Rotaract News - July 2020

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Inside 14 Extending healthcare to a village 36 Strengthening bonds over DisCon 40 Rotaractors step up emergency relief work

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RAC Chennai inaugurates Milk Bank in Pollachi

20 A campaign for cleanliness

Rotaract News_K_A campaign for cleanliness_1.indd 2

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Rotaract annual dues pegged at $5 & $8

DRR narrates his International 24 AAssembly experience

16

Rotasia 2020

On the cover: A member of RAC Chennai, RID 3232, teaching a government school student to use a camera during a picnic under the club’s annual project, Payanam.

17-07-2020 07:23:11 PM

28 An 800-member strong club

focuses on women and children

17-07-2020 11:23:20 AM

Editor’s Note

The world at your feet

C

onsider this. Through Project Muskan, for two years at a stretch, Rotaractors of RAC Jagdalpur, RID 3261, have been running a mobile sophisticated mini-clinic, costing `8 lakh, across Chhatisgarh. It has delivered critical healthcare to about 40,000 villagers, More important, for every trip the medically equipped bus makes to a village, a few Rotaractors hop on to it and deliver hands-on service. Their reward: the happy smiles of the villagers. The 2,000-odd Rotaractors of this RI District, which is spread across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, and where the socio-economic parameters are modest, do a slew of service projects, despite the remoteness of the area and the associated challenges. Read more details about these Rotaractors in this issue, and marvel at the variety and relevance of their work that ranges from preventing diseases and helping cure existing ones.

The way in which youngsters, particularly Rotaractors, have responded across India to provide relief to those severely affected by the Covid pandemic in terms of lost livelihoods, inability of migrant workers to reach their homes and struggle to avoid death due to starvation as they began their long journeys to the villages in the initial weeks of the lockdown, is more than exemplary. It has proved, yet again, that the young in the middle and upper

middle classes can rise above the stereotypes associated with their age and class… music and movies (Netflix and so many other service providers), excessive chatting with or texting friends, and the like.

So many Rotaractors are out there in the field, distributing relief material, supporting the frontline staff engaged in the detection and caring for those infected. And for providing exemplary leadership while she was the president of her club — Rotaract Club of Panvel East- Ria Munot has recently got an award called She-ro (as against hero), a recognition for great work done by Indian women. It took into account her “service towards humanity” through work done in her Rotaract club as president. Her club has raised `1 lakh and used it for giving protective gear such as masks, gloves, sanitisers etc to those working to quell the pandemic.

The world that we look at today… so full of strife and conflict, poverty and disease, violence, inequality and divisions on communal and class lines, and with its ecosystems in a mess thanks to the greed and selfishness of human beings, doesn’t present a pretty picture. Add to it, the corona pandemic and the traumatic conditions across the world, the suffering, pain, fear and death. In this background, the only ray of hope is the younger generation. It doesn’t have the baggage of negativism… what happened to us 40 or 50 years ago, and now let us take revenge and such tit-for-tit kind of thinking that can only destroy the world.

You Rotaractors, belong to this age-group. Now with Rotary International deciding to strengthen the RotaryRotaract bond, and make Rotaract a full partner with Rotary, giving it all the power and authority its members need to do better and bolder service projects, your horizon is unlimited. Only the young have the energy and the optimism to achieve whatever they want… go ahead and do it, and we, the older generation, will cheer you on.

Rasheeda Bhagat JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 3

Message from

RI Director

One-to-One

T

he Rotary- Rotaract relationship has moved to a new level from July 1. Rotaract clubs now become members of Rotary International.

Rotaract is now a part of Rotary. This increases our leverage, enhances our image and moves Rotary forward with vigour and enthusiasm.

Rotaractors, you now have the opportunity to embrace the change; be the trailblazers and changemakers by developing and fulfilling your leadership potential. Focus on the Grow Rotaract initiative. Grow the membership, grow the leadership and grow the service through Rotaract.

Remember, focused thinking has great potential. Focus can bring energy and power to everything. Let me give you an example. The sun is a powerful source of energy. Every hour the sun washes the earth with billions of kilowatts of energy. Yet with a hat and some sunscreen you can soak up the sunlight for a couple of hours at a time with little ill-effects. A laser is a weak source of energy.

A laser takes a few watts of energy and focuses them in a coherent stream of light. But with a laser you can wipe out a cancer or drill a hole in a diamond.

Focus your energies on your priorities, on what you want to achieve and there’s no stopping you. You will succeed beyond your imagination.

Through Rotaract each one of you has the opportunity to serve and touch and improve lives. In the course of our lives we face many situations when we are dependent on the kindness and generosity of others to make it through difficult times. The way we reach out to others when fortune is on our side will often determine how fate will treat us in our moment of need. The best things you can give are the 3Ts — Thought, Talent and Time.

The post-Covid world will not be the same as before. The way we work, eat, travel, meet and interact with one another, and our service projects will all be different. And this change will be an ongoing process.

Rotaract and Rotary must adapt to and adopt this change for a brighter future for both.

It is said “Knowledge is Power”. I believe that knowledge is only potential power. It transforms itself into actual power the moment you decisively act on it. The smallest of actions is always better than the grandest of intentions. To paraphrase US President John Kennedy, “The time has come to ask not what Rotaract can do for me, but what I can do for Rotaract.”

The answer is simple. We can help Rotaract grow, thrive and flourish by active participation, commitment and involvement.

Be the Trailblazers as Rotary Opens Opportunities.

Bharat Pandya RI Director, 2019–21 4 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

Message from

RI Director

An exciting Rotary world

opens for Rotaractors Dear Rotaractors, On behalf of the Rotarians world over, a warm welcome to you all to the Rotary world as equal partners. From this year, Rotary has expanded its membership to encompass Rotaract clubs in its fold — a positive and bold step that shows how Rotary values young members. That appreciation will turn into bigger partnerships, more meaningful projects, better involvement with Rotary clubs and greater participation in district decisions.

I am sure you all must be excited with the recent Board decision that allows Rotaract clubs to participate in global grants, just like Rotary clubs.

Elevate Rotaract is a call for closer partnership between Rotary and Rotaract.

You are the social actors who can bring revolutionary changes and improvement in our organisation. Your participation is necessary for us to achieve any kind of future goals for prosperity, progress, peace and safety.

You are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but the drivers of change today.

The ongoing evolution brings exciting opportunities for your personal growth too. As members of Rotary International, Rotaract clubs can take advantage of the new leadership development resources from Toastmasters International and other online club administration tools.

It is vital to empower yourself to take charge of your lives. It is important for you to channelise your energy and intelligence for the betterment of the larger community.

I know you are doing exemplary work in extending all possible help to the lesser privileged during these challenging times. That is a good sign of being human. In the process, do take absolute care of yourself. Your health and safety is of utmost importance.

Covid-19 is still here and while it has caused much disruption, the world requires our leadership today more than ever. Thus, our responsibility also includes educating the communities on the containment measures put in place by the government. These measures are critical to flattening the curve and we must all adhere to them.

Kamal Sanghvi RI Director, 2019–21 JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 5

Rotaractors on a day out with children; at a beach on the ECR in Chennai.

RAC Chennai inaugurates Milk Bank in Pollachi Kiran Zehra

A

midst the pandemic RAC Chennai, RID 3232, recently inaugurated a milk bank at the Government Hospital in Pollachi, near Coimbatore. “We planned this for over a year now and looking at our dreams turn into reality at times like this is overwhelming,” says the Club President Aeijas Basha. The facility was inaugurated on June 13 with just the Project Chairman Satya and an operating staff. “Keeping in mind the surge in Covid-19 cases we took all preventive and protective measures to keep the milk bank clean and hygienic,” says Satya. Located in a rural area this hospital is also a referral centre for neonatal critical care for districts near Coimbatore, and Palakkad in Kerala; “one of the 6 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

reasons why we chose to start the facility here. It helps to improve the neonatal survival rate too,” he adds.

Counselling sessions are carried out around the region to burst myths surrounding donation of breast milk. There is a misconception that donor — mothers who have just delivered a baby will not have enough milk for her baby if she donates milk. “So, we have made counselling a part of the project to create awareness among people,” says Basha. To fund this project the club hosted an entertainment programme named Glitzz. Over 50 colleges from Chennai participated in it and 5,000 people attended the gala helping to raise `6 lakh for the cause.

Among the other projects that the club is doing “Akshayapathiram and Payanam are the closest to our hearts. Both these projects take care of underprivileged, mentally and physically-challenged children,” he says.

C Umapathy, the club’s past president who initiated the Project Akshayapathiram says the idea “was born at a traffic signal where I came across a little girl selling books. She came to me and pleaded that I buy the books so that she can buy herself some food with the money.” Later he discussed this incident with his club members. “We decided to feed children on the streets and in orphanages whenever we can. Be it a club member’s birthday, wedding anniversary, or just a work promotion, we would treat these kids to good homemade food.” The club has been implementing this project since 2011.

With a modest beginning of feeding 45 children at the Bala Vihar, an orphanage in Kilpauk, Chennai, Akshayapathiram grew to feed feed 500 destitute children today. So far, the club has spent close to `2 lakh for this project.

