The summer holidays had been a break in routine for children and parents - no rush to make breakfast or to gulp breakfast, no reminders to complete school work and hard earned rest for mothers’ vocal chords. It was in this relaxed atmosphere that the Downtown team celebrated the Annes & Annets Nite. The evening was meticulously planned by Rtne. Lucy as a total fun show. The theme of the evening was “deewangi” – the word means a heady mix of love and madness. In many ways, that has been the underlying weave of the year and Downtown’s commitment to our families and Rotary. We have always put up our hands together and enjoyed every moment. And the Nite was a re-enforcement of the same - every family, without exception was on stage, and well past midnight! The mood of the meeting was set with PP Vinu Verghese delivering the Rotary Information talk in his inimitable style. After the formal meeting which included an update on the community service projects, induction of new members by Asst. Governor Dr. Ajaykumar, ever-punctual release of Lifewatch and a vote of thanks by Club Service Director Rtn. Benny Zachariah, President Madhav handed over the stage to the Annes & Annets. First Lady Rtne. Sujata chaired the brief meeting and Rtne. Rekha thanked everyone for their active participation.
The evening swung into action with a dazzling group dance by Rtnes. Anne, Deepa, Durga and Annets Ann, Lakshmi & Nimisha. The beautifully choreographed dance with eye-catching costumes was a perfect start to the celebrations.
Then came the children’s troupe with a fashion guide to Kerala’s history starting from the princely state of Travancore to today’s trendy world. Every Annet including the youngest at one-and-half years walked the ramp accompanied with the engrossing narrative of Rtne. Anju delivered by Rtne. Durga.
The hallmark of every Annes Nite at Downtown had been the Annes’ group dance which has traversed many Indian states and forms. This year was no different ; with Rtne. Aji’s hardwork, she and the team of Rtnes. Kala, Mary, Dr.Nandini, Prasanna, Preeja, Susie, and Rtn. Sreevidya performed a folk dance from the East to clockwork perfection.
The audience was treated to melodious singing by Annets Joseph, Anand and Lakshmy and all the singers among the elders. Next to set our heartbeats racing was a foot-tapping dance number choreographed and performed by Annets Ann, Nimisha and Radhika to a medley of songs. In between, Annet Atul thoroughly enjoyed them swirling around him.
The nite was far from over, the piece de resistance was the theme dance or team dance conceived by Annet Arjun where “all hot girls” and “all cool boys” of Downtown danced in abandon to King Khan’s hit number “Deewangi”. Annets Adarsh, Atul, Kevin, Mihir and Rishi led the floor and were followed in turn by every Downtown couple who shone brighter than the stars in the film.
The evening would not have fructified without the warm hospitality of Rtne. Anju and Rtn. Anil Nair who opened their home to Downtown participants (read the whole club) eager to rehearse.

All eyes were on the big 40-seater A/c bus when it rolled into the District Assembly venue at Coimbatore! The only bus to be spotted at this year’s Assembly, Downtown surprised all by its sheer attendance and the presence of so many Anns and Annets. It was yet again a Downtown merry trip! Kudos to the organizers of the Assembly too for the festive atmosphere they created as well as the mighty impressive food courts.

Club Assembly on May 16th
The weekly meeting after the Board meeting on 14th had a very good attendance. It was just the day before all the members had assembled for the wedding of Annet Supriya Krishnan and it did not keep the members away from this closed meeting. Secretary read the minutes of the Board decisions and discussions. President explained all the salient points in detail for those members who were not present in the Board. Later on he went on to update the members on the activities during the week and about the forthcoming events. The attraction of the meeting was the talk by IPP John George who was fresh from his US tour. His ‘Las Vegas Diary’ was very interesting and informative to all those present. IPP in his inimitable style was showcasing only the tip of the ice-berg and that raised the curiosity of the members further about his ‘adventures’! The meeting then raised a toast and wished Bon Voyage to PP ATchayan who is embarking on his 6 months’ tour of the USA. After the birthday and anniversary announcements and vote of thanks by the Secretary, President adjourned the meeting for fellowship and dinner.

In our second joint meeting of the year, the partners were our neighbouring club - RC Tripunithura. It was a long pending project coming true as we never had a joint meeting with this friendly club who meets at the same venue on the same day of the week. After collaring both the Presidents by the respective Sgt. At arms, President Madhav called the meeting to order. Welcome address was delivered by Rtn. PP PHF A.T. Thomas. Both the Presidents then briefed the gathering on their club activities and expressed pleasure in having a meeting together.

