Rotary News - September16

Vol.67, Issue 3

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Kutch Colours

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September 2016

Contents 38 Facelift for Jaipur schools RC Jaipur Midtown is on a drive to make government schools as classy as private schools.

12 When Kutch threw up a hero Meet the man who, through his hard work, dedication and skilful liaison with the Gujarat Government, helped Rotary make a deep impact after the 2001 Kutch quake.

40 Southern Comfort From the sprawling green of Centennial Olympic Park to the fabled tree-lined stretch of Peachtree Street, Atlanta is as grand as Gone with the Wind.

46 The Raj and its Civil Servants A glimpse into what once was truly India’s steel frame, warts and all.

52 Soda, chilly powder and

a buoyant equity market A simple formula that explains why the stock market is booming when the real economy is not growing so much.

60 The cells that save lives

20 A million dollar dinner The Black Tie Dinner at Delhi honoured the new AKS members of D 3011 and 3012.

Two doctors in Chennai are waging a battle to grow a public cord blood bank to the level it can effectively save more and mitigate the trauma of blood cancer, thalassaemia and other patients.

68 Say ‘No’ to drugs District 3230’s endeavour to sensitise youngsters about drug addiction and its hazards.

54 Where crafts weave magic Discover the magic weaves of Kutch and how they transform a desert into a riot of colours.

28

Two new records & a model tribal village

District 3262 has created two new records in TRF collection and its DG Narayan Nayak becoming the first AKS member from East India.

On the cover: Anjuben and her husband Mayabhai, the skilled artisans of Kutch. Picture by Rasheeda Bhagat

LETTERS

Raja of Rotary

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he interview of Raja Saboo and Usha is a treat for our hearts and souls. His contributions to Rotary have no match. Both of them have followed the golden principles of service; serving with humility, serving lovingly, serving silently, serving unconditionally and making Service a way of life.

There is a magnetic effect in his personality. The speech of Ushaji at the International Assembly 2015 created a magical impact on the audience. His medical missions have helped thousands to get relief from their ailments. RI Presidents come and go but Raja still enjoys enviable love and respect.

Kuldip Dhir IPDG – D 3070

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he article The Raja of Rotary makes wonderful read.

Congratulations. Sad to read, Rotarians are not subscribing to Rotary News. The governors of those Districts from where the subscribers are missing should make greater effort to ensure that all Rotarians subscribe to a Rotary magazine.

SL Chitale RC Madras – D 3230

Missionaries at Rotary News! s I go through July 2016 issue, my view gets reinforced that the Editor and her team are missionaries.

They appear to be up and around, identifying topics and contributors, collecting pictures, and packing all that into an excellent highly readable monthly magazine. The article Cheering Single Mothers is very topical, what with the fast increasing number of divorces and large number of single mothers. For the mass media this is

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4 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

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he Raja of Rotary is an incredible article about a man and a woman whom we respect and love.

They are truly towering in the firmament of Rotary. All others appear pygmies. The high ethics they have followed and the new horizons they have opened up are beyond imagination. I salute both Usha ji and Raja bhaisahab. I thank Rasheeda for making them open up!

Ashok Kumar Agarwal RC Tagore Land – D 3240

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t is great to know more about The Raja of Rotary and Ushaji.

I strongly agree with Ushaji on

not a subject which will enhance their TRP. Very rarely have I come across articles that encourage single mothers. Team Rotary News has done well.

The article starts ‘All single mothers are essentially courageous and resilient.’ Very true. Their experiences add credibility to the points made out in the article.

In the last 2-3 years there has been marked improvement in the content and its presentation in Rotary News.

The magazine tells what we’d like to

keeping Rotary simple. We do spend lot of time and money on unnecessary things which are not beneficial for Rotary or the community. Lovely article.

Parvesh Sablok RC Paonta Sahib – D 3080

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ongratulations to Rasheeda for the inspiring and captivating article on PRIP Raja Saboo. The article is written so well, very lucid, excellent content, and so inspiring. My deep appreciation.

Dr J Balavenkat District GSE Chair, D – 3201

know not just about Rotary but also the outside world.

Prof C K Sardana RC Bhopal Midtown – D 3040 Mistakes in Rotary Samachar ’m afraid I have to criticise one aspect of Rotary Samachar — the Hindi translation and spelling mistakes. The articles seem a bland translation from English. Above all the spelling mistakes make me feel as if I don’t reside in India. Hope

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LETTERS you’ll take note. Please contact me for any support.

Navendu Dwivedi RC Kota – D 3052 Dwarika’s he article Preserving Nepal’s Heritage by the Editor was like a whiff of fresh air. The write up was engrossing, steeped in simple but wonder awakening content, and the awesome photographs brought more richness to the article. An eye opener to those of us who fail to value antiques and give them away naming them old fashioned and worn out. More such articles will make Rotary News interesting to all, Rotarians or otherwise.

Sujata Srinivasan RC Cuddalore Central – D 2981

Seoul convention insight into each Governor and his talent. Cheering Single Mothers carries a strong message for our present generation to change our thinking process.

Your language is simple but convincing, appeals to readers and motivates Rotarians. I’m convinced that Rotary News is better than other Rotary regional magazines.

Om Prakash Sahgal RC Bombay Midcity – D 3141

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eing a teacher, joy of giving education to children means a lot to me. I could feel the transformation in me by reading the editorial The gift of Education.

G Karthikeyan RC Mannargudi – D 2981 Gift of Education y compliments to Rasheeda for drafting an interesting Editorial on The gift of Education, citing the example of an Odisha village. RILM aims to achieve total literacy and quality education in India. PRIP Raja Saboo installed me as President of RC Roopnagar in 1988. There is no match for Usha Sabooji for her down-to-earth humility and simplicity. We seldom find noble souls like Saif Qureishi; I love his views and belief that “If you are blessed with wealth, you should give.”

Rtn. Raj Kumar Kapoor RC Roopnagar – D 3080

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ou have rightly emphasised the importance of providing education to each and every child in

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n the July issue, An incredible Convention is well written and provides readers who could not participate an eye-witness account of the convention. The presence of Mr Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, added to the charm; RI President K R Ravindran’s address was motivating. Meet your Governors is very interesting, gives

the country. The day is not far away when we will see a totally literate India.

Through our RC Akola we are vigorously working on this and are giving the gift of education to the children from slums, low income groups and rural areas. Rotary’s efforts in this direction are improving the standard of education and creating interest in continuing education. Within a short span of a few years we will see young intelligent minds taking the country into a developed zone.

Radheshyam Modi RC Akola – D 3030 Rotary News gets better! t is heartening to note the improvement in the content and presentation in Rotary News. Earlier we went through the magazine as a duty but now we do so with pleasure and look forward to the next issue. Most of the articles are

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our editorial Fun time at Seoul, based on real experience, your description of the opening session, logistics and management of the Convention brings it alive. Your description of Seoul is picturesque.

Arun Kumar Dash RC Baripada – D 3262

embedded in Rotary philosophy and the reporting is lucid. The articles Quite a Bagful, This!, Literacy focus and Water ATMS in Slums are excellent in content and presentation. Our club has adopted Maswan Ashram Shala School in Thane, Maharashtra, spending so far about Rs 2.5 crore on construction and infrastructure. This year we have decided to adopt few more villages around the same tribal area to improve the quality of water, build toilet blocks and start vocational courses to focus on health and self-reliance.

Bidyut Sen RC Bombay Airport – D 3141

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arwaris mean business — A Rotarian Marwari is always an asset to the Rotary club – trust me.

Rakesh Bhatia RC Belur – D 3291

We welcome your feedback. Write to the Editor: rotarynews@rosaonline.org; rushbhagat@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 5

Governors Council RI Dist 2981

DG

A Mani

RI Dist 2982

DG

T Shanmugasundaram

RI Dist 3000

DG

M Muruganandam

RI Dist 3011

DG

Dr N Subramanian

RI Dist 3012

DG

Sharat Jain

RI Dist 3020

DG

Dr S V S Rao

RI Dist 3030

DG

Mahesh H Mokalkar

RI Dist 3040

DG

Darshan Singh Gandhi

RI Dist 3051

DG

Dinesh Kumar V Thacker

RI Dist 3052

DG

Ramesh Choudhary

RI Dist 3053

DG

Bhupendra Jain

RI Dist 3060

DG

Hitesh Manharlal Jariwala

RI Dist 3070

DG

Dr Sarbjeet Singh

RI Dist 3080

DG

Raman Aneja

RI Dist 3090

DG

Sanjay Gupta

RI Dist 3110

DG

Dr Ravi Mehra

RI Dist 3120

DG

Dr Pramod Kumar

RI Dist 3131

DG

Prashant Deshmukh

RI Dist 3132

DG

Pramod Shashikant Parikh

RI Dist 3141

DG

Gopal Rai Mandhania

RI Dist 3142

DG

Dr Chandrashekhar Kolvekar

RI Dist 3150

DG

Ratna Prabhakar Anne

RI Dist 3160

DG

Sreerama Murthy

RI Dist 3170

DG

Dr Vinaykumar Pai Raikar

RI Dist 3181

DG

Dr R S Nagarjuna

RI Dist 3182

DG

Devarunda Subbegowda Ravi

RI Dist 3190

DG

H R Ananth

RI Dist 3201

DG

Dr Prakash Chandran Arackal

RI Dist 3202

DG

Dr Jayaprakash P Upadhya

RI Dist 3211

DG

Dr John Daniel

RI Dist 3212

DG

Dr K Vijayakumar

RI Dist 3230

DG

Natrajan Nagoji

RI Dist 3240

DG

Dr Rintu Guha Niyogi

RI Dist 3250

DG

Dr R Bharat

RI Dist 3261

DG

Deepak Mehta

RI Dist 3262

DG

Narayan Nayak

RI Dist 3291

DG

Shyamashree Sen

Board of Permanent Trustees & Executive Committee PRIP PRIP PRID PRID PRID PRID PRID PRID PRID RID RIDE

Rajendra K Saboo Kalyan Banerjee Sudarshan Agarwal Panduranga Setty Sushil Gupta Ashok Mahajan Yash Pal Das Shekhar Mehta P T Prabhakhar Dr Manoj D Desai C Basker

RI Dist 3080 RI Dist 3060 RI Dist 3011 RI Dist 3190 RI Dist 3011 RI Dist 3140 RI Dist 3080 RI Dist 3291 RI Dist 3230 RI Dist 3060 RI Dist 3000

Executive Committee Members (2016–17)

DG M Muruganandam

RI Dist 3000

Chair - Governors Council

DG Shyamashree Sen

RI Dist 3291

Secretary - Governors Council

DG Sarbjeet Singh

RI Dist 3070

Secretary - Executive Committee

DG Natrajan Nagoji

RI Dist 3230

Treasurer - Executive Committee

DG Gopal Rai Mandhania

RI Dist 3141

Member - Advisory Committee

ROTARY NEWS ROTARY SAMACHAR Editor Rasheeda Bhagat Senior Assistant Editor Jaishree Padmanabhan Send all correspondence and subscriptions to ROTARY NEWS TRUST 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, 34 Marshalls Road Egmore, Chennai 600 008, India.

Phone : 044 42145666 e-mail : rotarynews@rosaonline.org Website : www.rotarynewsonline.org

From th e E d i t or ’s Desk

Girl Power at Rio

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t was exhilarating to note the spontaneous manner in which the entire country went gaga over the performance of two of its “daughters” at the Rio Olympics. Pusarla V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik have saved India from the disgrace of getting zilch medals at the Games. When Sindhu bagged a Silver in Women’s Badminton and Sakshi a bronze in Women’s Wrestling, Indians across the board celebrated woman power at Rio, particularly in the backdrop of an atrocious tweet by a writer: “Goal of Team India at the Olympics. Rio jao. Selfies Lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity.”

Immediately after the tweet thousands of Indians had reacted angrily and unanimously, saying that in a country like India, which encourages, and can find money, for no other sport except cricket, for our sportspersons to even qualify for the Olympics was a tremendous achievement. We’ve all known for long years that whether it is Olympics or other international and national sports events, while the sports officials travel in comfort, get great accommodation and food, the sportspersons have to rough it out.

Champions don’t emerge from nowhere; they have to be identified at a young age, nurtured, encouraged, cajoled, trained relentlessly, disciplined (Sindhu’s mobile was taken away by her coach Gopinath for three months) and supported by the government. If Abhinav Bhindra could get a gold at the last Olympics in an expensive sport such as air rifle shooting, it was because he was rich enough to pursue and train for it. Unfortunately, this time he missed a bronze by a whisker.

Among the first to express outrage at the derisive tweet was my sister-in-law, a national champion in the 1970s in long jump in the junior category. She’d also participate in hurdles and other track events, and would travel all over India for various State and national meets. For the athletes it was travel in Third Class compartments, often unreserved, stay in dirty, cramped quarters, inadequate food, etc, while the officials travelled First Class, stayed in good hotels and were pampered.

Returning to girl power at Rio, apart from Sindhu and Sakshi, gymnast Deepa Karmakar, from tiny Tripura, almost made it to a bronze, getting the fourth place; Lalita Babar made it to the finals of the Women’s 3000 metres steeplechase, and Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna made it to the Tennis Mixed doubles quarterfinals.

While it is great to watch India celebrating Sakshi and Sindhu’s Olympian glory, I could not help wondering whether this feat by two Indian women would make any difference to our shrinking gender ratio because India kills tens of thousands of girl babies in the womb every year. A study done by the University of Toronto a decade ago in 1.1 million households across India on the selective aborting of female foetuses found that far fewer girls were born to couples if their preceding child/children were female. When the firstborn child was a daughter, the sex ratio for the second child fell steeply, compared to the first born being a male child.

Indian Rotarians are acutely aware of this; the Jaipur Institute put the spotlight on this shame of India, which is a big problem in Rajasthan, as several other States. When my colleague Jaishree interviewed AKS member Suresh Poddar, also from Jaipur, he expressed great concern about female foeticide rampant in the region and said he likes to focus on the girl child.

Will an Olympics medal, or two, by India’s daughters change all this? Doubtful. Until the time Indian women, across the board, are educated and economically empowered to take control of both their lives… and wombs. Did you watch Sakshi’s mother’s reaction as her daughter was declared a winner?

Such a beautiful testimony of the priceless motherdaughter bond!

Rasheeda Bhagat

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 7

President Speaks

An unbeatable combination Dear Fellow Rotarians,

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n the summer of 1917, only a few months after the United States entered the first world war, Rotary held its eighth annual convention in Atlanta. Although many Rotarians at the time thought the convention should be cancelled, the Board of Directors ultimately agreed with Paul Harris that it should continue as planned. In the midst of such uncertainty and fear, Harris penned, as part of his convention greeting, some of the most-quoted words in Rotary: Individual effort when well directed can accomplish much, but the greatest good must necessarily come from the combined efforts of many men. Individual effort may be turned to individual needs but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.

Fittingly, it was at this convention that then-President Arch C. Klumph proposed a Rotary endowment fund “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” The power of combined effort was joined by a new power: that of combined resources. It was a combination that has proved unstoppable and has been behind so much of Rotary’s work for the last 100 years. Today, it is difficult to imagine Rotary without its Foundation. It was the Foundation that turned Rotary from an organisation of local clubs into an international force for good with the power to change the world.

In this Rotary year, we are marking the centennial of our Rotary Foundation in the city where it all began: Atlanta. Our 108th Rotary International Convention promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with inspiring speakers, great entertainment, and a wide array of breakout sessions to help you move your Rotary service forward. And of course, we’ll be celebrating the Foundation’s centennial in style.

Whether you’re a regular convention goer, haven’t been to one in a few years, or haven’t yet attended your first, the 2017 convention will be the one you won’t want to miss. Atlanta is a great destination in its own right, with great food, friendly people, and many local attractions to enjoy. But the real reason to come to the convention is always the convention itself, and the people, ideas, inspiration, and friendship you’ll find there. To learn more, and save money on registration, visit www.riconvention.org. See you in Atlanta!

John F Germ President, Rotary International 8 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Message from the RI

Director

Art of Balancing Is it not true that we are in a world that seems to prefer argument over dialogue (Vi-vaad over Sam-vaad)? We are increasingly addicted to the Self — self improvement, self realisation — even selfies! This is taking us away from the Art Of Balancing in Life.

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony,” said Saint Thomas Merton.

Friends, Rotarians want to make the world happy. How can it be done without they themselves being happy? They do enjoy good quality of life. They have mastered the art of balancing between family, business and friends — precisely in that order. Those who are not in sync suffer.

Do you all know the meaning of ‘full time Rotarian’? As Director, I am continuously balancing between profession, family and Rotary.

Let me give you one example — we as human beings are out of balance, out of sync with the Earth. As a result, we are facing several problems.

Now we are trying hard to restore the balance; but is it not too late? Well, it is better late than never. We have seen Rotarians recharging bore wells, creating thousands of check dams, planting and nurturing thousands of trees, adopting villages and implementing newer ways to get three crops. Even tribals in Dang have started growing strawberries — thanks to Rotary who reached out and changed their lives. This balances our ecosystem where we can nourish each other with food, love and add meaning to each other's lives.

Friends, the journey for humanity is not a cakewalk. I quote shayar Nida Fazli, whose words were beautifully recited by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: Safar mein dhoop to hogi, jo chal sako to chalo; Sabhi hain bheed mein, tum bhi nikal sako to chalo.

Kissi ke waaste raahein kahan badalti hain; Tum apne aap ko khud hi badal sako to chalo Yahi hai zindagi, kuchh khwab-chand ummidein Inhin khilono se tum bhi bahal sako to chalo.

I salute your commitment to humanity. Year after year, leaders come and give their best. Polio eradication, Literacy and WinS are truly admirable flagship projects, which have given Rotary its true identity as 'Preferred Partners' for the Government and corporates.

Just remember the word — BALANCE. I urge you to maintain a balance between Membership, Projects through TRF and Public Image. Of course, all these, only after you have taken care of your family and business.

Manoj Desai Director, Rotary International

Message from the Foundation Chair

Literacy: key to a better future

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few months ago, I read a story in this magazine (The Rotarian) about a man named Carl Sanders, a member of the Rotary Club of Kenosha, Wisconsin Sanders had developed a successful painting business despite the fact that he could not read — a shameful secret that he struggled to keep to himself.

This story surprised me a little. I tend to think of illiteracy as a problem that mainly afflicts people in poor countries, not U S Rotarians. But Sanders’ situation is not so uncommon. Even in a wealthy country like the United States, millions of people lack basic reading skills.

Sanders’ story had a happy ending. He shared his secret with a fellow Rotarian, who steered him to a local literacy programme and encouraged him as he tackled his reading lessons.

Our Rotary Foundation wants to create more such happy endings, and there is no shortage of people who need them. Today, more than 750 million adults are functionally illiterate globally.

