When the Department of Paediatrics, in partnership with the NGO Children in India, recently started an Autism Clinic at the government SMGS Hospital in Jammu to offer a range of services to children with autism and their families, the Rotary Club of Jammu Stars, RI District 3070, happily pitched in with some colourful, modern play equipment that was required for training and therapy for these children.

Renovating run-down anganwadis is a major project of RC Mysore South East, RID 3181, for the last four decades. These days, if the government-run creches in the neighbouring Ashokapuram and Vidyaranyapuram villages sport a spanking new look, it is thanks to the efforts of the club members. “Most of these anganwadis are poorly maintained and in bad shape — the doors and windows are creaky and broken, the paint is non-existent and the buildings generally look gloomy. Right from the club’s inception, our members decided to transform these ramshackle buildings into warm, welcoming homes. This is the least we can do for the little children who spend hours here when their parents, mostly construction or sanitation workers, are out on work,” says K N Muralidhara, president of this club which was chartered in 1983. He shares that all 64 members are involved hands-on in all the service projects being done by the club.