Rotaract and Inner Wheel club of Behala organised a children's day celebration "Hoopla!" for underpriviledged kids and needless to say, it was a huge hit. Large, beautiful, colourful banners - made by our very creative Rtr Ananya proclaimed the event all around the locality. Rotaractors Shuvranshu, Shuvratav, Arijit, and Rituparna arrived on the scene early in the morning and dressed up the field with colourful streamers and balloons, joined a little later by Rotaractors Samina, Ananya and Shireen. After a truly sumptuous breakfast of luchi, cholar dal and mishti, provided by our awesome Siddharth Uncle, President of Rotary Club of Behala, and his wife (PP, Inner Wheel Club of Behala)Sudipta Aunty, we set out to make the day bright and colourful.

A mile long line was to be seen at the tattoo artist's stall and little boys and little girls proudly showed off their body art. The kids bounced like there was no tomorrow on the Crazy Castles, and the Pony Ride was "houseful". Colourful erasers, sweets, whistles and tops were handed out to the children who participated in "Shooting" and "Car Racing". The kids screamed in joy as they went round and round in the Ferris-Wheel. The smallest kids made a bee-line for the Ball Pool. Everyone took turns saying hello to our own resident Mickey Mouse who patiently spent time with every kid.

The event started at 9 am and carried on till 1 pm and the kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly. It was a grand success for RC Behala and we hope to have this event on a grander scale next year! Three Cheers each for Rotaract Behala, Rotary Behala and Inner Wheel Behala!

Fellowship with RC TagoreLand

 

After a fun-filled meeting at Shanti Niwash, Members of RC Behala and RC TagoreLand headed to Shona-Mati Restaurant in Behala for a fellowship dinner. They were joined there by PP Paromita Chatterjee and they let the good times roll. Ideas and thoughts were exchanged over dinner. RC Behala played able hosts for their Multi District Twin Club and the members of RC TagoreLand thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

They made us promise that we absolutely must visit Shantiniketan soon and work on more joint projects and continue our goodwill and relationship for years to come. We at RC Behala sincerely hope for the same!

Visit to Shanti Niwas with RC TagoreLand

 

 

On 13th November 2011, Project "Illuminate" continues full steam ahead with another visit from RC Behala along with their Multi-District Twin Club RC TagoreLand. The inmates were thrilled to see us and the members of RC TagoreLand. Rtrs Shuvratav, Shuvranshu, Soummojeet, Ananya, Samina, Shireen, Arijit and Rituparna greeted Rtrs. Debmalya, Rishabh and Tathagata of RC TagoreLand and showed them why this Old Age Home is so close to our heart.

After a long and fun "adda" session, we moved to the dining area where we enjoyed Tea and Snacks. We aired "Antaheen" on the brand new DVD Player that we had gifted a month back. Our guests from Shantiniketan had a great time, as evidenced by the smiles on their faces and the promise to come back soon to visit Shanti Niwash again.

We donated our Sunshine collection for the day to the Childrens Day Fund of Shanti Niwash and also bought some 2012 Calendars from them as part of their noble cause to raise money. All in all, it was another memorable evening with the most wonderful people we know!

Exchange of Official Stationery

 

Members of RC Behala met Rtr. Rishikesh of RC Aurangabad Airport (RID 3132) on Monday November 7th 2011. Rtrs. George, Lord, Shireen and Arijit went to meet him. It was an enlightening meeting and we discussed about each others clubs. He briefed us on the kind of projects his club is involved in, as did we. We exchanged some thoughts and ideas and promised to host his club members when they come down to the city next.

We handed him our Bulletin "Santoor" and he was nice enough to hand us a token of friendship in the form of their Theme Badge (Take the lead).

It is always an enriching experience to meet young, driven Rotaractors from other districts to get a first hand feel of the how fast the Rotaract Movement is ascending. We parted ways with a promise to visit their district in the near future, and possibility of a Joint Project."