In 2015-16, our Foundation awarded 146 global grants totaling $8.3 million to support basic education and literacy projects worldwide. These projects vary considerably — from providing computers and school supplies in Ghana to sponsoring an afterschool homework programme in the U S to developing a literacy and mentoring programme for Roma girls in Bosnia, a project that addresses the gender imbalance that exists in many parts of the world.

In my country, Rotary has been on a literacy mission for the past few years. India has a population of 1.2 billion and is about 75 percent literate. Illiteracy occurs mainly in rural India, where most people live. So Rotary in India joined hands with the government to eliminate illiteracy, especially among women, because literate women raise literate families, ensuring a better future for all. Indeed, the numbers are staggering, and when it is done, the impact could be incredible.

As we observe Basic Education and Literacy Month in September, let’s think about the millions of people whose chances for success remain blocked by illiteracy. Our Foundation is helping many of them, but with Rotarian support and involvement, we can do so much more.

Kalyan Banerjee Foundation Trustee Chair 100 ROTARY ROT OTA TARY ARY NE NEWS W SEPTEMBER SSEEPTEM TEMBER BER R 2016 2016

With Indira Gandhi at the silver jubilee of the Tarun Mitra Mandal in Bhuj.

12 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

When Kutch threw up a hero Rasheeda Bhagat Meet the man who, through his hard work, dedication and skilful liaison with the Gujarat Government, helped Rotary make a deep impact after the 2001 Kutch quake.

W

e would stack about 20 bodies, one on top of another, get the relatives out of sight and pour petrol on the heap of bodies and set it on fire. There wasn’t enough wood for a decent cremation… our hearts had turned into stone. I worked continuously, day and night, like a man possessed,” recalls Mohan Shah, PDG of District 3050.

I am in Bhuj, to get a look, feel and taste of the 709 primary schools in 181 villages and over 1,000 houses that Rotary built in Kutch after the devastating 2001 earthquake. Describing the horror, anguish and suffering of the people, Shah recalls that doctors treating the wounded said they had no medicines. “So I said, break open the pharmacy shops, make a note of what you take, we’ll pay them later. During such crises, the courage somehow comes to do the right thing.”

Earthquakes, floods, famine and a typhoon… he has seen them all. “In fact I was born in 1940 in Balle village, the last village on the Indo-Pak border, bang in the midst of a horrific famine.”

This led his parents to shift to Bhuj.

When the earthquake struck Bhuj on January 26, 2001, the District 3050 conference was on in Mount Abu; he could not attend because his son Jay

Shah, also a Rotarian from the same club — RC Bhuj —, was to be married on January 30. “So many Rotarians, including the DGE Bharat Dholakia, were at Abu, having left their families behind. The first thing I did was to check the homes of all the Rotarians from Bhuj who had gone to the conference. Next I went to the Collector’s office. The Chief Minister was also there as he had come to hoist the flag.”

Bhuj being a border town, and having a strong Indian army and BSF presence, they immediately contacted the armed forces, “but they said we are also heavily affected and can’t help,” recalls Shah.

With both telephone and electrical lines out, he suddenly remembered an earlier Rotary camp on ham radio, and located two ham radio experts. This proved to be the only mode of communication; a message was sent through ham to Delhi and help came soon after that. “Within days the senior leadership, led by PRIP Kalyan Banerjee, was in Bhuj and we started working in partnership with the government for rebuilding and rehabilitation of the worst affected people.’’ Around 168 NGOs worked for the reconstruction of Kutch, and the highest administrative cost by one NGO was 32 per cent,

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 13

whereas Rotary’s administration cost was one percent.

When I exclaim how 32 per cent can be administrative cost in rehabilitation work, he says wryly: “Several NGOs operated from Ahmedabad, would commute in air conditioned cars, stay in Star hotels. But here, the office was mine; computers, telephones electricity, men and car were mine. And those who visited stayed in my house. We were clear — if you want to stay in a hotel, pay the bill.

After all why do people give money?”

Shah adds that Rotary was the rare NGO to claim and get back from the Government excise duty that had been waived on use of building material; all of Rs 75 lakh. “There was an audit query and I said if you want, we can return it! And then, with that money we made another school!”

Useful experience But then Shah has had experience in dealing with natural disasters, and has learnt to keep his head and think quickly on his feet when a natural disaster strikes. In 1998, he recalls, when the typhoon hit Kandla, “Rotary reached there in two hours. It was a terrible sight; children were hanging from electrical wires, telephones lines were washed away. We asked the administration for two new lines and they asked who will pay and I said Rotary will pay for it. Similarly machines were installed at Rotary’s cost to ensure drinking water for the people. Whenever public service is required, Rotary is there to help, our way of working is totally different, and for us in Kutch, money has never been a problem.”

So when the beautiful green Hill Garden in Bhuj was built over 22 acres, Rotary partnered with the Gujarat Government; we gave half — Rs 70 lakh —, “it was inaugurated

by Saheb (Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he was Gujarat CM) and Rotary is maintaining it for the last 12

14 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

years.” Shah has a good rapport with Modi, and when the latter wondered why Rotary had put Rs 70 lakh into the garden, “I joked with him that we are going to build Rotarians’ bungalows here,” he chuckles.

I didn’t contest another election because I felt instead of riding a black elephant it is better to ride a white

Political connections Shah, a one-time Congress MLA from Bhuj (1980-85) has excellent political connections cutting across political parties, as well as personal friendship with many bureaucrats and a deep understanding of how the Government machinery works, and was roped in by senior leadership into the tremendous rehabilitation and reconstruction work that Rotary did in Kutch, forming the Rotary Gujarat Earthquake Rebuild Trust with PRIP Rajendra K Saboo as chairman, TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee as Managing Trustee, the then DG of 3050 Bharat Dholakia and Shah as Trustees, along with past RI Directors Sudarshan Agarwal, O P Vaish, P C Thomas and TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta and PDGs Shashank Rathod and Prafull Bhatt.

But Shah did much more than liaise between Rotary and the Government. His previous experience in natural disasters helped. Recalling the horrific earthquake in Anjar in 1956 he says, “I was only 16, but we reached the town within two hours. There was pitch darkness, it was raining, which made things worse. We had to pull out people from the rubble. There was no food, so we took stuff from shops with snacks and savouries, saying we’ll pay you later. I had this kind of courage from a young age, that when there is a crisis, don’t worry about the consequences or who is before you. Act rapidly.” Later he attended the marriage of one person he had saved in Anjar!

Political career During his political career he has been the president of the slum dwellers, and

horse! At least in Rotary you can speak the truth.

With PRIP Kalyan Banerjee.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 15

auto rickshaw drivers association.

“Once a Collector had ordered the demolition of a slum; I reached there immediately and was told that a pregnant woman’s hut had been brought down. I gave the Collector an ultimatum: ‘I want that hut restored and covered with tarpaulin in two hours.”

So did he do it? “Of course,” he chuckles, “the man had to live in Bhuj.”

But, he adds he has done nothing for the slum dwellers compared to his late wife Jyoti, “who they called Amma. Even if a few drops of rain fell, she would collect clothes, bartan full of food from the Swaminarayan temple here and reach the slums to distribute both food and clothes.” She was so popular that for his election to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from Bhuj in 1980, “I did not have to go to a single hut; they all knew my wife and said why have you come. From 3 am they had queued up to vote for me.”

He did not contest another election “because I felt instead of riding a black elephant it is better to ride a white horse… here Rotary being the white horse! At least in Rotary you can speak the truth. I found Rotary work more satisfying.”

Another reason was that his political guru had a rift with Indira

I insisted on Rotary clubs having their own meeting place, saying our religion is humanity and we need to build our own temple to place our bhagwan of humanity. In other temples they put the tilak, here we put pins.

16 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

With Narendra Modi, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Gandhi, who he knew personally.

“She had come to Bhuj in 1981 to inaugurate the silver jubilee of the Tarun Mitra Mandal which I had established.”

But his liaison and good relations with politicians continues. You name a Prime Minister of India, and he has known or met them all… beginning from Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira, Charan Singh. “As for Vajpayee, along with leaders such as L K Advani, George Fernandes, Madhu Limaye, he has had lunch in my house for a month when the agitation against the Kutch Tribunal awarding some land to Pakistan was going on.”

Rotary journey Shah’s Rotary journey is very interesting. Though hailing from a lower middle class family, he had friends from rich and influential families — “sons of a minister, a Diwan, a Customs inspector and a barrister. The barrister was a Rotarian and in 1954, he himself would deliver Rotary meet circular to the Rotarians. So I took on that responsibility because at that time the richest and most prominent people in Bhuj were Rotarians. So I felt I should also join Rotary.” He was particularly besotted with Rotarians because “even though I was only a youngster, even to receive the circular,

As an LIC development R൶FHU , ZRXOG VFRXW WKH villages for insurance and 10 days of the month I would have to go 40 to 50 km on camel back.

their own premises and, they managed to get land from Madhavrao Scindia and now they meet there. In Bhuj we have our own place where all the five clubs meet.”

Deep knowledge of Bhuj

the Rotarians would get dressed properly… wearing a full coat, pagdi, etc, to come out and receive it… that is Rotary culture!”

Till 1961 he did a lot of work for Rotary, also bringing out club bulletins and running a night school. “The Rotarians needed a good worker like me and I joined the Rotary Club of Bhuj in 1962, when I was just 22.”

Ask him what Rotary has given him and Shah says — as simply as sincerely — “Rotary has given me my whole life; it has changed me totally as a person, and developed leadership qualities in me.” Above all, he says, as a Rotarian he has been able to help

so many people. He became District Governor in 1994-95, and a highlight of his year as DG was “telling all Rotary clubs that you must get your own building to meet. Your club’s meeting place is manavta nu mandir (a temple of humanity), our religion is that of humanity and we need to build our own temple to seat our bhagwan of humanity. In other temples they put the tilak, here we put pins.”

The result of his persuasive talk was that out of 68 clubs in D 3050, about 30 made their own premises on land which was either bought or got from the Government. “In Gwalior, 5 to 7 clubs were struggling to find

His service mindedness (he is Vice President of the Vishwa Gujarat Samaj), knowing the entire Bhuj district like the back of his hand, prior experience in dealing with natural disasters and a way with politicians and bureaucrats that is collaborative in nature, along with his continuing contact with Congress workers… all this jelled beautifully in helping RGERT do reconstruction work on a war footing in Kutch, that left a permanent impact and sent Rotary’s public image soaring.

For instance, points out Shah, as he accompanies me to the homes Rotary built in Padhar, about 45 km from Bhuj, or the school it built in Nirona, “We reached areas no other NGO was willing to go, and often for good reason. Because, if you want to build a couple of schools or some houses in a remote village, no contractor will come. It will not be feasible for him.”

There was also the problem of storing building material; “I made effective use of Congress workers in the villages where we built homes and schools, to guard the material — steel, cement, sand and bricks.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 17

Rasheeda Bhagat

At a house built by Rotary in Padhar Village, about 45 km from Bhuj.

First LIC crorepati officer If Shah is extremely proud of his Rotary journey, it is with similar pride that he recounts the story of how he became LIC’s first crorepati development officer. Just before writing his BA final examination, in 1960, he got a job “in LIC as a development officer at a salary of Rs 100. And a couple of days later I got admission in a journalism college in Nagpur, sponsored by a media house.

But my mother said you already have a job, why go for a course.” So the dye was cast.

As a development officer he would scout the villages for insurance; “10 days of the month I would have to go 40 to 50 km on camel back.” But he soon realised that small policies and

18 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

making agents wouldn’t take him too far. “I required a push, so one day I went to the house of the chartered accountant of His Highness of Kutch Maharao Madan Singh. He said get me a scheme that will save his tax, which was then 98 per cent income tax and 8 per cent wealth tax. Which meant that for an income of Rs 100 he was paying a tax of Rs 106!”

The year was 1963-64, and Shah started working earnestly to find such a scheme, even though “I thought he said so only to get rid of me; after all he was the taxation advisor to the Maharao!” As providence would have it, he forgot his pen in the CA’s house, went back for it and met his wife, who turned out to be Shah’s classmate. “So I promptly made her an agent, thinking

he’d take me seriously if I worked out something.”

He finally dug out an insurance policy, a 20-year money-back policy where the Maharao could save huge money, getting it back every five years. But the seniors in LIC shot it down saying such relief was not possible. The crestfallen Shah, and the CA, who had gone to the LIC office in Bombay, said anyway they would consult eminent jurist Nani Palkivala, who was the Maharao’s tax adviser.

Palkivala sought a day’s time to go through the scheme, and “next day when he met us asked who had made that plan. I had to of course say it was the CA’s idea, and he said this is absolutely tax-free!”

The elated duo returned to Bhuj and then went to the LIC office and gave “a cheque for a premium of Rs 94,82,608. The amount was so big that the GM insisted on signing the receipt! That was the first time that an LIC development officer had done Rs 1 crore business. And the CA’s wife — Bhuvaneshwari Anjaria became a crorepati agent!” He broke his own record in 1967 with a policy of Rs 2.22 crore, once again from the Maharao, “who was so impressed that from then onwards he did not take any major financial decisions without consulting me.”

It was his good knowledge of insurance that helped the people of Bhuj claim insurance after the earthquake, where he gave two of the offices on the ground floor of his house in Bhuj to two insurance companies, who promptly rejected insurance claims for the damaged/destroyed houses saying that the earthquake was not covered! “But I knew that in Bhuj we pay extra premium for earthquake, so I told them you fill the forms and send to your head office. Next day they shut shop and left!”

Designed by N Krishnamurthy

WinS Vice Chair and PRID P T Prabhakar and RIDE C Basker flanked by Zone Coordinator ISAK Nazar (left) and DG Natrajan Nagoji (right), along with the DGs of Zone 5 at the WinS Meet in Chennai.

Towards a winning Strategy Jaishree

L

ife is not about making an income; it is about making an impact. We will ensure that all schools in South India have toilets

by June 30, 2019.” With these words RIDE Basker C motivated the Zone 5 WinS team assembled in Chennai for the zonal WinS meet. He suggested standardisation of the cost and design of toilets and hand wash stations as it is imperative that TRF gets similar estimates from various parts of the country (barring minor variations due to geographical locations), since many clubs are applying for global grants.

“We will chart out a roadmap to take the programme further this year. We have doctors, engineers and architects amongst us and their resources can be utilised to ensure the success of WinS,” he said and recommended a mid-term review meet for the District chairs and vice-chairs to measure the progress.

WinS Vice Chair and PRID P T Prabhakar announced that TRF has signed a partnership with World Vision, earmarking $1.5 million, to jointly undertake 400 government schools for WASH pan India. He spoke about the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar and the availability of the 14th Finance Commission funds of the Ministry of Panchayat Raj (Refer Rotary News, August’16 issue) for investing in hygiene facilities in schools.

Cost and design of toilets and hand wash stations has to be standardised across the country.

RIDE Basker C

He encouraged Rotary clubs to avail District Grant funds and corporate funding, citing D 3230’s feat in raising Rs 8 crore from Cognizant Technologies to install WASH facilities and beautify 100 schools in the District.

The floor had a healthy exchange of ideas that was moderated by Zone Coordinator PDG ISAK Nazar. While this year’s collective target is to cover 6,000 schools, D 3211 topped with a goal of 2,222 followed by D 3230 with 1,400. The other Districts set their targets between 100 and 750 schools.

PDG Sivagnanaselvam, D 2982, an architect, offered to come out with a standard design for good quality toilets and hand wash stations which can be circulated throughout India.

PDGs R Reghunath (D 3211) and M Muruganandham (D 3000) will produce a short film highlighting the significance of hand washing.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 19

A million dollar dinner Rasheeda Bhagat

T

he Rotary Foundation has decided to introduce a special scheme for its Centennial year (2016-17) called the AKS Centennial Family Circle Celebration, wherein an AKS member — anybody who gives a quarter million dollars or more to TRF — can honour a family member, be it a child or children, parents, grandparents, siblings, TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee announced at a TRF dinner in the capital.

But the gift to TRF has to be made between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. “So if you’ve been thinking of a way to pay a tribute to a beloved family member you can do so during this year,” he said.

The first of the four Black Tie dinners planned by Rotary India to honour all the Indian Rotarians becoming AKS members, District 3011 and 3012 came together to honour 5 new AKS members and 45 major donors (those who’ve donated over $10,000 to TRF) through a gala dinner. The five AKS members are PDG Ramesh and Nanda Aggarwal; DGN Subhash and Babita Jain, Deepak and Reena Gupta, Suresh Jain and Navdeep Chawla, and Rajesh Gupta who has moved on to the Chair Circle level.

Complimenting 3011 and 3012 for being two of the most active districts in India, Banerjee congratulated

From left: TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta, Lalitha Subramanian, TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee, Sharmishtha Desai, RID Manoj Desai and DG N Subramanian.

20 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

them for being “first off the block to make 2016-17 a special year, not only because this is the 100th year of TRF, nor because you have a fellow Indian in the hot seat of TRF Trustee Chair, but because this year Rotary in India has pledged to raise $26.5 million for TRF, and when we do that, and I have no doubt we’ll do it, we’ll have celebrations we’ll never forget.”

A tiny beginning Tracing the history of TRF, he recalled how the then RI President Arch Klumph had in 1917 made the momentous recommendation that Rotary should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world.

“He did not have a Rotary Foundation in mind at that time; it’s amazing how

TRF developed after that. A month later, that endowment received its first donation, not at the Convention where he mooted the idea, but later… $26.5 from RC Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Think about it; only $26.5, and now our Foundation has $1billion just in assets, and 100 years after Arch Klumph made that suggestion, our Foundation has provided $3 billion for projects and programmes across the world.”

How did that happen? How did Arch Klumph’s modest proposal grow over 100 years to become a leading humanitarian organisation that had led efforts to eradicate polio from the world, provide clean water to millions of people, eradicate poverty through education and economic development?

All this happened “thanks to increasing and generous support of Rotarians like you. Not long ago India was known as a benefactor’s country; we received much more in the form of grants than Indian Rotarians contributed to the Foundation. Which was good because Indian Rotarians were identifying urgent needs in our community and partnering with international Rotary clubs to meet those needs. We were the No 1 country in the world in doing matching grants.”

Though not contributing too much money in eradicating polio, Rotarians in India helped big time to “carry out an impossible task… helping to make India polio-free. So no one can say Indian Rotarians were not doing their share of good in the world,” added the Trustee Chair.

India emerges No 2 in TRF With improving Indian economy, contributions to TRF improved. “I am proud to see India coming from the 4th donor country in 2014–15, to No 2

with a contribution of $15.3 million, for the first time. Last year we were No 2 in the world, after US, ahead of Japan and of course Korea, with which we have been competing for a long time. Congratulations to Indian Rotarians for making it happen.”

Not only this; another feather in India’s cap was that District 3190 was “the topmost giving district of the whole world in 2015–16. Isn’t that something that we can truly be proud of?” It was in competition with D 3140, which became No 2, “but both have contributed, for the first time, more than $2 million each.”

