A festival of friendship & fellowship was enjoyed by Rotarians from all over the District on the 19th & 20th January 2001 in the form of “Action Con” – our 31st District Conference hosted by young R.C. of Surat Riverside at Hotel Holiday Inn making me proud as District Governor as I organized this club as GSR five years ago.

Blessings and guidance from Swami Adhyatmanadji challenged Rotarians to serve better by listening to the call of R.I. leaders year after year in the form of R.I. themes full of wisdom.

R.I. President’s Representative PDG Dr. Umesh Megur & Ann Lata were very friendly mixing with delegates & exchanging Rotary service ideas. A dedicated Rotarian stressed upon the need to grow, serve through the Rotary Foundation, build stronger Rotary Foundation by contribution & take advantage of new opportunities provided by The Rotary Foundation. Very effective speech with narration & examples touched each one of us & we could see the reflection of his selfless dedication to Rotary cause.

RIPE Richard King and Ann Cherie won the heart of all with his emotion filled talk. A human par excellence was the image we all carried at the end of his visit. Rick was a person eager to meet everyone, promoting service to humanity, a great lover of India & a friend of Indian Rotarians. It was heartening to know that he realized the potential of Rotary and the impact Rotary can create while in India as GSE team leader.

Rotary quiz was enjoyed by one and all conducted by Rtn. Kulbandhu. Dr. Mahendra of Ankleshwar RC, hot favourite made to the mega prize of US $200 Foundation Contribution gift. 

PDG Dr. Manojbhai’s best panel on foundation was well planned by him. He brought home latest changes from The Rotary Foundation to the delegates. PDG Navzarbhai introduced the Incoming and Outgoing Ambassadorial scholars Marguerite French from Dist.5060 & Sheetal Dixit going to the Netherlands. 

PDG Chandrakantbhai Desai moved all the resolutions and most important amongst them was the resolution to amend nominating committee requirements to bring it in line with requirements of the RI bye laws. PDG Dr. Manoj Desai was declared as our representative on the nominating committee to nominate next RI Director from Zone 5. 

Host Rotary Club of Surat Riverside Rotarians did their utmost to make the conference a memorable one. They were very successful in achieving the goal.