Rotary Orphanage Olympics at Mangalore
It was day-long fun and merriment for 400 children from 10 childcare homes and protection centres at 22nd Chinnara Utsava, more popular as Orphanage Olympics, hosted jointly by RC Mangalore Central, RID 3181, and RAC Mangalore City, at the Canara High School.
The annual sports and cultural meet extends a platform to deprived children at orphanages and special homes to showcase their talent to a large gathering. In his address as chief guest, Mangalore University vice-chancellor P S Yedapadithaya praised Rotary for giving an opportunity to less privileged children from special homes to display their skills. He also appreciated the community projects and social initiatives of the club, done over the years. “Voluntary organisations must strive hard to eliminate social inequality and backwardness in society by holding similar events,” he said.
Organising committee chair PDG Devdas Rai said the aim of the event is to bring smiles on the faces of children “at least for a day and give them the feeling that they are not alone.” Earlier, RC Mangalore Central president Sai Baba Rao gave the welcome speech. A G Rajgopal Rai, president-elect Rajesh Shetty and club secretary Pradeep Kulal were also present. DGN Vikram Datta distributed prizes and certificates to the winners and the event trophy to the winning team.
