INNER WHEEL Magazine

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF COCHIN District 320 Chartered on 3rd May 1971 GOLDEN JUBILEE SOUVENIR

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF COCHIN GOLDEN JUBILEE TEAM President – Kavitha George | Secretary – Renu Chakola | Treasurer – Meenu Kurian

Chair – PP Latha Parameswaran | Co Chair – PP Dr. Vijaya. S. Vasudevan Secretary – PP Gargi Shelat Treasurer – PP Cynthia Zacharias | Joint Treasurer – PP Dr. Rita Kovoor Creatives – PP Dhanya Nair & PP Arundhaty Nayar Projects – Vice President Gita Krishnan & PP Radha Madhav Souvenir – PP Shweta. S. Vasudevan & PP Dr. Kanchana Giridhar Revenue Generation – PP Elvy Ninan & PP Dharini Lava Entertainment & Technical logistics – PP Mini Menon

Advisory & Support – PP Shantha Mathew | PP Girija Rajagopal | Diya Kovoor

THE INNER WHEEL MOVEMENT The seeds of Inner Wheel were sown at the time of the First World War, when a group of Rotary Anns got together in the service of the community in response to a call from the Rotarians.

The service rendered by them proved to be so useful, that a decision was taken to form a regular and separate organisation for Rotary Anns. The name Inner Wheel was given by the Manchester Club which was started in the year 1923 and the first President was Mrs. Margarette Golding. While the Rotary International was started in the United States of America, it is worth noting that the Inner Wheel movement took shape in England.

History of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin Usually when a new club is formed, it functions for a period of time after which it gets recognised by the International Inner Wheel by the presentation of its Charter.

District 320 was formed in the year 1970. The first club in Cochin was the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin West, which sponsored our club. Our club was born on 27th January 1971 at 7.15pm at Malabar Hotel. Mrs. Thankamma Cheriyan, a former President of the Inner Wheel Club of Indore, was our first President. The 17 members took a solemn pledge to dedicate a part of their time to do something for the helpless and the less privileged.

During the District Assembly held on 25th June 1971 at Ambalamedu House, which was hosted by the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin West, Mrs. Dipika Shah the then International Inner Wheel representative, presented the Charter to President Thankamma Cheriyan and the club was officially recognised.

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

Dr. Bina Vyas President 20-21 International Inner Wheel My dear President Kavitha, I am extremely pleased to send you my message of best wishes on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of your Club. I convey my heartiest congratulations to you and all the Members of the Club.

In the last 50 years your Club has contributed extensively for the development of the community around you by the 49 Past Presidents. I salute all the Past Presidents who have given their time, energy, money and resources to the Club and whose dedicated efforts, determination and commitment have paved the way for the growth, progress and development of the Club.

This year you had planned to commemorate the Golden Jubilee year by executing 100 Projects and you have already completed more than 100 projects. Heartiest Congratulations to you and all the Members of your Club for your determined efforts to work for the society.

I hope you will now all focus on IIW President’s Seven Goals.

In keeping with the IIW Theme – LEAD THE CHANGE, you are transforming challenges into opportunities by reaching out your selfless services to all the sections of the community, thereby demonstrating your compassion, courage and determination for all those who need us.

Congratulations to Souvenir Editor Shweta. S. Vasudevan for her efforts in bringing out this Souvenir.

Wish you all a very Happy Golden Jubilee Celebration… a magnificent and outstanding year of Friendship and Service.

Lots of Love & Best Wishes Dr. Bina Vyas

Vasudhaa Chandrachud President/National Representative 2020-21 Association Of Inner Wheel Clubs In India Dear President Kavitha, I extend my heartiest congratulations to you and members of Inner Wheel Club of Cochin for the well deserved celebrations of the Golden Jubilee year. I am sure under your leadership and with guidance of your District Chairman Deepti Anoop, your club will do exceptionally well, accepting the change and creating a new landmark spreading HOPE to mankind.

Golden year celebration is the acknowledgement of great achievements and recognition of hard work that has been put in by each member of your club in the last 50 years. I am sure you all are experiencing the feeling of fulfillment with a sense of gratitude.

Souvenir plays a valuable role, not only for promoting friendship but covering various programmes, activities and glorious moments which created an unforgettable history. This helps to acquaint members with much needed information.

I know that considerable amount of efforts go into compiling such a Souvenir. I appreciate your Souvenir Committee and you as President for the efforts you have put in.

Year 2020-21 is a special year for Inner Wheel as we have to find the best way out to keep Inner Wheel moving in spite of Corona. Yet, we are serving many seen and unseen by our meaningful social activities.

Do celebrate past achievements and get ready for new advents. Open the doors to new possibilities.

Make the best use of opportunities you come across and take your club to new heights.

Let us rise to every situation and offer a helping hand.

Let us keep caring for people and the environment around.

LET US MAKE INNER WHEEL THE SYMBOL OF HOPE! Vasudhaa Chandrachud

Deepti Anoop District Chairman 2020-21 District 320 Dear Members of IWC of Cochin, Greetings & Warmest Wishes to all of you !

My hearty congratulations to the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin on your Golden Jubilee Celebrations, rightly named SUVARNA DHARA – the golden celebration. A moment of dedication and special mention of Charter President – Thankamma Cheriyan, Charter Member – Rema Venugopal and sponsoring club IWC of Cochin West who have laid the foundation for this Golden Club.

You are in your Golden Year – in which you are making a mark by Leading the Change! Congratulations – on 50 years of Golden Service !! 50 years of togetherness in service in Inner Wheel, is a privilege enjoyed by few. 49 Past Presidents, one charter member still in the club and 74 members and very many projects in 50 years and a record number of more than 100 projects in the Golden Year - Kudos to Team IWC of Cochin; a Golden Journey indeed.

All the projects done over 5 decades is indeed a Golden Achievement. A legacy well carried forward.

Village Adoption, School Adoption, Special Schools, and Homes under your care, Health camps, Branding, hosting District and National events, releasing Recipe books, E-book of Flags - each project done in 50 years has been noteworthy !

Inner Wheel is a vibrant organization which has made a strong impact in the world. With every passing year, the circle of friendship and service becomes stronger and more meaningful - Wishing the club endless years of Service in the cause of Humanity; to the members, much love, friendship, positivity and many more glorious years ahead.

Golden Jubilee Souvenir Team – PP Shweta. S. Vasudevan, PP Dr. Kanchana Giridhar and Fiona Arakal – your tireless efforts to release this Golden Book is much appreciated – looking forward to an interesting read which I am sure will take us through the 50 year journey !

Enjoy Inner Wheel !

Yours in Inner Wheel,

Deepti Anoop

Kavitha George President 2020-21 Inner Wheel Club of Cochin Dear Friends in Inner Wheel, It gives me great pleasure to send out this message to each of my Inner Wheel sisters in our Club’s milestone year. I am proud and humbled at the same time to be wearing the President’s collar in the Golden Jubilee year of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin.

When I started the year, I was worried about how I would handle this important year. The pandemic made things even more challenging. But as this momentous IW year nears its end, I must say it was a cakewalk to be in the hot seat, thanks to the tremendous support from each and every member of our Club, from Past Presidents to the newest member. I had only to ask and help was extended.

Our Golden Jubilee Committee worked overtime, doing project after project and COVID-19 was no match for our members’ enthusiasm and zeal.

