An Institute to remember
The Kochi Institute will go down in the Rotary annals of India as a “complete Institute”, in that it had a mix of everything to satisfy the needs and taste of the participants — from some outstanding speakers to humanitarian projects, great food and entertainment.
That this wasn’t the first institute in Kochi was disclosed by past RI President Kalyan Banerjee. Addressing the delegates seated in the plush auditorium of the Grand Hyatt Kochi, a waterfront luxury resort overlooking the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake, he recalled how he had been at Kochi for a couple of Rotary zone institutes, the first being in 1995 when he was on the RI Board in his first year as director.
The then RI President, late Glen Kinross was there with some other attendees from overseas. He recalled that Kochi did not have any air-conditioned auditorium in those days. “So, we brought in a large number of old type window/wall model air conditioners, of mixed capacities and tried to close the gaps in the windows, and got the machines running together. The net result was some semblance of cooling which the participants happily accepted, because they had no other choice!”
The next institute at Kochi he attended was chaired by the then RI Director K R Ravindran, when Banerjee had just been chosen by the RI nominating committee as RI president. “The new air-conditioned auditorium had been cool enough then, but the Rotarian’s temperatures were on the rise for a variety of reasons! So when Director Anirudh invited me to come, I said ‘ok, I’ll be there,’ even before he had finished. But he put me in a spot because he asked me to speak on a subject of my choice.”
But that created a dilemma; when given a subject, one knew what was expected from the speaker. “But when you’re given a free hand on the choice of a topic, it’s a problem because you are 83, have been a Rotary president over 15 years ago, and the current young, Rotary leaders look on you as an extinct dinosaur, and you wonder what to say,” mused Banerjee.
Kerala Carnival
At a well planned and executed event, the icing on the cake was the Kerala Carnival organised at the resort’s gorgeous waterfront, with the highlight being the vallam kali, Kerala’s traditional snake boat race, which offered a thrilling experience to around 225 delegates including DGEs and DGNs. Around 150 professional rowers steered the boats which carried the Rotarians. A line up of mock elephants, like the Thrissur Pooram, chenda melam performances, Kerala-style street food, games and traditional art forms added to the attraction, creating memorable photo opportunities.
What Indian Rotarians are most famous for in the Rotary world are service projects, and in keeping with tradition, some grand memorable projects were launched or inaugurated at
this event.
RI President Stephanie Urchick launched the ‘Green Angels’ project to provide CNG-powered autorickshaws to 119 women (symbolising RI’s 119th anniversary). The project, done in collaboration with Institute Chair John Daniel’s family charity — the Y-Daniel Foundation — hopes to give less privileged women opportunities for suitable income to support their families.
The team also managed to pull off a ‘State Guest’ status for President Stephanie when she arrived in Kochi.
Around 5,000 children and adults participated in a half-marathon flagged off by RIPN Sangkoo Yun. The event, supported by RC Cochin Knights, raised ₹20 lakh to support children with autism. A Rotary President’s Cup golf tournament for Rotarians raised funds for TRF.
Forty-six district Rotaract leaders were sponsored to attend the Institute, receiving training along with complimentary accommodation and meals. “This experience allowed the Rotaractors to immerse themselves in Rotary’s values and culture,” said PDG Daniel.
Showcasing Rotary’s commitment to DEI initiatives, the Institute featured a breathtaking performance by Miracle on Wheels, said to be India’s only inclusive dance theatre group. Dancers with various challenges, including those requiring wheelchairs, left the audience deeply moved and spellbound. Equally captivating was 11-year-old Ganga Sashidar’s soulful violin recital during the TRF dinner.
The culinary experience was nothing short of spectacular, with a variety of international dishes, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and Jain specialties delighting attendees. The grand finale was the traditional Sadya, served on plantain leaves, stealing the show with its authentic Kerala flavours. Delegates dressed in the state’s traditional costume — kasavu saree for women and veshti for men — added to the vibe.
It was a perfect ice-breaker on the first day as the DGEs and DGNs, along with their spouses, painted their vision of Rotary on canvas. This was followed by a serene cruise along the backwaters. The drum circle was a much-appreciated
programme at the graduation ceremony, where each governor-elect played percussion instruments in unison, fostering unity and camaraderie through lively rhythms. The spouses, resplendent in Bengal’s iconic laal-paad shada saris (red-bordered white saris), an idea championed by Shipra Roychowdhury, added to the occasion’s grandeur.
At the end of the day, it was evident that Convenor RID Anirudha Roychowdhury, Chair PDG John Daniel, and the Institute team had worked really hard for this mega event. “Meera and I relocated from our residence in Kollam to Kochi for 40 days to oversee the preparations. Our days started at 4am, and stretched until 11pm, packed with back-to-back meetings. There were 36 committees in all!” said Daniel.