The customary Rotary information talk was given by Rtn. PP. Major Donor Narayanan of RC Tripunithura. With his genuine passion for Rotary he motivated all the members tremendously with his highly absorbing speech. He did not hide his huge affection towards Downtown when he said had he given a chance to have a second membership in Rotary he would join Downtown as its member! An enviable compliment indeed.
International Women's Day was commemorated appropriately with a special message rendered by Rtn. Secretary Renjini Menon. She stressed on positive thinking by the society on women's virtues and values.
The guest speaker of the meeting was Mr. Victor Jonsson from Iceland. Secretary Rtn. Paul Raj introduced the guest to the audience and what followed was an extremely simple and informal chat by the speaker on human relationships. With meaningful quotes and interesting anecdotes Victor got the members listening to him with great interest. President thanked him by presenting a memento at the end of his speech.

'LifeWatch' has been a matter of discussion in Rotary circles off late for all good reasons. This week also Editor Rtn. Abey Varkey and his Rtne. Jessy did not miss the bus inspite of several inconveniences. The latest issue was released by handing over the first copy to Rtn. Nalini Varma who was present as a guest from RC Cochin Harbour.

Secretary then made the announcements and delivered the vote of thanks before President Madhav adjourned the meeting for fellowship and dinner.

In line with the new tradition of holding family meetings at member's residential premises, it was the turn of Rtn. Dr. Sasi and Rtne. Beena to play the hosts. In their palatial new house near Palarivattom exhaustive arrangements were made by the doctor with immaculate detailing in his own typical army style. The formal meeting started with the President at the Chair and Jt. Secretary Rtn. Vivek Govind officiating as Secretary. The customary Rotary information talk was delivered by the host himself. In his straight-from-the-heart speech Dr. Sasikumar motivated all by rendering his experiences and proud feelings as a Rotarian. President Madhav then briefed the members on the activities during the week. Hosting of the GSE team, District Conference participation, Matching Grant project process, Pre-PETS at Cherai, preparations for the DG's visit, the list was quite impressive. Next on the agenda was the classification talk by Rtn. Vivek Govind, and the timely topic was the 'Analysis on Union Budget 2008'. Rtn. Vivek showed his expertise and pure CA pedigree while explaining the salient as well as the hidden points of the budget that was of great interest to all present. To add icing to the cake, Rtn. Prince George in his eloquent style topped up the Budget Analysis with his views on how the budget would impact the markets. Members thanked both the speakers profusely for their useful talks.

Rtne. Lucy Zachariah then moved in with the Club Service's duty of felicitating the Birthdays and Anniversaries. Gifts were given away to the Annets who celebrated their Birthdays during the month and a delicious Anniversary cake was cut by the couples who celebrated their D-days during the period. A special toast was offered to Rtn. Dr. Mohan and Rtne Dr. Nandini who celebrated their Anniversary on the same day. Jt. Secretary made the club announcements and delivered the formal vote of thanks. After thanking the hosts once again for their efforts and also wishing good luck during their stay at the new house, President adjourned the meeting for family games, fellowship and dinner.

Thevara SH ground, January 20: It was yet another cricket tournament and there again was Downtown in full form presenting its A & B teams! The venue was the picturesque Sacred Hearts ground by the backwaters and the event was the Super Sixer tournament organised by RC Cochin Midtown. The B team lead by Rtn. editor Abey Varkey and Rtn. Santosh went down fighting in the first round itself against a much superior and ‘young’ opposition.

But the true event was yet to unfold. Another quarter final match and Downtown A team was playing with full glory with Rtn. Dr. Sunil Mathai and Secretary Rtn. Paul Raj comprehensively outplaying the opponents. 15 runs to win and Dr. Sunil had already hit 3 huge sixers and virtually pocketed the match. Next ball he tries to defend as there was no need of any more runs and the need was to just occupy the crease for another few balls. The inside edge shot up and hit his cheek, by God’s grace just below his right eye – the result, a deep cut bleeding profusely. Our ‘strong man’ in his unbeatable style wanted to
continue playing but was coerced by others to be taken to his own den, the Medical Trust Hospital. At the end of the one hour surgery by the plastic surgeon, our hero was left with 3 layers of stitches on his face, but that did not stop him from coming back to the ground to a standing ovation from the other players and galleries. While we thank our stars and God Almighty for saving what could have been a major injury, three cheers to the ever-sportive Rtn. Dr. Sunil and his supportive Ann Aji for tiding over this accident in their own unique style.

This was only the second time this year that we were meeting at a different venue for our family meeting. After the refreshing experience at PP Rtn. Binesh’s Club House at Kakkanad, President seems to have invented an innovative way to make our family get-togethers even more exciting. This time the venue was the poolside lawns at Rtn. BennyZach’s picturesque villa at Maradu. Rtn. Benny and Rtne. Lucy and Annets Nims and Zach had done everything to make this New Year & Xmas celebrations a real memorable one.

