50th session

We were standing poised at the crease, watching the bowler start his run-up, squinting at his grip to make out the swing. The score-board showed 49 and it needed just a little flick with a quick short run to complete the half-century. But did we do that? NO! In true Dhoni style, we lifted the ball over mid-on for a massive six. Our 2nd Debate session was scheduled today. With body mikes.

This was our 50th session, although our celebrations have been reserved for the next session, as people were already saturated with celebrations during the navaratri week. So TM Kumar opened the session in a matter-of-fact note, though with enthusiasm, saving the best for next week's SAA.

President Aji Baskar's story this time was set in our desert lands, with two friends who fought and helped each other and finally learnt that anger should be written on sand and gratitude in stone, for do we not know which is worth preserving? Nice one, Prez.

TMOD Rita had chosen as her theme Ripley's Believe It or Not, something that most of us in our 40's and 50's have grown up with, so it was quite nostalgic. She gave us an insight into Ripley's life and works and also introduced every roleplayer with something unbelievable that happened in his life. Good theme, MTM Rita.

Timekeeper TM Dilip was introduced and he explained the timing rules to us, efficiently but sketchily.

This was follwed by the much-awaited Debate session, moderated by TM Rajat. The topic was "Electric energy should replace fuel energy in transportation". The FOR team was represented by TM Chaitanya, TM Ram and MTM Panna. The AGAINST team was represented by TM Aji, TM Saleem and TM Venkat (substitute player as TM Ananth fell ill). It was quite a fiery session as the subject was semi-technical and full of data. Discussions covered technology, costs, performance, environmental impact and simple practicability. The debators argued and orated and almost shook fists at each other... all in good spirit of course. The audience declared the Against team the winner for the evening and MTM Panna, TM Aji and TM Chaitanya the best speakers.

Wordmaster MTM Shobha introduced the word CONDUCIVE to the group. It was not a very difficult word and the round robin whizzed around successfully.

Jokemaster MTM Kaviya for once turned the tables. All the jokes had men as subjects and were at their expense. A nice reply to the chauvinists who keep flaunting their one-sided jokes, MTM Kaviya.

Table topics were conducted by TM Venkat and in his inimitable style, he produced topics that were more bizzare than the last. Head stuck in a glass bowl, sky turning green, dentures made of chocolate and what not. But we will forever remember MTM Swati's glee in having to speak about chocolates - as long as they are in her mouth, one way or another.

Grammarian TM Nagesh counted a few Ahs, admired a nice turn of phrase and retired. Obviously this role is energy-sapping and it is better to be conservative than liberal in this house. Smart move, TM.

Harkmaster MTM Swati conducted a detailed quiz, including technical bits picked out of the debate, which really made the audience scrape the bottom of the barrel in order to answer. But the RTC audience has plenty of bounce and finally satisfied her queries and changed her question marks to a full stop.

There had been no project speech as the scheduled speaker had shared at the last moment that his P3 speech was not fully ready. He had been told by VP-E to defer his speech. TM Kumar took this opportunity to make the point that (a) people should not give a speech unless they were fully ready and (b) they should, at the same time, try to fulfill their speech commitments and if not possible, inform 2-3 days in advance so that alternate arrangements can be made. Point noted GK.

Generak Evaluator TM Raja strolled through all the role-players, by and large showering praise.

The day's winners were:

• Best Table topic :       TM Nagesh

(photos will be added later - some problem with photo upload)

See you all on 15.10.16.

This will be the half-century celebrations, so definitely do come, and bring friends.