In Dec 2019, under a project named Sangamam, the club members took 450 mentally-challenged children from 50 special homes to watch the sunrise at the ECR Beach. Rotaractors helped the children walk on the sand, and reach the shore “where the waves touched their feet. It was sheer fun to see them build sand castles and generally enjoy themselves.

Their laughter and giggles made us

It was sheer fun to see the children build sand castles and generally enjoy themselves.

Top: Rotaractors at the milk bank in Pollachi.

Left: A picnic for schoolchildren.

happy. Something that none of us will ever forget,” recalls Prashanth, a club member and ADRR of RID 3232. What started as a small outing for the mentally-challenged children took shape into an annual club project called Payanam. The project has completed 20 trips to various places in and around the city, making 1,000 government school students happy.

The club spends `40,000 on each outing while the transport is sponsored by few colleges in the city.

JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 7

RI Virtual Convention

PRIP Barry Rassin (centre) and Elevate Rotaract Task Force Chair David Stovall (fourth from R) - File photo.

Rotaract annual dues

pegged at $5 & $8 Jaishree

B

eginning 2022, Rotaractors of university-based clubs will have to pay annual dues of $5 and community-based clubs $8. The dues have been introduced to cover the cost of additional support for Rotaract clubs, which can participate in global grant projects from July 1, 2022. They can be international or host sponsor of a global grant if they have previously partnered with a Rotary club on a similar grant. This was announced by the Elevate Rotaract Task Force Chair

8 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

David Stovall at a breakout session of the RI Virtual Convention. At this session PRIP Barry Rassin, Rotaract Committee Co-chairs Elyse Lin from Taiwan and Ronald S Kawaddwa from Uganda discussed various changes following the resolution to elevate Rotaract, which was passed at the CoL 2019.

Rassin had formally proposed expanding the definition of Rotary membership to include both Rotary and Rotaract at the CoL “to make Rotary more appealing and welcoming

to young professionals. We keep telling Rotarians to find a way to bring in young people, when we have them already, but we seem to forget them,” he said.

The Task Force, comprising both Rotaractors and Rotarians, was created last year by President Mark Maloney to discuss ways to update Rotaract policies and create an inclusive and flexible membership experience. “We included Rotaractors world over in a survey to look into what services Rotary can offer

Rotaract. The focus was to give more autonomy and flexibility to Rotaractors and treat them as equal partners,” said Stovall.

With Rotaractors now having Rotary membership, they will get more support from RI, including access to administrative tools on My Rotary, take advantage of products and services such as new leadership development resources from Toastmasters International, updated online goal-setting tools and an improved online club administration experience.

On the advice of the Task Force, the RI Board in October 2019 approved several changes to Rotaract — the most notable being the removal of Rotaract’s upper age limit. From July 1, Rotaractors will no longer be required to leave their club when they turn 31.

The Task Force observed that only 4 per cent of Rotaractors were becoming Rotarians. “That means we have lost most of the Rotaractors who could have stayed with Rotary,” said Kawaddwa. The age limit was an obstacle for Rotaract members who wanted to stay involved with Rotary but either didn’t feel ready for a traditional Rotary club or found Rotary dues expensive. “Once those members leave, it’s very hard to get them back into the Rotary family.

With the rules changed, hopefully some recent alumni will rejoin Rotaract,” said Elyse.

There was a concern that Rotaractors will never move on to Rotary and

I’d want all Rotaractors from community-based clubs to stay in Rotary.

PRIP Barry Rassin

Clockwise from top L: Rtr Elyse Lin, PRIP Rassin, Elevate Task Force Chair Stovall and Rtn Ronald Kawaddwa in a Breakout session during the RI Virtual Convention.

Rotaract will be slowly taken over by older members. “Rotary clubs need to transform themselves to be more relevant to the younger Rotaract members so that they want to join a Rotary club,” said Rassin. To the Rotaractors, he said, “If you can’t find a Rotary club that you want to join, you can form a new one.”

It’s all about individual relationships. Rotarians should frequent their Rotaract clubs and vice versa.

“Rotaractors will not have any reason to join a Rotary club where they don’t know others. When they do service and fellowship together, they are likely to to stay together,” he said.

Elyse highlighted another concern worrying Rotaractors. Many of them feel that their club leadership team will become older when the age limit is removed. However, Rassin pointed out, Rotaract clubs will still be able to set their own age limit, if they wish.

Letting Rotaract members stay in their clubs longer gives them more time to learn about Rotary, Kawaddwa said. “We hope that these changes will produce stronger Rotarians, members who have served longer and gotten more experience and mentorship while in Rotaract.”

Other changes New Rotaract clubs won’t have to rely on a Rotary club to sponsor them; they can now sponsor themselves or choose another Rotaract club as their sponsor. And Rotaractors are now eligible and encouraged to serve alongside Rotarians on district and RI committees. Recognitions such as the citation for meritorious service and the Distinguished Service Award have now been extended to Rotaractors too.

Goals RI has set a 100 per cent increase in the number of Rotaractors reported to Rotary by 2022 and 20 per cent increase in the number of Rotaractors joining Rotary clubs. “We have to move from the present rate of 4 per cent. I’d want all Rotaractors from community-based clubs to stay in Rotary,” said Rassin. Another goal is one million Rotaractors by 2029.

“We set audacious goals. Some thought I was crazy. But I truly believe these goals are achievable. I have an incredible belief in the possibilities of Rotaractors,” said Rassin.

Designed by N Krishnamurthy JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 9

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roject Muskan, an ambulance delivering eye and dental care and being implemented by Rotaractors of RAC Jagdalpur and members of RC Jagdalpur, RID 3261, has become a leitmotif of Rotary across 20 revenue districts in Chhattisgarh.

The two-year-old project with this medical bus worth `8 lakh houses a sophisticated mini-clinic replete

with diagnostic kits and gadgets to treat patients.

This mobile unit has reached out to 4,000 villagers. “But for this Rotary facility, the villagers in and around Jagdalpur would not have been able to access medical care at their doorstep,� said DRR Rahul Shrivastava. Asif Khan is the Chair of Project Muskan and he is assisted by three Rotarian doctors in taking care of medical supplies,

and drafting paramedics and specialists for regular trips to villages. All the 30 Rotaractors of RAC Jagdalpur volunteer for this medical mission. “The happy smiles of the villagers are our reward and that encourage us to do even more for them,� said the DRR.

Remote, far-flung areas Comprising 16 Rotaract clubs and around 2,000 Rotaractors, RID

Project Muskan Chair Asif Khan (next to ambulance) along with RAC Jagdalpur President Unnati Mishara (to his left) and other Rotaractors.

1100 RROT ROTARACT RO OT O TA AR ARA RACT RA CT N NEWS NEW NE EWS JULY EW JU JUL ULLY 2020 U 2020 20

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3261, is spread across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, “where the remoteness of these areas combine with the social and economic backwardness of the people to make the community projects that much more arduous,” said Shrivastava. But college students and young professionals do come forward to make Rotaract an eventful journey in ‘Service above Self’ like in the case of Project Sapna being executed by RAC NIT Rourkela.

Launched in March, Project Sapna holds awareness sessions and workshops on menstrual hygiene for rural women on a regular basis. The NIT’s Literacy and Cultural Society Vice-President Prof Upendra Gundala inaugurated the maiden workshop in which through PPTs and audio-visual

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show, the Rotaractors highlighted the need to adopt best hygiene practices during menses. “This project showcases the need to follow scientific means during menstrual cycles,” said Shrivastava.

The NIT Rotaractors work closely with their professors who act as mentors.

From Diwali onwards, all the 35 Rotaractors at RAC Atoma Balaghat have been distributing food packets twice or thrice a month with the support of local Rotarians. “Rotaractors also donate and mobilise resources for the delivery of food packets to the needy, poor families in Balaghat, a tehsil in Madhya Pradesh. This is one of the more successful projects in our district as the homeless and needy families look forward to this gesture in the small town.”

JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 11

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WinS programmes A one-year-old club, RAC Rising Stars Bhilai conducts a range of WASH in Schools programmes at a government high school with the support of its parent club, RC Bhilai Greater. The Rotaract club in which DRR Shirvastava was the charter president has 15 members and he is all praise for “the support extended by the Rotarians.”

After a drinking water unit and handwash station were installed at this adopted school in Bhilai, a bustling town in Chhattisgarh, “we hold regular sessions on hygiene and sanitation practices.”

Shrivastava is disappointed that he could not hold the scheduled Rotaract 12 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

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discon tited Udaan in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Once the national lockdown is lifted, RACs Atoma Balaghat and Jagdalpur will launch an intensive campaign against coronavirus from August. “We are drawing plans to launch a major campaign against the virus in the district and these two clubs will begin this work immediately after the lockdown is lifted,” said Shrivastava.

The DRR has inducted five new clubs and two more Rotaract clubs will be inaugurated before June-end, taking the club strength to 18. While he welcomes the move to elevate Rotaract as part of Rotary, “I am not for removing the age-limit for Rotaractors as older

men

Left: A WinS programme of RAC Rising Stars Bhilai.

members will pose some problems for us. Also, it will affect Rotary membership in the long run as more youth will try to remain in Rotaract itself.”