Banerjee explained that there are six different recognition levels within the AKS, all the way up to the Platinum Circle which recognises those who give $10 million. “In India we have only Rajashree Birla as a member of the Platinum Circle. Of course few can afford to make a gift of $10 million. But whatever you can afford to give, do know that our gifts will be used by our fellow Rotarians for

There is no limit to the good you can do; go back to your clubs and make sure that every Rotarian contributes something to our Foundation.

Kalyan Banerjee

the single purpose of doing good in the world.”

But, he added, in his thinking, what was important was “not how much you give, but that you believe in our Foundation and the work it does. Give something, anything, whatever you wish and whenever you can. Let the Foundation become our first choice of giving. It does not matter how much — $10, $1,000 or even Rs 100 a month.

But just as we pay our electricity bills or house rent, let’s set aside something for our Foundation on a regular basis.

It will be less than the three cups of tea that we have every day.”

Reiterating that there was “no limit to the good you can do by your gesture of giving and the spirit that drives it”, he urged the major donors in the packed hall to “go back to your clubs and make sure that every Rotarian in your club contributes something, particularly beginning this year.”

It was surprising to find that worldwide, only 30 per cent of Rotarians have ever contributed anything to TRF. “Just imagine, 70 per cent of Rotarians worldwide have given nothing ever to the Foundation!”

Banerjee also urged every club to start a new Centennial project.

“The time and size of that project is not important. It can be big enough to continue beyond a year or small enough to finish in a month… but let each one of our communities benefit from a project.”

Addressing the meet, TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta thanked the two Districts — 3011 and 3012 — for their gift of five SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 21

(From left) DG Sharat Jain, Sharmishtha Desai, RID Manoj Desai, TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee, TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta, Vinita Gupta and Lalitha Subramanian with AKS donors DGN Subhash and Babita Jain (centre).

AKS members. He said, “Last year we had eight AKS members from India, and this year, till now, only two Districts have given us five; this number is likely to grow manifold.”

TRF changed Rotary’s perception Gupta said the great work being done by the Foundation has totally changed the perception of Rotary from a luncheon club to a service conglomerate serving the needs of humanity.

“Recently CNBC named 10 organisations which have changed the world and Rotary was one of the 10, rubbing shoulders with UNICEF and the United Nations Foundation. TRF has undergone a paradigm shift, particularly in undertaking large service projects that are changing the world.”

Today the TRF has in its kitty “almost a billion dollars” and Rotarians across the world were adding more money so that “Rotary clubs like yours across the world can undertake projects worth a billion dollars… you need to celebrate this as $1billion is nearly Rs 7,000 crore.”

22 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

This being the Centennial, the target for TRF was $315 million this year, “$40 million more than what we collect annually. In addition we have reached the goal of $1 billion for the Permanent Fund, a year before our target for 2017 and encouraged with this, we have now set a new target of $2 billion for the Permanent Fund by 2025.” Add to that funds raised for Rotary Peace scholars, and a target this year of raising $125 million for water and sanitation focus areas.

Next, said Gupta, “we are going to tap into CSR funds that the corporates have to set aside from their profits; it’s a legal requirement. This year we’re targeting $2 million, but I am sure we can get more than that from the CSR funds which we will use for our humanitarian programmes.”

RI Director Manoj Desai said this was a “million dollar dinner” and thanked Banerjee for mooting the idea of four AKS dinners in various parts of India because for various reasons many AKS members were not able to travel to the US for induction. “As Kalyanda always says, people give to

Today Rotary clubs across the world are doing projects worth $1 billion... you need to celebrate that.

Sushil Gupta

people not to organisations; you have to ask and they will respond.”

Indian Rotarians’ journey had moved from $31 per capita to $67, and now “we are creating the new normal… a small place like Wardha in Gujarat has given us two AKS members. The new normal for India is that we are No 1 in membership, No 2 in TRF and definitely No 1 in public image.”

DG N Subramanian of District 3011 and DG Sharat Jain of D 3012 thanked the Rotarians present for making the two districts proud; RRFCs Kamal Sanghvi and Raja Seenivasan and EMGA Ashok Panjwani attended the dinner.

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat

Sam Owori to be RI President 2018-19 The 2016-17 Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International has unanimously nominated Samuel Frobisher Owori, of RC Kampala, Uganda, to be the RI President in 201819. He will be declared the president-nominee on October 1 if no challenging candidates have been suggested.

O

wori says he sees in Rotary “an incredible passion to make a difference.� As president, he plans to “harness that enthusiasm and pride so that every project becomes the engine of peace and prosperity.� His chief concerns are membership and extension. Since he served as district governor, the number of clubs in Uganda has swelled from nine to 89. He urges past, present, and future leaders to work together to engage more women, youth programme participants, alumni and community members to increase Rotary's membership in the coming years. “There are many places which need Rotary and numerous potential members who have never been invited,� he says. “The problem is Rotarians who got in and closed the doors.�

There are many places which need Rotary and numerous potential members who have never been invited.

Sam Owori

Owori is CEO of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda.

Before that, he was executive director of the African Development Bank, managing director of Uganda Commercial Bank Ltd., and director of Uganda Development Bank.

He has studied law, employment relations, business management, corporate resources management, microfinance and marketing at institutions in England, Japan, Switzerland, Tanzania and the US, including Harvard Business School.

Since becoming a member in 1978, Owori has served Rotary as RRFC, regional RI membership coordinator and RI Representative to the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat.

He has been a member or chair of several committees, including the IPPC, the Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force and the Audit Committee.

Most recently, Owori served as TRF trustee, TRF Finance Committee chair and a member of the Investment Committee. Owori is a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation, and he and his wife, Norah, are Major Donors and Paul Harris Fellows.

The Nominating Committee members are Sudarshan Agarwal, RC Delhi, +PFKC ĨCHCM #NRC[ 4% +UVCPDWN 5KUNK Turkey; Ronald L. Beaubien, RC Coronado, USA; John B. Boag, Rotary E-Club of District 9650, Australia; Elio Cerini, RC Milano Duomo, Italy; Luiz Coelho de Oliveira, RC Limeira-Leste, Brazil; Frank N Goldberg, RC OmahaSuburban, USA; Kenneth W Grabeau, RC Nashua West, USA; Jackson S L Hsieh, RC Taipei Sunrise, Taiwan; Mark Daniel Maloney (chair), RC Decatur, USA; Barry Matheson, RC Jessheim, Norway; Kazuhiko Ozawa, RC Yokosuka, Japan; Ekkehart Pandel, RC Bßckeburg, Germany; Noraseth Pathmanand, RC Bang Rak, Thailand; Robert S Scott, RC Cobourg, Canada; John C Smarge, RC Naples, USA; Michael F Webb, RC Mendip, England.

Back home, in India, PDG A Sampath Kumar, D 3230, recalls how PRIP Kalyan Banerjee, while sending Owori as his representative to their District conference in 2011– 12, had referred to him as a probable future RI President.

Source: www.rotary.org SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 23

Capital Glitter

Bharatnatyam dance.

From left: RID Manoj Desai, TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta, TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee, Major donors Rtn Narendra Gupta, President - RC Delhi Ashoka and Meera Gupta, and DG Sharat Jain.

Above: (From left) EMGA Ashok Panjwani, PDG Vinod Bansal, TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta and DG Sharat Jain.

Right: PDG Ramesh Aggarwal with TRF Trustee Chair and PRIP Kalyan Banerjee.

Below: Rotary leaders lighting candles for Asha Kiran... A ray of hope, pledging to send children back to school.

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat; Designed by N Krishnamurthy

The AKS League

I have more than I need…

Jaishree

H

e is passionate about education of girl children and women’s welfare, ardently advocating family planning so that their health does not suffer and raises his voice against female foeticide rampant in his region.

Meet Suresh Poddar, an Arch Klumph Society member, who does not keep track of his contributions

26 RO 26 ROTARY ROT OT O TA ARY RY N RY NE NEWS EW WSS SEPTEMBER SEEEPPT SSEP TEM EEM MBER BEER B ER 2016 220 01166

made to the Foundation. When he tells me that he has contributed $250,000 to TRF, PDG Ramesh Agrawal, who is with him, corrects him saying, “The correct figure is $310,000, including the $60,000 Term Gift, which has helped provide toilet blocks, hand wash stations etc in 11 government schools near Jaipur.”

Adds Poddar, “I am prepared to give more… my dream is to style the government schools like private schools. Children studying there should not lack any facilities.” More recently, he donated Rs 5 lakh to RILM for its Asha Kiran programme that will enable poor children to go to school.

Jaishree

When PRIP Rajendra Saboo asked me to become an AKS member, it took me just halfa-minute to say yes.

Suresh Poddar

Rtn Suresh Poddar among school children, what he loves best.

Kiran and Suresh Poddar.

Poddar is CEO and Managing Director of Mayur Uniquoters, a public listed company that was listed among Forbes Top 200 under a Billion Dollar firms in the Asia Pacific region. His company manufactures and exports artificial leather/PVC Vinyl for automobile, footwear and lifestyle accessories. His products include the attractive pink bag that was distributed to all the delegates at the Jaipur Zone Institute last year. His clients include Ford, Chrysler, Maruti Suzuki, M&M and Tata Motors, and footwear manufacturers such as Paragon, Bata, Liberty, Action Group and Lancer.

So what inspired him to give to TRF? “It was Mr Saboo. When he asked me to become an AKS member, it took me just half-a-minute to say yes. Kiran and I admire him so much,” he says. “When Bill Gates has contributed so much to Rotary, why not me? By god’s grace, I have more than what I need and I don’t have any vices to spend money on,” he smiles.

He became the first AKS member of D 3052, just four days after D 3050 was trifurcated in 2013, and is a recipient of RI’s Service Above Self award.

Both he and Kiran are members of RC Jaipur Midtown. He joined Rotary in 1996, Kiran followed five years later. She was the club president last year and past chair of the Inner Wheel District 305.

People around Phagi and 209 other villages near Jaipur have benefitted through their organisation’s CSR wing as well as their club. Their humanitarian activities include providing Jaipur foot for the needy, immunisation for expectant mothers and children, contraceptive promotion and family planning workshops, drinking water and transportation facilities for girl students. “Immunisation, family planning workshops and counselling families against female foeticide are Kiran’s forte,” says Poddar.

Mukesh Singh, the CSR manager at Mayur, says that he is up by 4.30 am, because Poddar normally calls him around that time whenever he has a brainwave “which is quite often.

His compassion towards hapless children and their future drives him to provide more for their education and health.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 27

Two new records & a model tribal village Rasheeda Bhagat District 3262 has created two new records in TRF collection and its DG Narayan Nayak becoming the first AKS member from East India.

A

s each RI District across the Rotary world gears up to create a record of sorts in doing good to the world through TRF, specially during its Centennial, District 3262 also came out with a novel idea to collect its biggest ever contribution for the Foundation. And it created not one, but two records last month. One was giving an opportunity to every Rotarian of the District to get a Centennial pin by donating just $26.5 — the first donation to the TRF in 1917 by Arch Klumph.

A school at Pitapalli.

28 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

“The response was overwhelming”, announced DG Narayan Nayak, at an event held to celebrate this collection drive, a colourful event in Bhubaneswar which was presided over by RI Director Manoj Desai.

Nayak triumphantly announced that in a single day the District had collected nearly $200,000 for TRF. “Some might say this is not a big amount; but what is important is that we are instilling the habit of giving in the Rotarians of our District.”

Many clubs reported cent percent compliance with each member making the $26.5 donation, and those Presidents were awarded a Centennial trophy by RID Desai.

Nayak said the District had now started getting TRF grants and this year eight projects would be undertaken with TRF help. “Once we complete these, more global grants will come in. Earlier we were a little hesitant about applying for global grants but now find that TRF money is easy

to get for need-based projects, for which it is easy to find partners.”

Making a presentation on the future vision of Rotary, Desai, who is on the RI Strategic Planning team, said he had “neither a crystal ball to gaze into, a parrot to pull out cards”, nor was he an astrologer. But he could compare the past with the present and envisage a future which would be drastically different from both.

Recounting his life, Desai said, “My first 20 years went in postcards; today many youngsters haven’t even seen a postcard; from 20–40, the fax was a new phenomenon and we thought: ‘wow, what speed’!” During the two decades from 40–60, when he became a DG, there was neither the mobile nor email. “So we used to send registered mail saying I am coming for a visit; the Presidents would never be ready, and say we never got the letter!”

Future vision But from 60–80, what will unfold he couldn’t even imagine, he said, showing images of the futuristic Odaiba city of Japan, which would be built over the sea. “Japan has only a thin strip of land, so they have already started taking up space over the sea.”

Giving other examples, such as a futuristic diet which could be taken just by a single pill, Desai said the key words of the last 7 years have been innovation. “When my children were young… in 1973, Kodak was king; do you know the first digital camera was made by Kodak? It had 1.7 lakh employees, sold 85 per cent of the total (camera) film being sold. But a company which was booming when I was young, is gone today.”

The same was the case with the Walkman, which was taken over by the iPod “and where is the iPod today?

The iPhone has taken over. And who killed iPod… the same company, the same man — Steve Jobs of Apple.

Why? Because before anybody kills you, you have to kill your last product and give the next one.”

Inaugurating the TRF Centennial celebrations: RID Manoj Desai with PDG Ashok Mohapatra, DG Narayan Nayak. PDG Anirudha Roy Chowdhury (D 3291) and PDG D N Padhi.

Desai added that the keywords for future were artificial intelligence, health gadgets, autonomous and electric cars, new educational methods and schools in the cloud which would revolutionise different sectors in the next five years. “IBM Watson will be able to give legal advice within seconds with 90 per cent accuracy. New health gadgets will come… one in your mobile phone; it can scan your retina, take blood samples and give 54 results in the fraction of a second, and this will happen in three years from now. It will also have a breath analyser; toilet seats will be able to take your blood pressure, pulse and cardiogram, and the results will go to the hospital.”

The message was clear for Rotary: “Don’t keep basking in the past, create new things. Keep doing more.” But despite all these revolutionary developments, the personal touch would remain important. And “Rotary will never lose its relevance, but we will have to keep innovating,” he added.

Desai announced that Nayak will become an AKS member; “he’ll be the first one in Eastern India, and the next man is ready, the discussion going on.

That’s the way to move forward, but somebody has to start.”

A model village The morning after the TRF event, it was time to visit two Rotary projects — done by RC Bhubaneswar Confluence and RC Bhubaneswar Kalinga.

The first project was the tribal village of Pitagadia, about 45 km from Bhubaneswar, which has been adopted

by RC Bhubaneswar Confluence for several years and where the club has been working meticulously to change the lives of the villagers. As we drive there, through lush green forest land and a sturdy road which is not made of clay but cohesive non-swelling soil, and doesn’t come apart during the rains.

Lalit Behera, a member of the club, briefs me on how the Rotarians have started a school here and every SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 29

year “we send 5 to 6 students from here to KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, which was featured as a Rotary News cover story in October, 2015) This club has adopted Pitagadia for the last several years, and built a school here. Actually, now that the central government sanctions Rs 12,000 for building a household toilet, “we have constructed toilets for all the 30 households. We give the work to contractors and do the supervision and we give them good toilets.”

But the club members also realised that if running water was not provided the tribals might use the toilets for storing their firewood during the monsoon, “and the entire project will get destroyed, because in the rainy season the priority of tribals is to protect their firewood,” says Sishir Kumar Patnaik, president of the club.

So they put a boundary around the school, built a 10,000 litre tank which is kept here and connected it to all the 30 houses. The water source is a tube well 700 ft deep.

Next the Rotarians got the village women cultivating mushrooms on beds of straw. “We told them that your work is to grow and we will find a market for them. Now they are getting a good

income from mushroom cultivation,” says Behera.

Total transformation How the lives of poor and backward people can change if they find a godfather can be seen from this, a quintessential Rotary project. The club members have turned the adjoining green area into a football field and regular tournaments are held here and prizes given. “Youngsters now come here from other tribal villages and we conduct football tournaments. Earlier the prize was a goat, “but we have now got them a big cup, which the winning team gets to keep,” he adds.

Next the villagers will be given goats and urged to start goat rearing… “as this is a green belt there is no problem of grass for the goats. And

Yaha toh jungle mei mangal hei -there is everything in this jungle… electricity, dish TV, mobile phones and even mushroom cultivation!

RID Manoj Desai

people from Bhubaneswar will come searching here for mutton as there is a dearth of good mutton there,” smiles Rtn Haragopal Patra, who is keenly involved in this project.

Also, earlier the tribals were taking bamboo from the adjoining forest and just selling it at Rs 20 to 30 in Bhubaneswar for what would normally cost Rs 200. The Rotarians have trained them to make some products out of bamboo, guaranteeing that they will market it for the villagers; “so earlier while they were cutting 10 bamboos from the forest and selling it so cheap, now they cut only one bamboo and get the same income from it. At least jungle toh bachh jayega,” he adds.

I am accompanying RI Director Manoj Desai and spouse Sharmishtha to the two villages where Desai inaugurates some toilets. As Pitagadia is also famous for its group of tribal women dancers, the women are dressed up in beautiful black and red traditional Vichitrapuri sarees of Odisha, gifted to them by the club, for this special event.

The delegation is greeted with drums, music and dance, and soon Desai and Sharmishtha are whisked away to dance with the tribal women.

Addressing the meeting, Desai says it is amazing to find how RC

RID Manoj Desai inspects a home at Pitapali. Also present are Sharmishtha Desai, DG Narayan Nayak, Sunanda Nayak.

30 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Bhubaneswar Confluence has totally transformed the lives of the villagers… “yaha toh jungle mei mangal hei (there is everything in this jungle)… electricity, dish TV, mobile phones and even mushroom cultivation!”

A WinS project We next visit Pitapalli, about 35 km from Bhubaneswar, where RC Bhubaneswar Kalinga has built toilets for homes as well as a WinS project for the local school. Club President Col S N Roy leads RID Desai and DG Nayak to the reception area where another grand welcome by drummers and tribal dancers, as well as neatly dressed schoolchildren, is awaiting them. Here Desai inaugurates a spanking new toilet block and hand washing station, and regales the Rotarians with stories of how at the RI headquarters in Evanston he is known as the ‘Toilet Director’!

Nayak announced that this year D 3262 will build 2,000 individual household latrines, for which project the chairman is Rtn Anup Panigrahi and implement the WinS project in 200 schools.

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 31

ROTARY WASH IN SCHOOLS TARGET CHALLENGE FRAMEWORK A THREE-STAR APPROACH THE WASH IN SCHOOLS TARGET CHALLENGE

R

otary members are invited to participate in the WASH in Schools Target Challenge, a programme created to motivate Rotary clubs to develop a comprehensive and sustainable water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and education project using the expertise and resources associated with two of

Rotary’s areas of focus: basic education and literacy, and water and sanitation.

In this pilot phase, the programme runs through July 2018 in five countries chosen for their strong, active involvement in school water, sanitation, hygiene, and education efforts: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, India, and Kenya.