By early January we had completed 100 projects – an incredible feat by any standard! And they were not small projects. From our flagship project of Rotary Bal Bhavan Children’s Park to Covidrelated assistance to hospitals and educational accessories to students, we were constantly on the go. Our 100th project was an international Webinar with IW sisters from international clubs – a first of its kind. We usually work on a small budget, but this year our members were more than generous and when a project was announced, money somehow came in. We are grateful to corporate sponsors who helped us in our attempts to meet the need of the hour.

Our strength undoubtedly is our membership, who always come together to make the impossible possible. Generous to the core, no one tries to outshine anyone and the Club’s prestige is above all else. Past Presidents, with their rich experience, are our guiding light and for me personally it was a great learning curve to see them at work.

Friendship and Service are our motto and we have tried to live by that during the past 50 years.

I’m certain the next 50 years will see our Club scaling greater heights.

I thank each and every member of the Inner Wheel family for making our Golden Jubilee year a grand success.

Kavitha George

CHARTER MEMBERS Charter President – Thankamma Cheriyan | Charter Secretary – Susy P. J. Mathew Vice President - Annamma Joseph Chakola | Treasurer - Molly Kurian Nalini Narayanan

Sulekha Babu

Gladys Shabdai Koder

Thankamma V. V. George

Susheela Jairam

Lakshmi Narayanaswamy

Rema Venugopal

Swarnam Pasupathi

Thankamma George John

Meenakshy Suryanarayan

Vimla Rajkumar

Indira Ogale

Sophie Mathew

Leela K. M. Nair

Mary Joseph

Swarnam Pasupathi Charter Member If my memory serves me right, Inner Wheel Club of Cochin was formed in 1971. The wives of Rotarians decided to start the female wing, and some of us took an active role in the activities.

I recall participating in blood donation drives and family planning camps. It was a very satisfying experience for a housewife like myself to contribute to the society in this manner, and I seldom missed any meeting.

My husband unfortunately resigned from Rotary after 3 years due to work pressure and consequently, lack of time. I too became busy with classes, exams and housework. All this brought to an end my Inner Wheel Club activities. Having seen the rise of this organisation over the years I, in my 85th year now, feel very proud to have been a part of the beginning of this club.

Swarnam Pasupathi

ROLL OF HONOUR YEAR

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

1971 - 73

THANKAMMA CHERIYAN

SUSY P. J. MATHEW

1973-74

SUSHEELA JAIRAM

REMA VENUGOPAL

1974-75

SULEKHA BABU

GRACE JOY MATHEW

1975-76

GRACE JOY MATHEW

SULEKHA BABU

1976-77

MOLLY KURIAN

ANNAMMA CHAKOLA

1977-78

LEELA NAYAR

JAYA NAMBIAR

1978-79

NALINI NARAYANAN

SAVITA SEHGAL

1979-80

LILLY KODER

THANKAMMA CHERIYAN

1980-81

SAVITA SEHGAL

NIMMI CHAKOLA

1981-82

SUSAN VARGHESE

SARAH KURIEN

1982-83

SOBHA GOPAKUMAR

LAKSHMI SANKARAN

1983-84

THANKAMMA CHERIYAN

GITA SHERRY LUKOSE

1984-85

MOLLY KURIAN

LATHA PARAMESWARAN

1985-86

LILLY KODER

LATHA PARAMESWARAN

1986-87

MOLAMMA ABRAHAM CHERIAN

ARUNDHATY NAYAR

1987-88

LATHA PARAMESWARAN

SHEILA KURIEN

1988-89

ARUNDHATY NAYAR

DR. VIJAYA. S. VASUDEVAN

1989-90

SHEILA KURIAN

KRISHNA SREEDHARAN

1990-91

DR. VIJAYA. S. VASUDEVAN

RADHA MADHAV

1991-92

KRISHNA SREEDHARAN

GITA SHERRY LUKOSE

1992-93

RADHA MADHAV

LEKHA MOHAN

1993-94

GITA SHERRY LUKOSE

ZEENA MATHEW

1994-95

MOLAMMA ABRAHAM CHERIAN

LAKSHMI GOPAL

1995-96

ZEENA MATHEW

GEETHA PAUL

1996-97

ASHA KRISHNAN

GEETHA PAUL

1997-98

UMA GOPINATH

SHANTHA MATHEW

1998-99

GEETHA PAUL

LALITHA MANAVALAN

1999-2000

SHANTHA MATHEW

SOBHA GOPAKUMAR

2000-01

CYNTHIA ZACHARIAS

SANDHYA PRATAP

2001-02

LALITHA MANAVALAN

SHOBHANA GOPAKUMAR

YEAR

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

2002-03

ELVY NINAN

GIRIJA RAJAGOPAL

2003-04

GIRIJA RAJAGOPAL

BAVA JOSEPH

2004-05

BAVA JOSEPH

MAHESHWARI RAMANUJAM

2005-06

KAMALA SARMA

DHANYA NAIR

2006-07

DR. RITA KOVOOR

SUJA JOHN

2007-08

PADMAJA. S. MENON

USHA MENON

2008-09

DHANYA NAIR

SRILAKSHMI VALSAN

2009-10

MINI MENON

RASHEEDA SALIM

2010-11

MANJU JOSEPH KODIANTHARA

GARGI SHELAT

2011-12

SAPNA JAMES KODIANTHARA

SHEILA SAJU

2012-13

USHA MENON

RAMILA MASOOD

2013-14

SRILAKSHMI VALSAN

BEENA THARAKAN

2014-15

JYOTHI ASWANI

SHIRANI THOMAS

2015-16

GARGI SHELAT

KAVITHA GEORGE

2016-17

DR. MEENAKSHI. Y. DHAR

DR. KANCHANA GIRIDHAR

2017-18

DR. KANCHANA GIRIDHAR

SHWETA. S. VASUDEVAN

2018-19

SHWETA. S. VASUDEVAN

KAVITHA GEORGE

2019-20

DHARINI LAVA

GITA KRISHNAN

e Management and Staff of Reena Memorial Samrakshana Institutions would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the IW Club of Cochin for the warm support rendered over the past two decades for the education and rehabilitation of our special children.

Wishing the IW Club of Cochin all success in their Golden Jubilee Year.

REENA MEMORIAL SAMRAKSHANA INSTITUTIONS

THE TORCH BEARERS OF THE INNER WHEEL CLUB OF COCHIN Our one and only Past District Chairman has been a torch bearer up to the District level and had a glorious year with several worthy projects to speak of.

The Past President’s of our club have always held a special place; they have led the club, they have initated several good projects, they have been pillars of support for their successors and have always lent a listening ear and a helping hand to every torch bearer as the years went by.

We take you down a memory lane of the past decades and put down for posterity projects and memorable moments in the words of our honoured Past Presidents.

Padmaja. S. Menon Past District Chairman 2014-15 My dear sisters in Inner Wheel, C o n g rat u l at i o n s to Inner Wheel Club of Cochin, my home club, on reaching the golden mark.

With 50 years of sincere, selfless and committed work, together we have lit up the hearts and homes of many. The friendship, togetherness and camaraderie are the adjectives that come to mind when I think of IWC Cochin.

