Panchgani Excursion For President Elect
By Framroze Mehta
I recently spent a long weekend in Panchgani with 12 school mates reminiscing our youth and the wonderful and carefree days at St. Mary’s School (ISC). Laughter, jokes, unabated banter and bonhomie, which can only be achieved over nearly 60 years of friendship, made the trip so very worthwhile.
We stayed at Hotel Prospect, a recommended destination to one and all, which is owned by the Javanmardi family. They will feed you till your stomach feels like it’s going to burst; their service is ultra friendly and courteous; the accommodations are spacious, clean and comfortable and their positive attitude of “Yes, of course we can” to everything was most refreshing.
Rtn. Shahram Javanmardi, who runs Hotel Prospect, is the current President of the Rotary Club of Panchgani (Dist. 3132) which was formed on March 28th, 1961. The Club has a membership of 45 and meets every Wednesday evening. Their focus is on multi-diagnostic medical camps and as they head towards their Diamond Jubilee, the Rotary Club of Panchgani, alongwith the Nargis Dutt Foundation and Apollo Hospital, offers medical service opportunities to the community of Panchgani and its neighbouring villages. Visiting paediatrician at ADMC, Talwada, Dr. Bijoy Apte is also a member of RCP.
RCP, with the cooperation of the community, has organised “I Love Panchgani” Festival which has strived to get the entire local community united and entertained since the past four consecutive years. Several Interact and Rotaract Clubs, under RCP, also encourage youngsters to join as partners in service.
Meeting Rotarians during one’s travels is always gratifying and if ever one is in Panchgani on a Wednesday, if only to get away from the office, one must strive to attend a RCP weekly meeting, whilst also enjoying the delightful weather and long scenic walks.