The aim is to improve school attendance and education outcomes through the provision of sustainable WASH services and education initiatives.

This framework will serve as a guide for your project, outlining the activities required for Target Challenge recognition.

RECOGNITION LEVELS: A THREE-STAR APPROACH

T

he first two levels (Rotary One Star and Rotary Two Stars) set benchmarks for water and sanitation facility upgrades, hygiene education, and teacher training, along with key

behaviour-change components; the third level (Rotary Three Stars) emphasises incorporation into government initiatives and enhancements to the curriculum.

Successful completion of a Rotary One

Star project will earn clubs district-level recognition; completion of the Rotary Two and Three Star requirements will earn recognition from Rotary International and UNICEF.

PREREQUISITES Activities

Results

Validation

Suggested Rotarian Participation

School’s needs are assessed

Project planning and design are informed and appropriate

Community assessment results

Conduct a school needs assessment, or collaborate with another organisation to do so

School management committee (SMC) is formed if one doesn’t already exist

Governing body present with whom Rotarians can liaise and will continue responsibilities after project cycle ends

List of committee members and a formal agreement that specifies roles and responsibilities, level of accountability, etc.

Work with school directors to form a committee if none exists

All stakeholders, including local education, public services, health and municipal management officials, are consulted

Education and municipal offices are aware that Rotarians are undertaking the project There is local support for the project Information on local, regional and national WASH in Schools activity is gathered

Letter of project acknowledgment by local officials

Meet with multiple stakeholder groups to discuss key school-related issues

Baseline data are collected before interventions are implemented

Data can be used to evaluate intervention success

Records of preliminary data

Gather school-specific data from local organisations Survey schools and conduct observations as explained in the indicator definition sheet

ROTARY ONE STAR Validated by the district

IInterventions

School management committee (SMC) capacity is built

Results

Decisions serve all populations (students, parents, teachers and staff of both genders) Community has ownership of project activities

Validation

List of SMC meeting dates and times Confirmation that SMC roles and responsibilities are fulfilled

Suggested Rotarian Participation Meet with SMC regularly and provide training in governance and financial management as needed

Required Measurements (to be taken every six months unless otherwise specified)

SMC has been constituted Number of SMC meetings with 50% or more attendance

Educate SMC in the management of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools to share knowledge with larger community

Long-term costs and revenue are determined for all WASH services, education and training

Costs and revenue Long-term financial plan that resources are considered includes costs and revenues and planned for for all WASH infrastructure, education and training Costs of water, sanitation and hygiene If seeking higher star recogniservices, training and tion, projected financial plan education are in line is required with national standards

Promote and teach long-term financial planning with school management committee and government officials

No measurement required

Operation and maintenance management (O&M) plan is created

School is prepared for the maintenance and repair needs of installed infrastructure

Documented O&M plan

Ensure that O&M plan is created Train school management committee in developing an O&M plan Arrange for technical training in maintenance

Presence of written O&M plan at school (one time) Presence of a maintenance fund for latrine, waste and water management (one time)

Documented MHM plan

Train teachers and administrators in MHM Influence governmental agencies to include MHM training in national teacher training programmes Advocate for government to include MHM in annual budgets

Presence of written MHM plan at school (one time)

Supply chains are identified School is prepared for Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and understands MHM needs, limitations and plan is created priorities

Teachers take daily attendance

Teachers keep track of student attendance regularly

Photos or copies of attendance records

Train school management committee in record keeping and accounting

Proportion of teachers reporting daily classroom attendance

All teachers are trained and can teach hand washing

Teachers can teach hygiene topics using interactive methods Teachers ensure that hand washing is done regularly at critical times

Rotary chart for training Teacher training pretests and posttests

Train teachers or work with other organisations to do so Follow up with teachers to see if training was successful

Proportion of teachers trained in hand washing and group hand washing practices Demonstrated understanding of topic as indicated by higher score on posttest (one time, though follow-up trainings are recommended)

Hand washing facilities with soap or ash and water are available near the toilets

Children have access to a hand washing station, whether it’s a permanent structure or a temporary solution, such as a tippy tap

Photos of functional hand washing facilities with soap or ash available Photos of hand washing facilities close to latrines

Support construction of facilities Functioning hand washing facilities Support planning to make soap or located near the school toilets ash and water available Soap or ash and water are available at the hand washing facilities the day of the visit

Daily supervised group hand washing with soap or ash takes place, normally before the school meal

Students learn to wash hands with soap or ash at critical times, such as before eating and after toilet use Group hand washing sessions provide a time to deliver hygiene message

Photo or video of supervised group hand washing session

Spot monitoring Training of student leadership groups and dissemination of hygiene messages

Soap or ash and water are available at group hand washing station, or are readily available Proportion of classrooms participating in daily supervised hand washing 4 out of 5 children can demonstrate proper hand washing and explain critical times and reasons

Access to improved, low-cost water supply is located near the school

Obtaining water does not Photos of all water systems interfere with class time

If needed, support installation and selection of a water source(s), including construction, selection of contract work, and ensuring training is provided for technicians or maintenance staff

The school has water from an improved source(s) (source provides a sufficient quantity — 4 litres per student per day)

Interventions In Gender-segregated, improved sanitation is functional

Results Females have a private space for their sanitation and menstrual hygiene management needs Students are not forced to defecate in the open or hold back bathroom needs while at school Faecal-oral transmission of disease is reduced

Suggested Rotarian Participation

V Validation Photos of gender-segregated, improved sanitation facilities Qualitative assessment conducted with teachers and students reporting on the condition of sanitation facilities

Plan construction that anticipates the requirements of two- and three-star improved sanitation Identify contractors Discuss challenges faced by girls and women and the potential solution of gender-segregated toilets

Required Measurements (to be taken every six months unless otherwise specified)

Proportion of toilet facilities that are accessible to children with disabilities Proportion of improved toilets and urinals that are in use at the school Toilets are gender-segregated Girls’ toilets are private, with water and covered bins available inside Proportion of latrines constructed/ available for boys Proportion of latrines constructed/ available for girls Proportion of latrines that are functional for boys Proportion of latrines that are functional for girls Number of urinals available

ROTARY TWO STARS Validated by Rotary International and UNICEF

IInterventions

Results

Validation

Suggested Rotarian Participation

Required Measurements (to be taken every six months unless otherwise specified)

Students who do not come to school regularly are contacted and a response plan created

Attendance increases. Students feel more valued Students are encouraged to make up homework when absent

Attendance records with an explanation of absenteeism Plans from teachers for how to deal with reoccurring absenteeism

Facilitate a workshop for teachers on Proportion of students attending how to manage absenteeism school monthly Documented reasons why students are not attending school

Technical training provided to support operations and maintenance activities

A knowledgeable person is designated to maintain and repair WASH systems as needed

Technology training plan to build technical expertise

Provide technical training for technicians Follow up with technician to see if subsequent training is needed

Demonstrated competence and knowledge through hands-on demonstration at the end of training (one time)

Operation and maintenance management plan is executed

Regular maintenance tasks are completed as scheduled School facilities are cared for to ensure long-term functionality Toilets are more likely to be used because they are clean Consumables (water, soap, brooms, toilet paper, etc.) are available in, or within 5 metres of, toilet facilities Positive hygiene behaviours are reinforced through active participation in cleaning of toilets

Maintenance logs. Periodic photos of infrastructure that is clean and functional Qualitative assessment conducted with teachers and students that indicate if toilets are consistently clean and functional

Conduct regular maintenance tasks Interview students and teachers about the functionality of all WASH systems Spot monitor facilities Work with parent groups and schools to make soap, if it is not available Identify and secure affordable supply chains for consumables Ensure that training is ongoing Review facilities periodically Convene school officials to evaluate and discuss the results and further action related to the upkeep of WASH facilities

Proportion of latrines that are clean and well maintained A system for monitoring school sanitation facilities is in place, and adequate materials (water, soap, brooms, etc.) are available

Teachers are trained in hygiene and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) education

Teachers can apply hygiene and MHM lessons into life skills class (if applicable) Teachers can comfortably teach lessons to boys and girls through reinforced classroom management lessons

MHM teacher training curriculum Pretest and posttest results

Write teacher training curriculum or conduct the training (Rotarians with expertise in education) Seek out cooperating organisations to facilitate training

Proportion of teachers who have received MHM training with an emphasis on counseling, linkages with reproductive health, and life skills Demonstrated understanding of menstrual hygiene and its management through scores on pretests and posttests

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plan is implemented through infrastructure and a supportive environment

Girls feel more comfortable and welcome at school Girls have a safe and healthy school environment Taboos around menstruation are addressed

Photos of MHM friendly infrastructure and materials made available for girls Interviews with girls and female teachers that assess whether their MHM needs (if required) are met

Assist in MHM trainings for adolescent girls, boys, and teachers Work with school management committee to create a plan to continue advocating for the government to include MHM in national standards Mentor small business owners to create business plans to make and distribute sanitary napkins that are reusable Meet with parents to discuss how to address girls’ attendance during menstrual cycle

Proportion of girls and female teachers reporting that facilities meet their MHM needs Girls’ toilets are private, with water and covered bins available inside Number of private spaces with water and a covered bin for girls and female teachers to manage menstrual hygiene needs

IInterventions

Results

Required Measurements

Suggested Rotarian Participation

Validation

(to be taken every six months unless otherwise specified)

Safe drinking water is available on school premises and, if needed, is treated using a lowcost method

Children and staff have sufficient water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and sanitation needs

Photos of low-cost point-of- use treatment Written justification for technology selections

Support installation and selection of treatment technology Ensure that technicians or maintenance staff are trained in treatment technology

Water from an improved source(s) are available on school premises (from the source directly or stored) on the day of the survey/ questionnaire Drinking water facility is functional Water for drinking is treated at the school Students report water source(s) provide a sufficient — as defined by 1 liter per student per day — quantity of water for the needs of the school (i.e., for drinking, cleaning, washing, food preparation)

Facilities are used by all children

The school environment is healthier Behaviour changes in positive ways Open defaecation in or near the school is eliminated

Qualitative report in which teachers and students indicate that toilets are consistently functional, clean, and accessible Report observation: spot checks of latrines for signs of use, observation of students walking to the toilets, “fresh” toilet paper in hole, water on floor, etc.; no signs of open defaecation

Interview students and teachers about their sanitation habits and perceptions of sanitation systems on school premises Conduct spot checks

Proportion of students that report using the latrines at all times for urination and defaecation

ROTARY THREE STARS Validated by Rotary International and UNICEF IInterventions WASH lessons are integrated into classroom curriculum with corresponding teacher training

Results

Validation

Teachers have more confidence Adapted curriculum examples in curriculum comprehension and execution in the classroom and know how to adapt lessons to different contexts

Facilities meet national standWASH facilities meet national standards or ards for quantity and quality suggested guidelines (where national standards do not exist or are not comprehensive, the recommended World Health Organisation global standards should be discussed with government partners to identify context-appropriate standards)

Chart comparing national standards to total number of functional facilities at school Water quality report that shows that appropriate water standards have been met for at least six months and regular quality testing is planned for after the project

Suggested Rotarian Participation

Required R Measurements M ( be taken every six months (to unless otherwise specified) u

Arrange teacher training through a local government office or cooperating organisation

Proportion of teachers reporting curriculum enhanced with WASH lessons (one time) WASH promotion is part of the school curriculum (one time) Number of refresher trainings on relevant topics attended by teachers per year

Promote national standards continuously Continue advocating with the government at various levels for allocation of funding for operation and maintenance Share national standards with school management committee Test water quality and develop basic protocols for schools to follow Publicise schools that achieve national standards

All WASH facilities meet national standards for quality, cleanliness, functionality and quantity

Meet with SMC as needed if communication with government breaks down, and mediate if necessary

No measurement required

Water quality meets national standards for E. coli (and chemical contaminant of major concern)

School management committee (SMC) determines whether schools are meeting WASH in Schools national standards and report data to the government

SMC is confident in its knowledge of national standards and takes ownership of the school’s ability to maintain standards

Resources and government support for improved education and WASH conditions are secured

The government supports Report on stakeholder meetWASH in Schools programmes ings with lists of attendees Evidence of support from government or other permanent entities in the country to ensure continuous education and WASH services

Facilitate risk analysis

No measurement required

Transference of behaviour change and outreach to the community surrounding the school

Students are viewed as Long-term plan for continued hygiene and sanitation leaders education and WASH in their communities services Communities adopt best hygiene practices Schools are viewed as models of the community

Organise campaigns and publications centred around healthy practices Build children’s capacity to transfer messages to parents and peers

No measurement required

Copy of the monitoring data that is submitted to the ministry of education or a similar entity biannually

HOW TO QUALIFY To qualify for the Presidential Citation, clubs must complete two mandatory activities and additional activities in several categories. Most activities will be verified automatically through RI’s data. But some will be verified only by the information you enter in Rotary Club Central.

To more accurately capture your club’s achievements, for the first time ever, clubs will have the entire Rotary year — from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 — to achieve the Presidential Citation goals.

District governors will be able to track the progress of all of their clubs online, and I’m asking them to follow up with you regularly and support you in achieving these goals

ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY Rotary has been many things, to many people, in the last 111 years. Through Rotary, our members have found friends, community, and a sense of purpose; we’ve forged connections, advanced our careers, and had incredible experiences we couldn’t have had anywhere else. Every week, in more than 34,000 clubs around the world, Rotarians come together to talk, laugh, and share ideas.

But above all, we come together for one, overriding goal: service.

DISTRICT CITATION I will also offer a special citation to districts that: z H ave at least 51 percent of clubs earn the Presidential Citation z C ontribute at least 20 percent of their District Designated Fund to PolioPlus z Increase Annual Fund giving by 5 percent over last year’s total z Achieve a 3 percent increase in membership Thank you in advance for your efforts this year to show Rotary Serving Humanity.

Service to humanity has been the cornerstone of Rotary since its earliest days, and has been its main purpose ever since.

I believe that there is no better path to meaningful service today than Rotary membership; and no organisation better placed to make a real and positive

must achieve a net gain of at least one member; large clubs (51 or more members) must achieve a net gain of at least two members.

Clubs must achieve 3 of the following goals:

z

Improve the member retention rate by at least 1 percent from last year, or maintain 100 percent retention.

z

z

Induct new members under the age of 40. Clubs with up to 50 members must induct a minimum of two new members under age 40; clubs with 51 or more members must induct four.

The new members must create profiles on My Rotary.

z

Mandatory activities Clubs must achieve both of the following goals: z

Set at least 10 goals in Rotary Club Central.

z

Pay semiannual dues to RI on time in July and January. Note: Verify your payment options on your club’s invoice or by contacting your financial representative.

Membership attraction and engagement Verify that all membership data reported through My Rotary or your data integration service provider is accurate by checking Club & Member Data under Club Administration in My Rotary. You can start tracking progress toward your retention goals in September.

Clubs must achieve 2 of the following goals: z

Achieve a net gain in membership.

Small clubs (up to 50 members)

36 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

z

z z

Foundation giving Giving and recognition data for your club and club members will be recorded in the contribution and recognition reports available to club officers in My Rotary. In celebration of our Foundation’s centennial, several of these goals refer to the original donation of $26.50 that started The Rotary Foundation in 1917. Additionally, $536 is the approximate equivalent of $26.50 today.

z

Support our Foundation with a contribution of at least $536.

Support our Foundation with a contribution of at least $26.50 from each member.

Attain at least $2,650 in total giving to PolioPlus in honour of The Rotary Foundation centennial.

Attain a minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita.

Attain a five-year high in total club giving to the Foundation (combined giving by all members under any designation, with a minimum contribution of $26.50 per member) in honour of the Foundation’s centennial.

Increase the total number of Benefactors and Bequest Society members in the club by at least one.

Online tool adoption All data for these goals will be automatically recorded when the actions are taken.

difference in our world. No other organisation so effectively brings together committed, capable professionals in a wide variety of fields, and enables them to achieve ambitious goals. Through Rotary, we have the capacity, the network, and the knowledge to change the world: the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.

Today, our organisation is at a critical point: a historic juncture that will determine, in so many ways, what comes next.

Together, we have provided extraordinary service to our world; tomorrow, our world will depend on us to do even more.

Now is the time to capitalise on our success: as we complete the eradication of polio, and catapult Rotary forward, with determination and enthusiasm, to be an even greater force for good in the world.

Of the many lessons polio eradication has taught us, one of the most important is also one of the simplest: that if we want to bring all of Rotary forward, we’ve all got to be moving in the same direction. Continuity of leadership, at the club, district, and RI level, is the only way we will flourish, and achieve our full potential. It is not enough simply to bring in new members and form new

clubs: our goal is not more Rotarians, but more Rotarians who can achieve more good Rotary work, and will become the Rotary leaders of tomorrow.

Near the end of his life, reflecting on the path that brought him to Rotary, Paul Harris wrote: “Individual effort may be turned to individual needs, but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.” He could hardly have imagined then that one day, more than 1.2 million Rotarians would be combining their efforts, and, through our Rotary Foundation, their resources, to serve humanity together. And we can only imagine what great deeds Paul Harris would have expected of such a Rotary!

It is our responsibility to achieve those deeds; as it is our privilege to carry forth the tradition of Rotary Serving Humanity.

Sincerely,

John Germ President, Rotary International, 2016-17

is recorded, your club president can check RI’s records in Rotary Club Central Reports, and can contact rotary.service@rotary.org to report any errors.

Clubs must achieve 2 of the following goals: z

Have at least 50 percent of members identify their skills and interests in their My Rotary profiles, and unlock that section to make it visible on their public profiles.

z

Post at least one initiative in Rotary Showcase.

z

Post a project in need of assistance in Rotary Ideas or contribute to a project in Rotary Ideas.

z

z

z

Have at least two members participate in discussion groups in My Rotary.

Humanitarian service Clubs must achieve 3 of the following goals: z

Sponsor at least one Rotary Community Corps to enhance community engagement and ensure project sustainability. Note: Your club’s RCC must be certified with Rotary International. To ensure your status as an RCC sponsor or co-sponsor

Ensure that at least one club member belongs to a Board-recognised Rotarian Action Group (www.rotary. org/actiongroups). Report in Rotary Club Central.

Partner with the Foundation by sponsoring at least one project funded by a global grant or a district grant. Note: Your club can contact your district to verify whether it is registered as a global grant sponsor or is listed as a district grant sponsor in the original spending plan submitted with your district’s 2016-17 district grant application.

with clubs on projects. See a current list of service partners at www.rotary. org/ partners. Report in Rotary Club Central. z

Establish a partnership and conduct a project with one or more corporations, government entities, or nongovernmental organisations. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Enhance a project’s scope and visibility by partnering with at least five other Rotary clubs in your region.

Report in Rotary Club Central.

New generations Your club’s Rotaract or Interact club must be certified with Rotary International. To ensure that your status as a sponsor or co-sponsor is recorded, club presidents may confirm RI’s records in Rotary Club Central Reports. Contact rotaract@rotary. org or interact@rotary.org to report any discrepancies.