I take this opportunity to thank each and every member of this prestigious club which is also the largest club in the District, for encouraging me to take up the offices in the District and also for being pillars of support as always and especially during my tenure as District Chairman in 2014-15. The journey as the 45th Chairman of IW District 320 had been a wonderful and eventful journey with all of us together, a journey of “Lighting the Path”. Indeed it was a scintillating journey of evolution – germinating with “Udayam” (District Assembly at IMA Hall, Cochin), growing and maturing into “Thejas” (District Conference at ADLUX Convention Centre, Chalakudy), blossoming and blooming into “Vibrant Roses” (the Multi District Rally at Gokulam Convention Centre, Cochin) and then finally ripening and culminating into “Shakti” at Tirupur where I handed over the reins of the District to my successor.

forests, which was appreciated by all. “Pranaam”, a function to celebrate 60 years of Inner Wheel in India and the District Rally were organised on November 1st and 2nd in Cochin. All leaders in the District from PDC’s to members over the age of 60 were honoured. Association President Dr Rashmi Sharma, IIW Board Director Indira Kandasamy (Sri Lanka) and popular playback singer Sujatha Mohan were present throughout the two day programme.

1000 eye donation consent forms were handed over on January 10th, the International Inner Wheel day, to the Deputy Mayor of Cochin Corporation Smt. S. Bhadra in the presence of the eye bank coordinator. “Cancer Care Save a Life” was inaugurated by award winning actor Gautami who is also a cancer survivor. Free medical check ups, mammograms and pap smear tests were organised. Our district participated in full strength at “Darpan” held in Delhi on 11th February to celebrate 60 years of Inner Wheel in India. On behalf of the District, I received the District Charter from IIW President Abhaji at the function. At the IIW Convention in Copenhagen, I was a voting delegate and participated in the welcome dance. The District touched the golden mark of 51 clubs during the year – adding 13 new clubs, the highest worldwide for the year, which included a New Generation club and reviving one club. Our district also stood first in number of members joined at 277. I had always believed that as an individual all of us have only 365 days to perform; but as a team we have many more years. I take this opportunity to thank all my dear friends in District 320 and my home club IWC Cochin for being with me and taking part in all events. I would like to sum up by saying “Together We Can” and at IWC Cochin we are always together. Keep smiling and help others smile.

The year 2014-15 had been a vibrant and action packed year with our own Abha Gupta adorning the chair of International Inner Wheel. The zonal meet “Sevarpan” to felicitate the IIW President was held on 13th September at Chennai. IWC Cochin Past President Dr. Vijaya.

S. Vasudevan was presented with the “Sevarpan” Yours in everlasting Inner Wheel Friendship. award. We staged a skit on the preservation of Padmaja. S. Menon

LATHA PARAMESWARAN I 1987-88

I was just about 30 years old when the mantle of President was entrusted to me, and I’m proud to mention that I am now the senior most Past President of our lovely Inner Wheel Club of Cochin. I was apprehensive, but had stalwarts like Mrs. Thankamma Cheriyan guiding me and it definitely helped in acquiring leadership qualities and a great deal of confidence. This was the time that the Rotary Balbhavan was getting equipped and we contributed by buying chairs amongst other things. Our projects for the year included organising blood donation camps, tree planting around Balbhavan and Panampilly Avenue; providing wheel chairs to the specially challenged, associating with the Corporation of Cochin for developments at villages like Chellanam, organising mid day meal programs at SRV school and the day care centre at Gandhinagar Udaya colony etc. Our bulletin “The Wheel” took final shape and became a regular monthly bulletin, filled with interesting matter contributed by many members. Many joint activities were organised with the Rotary Club of Cochin and with other IW sister clubs, resulting in great relationships and enjoyable involvement by members. A year thoroughly enjoyed and a fruitful one, which resulted in personally enhancing me.

ARUNDHATY NAYAR I 1988-89

My club, the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin, has been a part of me and I have been a part of it, for more than two decades. In a sense, my club has been a second family to me. The opportunities provided by the club helped me kindle my ideas and inclined me towards Social Service, Compassion, Friendship and Fellowship. Back then when I joined, the club had very few members of my age and I was fairly new to the idea of club activities. However everything seemed so easy as we did it all in the spirit of togetherness. In 1988, I got propelled into taking up the Presidency of the club and one cannot imagine the courage it took for me to take it up. My two children were five and three years old and my architecture practise was demanding too. Only the ever smiling support of my predecessor Latha Parameswaran and my Secretary Dr. Vijaya. S. Vasudevan gave me the reassurance to go ahead. Our annual fund raising activities were small but fun. A memorable one was a jumble sale at the Kaloor bus stand. Another fund raiser was the premier movie shows, usually a much awaited Bollywood flick. The Rotary and Inner Wheel worked independently on separate projects and our interaction with Rotarians were restricted to formal dinners amidst much decorum. One of our projects with many requirements was the wing of the General Hospital for new born babies.

During my tenure as President, a kid’s crèche was started at the Rotary Balbhavan, which later grew to be the ‘Bhavana Kindergarten School’, which ran for 20 years. Today, I’m proud that this club has grown in numbers, in stature and is well known amongst the clubs in our District for its culture of Fellowship and its high value quality projects in service.

SHEELA JOSEPH KURIEN I 1989-90

We undertook several good projects during my tenure as President in 1989-90.

A toilet block was constructed at the lower primary section of the Government Girl’s High School, Ernakulam. A water filter was donated to the same school.

The club decided to have a quiz competition which was titled “Mind Lore” and was sponsored and held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya school on Warriam Road in Ernakulam. PP Rtn Madhav Mohan was the quiz master. That year, we conducted many blood donation camps in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and several of our own members were donors. A Nurses Aid Course continued to be held at Balbhavan and two batches of 30-35 students each completed the training course – for this a qualified tutor was appointed by the club and all expenses were met by the club. The free tailoring school for the poor and needy was also continued at Balbhavan. During the year mid day meals were given to Munawarul Islam School, Market Road. A sound system was donated to Balbhavan.

DR. VIJAYA. S. VASUDEVAN I 1990-91

I joined the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin in 1980. I was the Secretary of the club in 1989-90 when Arundhaty Nayar was the President. I took over the mantle of President from Sheela Joseph Kurien and was installed on the 4th July 1990 at Taj Malabar. My club secretary was Radha Madhav. Our first project of the year was handing over 500 notebooks made from computer printout waste paper donated

by ANZ Grindlays bank, to the Government Girl’s High School, Ernakulam. The bank manager at the time was Mr. R. Venkatesh. Ongoing projects were the tailoring classes and weekly clinics at Rotary Balbhavan. The club conducted a tree planting drive during the official visit of District Chairman Leila Kamaluddin. A blood donation camp in association with IMA was conducted at Balbhavan. We also had our annual jumble sale at the Kaloor bus stand. The movie we chose for our fund raiser that year was “Appu”. We held an interesting American style auction at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Cochin, as a fund raiser. Monetary help was given for the ailing and also as a help for marriages to the deserving. We donated a water cooler and stage lights to Balbhavan and also donated some much needed equipment to the New Born unit at the Government Hospital, Ernakulam.

KRISHNA SREEDHARAN I 1991-92

The year started as is traditional in our club with the Installation ceremony at the Taj Malabar in all glory and decorum. My family life changed forever within two weeks of this. However, putting that aside, my attention was drawn to the plight of the fisher women community of Chellanam. We started an Anganwadi school in a room generously given by a family and supported them with teaching material and a mid-day meal program. Chellanam being a coastal area, was invaded by the sea ever so often and had little vegetation to boast of. Cooking was totally dependent on firewood bought in the market place, so we decided to install the newly invented smokeless choolahs in one whole ward in Chellanam, consisting of 100 households. This was an initiative much appreciated by every housewife because it saved them 30% on their cost of firewood. Funds for service activities were raised by holding a premier show of a popular movie and this served the dual purpose of family involvement and fun times together.

RADHA MADHAV I 1992-93

The year was hectic and was filled with service activities and good fellowship.