However, he welcomes dual membership which opens the gateway to Rotary for aspiring Rotaractors. “But high membership fee for Rotarians is a big dampener as college students with no steady income will not be able to become Rotarians,” he said. A pastry chef by profession, the DRR is gearing up to open his start-up company named The Sinful Love, a bakery and patisserie outlet, in Bhilai at the earliest.

JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 13

Extending healthcare to a village Jaishree

S

arai Pitha is a quaint little village in Hadia taluk, 50 km from Prayagraj. It has about 3,000 people living in 500 tenements. The greenery around is a pleasant sight but the village lacks medical facilities, except for a lone clinic which is inadequate for the villagers, says Surya Bhan Kushwaha, President of RAC MLN Medical College, RID 3120.

Moved by this plight, he planned a medical camp at the Government Hospital in Prayagraj, in partnership with the parent club, RC Allahabad Elite. Over 1,000 villagers thronged the camp seeking cure for various ailments. Specialty doctors tended to them with care. Special counters were set up

14 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

to check vital parameters such as blood pressure, sugar level, thyroid, bone density, heart function and cataract.

The Rotaractors distributed milk, fruits and nutritional supplements to the villagers. Sanitary napkins were provided to women after engaging them in an awareness talk on menstrual hygiene, safe disposal of used napkins and introducing them to reusable cloth napkins.

“It was a one-day camp but we will make regular visits to the village now,” says Kushwaha, adding that the club has organised around 50 healthcare camps since the beginning of the year in rural

Most of the children were anaemic and have dental and eye problems. We gave them vitamin supplements and educated the older girls on menstrual hygiene.

Above: Milk, fruits and nutritional supplements being given to a beneficiary.

Left: The medical team.

Below: Medicines being provided at the camp site.

areas including screening students in schools in and around the town.

“We found most of the children anaemic and having dental and eye problems. We gave them vitamin supplements and educated the older girls on menstrual hygiene.”

A camp was conducted for prisoners at the central jail too. “We gave them medicines and will be organising a follow-up camp soon,” says the club president. He has just completed internship at the Government Hospital and is all set to take up a new assignment at the blood bank in the city. The club has 30 members pursuing their studies in various medical specialties, which explains their interest and dedication to promote healthcare in the community.

JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 15

Rotasia 2020 Jaishree

I

t was four days of extravaganza as 600 Rotaractors of various districts of South Asia converged for the annual Rotasia event at Delhi in February this year. RID Kamal Sanghvi was the chief guest and PRID Manoj Desai was the guest of honour and a galaxy of Rotarians and district leaders participated.

The meet was planned on the lines of a Rotary convention and connecting people was at the heart

of the entire show, said Arpit Mehra, DRR of the host district, RID 3011.

He thanked the core team comprising Rotasia Chairman Manuj Mittal who is also the Rotary South Asia Multi District Information Organisation (RSAMDIO) President; DRCC Rtn Mukesh Jain; District Director (Youth Services) Rtn Prashant Sahgal and District Interact Committee Chair Rtn Mridula Khatri for the success of the conference.

The venues for the various events were spread across the capital – while the entertainment and business sessions were organised at the Surthal Amphitheatre in Talkotara Gardens, the opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Central Park in Connaught Place. Shuttles were arranged for transporting the delegates between venues.

RIPN Shekhar Mehta addressed the Rotaractors through a video message.

RID Sanghvi urged the Rotaractors to live life to the fullest and be change makers at every possible opportunity.

PRID Desai talked about Rotary and the changes it has brought about in the world. He acknowledged Rotaractors as Rotary’s ‘partners in service’ and briefly traced Rotary’s significant journey in the eradication of polio.

House of Rotaract The House of Rotaract, akin to the Rotary Convention’s House of

District Rotaract leaders with RID Kamal Sanghvi, PRID Manoj Desai and Rotary District leaders.

RID Kamal Sanghvi urged the Rotaractors to live life to the fullest and be change makers at every possible opportunity.

Friendship, had stalls showcasing Rotaract activities of various districts. It was an ideal platform for Rotaractors to exchange ideas and foster bonds. Twelve districts had put up stalls at the House of Rotaract and RID 3220, Sri Lanka, bagged the Best Stall Award.

The delegates were given a taste of the rich cultural history of Delhi and taken on a sightseeing tour of the national capital on the second day of the conference. The Delhi Darshan included a visit to the Gurudwara

Above: Rotasia Convenor PDRR Shashwat Desai with PRID Manoj Desai and Sharmishtha.

Shri Bangla Sahib, the Agrasen ki Baoli, Lodhi Gardens, Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. The tour also included street shopping experiences at the Dilli Haat, Janpath and the INA market. “It was a sight to see the Rotaractors shopping for souvenirs such as phulkari duppattas, stoles, ethnic jewellery and sarees. And they simply loved the street food. The gol goppas, momos, chaat and the kathi rolls had them hooked and craving for more,” said DRR Mehra.

Visit to Rotary projects Some of Rotary’s projects in Delhi were highlighted for the delegates as they were taken on a visit to the Rotary Blood Bank and the Rotary Public School in Gurugram. The Interactors highlighted various developmental activities done by the Rotarians at the school. At the blood bank the Rotaractors were briefed about the processing and centrifugation of blood and witnessed JULY 2020

ROTARACT NEWS 17

Rotasia Chairman Manuj Mittal and Host DRR Arpit Mehra being felicitated by RID Kamal Sanghvi in the presence of (from L) DGE Sanjiv Rai Mehra, DGN Anup Mittal, DG Suresh Bhasin and DRCC Mukesh Jain.

a blood transfusion process on a young thalassaemia patient.

Shreya Gupta, a member of RAC Faridabad East Pragati, entertained the delegates at an evening of music.

Mohammed Jahidul Islam Sany of RID 3281, Bangladesh, won the Mr Rotasia title and Prakriti Dhakal of RID 3292, Nepal, was adjudged Ms Rotasia; each was sent home with a 42-inch smart TV. DRR Krishan

Balaji of RID 3220, Sri Lanka, won the special ramp walk held exclusively for the DRRs. The district also bagged an award for ‘the most disciplined district’ and RID 3232, Chennai, won the Highest Participation Award.

Deepak Kapoor, former Director of Price water house Coopers and Vikas Vasal, Head, Grant Thorton India Tax, briefed the delegates on leadership in business and commerce.

DRRs Ganesh G T Bhat and Krishan Balaji.

18 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

A panel discussion with Joseph Thomas, Membership Coordinator, RI South Asia Office, and Rotaract South Asia leaders facilitated better understanding of changes in Rotary and Rotaract.

A special DRRs Meet organised at the Rotary Habitat Centre helped the Rotaract leaders of various districts share experiences and best practices, besides creating a strong bond for them all to work towards a common goal, that of creating a better environment for humanity.

RSAMDIO President Manuj Mittal chaired the event which also had the presence of the organisation’s past president Shashwat Desai.

The Board decisions following the #ElevateRotaract campaign regarding the elimination of the upper age limit and Rotaractors to pay per capita dues, and issues relating to visa formalities in few South Asian countries due to which Rotaractors could not attend the conference were discussed among other topics.

RID 3090 PDRR Yatin Sehgal was elected president for RSAMDIO for the next year. RID 3201 will host Rotasia 2021 at Coimbatore, and 100 delegates had registered.

Rotaractors boost Rotary image in Kochi V Muthukumaran

Rotaractors at Cyclothon-Pedal for Heart Project.

O

ne of the oldest Rotaract clubs in RID 3201, RAC Cochin East has been raising its profile in Kochi with projects to enhance Rotary’s public image in this city. “Our two-day Connect RYLA offered a platform for Interactors, Rotaractors and school students to learn lessons in leadership, building friendship and branding Rotaract,” said Shyam Prakash J, Club Trainer.

The RYLA, organised at the Bhavan’s Royal Institute of Management, Kochi, in partnership with the institute’s Rotaractors and RCs Cochin

East and Kochi United, had 30 participants.

The club organised Cyclothon – Pedal for Heart to boost the fitness levels of residents.

Around 80 people cycled enthusiastically with Kochi MP Hibi Eden flagging off the rally.

“It was supported by Track and Trail, a bicycle dealer, and apart from students and collegegoers, Naval officers from the Southern Naval Command and Rotarians participated,” said Prakash. Project Chair Brian Mathew and his team made arrangements for the successful conduct of cyclothon.

Membership drive

At present, the Rotaractors are taking efforts to expand their base in Kochi by making extensive use of social media to reach out to college students and professional groups.

Rtr Arvind Raj and Aishwarya Balachandran, President-elect, are in charge of membership drive which was first initiated by Prakash with the aim to “regroup and diversify our Rotaract club so that we can expand our projects and reach out to more beneficiaries.”

The community-based club has 30 members consisting of lawyers,

entrepreneurs, youth and corporate honchos.

In a three-fold process, first the club sends an invite to WhatsApp groups of colleges and institutions by listing out Rotaract projects and how it helps them to mould their leadership qualities. “We fix a date in that WhatsApp invite for an ice-breaking session with aspiring members. Then they get a chance to observe our weekly meetings for a glimpse into our planning and interaction. Finally, those interested witness a community project before they are inducted formally into our club,” explained Prakash.

