Shirish Paranjape
Christchurch, March 20, 2020
“Did I hear anyone speaking Marathi just now, or am I imagining?” asked Aparna Mahajan.
“Yes, it was me,” replied Manik Paranjape (wife of Shirish Paranjape our Christchurch Correspondent and a member of Rotary Christchurch New Horizons).
Contacts, memories revived
It turned out that Aparna and Manik were connected not only through the same language, but had also learnt music from the same teacher almost 45 years ago in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
It is indeed a small world!
Aparna was part of a 30-strong group of Rotarians from India, who were doing a Car Rally from Paihia to Milford Sound. Rotary Christchurch New Horizons hosted a reception during their brief stay in the city. The event was held on February 26, 2020.
It was a splendid example of ‘Rotary Connects the World,’ motto of the international organisation.
The Rally aimed to spread several messages including international friendship, peace, goodwill, global warming and ‘End Polio Now campaign.’
Broad representation
The visiting Rotarians represented 12 different Rotary Clubs in Western India and were led by Subodh Joshi, a Past District Governor of Rotary District 3131.
Throughout their journey, they were welcomed by several clubs, including Rotary clubs of Bay of Islands, Somerville (Auckland), Rotorua Passport, Wellington, Blenheim (South), Christchurch New Horizons and Wanaka.
Apart from spending time with these Rotary Clubs, they visited the Parliament in Wellington, where they met a few MPs.
While in Auckland, they were interviewed by Indian Newslink and Radio Tarana and in Christchurch in Marathi by Akashvani Sydney, a community radio station based in Australia.
This programme was broadcast on March 10, 2020.
Please view TVNZ clip here:
https://www.facebook.com/venkat.raman.184/videos/3140195162679268/?notif_id=1584676813563161¬if_t=video_processed&ref=notif
National MP flags off
National MP Nicky Wagner flagged them off in Christchurch, an event covered live by TVNZ as a part of its ‘Breakfast’ show. It was amazing how quickly the visitors became part of New Zealand households; they reported that even a Subway owner recognised them and gave them ‘special treatment.’
From all accounts, the team achieved every objective they had set out to achieve, while also spreading the message of selfless community service through their travels and interactions.
Shirish Paranjape is Indian Newslink Correspondent based in Christchurch. He is a founder-member of Rotary Christchurch New Horizons.