METRO CHOWPATI @ ROTARY EXPO A regular feature of District 3131 to promote the activities of Rotary and to give an opportunity to the Clubs in the District to display their service projects to the general public, the Rotary Fest was held at Ganesh Kala Krida from 17 to 20 January this year. Popular film actor Swapnil Joshi inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of District Governor Rtn Dr Shailesh Palekar. Our President Rtn Bhavana who has tremendous confidence in the culinary skills of our ladies in the Club grabbed the offer to put up a food stall at the exhibition. Our Club opted for chat items which was finalised after some initial discussion with some ladies of the Club. Pres. Bhavana had Ann Snehalata in mind to take charge of this activity and her consent and the readiness of other ladies in the Club guaranteed the success of this big event for the Club. A series of meetings were held to put everything on paper first and once this was done, tasks were allotted to all those who were ready to be a part of this Metro Chowpaty. Trials. were taken for the tasting of Paani Puri and the concept of Paani Puri eating competition was also tried out in which Rajendra came out the winner. A large number of us were present to give this final approval of the taste. President Bhavana's house turned into a huge kitchen where the ladies prepared the Paani and the various chutneys. This huge task of preparing nearly 140 litres of this special water was completed effortlessly by these very enthusiastic, energetic and joyful ladies enjoying every moment of this activity. All necessary material purchases were made, the Paani was sent for testing (since this was our very special feature that we were using tested Paani) and we were ready for the exhibition. 17th morning started with hectic activities of shifting all material to the venue, putting up the stall and with our reputation for doing very organized work ,we were ready to serve mouth watering dishes before the inauguration. DG Rtn Dr Shailesh was amongst the first visitors and he tasted the Paani Puri and was full of praise for the taste and the professional manner in which we had put up our stall. Each of the team members was assigned a time and responsibility at the stall, which each one fulfilled with lot of enthusiasm and punctuality. On the 3rd day an offer to supply 150 plates of Upma for the delegates of an award function to be held the next day early morning was accepted by these very enthusiastic ladies. 20th morning started with Purnima Halbe, Arusha, Neha and Vandana arrived at 6:45 AM at Snehalata's house to prepare the Upma.The planning and the execution was so great that the Upma was ready by 8AM and was delivered in a huge container to the venue by 9 AM where Pres Bhavana was waiting with another team to serve the tasty and hot Upma. The delegates were very happy with the taste. The challenge was completed very successfully. Since 20th January was a Sunday people started coming from the morning, but our cash box really started ringing in the evening and the ladies at the serving counters had to really show their skills in catering to such a large crowd. Metro Chowpaty was visited by DG Rtn Dr Shailesh Palekar, PDG Rtn Abhay Gadgil, Club Presidents, District Officers, Rotarians of other clubs , most of our Club members and of course the general visitors to the exhibition. Our stall was perhaps the most visited stall in the exhibition mainly due to the tasty dishes, the organized manner in which our stall was always seen and the enthusiasm of the ladies serving at the counter. Our Club members not only gave business to our stall but were also seen visiting other stalls, tasting their dishes and appreciating their efforts. Many from our club enjoyed various flavours of Paan at Mauli Paan which was located opposite our stall and it was good to see ladies experiment with Fire Paan, Fruit Paan ,Ice cream Paan etc. Many of our Metroparivar also danced at the Zumba sessions held near our stall. The Metro Chowpaty served Kutchi Dabeli, Bhel, Paani Puri and Kokum Sharbat to the visitors who must surely have left with the feeling Dil Abhi भरा नही. Snehalata once entrusted with a responsibility is known to execute with full dedication as could be seen by her presence and the manner in which she motivated her team to not only take part but enjoy every moment of this event. Almost all in the Metroparivar contributed in some manner to this event but the core committee members comprising of Pres Bhavana, Sect Vandana, Snehalata, Purnima Halbe, Arusha, Neha,Mugdha, Anagha Gokhale, Rahul and Nayana, Anagha Ranade, Vaiju Satpute , Mukund ,Milind Chahure, Rajendra, Avinash ensured the success of this event which has strengthened the bond of friendship among-st us all. This was the best PI and Assimilation of our Club. Rtn Mohan Chattre