JULY 2020 ROTARACT NEWS

19

A campaign for cleanliness Jaishree

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he Rotaractors of RID 3060 are on a cleanliness drive promoting various related initiatives across the district since the beginning of the year when DRR Chintan Shah introduced the theme, Swachta Humse (Cleanliness begins at home).

“If this campaign could inculcate the habit of cleanliness among my 2,000 Rotaractors and their families, that will be an achievement. ‘Together we can’ is our district’s motto and together we will spread the word,” he says.

RAC Dhule Crossroad distributed waste bins made from discarded plastic bottles to 20 shopkeepers. “The Rotaractors collected

20 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

used water bottles from restaurants and hotels and recycled them into dustbins. About 600 bottles went into the making of these dustbins.”

They designed a model train called the Swachta Express in one of the villages. Posters and notes on best practices related to sanitation and hygiene were showcased in the train for the benefit of the villagers.

The members of RAC Karnabhumi Surat East and Navsari Young Turks went on a door-to-door collection of flowers and decorative material used to adorn Ganesh idols during the Ganesh Visarjan. Nearly 45 tonnes of organic waste was collected and converted into vermicompost and given to farmers.

The members of RAC Bhavnagar Youth painted the walls of homes with messages sensitising people about sanitation and hygiene. “We spread the message among schoolchildren through short films and cleaned the school campuses along with the students. In fact, Swachta Humse is part of all our projects this year,” says Ronit Patel, president of this 24-year-old club.

RAC Junagadh took the message to 450 college students through a stand-up comedy programme.

The Rotaractors highlighted various aspects ranging from keeping the classrooms and college campus clean to spreading the message in the neighbourhood, including using toilets and observing personal hygiene.

The members of RAC Bharuch brought out paper and plastic wastes from their homes which will be recycled into useful articles and given to juvenile homes. Grim photographs of dirty places and mounds of rubbish gathered at market places were shared on social media platforms and shown to the public to drive home the message.

“Invariably, it evoked an unpleasant

expression on people to whom we showed these photographs. The basic idea was to wake people up to reality and help change their mindset to take care of their surroundings,” says Shah.

The Rotaractors of RACs Anand Round Town and Bardoli visited schools to inculcate the virtue of environmental cleanliness and personal hygiene. They distributed seed pencils

to students and encouraged them to plant them in their school campus.

The Rotaractors of RAC Umbergaon organised a beach cleaning drive and loaded three vans of non-biodegradable garbage. Members of RAC Bhavnagar Royal distributed reusable sanitary pads to rural women and taught them how to use it and maintain proper menstrual hygiene.

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Rotaractors fund girls’ education through a cricket tournament V Muthukumaran

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SR means not just Corporate Social Responsibility for the Rotaractors of RAC Bombay West, RID 3141, it is also a cricket tournament for corporate houses in Mumbai, organised annually to raise funds for the education of girl children.

This year, 14 teams contested in this ‘Cricket for Social Responsibility’, with an entry fee pegged at `10,000 for each team.

“Nearly `1.5 lakh was collected and handed over to Nanhi Kali, a destitute home run by the Mahindra group for abandoned and orphaned girls. The special home identifies the beneficiaries

and their families who are then presented the amount for financing the education of their girl children,” said Ayush Ruia, past president

and HR Director of the club.

Rotaractors make sure this two-year-old sports project gets a lot of traction in the local media and among the

Rotaractors with street children at the Happy Meals Project.

RAC Bombay West President Aassve Shah gets a commendation certificate from a sponsor at the Cricket for Social Responsibility tournament. Also seen are club’s HR Director Ayush Ruia (3rd from her right) and Rotaractors.

22 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

public as the tournament gets competitive teams from Mahindra, Reliance, Morgan Stanley and Agility Logistics, among others.

RAC Bombay West HR Director Ayush Ruia (sitting, 3rd from right) along with Rotaractors and a football team at the Kick-off tournament.

Under another initiative titled Happy Meals Project, around 60 street children are fed with fresh meals every month. “We identify the area of our operation each month, and reach out to as much street kids as possible in that locality with food packets. Our first priority is to protect children from poor families against starvation and malnourishment. And in the next stage, we reach out to their families,” explained Ruia.

In August a football tournament called Kick-off is organised as a fundraiser for the club’s projects and social initiatives. “The three-year-old project saw 48 teams from the public and Rotaract clubs vie for the top honours this year and the venue in a school in Kandivli wore a festive

look throughout the event.”

Around 25 sponsors had funded this sporting event which “fills up our treasury to plan and budget our programmes in the months ahead.”

World Rotaract Day Come March, all the 50 Rotaractors put in their best efforts to make Poseidon, a three-day carnival to mark the World Rotaract Day, a big success. “From March 12–14, Rotaractors are exposed to a range of fun, fellowship, interactive sessions and sightseeing tours across Mumbai,” said Aassve Shah, Club President. On the first day, they are taken around picnic spots and tourist hubs for a bird’s view of what Mumbai is all about, she said.

On World Rotaract Day (Mar 13), a range of sessions on Rotary and Rotaract are held with guest speakers including Rotarians delivering inspiring talks on leadership, career-building and personality development among other topical subjects for youth. “In the evening, we host cultural, magic shows and variety programmes including Bollywood musicals and dance,” said Aassve, a 3rd year UG student of Food and Nutrition at SNDT College.

The last day of Poseidon is reserved for some fun and games, followed by shopping at the plush malls. In the afternoon, the Rotaractors pack-up to return to their places. “We had more than 120 Rotaractors including 20 from

other States and Nepal this year and we host the threeyear-old Rotaract carnival jointly with other five clubs in Mumbai,” said Ruia, an MBA student at MET College, Mumbai.

Fellowship weekend After the club was revived in 2017, the membership climbed by 10 each year and at present stood at 50.

On Sundays, the club members either have a fellowship such as going to a movie, trekking, ice-breaking session, dinner or picnicking on the Mumbai suburbs as a way of bonding among themselves, he explained.

“Sometimes we have regular events like guest lectures on a current topic, workshops or on-ground initiatives, but that is quite rare.”

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A DRR narrates his International Assembly experience A Senthil Mani

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high profile Rotary event helps us gain clarity of vision and further strengthens our resolve to do selfless service, the motto of Rotary International. One such conclave was the RI Assembly in San Diego (Jan 2020) which offered a ringside view of various brainstorming sessions of Rotary leaders.

I was one among the 400 DRRs who attended the showcase event and it was a never-before experience

DRR A Senthil Mani with (from L) PRID Bryn Styles, RIPN Shekhar Mehta and Rashi.

as I gained so many new insights.

I became wiser after taking part in the main and breakout sessions and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that I got much ‘value-addition’ to the way I think and act after the event.

To start with, the way we, the Rotaract delegates, were cheered and welcomed with kits comprising an ID card, Rotaract club’s name and our respective RI Districts gave us a sense of pride.

For me, the most interesting session was the discussion between the district governors. As youngsters, we got to know the decision-making process of the higher echelons of Rotary and how much thought and planning go into each and every decision that affects our communities.

Besides all these, the interactive session with RIPEct Holger Knaack gave me the proudest moment as he mentioned my district, RID 3232,

With RID Bharat Pandya,RIPE Holger Knaack and RID Kamal Sanghvi.

RIPE Holger Knaack mentioned my district, RID 3232, for being the world’s largest Rotaract district and setting an example to all other districts in service activities.

DRR A Senthil Mani with PRIP Barry Rassin and DGE (RID 3232) S Muthupalaniappan.

for being the world’s largest Rotaract district and setting an example to all other districts in service activities. This moment gave me not just goosebumps, but a sense of humility as I owe my sincere thanks to all my Rotaractors who had strived hard to put the limelight on RID 3232.

The RI Assembly opened a huge opportunity

for me to win new friends meet senior leaders including RI President Mark Maloney, Directors on the RI Board and Trustees. To conclude, the memories, networking and wisdom which I gathered will be treasured as one of the best moments of my life.

The writer is DRR (2019-20) of RI District 3232

Kolkata Rotaractors provide succour to daily wagers V Muthukumaran

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ore than 1,000 migrant and daily- wage families are being provided with grocery kits worth `200 each in a week by Rotaractors of RAC Calcutta, RID 3291, as part of its relief work against the Covid-19 pandemic in and around Kolkata where there are industrial clusters. “This is just our initial response which will be intensified in the coming weeks, thanks to a good response for donations from the public and large-hearted institutions,” said Rtr Sayantonee Maitra, Club Advisor. Project Angshan (donation) reaches out mainly to the outer areas of Kolkata where there are factories and industrial units with a good presence of migrant families and

workers from other parts of India. In no time, at least 200 individuals have donated for this project. “Project Angshan will continue till the lockdown is lifted as our beneficiaries have no money to buy even basic necessities for livelihood.”

World Rotaract Week(Mar 9–15) was celebrated with great fanfare as 15 teams from three clubs — RACs Calcutta, George College and Geetanjali Kolkata – took part in multifaceted events at the Rotary Sadan in Central Kolkata. An awareness event on International Sleep Day was held to turn the spotlight on the need for good relaxation and stress busters as timely breaks during hectic workaholic life.

“All the competing teams were given a token amount of `200 and

a target of at least 70 projects to complete within the week. Trident, our Rotaract Week fest, was inaugurated on International Women’s Day where women from the three co-hosting clubs came together to cut a cake,” said Souvik Ganguly, President, RAC Calcutta.