Clubs must achieve 3 of the following goals: z

Currently sponsor or co-sponsor a Rotaract club.

z

Currently sponsor or co-sponsor a communitybased Rotaract club.

z

Currently sponsor or co-sponsor an Interact club.

z

Have at least one club member mentor a Rotaractor or Interactor. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Involve Rotaractors or Interactors in club projects and events. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Sponsor or host at least one Rotary Youth Exchange student. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Sponsor a participant in a RYLA event. Report in Rotary Club Central.

Public image Clubs must report in Rotary Club Central.

Clubs must achieve 1 of the following goals: z

Host an event to inform the community about Rotary and its Foundation’s centennial. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Have at least one club member attend a grant management seminar. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Get local media to cover an outstanding club project. Report in Rotary Club Central.

z

Implement a project with one of Rotary’s service partners. Note: Rotary has several partners that work directly

z

Involve local media with at least one club event, project, or fundraiser.

Report in Rotary Club Central.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 37

Doing good with TRF help

Facelift for

Jaipur schools Jaishree RC Jaipur Midtown is on a drive to make government schools as classy as private schools.

I

t is a sight to behold as the boys and girls assemble for their morning prayers, dressed in their spanking new uniforms, seeking the blessings of the Almighty before beginning their day at the school. I am at the Radhaswamibagh Government School at Jaitpura in Jaipur along with PDG Ramesh Agrawal, Registrar of IIS University Rtn Raakhi Gupta and Mukesh Singh, the CSR Manager at Rtn Suresh Poddar’s Mayur Uniquoters.

As the children file back to their classes after a session of yoga, what catches the eye is the striking yellow and blue rows of toilets for girls.

“We have sourced the toilet blocks from Tata Steel,” says PDG Ramesh Agrawal, RC Jaipur Midtown. A set of 8 toilet blocks cost Rs 6 lakh while a stand-alone is priced at Rs 75,000.

About 300 students study in this school and the club has given them uniform sets and all other

study material, besides providing water purifiers, classroom furniture, e-learning equipment, lab equipment, computers, library, toys and play material.

The club has provided similar facilities to ten other government schools, thanks to its member Suresh Poddar, also an AKS donor. His Term Gift of $60,000 to TRF, along with $12,500 DDF, matched by the Foundation, helped in converting these institutions

Newly done play room at a school. Palak, the hula-hoop champion, gave a stunning performance.

38 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

into Happy Schools. “It is my dream to transform Government schools to be at par with private schools in such a way that you or I will not think twice about sending our children to these schools,” says Poddar.

100 Happy Schools The club has pledged to adopt 100 schools around Jaipur and provide necessary infrastructure in a phased manner.

The estimate works out to $9 lakh and it will benefit around 32,000 students.

Agrawal, who is the Project Coordinator and District WinS Chair, has appealed to various clubs to pitch in either individually or through their DDF. “We plan to complete the project within three years, but even if it stretches beyond that, Poddar and I will ensure that we keep our promise, irrespective of whether we find a matching partner or not,” he says.

Raakhi is eager to provide support to these children. “Who wants to become an IAS officer,” she quizzes the students of Class 9 at Radhaswami School. Eight girls put up their hands!

Enthused by the facilities provided

by Rotary in the 11 schools, but saddened by the inability of these children to communicate confidently, she enlists Singh’s

PDG Ramesh Agrawal encouraging the students to wash their hands.

help in identifying a couple of schools that the IIS University, of which PDG Ashok Gupta is the Vice Chancellor, can adopt. She suggests that their NSS wing comprising 300 student-volunteers can visit the schools and take classes for them. She also announces that

From left: Mukesh Singh, Raakhi Gupta, PDG Ramesh Agrawal and Suresh Kumar Sharma, Principal, Radhaswamibagh School, inspect the school's toilet block.

it will donate their playschool material too.

Elsewhere, at another government school, she interacts with the teachers and offers to train them in computers, communication and career-counselling through the University, only to be met with a lukewarm response. Later, when she discusses this with Suresh and Kiran Poddar, Kiran expresses her concern about the quality of teachers in many of these government schools.

Poddar volunteers to organise a meeting in his office with the principals over lunch, where he will request them to identify a few of their brighter teachers, who can later be trained at IIS University. “We have to change the attitude of the teachers and motivate them; their reluctance to learn has to be addressed,” he adds. Next on the agenda is conducting health camps for these schools and discussions with Akshayapatra of ISKCON to provide healthy mid-day meals for students is heading in the right direction, he shares.

Pictures by Jaishree SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 39

Southern Comfort Bryan Smith From the sprawling green of Centennial Olympic Park to the fabled tree-lined stretch of Peachtree Street, Atlanta is as grand as Gone with the Wind.

U

nlike some parts of the American South (looking at you, Lone Star State), Atlanta doesn’t often boast about size. But insiders know about its long list of attractions, enormous airport, deeply layered history, and big heart when it comes to showing visitors a good time.

As a native son who committed the yet-to-be-forgiven sin (by my family, anyway) of trucking among the

Yankees, I still feel it within my rights to gush over the city I left behind — and to pass along some of its secrets, as well as showstopper sights. The good news is that much of Atlanta’s “bigness” is packed into a relatively compact section of its now-booming downtown, a short walk from the Georgia World Congress Center, where the Rotary International Convention will be held from 10 to 14 June.

During the convention, the World of CocaCola museum will host a gourmet dinner for Rotarians.

400 RRO ROTARY ROT OT O OTARY TARY ARYY N NE NEWS EW WSS SEPTEMBER SEPPT SE SEP TEM TE EEM MBER BER ER 2016 220 016 16

Not too long ago, I mentioned my predilection for Pepsi over Coca-Cola to my mother. She all but accused me of apostasy. In these parts, Coke falls only slightly below Rhett Butler as a beloved city icon — evidenced by the 92,000-square-foot, $97 million World of Coca-Cola museum, where a 27-foot-tall bottle of Coke suspended in a glass pillar greets you in the lobby. Marvel at the Coca-Cola

bottle sculptures created for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and works by artists from around the world. Deeper inside, you’ll find the “Vault of the Secret Formula, ” a behind-the-scenes look at how the fizzy favourite is bottled, and yes, free samples.

Less sweet, but deeply compelling, is a new museum nearby: the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Just north of Centennial Olympic Park, not far from the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Auburn Avenue, the centre opened to raves in 2014. Among its three floors of artifacts you’ll find an interactive lunch counter exhibit where you can sit with headphones and experience the taunts

A special screening of Gone with the Wind will be held for convention attendees at the historic Fox Theatre. Learn more about both events at www.rotaryconvention2017.org.

faced by protesters in the civil rights movement.

Across the park rises CNN headquarters. Visitors can take a studio tour that includes a chance to sit behind the anchor desk and visit the cable giant’s newsroom, perhaps catching a glimpse of Wolf Blitzer and his famous beard.

As dining towns go, even the most loyal native would be hard-pressed to rank Atlanta with San Francisco or New York. But the city’s dining scene is “flooded with new developments, ” according to Atlanta magazine, including restaurants like Gunshow, named not for chefs showing off their sculpted arms but for its “bold, playful

food, riffs on beef tartare and Chinese dumplings, and even throwbacks like a show-stopping Beef Wellington, ” Atlanta writes.

A few miles from downtown, in trendy Decatur, No. 246 features the nouveau Italian fare of local celebrity chef Ford Fry. Kevin Rathbun Steak serves slabs of beef that would make a Texan trade in his feedbag. And who could turn down North Carolina trout slathered with bacon mayonnaise at Cakes & Ale? In Atlanta’s glamorous Buckhead neighbourhood, the Atlanta Fish Market features seafood flown in daily, and hip Aria landed on Esquire magazine’s best-in-the-country list.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 41

For me, however, there exists only one must-go destination. No, it’s not a hidden gem. The big red “V ” sign heralding the Varsity, in fact, all but dares highway crawlers not to swerve off, bump into the vast driveway, and pull up to the largest drive-in restaurant in the world for a chilli cheeseburger and Varsity orange drink.

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riginally named the Yellow Jacket — a nod to the athletic teams’ nickname at Georgia Tech, where founder Frank Gordy launched the

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original in 1928 — the Varsity was renamed after it was forced across Atlanta’s Downtown Connector (Interstate 75/85) highway to its current downtown location. (There are six other locations too.) The restaurant, a frozen-in-time, art deco structure of tan and burgundy, stretches across two city blocks, enough to accommodate 800 diners inside and 600 cars out. For natives, the Varsity is far more than a restaurant, a notion I readily endorse.

My grandfather used to take me there after Little League games; hit a homer and he would buy you a chocolate shake. And parents all over Atlanta

know the fastest way to quell backseat bickering is to threaten to renege on a promised Varsity trip. This is downhome, unabashedly family eating for people whose idea of fusion is a squirt of ketchup and mustard, and where the closest thing to haughty is a brusque “What’ll ya have? ” — the unofficial slogan of the ever-harried cashiers.

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fter you’ve eaten, pick up a souvenir at a place that offers more than the cookie-cutter mall fare. Try Ponce City Market, a 15-minute car

ride from the convention centre.

Spoon a little honeysuckle gelato as you browse places such as the Ponce Denim Co. or the luxury haberdashery of Q Clothier. Grab a latte at the Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, the first business to open in the restored Sears, Roebuck building, and pop into Boogaloos Boutique or Citizen Supply, where locals showcase artisan goods.

If you prefer to skip the shopping, cool off back in Centennial Olympic Park’s Fountain of Rings, the biggest interactive fountain in the world. Kids love it, and when temperatures rise,

adults go in too. For a water experience of another sort, visit the nearby Georgia Aquarium. Yes, every big city seems to have one, but this 10-milliongallon marvel was the largest aquarium in the world until 2012 when Marine Life Park in Singapore hooked the title. The aquarium features seven main exhibits — including its newest addition, the Dolphin Tales gallery. The exhibit includes an indoor stadium where roughly a dozen dolphins perform a half-hour show. Worth seeing, to be sure, but my favourite exhibit by far was Ocean Voyager — a 6.3-million-gallon saltwater habitat

Stone Mountain features artifacts and stories that span 12,000 years. Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Atlanta, Stone Mountain is part history, part nature, and part theme park.

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that is one of the largest of its kind and the only exhibit to house whale sharks in North America.

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eated comfortably in the giant view room, gazing through floor-toceiling glass, you’ll see manta rays — including Nandi, rescued from shark nets protecting the South African coast — and schools of brightly coloured exotic fish such as golden trevally, Spanish hogfish and crimson snappers gliding past in a sea of brilliant blue. When you think you couldn’t be more wonderstruck, a Moby Dick-shaped whale shark, ghostly white, enormous — under a sort of fighter escort of a dozen pilot fish — goes by in slow, silent majesty.

On the other hand, there’s nothing silent about the nearby College Football Hall of Fame. From the time you enter “the Quad ” and face the skyscraper-tall wall of helmets from more than 700 universities, you’re hit

CELEBRATE The Rotary Foundation’s Centennial in Atlanta

Nearly 100 years ago, at the 1917 Rotary Convention in Atlanta, Arch C Klumph proposed creating an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” From the first contribution of $26.50, the Foundation has grown significantly and has spent more than $3 billion on programmes and projects. Celebrate in the city where it all began. Learn more at www.rotary.org/foundation100.

with a sound barrage — announcers belting out famous plays, the thunk of field goals soaring through the uprights in the museum’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone. You can even call your own iconic moments, pulling on a headset and microphone to give the play-by-play on such miracles as Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass that gave Boston College an upset victory for the ages over the heavily favoured University of Miami Hurricanes in 1984.

Having experienced the downtown, you might want to grab a rental car and make the short trip to one of my favourite spots in all of Georgia: Stone Mountain.

A 1,700-foot-high quartz monzonite monadnock, the mountain looms gray, bald, and slightly forbidding. In this instance, the “big ” boast—that it is the world’s largest piece of exposed granite—is not quite true. Granite is among its materials, but merely one of many.

The mountain’s signature carving, the largest bas-relief in the world,

Sports fans will enjoy calling the plays at the College Football Hall of Fame.

44 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Centennial Olympic Park’s Fountain of Rings splash pad is cool relief for kids and adults alike.

features Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis. (If it recalls the smaller carving on Mount Rushmore, it’s no surprise. That more famous relief was created after this one and by the same sculptor.)

But all I knew as a child was how fun it was to hike to the summit, barren as a lunar landscape, via the sloping west side, and the frightening sensation of walking down and peering over the sheer face. On my last visit, I took the aerial tram instead, the no-less dramatic vista scrolling past in a blur of gray history.

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peaking of which, there is history in Atlanta, despite its young age (not even 200 years old). It’s what brought me to one of Atlanta’s most worthwhile, if not best-known, attractions: the Atlanta History Center. The 33-acre grounds feature several historic structures, including Swan House, Tullie Smith Farm and Wood Family Cabin.

Its jewel, however, is its Civil War

collection. It includes general items — sabers, rifles, frock coats in blue and gray — and the heartbreakingly personal: letters home composed by quill on a battered desk; a pair of round wire-frame glasses, the left frame squashed into a squinting rectangle; a canteen, scratched and dented; and of course relics from Union Gen. William Sherman’s March to the Sea, the most heart-rending moment of which he burned Atlanta to the ground.

Walk across the hall and you’ll find the Atlanta in 50 Objects display, which includes Martin Luther King Jr.’s handwritten 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, a 1915 CocaCola bottle mold, the bat that baseball legend Hank Aaron used to hit his 600th home run, and a movie poster for Gone with the Wind (from the book by Margaret Mitchell, whose house, operated by the history centre, still stands at Peachtree and 10th streets).

Among the 50 objects was one that, for me, truly captures Atlanta: Rich’s Pink Pig. A Christmas favourite at Atlanta’s long-defunct Rich’s

department store, the Pink Pig was an oinker-shaped monorail ride. My sister and I rode in that silly thing every year, and it remains one of my favourite memories in this city — a place where you’ll be served iced tea sweet as syrup unless you ask otherwise and slice into the best peaches anywhere; where Mary Mac’s serves some of the best Southern fried chicken; and where natives speak in rounded vowels. The people in Atlanta are friendly, open, and quick to smile, laugh, and help you if you’re lost. Depending on whom you meet, you may even be invited to dinner on Sunday.

Pictures by: Frank Ishman Reproduced from The Rotarian

Register today and save up to $150 The early registration fee for the 2017 convention is $340 for Rotarians and $70 for Rotaract members through 15 December. Register today at www.riconvention.org.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 45

The Raj and its Civil Servants Robin Gupta A glimpse into what once was truly India’s steel frame, warts and all.

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uch was the enigmatic aura and majesty of the 150-year-old civil service in India that in the 1970s, at the St Stephen’s College in Delhi, we wrote the competitive examinations, almost as a Pavlovian response. For no other career recommended itself to us, or our forebears, as worthy of serious consideration.

Many of us find it difficult to juxtapose in a coherent fashion puzzling reminiscences of the ideals and ideas with which we set out for a career in

the IAS. But here I have tried to etch sepia portraits of the ICS (Indian Civil Service) officers… the men who ruled India, and systematically created her administrative structure for a century and a half.

One may recoil at the thought of the British rule but old-timers are unanimous in their recognition of the many-splendoured contribution of the civil services to the Raj. The ICS was an incisive, stable and dynamic instrument that maintained peace and facilitated

civilian rule to take root in India. The service was the steel frame that held together a disparate empire with uneven levels of economic and social development, and later, the largest democracy in the world.

Punjab’s canal system In the Punjab, the Lawrence brothers gave to this hardy frontier province an irrigation system and canals upon which the most modern agricultural infrastructure could be built. Unto the

A civil service office in Madras during the British Raj. 46 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

last, the ICS contribution is reflected everywhere. In Chandigarh, M S Randhawa conceived the renowned Rose Garden with its rare illusions of pine forests and sloping landscapes leading to hidden waterways.

Randhawa’s collection of miniature paintings from Kangra, Guler, Basholi, Chamba and other hill kingdoms were gifted by him to the Chandigarh Museum. A N Fletcher of the ICS is best remembered for having created a lake for Chandigarh and the speed with which this sparkling water body enriched the new city under his draconian supervision.

Till 1947, the civil servant was in evidence everywhere. It was the ICS that comprised the higher judiciary.

Civil servants were posted as District Judges and District Magistrates. From the same stream came Judicial Commissioners and Political Agents to the princely states. Also, ICS men went on to the Foreign Service to serve as India’s ambassadors to foreign lands.

Impeccable honesty The ICS men would not freely mix in society. They were retiring in nature and spurned entertainment. They were keen gardeners, equestrians, historians, scholars, poets, authors, musicians; of philosophical disposition, interested in archaeology and history, nature and, the nature of things. They were generalist administrators who quickly absorbed matters within their administrative jurisdiction and gave a visionary direction to the specialists posted under them. They were men of impeccable honesty. Thus the Nazir of

The Commissioner would sleep by the river at night and noted a booming sound that he described as ‘the Teesta Guns.’

Sukumar Sen, Chief Election Commissioner of India.

(First Election Commissioner of India).

the Deputy Commissioner’s office too commanded great respect as his tonga passed through the bazaar to place substantial orders on a promissory note for blankets or jerkins on a cold winter night, on behalf of the Department of Relief and natural disasters.

Important Gazetteers Before 1900, an ICS officer took upon himself to study the nature of River Teesta in Northern Bengal. In his gazetteer, the Commissioner described in over one hundred pages the river’s ‘moods.’ He would sleep by the river at night and noted a booming sound that he described as ‘the Teesta Guns.’

He indicated that whenever the guns resounded, disaster followed in the northern areas, Jalpaiguri district in particular. Much later, in the Sixties, a great flood devastated large tracts of land, taking its toll on hundreds of lives, notwithstanding the Flood Protection Commission headed by top-ranking engineers. Had someone turned to the gazetteer, the requisite precautionary measures could have been taken well in time to save the beautiful town and undulating forested areas. Indeed, the gazetteers written during the British period and soon after Independence,

Truly mai-baap The British colonial administration, unlike the French, was known for its capability rather than perversity or tyranny. The District Magistrate was the Mai-Baap. There are touching stories about the faith people reposed in the machinery of the government at different levels. An illiterate old traveller on a train had thrown his railway ticket out of the window. In his mind, the transaction of buying the ticket and entraining for his destination had been completed. When the ticket inspector tried to extort money, the hapless villager ran out of the train at the next station, straight to the house of the District Magistrate, well past midnight, to be saved.

Such was the faith of the people in the Administration.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 47

are a compendium of knowledge, but unfortunately very few IAS officers have the inclination to turn to these anymore!

Eccentric too!

The British ICS officers were not without their eccentricities. The Divisional Commissioner mentioned above, is said to have silhouetted his confidential assistant with silver cutlery knives, over his evening whisky and soda, after which the Commissioner would drive home the shaken clerk in his Rolls late in the night!

