Letters to the Editor – October 2024

I am past president of my club. Your article on diagnosis of breast cancer (September issue) is interesting and it is news to me that a new device is available for screening women. I would like to know more about this device, its availability and the cost so that my club can also do this detection.

Please give me the contact details of Dr Indira and Dr Geetha Manjunath.

Dr K S Ramalingam, RC Tuticorin — D 3212

We don’t have their contact details but you can go to their website www.niramai.com and ask for help. Or you can call Kashinath Prabhu, a member of RC Bangalore Lakeside who is in charge of the project. (98456 83875). Do let us know when you replicate this project, we’d love to publish it.

— Editor

With reference to the letter by Jaideep Malaviya (Sept issue), his guess is right. The owner of ­Presidency Hotel, Kochi, where he saw Rotary News is a Rotarian — Philip Mathew — from RC Cochin.

Joseph Malieckal, RC Cochin — D 3201

A transformative project

The cover photo of the September issue depicting the covered faces of sex workers whose lives are being transformed by Project Sakhi initiated by RC Bharuch is really striking.

The Editor’s note is an eye-opener on the need to really implement DEI; she has highlighted the recent death of a doctor in Kolkata, the sexual harassment of women wrestlers and women in the Malayalam film industry etc. Congrats to Sangkoo Yun who has been chosen RIPN for 2026–27.

RI President ­Stephanie Urchick relates some precious moments connected to her family, that she enjoyed recently in Slovakia. RID Anirudha Roychowdhury has dwelt on the need to educate all people to make the world a better place. TRF chair Mark Maloney focuses on the Rotary legacy of giving, while TRF trustee Bharat Pandya shows how Indian Rotarians proved this legacy by becoming the second highest contributors to TRF.

Apart from the Sakhi project, other articles on Rotary helping the victims of Wayanad, breast cancer, eyecare in Mauritius and 90 years of RC Bangalore are all informative.

All photos are colourful too. As a whole, the September issue is superb and kudos to the editorial team for their exemplary work.

Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211

I read the article When Rotarians became sakhis of sex workers with interest. An ­innovative idea promoted by Rizwana Zamindar of RC ­Bharuch and she deserves appreciation.

The Rotarians have rejuvenated the lives of underprivileged women who were pushed into the flesh trade due to poverty. Now they have the opportunity to get educated and get employed through skilling for which the club may approach the corporates for CSR funding. RC Bharuch members deserve high praise for doing this project successfully.

S Mohan, RC Madurai West — D 3000

The deluge of muddy water, a result of nature’s wrath, has ­swallowed Chooralmala and ­Mundakkai ­villages in Wayanad. Hundreds of people died, many went missing and properties disappeared. At this critical time, the Rotarians from five Rotary clubs in RID 3204 and neighbouring clubs joined hands with the government machinery and have done commendable service that was appreciated by all.

Medical camps were held, bio-toilets were set up and essential ­disposable materials were distributed. By their timely action, Kerala’s Rotarians have lived up to Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, and Rotary’s public image has certainly soared.

V R T Dorairaja, RC Tiruchirapalli — D 3000

In the September issue it was interesting to read the article RID 3233 takes ­special children to ­Tirupati by train from Chennai. Even for able-bodied people, it is very difficult to have Balaji’s darshan, due to the heavy rush of ­pilgrims every day, and the long wait involved. Hence, it was delightful to see a large number of ­special children being taken to Tirumala from Chennai, and brought back home safely.

Hats off to DG Mahaveer Bothra and his district for their noble ­thinking of arranging such an event.

N Jagatheesan, RC Eluru — D 3020

Mobile heart care, a boon to villagers

Congratulations to the editor and her team for the new look magazine.

RID 3212’s vision to lift the quality of life in rural Tamil Nadu by ­providing a Rotary Heart Care Bus to serve the villagers in this region through regular screening camps is noteworthy.

In partnership with RC Las Vegas Won, RID 5300, they have done this humanitarian work and deserve high appreciation. By doing so, they are on track to realise the bold vision of former TN chief minister K Kamaraj.

Jaishree’s article ­Donkey Libraries in ­Ethiopia and Kiran ­Zehra’s article on pink autos were both very good. Congrats to RID 3233. ­Rasheeda’s ­article ­Sustainable ­livelihood ­project for ­mentally disturbed women was superb. The ­humanitarian work done by RID 3132 and RC Miami Airport, RID 6990, deserve high appreciation.

Daniel Chittilappilly, RC Kaloor — D 3201

A noble project in Ethiopia

Great to read the article titled Donkey Libraries in Ethiopia (Aug issue). Rotary can do magic for the children of poor countries who are ­unable to access ­educational ­facilities. This is noble work done by RC Addis Ababa ­Central Mella with the help of RC NC ­Hickory, RID 7660, USA.

The article gives useful information to ­Rotarians on how to help poor ­children by ­donating books and sending ­volunteers to provide basic education.

T D Bhatia, RC Mayur Vihar — D 3012