Six Focus Areas

The teams designed projects pertaining to the six Focus Areas of Rotary.

“We aimed to touch at least 1,000 lives by executing 1,000 projects during the Rotaract Week,” he said.

A mega blood donation camp was held under Mahadaan 5.0 with more than seven Rotaract clubs joining hands at the Institute of Child Health.

Under the Project Anna, the Seed of Hunger, edible and grocery items

RAC Calcutta Advisor Sayantonee Maitra (centre) at the cake-cutting to mark Trident, the Rotaract Week fest.

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RAC Calcutta President Souvik Ganguly and Advisor Sayantonee Maitra distributing food packs to migrant families at Project Angshan.

were given to the institute which will benefit at least 30 children by meeting their food needs for a month.

During Purano Shey Dinner Kotha, senior citizens and other inmates at Mulvany House were regaled with a host of fun games and recreational activities. Children from underprivileged families were asked about their wish-list at Wish-One at a time during breakfast so that Rotaract clubs can take note and work to fulfil them in future.

Career workshops

Niche events such as D-Code on Java coding for software professionals and The Reflection on personality development were organised and “the footfall in these events were encouraging and we are now mulling over conducting these professional sessions on a monthly basis in due course,” said Sayantonee.

PR events to raise the profile of Rotaract clubs such as The Closed Eye, a walk for the Paralympics; a heritage walk tracing the hoary past of Kolkata; and Photowalk to capture the natural beauty of the city were organised with good coverage in the local media and positive feedback from the public.

A number of fellowship events served as fundraisers for the clubs to plan future events in their communities. Apart from bonding and enthusing Rotaractors, the week-long Trident celebrations inculcated “a sense of humanity among our members who had a chance to hone their leadership qualities by taking part in a host of competitive events,” said Ganguly.

Mentoring tips

Chartered in June 1968, RAC Calcutta is being mentored by its parent RC Calcutta, the oldest club in mainland

Asia which marked its centenary with gala Rotary India celebrations in the city recently. “We assist our parent club in executing projects like Happy Schools which help us to gain experience. Besides, a lot of suggestions and mentoring tips from our Rotarians enable us to carry out our programmes,” explained Sayantonee.

The Rotaractors hold weekly interactive sessions for schools, orphanages and special homes being run by Hope Foundation on a range of issues like hygiene, sanitation and literacy.

As one of the oldest Rotaract clubs in the world, they gain immensely by the “wealth of expertise and creative inputs brought in by our over 100 members drawn from various walks of life including IT professionals, professors, doctors, chartered accountants, students and lawyers,” adds Ganguly.

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An 800-member strong club focuses on women and children Kiran Zehra

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barbie doll, a black salwar-kurti set, sports shoes, white fairy dress… these are some of the hundred wishes the Rotaractors of RAC Chandigarh Himalayan, RID 3080, granted to girls living in orphanages across Chandigarh.

Thanks to their parent RC Himalayan Ranges Mansa Devi, this project named Choti si Khwaish has blossomed into an annual Valentine’s Day tradition for the Rotaractors.

Chartered 11 years ago and with a strength of 800 members, the club has a Board of Directors who ensure the smooth execution of all the activities, and “you will find at least 15 Rotaractors aiding any given project. We have never had a dearth of helping hands,” says Sanchita

Rotaractors teach the girls to stitch cloth sanitary napkins.

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We try to fulfill the little wishes of orphan children and ensure that they get the best.

Sharma the club’s Joint Secretary.

The club has an alumni arc that allows past Rotaractors to join the parent Rotary club.

In January, the Rotaractors visited orphanages and asked the girls to write their names and their mostcherished wish. Choti si Khwaish “is a quintessential attempt to fulfill the forgotten or ignored wishes of little girls” Clear instructions were given out to those who went “wish shopping,” to buy the best quality available. “We wanted to make sure they were given the best. After all, it’s just once a year they get to wish for something,” says Sanchita.

The event was graced by the Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh Jagtar Singh who thanked the Rotaractors for giving everyone a reason to smile. Rtn Gaurav Ghai of RC Himalayan Ranges Mansa Devi funded the initiative and this year 135 inmates of Jyoti Swaroop orphanage got their wishes fulfilled.

Around the same time each year, the club conducts one of its major fundraising events – Salsa Slam. Anybody could sign up; as a couple at `600 or single at `300 for a Salsa workshop followed by a competition.

Sanchita points out that since it’s Valentine’s Day weekend many youngsters sign up for

Boys after participating in the Kids Olympic organised by RAC Chandigarh Himalayan.

A child’s wish is fulfilled.

the event. “We invite a renowned choreographer to conduct the workshops.”

For Club President Muskaan Gandhi, “Rotaract has tremendously impacted my personality and personal development.” Her precious Rotaract moment was when she visited a school for Project Kid Olympics (KidO), the club’s annual sports event for children from underprivileged backgrounds. “One of the students recognised me from my previous visit and came running to greet me. The warmth on his face made me feel so special. He was happy to see us again,” she says.

Divided into three categories — Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior — KidO focuses on recognising students from low-income groups with athletic skills. This year apart from the sports activities “we wanted to include something for the mentally and physically-challenged students,” JULY 2020 ROTARACT NEWS 29

says Muskaan. After a three-day workshop at different schools, three exceptionally talented children were rewarded educational scholarships sponsored by the parent Rotary club.

The event received a lot of acclaim and athlete Milka Singh thanked the Rotaractors for bringing sports to the lives of underprivileged children.

Apart from snacks and food being served, every participant received a jacket with the name of the event and logos of the organising Rotary and Rotaract clubs on it.

In 2017 club member Priya Krishnan wanted to do a project on menstrual hygiene during her term as President. Since club members belonged to various colleges across Chandigarh, “we began with creating a comfort zone about the topic inside our colleges under the project named 30 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

Pankh and it took us one year to build the rapport,” says Muskaan.

Initially, they conducted 10–15 workshops to create awareness, and then there was no looking back.

Today the project has empowered more than 200 women who earn a living by making cloth pads. The club had an opportunity to put up a stall at a state-level exhibition to showcase the products made by the women at the Pankh workshops.

“Doordarshan was covering the event and we were approached by the channel for an exclusive interview and they also made a documentary on our work,” RAC Chandigarh Himalayan has adopted 12 government schools and transformed them into Happy Schools. Under its Project Roshini, the club buys terracotta diyas from

rural vendors and gets them handpainted by the students of these 12 schools. Later these diyas are auctioned at different events where it is sold for `50–2000. “We show the buyers how the diyas were made and who painted it. Compared to the ones sold in the commercial market most people prefer to buy these diyas as it has a purpose behind it,” says Muskaan.

Members also conducted afterschool classes for poor students at local parks under Project Apni Patshala. The club has opened three outdoor patshalas and tutors close to 100 children. Sanchita says, “this initiative focuses equally on academics and extracurricular activities. With fun sessions, we teach them the importance of teamwork.” n

RAC Indore Professionals spend time with special children Team Rotary News

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ll the 70 mentally — and physically-challenged kids at the Anubhuti Vision Sewa Sansthan Orphanage, Indore, had “ear-to-ear smile as we tied the rakhi on their wrist,” says Club President Tanmay Kushwah. The members of RAC Indore Professionals, RI D 3040, spent a fun evening with these children. “We made the rakhis all by ourselves,” he adds. The initiative was taken by the Rotaractors to “make these children feel included and cared for and in turn, our day is brightened by their electrifying laughter and warm smiles.”

An entertainment programme was organised which gave these special children a chance to showcase their talents.

The Open Mic Night, a fundraiser event of the club is popular in the region.

It promotes Nazms and Shayari (poetry)

A Rotaractor tying rakhi on a boy’s wrist.

and showcases the city’s poetic talent through a recital competition. “Compared to last year this year we had more people participating and 70 others attending it,” says Kushwah.

Some of the Nazms were on high school memories. “It brought back memories for us,” he adds. The event was attended by Tony Shukla, President of RC Indore Professionals, the parent club.

Attending the Rotaract Assembly at Bhopal, along with his team, “was one of my favourite Rotaract moment,” says Kushwah and adds that “apart from giving me friends for a lifetime, it taught me that by working together, sharing ideas, setting goals and with an open mind, we can open up new and better opportunities.”

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Covid-19 relief

Rotaract family provides essential items V Muthukumaran

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ver since the national lockdown was announced to break the chain of Covid-19 pandemic, Rtn Ajit Paul Singh Naphrey, mentor and club in-charge, Rotaract Club of Austin Institutes, Jalandhar, RID 3070, along with his two sons — Rtrs Ranjit Singh and Jasjit Singh — wake up early in the morning to join a group of volunteers and social workers to deliver vegetables and other essential commodities to houses at Rupnagar.

With all the Rotaractors at the diploma institute having gone home after it was shut down ever since Lockdown 1, its Director Naphrey and his sons are busy providing help for the needy in Rupnagar near Chandigarh. “We are part of a large teams of volunteers who help the district administration and local police in enforcing the curfew. While poor families and homeless people are given essential items for free, those who can pay are provided the necessities

This volunteer group distributes more than 1,000 ready-to-eat food packets at Rupnagar in a day to the needy hit hard by the lockdown with the help of District SP.

