Governor’s Monthly Le er
December 2018 Editor : Mona Sitwala
R. I. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DG’s MESSAGE Dear Rotarian friends, Merry Christmas ! The count down has begun for our District Conference "Sangam - The Conuence". Today on 23rd December, when I am writing this message, its exactly a year before that we had invited you to our conference. Time just ies. It has been a year of planning and meetings to make the conference successful. It reminds me of my school days, when I was supposed to present my paper before my teachers and fellow students, how nervous I used to be with butteries in my stomach. The fear of not doing good or not being up to the mark weighed heavily on my mind. The same feelings are present right now. But, I am sure with the team work, everything will fall in place. Just now I can not think of anything else but the District Conference. Come and join us in large numbers at Nashik on 4th January, 2019, at 3:00 pm at Sula Vineyards. "Sangam - The Conuence" is for you. Hope to see you all at Nashik. My home club Rotary Club of Baroda Metro, along with co-host RC Udhna and RC Dhule Femina invites you all with folded hands.
Pinky Patel
It's traditional that the rst Rotarian magazine of the Rotary year carries a prole of the incoming RI President and his or her family. I've always read those proles with interest. I have never liked a lot of attention, and the idea of having my picture on the cover made me a bit uncomfortable. But when I saw the photo the editors chose, I smiled. Because the star of that picture denitely isn't me, or my wife, Esther. It's the ock of amingos, none of which could care less about Rotary, all strutting past us in the same direction. All of them — except one. I couldn't think of a more appropriate image to reect the message I want to convey to Rotarians. That one amingo, going the other way, represents so much of what we need to do in Rotary. That amingo knows everyone's going one way. She sees it. But she also sees that maybe the path they're on isn't the best path. And if a new path does seem better, she'll call the rest to come over and check it out with her. Change is hard. And the longer we've been going one way, the harder it is to be the one who turns around and does it differently. But change — careful, considered, goal-directed change — is essential for any organization that wants to evolve, stay relevant, and move forward in the right direction. So take a look at that picture, but don't look at me. I'm not the one that cover's about. That cover is about the amingo. It's about having the curiosity, the courage, and the conviction to look at different paths that might be better — whether you're out for a stroll on a beautiful Bahamas morning, or helping chart the course for our organization.
Barry Rassin
HEALTHY SOLUTIONS In Rotary, December, is celebrated as the month of Health and Disease Prevention Month. Health of a population is one of the primary concerns of governments the world over and Rotary has rightly taken it up as a focus area. Primary prevention seeks to avoid a disease or poor health condition before it occurs and Rotary's most successful and commendable project till date – PolioPlus, falls in this very focus area. In our country with its very poor infrastructure, the infectious diseases becomes the most important focus of action. Rotary clubs should focus on the key area of providing clean drinking water for everyone. Here, the clubs can participate in creating awareness of checking water quality at each point in the distribution regularly and force local authorities to act on the reports. We can also create a local awareness program about drinking only boiled water which itself would help prevent more than 90% of communicable diseases like gastro, typhoid, etc. This would be very important for the rural population. We are already teaching children to wash hands in our WinS mission, which also goes a long way to prevent such communicable diseases. Similarly, clubs could focus on sanitation, which is a major drive of the current government. It is a shame that after 72 years of independence we have to tell our people to use the toilet; and that too, how to use it. However, with posters, banners and local panchayats we can show them how to garner the government funds to build personal and community toilets. In similar lieu we can highlight the drainage points along the rivers and force local authorities, with the help of social media, to make large waste disposal facilities. If Rotary places its resources on this two aspects of sanitation and clean water, we can make as much impact as the polio program. Funds are available. Rotary's task is to highlight this and channelize it in the right directions for fast and effective actions.
