This would be our last day of sightseeing, the Calcutta Central club had arranged many wonderful sights, but failed to include a visit to the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa’s Mother House where she and the other sisters cared for the sick and dying, giving them dignity and care during their final days. We expressed to our hosts that this was one place that the team members most wanted to see and they graciously changed the itinerary to accommodate our desires. Everyone was moved by the inspiring sight, which still carries out it’s mission to serve those in need. Victoria Memorial serves to remember over 90,000 Indians who served and gave their life for this beautiful country. As we walked along the river we were witness to families honoring their loved ones in the traditional Hindu way of shaving one’s head adorning white linen then going into the river, while others prepared food for the deceased. I was amazed by this ritual and was honored to have witnessed this farewell.
Now to Rotary, it is absolutely amazing the scope of projects that the rotarians are working on here in India. Our first official club meeting in Calcutta was a lunch meeting at the impressive Calcutta Club. with our host Rtn. Binod Khaitan and members of the Calcutta Central club. Here we were able to spend time with the members to talk about their many different projects which are being supported through 3-H grants and matching grants, everything from tree planting, literacy, eye & heart surgeries and so much more. Binod is an amazingly generous person who offered to set up more meetings for my 200/200, unfortunately our schedule was quite full already, though, I very much appreciated the gesture.
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