The knives would be sent for repair to Calcutta with the same assistant the next morning, who, in turn, would visit the Kalighat temple to seek divine blessings, all on the personal account of the Commissioner Bahadur!

The ICS officers were men of steel, unflinching in their loyalty to Her Majesty and dedicated to giving

the fruits of peace and good governance to the people of India. No one dared question the Sarkar. Four elephants stood at the Commissioner’s gate raising their trunks and trumpeting in salutation each time the Sarkar exited or entered.

The civil service had perfected the art of administration and the British rulers were conscious that the texture of administration must always be civilian.

They realised that a State based merely on uniformed strength and show of arms could never progress and give good governance.

The District Magistrate did not use red lights or sirens on official transport vehicles. He toured on horseback, in open jeeps, on bicycle and foot from one rural area to another to meet villagers at their convenience and to dispense justice from under the village tree. He was known to be above board.

He fully identified with the sorrows

The Collector, Madras Presidency, c1905.

48 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

The ICS officers were men of steel, unflinching in their loyalty to Her Majesty and dedicated to giving the fruits of peace and good governance to the people.

and problems of rural India and endeavoured to find practical solutions.

His justice was based on reason and incontrovertible logic.

Often, this officer would disguise himself and walk in the native bazaar to enquire if there was tyranny at lower levels in government. This had its concomitant comic sequels. A judicial commissioner in the Central provinces himself assiduously typed out and sealed all important Dak late at night.

Before turning off the lights, he would arrange for a cobra to be placed in a round wicker basket, above the dak pad, till work commenced from the camp office, next morning!

The ICS men were clear and confident. With understated humour, an incident has been recounted about a Chief Secretary of the Punjab who was petitioned by an agitated contractor. He was given the task of building the Chandigarh Secretariat, but the lower staff in the finance department were playing cat and mouse in releasing funds. The Chief Secretary, then out for his evening constitutional, heard the man’s complaint, and wrote out on an empty cigarette packet an order releasing Rs 5 lakh for accelerating the pace of construction of the Secretariat!

Magnificent contributions Some of the magnificent contributions of the civil service during the Raj are the Indian Railways; the Indian Penal Code; the Code of Criminal Procedure; the Indian Evidence Act, the Jail Manual; the concept of District Administration; the irrigation system; the Grand

The last batch of ICS officers in the Indian Civil Service Academy Dehra Dun, India 1944.

Trunk Road; the Indian Army and the defence services. Add to these an organised police force, and systematised educational and judicial systems.

After 1947, the civil service was confronted with a situation that had altered in terms of power equations.

While the ICS continued to exercise control, they now did so under a new political dispensation. Leaders of the genre of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, and so on, were themselves erudite scholars with a lifetime’s experience in fighting for India’s independence. They recognised in the civil service an invaluable, perhaps the finest, instrument for developing the country. And, therefore the relationship between the political government and the permanent executive was largely harmonious.

However, with the passage of time politicians quickly realised that to remain in power, they would have to cater to unceasing, often unreasonable, demands of their constituents which required cutting short procedures.

Short cut methods The short cut methods contributed substantially to the breaking down of a system of administration that had established its credibility for well over a century. The reaction of the civil servant was, at first, to become more rule bound, and then to concentrate on self preservation. It had to be so, for the politician wielded the power of transfer, and humiliate.

The imperatives for remaining in office could no longer be the high ideals that guided the independence movement as far as the politician were concerned and, no longer of giving just and objective administration to India, as far as the civil servant was concerned.

The democratic processes opened up a new set of regulations.

In line with the policy of short cuts, politicians realised that it is easier to deal directly with the police rather than through the civil servant who by law is in charge of the police force. Thus the police gained, lopsided significance in many states, while the civil service took to waiting and watching.

The higher judiciary, earlier manned

by ICS officers, to a large extent, was denied to the successor service. With abolition of princely states, the political department to which civilians were deputed as Residents or political agents, was wound up while the IFS gained for itself an independent identity.

Over the years even the quality of entrants in the civil services has deteriorated and today IAS officers have to function in a dramatically changed administrative situation and are successors to the men of steel, only in a manner of speaking. The political climate has changed and the Magistracy has all but lost control over the police force. The Secretariat, though still powerful, is besieged from all sides.

And, it seems strange to recall that the last ICS Chief Secretary of Bengal approved government proposals with the inscription of a single word: Bengal.

(The writer is a retired IAS officer and author of the book: And What Remains in the End: The Memoirs of an Unrepentant Civil Servant).

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ROTARY NEWS 49

Rotary recommits to ending polio in Nigeria Michael K McGovern Chair, International PolioPlus Committee

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he World Health Organisation has confirmed two cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Nigeria, the first cases in the country since July 2014. After passing a year without a case of the wild poliovirus, Nigeria was removed from the list of polio-endemic countries in September 2015. These cases — from two local government areas of Borno state — occurred in July 2016.

The Government of Nigeria — in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative — will take immediate steps to respond quickly to the outbreak to prevent further spread of the disease. This response will include emergency vaccination campaigns to boost immunity in impacted and at-risk areas, and reinforced surveillance activities to ensure we detect all strains of polio. Because polio knows no borders, steps will also be taken to protect surrounding countries,

Courtesy: WHO

to ensure all children are vaccinated and to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease.

This news is disappointing for all Rotary members — and particularly those in Nigeria — who worked so

hard to help the country stop polio.

However, Rotary remains steadfast and fully committed to fighting polio anywhere children remain at risk, including Nigeria and Africa.

Rotary members remain resilient in the face of challenges. Today, we roll up our sleeves and redouble our effort to rid the world of this devastating disease. Rotary members in Nigeria are already hard at work to support the outbreak response, and our network will also be tapped to quickly protect children in surrounding countries.

The World Health Organisation is confident Nigeria can end polio. The programme has overcome outbreaks before, and we have the tools to do so again in Nigeria. Rotary will not stop its efforts to ensure that every child is born into a polio-free world where they are safe from this paralysing disease.

Source: www.endpolio.org

Rides for a cause

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our de Rotary, a cycling expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, is being organised by RC Madras Midtown, D 3230, from November 6 to December 9, 2016.

According to ARPIC and PDG Rekha Shetty, the event is planned to commemorate the Centennial of TRF and raise funds for Rotary’s WinS programme. Several other Rotary clubs along the 4,800 km route are also participating.

For more details and registration, please visit tourderotary.

50 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

com, or contact Rtn Vikram Jindal at 9840042553 or the Club President Rtn Ambalavanan at 9840187578 or email to info@tourderotary.com.

Ride for Rotary, a motorbike expedition, is being organised by District 3181 to commemorate TRF Centennial and the funds raised will be contributed to the Foundation. The 14-day tour (January 12-26, 2017) kickstarts at Mysuru and culminates in Ooty.

For further details, visit www.rideforrotary.club or call Rtn Vinayak Prabhu (Convener) 9880701051/ Rtn Kiran Kumar 9343260001.

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Simple Economics

Soda, chilly powder and a buoyant

equity market

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n the mid-1970s, there was a Kerala restaurant in Delhi where you could eat as much as you wanted for only two rupees. It was a haven for impecunious bachelors like me. The economics of this restaurant worked, I later discovered, because they added soda to the rice and generous amounts of red chilly powder to the sambhar.

When you drank water to quench the flames of the sambhar, the soda in the rice made your stomach bloat and you didn’t eat very much after that.

52 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

The demand-supply equilibrium was thus artificially achieved by soda and chilly powder.

I was reminded of this because a friend recently asked me to explain why the stock market is booming when the real economy, which produces actual goods and services, is not growing by very much.

My answer to her: the soda in the market is the availability of a very large number of scrips for trading and the chilly is the cash in the pockets of a very large number of big and small

TCA Srinivasa Raghavan

investors. The water is the relaxed trading norms which make it easy for everyone with a laptop to trade.

No longer is trading restricted to the brokers; anyone with a mobile device and a demat account can do it. More money and more traders mean that the stock market is bloated beyond levels warranted by the real economy.

Lest you think this is odd, this disconnect is neither new nor confined to India. The same thing had happened in Europe too between 2001 and 2008.

Real output was growing at just about

two per cent while the turnover in the stock markets had almost tripled.

When a deputy governor of the RBI pointed this out to the Europeans during a conference, they had no answer.

By the end of 2008, the stock market in Europe had collapsed because the easy credit from the banks and transfer payments to citizens by the government dried up. No money, no boom.

The FII dollars This could happen in India too but at present the chances are remote because of the foreign institutional investors.

For every rupee an Indian invests they can, and do, invest a hundred rupees.

Also, they enjoy a tax advantage, at least until March 31, 2017, in that they don’t have to pay capital gains on short term trading profits. This to ensure that they keep on buying and selling and the market stays buoyant.

Another aspect of the FIIs is that in their own countries they earn very

low net returns, less than one percent.

So India, where the returns tend to be between 2 and 5 per cent, is a very attractive destination. This also ensures that they keep investing in India.

Then there is the vested interest that the government has in keeping to market fizzing because that is the only way the FIIs with their dollars will stay invested in the Indian market.

With exports badly down, India is in dire need of these FII dollars.

That is why the LIC, which is the main instrument that the government employs to keep the market high, will keep buying whenever there is a downturn, as indeed there was after Brexit.

Thus, neither the number of traders nor liquidity is a problem. This means the market will stay up regardless of what is happening in the real sector.

Developed countries scenario This does not happen in developed countries where large investors keep a close watch on the performance of

the real sector. If it is doing badly, it means profits and dividends will be low. That depresses the demand for stocks and moves the money into debt.

This does not — or is not allowed to — happen in India and other emerging markets. That is why they are outperforming the markets in the developed countries.

Of course, other bad news — such as a massive defeat for the BJP in UP, Punjab, Gujarat and Goa, or riots, or war with someone like Pakistan or China — could take the fizz out of the market. But that too will not happen till 2017.

For both these reasons of capital gains taxation, and/or adverse electoral outcomes, 2017 is the year when the Indian market will come in sync with the real sector. Or, if the LIC is ordered to prop it up regardless of how much it costs, even that may not happen.

Net-net, the soda is having its effect and bloating the stomach for stocks, regardless of the appetite for them.

PRID Manohar Manchanda no more TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta

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ith deep sorrow I communicate the passing away of Past RI Director (1984-86) Manohar Manchanda, after a brief illness in Chicago, USA, where he had lived for the last two decades. He was 95.

A member of RC Delhi Midtown, Manchanda was a tall and visionary leader of the Rotary movement in India.

Those of us who have been fortunate to interact with him will always remember that he was a friend of friends and always led from the front. His contribution in the initial phase of polio eradication in India was remarkable, whether in fundraising or sensitising the Rotarians and Districts to participate in the immunisation programme. He will

always be remembered for his contribution to the Rotary cause.

He was the former managing partner of M L Manchanda & Co, a printing and packaging firm, and past President of the Faridabad Industries Association and Productivity Council, and the Rotary Institute Cancer Hospital.

A Rotarian since 1954, he became DG in 1974-75, and was the recipient of TRF’s Distinguished Service Award, and chaired the National PolioPlus Immunisation Committee for India.

He is survived by his wife Prabha, three sons — Arun, Anil and Anup, and daughter Manju. Condolence messages may be sent to Mrs Prabha Manchanda at manchanda11@comcast.net.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 53

Rasheeda Bhagat

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utch in Gujarat, with its stunning landscape, brown, barren and yet so enchanting… particularly the Rann of Kutch stretch… is a traveller’s delight of course. But more so, it is a shopping paradise, particularly for women, unless you, as a couple, are hunting for a typical Kutchi carved door or window to adorn your dream house. But for women, it is guaranteed to deliver an ecstatic experience. Even if you can’t buy all you want… to see, touch and feel those beautifully embroidered shawls, sarees, wooden carvings, leather products, embroidered purses, shoulder bags…is a treat in itself.

I found myself in Bhuj, and the adjoining Bhujodi village, for the second time in a year… yes, a rare treat, I know. This time to recount the story of PDG of D 3050 Mohan Shah, who played such a big role in the rebuilding and reconstruction work that Rotary did in Kutch after the devastating earthquake of January 2016.

As promised, he and his son, Jay Shah, also a Rotarian, drive me to Bhujodi for a shopping experience.

After a few bandhni and Ajrakh stoles, embroidered cloth bags and kurta panels have been bought, at half the price they are sold in Chennai or Delhi, we visit the Hiralaxmi Craft Park in the village. Set up over a sprawling

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10 acre area, the beautifully conceived and executed complex, mainly to preserve, restore and promote the crafts of Kutch, takes your breath away. For one, in a water starved region such as Bhuj, the green expanse of the Park is a welcome relief. It is monsoon time and everyday dark clouds cover the sky, but only to disappoint. It is July end, but the rain gods are in no mood to shower their blessings upon Bhuj.

But the overcast sky cools down the area and weaves a magic spell over it.

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he Craft Park is the brainchild of Chetan Shah, Managing Director of the Ashapura Group, and was set up in 2005 after a delegation of rural artisans, invited to the Ashapura guesthouse to demonstrate their arts and crafts impressed upon Shah how

In Marwada samaj daughters are not educated, they are made to do only this embroidery. But we thought otherwise.

Mayabhai

A display of kharad weaving.

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many of the treasured arts and crafts of Kutch were on the verge of extinction.

As usual, the artisans had no organised forum to support or market their craft, organise exhibitions, fund their travel, stay and food.

Every month 12 different artisans are hosted here and given a room, constructed on the model of the traditional Kutchi bhunga, made of mud, thatch and bamboo sticks. An architectural marvel, the bhunga keeps the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. Each bhunga nestles amidst greenery and provides the artisan sufficient space to display and market their wares during the month. There is a beautiful amphitheatre too in the complex to host traditional music and dance programmes.

Relaxing on a bench outside her bhunga, I find Anjuben, an artisan from the Marwara community, who has come from Dholaveera village, about 250 km from Bhuj. In her stall are displayed beautifully embroidered purses, cloth bags, clutch purses, runners, panels and patches in a rainbow of colours. The kurta she is wearing is exotically embroidered; the chunky silver neckwear, a plethora of colourful bangles covering her wrist as well as upper arm, present a captivating image. But above all, it is her smiles that draws you to her, and her shop.

Mayabhai, her husband, who specialises in making Kutch’s traditional

Chetan Bhai of Ashapura Turst encourages artisans like us and Meenabhabi bahu dayalu chhey (very kind).

They treat us with respect.

Anjuben, the skilled artisan.

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Anjuben

leather ware, smiles as he describes himself her “assistant”.

“She is the artisan, I am only her helper… I couldn’t send her so far for an entire month all alone, so I have come with her.” The month is coming to an end, and the couple is very happy with the sales she has made. Craft Park gets about 4,000 visitors every week.

“We manage to sell our products only when we go to a mela (exhibition), but this place is so good. There are many foreigners who come here… from

Japan, France, Bhopal, etc and they love our embroidered crafts. She has sold most of what she had brought,” beams Mayabhai..

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he couple has been to melas in Delhi, Kolkatta, Jaipur. He does leather work, she does embroidery. What about the Rann Utsav at Dhordo, I ask him. “No, we haven’t gone there; it is

too far and becomes very expensive as there is no accommodation given and while there are only 12 shops at a time here, at the Rann Utsav there are too many shops, so the competition is much more.”

Anjuben is very happy that they are given free food from the canteen, toilets with running water are available, and as the bhunga has a fan, they sleep in it at night. “I don’t have to cook, which is such a huge relief, says the woman who has been doing fine embroidery work for 20 years.

“Chetan Bhai encourages artisans like us and Meenabhabi bahu dayalu chhey (very kind). They treat us with respect,” she adds. While their two sons are not interested in learning their father’s craft, daughter Ranjan has learnt embroidery from her mother

A typical Kutchi bhunga at the Craft Park.

SEPTEMBER SEP SSE EPTEM EP TEEM T EMBE BER B ER 20 ER 22016 01166 RO ROT R ROTARY OT O TAR ARY A RY N RY NE NEWS EW WSS 5 577

A Kharad artisan takes a break from the strenuous weaving.

and helps her in her craft. “But she lives in Bhu and is going to a school; her education is sponsored by a kind family. In Marwada samaj daughters are not educated, they are made to do only this embroidery. But we thought otherwise,” says Mayabhai proudly.

In another bhunga, Haneef Khatri has an enchanting range of Ajrakh stoles, shibori dupattas and tie and dye chunnis.

But the most fascinating stalls are those displaying kharad and artistic cotton and wool weaving. Kharad weaving — done using goat and camel wool — is over 100 years old and according to literature available at the Park, there is only one family in Kutch doing this. Kharad weaving is known as jiroi (Mat in English) in Rajasthan.

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One bhunga is devoted to artistic cotton and wool weaving; the Kutch landscape and weather are both suited to rearing sheep. In many weaving families, a skilful mix of both cotton and sheep wool is used to weave beautiful carpets, dhurries, shawls, dress material, hand and shoulder bags, curtains, table cloths and bedspreads.

The Craft Park has beautiful panels educating visitors about the rich heritage of Kutchi arts and crafts. For instance, in a part of Kutch, exquisite mud mirror work is done. We’re told how many Kutchi communities traditionally decorate the mud walls in their homes with mirror work, designed around the figures of parrots, elephants, horses, camels, etc.

This craft has now been transferred

onto small wooden panels and other objects which you can either use or display in your house as they come nicely framed.

Both the landscape and the crafts of Kutch mirror the resilience, brilliance and hard work of the Kutchi people.

The earliest migrants from India to cross the shores and reach Africa were Kutchis, and some of them had built their own boats. In many areas, the land is so arid that nothing but the thorny bawal bushes grow… small wonder that the artisans of Kutch filled their arts and crafts with so many vivid colours… to make up for the browns of the desert area they inhabit.

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by Krishnapratheesh S

On the Shelf

A lost world of true secularism TCA Srinivasa Raghavan

Being the Other: The Muslim in India Saeed Naqvi Aleph Pp 239 Rs 600

T

his is the sort of book that some Tamil Brahmin might write one day about being a Brahmin in Tamil Nadu, about what it feels like to be an influential minority in a place where the majority is very big indeed and is looking to replace your influence. It is about a lost world where Hindus and Muslims lived together in a reasonably amicable modus vivendi that consisted, in the main, of the practise of live and let live, of benignly ignoring each other, and of not imposing on each other in any way. It was an altogether gentler world that Naqvi poignantly laments in this book, the melting away of a way of life that had more charm and kindness than we are likely to witness in our lifetimes.

Naqvi is a senior Indian journalist who has been covering India since the early 1960s. He writes without obfuscation or pusillanimity. This book is a personal memoir but not entirely. It is about what he has seen; about what he thinks about things; and how he feels about it all. It is not, mercifully, about what has happened to him. It is about what has happened to India after some Muslims, in a fit of short-sightedness, demanded and got a separate country called Pakistan in 1947.