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at affordable cost. Rupnagar SP (headquarters) Sardar Jagjit Singh Jallah is motivating us with support and logistics,” said Naphrey, a member of RC Jalandhar Civil Lines.

During the initial days of the first lockdown from March 24, he had donated Rs 11,000 and “there is no shortage of money and resources to meet the needs of affected families, with many donors and Rotarians having pitched in,” he said.

Early wake-up call In a day, this volunteer group distributes more than 1,000 ready-to-eat food packets in and around Rupnagar to the needy hit hard by the lockdown. During January when the virus outbreak was at its nascent stage, these Rotaractors distributed over 1,600 surgical masks to the public including unskilled workers, retailers and pavement vendors. “Eighteen Rotaractors took part in the distribution of face masks and we went about

RAC Austin Institutes mentor Ajit Paul Singh (R) with Rupnagar SP Jagjit Singh Jallah providing food packets to the needy.

Below: Club Trainer Deepika Sharma donating blood at a Mahadaan camp.

advising people to wash their hands frequently with sanitisers and adopt safeguards against the pandemic,” said Deepika Sharma, Club Trainer and the institute’s administrator.

A blood donation camp for Rotaractors was held with the support of Police Commissioner Sardar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, and 26 units of blood collected. Deepika Sharma, Mahadaan Coordinator of RID 3070, devised and successfully implemented notable projects in Jalandhar last year, said Naphrey.

International Women’s Day Speaking at a large gathering at the International Women’s Day event, Jalandhar DCP (HQ) Arun Saini said the Rotaractors are the upcoming leaders of the country and as part of Rotary, the youngsters are doing their best to help society through community outreach. A medical camp for screening breast and cervical cancer was held at the Women’s Hotel in Police Lines in which over 160 patients were examined by a panel of doctors. The event also

saw around 15 Rotaractors taking care of logistics and offering back-up support for the stage managers.

New club in offing Naphrey is confident of opening another Rotaract club at the Gurdaspur branch of the Austin Institute of Airhostess Training, which is under construction. “Once we inaugurate the new premises, within 3–4 months we will start a new club for catering to the students there. At our main centre in Jalandhar, we have 34 Rotaractors who keep changing each year as we offer only one-year diploma courses in aviation, hospitality, travel and tourism, and retail business,” he explained.

A notable feature of this Rotaract club is that it has over 25 volunteers… those aspiring to become Rotaractors but yet to complete 18.

On his long-term plans, Naphrey said, “I am deeply committed to make the Austin club in Jalandhar a model Rotaract club in RID 3070 by taking up innovative projects and community initiatives.”

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Green warriors of MOP Vaishnav College V Muthukumaran

Rotaractors display their painting skills on a wall.

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ocial forestry is one of the key priorities for Rotaractors of RAC MOP Vaishnav College for Women, RID 3232, and so far in this Rotary year (2019–20) they have planted over 500 half-grown trees, intensifying their green mission. “Rotaract Reforest is not limited to one specific area in Chennai or its outskirts.

In our maiden project at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, we have transformed a six-acre parcel of land into a green hub and have appointed a caretaker to nurture the trees, with water from a borewell,” said V Kaavya Reddy, Club President.

While half-grown trees are chosen instead

34 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

of saplings to ensure their survival, the task of identifying land parcels for undertaking such mega plantations is a big challenge to them, she said.

“We need a minimum plot of 3,000 sq ft and such land can be either in urban or rural area. We are ready to travel across districts or states to execute the project.” The club has tied up with RACs Nuertingen, Germany, and Cumbaya, Ecuador, so that they can replicate similar projects in their countries.

Online initiatives As the Rotaractors and public are locked in their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, “this is the right time to engage them in some creative pursuit

RC Madras President Dr Vijaya Bharathi greeting Club President Kaavya Reddy during installation.

DRR Senthil Mani (2nd from R) is also in the picture.

on the social media. We have kicked off Poesia, an online platform that invites poems from all sections of people to express their emotions, or pen some lyrical verses on the social and economic issues arising out of the national shutdown,” Kaavya explained. The club will share the submissions on Instagram and Facebook to elicit reviews. The poems can be either in English or Tamil and after March 31, “we will take all the work to a large audience for better appreciation.”

‘Heal the world’ campaign is another initiative through which traditional food recipes that boost our natural immunity are shared on the club’s

Facebook page. “Some of the commonly available ingredients in our kitchens are being listed for preparing these age-old recipes that can keep us healthy during these difficult times,” she said.

The recipes are verified for their authenticity before they are posted on social media and “it is up to the viewers to try these preparations at their homes. But we have already circulated a number of such cooking tips and suggestions to all our contacts and well-wishers.

For, everyone needs to keep healthy and take precautions to escape this virus,” said Kaavya.

Some of facts and myths about Covid-19

that are doing the rounds on social media are being clarified and explained in detail through their online poster campaign.

To engage Rotaractors who are staying indoors, the club is also uploading a series of mind games like crosswords, Sudoku, puzzles and riddles, “so that we get an opportunity to bond over such online games.”

Their parent club, RC Madras, chips in with timely suggestions and guidance for Rotaractors to implement a host of projects.

“We are thankful for their mentoring, but we don’t seek any monetary

help from them. Our Rotaractors through their contacts get sponsors to fund our projects and community outreach,” she said.

A great journey When she took over as club president, the membership stood at 70 and she has inducted 130 new Rotaractors.

Right now, Kaavya, a second-year BSc (Psychology) student, is happy to be a part of Rotaract and “I will continue to stay put here as long as possible.

Maybe after 30, I will think about becoming a Rotarian,” she added.

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Strengthening bonds over DisCon Team Rotary News

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otaractors of RID 3120 celebrated their 36th Rotaract District Conference at Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.

It was a fellowship and orientation meet for the Rotaractors of UP and Madhya Pradesh and hosted by Rotaract Clubs of Lakhimpur and Gola Kheri.

DG Sanjay Agrawal, a past DRR himself, presided over the event.

He urged the Rotaractors to play a bigger role in

developing the community by implementing more meaningful welfare projects. “Rotaract is the ideal platform for you to learn and develop leadership skills on a personal level. Make the most of your sojourn as Rotaractors and when the time is right transform into Rotarians. Rotary needs you,” he said.

Many Rotarians in this district are past Rotaractors or past DRRs, said DRR Kushagra

Bansal, himself a Rotarian of RC Satna and a member of RAC Satna. For instance, District Secretary Rtn Shailendra Mishra, DRCC Rtn Ajit Mehrotra and Rtn Sandeep Gupta,

who were present at the event, are past DRRs. RID 3053 DRR Kaushal Sahu delivered the keynote address. RID 3110 DRR Alok Pandey was also present.

Make the most of your sojourn as Rotaractors and when the time is right transform into Rotarians.

— DG Sanjay Agrawal

DG Sanjay Agrawal, district Rotary and Rotaract leaders at the launch of Shatabdi Swabhimaan Yatra.

36 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

From L: DRR Kushagra Bansal (RID 3120), DG Sanjay Agrawal, DRCC Ajit Mehrota and DRR Kaushal Sahu (RID 3053) at the felicitation session.

RAC Allahabad East launched the Shatabdi Swabhimaan Yatra, a mobile teaching facility that tours the rural areas of the district to promote adult literacy.

Five schoolchildren of the town were presented with bicycles, sponsored

by DLCC Paritosh Bajaj,to facilitate their commute to school and back home.

Vocational Excellence Awards were given to Dr Preeti Varma, Founder, Saathiya Foundation; Yatish Chandra Shukla, a Guinness

Record holder for performing maximum number of speeches; and International Paralympic Cricketer Vikram Nag. Rajan Gupta, a member of RAC Ghonda Green, was elected DRRE while the District Rotaract Secretary

Rishu Maheshwari is the DRR-nominee.

Dance, live music and fashion show regaled the audience. Former Vice- Chancellor of the Awadh University Ram Bilas Misra presided over the valedictory session.„

Bicycles given to schoolchildren.

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Cultural mela knits Rotaractors in Hyderabad V Muthukumaran

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haring cultural affinities, motifs and traditional ideas for bonding has turned out to be one of the strong glues for Rotaractors in RID 3150. The maiden attempt at organising a cultural festival, titled Sanskriti, as a platform for the Rotaract clubs to come together and display their ‘unity in diversity’ turned out to successful, said DRR Vinod Kumar Ameti.

About 225 Rotaractors from 32 clubs put up a range of stage performances

that showcased the uniqueness of Indian States in their food habits, dress and lifestyle.

Rotatalk This showcase themed event is... hosted by all clubs for college students under the Be a Speaker topic.

“So far eight events were held under Rotatalk that drew 72 students from six colleges, besides members from other clubs,” he said. The event is not

DRR (2019-20) Vinod Kumar Ameti (left) giving schoolbags to inmates of Desire Society.

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RAC Hyderabad Gachibowli President Pramodh Marrela (third from right) with DRR Vinod Kumar and other Rotaractors at the Desire Society.

just about shaping the oratorical skills of students, but also exposing them to the Rotaract world and thus inviting them to become club members.

