The 7 member team from Era, took off in the wee hours of the day to reach Ambur for the Inter City Meet, titled ‘NATPARANGAM’, on Sunday, the 9th of September.

The meet started with a soulful invocation by Rtn.Saiprasanna followed by a scintillating Bharatanatyam performance by Ann.Samyuktha, D/o Rtn.Balaji.

The packed hall was stiff and stern, only till Nallasiriyar Ramalingam took us on ‘JOKE AIR’ a 20 minute never ending Joke Jugalbandhi, that eased the moment for all. The hall got prepared for the next event, the most anticipated Debate on ‘Rotaryin Sirappukku Kaaranam Natpuravadalaa? Sammooga Sevaiyaa?’. The teams aligned themselves on either sides of the stage, clad in traditional Dhoti and Shirt, all prepared to prove a point. The NADUVAR, Moderator, was our DG Rtn.A.S.Venkatesh, also on a Dhoti and Shirt, appeared just too young, to remind one, that this was probably how he would have been on his day of marriage.

The DG – Was then on referred to as Naduvar, who mastered the role in his Style, with the articulations and punch lines, matching any professional of that sort. Rtn.Olivannan, who headed , the ‘Natpuravadal’ team had our President Era Rtn.Srinivasan, ‘East’ Rtn.Ganesan (Quality Ganesan), Cosmos Rtn.Gnanavelan and Rtn.Poonkundran – GGR, in his team. To counter their strength was the ‘Samooga Sevai’ team headed by Rtn.Nassar, and his team mates Rtn.Balaji(Ambur), Rtn.Anbu(Gudiyatham), Rtn.Durairaj(Chenglepet) and Rtn.Elango(Vellore Fort). The team heads started of the clash, followed by one after the other, citing facts and examples, countering the opponent’s points and made the show tilt to one’s own side after their respective speech.

Our President Rtn.Srinivasan, put forth an excellent point of argument in favour of ‘Natpuravadal’, citing the inseparable friendship that he shared with Chenglepet Durairaj. President Rtn.Srinivas gave a new dimension to say that the much celebrated Conferences and Conventions are given so much of importance as it fosters new friendship across sections. Rtn.Srinivas linked the DG also, by saying that the Sharing Presidents would be just too glad to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Birthday celebrations of our DG A.SVenkatesh, in about 5 years later, as a gesture of the true friendship that they all shared.
The Debate concluded with the Naduvar’s dictum that friendship was like oxygen, that makes us live and service was like food, that makes us grow. As the subject of debate was the cause for the Growth of Rotary, aptly the balance went in favour of the Service team.

This program was followed by a dance performance by the Deaf and Dumb children, who danced into perfect synchronization to the rhythm, even without hearing it. The whole auditorium gave them a standing ovation, which may not have reached their ears, but would have definitely filled their hearts.

The meet concluded with the speciality of Ambur – The Ambur Biryani. We enjoyed and shared the friendship ties across the district, to reach home recalling the excellent arrangements and the highlights of the day.

- Rtn.PR.Selvam Alaghhappan.