A TRIBUTE TO ROTARACT

Two weeks back, on a cloudy, somber Sunday evening I went for Club's meeting after almost a year. I had not planned my visit. I met Anish in the evening and he insisted that I should come there, for a change. So I hopped into his car with my bermudas(any person attending the meeting officially or unofficially is expected to be in descent attire). On our way Anish told me that the venue for the meeting had been changed for its affordable rent. The new place was BMCC classrooms. I was kind of disappointed because all these years while I was in Rotaract we attended meetings in IMDR. Not that IMDR is any better than BMCC but I was anticipating the same old surroundings and the fellowship 'chai' from PD after meeting.
After months I was attending the meeting and Razaq and Vipul were also invited. We entered the room. I saw human faces, some familiar mostly unfamiliar. The old group no longer exists in Rotaract officially. Everybody has sailed in different directions in last 3 years. Except for Amya, Anish, SK, Sohan and Yogini I did not know much about the new members. I had met them before but that's about it. I had chat with some of these old members and we entered the room.
It was a very familiar feeling, the same old excitement of meeting friends, generating new ideas, carrying out new projects. Sure I missed the venue and the members were different but that old charm of Rotaract was still there. I went down the memory lane.
July 2001! I had decided to take a break in my education for a year to pull the strings of my life together, get things in order and introspect. I had to clear a few subjects in the December but the whole day one can not lock himself in the 4 walls of his room, atleast I couldn't. I wanted to do something worthwhile apart from that.
Rotaract came to my rescue. On 22nd July I attended my first meeting and since then there was no looking back. 4 Harmonies, 4 installations, 2 trips, 3 club Birth days, countless Professional Development and Community Service projects and most importantly great friends for life. Apart from my own personal growth, I made some of the best friends here in Rotaract. It allowed me to tap my inner, hidden potential and those activities that I was involved in gave me immense pleasure .
I overcame many self created psychological issues. Right from the club's President to ordinary members everybody wanted to see their peers benefiting from this institution and from each other. I began to understand the group dynamics among people. It was a pleasant realization that I am a highly social animal. Most importantly the learning was exponential. I met some finest of the fine minds in Rotaract who are my intimate friends today. It also unveiled unlimited opportunities for business networking.
Even today when I catch up with the old gang, its such an amazing feeling.
We've had our share of petty fights and arguements but looking back I realize we never carried that animosity with us in future. Today all of us are doing well in our respected professions. Some are reaching new heights, treading new directions while others are striving hard to achieve their goals. Sombody said rightly "Rotaract is a perennial addiction". So true...
I owe a lot to this club and its people. Hats off to the indomitable spirit of Rotaract !!