Meetings were hosted at the residences of members adding much excitement and lead to good attendance. We continued to support Balbhavan activities such as the tailoring classes and the Bhavana day-care centre. Offering support for cancer patients for treatment and donating to buy crutches for a polio afflicted child were some noteworthy services rendered. Funds were raised by holding a movie premier in a theatre exclusively for those who bought tickets from our club. These funds in turn were used to support 100 families in Chellanam achieve self-sufficiency through income generating projects such as making fish nets, poultry farming, book binding, goat rearing and back-yard horticulture. We also arranged for women in Chellanam to get trained in net making through CMFRI. We also supported Chellanam through donations to build walls/roads damaged by sea erosion. Our club received the Best Club and Best President award for the year.

GEETHA SHERRY I 1993 -94

It was a year filled with activities as we did multiple projects with the support of my team and all the members. The main project of the year was to help a poor family at Vaduthala, whose three sons suffered from muscular dystrophy.

Our club was able to set up a ‘C’ class shop in front of their house. The shop was inaugurated by the then DC Dr. Lalitha Thomas. We renovated the family’s house along with help from the Don Bosco church at Vaduthala. Hearing aids were distributed at General Hospital, Ernakulam, under the able guidance of Rtn Dr. George Varghese, an ENT specialist. We served meals to the inmates of the destitute home at Thevara twice, with birthday donations from all members. Gandhi Jayanthi was celebrated by donating blankets to an orphanage at Alwaye and on Children’s Day we distributed sweet packets at a colony near Gandhinagar. It was a memorable year and I would like to thank every member of the club for all the support rendered.

ZEENA MATHEW I 1995 – 96

I joined Inner Wheel in the year 1987/88 when Molamma Cherian was the President. I was inducted as the Treasurer of the club when Dr. Vijaya. S. Vasudevan was the President and remained in this post for two years continuing under Krishna Sreedharan’s leadership. I took over as President of the club in 1995/96 from Mrs. Molamma Cherian (then in her 2nd term). Geetha Paul was the Secretary and Shantha Chandrasekhar was the Treasurer during my term.

Besides other projects, the main one we had during that year was to hand over a fully automatic washing machine to a home for the mentally and physically handicapped children at Konthuruthy, Thevara. We also helped to set up a restaurant run exclusively by women. Many of the projects initated by the previous Presidents were carried forward.

ASHA KRISHNAN I 1996-97

It was the Silver Jubilee year for our Inner Wheel club with the motto “Look Beyond Yourself – Be Involved” – the axis on which club projects revolved. True to that motto, the highlight of that year was the mega fund raising done with the total involvement of every single member who contributed their family’s favourite recipe (with their by-line) to a recipe book “Great Dishes with Best Wishes”, put together by Shobha Thampi, the then Editor. For the first time sponsorship from hotels and food companies were solicited, raising about Rs. 1.6 lakhs which was a path blazing figure at the time. Lots of charity followed. The fun fashion show at the District Rally was another event etched in memory ! I cannot but mention the efficient Secretary Geetha Paul at whose residence many delectable meals were enjoyed at the pretext of planning and organising the IW year. Looking back I am thankful for not having mobile phones and Whatsapp then !

GEETHA PAUL I 1998 – 99

At the beginning of my year, I was fortunate to attend a public meeting with the Chief Minister Mr. E. K. Nayanar and other ministers at Fort Cochin. A new palliative care centre was inaugurated and we donated some money to this project. During my tenure, we organised a sale in Balbhavan and we used the money raised to buy sewing machines, which were handed over to Vatsalya Bhavan, a destitute home for women which was run by the Sisters of Charity.

Our association with Samrakshana Special School was started this year. I enjoyed my year as President and I am very thankful to Secretary Lalitha Manavalan and all the members for helping me out in all our projects.

SHANTHA MATHEW I 1999 – 2000

The year I became President was the Millenium year 1999-2000. The IIW theme for the year was “Reach Out, Keep Hope Alive, Turn Giving Into Living”. The year kicked off with a blood donation drive on our Charter anniversary. Our annual picnic to Kayaloram Resort in Alleppey, including the meeting on a houseboat, was enjoyed by one and all. Inner Wheel Club of Cochin, along with Reena Memorial Samrakshana Special School organised the Integrated Cultural Evening – by special schools and normal schools, in October 1999. It was a first time venture of its kind in Kerala. Our club organised a picnic at Subash Park and a boat ride to Vypeen Island for the residents of St. Thomas Old Age Home in Thevara. I would like to thank then member Lakshmi Gopalan for initiating this project.

CYNTHIA ZACHARIAS I 2000-2001

My year as President seems so long ago. Although an Annette of the club ever since I can remember, I joined the club as a member in 1996 only. Just four years as a member and not having held any posts in the committee, it was quite a surprise and shocker when I was asked by President Shantha Mathew to take up the post of President for the coming year. Once every few years there is a sudden crisis of not getting a Presidential candidate and this was one such year. Although I accepted Shantha’s request with a lot of trepidation, I must say that with the support of my committee and the camaraderie of the members, I enjoyed every bit of the year as President. As is the tradition of the club, all ongoing service projects were continued during the year. In addition, the club donated an incubator to the neo-natal department of the General Hospital, Ernakulam.

A sale was organised at Balbhavan as a fund raiser with full participation from the members. The picnic to Athirampally was another highlight. It was a very satisfying year for me and I am always proud to have held the post.

LALITHA JOHN MANAVALAN I 2001-2002

I joined Inner Wheel Club of Cochin in 1995, when Mrs. Zeena Mathew was the President. I was installed as the President in 2001 and the theme of that year was “Enthusiasm Creates Action”. The major projects undertaken during my tenure were at the General Hospital, Ernakulam. We did the overall maintenance of the post-natal ward which included the painting of the ward, furniture and all the equipment. We constructed a waiting shed for the out-patients and donated a deep freezer for the hospital kitchen. Towards the end of the year, we lost two of our dearest members - Shobhana, our Club Secretary who was a great source of strength and support to me; Leela aunty (Past President Leela K. M. Nayar), who was a quiet person of inner strength and innate dignity. I miss them both dearly. At the end of the year I passed on the mantle of leadership to the dynamic Mrs. Elvy Ninan.

ELVY NINAN I 2002-2003

I was President of the club in 2002-03. My Club Secretary was Mrs. Girija Rajagopal and I was installed by Mrs. Lalitha Manavalan. The theme for the year was “Care for the Future”. The main thrust given that year was for buying the land and putting up a building for the differently abled children at South Chittor, to be called The Reena Memorial Samrakshana Special School. We also focused on planting trees and nurturing them. Another project we did was to rehabilitate people with HIV/AIDS. We also continued with past ongoing projects. Each day in Inner Wheel brought hope and opportunities to serve our less fortunate people.

GIRIJA RAJAGOPAL I 2003-2004

My presidential year got kick started as usual at Taj Malabar on 2nd July 2003.

The committee comprised of Imm PP Elvy, Secretary Bava, Treasurer Rasheeda, Editor Dhanya, ISO Fiona, Vijaya, Geetha Sherry, Mini, Beena Jose and Shobha Chacko. We did ongoing projects, as well as many more. The project of the year was distributing computers for schools; but the satisfaction we got when we handed over a wheel chair to Eby, a visually impaired boy, was immense. An elocution competition was conducted for college girls by Beena in her inimitable style. This souvenir has once again helped me remember the events of that year and to be able to thank the committee and club members for giving me a gratifying experience. Everybody lived up to the theme of the year “Make the Friendship Positive”.