The book has nine rueful chapters that cover a wide range of issues like growing up in the Awadh area, partition, Kashmir, Babri Masjid, the Meenkashipuram riots, and the mangoes of Mustafabad, where the family had a home with a mango tree or two. The underlying message in the book is that it is not very nice to be a Muslim in India because of the overarching belief system that prevails about India being a Hindu country where Muslims live as guests.

W

riting about the Partition, Naqvi quietly drops a huge bomb on the Congress with understated fury. He says its secularism was only skin deep and that it didn’t really care about the 90 million Muslims who lived in India in 1947. Gandhiji, Nehru, Sardar Patel — none of them did, he says. He even suggests that the Congress was essentially a Hindu party which wanted to replace the British after they left and that Hindutva, the BJP’s credo, was bequeathed by that old Congress of the 1940s and 1950s.

He endorses the points made by historians who say that the partition was not Jinnah’s doing, but that of the Congress, which was in a hurry to rule

as its leaders were all growing old. The evidence he adduces in support of his beliefs is factual, if perhaps selective.

H

e is equally scathing about Kashmir and India’s policy towards it.

He believes that as a princely State with a Muslim majority, under the principle agreed upon for partitioning India, Kashmir should have gone to Pakistan.

After all, it was on this principle that India took over Junagadh, whose ruler, in spite of a Hindu majority population in his State, had opted for Pakistan.

India accepted the Kashmir ruler’s offer to merge with India, says Naqvi, because Nehru, as a Kashmiri, had a soft corner for Kashmir. He reminds us of how 200,000 Muslims in Jammu were massacred and chased away so that it became a Hindu majority part of J&K. Once again, the evidence is factual, but possibly not complete.

One does not have to agree with everything that Naqvi says. But one must read this book to get an entirely different perspective on modern India, one that is completely at variance with the State-sponsored wisdom we are fed on a whole range of issues.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 59

The cells that

save lives Rasheeda Bhagat Two doctors in Chennai are waging a battle to grow a public cord blood bank to the level it can effectively save more and mitigate the trauma of blood cancer, thalassaemia and other patients.

E

very year 24 million babies are born in India and along with the placenta and the umbilical cord that is disposed as biological waste, precious stem cells and cord blood which can save lives of many Indians suffering from blood disorders such as blood cancer, thalassaemia and some inherited metabolic disorders, are discarded.

India has made amazing progress in medical technology and our

relatively low costs of state-of-theart medical treatment gets us patients from even developed countries. But stem cell transplantation has not taken off, because we do not have a public stem cell bank, and this facility is hitherto limited only to private cord blood banks, where rich individuals pay tens of thousands of rupees to store the baby’s cord blood in the hope it can be later used either

Dr Saranya Narayan and Dr P Srinivasan Founders of the Jeevan Blood Bank, Chennai.

60 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

for the same child, the siblings, parents, or other relatives.

But Dr P Srinivasan, a Chennaibased crusader and once a Rotarian, — “now on a sabbatical from Rotary”, — , has been waging a long battle to establish a sizable public stem cell bank in Chennai “which will benefit Indian children globally.”

He points out that China has such a blood bank with a whopping 150,000

units, Singapore with 12,342 units, Australia and even SE Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia have decent cord blood banks. Over 50,000 cord blood transplants have been done in the world, with every year 2,000 more being added. But in India among the 250-odd transplants being done, mostly very few are cord blood stem cells because there is no large public bank.

H

e set up the Jeevan Blood Bank as a public charitable trust in Chennai along with Dr Saranya Narayan in 1995. “In 2005, when we were 10 years old and supporting many children with free blood for thalassaemia management — they need blood transfusion every month to survive — we also had a few patients with blood cancer requiring regular blood transfusion post chemotherapy, and a parent asked us about possible cure with stem cell transplantation.”

At that time global discussions were happening on stem cells from cord blood, and Jeevan got interested as Indian children were dying from ailments which could be treated using cord blood as in the west and that too 1985 onwards,” he says.

About 120,000 Indians are diagnosed with blood cancer, and one third of these are children. And 10,000–14,000 children are born and diag-

Cord blood Once the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the placenta and the cord, containing precious blood cells, is dumped into the waste bin. That blood contains enough stem cells to cure children with blood disorders, with a success rate of 60–80 per cent.

Jeevan already had the expertise to process the blood it receives from voluntary blood donors. “We spin it in the centrifuge, separate the blood components, store them at different temperatures and give to patients.

The tests we run for HIV, Hepatitis B, etc would be the same for the cord blood. The major difference is that the stem cells have to be stored at minus 185 deg C.” For harvesting stem cells to international standards, automated machines would be required.

For a donor and recipient to match for stem cell transplant, their Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) have to match. This is DNA match and is on the white cells, and that DNA is highly ethnicity dependent.

“For example, if I am A positive and go to Spain and need blood in an emergency, it is pretty easy to get and it works. But the stem cells don’t work the same way, being highly ethnicity dependent, so the chances of finding a match are much higher in your own ethnic pool,” says Dr Srinivasan, who is Chairman of Jeevan.

He gives the example of Prof Nalini Ambady, an Indian from Tufts University, US, who battled leukemia for many years but finally succumbed in 2011 at the age of 54, when her family’s desperate search for a matching and willing bone marrow donor failed, as there were few Indians on these registries.

nosed with thalassaemia.

Realising they had both the experience and expertise, they decided they should do much more with the blood bank than serve just 10,000 people in Chennai. “So we grabbed the chance in 2007 to touch Indians globally and set up a much needed public cord blood bank,” says Dr Saranya, who is Medical Director of Jeevan.

J

ust as in blood transfusion, stem cells or bone marrow need to be taken from healthy normal donors. “And if the DNA matches, it can create magic,” says Dr Srinivasan. According to recently released statistics, 120,000 Indians are diagnosed with blood cancer, and one third of these are children.

And annually, 10,000–14,000 children are born and diagnosed with thalassaemia. Many of these children can be helped by stem cells transplant.

On why Jeevan would like to concentrate only on children, the reply is that the number of stem cells in a single unit of cord blood are sufficient only to treat a child upto around 30 kg of body weight. Whereas in a bone marrow donor, the cells are large so they can be used for adults. “In 2015, Jeevan started the bone marrow donor registry with seed grants from Tata Trust, United Way of Chennai, Consulate General of Australia and Sundaram Finance.”

But the advantage of cord blood stem cells, over bone marrow, is that these are readily available in a frozen format, so it takes hardly two weeks to SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 61

Cord blood storage unit.

A Crusade On the Jeevan Board is Vigneshwaran, who once had blood cancer and underwent stem cells transplant with cord blood from a woman in Australia. “He was one of the lucky ones who could get a match,” says Dr Srinivasan. The treatment was not cheap; Rs 1.5 crore were required for the transplant done in Singapore. His friends and father raised the money.

A Rotarian from RC Madras helped through a huge conribution. “When we met him around 2011–12, he was 26, already 5 years into transplant and healthy. His parents told us there is a purpose in his being alive today.

Since you are doing something similar, tell us how he can help you. So he became the first face of the Jeevan project,” he says.

After an engineering degree in Anna University, and an MBA, he now works for TCS, and is now on an assignment in Chicago.

62 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

get it to the patient’s bedside. But for bone marrow, “you have to hunt for the donor who registered probably 10 years earlier. We have to find him and then he needs to go through a process of medication after which the cells are extracted and given. A lot can happen between the cup and the lip.”

U

nderlining the need for India to have a strong public stem cell bank, he says that when an Indian girl needs stem cells, the chances of finding a match in the international registry with some 26 million donors, is less than 10 per cent because of her Indian ethnicity. “Even if she is lucky enough to find a match in Australia, a single unit costs $45,000, in addition to the transplant cost. Just as in the past for a coronary bypass Indians flew to the US; in the mid-1980s, coronary bypass cost Rs 20 lakh; today it costs between Rs 1 to 2 lakh. So the economy of scale operates.”

But Jeevan can provide a unit of stem cell of the same international quality at Rs 30,000, or under $500.

Work began in 2007 and by 2008 Jeevan’s cord blood bank was operational. But the sad part is that till now only five transplants have been done because it has only 5,100 stored stem cell units. “Unless we have a larger inventory, we can’t have more matches. India needs something like 30,000 to 50,000 units; then 50 to 70 per cent of children looking for a match will be able to find one. To store 50,000 units, atleast 100,000 cord blood donations are required, as only half are usually fit for processing and storage. In most cases the collected cord blood cannot be processed because of insufficient volume, or the stem cells may not be adequate for transplant,” explains Dr Saranya Narayan.

But to run and sustain such a bank is extremely difficult. “By September 2012, we had 660 units, and we were on the verge of closing down as we were minus Rs 3 crore and the newspapers wrote about it, with one saying: “Public cord blood bank is closing for want of moolah,” chuckles Dr Srinivasan.

The deadline was set for December 31, but it couldn’t find 30,000 people to donate Rs 30,000 each “because people confused us with the private cord blood banks, which is a huge industry. But then those banks are like Swiss bank lockers which only the owners can dip into!”

But suddenly, out of the blue, they got a call from the ICICI Bank offering a loan at just one per cent service charge and repayable in 2023!

This was from the Technology Services Revolving Fund of GOI, and the amount on offer was Rs 15.54 crore.

And on its heels, came a grant of Rs 9 crore from the Tamil Nadu Government “to collect, process and store 3,000 cord blood collections from Tamil-speaking people and make it available free to them when needed.”

To my raised eyebrows, the doctor says, “there is nothing wrong in it. It is not racist but related to ethnicity.

The HLA typing varies significantly between the different lingusitic populations of India.”

With all this money, where is the shortage, I ask him.

“Good question. With the Rs 21 crore we took up our stem cells unit count from 660 to 5,100, and also set up a facility to do high resolution HLA typing. Major registries in India were

sending the DNA to the US, despite a ban on sending out human DNA, as it couldn’t be done here. We have filled that gap; coming from a background of diagnostics and pathology we felt we should do that. We spent Rs 2.5 crore to set up a high-end facility, which is now offered to patients from across India on a cost recovery basis.”

On the process of collection, he says the Obstetrician gets the parents’ consent; after the delivery, if there is no emergency, the cord blood is collected in a kit similar to blood donations kits, and sent to Jeevan within 24 to 36 hours.

T

heir first goal is to get 30,000 stem cell units; the cost of processing each is Rs 30,000, “so if 30,000 HNI Indians, or 30,000 Rotarians, donate Rs 30,000 each, which will enjoy tax exemption under 80G, a viable public stem cell bank with a critical number of units can be set up. And then we can scale it up to 50,000 units in the next 5 years. We will be creating a bio-asset, and not only for India but the entire SAARC region because of some similarity of DNA among us,” says Dr Srinivasan.

At present Jeevan gets around seven requests a week from world over because it is internationally listed.

Equipment to harvest stem cells donated through Rotary's matching grant of Rs 23 lakh.

SAARC countries should work together to establish a public cord blood bank.

They have to look beyond playing cricket.

Rotarians can help He believes Rotarians can help Jeevan stem bank to go from 5,100 to the critical mass of 35,000 in the first phase.

“After the remarkable gift of Rotary to children through its PolioPlus programme banishing polio from India, Rotarians have been asking what next.

This project can touch Indian children with blood disorders globally and end a thalassaemia child’s need for repeated blood transfusions which costs the family Rs 2 lakh a year. The cure rate is 60 to 80 per cent. If 30,000 Rotarians can donate Rs 30,000 each, it can be done.”

The cost of stem cell transplant now is rather high at Rs 10 lakh, but Dr Saranya is confident as in coronary bypass, volume can drive down costs.

Dr Srinivasan says that the SAARC countries should work together to establish a public cord blood bank.

“They have to look beyond playing cricket. A compelling reason is common ethnicity. Today the chance of a South Asian finding a match in the international registry is less than 10 per cent. That will go up to 40 if not 60 per cent if we have such a bank.”

About the cost, he says that Jeevan gives it free to a family with less than Rs 10 lakh annual income. For those above this income are asked to make a donation so that the programme remains financially sustainable.

Interestingly, a critical equipment in harvesting stem cells was donated through a matching grant of Rs 23 lakh when he was in Rotary (RC Madras East and a Philippines club which no longer exists).

Pictures by K Vishwanathan SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 63

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

W

ith the progress of the new Rotary year, momentum for the literacy programme is rising to a crescendo. Some exciting events are unfolding this month onwards. We are developing partnerships with NGOs, Corporates and the State Governments.

Update - Notable achievements are about to happen in E-learning where we are signing up with the Governments for a thousand E-learning centres.

The teacher training programme also has taken off well. The Asha Kiran

campaign, that started on August 14, reached commitment of 9,000 children to be sent back to school in just four days. Nearly 100 Happy Schools have been built across India so far.

World Literacy Day – Let us celebrate September 8, the World Literacy Day, doing one act from the TEACH programme and help somebody to become literate.

Click a picture of your kind act and post it on social media. Let us make a huge noise on social media, let the world know the might of Rotary and its mission to eradicate illiteracy.

Together let us make this day a great success.

TEACH App – In September look out for the TEACH Application. Be amongst the first to download it from the App Store/Play Store/iOS. It will make things easy for the DGs, Presidents and Rotarians to get news, update projects, share pictures etc. It will be your gateway to find funds for TEACH projects. Have a great literacy month.

Best Wishes Shekhar Mehta, Chair, RILM

TEACH Recognition Criteria: 2016–2017 Level

NBA

TS

EL

AL

CD

HS

CLUB Star Club

5 schools

30 teachers

5 centres

Super Star Club

10 schools

60 teachers

10 centres

100 adults

Mega Star Club

15 schools

90 teachers

15 centres

150 adults

Supreme Star Club

25 schools

150 teachers

50 centres

300 adults

50 adults

Equal to club membership 3 times the club membership 5 times the club membership 10 times the club membership

1 school

3 schools

5 schools

10 schools

DISTRICT Star District

None

150 teachers

100 centres

1,000 adults

1,000 children

25 schools

Super Star District

None

300 teachers

200 centres

1,500 adults

1,500 children

50 schools

Mega Star District

None

450 teachers

400 centres

3,000 adults

3,000 children

100 schools

Supreme Star

None

750 teachers

1,000 centres

10,000 adults

None

200 schools

64 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

The TEACH activity snapshots: Teacher Support (Nation Builder Awards) Rotary Clubs Dehradun, D 3080, Yamunanagar, D 3070, Katwa, Silchar and Greenland Silchar, D 3240 have already reached the Star Club recognition for Nation Builder Awards. Teacher evaluation for 30 schools is under progress by RC Bharuch, D 3060, and the best teachers will be honoured with the Nation Builder Award and given special training on September 8 and 9.

E-learning Adult literacy programme by RC Sambalpur West, RI District 3261.

The Gujarat Government have already set up 6,094 e-learning kits in its government and government-aided schools. RILM will be signing an MoU with the State Government for installing e-learning kits in all the government/government-aided schools of Maharashtra. The event will be inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Adult Literacy

RC Jalpaiguri, D 3240, has opened an Adult literacy centre where 15 women have enrolled for the classes. An Adult Literacy project for slum dwellers has been started at Sambalpur with 30 adult ‘students.’ The Parmeswari Bai Memorial Trust, Sambalpur, has sponsored this project that costs Rs 30,000 for a course duration of three months.

Child Development

The Asha Kiran campaign that began on August 14 is attracting several thousand pledges on the social media.

Happy School

RC Dehradun, D 3080, has provided toilet blocks for both girls and boys, hand wash facility, drainage facility and water purifier at the Government Primary School, Dharampur. They are also setting up a library with 300 books at the school. RC Vrindavan, D 3110, has adopted the Ucchtar Madhyamik Vidyalay, Madrak, and Aligarh School and provided them with various facilities.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 65

66 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Records Galore Team Rotary News

A section of the newly installed club Presidents of D 3291 with DG Shyamashree Sen (centre)

Record Swearing-in A record 110 Rotarians gathered at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata on July 1 to be sworn in as Club Presidents for the current Rotary Year. It is the first time in the 97-year history of D 3291 that so many

presidents were installed on a single day in the same place, says DG Shyamashree Sen, who was also installed to the post on that day by her immediate predecessor Jhulan Basu, in the presence of PRIDs Y P Das and Shekhar Mehta.

The occasion also had philanthropic activities such as financial contribution by Rotarians for rehabilitation of 12-year old Anjali Roy, a cancer survivor, and a donation of Rs 1 lakh for the welfare of the HIV+ children residing at Arunima Hospice.

Record 7 New Clubs

(From right) RC Ambarnath President Laxman Pawar and DG Subhash Kulkarni at the installation of RC Ambarnath West.

Rotary Club of Ambarnath, D 3142, has established seven new Rotary clubs during 2015–16, breaking the earlier Rotary world record of six clubs formed in a year by another club.

A total 210 charter members were introduced to Rotary by President Laxman Pawar last year in RCs Ambarnath West, Badalapur, Ambarnath North, Murbad, Thane Angels, Ulhasnagar Elite and Badalapur Rural. „

Say ‘No’ to drugs Kiran Zehra

Students taking the pledge.

O

ver 1,500 youngsters from various colleges in Chennai participated in the ‘Say no to drugs’ campaign held at Ethiraj College. The initiative was jointly conducted by D 3230, District Rotaract Council and Rotaract Club of Ethiraj College to “teach students and young people to take pride in saying no to this life destroying habit,” said Jacklin, a de-addiction counsellor at TTK Hospital, Chennai. The TTK Clinical Research Foundation was founded in

1980 and since then has helped over 20,000 individuals withdraw from alcohol/drug addiction. “Though the number of students getting into drug addiction in the city might still be small, the number is steadily growing,” she warned.

Additional DGP Sunil Kumar shocked the audience with the information that “last year the State Narcotics Department seized drugs worth Rs 4 crore, and this year, so far, we have seized drugs worth Rs 14 crore. This

From left: De-addiction Counsellor Jacklin, DG Natrajan Nagoji, PRID P T Prabhakar and ADGP Sunil Kumar.

68 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

proves that the demand is growing and you could be the next target,” he told the students. “While the police department is doing its job, educational institutions and students like you should bring cases of drug addiction among students to our notice.”

Calling the students “agents of change,” PRID PT Prabhakar said “You now hold the responsibility of saying no to drugs and helping a friend or family member who is a victim.” DG Natarajan Nagoji advised the students not to get caught up in the moment and take drugs in the name of celebration. “Not only are you putting your health at risk, you could also land up ruining your life.”

Identifying peer pressure as one of the main reasons for students getting into drug abuse, Jacklin highlighted the necessity for Parent-Teacher Associations to work proactively and make students constantly aware of the dangers of drug addiction.

A pledge to 'Say No to Drugs' was administered followed by a poster release and a mime show.

