Love all, says PRIP Banerjee
At the installation of the new leadership for RC Chandigarh, RID 3080, PRIP Kalyan Banerjee urged Rotarians to “hold on to the values of heritage, integrity, respect and excellence, much like the spirit of Wimbledon.” He said he was in the UK enjoying the Wimbledon matches when he was invited as chief guest to the installation event by PRIP Rajendra Saboo, a member of this club.
Every game in tennis, he said, “begins with ‘Love All’, and this spirit should be adopted in all our endeavours.” He stressed the need for mental health awareness, particularly in the context of the Covid pandemic’s far-reaching effect on the Indian population, including youngsters in schools and colleges. Banerjee urged Rotarians to embrace advanced technology such as AI to keep up with the fast-changing world.
Reflecting on the club’s history, PRIP Saboo recalled the donation of a mortuary van in 1961. He praised the club’s impressive track record, and said that two Chief Justices of India and six Supreme Court judges from the city were its members.
DG Arun Mongia shared plans of extensive eye check-up camps to address 10 lakh school children, establishment of a blood bank in Ambala Cantonment, four dialysis centres, and two eye hospitals in RID 3080.
Anil Chadda, president of RC Chandigarh, detailed a series of impactful social welfare initiatives to be undertaken by the club this year. The club is actively working towards establishing a human milk bank worth ₹31 lakh in Mohali. Additionally, the club will provide single-use bags for the apheresis machine at the Rotary Blood Bank Society Resource Centre at a cost of ₹16.6 lakh. He shared plans of a special programme dedicated to senior citizens, and service activities to commemorate the club’s 65th anniversary, and Chandigarh’s 70th year.
PRIP Banerjee released a coffee table book compiled by the club to highlight its numerous projects and endeavours across the city.