BAVA JOSEPH I 2004-05

It was with knocking knees that I stood to deliver my presidential address. But when I stepped down a year later, it was with much satisfaction that I could “Work together and Give Hope” to a few needy people, as the theme for the year expected. Along with many ongoing projects, we were able to do a Rainwater Harvesting project for Home of Faith, which housed 50 physically disabled children. We provided a photostat machine to a women’s organisation as a source of income generation. A boy was sponsored for his hotel management course. It was overwhelming when he returned a donation to the club towards charity. There are many such moments one can look back at, which would have brought smiles to many faces.

KAMALA SARMA I 2005-06

I feel proud to be associated with this prestigious club which has always held the lofty ideals of knitting community service with friendship as its prime objective. The theme for the year was “Support gives Strength”. With the help and assistance from our seniors, keeping in mind the two major projects of the year – construction of ramps for wheel chair users and solid waste management; we worked out the main projects and included two associated projects – distribution of wheel chairs for the poor with limited mobility and promotion of rain water harvesting.

We donated 8 wheel chairs in all, six for the physically challenged and two to accident victims.

We helped Samrakshana Special School with the installation of a bio-gas plant that ensured waste disposal along with production of bio-gas for the kitchen. We could fund the rain water harvesting for Adarsh Special School. We organised a picnic for the inmates of ‘Home for the Destitutes’, Thevara to Fort Kochi and treated them to a sumptuous dinner, shared and savoured their stories and songs.

The camaraderie of our members and our friendship with our sister clubs in joint meetings were equally heartwarming. In all, the year proved to be an enriching experience, as it made us more humane, more socially conscious and responsible.

DR. RITA KOVOOR I 2006-07

It was a year of great learning experiences, where I learnt about the generosity and magnanimity of our club members, who helped unstintingly in completing myriad projects from biogas plants to toilets for school girls and aid for old age homes, inculcating into their actions the motto for the year - “Show that you care through Friendship and Service”. Along with my core committee that included Padmaja, Suja and Mini, we completed many projects worth 4-5 lakhs. The main projects completed were 2 bathrooms for girls at the Girls Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam – built with assistance from the Rotary Club of Cochin. A bio-gas plant was installed at Vimukthi Special School. A heated dinner trolley was donated to the old age residents at Thevakkal. We also hosted “Shradhaalu 2007” for the District, where the Chief Guest was IIW President Janet Day.

PADMAJA. S. MENON I 2007-08

My journey as a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin started in the year 1995 when Mrs Zeena Mathew was the President of the club. Though I actively participated in all activities of the club wholeheartedly, I shied away from taking up any of the offices due to family commitments, but eventually I was cajoled into taking up the mantle of President for 2007-08. That year I was also nominated as the District Rally Secretary. The installation of the office bearers was on 4th July 2007 at Taj Malabar. We set the tempo for the year with a bang by handing out donations worth Rs. 1,62,000/- to Mr. Joby Mathew to participate in a world wrestling championship; to Vimukti school and to the club’s flagship program of “Girl child education”, in which we educated 55 underprivileged girls and a boy for 3-5 years till they completed their course. Under the “Helping Hands” project, computers to schools, gold earrings to 8 girls, medical expenses, Onam gift hampers, mid-day meals to Perumbalam school were donated. We provided a rain water harvesting system for the destitute home at Thevara. Responsibilities for hosting monthly meetings and special events were given to groups of members wherein each group was named after a colour. The members made meetings colourful by providing entertainment and games that created great bonding. We are happy that even after 14 years we are still following this system. A plaque of honour listing names of all Past Presidents was put up at Rotary Balbhavan on Past Presidents Day. “Family Day” with importance given to grandparents was inaugurated by late PDG L. Vishnudas and late Mrs. Asha Vishnudas.

The highlight was performances by parents of the members performing with their grandchildren.

Looking back, we can say with contentment that the year did full justice to the Inner Wheel motto of “Friendship and Service”.

DHANYA NAIR I 2008-09

It is said that there is no action proven to do more for the human race than the education of the female child. As part of the continuing girl child education programme, 55 girls from needy families were financially supported to complete Plus Two or Degree course. In a unique project initiated during my term, 100 students of 8th and 9th grade from Government Girls High School, Ernakulam were given coaching in Spoken English by 25 members from our club. The other major project undertaken was “I Want to See”, where with the support of the Giridhar Eye Institute, our members helped with the screening of 5,836 school children in 10 schools and those with issues were referred to experts. It was gratifying to know we had touched so many lives in a span of 11 months. The most delightful project for me was planting 100 saplings on World Environment Day at Mithram Special school, as our bit in greening the earth. I consider it my fortune that during my term, our club for the first time in 37 years - was able to sponsor a new Inner Wheel Club – the Inner Wheel Club of Kodungallur. The International Inner Wheel Rally held at Cochin during the year brought many laurels and accolades for our club, being the lead club hosting the event.

MINI MENON I 2009 – 10

The opportunity to lead this prestigious club and organise its various activities for a year, has been for me, the experience of a life time. The need of the hour was to address issues regarding global warming and climate change, hence our project was focused on providing solar lamps to needy families. Our initiative to bring light into the lives of people through solar lighting devices was our commitment towards creating innovative solutions for a better tomorrow thereby reducing our carbon footprint. We provided solar lamps to families in a small, impoverished village in Kannamaly and Chettukari village in Kataparamba. Since a large number of our citizens lack access to electricity, these lamps made a great difference to their quality of life.

The children could devote more time to their studies, and the emission free source of light made for a healthier indoor environment. Another project we had undertaken was to raise awareness about comprehensive waste management techniques in association with CREDAI. We carried out an evaluation of the projects and worked to engage in best practices to maintain high levels of cleanliness in apartments. Competitions were also arranged for school students under the topic “Keeping Kochi Clean and Green”.

MANJU KODIANTHARA I 2010-11

Agreeing to take up the post of President for the year 2010-11, a month before installation, was the biggest challenge. When the members promised to stand by me, I presumed it was just a statement made for encouragement. True to their words, every member stood by me and extended their hand of friendship and service. This I would consider as the best experience of my term, making it an unforgettable and fruitful year. The main projects were providing sewing machines to unemployed women and 250 umbrellas to children through the Janmaithri Police; providing toilets to the Government Girls High School, Ernakulam and continuance of the club’s ongoing projects. Dear members, your hand of friendship and support have made me a confident individual and also responsive to social causes.

SAPNA KODIANTHARA I 2011-12

Taking over as President of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin in 2011 was by all means awe inspiring. I was literally a stand-by Vice President in Manju’s committee and hadn’t held any other post than that of Editor. I never really thought I would have to take over the reins of the club from Manju, but when I had to, I knew I had the 100% support of the club. My take from one year as President was that I realised that there was something magical, no I would say a higher power that kept the club together, and going full steam ahead ! There was never a dearth of money for projects; the camaraderie and the bonhomie among the members helped me make some friends for life. One of my favourite projects was the setting up and training of over 500 women in the art of paper bag-making. Two of the bag units exist even today ! It was heartening and satisfying to see so many women gain a skill from which they earned and some even became skilled at marketing and sales for the end product. The most satisfying was training a few severely handicapped girls and watching them grow confident with each paper bag they sold. I would say that I grew as a human being and am ever grateful to the club that bestowed its confidence in me.