HIV awareness The DRR’s home club RAC Hyderabad Gachibowli is holding a number of programmes at Desire Society, a special home for HIV-infected children, at Bahadurpally on the city suburbs. “We have been associated with the home for the last eight years offering schoolbags, notebooks and stationery to around 80 inmates.” Rotaractors celebrate their birthdays at this centre and spend interactive, fun sessions with the children.

Besides special meals and gifts during festivals, “we meet their basic

needs, food essentials and organise events whenever they come up with such requests.”

The community-based club has 30 members, of which 80 per cent are IT professionals as Gachibowli is on a software corridor next to the Hitec City, a tech industry hub. Every December, an HIV awareness rally is taken from the Hitec City with a large participation of Rotaractors, inmates of Desire Society and doctors to create awareness on the disease.

Food donation Project Hope, a joint initiative by three clubs — RACs Hyderabad Gachibowli, Hyderabad Himayath Nagar and Miyapur — offered food

packets to needy families in crowded localities of Secunderabad, Lakdikapul and Bharat Nagar. “This is our maiden project involving food donation and over 2,000 food packets were delivered by teams consisting of 40 Rotaractors,” said Pramodh Marrela, President, RAC Hyderabad Gachibowli. Forty out of 58 Rotaract clubs in RID 3150 are active with their projects and community initiatives, said Vinod Kumar.

“Most of the them donate notebooks to government schools as an ongoing project either by mobilising funds or collecting gently touched books from households and the student community. So far, we have covered 700 schools across the district this year,” (2019_20) he adds.

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Covid-19 relief

Rotaractors step up

emergency relief work Jaishree

Rotaractors present a face shield to a police officer.

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ust one conference call, and my presidents unanimously agreed to reach out to people in their areas with emergency relief work,� said DRR Kushagra Bansal, RID 3120. Although his hometown Satna was not greatly affected by the Covid pandemic, the DRR was there with his teammates, on the ground, coordinating the relief activities.

Masks, hand sanitisers, soaps, food — the district Rotaractors pitched in with everything they could, to help people tackle the lockdown and survive the Covid-19 crisis.

RAC Ghazipur Ganga got permission and vehicle passes from the district administration to provide food material to needy families. Besides

distributing masks, sanitisers and soaps to the people, the club provided food and packaged water to migrant workers who had walked for miles to get back home.

“Our district comprises eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh. We have some of the most populated cities and many poor people have migrated to bigger cities in search of jobs. They were among the hardest hit during the start of the initial 21-day unprecedented lockdown when all forms of transport were suspended,” said Bansal.

RAC Kashi provided cooked food packets, bottled water and groceries to the tired and hungry migrant workers reaching their homes after hours

of walking. The Rotaractors sporting protective gears reached out to people residing on the pavements and night shelters. “They talked to them about physical distancing and handwashing and gave them masks, hand sanitisers and food,” he said.

The members of RAC MLN Medical College arranged cooked food for the elderly people staying alone in their homes during the nationwide lockdown. “Many of them did not have anyone to go out and get them supplies and many more were dependent on their cooks who had taken off fearing the virus,” said Club President Surya Bhan Kushwaha.

The 30 members of the club pooled in `90,000 to provide masks

and hand sanitisers to the medical staff managing the quarantine block at the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj. They collected `35,000 from corporates and provided PPEs to healthcare workers looking after Covid-19 patients. “We have pooled 20 quintals of rice and atta from our college mates, made them into smaller packets to distribute to the sanitary workers on our college campus and across the city,” said Kushwaha.

The Rotaractors of RAC Bhira helped in sanitising the streets with disinfectant sprays and RAC Lakhimpur Young Republicans, along with Rotary Club Lakhimpur Main, distributed dry ration packets containing potatoes, pulses, rice and oil to thousands of

Rotaractors providing meals to needy and migrant families.

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The medical fraternity is being presented with essentials to protect against the virus.

needy people. RACs Urja Prayagraj and United Members also pitched in with various relief activities for the lesser privileged during this difficult situation.

As Delhi saw a massive exodus of migrant labourers walking back to their villages, many with their wife and children in tow, Rotaractors of RID

RAC Kashi provided cooked food packets, bottled water and groceries to the tired and hungry migrant workers reaching their homes after hours of walking.

Children get ration packs from a Rotaractor.

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3011 swung into action. RAC Ardent Youth, led by Gautam Sharma, initiated the ‘Feed India’ food distribution drive and, in collaboration with RACs Maharaja Agarsain and Visioners’ League, provided packed food and water to the weary migrants around the NCR. The Sansarita Jeevan Foundation, an NGO, and corporates such as TaxAvataar and Timesports lent support for the cause. Grocery packets and essentials were distributed to daily wage earner families in the neighbourhood.

“We posted a request for monetary help on social media and promptly we got good response. That helped us buy sufficient supplies,” said Project Chairman Anmol Verma.

In Pune, the members of RAC Pune Kalyani Nagar, RID 3131, along with Panchshil Realty, a real estate firm, distributed masks and hand sanitisers to hundreds of police personnel on curfew duty. The Rotaractors, along with the Robin Hood Army, an NGO, distributed a month’s ration for 500 underprivileged families, besides providing ready-to-eat food for thousands of roadside dwellers.

Birthdays are now special for Khamgaon Rotaractors Team Rotary News

Above: Children with colouring books gifted by Rotaractors.

Below: A Rotaractor celebrating his birthday with children at the Rotary Matimand Vidyalaya.

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he Rotary Matimand Vidyalaya, Khamgaon, takes care of the boarding, lodging and basic needs of mentally-challenged children. Run by RC Khamgaon, RID 3030, this care centre follows a flexible, multi-sensory, and adaptable elementbased curriculum to train students. Rotaractors of RAC Khamgaon have begun to celebrate their birthdays with these special children.

“The school provides them with everything.

We want to add joy to their lives by visiting them regularly and celebrating our birthdays in a meanigful way,” says Aditya Kedia, President, RAC Khamgaon. The

50 students at the school are delighted to be part of any celebration. “Last year when the Rotaractors celebrated Ganesh Chaturti with them, they were so excited and actively decorated the classroom,” says Shanthi, a teacher at the school.

The Rotaractors distribute gifts such as stationery and colouring kits to the children and play games with them every time they visit the centre. “The interaction helps the children develop interpersonal skills and this shows in their performance,” says Shanti.

For the Rotaractors “it is pure joy to spend time with them and we learn so much. It boosts our energy too,” adds Kedia. n JULY 2020 ROTARACT NEWS 43

Rotary has enlarged scope for Rotaractors: DG Mathew V Muthukumaran

Mr and Miss Sneha Sancharya 2020 — M R Shreyas and Vijaya Pramodhini — at the Rotaract Discon, RID 3181.

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DG Joseph Mathew (2019-20) addressing Rotaractors at the Discon.

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otary is opening up huge opportunities for Rotaractors who are being elevated as part of the organisation and can transition into Rotarians without any hassles, said DG Joseph Mathew, RID 3181. “Rotaractors of our district have raised their profile by taking part in inter-district meets, flagship events like Rotasia, Rotary Zone Institute and Rotaract conclaves in South Asia,” he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day Rotaract District Conference titled Sneha Sancharya 2020 at Mangalore, he noted that his district has added 250 new Rotaractors and 12 new Rotaract clubs in 2019– 20 and all of them had registered at the RI web registry as mandated by the RI Board. Prof Balakrishna Shetty from Sri Ramakrishna College, Mangalore, in his address,

RID 3181 has added 250 new Rotaractors and 12 new Rotaract clubs in 2019–20 and all of them had registered at the

said Rotaract as a youth organisation was quite different from other such NGOs as Rotaractors reach out to communities with diverse social projects for betterment of society.

Brigadier (retd) I Nanjappa Rai, an Army veteran, shared his battlefield experiences in the Indo-Pak wars and Sino-India conflict and dwelt on the many untold sacrifices they have done for the country.

Hosted by RAC Mangalore City, the conclave saw participation of 350 Rotaractors including 10 members from neighbouring RIDs 3182 and 3190.

Celebrities, cultural shows Stand-up artiste Vittal Nayak, who has followers on YouTube and other social media, gave a discourse on Geetha Sahithya Vaividhya in which he dwelt on Kannada literature, lifestyle and how to lead a successful life.

In the evening, a number of social celebrities and TV artistes regaled the delegates with their performances. “All the clubs are given an opportunity to stage their cultural performances and give a detailed report of their project activities,” said DRR (2019–20) Ganesh G T Bhat.

RI web registry.

Rotaract District Council At the District Council meet held as part of the conclave, Rtr M S Abhijit

Rotaract District Conference, RID 3181, turned out to be a huge success with Rotaractors making the two-day event a memorable occasion for them to cherish for a long time.

was elected as the DRR for 2020– 21. In another spectacle, Mr and Miss Sneha Sancharya 2020 — M R Shreyas and Vijaya Pramodhini — were chosen through a four-round contest by a jury panel.

DGE Ranganath Bhat as the chief guest at the valedictory event gave awards to the winners of various programmes and contests in the presence of DRCC Yathish Baikampady.

AG Zone-2 Geethananda Pai, PDG Dr B Devdas Rai, Rtn K M Hegde, RAC Mangalore City President Sheldon Crasta, District Secretary Rtr P V Subramani were among the dignitaries at the Rotaract discon.

