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ROTARY
COMES TO COCHIN |
| Rotary came to Cochin on 26th of September 1936. The
first meeting inaugurating an experimental period of three months
was held on that date in the Malabar Hotel, Willingdon Island with
16 individuals intending to be Rotarians, present. In the absence
of Sir Shanmugham Chetty, Diwan of Cochin, who had to be away on important
State business Mr. R.C. Robert Bristow presided. Secretary Mr. H.R.
Mills, then Principal, of the Maharaja’s College revealed that
twenty members had signified their intention to join. |
| There were only fortnightly meetings on those days
and it was decided that meetings should be held on second and fourth
Saturdays. The entrance fee was fixed as Rs. 10/- and the subscription
was Rs. 5/-per mensem, which included the price of two meals. During
the experimental period regular meetings were held on alternate Saturdays
and it was decided that a final decision may be taken in December.
Sir. R.K. Shanmugham Chetty showed a keen interest in the scheme even
though he was unable to attend the first meeting. |
| Sir H.W. Bryant addressed the group on “Scope
of Rotary in the World” with special reference to the orient,
illustrated with maps supplied by Rotary International. He said, on
the occasion, that Rotary, although started in the West had penetrated
the whole of Asia and Eastern territories. Rotary was found to satisfy
all peoples of the world and it was not necessary for success to have
a large membership. He said that fellowship, understanding and universal
peace had been promoted through Rotary Clubs everywhere. There was
a very useful question answer session at the end. |
| The club was chartered by Rotary International as 4377
on 23rd August, 1937 under the name of Rotary Club of Cochin State
and British Cochin with its territory comprising of the whole of Cochin
State and the tiny municipality of British Cochin. The charter was
presented on 23rd December 1937 by Rotary Governor Sir Pheroze Zethna. |
| The charter membership of 22 consisted of 10 Non-Indians
and represented a true cross section of business and professions and
the community at that time. Sir R.K. Shanmugham Chetty, the Dewan
of Cochin was the Founder President and Mr. H.R. Mills, Principal
of the Maharaja’s College was the Hony. Secretary. Other members
were another Educationist, 3 Advocates, 3 Doctors, a Judge, 2 Engineers,
an Excise Commissioner, an Hotelier, an Oil Industrialist, and a Harbour
Administrator, an Estate Agent, a Paint Distributor, a Port Officer,
a Banker, a Cement Distributor and a Shipping Agent. |
| Rtn. Aniyan (Thomas John) and Rtn. H.R. Mills informed
that a first informal meeting to assess interest of possible members
was held under the initiative of Rtn. Sir. Shanmugham Chetty at the
Dewan’s House, Ernakulam (present State guesthouse) when Robert
Bristow, H.R. Mills, P. Neelakanta Menon and Rama Varma Thampuran
were present. At this meeting it was decided to organise an interest
meeting at Malabar Hotel on 16th September. This was how Rotary made
its entry into Cochin. |
INITIAL
YEARS |
| The Club had a sort of bulletin from 1937 onwards which
was mainly a single cyclostyled sheet. A photostat copy of the first
surviving bulletin which is attached indicates that attendance at
Club meetings were not different then than it is now. This bulletin
mentions a dinner meeting – possibly an installation meeting
- though it does not specifically says so. Yet the 8th of July, 1941
was the day on which the District Governor made his official visit
to the Club. I am quoting the report verbatim from Bulletin No. 114
dated 11th July, 1941. |
| “The guests of honour, Rtn. Abraham Gardiner.
Governor of the 89th District of Rotary International and Mrs. Gardiner
arrived at the hotel at 7.45 p.m. from the Ram Mohan Palace (then
State Guest House and now the High Court of Kerala) where they were
put up as the guests of Government and were taken around and introduced
to those who present. |
| The dinner commenced at 8.30 p.m. with the formal introduction
of the guests by their Rotarian hosts. In the absence of Rtn. T.K.
Krishna Menon, Rtn. R. Ainsworth presided. The toast to Majesty King
Emperor was proposed by Rtn. Rao Bahadur P. Neelacanta Menon. The
toast to H.H. Maharaja of Cochin was proposed by Rtn. A.G. Milne. |
| Replying the Governor dwelt upon the Rotary motto “Service
Above Self “ and said that absolute unselfishness was rare among
mortals, more so among business and professional men from whom bulk
of Rotary membership is drawn. But Rotary does not preach self-abnegation.
It only says “Serve others more and thereby serve yourself”.
In other words “He profits most, who serves best”. Our
organisation stands for international fellowship, for quality to all
classes and creeds. Hence our clubs are encouraging in all democratic
countries and suppressed by totalitarian powers “Through Rotary
you can fight Communsm, not by actual physical force, but by getting
round the people to be square and fair in their dealings with fellow
men“. Great Britain is today fighting for those very ideals
for which Rotary stands. The enemies of Britain happen to be our enemies.
Thus “at least for self preservation”, we must do everything
possible individually and collectively to further the war effort.
“Sooner or later, when wisdom prevails, and freedom is restored,
we will be called upon to go back to those countries from which we
have been driven out.” |
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