USHA. S. MENON I 2012-13

My tenure as President was from July 2012 to June 2013. We did several projects that year and it was an entirely satisfactory year of being able to given back to the community. Two toilets for girls were fully refurbished at the St Joseph’s LP school in Kochu Kadavanthara. We spent Rs. 36,000/- to get them tiled and fitted with proper plumbing and commodes plus we also facilitated the depositing of sanitary napkins into an incinerator that burnt them periodically. The toilets were inaugurated by the then District Chairman Kavitha Rao. I have always enjoyed my time at Inner Wheel and travelled for almost all rallies and conferences with my club mates; also managed to attend a couple of International Conferences and made several friends along the way in many clubs abroad.

glow & go C O L L E C T I O N

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SRILAKSHMI VALSAN I 2013-14

I was quite astonished when Usha Menon, the President Elect for 2012-13 requested me to be her Vice President, which in effect meant that I would take on the position of Inner Wheel President in 2013-14. I took this on as a challenge in spite of my health problems and took over from her in July 2013. My team’s first project was the coordination of the breast feeding awareness week programme in August where we participated in a couple of awareness camps and distributed food stuff to the expectant and new mothers. Our main project during my tenure involved providing essential mosquito proofing at the ladies wing of the Thevara Old Age Home. District Chairman Saraswati Kannan, who visited the home during her visit was very impressed with the work. We also did active work at Santhwanam Home, such as distribution of food stuff, donating cupboards for storage etc. We funded uniforms at the Tripunithura Government High School. I was fortunate to have a very co-operative committee which incidentally included two pairs of mothersin-law and daughters-in-law: Jyothi & Neha and Beena & Tessa – as well as all the Beena’s of our club. At the end of the year, I was deeply gratified by all that my team managed to do to ensure my tenure was successful and eventful. It is an experience I will always cherish and hold very close to my heart.

JYOTHI ASWANI I 2014-15

The experience of being the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin during the year 2014-15 was a very wonderful and eventful journey. A journey with all my friends in the club together – a journey called “Light the Path”, which was the Inner Wheel theme for the year. The year had a good mix of various projects such as adult health education, nutrition seminars, eye/organ donation awareness camps, induction of new vibrant members, training programmes, book launches etc; to name a few. One of the most appreciated ones was called “The Green Lab” which got a special mention at an Association Council meeting held at Kolkata by the then Association President Rashmi Sharma. The beautiful memories and whole hearted support by my Inner Wheel friends will always be some of the most precious moments of my life.

GARGI SHELAT I 2015-16

The unique commitment of each member of our club had translated into completion of our major projects in the first quarter. It was truly wonderful that we had begun our Inner Wheel year with so much activity, bringing a smile to many a face. The project which touched all our hearts was the Onam celebration at the relief settlement in Palluruthy. This was attended by a large number of our members. Bed sheets and blankets were distributed to all the 200 inmates at the settlement. We served vegetable biriyani for lunch which was polished off the plates ! The dessert was chocolate bars instead of the customary payasam, which was so well appreciated that some had dessert before the meal itself. The inmates were all homeless, abandoned by their loved ones and most of them were mentally unstable. We were happy we were able to bring them some cheer atleast on this one day. It was a morning well spent and all of us went back in a pensive mood, left to our thoughts of gratefulness to God for all his mercies upon us.

DR. MEENAKSHI. Y. DHAR I 2016-17

Being at the helm of affairs of our prestigious club in 2016-17, was a once in a lifetime experience for me. It enriched me as a person, making me more empathetic and sensitive to the lesser privileged. The team work and co-operation of the wonderful committee enabled us to achieve in a wide variety of spheres. Helping Theruvoram (shelter home for the destitute) was our major project, where we paved the way to cleaner surroundings of the building by tiling the outdoor area.

We refurbished the kitchen with smokeless chulah, gave them cleaning supplies, daily newspapers, carrom boards and badminton racquets. Our innovative project was Gender Sensitisation for middle schools – where we organised interactive classes with the help of RoV (Raising our Voices). We had a talk by Dr. Bulbul Dhar James, former Head of Centre for Women Studies at Jamia, Delhi – on “Deconstructing Gender”. The sister clubs who attended this talk were so impressed that they joined hands with us and on International Inner Wheel day we organised a joint workshop on spreading awareness for members of all the sister clubs. We also took the girls from Santhwanam Orphanage for a day trip to the Museum of Kerala History and it helped open their eyes to the rich heritage and culture of our country. To introduce art in the lives of underprivileged children of Udaya Nagar (a resettlement colony) we joined hands with an NGO (TAOS), with the hope that artistic expression can mould young minds positively. We did many good projects and had many invited speakers for our meetings. Our “HOPE” was to ‘Touch a Heart’ and “ENJOY” the year – and we smoothly sailed through the year with Service, Sisterhood and Smiles. My sincere gratitude to all my Inner Wheel friends for standing by me through the year.

DR. KANCHANA GIRIDHAR I 2017-18

This year we took up LP School, Girinagar renovation as our major project. This is a government aided school having classes from LKG to 4th grade, having about 28 children who belong to migrant families. There are a couple of special children as well. The aim was to revamp the school building, surroundings and upgrade the facilities. We managed to paint the school and the outer wall of the school building was painted with cheerful murals by our own members. All classrooms were provided with necessary storage and the dining room was also provided with laminated tables and benches in primary colours. The toilets were redone; the play area was cleared and covered with smooth surface to avoid injury and a basketball net was installed. The school kitchen was also upgraded. Today when you walk into this school, it is a bright and happy place. All of this was possible due to time and effort given by all members and generous contributions by our Rotarians as well. Our club also continued projects from past years and we also conducted Breast Cancer awareness camps for women and eye camps for school children.

SHWETA S VASUDEVAN I 2018-19

Becoming the President of an organisation for the first time in my life was an incredible feeling and an honour. Being the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin was an added bonus and an experience like no other. The year 2018 saw a flurry of flood relief activities which included clothes donations, distribution of over a 1000 cleaning kits to flood affected communities, help in school construction up to Rs. 6 lakhs, supplying uniforms and helping a chemistry lab become functional again post flooding by donating equipments and chemicals. Our members helped Rotary by manning the medicine distribution centre during the peak of the floods and sending necessary medicines to people in camps. Our meetings were vibrant, full of laughter and we made many lovely memories together. Our District Chairman’s Sindhu Sethu’s official visit to the club was one where she spent quality time with all of us, visited a project and the previous day where she had the meeting with the EC was a very special time. We continued all previous projects and the year was a fulfilling one, where we were able to reach out to a community in distress.

Much gratitude to all Past Presidents and members for the unwavering support and the immense affection I received as a President.

DHARINI LAVA I 2019-2020

The IIW theme for the year was “Together We Can” and with Secretary Gita Krishnan and support of an able committee, I truly believed we could achieve whatever we set out to. It was a wonderful journey especially being the Golden Jubilee year of District 320 under the leadership of District Chairman Anitha Srinivas. One of our major projects was Branding of Inner Wheel on a massive hoarding which was recognised even on the IIW website; distribution of school uniforms, eye camps and a special Children’s day carnival in our adopted LP School in Girinagar.

Four oxygenators were donated to the Ernakulam Government Hospital Palliative Care ward.

A breast feeding pod was donated to the Ernakulam Collectorate and a much needed Hydrotherapy pool was built for the special children of Vimukti, which was done as a joint project with the Rotary Club of Cochin. One project that remains close to my heart was the awareness program “Dine in the Dark” that was organised along with National award winner Tiffany Brar – founder of Jyothirgamaya. I will always cherish the experience of the bonding among our members as well as our sister club friends. Heartfelt gratitude to our PDC, Past Presidents, Rotarians, donors and well wishers for demonstrating the true meaning of the theme.

