Rotary at the races
Dr P C Reddy felicitate the winner. Also present: (from R) PDG Natarajan Nagoji, DGN G Chandramohan, PDG P T Ramkumar and DGE Babu Peram (extreme left).
Rotary Club of Madras, D 3232, hosted the Rotary International Cup recently at the Madras Race Club (MRC). “It was our way of thanking our members for the good work they are doing for society — right from eradicating polio to enhancing people’s lives through better health and literacy,” said PDG R Ramakrishnan, the Chairman of MRC, adding that for many Rotarians it was a first visit to the vast grounds and grand ambience of MRC.
Ramakrishnan is chairing the MRC for the second tenure after 1980–84. An avid follower of the races, he is a steward since 1972 — “the second longest serving steward”. He became a member of RC Madras in the same year and served as governor of the undivided RI district 323 in 1992–93.
The event was designed to promote Rotary’s public image. “We used to sponsor the Cup in the earlier years. I am happy that this has been revived,” said PDG P T Ramkumar, also a member of the MRC’s management committee. He recalled the warmth shared by his father, Ramakrishnan and Apollo Chairman Dr P C Reddy. “I used to book their train tickets to Bengaluru for the races in those days,” he said.
Dr Reddy, the founder-chairman of Apollo Hospitals, is also a member of the MRC committee and a regular at the races. Shifting focus to India’s health status, Dr Reddy said that he was worried about the heart problems faced by today’s youngsters. Thanks to the complications caused by heart problems among young Indians, their life span has come down alarmingly. India is losing 600 people daily due to heart diseases, he said and added that people’s mindset needs to be addressed. “They are reluctant to undergo a test, simply because they are scared that the doctor may find out something. People don’t understand that we are there to help, and the sooner the diagnosis, the better.”
Reddy was appreciative of the efforts of corporates such as TCS and Cognizant in providing cardiac health camps across the country.
PRID P T Prabhakar, who was present at the event, was quick to extend Rotary’s support, asking him to suggest where and how Rotary can help. He also highlighted Rotary’s reach in the eradication of polio. “I’m aware of the great work you are doing and I will be very happy to work with you,” said Dr Reddy.
