The First Edition of PADIKARKAL - Climbing Towards Sigaram. Brought to you by 'SIGARAM' Annual District Rotaract Conference

1. SIGARAM – Expectations, The Lead Up & Much More
It’s that time when the entire Rotaract Community looks forward to the most anticipated event of a
New Year. After 6 months of ‘Celebrating Differences’ like never before, Rotaract clubs in RI district
3230 gears up for the Annual District Conference ‘SIGARAM’
Over the years, the Conference has been one of the flagship events of the district, where many note-
worthy personalities have addressed the Rotaractors. The Conference has also been a perfect platform
for Rotaractors from different clubs, backgrounds and ages to meet and discuss various issues regarding
the Rotaract Movement.
‘SIGARAM’ strives to ‘Reach Within To Embrace Humanity by Celebrating Differences’ which happens
to be the themes of Rotary International District 3230 and Rotaract District 3230. Leading up to
‘SIGARAM’, a lot of exciting events and programs have been planned by the organizers that will focus on
‘Infotainment’ of the best quality.
So as Rotaractors, let us start the countdown and get ready to experience ‘SIGARAM’. A Two day event
which will help you to develop as a Rotaractor, the SIGARAM’ conference will also be an ideal platform
to showcase your talents.
Suggestions for the name of this year’s Conference were opened out to the Rotaractors on Facebook
but it was our DRR Rtr. PP Manikandan and Rtr. Soundarya who came out with the suggestion –
SIGARAM. There could have never been a better choice of name as Sigaram, synonymous with
‘Reaching for Greater Heights’.
For more information on SIGARAM follow the Group – www.facebook.com/groups/sigaram
Registrations for the Conference have opened!

2. District Rotaract Representative Message
Dearest Friends in Rotaract,
I have been observing the Conference team for the past few months and I can proudly say
that they have been working their hearts out to make ‘SIGARAM’ a huge success. The next
few weeks will be very interesting when we inch closer towards the event and I am looking
forward to participation from all the Rotaract clubs. I would also like to highlight the
significance of the ‘Icon Of Rotaract’ award, which is handed to eminent contributors to
Rotaract movement who have given their heart and soul to the moment. I’m glad to announce that the
recipients of this award will be honoured in the issues of PADIKARKAL.
At the beginning of the year, quoting ‘Rome was not built in one day’, I had pointed out that the
responsibility of every Rotaractor is to understand his or her role in working towards the success of this
movement. Today, after 6 months of Rotaraction, we have delivered some great projects both in the District
and Club levels. ‘SIGARAM’ is the next big event organized by the district and I would like to take this
opportunity to wish the Conference Chairman Rtr. David and Conference Secretary Rtr. Prabhoo all the
success.
Yours In Rotaract,
Rtr. PP Manikandan
District Rotaract Representative
R.I. Dist. 3230
Conference Chairman's Message
Warm Rotaract Greetings to you!!
Giving out a message as chairman of "SIGARAM" Annual District Conference is a
huge privilege and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Conference
team. I hope to justify the faith bestowed upon me by the District and I dream of a
delivering a conference that will be treasured in everyone's memory for years to come. I
urge all the Rotaractors to support "SIGARAM" and what it stands for, spreading the
message among the members of your club.
I also sincerely hope that these six issues of PADIKARKAL will help you in understanding the importance and
magnitude of the Annual District Rotaract Conference
Best Regards,
Rtr. PP Dayid Raynell
Conference Chairman,
"SIGARAM" Annual District Conference

3. District Rotaract Secretary Message
Ever since the event was announced and the committee was chosen, the "SIGARAM" Annual
District Conference has been one of the most awaited events in the district. I personally look
forward to this year’s Conference as it promises so much in terms of the events planned and the
sheer level of confidence the organizers have in each other.
I also look forward to the editions of PADIKARAL that will follow this edition. I’d like to take this
opportunity to congratulate the editorial board for delivering this excellent newsletter on time.
Wishing You all a wonderful Rotaract Year
Best Wishes,
Rtr. PP Sasi Kumar R.
District Rotaract Secretary
Conference Secretary’s Message
It has been a great journey so far as the Secretary of the "SIGARAM" Annual District Conference.
A great deal of work has gone into the success of delivering this newsletter- PADIKARKAL, in its
first edition. I would like to thank the Editorial Board who worked tirelessly in bringing out this
edition.
Hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter and getting firsthand experience of this year’s
Conference ‘SIGARAM’. I look forward to your participation in making this event a grand success.
Yours in Rotaract,
Rtr. Prabhoo N.M.
Conference Secretary,
‘SIGARAM’ Annual District Conference
Editorial Board Chairman’s Message
I consider this as a huge honor, being the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the
conference ‘SIGARAM’ in only my second year of being a part of the Rotaract movement.
I thank all the heads of SIGARAM who have instilled faith in me.
This special edition newsletter will be a lead up to main magazine to be published during
SIGARAM. PADIKARKAL here stands for climbing towards our ‘SIGARAM’ and in these
issues we will be taking you on a journey through the past Conference and the
achievements of distinguished Rotaractors and Rotarians
This inaugral edition of PADIKARKAL would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the entire
team from the editorial board. Rtr. Vipin and Rtr. Melvin deserve special mention for their contributions
towards this edition.
Rtr. Neelesh V.B.
Chairman – Editorial Board
‘SIGARAM’ Annual District Conference

4. Recognition Of Recipients – ICON Of Rotaract Award
The ICON Of Rotaract Award is a prestigious award given to very popular and prolific contributors who
continue to support the Rotaract movement, encouraging the youngsters and taking the movement forward. As
mentioned earlier in these editions of PADIKARKAL we will take you on flash back mode to the first recipient of
this award – Rtn. PP Seshadri Subramanian, fondly called ‘Chechu’ among the Rotaractors.
With a diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Rtn Seshadri underwent tool and die making and design training. He
later went on to study at Idaho State University for a year under the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial
Scholarship. He now has a work experience of 43 years. He also considers his major achievement in life to have
participated/conducted 300+ RYLA’s.
He was the President of Rotary Club of Ambattur during the Centenary Rotary Year 2004-05. He continued to
be an active Rotarian for 18 years and now he leaves no stone unturned in helping his club whenever they need
his service. His hobbies include collecting stamps and coins and he also finds a place at the Limca book of
records for his prestigious stamp collection.
We decided to interview him and share his messages with all of you as part of this special edition.
You continue remaining very active in Rotaract. What do you expect from this year’s conference –
What attracts you again and again to the ‘SIGARAM’?
movement, Sir?
Chechu: I hope this year there is more focus on spreading
Chechu: The main motive of the Rotaract the information on Rotaractor, on what it takes to be a
movement is to develop an individual. Today I Rotaractor and the good feeling that comes with it. I wish
am in this position and am able to address all of the entire team all the success in carrying out this event.
you only because of my experience during my
years at Rotaract. Where do you see the Rotaract Movement at RI
Dist.3230 in the future?
What does being ‘ICON of Rotaract’ mean to
you? Chechu: It is currently at its peak. I wish it keeps moving
forward. Never come down
Chechu: Film stars dream about the Oscar,
sports persons dream about the Khel Ratna. For Do you have a message for the Rotaractors you’d like to
people like me, the ICON of Rotaract is a huge share?
dream, a dream I will cherish forever. It gives me
Chechu: Be a Rotaractor for the rest of your life.
that feeling of being a role model to a lot of the
youngsters.