Friends, we at HKRT 178 celebrated our numbered milestone 300th meeting & had our 13th AGM on 16 July 2016 at Hubli. The Theme for the evening was 300 and the set up and decor reflected the theme and served as a reminder as to why we were all there in the first place 🙂 !
The AGM quickly got under way and It was a landmark event for us as any milestone crossed is an achievement in itself. Tr. Hamir Sampat the National Treasurer was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Cr Veda Bestin – National Vice President, Ladies Circle India gave an outstanding cameo as she was there for a specific reason that day. the distinguished guests of honor were Tr Anand Heda, Area Chairman, Area 10, Cr. Divya Shetty, Area chairperson, Area 10 & Tr Mahendra Yadav, Area Vice Chairman, Area 10.
The event was important to us in many ways, and we had a fantastic presentation of the annual report by Tr Arun Agadi, Secretary. He then did a houdini act and the end of the annual report morphed into a report of 12 years of tabling thru the lens of the camera. The background scores for some of the years had sentimental and comic significances and everybody in audience caught on those and were appreciative of his efforts.
A note on the august gathering: We had practically every table represented at our AGM and the venue was packed to the gills. It was an unprecedented turnout and kudos to everyone who took the time and effort to attend our 300th meet. The 41’er s of the Area graced us with their presence and it was a honor to have them join us for our AGM. We were truly humbled and grateful to the active and past members of Round Table and Ladies Circle for gracing our 300th meet.
Our outgoing chairman gave a short speech on his most memorable times whilst being in the lead and expressed heart felt appreciation for the support given by his table to him. He touched upon the fact that every facet of tabling was well represented and he ticked off all the boxes of need to do’s which he had when he initially took the jewel. He outlined some of his highlights, Xtacy, Ten Tana Ten, the 1st smart classroom project done by RTI in India was under his term at City High School, Hubli. He also highlighted the fact that it was his privilege that during his tenure Hubli Knights Ladies Circle 143 was formed & Chartered.
The event was also envisaged with giving the maximum possible time to the retirement ceremony of 3 tablers and long standing stalwarts of Tabling in India as they bid adieu to active tabling on that day.
Tr. Prashant Hebsur- charter member, Tr Venkatesh Anegundi and Tr Abbas Magar – charter member got a new Suffix to their existing titles – namely Sq. Leg. The entire table geared up for the retirement ceremony.
Tr Prashant Hebsur’s contribution to tabling & circling has been immense in every facet and for close to a decade he has been the go – to man by the table, area and national boards with any matter pertaining to projects, grants, liaising with Corporates and RTI parters. He has many nicknames given to him by various people in RTI & LCI. Our table is exploring the option of getting a trademark for his signature dance moves !
Tr Venkatesh Anegundi had a short time in tabling, relatively speaking but his performance, passion and contribution to Tabling has been immense. His planning and foresight during his stint as the AST of Area 10 & RTI week had stunned a lot of people in the sheer scope and gargantuan size of his plans and ambitions. He was the first to synchronise the entire RTI week on a National level, all tables were given the project of the day for RTI Week, a feat not accomplished in over a decade since our table’s formation or perhaps ever.
Tr Abbas Magar was there from the formation stage of the table and has remained a passionate tabler throughout his tabling career. Abbas and his family’s commitment towards projects was to been seen to be be believed, and his contribution to the cause has been immense. He was the 1st LMF of our table.
The table meticulously planned the retirement ceremony and had the appreciation of everyone in attendance and most importantly, from the men that mattered, the retiring tablers. They were extremely emotional, sad, happy and overwhelmed at the love, affection and respect bestowed upon upon them at the 300th meet.
A truly magnanimous gesture by Cr Veda Bestin, NVP LCI, who came down to hubli travelling 17 hours non stop from Kerala just to be there for Tr Prashant’s retirement. That kind of respect and affection is seldom received.
We had an outpouring of well wishes and messages from all over India with past presidents, project conveners, area chairmen, past tablers and circlers expressing their thoughts and well wishes to the retiring tablers. It got to a point where we had to stop reading messages and emails sent, as they would take 48 hours to complete.
The speeches of all three were indeed unforgettable and a poignant moment for all of us. But such is the nature of Tabling. C’est la vie.
The mementos given to the past table chairman, area and national board members were truly unique, being the brianchild of tr. Venkatesh, which will be a cherished gift, proud possession and proudly displayed on the mantles of each of the recipients.
The change over ceremony had Tr Ankesh taking over the mantle from Tr Karthik and he proceeded to appoint and unveil his team. A unique departure from norm was that he has appointed each convener to be a fund raising convener too!. The message and emphasis was clear.
Dream Big & Make it Happen
The theme was well received and appreciated, and the brief outline of Tr Ankesh’s impressive plans for the year assured everyone that we are in for another active and hectic year of tabling ahead.
Thankfully the sergeants Tr Basu, Tr Kunal & Cr Panna left out Leonidas and his merry bunch of spartans from the act and gave a memorable “Round Round Table, Round Table” act which had everyone in splits and peals of laughter.
The formal proceeding wound down after another lengthy Any Other Matter with over 12 Tables present and a host of Area and National board members, along with a much appreciated and sizeable contingent of 41’er’s.
Tr Anand, Tr Sachin T, Tr Prasad & Tr Amit ensured that the planning and execution of the event was as flawless as possible.
It was an event to remember and truly a team effort, wherein everybody from the HKRT & HKLC family chipped in to ensure it was an elegant and successful event.
Tr Ankesh Jain
Chairman 2016-17
Hubli Knights Round Table 178
Round Table India Blogs 