Nearly 20,000 girls and young women in and around Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, have been vaccinated against HPV this Rotary year, in a cervical cancer prevention drive. The initiative, led by RC Dindigul Queencity, an all-women’s club in RID 3000, brought together strong partnerships and grassroots mobilisation.
“RC Delhi South, RID 3011, was our major sponsor, supplying the vaccines, while we identified beneficiaries locally,” says Aarthy Mukesh, the club’s bulletin editor. Several Rotary clubs across India, along with partners such as the State Bank of India and Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank, supported the effort.
The vaccination drive was backed by extensive awareness campaigns. With medical experts on board, the club organised sessions in colleges and institutions, engaging both students and parents on the importance of HPV vaccination. Walkathons and rallies helped carry the message into the wider community. “This has been one of our signature projects, and every member was involved,” she says.
Another long-running initiative reflects the club’s sustained commitment. Eight years ago, it set up the ClubFoot Free Dindigul Centre at the Government Medical College Hospital, in association with Cure India. Today, 150–200 infants from surrounding villages receive treatment there.
Every Friday, club members visit the centre to counsel parents and provide corrective footwear, which must be replaced every six months. “We understand each child’s needs closely. While all members contribute, Malliga has been a major supporter,” says Aarthy. Festive gatherings at the centre offer encouragement to families navigating long treatment cycles.
The club’s strength lies in its close-knit membership. With 63 members, it nurtures bonding through its monthly “full moon night” meetings — informal gatherings filled with storytelling, shared memories and potluck meals. These moments, deepen friendships and strengthen their commitment to service, she says.
Their most recent meet was held at the MVM Park, which the club has maintained for the past two years. Members also take turns to cover staff wages; last month’s ₹12,000 was contributed by Yuvasaratha.
At the Blossom Centre for children with special needs, the club conducts vocational training in soap-making, weaving, embroidery and crochet. Solar lights were recently installed there through member Lalitha’s support, while Vanitha Muralidharan contributes towards rent and medicines.
The club has also sponsored 13 Interact and three Rotaract clubs. Interactors run collection drives for the Share and Care Wall, redistributing usable items to the underprivileged, while the Trash to Trees initiative converts recycled waste into resources for tree planting. The club involves Interactors and Rotaractors for mega sapling-planting drives which it organises regularly.
Visits to old age homes remain a regular activity. “We spend time with the elderly, engage them in simple activities, and support the homes with essentials,” says Aarthy. Recently, Maya, a Rotarian from the UK, contributed ₹2 lakh towards cots, wheelchairs and medical supplies for residents across four homes.