The team travelled 60 kilometers to Chandra's Garden, the site for today's distribution. This site is owned by an Indian company that produces snack food, and is used by them for special events. This was a beautiful setting, with lovely manicured lawns, well-tended gardens and modern buildings.
The most notable thing was the dramatic contrast between a place like this and the "village" we visited yesterday where bedkit recipients live. In fact, as you travel to and from every distribution site the scene from the van window always seems slightly chaotic, with people, bikes, motorcycles, tuk tuks, wagons, cars and trucks weaving over every inch of road. At the side of the road the prominent color this time of year is grey; the grey of shanties and shacks, buildings and worn advertising signs. Chandra's Garden was quite an oasis in the midst of this.
Surprisingly, the children lining up to have their photos taken did not seem impressed at all. They are much more interested in the bedkit process, the items they will receive and in clowning around with their friends in line. With our normal league of volunteers including some Rotary children, the process was as smooth as ever. Today was our biggest distribution of this trip - 640 bedkits, 640 warm and appreciative smiles.
Tonight we are off to a wedding. One of the Dum Dum Rotarian's daughters is getting married and we have been graciously invited.
Oh dear, what to wear?!
Lynn Benson for Team Kolkata
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