Latha Parameswaran Golden Jubilee Chairman

As we celebrate 50 years of Inner Wheel Club Of Cochin, our prestigious club, I fondly remember the time when I joined this club. It was in October 1982, almost 4 decades ago that IWC adopted me, the new young entrant with warmth and affection. It’s amazing how the same hand of friendship remains extended to each and every new entrant to this day.

Living up to our motto “Friendship & Service”, we are a close knit family and have been able to reach out to the needs of many deserving communities over these 50 years .

This Golden Jubilee year started at the peak of the unprecedented pandemic, in July 2020. The spirit of our club is amazing, especially how the whole club rose to meet the need of the hour and started activities addressing all Covid related requirements. Change of lifestyle and systems, called for a lot of help to assist in coping up with and moving on and today, we can proudly look back and say we as a team could do our bit, despite the challenges.

It is only because each and every one in the family of IWC is committed and at the same time we have managed to retain our fun times, technologically upgrading ourselves to ensure we are on top of all matters.

A special note of appreciation to the President and members of Rotary Club of Cochin and the team at Balbhavan for their untiring efforts and encouragement. Let us applaud our entire team for selflessly contributing at this time and keeping the Inner Wheel Flag flying high.

Kudos and cheers to Inner Wheel Club of Cochin.

Kudos and cheers to the whole Inner Wheel movement, which brings us all together.

PP Latha Parameswaran

Dr. Vijaya. S. Vasudevan Golden Jubilee Co-Chairman My dear Sisters in Inner Wheel, We are at a momentous point in history of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin. To have existed, thrived and flourished for fifty years is no mean achievement. This has been possible through the efforts of hundreds of our members who have worked tirelessly to make this great club what it is today.

My humble respects at this juncture go out to the founder members of this Club for their foresight and dedication.

I have enjoyed and benefited from my association with the club as much as I am sure all of you too have. The warmth, affection and camaraderie I have received from all cannot be just put down on paper. Some of my most joyful moments have come from being a member of this wonderful body.

When we observe half a century of our existence, we can be proud of what we have been able to do especially in this our Golden Jubilee year. However we cannot rest on our laurels and relax. There is so much more to do for us and so many more who require our hands of support, love and assistance.

I am sure, that as we have been in the past, so too shall we be in the future. Friendship & service are there for all of us to see and persist in.

I wish you, my sisters in Inner Wheel all the very best in our Golden Jubilee year and pray that the Lord above looks after all of us in these difficult times.

Yours in Inner Wheel, PP Dr. Vijaya. S. Vasudevan

GOLDEN JUBILEE PROJECTS Neither COVID-19 nor a lockdown could cramp the style of our club ! Over 110 projects in the 50th year was an incredible feat - with all the restrictions imposed by a pandemic that brought the world to its knees for an entire year.

Our flagship project was the renovation of the Rotary Bal Bhavan Children’s Park, an inviting lush green space with play equipment and plenty of grass to roll around in for children from all walks of life. Bal Bhavan, where our club meets every month, was being spruced up during the year when no physical meetings were being held and our club was happy to assist in many areas, including a major contribution towards renovation of the auditorium on the upper floor.

A thermal scanner at Ernakulam Junction railway station, a plastic bottle crusher on Platform No.1 at the same station, a High Dependency Unit for critically ill children at the Ernakulam General Hospital, a wading pool for hydrotherapy for children at Samrakshana Special School and sanitary pad incinerators at Vytilla Transport Hub were some of the major projects that were part of this enormous effort by the club.

Understanding the need of the community; television sets and telephones were given to numerous students so they could avail of online education during the year. Kunnukura, a village on the outskirts of the city, was adopted and numerous projects were undertaken there – from sponsoring girls under a government savings scheme to teaching spoken English to young students. Incomegenerating skills like bag-making and mushroom cultivation were other projects taken up during the year.

Equipping autorickshaws with partitions to protect both driver and passengers from virus spread, distributing grocery kits to households that had no or diminished income because of the pandemic, donating masks, sanitizers, gloves and PPE kits to health workers, face shields to policemen, essential medical accessories to Covid speciality hospitals and generously supporting the Cancer and Pain and Palliative Care departments of the General Hospital, Ernakulam were other much needed tasks our club undertook during the Golden Jubilee year. For academic purposes, the hospital was also assisted with a projector and air conditioners.

Joining hands with Lakshmi Menon’s ‘Samman’ project to help handloom weavers, our club along with Rotary Club of Cochin funded 1000 baby dresses for newborns in refugee camps in India and abroad. Members got into the act, sewing, painting and doing embroidery to pretty up these handloom dresses. At the same time, organisations we supported were also brought in and paid to sew many of them, making it a project that had a 3-pronged benefit.

Our objective was the same as every year – unstinted service to the neediest. Only the scale differed, befitting a milestone year in the history of our glorious club.

Following are some pictorial snapshots of the year gone by.

ENVIRONMENT

Bio Bins

Sanitary pad incinerators installed in ladies washrooms at the Transportation Hub, Vytilla.

SUPPORT TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS

Freezer donated to Karunalayam – Home for the Destitute

Computers donated to the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Visually Challenged

SUPPORT TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS

Borewell at Theruvoram - a Home for the Destitute

Television sets to migrant students at St. Joseph’s Upper Primary School to study from home

SUPPORT TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS

Hydrotherapy pool built at Reena Memorial Samrakshana Special School

SUPPORT FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL, ERNAKULAM

LCD projector and two 2 ton AC’s for teaching purposes

We also donated medicines worth Rs. 2 5 , 0 0 0 to the Palliative Department; thanks to corporate sponsorship of Rs. 2,00,000 from the Muthoot Pappachan

Foundation,

we

were able to support the Paediatric ICU at the General Hospital, Ernakulam as well.

Radiotherapy cancer

accesories

patients

costing

1,20,000 were given.

O2 cylinders and medicines donated

for Rs.

SUPPORT FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL, ERNAKULAM The General Hospital, Ernakulam needed critical equipment for seriously ill babies. Thanks to support from SFS Homes, we were able to procure a syringe pump, two radiant warmers, a photo therapy unit and an infant trolley for the hospital.

SUPPORT TO PVS GOVERNMENT COVID APEX CENTRE The club initiated a project sponsored by CVJ Foundation on behalf of Herbal Isolates Pvt. Ltd. and donated a Maquet Servo ventilator costing Rs. 10,08,000 to the Government Covid Apex Centre at PVS Hospital.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

E-waste, plastic and glass collection

Segregated Waste Boxes

SUPPORT DURING PANDEMIC TIMES

Our club installed a Plastic Bottle Crusher at the Ernakulam South Railway station

Masks and Sanitisers given to police

We also supplied sanitisers and masks at Bethsaida Home for special needs girls and women. Face shields, gloves and many litres of sanitiser were given to the Vytilla Transportation Hub counter staff. We donated mattresses and home utilities to the panchayat to set up First Line Treatment Centres. More such supplies of masks, gloves and sanitisers were done at several old age homes, destitute institutions and medical institutions throughout the year. We supplied around Rs. 50,000 worth of medical accessories and consumables to PVS Covid Speciality Hospital.

SUPPORT DURING PANDEMIC TIMES

Grocery Kits to Railway porters

Thermal Scanner donated at South Railway station in collaboration with Geojit Foundation

SUPPORT DURING PANDEMIC TIMES At Kunnukara, we were able to start English classes virtually for 23 children; we also did a “Wish Come True” for these children where they got a gift of their choice; an elocution competition on Republic Day was also held. We also facilitated vocational opportunities of bag making for the women of Kunnukara.

