Flashback – The story of how it all began
Vinod Agarwal, Charter President, moved in to Sobha Mayflower in 2007 and subsequently became the President of Sobha Mayflower association. Vinod’s brother Manoj Agarwal, member of Rotary Indira Nagar, recommended launching the club.
Manoj and his team led by GSR Badri Prasad had the first contact meeting at Sobha Mayflower in the first week of December 2008. Only Mayflower residents as prospective members attended the meeting. Later, residents of all Sobha apartments in Bellandur were invited. It evoked mixed response and we had representation from other Sobha complexes for the second meeting that was a breakfast meeting at the Club House of Mayflower held on Dec 19th. Senior members from Rotary Indira Nagar led by their President Prabhakar attended the meeting. The talk on Rotary movement by Indira Nagar members was very inspiring and motivated many participants. Almost 10 to 12 of the participants firmed up their mind to take the idea ahead.
As January to March is the last quarter for schools and business, everyone got busy with their routine and the idea of Rotary was put on the back burner. Later, Rtn. Lalit Sawhney of Indira Nagar who stays in Sobha Jasmine took deep interest in getting all the interested people together. A breakfast meeting was held in April and a core group of 25 members were finalized for the Lakeside Club.
Rtn Prabhakar and GSR Rtn.Badri Prasad convinced DG U B Bhat to ensure getting the charter of new club before 30th June. Thanks to the efforts of DG U B Bhatt, GSR Badri and President Prabhakar; the charter was approved and signed by RIP D K Lee on 11th June 2009, in a record time of 3 days. DG U B Bhat presented the provisional charter on 14th June at Sobha Mayflower Club House in the presence of PDG HKV Reddy and senior members of Indira Nagar club. A new club was born in the Rotary family, which DG U B Bhat predicted would become a ‘Shining Jewel’ in RI District 3190.