Pictures by K Vishwanathan

We need Lifestyle Medicine not Medication Sheela Nambiar

P

eople visit doctors when they are unwell. This means they are likely to be ‘treated’, usually with medication. This also means they are followed up, given strict instructions such as how to take the medicines, when and with what, what to do during the course of the illness (rest, drink fluids) and so on. And then… they hope to be ‘cured.’

End of story!

So what happens when they are not ill? Mostly they go about their merry way, eating and drinking as they please, or worse, eating some latest ‘fad diet’ that promises incredible weight loss in ridiculously short periods of time. Or, they choose a really easy way out by buying into fat loss aids and unnecessary supplements. They refrain from regular exercise, rarely meditate and live on a prayer that their bodies will somehow continue to support their decadent lifestyles. Unfortunately, that’s just what it is, a Prayer.

Today we see more and more diseases that are related directly to how we lead our day-to-day lives. What we

All that is required to change a person’s course of health is a change in ‘lifestyle.’ Not medication, surgery or any other invasive intervention, but a genuine change in habits.

70 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

eat, how much we eat or drink, how physically and mentally active we are and if we exercise, practice relaxation and safe sex. If we take time out to nurture ourselves. If we are mindful and avoid substance abuse. All the above have a close, inextricable relationship with our Quality of life.

I am not even referring to being just ‘thin’ or of a certain weight. In fact, I am not referring to weight on the scale at all. I am talking about being healthy and well enough to be able to do what we would really love to in life.

To travel, work, play, to be creative, be special and see our kids grow.

All that is required to change a person’s course of health, be it improvement in a disease status, weight loss or simply her Quality of life is a change in ‘lifestyle.’ Not medication, surgery or any other invasive intervention, but a genuine change in habits.

For instance, a woman with back pain, weight gain, difficulty in conceiving and low mood will benefit greatly from a ‘prescription’ of regular exercise and appropriate nutrition to strengthen the back as well as to lose weight.

Instead, she is often put on painkillers, told to rest, with antidepressants added for good measure. She may be advised surgery. Or, she may be prescribed physiotherapy and passive assisted exercises, heat therapy, ultrasound, hot

packs and other methods that provide temporary relief but are certainly not long-lasting remedies.

The patient is usually quite thrilled with this mode of management. This essentially means she is ‘ill’ and the whole wretched situation is quite out of her control. She can therefore safely assign responsibility to another, such as a person of medicine, to take care of her health. In fact, if she were told to come in for a review after six weeks of just a change in lifestyle with the incorporation of a simple strength training routine and a balanced, more sensible diet, she will probably never return. What sort of doctor doesn’t prescribe pills?

The truth however is that several of the diseases we see today benefit far more from lifestyle interventional change and rehabilitation than from drugs. The change has to be well orchestrated. If you are not guided properly, especially in the initial stages of a ‘change in lifestyle’, much could go terribly wrong such as injury and or nutritional deficiencies. If you don’t have a supportive environment to make that change, it is going to be a steep uphill climb for an already difficult task.

Change has to be Slight, Significant and Sustainable.

Slight so your body does not protest violently and doesn’t see it as a threat to its very existence. For example — a 20–30 minute walk every day to begin with for an inactive person or, cutting down portion size gradually for someone used to consuming large quantities.

Significant enough for the human body to be forced to make the necessary internal adaptations to the change. An overweight individual who has never exercised will benefit even from a slow five-minute walk. A fairly fit, young person will need to be pushed harder for her body to register change.

Sustainable in clever ways so results are long lasting. If for instance you are told to eat a diet that leaves you hungry and irritable half the time,

A healthy dose of ‘lifestyle medicine’ will go a long way in enabling one to be disease-free for as long as possible, and improving the quality of life.

the likelihood of you being unable to follow through is very high. If you are made to exercise so hard on your first attempt that your body goes into minor shock, it’s likely you will begin to detest exercise.

The problem with most attempts at exercise or healthy eating is that they are seen as closed ended methods of management. They are viewed like a prescription for, lets say, antibiotics — to be taken for an X number of days at a stipulated time and dosage and then stopped. This may work for an acute illness. Lifestyle diseases unfortunately, cannot be managed this way.

The ‘prescription’ for lifestyle management is on-going, for life! The actual methods used to stay fit may be altered with age and time, but they still need to be in place to keep us agile, strong and fit along with being disease-free.

Medication, surgery, intervention are absolutely necessary. But not all the time! Being an obstetrician, I intervene everyday to ensure the safety of the mother and child at childbirth. At times one has to step in with the necessary armamentarium available to us in modern medicine. I do believe however that a healthy dose of “lifestyle medicine” will go a long way in not just enabling one to be disease-free for as long as possible, but in improving Quality of life.

(The author, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, is a Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant, and has published two books: Get Size Wise; Gain to Lose) SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 71

Club RC Pondicherry — D 2981

C

ancer patients in need of a smile get more than just that at the JIPMER Hospital, Puducherry. The club’s Rotaract Club of Rivers follows a tradition of celebrating its members’ birthdays along with the cancer-afflicted children. Rotaractor Josika says, “Last October we saw our Coordinator Dr PX Antony celebrate his birthday along with a cancer patient. So we thought why not we do the same?” Apart from a surprise birthday party the Rotaractors gift toys and clothes for the child.

In the picture is Cynthia Julliet, who lost her eyes to retinoblastoma, celebrating her birthday with Rotaractors and other children in the cancer ward.

RC Thuraiyur Golden City — D 3000

T

he club encouraged parents and healthcare professionals in Thuraiyur to participate in a marathon to support and encourage breast feeding.

Conducted during the World Breast Feeding week (August 1-7), the marathon had a participation of around 2,000 people. “Thuraiyur being a small town, we did not expect this kind of participation,” beams Club President S Ashok Periyasamy.

RC Vuyyuru — D 3020

T

he club conducted an education and literacy drive in the region. As part of the programme, the Rotarians distributed notebooks, printed with the Rotary Wheel and the current year’s theme, to the students of AG&SGS Junior College.

RC Kalol — D 3051

T

he thought of going to school with a dingy school bag, faded uniform and torn shoes can never be encouraging for a child, says past president Amrut Prajapati. When the club decided to distribute uniforms, bags and educational kits, Kalol Primary School, situated in the slums seemed to be the best option. “The happiness on the face of the children is priceless and they now believe Rotary will keep giving them something new if they continue to come to school.”

72 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER AUGUST 2016 2016

Matters RC Dhule Crossroads — D 3060

W

hen the farmers of Kundane village, Maharashtra, informed the club about an old check dam that could help them fight the water crisis, the Rotarians got into action. They spent Rs 4.5 lakh to clean and spruce it up and the rains came just in time to fill it up. “The delighted farmers are preparing for sowing their new crop,” said Club President Kamar Shaik.

RC Ajmer Metro — D 3052

I

n its bid to help children attend school regularly the club sponsored school kits for underprivileged students. Each kit included a uniform, pair of shoes, a school bag and stationery.

RC Phagwara South — D 3070

T

he Club’s Rotary Vocational Centre is imparting training in sewing and beauty courses for the region’s women since the past eight years.

Besides certificates, the club gives the trained women a sewing machine or a beautician kit to help them earn a decent living by pursuing the vocation.

RC Kanpur Shikhar — D 3110

W

hen Club President Sunil Mangal learnt that “immediate first-aid treatment on a stretcher could save a patient Rs 50,000,” he along with his team donated four stretchers to LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur.

“If it saves a life and money it definitely is a good act of social service,” he said.

SEPTEMBER AUGUST 2016 ROTARY NEWS 73

Club RC Pune Shivajinagar — D 3131

T

he club has constructed toilet blocks for men and women and a hand wash unit at Pune’s Empress Botanical Garden. The sprawling 39-acre park attracts several visitors every year and lack of public toilet was a major drawback until now.

RC Nandurbar — D 3132

H

eavy rain in Pachorabari, a small village in Maharashtra, destroyed the villagers’ homes leaving them in need of even the most basic supplies. Armed with bags of blankets and food kits, Rotarians from Nandurbar made their way to the water-logged village to carry out relief efforts.

RC Akkolkot — D 3132

A

n outbreak of gastroenteritis killed 5 villagers in Waghdari village near Akkolkot. A team of 20 Rotarians comprising doctors, pharmacists and volunteers from the club rushed to offer medical services to the patients. About 110 patients were screened and 10 were admitted in hospital for further treatment. Medicines and ORS sachets were distributed to the villagers.

RC Borivli — D 3141

T

he club members and city residents participated in the Mumbai Daud organised by the club to raise awareness on eye donation. This annual mini marathon, co-sponsored by Tata Salt Plus, was flagged off by IPDG Subhash Kulkarni.

74 ROTARY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Matters RC Hanamkonda — D 3150

A

round 50 physically-challenged people in and around Hanamkonda received artificial limbs at a fitment camp conducted jointly by the club and RC Warangal. The camp also arranged free accommodation and food for all the participants.

RC Thane Central —D 3142

T

he club distributed bicycles to school students at Jummapatti, a village in Maharashtra. The children now find it easier to commute to school in this hilly region and they will have more time and energy to learn their lessons.

RC Chalakudy South — D 3201

T

he club, with assistance from DDF, donated an Ambulance, costing Rs 3.8 lakh, to Chalakudy Government Hospital. This will help provide medical services to people in the surrounding eight tribal villages.

RC Lumbini Siddharthnagar — D 3292

T

he club carried out relief efforts at Bharthapur and Rupandehi after the two villages were battered by heavy rainfall. Relief kits and food were distributed among 85 village households. Mosquito nets were provided to the villagers to protect them from insect bites.

Designed by L Gunasekaran SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 75

District Wise TRF Contributions as on June 30, 2016 (in US Dollars)

District Number

APF

PolioPlus*

Other Restricted

Total Endowment Contributions Fund

India 2981 2982 3000 3011 3012 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3291 India India Total

1,59,335 1,19,005 5,59,124 3,52,713 3,82,562 2,34,547 2,04,910 46,901 66,575 34,466 49,723 5,44,984 80,656 1,72,645 70,896 42,388 1,16,706 1,32,805 3,64,174 75,735 12,02,270 18,261 49,661 2,63,711 2,79,201 13,86,326 3,59,694 1,54,339 99,401 1,17,855 3,87,466 2,54,579 1,86,339 37,149 1,50,719 1,85,791 89,43,611 1,53,816

26,225

0 0 0 30,386 1,45,431 ,60,105 7,66,832 68,032 0 98,989 1,050 1,18,725 42,315 39,509 0 23,454 1,35,230 0 1,24,317 0 4,81,847 27,001 0 84,496 3,858 6,12,790 11,483 525 0 6,000 5,42,373 203 82,678 0 17,028 1,27,517

11,197 0 0 31,324 200 2,90,882 20,000 0 0 0 0 47,010 0 18,742 0 2,000 0 0 9,811 51,000 2,43,170 40,010 0 0 25,000 25,000 1,000 0 1,000 3,692 50,219 16,606 12,000 0 43,000 1,000

36,52,174

9,43,863

1,95,210 1,35,013 5,61,649 4,34,789 5,38,532 7,41,748 10,08,963 1,16,448 66,802 1,33,455 50,773 7,13,007 1,23,368 2,66,435 70,896 67,842 2,65,685 1,32,961 5,11,886 1,32,898 20,03,881 89,372 49,661 3,60,210 3,12,265 22,26,128 4,88,819 1,62,314 1,01,401 1,50,623 10,16,280 3,02,998 2,82,317 37,149 2,11,972 3,14,308 10,00,000 1,53,78,057

88,359

9,390

2,77,790

989 220

0 0

69,144 43,982

78,762 0

14,913 3,000

2,57,029 74,010

Pakistan

3271 3272

22,757 28,031

45,398 15,730

3281 3282

1,62,678 70,985

675 25

Bangladesh

2,39,312 96,21,192 12,16,84,630

4,319 19,30,781 2,63,47,665

* Excludes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

136,548,906

India

15,386,295

Japan

15,238,437

Korea

14,028,612

Taiwan

8,738,308

Top 5 Distrticts in South Asia in Total Contributions in 2015–16 World wide Rank

District

Total Contribution ($)

1

3190

22,26,128

2

3140

20,03,881

13

3292

11,87,056

23

3230

10,16,280

25

3030

10,08,963

Rotary International Service Above Self Award Winners 2015–16 2981 Ramaiya Palanivelu 3012 Ramesh Aggarwal 3020 Chaya Devi Karri 3030 Ravindra Ostwal 3051 Harshad Udeshi 3060 Deepak Agrawal 3110 Shyam Ji Sharma 3131 Girish Gune 3140 Sunil Mehra 3170 Anand Kulkarni 3201 Kochouseph Thomas Chittilappilly 3212 P S Sankaranarayanan 3220 Dharshan John 3230 Raja Seenivasan Venkatasamy 3240 Babulal Khetawat 3261 Rakesh Chaturvedi 3262 Suresh Chandra Khatoi

Nepal 3292 South Asia Total World Total

Total Contribution ($)

Country United States

24,677 16,009 2,525 20,366 10,339 1,56,214 17,222 1,515 227 0 0 2,288 397 35,539 0 0 13,749 156 13,583 6,163 76,594 4,100 0 12,003 4,206 2,02,011 1,16,643 7,450 1,000 23,075 36,223 31,611 1,300 0 1,225 0 10,00,000 18,38,409 Sri Lanka

3220

Top 5 Giving Countries in 2015–16

9,43,425 47,63,928 1,72,50,644

0 9,71,167 1,66,00,161

11,87,056 1,72,87,069 1,81,883,101

Source: RI South Asia Office

3272 Andleeb Ahmar 3281 Ishtiaque Zaman 3291 Utpal Majumdar Source: Rotary International

Largest Human Green Ribbon formation.

Focusing attention on Special children Team Rotary News

T

o fulfil the wish of their DG M Muruganandam, D 3000, to begin this Rotary year with a project involving special children, Rotarians from the District identified children from 21 Special Schools in Trichy. But soon the number swelled to over 1,000. “As we wanted the project to be inclusive in nature, the students of National College, Trichy were also added,” says Rtn R Anandha Jothi, Director - Special Projects from D 3000.

The project soon became an iconic one, and as the numbers swelled, an attempt was made to make this a record-breaking event through the formation of the largest human car. “The Guinness World Records organisation has accepted our proposal and agreed to consider it as an Official World Record attempt. The Largest Human

Car image formation was executed with a total of 1,660 persons, including 550 special children, 1,000 college students and 110 Rotarians,” he adds.

The Evidence Report has been sent to Guinness, and the certificate is awaited.

Another record was also attempted through the formation of the ‘Largest Human Green Ribbon’, by 800 special

Such events will highlight the problems faced by special children and the need to sensitise the community on their special needs and challenges.

DG Muruganandam

children, their teachers and parents, taking the total to 1,100. The Adjudicators of the India Book of Records were on the spot and a certificate was issued. This attempt has been referred to the Limca Book of Records for Certification.

DG Muruganandam says both the events were organised to “highlight the problems faced by special children and the need to sensitise the community on their special needs and challenges.”

Top IPS officers, retired Judges, sportspersons, educationists and Rotarians, including the DG, participated in the event, which caught media attention and will serve to enhance Rotary’s public image.

“The DG had planned 15 similar events across the District, involving differently-abled children and transgenders,” added Jothi.

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROTARY NEWS 77

Membership in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives

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Rotary at a glance As on June 1, 2016

Rotarians

: 12,14,182

Clubs

: 35,425

Districts

: 534

Rotaractors

: 2,19,029*

Clubs

: 9,523*

Interactors

: 4,68,464*

Clubs

: 20,368*

RCC members : 2,08,633* RCC

: 9,071*

* As on August 1, 2016

As on August 1, 2016 RI RI Rotary No of Women Rotaract Interact Zone District Clubs Rotarians Rotarians

5 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

2981 2982 3000 3011 3012 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100* 3110 3120 3131 3132 3141 3142 3150 3160 3170 3181 3182 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3220 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3271 3272 3281 3282 3291 3292 Total

Non-districted.*

109 63 115 74 78 85 99 94 65 67 61 96 108 75 81 77 112 73 121 88 80 78 95 64 128 65 78 147 138 129 134 96 75 147 86 102 74 83 62 119 193 118 148 104 4,284

4,326 2,780 4,752 2,950 3,369 4,070 5,321 2,210 2,415 3,506 2,427 3,834 3,141 3,145 2,121 1,819 3,743 2,996 5,262 3,439 4,801 2,948 3,211 2,250 5,306 2,768 2,975 5,689 5,098 4,813 4,179 3,832 1,903 5,848 2,956 3,732 2,403 3,036 1,104 2,150 5,396 3,248 3,818 3,729 1,54,819

190 75 348 500 568 224 649 248 172 545 338 362 280 201 72 78 192 283 1,022 314 799 377 292 112 340 161 143 634 286 256 206 206 245 477 338 588 231 360 169 336 700 238 634 500 15,289

51 43 190 39 53 102 66 48 45 35 16 49 56 56 31 10 48 35 71 57 96 50 70 17 46 28 23 119 80 80 11 92 75 164 53 45 15 39 40 31 208 118 61 105 2,767

211 106 369 90 102 455 238 104 144 128 31 101 145 179 36 73 49 49 214 125 219 169 173 42 265 163 258 321 104 404 70 235 187 427 136 193 100 67 14 35 79 23 117 100 6,850

RCC

167 39 112 29 54 353 139 135 334 130 91 122 54 99 122 146 71 49 69 104 81 63 109 81 158 68 86 46 46 39 121 126 78 303 132 173 42 70 13 35 184 38 564 95 5,170

Source: RI South Asia Office

WinS Transforms India District 3011

District 3012

District 3020

Inauguration of group handwashing station at a government school in Faridabad by RC Faridabad NIT.

WASH facilities inaugurated at the government school in Sevali, Haryana by RC Kundli.

Installation of group handwashing facilities in a government school at Kothavalasa village, Andhra Pradesh by RC Vizianagaram.

District 3120

District 3140

District 3180

Group handwashing station installed at a government school in Raebareli by RC Raebareli.

Over 500 toilets are built alongwith handwashing stations in schools around Mumbai.

Creating awareness on WinS programme through magic shows by Rtn Suresh Nayak, the 1st Down’s Syndrome member of the district.

District 3202

District 3211

District 3250

RC Vagarayampalayam constructed a group handwashing station in a goverment school in Tiruppur to promote handwashing.

Construction of a modern toilet block with group handwashing facilities, napkin vending machine, incinerator and ramp facilities for children with special needs by RC Trivandrum South.

Inauguration of group handwashing station at Rajkiye Madhya Vidyalaya Jaganathpur Ranchi, Jharkhand.

District 3261

District 3262

District 3291

The group handwashing facility provided to a school at Raipur by RC Raipur Midtown.

Group handwashing platform and hygienic toilet block for boys was inaugurated after a purposeful handwashing sensitisation workshop.

RC Central Calcutta installed a group handwashing station at Girl’s High School, Berhampore, along with water storage and pumping facilities.

Courtesy: WinS Times, June 2016

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