During the pandemic, there was flooding at Chellanam, where we supported with 110 grocery kits to families at a project cost of Rs. 73,000. We also donated 30 beds to families. Groceries were also supplied to the Bethseda Home and old age home at Thevara as well as to Karunalayam – Home for the Destitute.

Vegetable and grocery kits to 80 families at Kunnukara village

We honoured 13 ASHA workers from the island village of Perumbalam, for the untiring work they have been doing during the pandemic

MISSION AUTORICKSHAW For the man on the street, the sight of the black and yellow autorickshaw is a welcome sight, be it in pouring rain or blistering heat. Quick and inexpensive, the zippy vehicles take them quickly over short distances at a reasonable price.

Just like most public transport, the ubiquitous autorickshaws of Kochi took a beating during the lockdown and were mostly idling outside the owners’ homes or forlornly waiting outside hospitals and railway stations in the hope of getting a fare.

It was the sight of the queue of idling autorickshaws that spurred some club members to want to do something that would benefit both driver and passengers. At a cost of just Rs. 500/- per vehicle, we arranged to fix mica (thick plastic) partitions that would separate the driver’s cabin from the passenger compartment. A list was made from 3 autorickshaw stands and 55 vehicles benefited from this project.

The gratitude of the drivers was touching. An Inner Wheel sticker was also willingly put on these vehicles by them. At a time when they were struggling to make ends meet, even Rs. 500/- was a sum they could not afford to spend and our project was a godsend that encouraged passengers to use their vehicles. For us too, it was a project modest in value, but big in satisfaction.

PROJECT “SAMMAN”

Designer and Social Entrepreneur Lakshmi Menon brought up a project called “Quilt India – Samman” which is about making clothes for new born babies that can be donated to underprivileged mothers across India and around the world. The cloth is sourced from weavers who find it difficult in these trying times to sell their products. Our Inner Wheel members came forward and helped to purchase material and 1000 baby dresses and blankets were hand stitched, embroidered and painted on with love.

FLAGSHIP PROJECT ROTARY BALBHAVAN CHILDREN’S PARK With a snip of scissors, a gold ribbon and a blue one parted as District Collector Ernakulam, S. Suhas, and a little girl, Sana, did the honours and stepped on to the lush green lawns of the longawaited Rotary Bal Bhavan Children’s Park on November 14th, Children’s Day. A pitch-perfect inauguration choreographed by many hands in action launched the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin’s Golden Jubilee Flagship Project as dignitaries and members watched virtually. Just a handful were present physically at the premises, keeping COVID protocol in mind.

An idea mooted last year by PP Shweta. S. Vasudevan was taken up in earnest by the Inner Wheel Golden Jubilee team under the leadership of Inner Wheel President Kavitha George, Committee Chairman PP Latha Parameswaran and PP Shantha Mathew. Annette Sandeep Vasanth and PP Arundhaty Nayar, both architects, conferred on the layout, the positioning of the equipment and other technical aspects to make it a safe and fun place for children.

Non-corrosive, sturdy play equipment was ordered from Mumbai. Meanwhile the land was readied, the grass chosen and plans for the driveway tiles, the wall and gate painting went into high gear. Boulders from the old park went into making a seat under the tree for visiting parents. The creative team of the GJ Committee worked on a circular backlit signboard to display the club name.

Meanwhile corporate sponsorship received from The Muthoot Group was the icing on the cake.

PP Shantha was at the site almost every day, overseeing the work of demolition of the old park and emergence of the new one. A strong fence in the blue and yellow Rotary and IWC colours added the final finishing touch.

A video presentation with messages from club stalwarts, including PDG Venugopal. C. Govind, was relayed over Zoom conferencing on the inaugural day to members of both clubs.

Five children charged into the park as soon as the inauguration formalities were over and were all over the swings, slide, see-saw, climbing wall and the hop-scotch tiles. The Park will remain closed for now and open up to children from all walks of life once the lockdown restrictions are lifted by the authorities.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF COCHIN

For your continued support in the last 20 years for various projects.

Congratulations and Best wishes in the Golden Jubilee year!

VIMUKTHI SPECIAL SCHOOL

Hidayath Nagar Road, HMT Colony P.O., Kochi - 683503, Kerala.

E-mail: vimukthispecialschool@gmail.com

A UNIQUE ENDEAVOUR

E-Book of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin Flag Collection - By PP Gargi Shelat

The objectives of Inner Wheel are friendship and service. For the past 50 years we have had numerous projects and built up friendships in India and internationally with other Inner Wheel clubs, which has given us a wonderful collection of club flags from all over.

Our members have collected over 200 flags and preserved them, these were displayed at all the important events of the club over the past 50 years. As years passed by, it was becoming a challenge to preserve these beautiful flags made from silk/satin/fine cotton and some of them beautifully embroidered. What better way to preserve this treasure trove of flags other than preserving them digitally. Thus the thought was born of creating an e-book of our flag collection.

We started by taking pictures of a few flags and experimenting with a page layout software , learning how to use the software and creating the entire layout of the e-book. Once it was decided on how the e-book would look, we needed high quality images of the flags - this was done by Rtn Jogesh Shelat and Rtn Thomas Jacob. To make the e-book interesting Dr. Prabha Gopakumar put down some interesting information for each flag. ISO Shirani Thomas supported this project by her creative inputs for the layout of the e-book, PP Krishna Sreedharan wrote the introduction, VP Gita Krishnan and PP Dhanya Nair gave their inputs for the cover and the e-book was edited by Rtn PP V. R. Nair.

A big thank you to all who contributed to this effort, needless to say without the team effort the e-book would not have been possible. The entire team effort had the full support of President Kavitha George.

Interesting fact: Bifurcation of District 320 happened in 1985 when IW Club of Madras came under District 323. In our collection we have the earlier flag when they were a part of District 320, as well as their later flag, after bifurcation and their most recent flag

A beautifully embroidered flag from the collection

District Chairman Deepti Anoop presenting the Flag E-Book to IIW President Dr. Bina Vyas

A VERY SPECIAL PROJECT Our 100th project in the Golden Jubilee year HAD to be special. And it sure turned out to be !

A Webinar that involved international clubs - that too on International Inner Wheel Day – was special indeed. Zoom meetings had become passe in a pandemic year. January 10th was approaching and true to its pioneering spirit, Cochin Club came up with something unique to mark the special day.

ISO Shirani Thomas got into the act and made first contact with clubs in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia, thanks to Past President Usha Menon’s tremendous connections around the world.

PP Radha Madhav strategized while PP Mini Menon fine-tuned the technical aspects of the planned Webinar. Time zone differences were no obstacle as all clubs came on board enthusiastically.

Dry runs ensured a smooth meeting that was moderated with professional ease by PP Shweta. S. Vasudevan while PP Latha Parameswaran represented our club as panellist. A packed audience from all over the country and the world exchanged stories and ideas, making it an evening that truly celebrated ‘Bonds Across The World’.

A WORD This Souvenir has been published to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Inner Wheel Club of Cochin.

The last fifty years of this club have seen some marvellous leaders, plentiful projects and formation of a lifetime of friendships. This Souvenir has attempted to capture some of those moments while also recording events and projects for posterity.

It is a project of love and thought, where over two years were spent in gathering information, editing the information, searching for photographs and restoring some old pictures so we could use them in this record.

We do hope you have enjoyed this Souvenir, as much as we have loved putting it together.

From the Editorial Team PP Shweta. S. Vasudevan PP Dr. Kanchana Giridhar Fiona Arakal