Rotary relief for Kishtwar victims
Educational institutes RC Kapurthala, RID 3070
Within days of the Kishtwar cloudburst tragedy, the Disaster Management Committee formed by DG Rohit Oberoi assessed the damage at this town in J&K, filed a report that identified relief materials needed for the victims, mostly pilgrims, and locals whose houses were washed away. “RC Katra sent ration and other essentials to the disaster site the very next day,” he says.
From July 1, Operation Hum for Himachal reached out to the flood victims. “This was a massive relief effort praised by state officials, politicians and the print and social media. Relief kits worth over ₹20 lakh were distributed in a month, and our clubs are still helping victims.” Oberoi wants to add 25 new clubs to the tally of 121 in the first six months, and “induct over 500 new Rotarians to the headcount of 3,149 for the year. We have already added over 100 new members.”
A Rotary Rehab Centre (GG: ₹1.7 crore) to treat 30–35 patients with paralysis will be launched soon. A mobile mammography clinic will screen 2,500 rural women at its 100 check-up camps. His target for TRF-giving is $250,000. As District Rotary Action Plan Champion (2023–26), he is wooing young professionals, by “making Rotary flexible for Gen Z.” Oberoi joined Rotary in 2000, and is looking forward to his silver jubilee year. He will be District Learning Facilitator next year.
GG projects transform lives
Civil engineer, RC Chitradurga-Fort, RID 3160
Global grant projects across RI’s focus areas are bringing a lasting change across communities in North Karnataka and the Rayalseema areas of Andhra. “At present 18 service projects, including four in Davangere, worth ₹13–15 crore, are under implementation by our district clubs,” says DG Ravindra. Ten dialysis machines (GG: ₹1.16 crore) were installed at the Rotary Seva Bhavana, Chitradurga, along with physiotherapy and skill development centres, thus benefitting rural people.
His home club gave a DDF of $5,000 for the physiotherapy unit. Ravindra aims to charter 10 new clubs and add 500 new members to the existing tally of 78 and 2,509 respectively, and breach the headcount of 3,000 Rotarians by the year-end. A diagnostic lab (GG: ₹60 lakh) in Sandur; and Rotary Blood Bank (GG: ₹70 lakh) in Raichur were set-up recently. His district team is looking at a few CSR grant projects, including 15 smart classes in government schools, a cardiac ambulance, while a blood bank (GG: ₹70 lakh) is on the anvil in Ananthapur.
Ravindra aims to contribute $400,000 to TRF. Recalling his early Rotary days, he says, “I joined the organisation in 1994 attracted by its platforms of friendship, fellowship and service.” Now, he looks ahead with optimism as GG projects are transforming lives in this part of the world, he says.
Focus on health, hygiene, community
Transport, RC Perambalur, RID 3000
A third generation Rotarian, DG Karthik was inspired by his grandfather Narayanasamy Reddiar and father Jayaraman, who are charter members of his home club, to join Rotary in 1999. “I was moved by our projects’ impact on communities, and this motivates me to continue my service,” he says.
He has formed a district team for a mega cervical cancer awareness and vaccination project (GG: $150,000) for school and college students. Several GG projects are on the anvil including 100 toilet blocks (GG: ₹7.5 lakh each block) at government schools; 200 interactive boards (GG: ₹2.4 crore) for 100 schools; and talks are on to install 50 dialysis machines at a government hospital (GG: ₹2.5 crore).
Karthik is tapping CSR funds for building a community hall (₹2.5 crore), indoor sports stadium (₹1.5 crore), and an auditorium (₹2.5 crore) for holding seminars and events — all coming up in Perambalur.
Fifty new clubs will be formed, and 2,000 new members will be inducted —1,200 new Rotarians have joined so far. When he took over, there were 150 clubs and 5,850 Rotarians in the district. For TRF-giving, his target is $1.5 million. A four-day RYLA at Kodaikanal will be held shortly with 50 college students including some from Nigeria, Australia, England and New Zealand. “Apart from leadership skills, we will focus on ethical values for a successful life,” he smiles.
Fighting obesity, autism
Gastroenterologist, RC Cochin Metropolis, RID 3205
A couple of medical projects are being planned to boost the public image of Rotary in this newly- carved district which has 103 clubs and 3,600 members to begin with. DG Ramesh has plans to charter 20 new clubs with a net membership growth of 20 per cent during his tenure.
Project ROCCO — Rotary Combating Childhood Obesity — will create awareness on this lifestyle disease among 10,000 children through events and campaigns. “We will identify children in need of medical intervention, and offer medical support,” he says. All the clubs will pool in funds and participate in the ROCCO campaign. Also, parents and caregivers of children with autism are invited for special sessions in Kochi, Thrissur and Muvattupuzha. “We will hold skilling classes for at least 50 children with autism and dyslexia. The hands-on training will enable the special children to get jobs in future.”
Another project, in collaboration with the Believers Hospital, Thiruvalla, and Amrita Hospital, Kochi, will offer insulin-support to people with diabetes (GG: $40,000). “We will provide all help including special pumps, devices, medicines etc for 50 patients to start with.” A crematorium will be set up (CSR fund: ₹40 lakh) for pets and strays in Kochi. His target for TRF-giving is $1.5 million. Having joined Rotary in 2001, he believes that “networking and service will attract more youth to Rotary.” Industrialist Kochouseph Chittilappilly, a distinguished Rotarian, is his role model.