“The district meet turned out to be a huge success with Rotaractors making the two-day event, filled with inspiring sessions, cultural shows and contests, a memorable occasion for us to cherish for a long time,” said DRR Bhat.

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ROTARACT NEWS 45

Panvel Rotaractors care for V Muthukumaran Rotaractors along with tribal children at a cycle distribution project in Sindhalachiwadi village.

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hough less than a year old, the Rotaract Club of Panvel Elite, RID 3131, has taken up a slew of community projects. The community-based club was chartered in July 2019 and has 25 members. “Besides regular projects, we also hold professional sessions for our members to further their career prospects. Our monthly meetings are interactive and lively. We are still in our nascent stage and hope to achieve big things in future,” said the Club President Ria Munot.

One of their signature activities, the Animal Welfare Project, extends support to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in Thane which provides shelter for rescued dogs, cats, birds and other animals. The Rotaractors collect newspapers, old clothes, towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, blan-

46 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

kets and medical aid like ointment and syringes and give them to the SPCA for taking care of rescued animals.

Recently, they collected over 60 kg of newspapers that were used to spread on the floor of cages. Two project leaders Aryan Anchaliya and Krishna and a coordinator, Annanya Jain, take care of logistics and other needs for the smooth conduct of the project. A three-minute video was shot by the Rotaractors at the SPCA premises with bytes from its director, caretakers and doctors who emphasised the need for humane treatment of animals and taking steps to prevent cruelty against them. Rotarians from the parent RC Panvel Elite are sponsoring medical aid “after seeing the good public feedback for the project.” Ria is now promoting the video on social media with an aim to usher

in a “mindset change in society on the treatment of animals.”

Project Umeed Under Project Umeed, the Rotaractors visited Balgram, an orphanage, and engaged around 60 children in games and interactive sessions. “From making them learn new things through fun activities to clicking pictures with them the visit turned out to be a memorable experience. The happiness was mutual,” said Ria. It was a joint activity executed with RAC Alexandria Mariout Royal, Egypt, RID 2451, and the Rotaractors in Egypt conducted a similar event in their region.

Special Diwali It was a special Diwali for Rotaractors as they spent the festive occasion with differently-abled children at the AAI

stray animals and orphans

At the Balgram orphanage.

At the SPCA Centre.

Day Care. “We raised `30,000 in 10 hours through exhibitions at three different places where we sold lanterns, diyas and other artefacts,” said Ria. The money will be spent for the children’s education.

Bicycles for tribal students The Rotaractors joined hands with the parent club to distribute bicycles to 25 tribal students in Sindhalachiwadi and nearby villages. These children had to walk over 8 km to school from their homes. The Rotaractors collected and refurbished unused, abandoned cycles from housing societies.

During Ganesh Chathurthi, they created awareness on keeping the roads and waterbodies clean in a joint project with 10 other Rotary and Rotaract clubs. “We carried out Nirmalya Abhiyan to sensitise people on keeping the public space and waterbodies clean,” she recalled.

Platelets donation A special lecture was organised on platelets donation, “which is more beneficial than blood donation. We also compiled a data bank with the help of Tata Memorial Cancer Centre, Navi Mumbai.” This was a novel

programme to inform the public on the advantages and benefits of platelets donation as compared to the usual blood donation camp.

On the mode of funding their diverse projects, Ria Munot said they have pegged the annual subscription fee at `2,000 per member. Besides, Rotarians sponsor their projects through donations or material delivery and logistics. “Rotarians involve us as volunteers and support staff in huge projects which help our members to get an insight into organising mega events. It will stand them in good stead in future,” she added.

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Rotaractors galvanise youth in

Bengaluru V Muthukumaran

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week-long event called Pawsome invited Bangalore Rotaractors to post their selfies with pet animals on social media and those getting the maximum number of likes and comments were presented with goodie bags by RAC Bangalore, RID 3190, on Valentine’s Day. “On the next day, we visited CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) which rescues

and shelters stray dogs and other pets and donated an amount to meet their medical expenses for treating injured, traumatised animals,” said Joseph Wilson, Club President (2019–20).

Carrying lightly on his shoulders the 51-year-old legacy of this club, the oldest in RID 3190 and sponsored by the RC Bangalore which has done milestone projects over the decades, Wilson is grateful to his parent Rotary for mentoring and also takes immense pride in

Rotaractors of RAC Bangalore after beautifying a wall as part of a cleanathon project.

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some of the annual programmes and sport meets conducted by his Rotaract club that have galvanised the youth of Bengaluru. The Rotaract Football League (RFL) used to attract around 20 teams from Rotaractors, corporates and from the public as “the two-day tournament was full of competitive spirt and fun, besides shaping up local talent.

This was once our flagship event, but we could not continue this for some reason,” he said.

Bengaluru couples take part in Dandiya Raas at the House of Friendship Hall on Dasara festival as it has become a ‘must-do’ schedule for the youth during this season. “We charge a nominal entry fee and get about 80–100 participants attired in traditional costumes for the colourful song and dance show that enables Rotaractors to bond with social celebrities. Awards are given to the best dressed couple, best dressed male, female, and the best dancing couple.�

After his installation on July 28, the Charter Day of RAC Bangalore, Wilson took up a project for special children at Manasa Mano Vikasa Kendra in which 30 inmates from this special home were taken to the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA) and given a demonstration on clay modelling by artistes and curators. “We gave the children painting kits to express their ideas and give shape to their imagination,� said Abhijit Raghunathan, Club Secretary. Rotaractors along with Connect For, an NGO, cleaned up Sarakki Junction at Jayaprakash Nagar by removing garbage and filth that were dumped along a 15ft-wall that stretches to 2.5km. “The Cleanathon was supported by the BBMP staff. We beautified the entire wall by painting natural sceneries, sketching

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Rotaractors at the CUPA centre.

messages on hygiene, environment and good habits reflecting the Rotary ideals,� said Wilson.

For the third year in a row, the photography workshop had around 50 shutterbugs displaying their best work in two categories — mobile phones and DSLR cameras. “Two juries from the International Fellowship for Rotarian Photographers vetted the displays and judged the winners,� he said. The Spelling Bee for juniors in Classes 4–6 offered students from private schools to test and benchmark their ability in English vocabulary.

Polio camps More than 800 children were immunised at the two polio immunisation booths the Rotaractors had put up at the Manvarthipet and Magadi Government Maternity Hospitals on National Immunisation Day. “At the end of the camp, we went to

Chickpet, a crowded bazaar of retail shops and malls, and gave drops to children who were not immunised by randomly selecting them on the street. It was a good learning experience for all of us,� explained Siddharth Ganesh, Director, Community Service of the club.

Roto Quiz might well be the longest running quiz show among the clubs as “it is 60 years old and a popular event among college youths.

We host it jointly with our parent Rotary,� said Wilson.

RCB’s Day Out For 30 students from Classes 9 and 10 at Rotary Bangalore Vidyalaya, it was one-of-its-kind visit to ISRO complex at Marathahalli. Rtn Kalyani Talukder, along with six Rotaractors led by Wilson, accompanied the students on an educational trip to ISRO Satellite Integration and Test Establishment (ISITE).

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Rotaractors assemble for a walkathon, a fundraiser to install water purifiers in schools.

Upper age limit

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eferring to the RI Board decision to do away with the upper age limit of Rotaractors, Wilson said, “the age limit of 30 must be there as otherwise older people will continue to stay in Rotaract and their views will differ with us during our Board meetings.” The decision-making process will become difficult if the age limit is removed, he averred.

However, he and other Rotaractors welcomed the introduction of nominal membership dues, but “it should be kept at the bare minimum keeping in mind the ability of college goers to pay the amount as they are not earners.” Also, the Rotaractors are optimistic on dual membership for once “we cross the age of 27–28, we will look forward to become Rotarians.”

50 ROTARACT NEWS JULY 2020

Scientists at the Regional Remote Sensing Centre explained about satellite construction and remote sensing.

The students and Rotaractors were taken to a spacious, hi-tech lab and server room where live feeds from satellites are extracted and processed to develop images.

Water purifiers Following a 5-km walkathon titled Walk for Water hosted by the club in partnership with Udak Foundation, a sizeable amount was raised for installing water purifier units at government schools. “Out of the target of 125 schools, we have installed filter units at 15 schools. Once completed, the project will benefit 22,000 students in and around Bengaluru,” said Wilson.

Professional workshops With 35 active Rotaractors out of a total membership of 50, the

community-based club holds a series of professional workshops for Rotaractors to excel in their career and also pursue their passion. “We have tied up with the Bangalore Little Theatre to conduct a series of events related to stage plays, acting, script writing and related avenues. Soon, we will have a one such workshop on voice modulation,” said Raghunathan.

A monthly Speaker Series was initiated by Wilson to give insightful thoughts and suggestions on the aspirational subjects of young professionals. During its inaugural event, a panel discussion on ‘Lifecyle of a startup’ had Vinay Dora, Founder-CEO, Crowd Product, and Naini Tej, investment analyst from Speciale Invest, who gave stimulating ideas to the Rotaractors.

Another expert talk on ‘Yellow collar job’ by Mala Mary Martina, founder-CEO, ‘I Love Mondays,’ is in the pipeline.