The formal meeting started off with the President at the chair and Rtn. M.A. Sebastian officiating the Secretary’s job as Rtn. Paul got late in the traffic snarl in the city. Customary Rotary information talk was by none other than the IPP Rtn. John George. He candidly talked about the events that lead to his acquaintance with the Rotary movement and the subsequent changes that happened to him personally through Rotary. Many of us could well relate ourselves to what the IPP narrated. President Rtn. Madhav then briefed the members and families of the activities during the past one month. A long list indeed for such a short span of time - the club indeed is doing yeomen service on the community service front and excelling as always on the other avenues. President then invited Youth Festival Chairman Rtn. Benny to update on the preparations on the Youth Festival and he in turn appealed to all members to get involved fully in making the event a great success. PP Rtn. Giri Menon made an invitation announcement about his son Annet Keshav’s forthcoming wedding. Birthday felicitations and announcements gave way to an impressive vote of thanks by Secretary-in-charge Sebastian. The celebrities among the guests who who were present at the evening included the entire clan of cricketer S. Sreesanth and actor Mukesh. The formal part of the meeting ended and what followed was a musical treat by a rich orchestra blended with Hindi favourites of our inhouse nightingales Rtne. Nandini and Susy, and a sumptuous dinner spiced up with ‘nadan Kallu’ and ‘Kaada mutta’ snacks.

This was only the second time this year that we were meeting at a different venue for our family meeting. After the refreshing experience at PP Rtn. Binesh’s Club House at Kakkanad, President seems to have invented an innovative way to make our family get-togethers even more exciting. This time the venue was the poolside lawns at Rtn. BennyZach’s picturesque villa at Maradu. Rtn. Benny and Rtne. Lucy and Annets Nims and Zach had done everything to make this New Year & Xmas celebrations a real memorable one.

The formal meeting started off with the President at the chair and Rtn. M.A. Sebastian officiating the Secretary’s job as Rtn. Paul got late in the traffic snarl in the city. Customary Rotary information talk was by none other than the IPP Rtn. John George. He candidly talked about the events that lead to his acquaintance with the Rotary movement and the subsequent changes that happened to him personally through Rotary. Many of us could well relate ourselves to what the IPP narrated. President Rtn. Madhav then briefed the members and families of the activities during the past one month. A long list indeed for such a short span of time - the club indeed is doing yeomen service on the community service front and excelling as always on the other avenues. President then invited Youth Festival Chairman Rtn. Benny to update on the preparations on the Youth Festival and he in turn appealed to all members to get involved fully in making the event a great success. PP Rtn. Giri Menon made an invitation announcement about his son Annet Keshav’s forthcoming wedding. Birthday felicitations and announcements gave way to an impressive vote of thanks by Secretary-in-charge Sebastian. The celebrities among the guests who who were present at the evening included the entire clan of cricketer S. Sreesanth and actor Mukesh. The formal part of the meeting ended and what followed was a musical treat by a rich orchestra blended with Hindi favourites of our inhouse nightingales Rtne. Nandini and Susy, and a sumptuous dinner spiced up with ‘nadan Kallu’ and ‘Kaada mutta’ snacks.

The 20th weekly meeting of the year was also the 2nd Special Meeting of the year, where Anns and Annets were also invited to a Guest Speaker meeting. The meeting was special, as it had Dr. Jose Chacko Periyapuram as the guest speaker and he was giving a practical demonstration of CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) which was to be seen by our Anns and grown-up Annets, had it to be of any use in real life.

Meeting started at 8:30 pm and the President invited Inner Wheel Club of Cochin President Padmaja Menon, who had come in as a guest, to share the dais. The week’s Rotary Information talk was delivered by Rtn. Dr. Sunil Mathai, and he stressed upon the importance of families’ role in Rotary, a message that was well received by all.
President Rtn. Madhav Chandran updated on the activities during the past week and informed the members about the confirmation of the beneficiaries’ list of Rain-water harvesting and Sanitation project at Kadamakkudy. He also released the first brochure of the mega event - Youth Festival 2008. He informed the members about the first RYLA to be conducted by the club on 28-30th December at Rajagiri College.

Inner Wheel Club of Cochin President Padmaja spoke about the possibilities of forming an Inner Wheel Club of Downtown and explained the advantages of having such an outfit for our Anns. Her speech was inspirational to the Anns who were present in large numbers at the meeting.
Dr. Jose Chacko Periyapuram in his highly involved and effective presentation explained the various ways of heart and lungs resuscitation. Members and families were so engrossed that a stoic silence prevailed even after the 30 mts. speech by the doc. On behalf of the Club, President thanked Dr. Jose and his Heart Care Foundation for the useful session and promised all possible support to the Foundation.

Jt. Secretary Rtn. Vivek Govind made birthdays and formal announcements of the week before he delivered the vote of thanks. Rtne. Lucy Zachariah who celebrated her birthday the same day was felicitated in the traditional Downtown way by the singing of birthday jingles and Lucy cutting the birthday cake.