Mona Sitwala
Rotary's Noble Peace Prize connection Honorary Rotarian, Dr.Denis Mukwege, a member of the Rotary Club of Ath, RI District 1620, Belgium, along with Nadia Murad, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2018 on th 10 December, at Oslo. He was awarded for his ght against the use of sexual violence as a military force in armed conict. Since 1999, Dr. Denis Mukwege has been treating victims of sexual violence at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu (South Kivu). In a society where rape remains a taboo, he tries, through a holistic approach, to bring these women back on the path of life. His critical comments gave him a lot of enemies. In 2012, he came to Belgium for a few months, after narrowly escaping an attempt to kill him. Dr. Mukwege has family in Belgium, and he has been an honorary member of Rotary Club Ath since 2014. He has given lectures to several Rotary clubs. In 2015, he earned a PhD from Université Libre de Bruxelles for his thesis on traumatic stulas. In 2017, he was special guest and speaker of the District 1620 Rotary Foundation Seminar. On this occasion, a 'Centennial Global Grant' was proposed (value: US$ 259,480) to purchase a digital radiography device for Panzi Hospital. Since then, this grant has been approved by the Foundation, and the equipment will soon be installed.
TRF AND FLAGSHIP PROJECT SEMINAR, CENTRAL ZONE The word Rotary is synonymous with community service the world over with agship project like End Polio where we are on the verge of eradicating a crippling disease. Have you ever wondered how these projects are conceived, planned, funded and executed? The District nd TRF Seminar, organised on 2 December, at M I Patel Rotary Youth Centre, Bharuch, was hosted by RC Bharuch and RC Bharuch Femina and organised with the motive of unravelling and answering these questions. Learned faculty from various areas gave highly informative and educative lectures on The Rotary Foundation; the backbone of Rotary which enables and empowers Rotarians all over world to do such impactfull service projects. They unravelled the mystery of how to use the various grants available through the Rotary Foundation to do much bigger projects and highlighted the importance of donating to Rotary Foundation. The second session was dedicated to various agship projects of District 3060 which various clubs can emulate. Chief Guest of the function, RRFC PDG Vijay Jalan, spoke on TRF - Life line of Rotary and Humanity. He highlighted the importance of this entity in doing substantial projects. DG Pinky Patel disclosed the purpose of the day after Host Club President Ketan Shah welcomed the delegates. The plenary session on Global District Grants was taken up in detail by DGSC Manish Shah. Plenary Session on TRF versus Local Club Donation was moderated by PDG Parag Sheth with DGE Anish Shah and DGN Prashant Jani as panellists. Plenary Session on CSR and Major Gift was discussed by AG Amardeep Bunet. The session on the Foundation status of Clubs was taken up by DRFC Ashish Ajmera. The other topics were - Rotary the Art of Living and Performing by MSP Chairman Shrikant Indani; “Nayi Soch” moderated by AG Sangita Shukla with AG Ketan Patel, Jay Shah, Piyush Nathani and Tushar Ginwala as panellist; discussion on “Literacy” moderated by Himanshu Shah with Uma Patel, Amardeep Bunet, Kirti Joshi as panelists; “Red Revolution” by Dr. Amisha Mehta and Signature Project “Pankh” by Sidharth Mehta. Rtn. Piyush Naik concluded the session. Entire event was very well organised by Event Chairmen Vanrajsinh Mahida, Presidents Ketan Shah and Kirti Joshi.
Clubs at work
Clubs at work
Clubs at work
Blood Camp by RC Vapi RYLA by RC Umbergaon RC of Umbergaon hosted RYLA on 16-18th November at The Jungle Farm, co hosted by RC of Umbergaon and Sarigam, and sponsored by Rotary eClub One(RID 5450). Total 30 kids of age 12-18 participated. Day 1 included different adventure and commando training to develop spontaneity, character building, focusing and concentration. Post lunch session on sustainable living, healthy lifestyle and living was taken. At night kids showcased their talents around the camp ď€ re. Day 2 they were taken on trek to develop appreciation for nature, jungle survival, team building, character building and leadership development. In the evening session on anger management, cooperation and team building was taken. Post dinner kids were taken for star gazing and they also could enjoy Leonid meteor shower in the early morning. Last day they were given tasks based on team spirit, strategy planning, time management and character strength to analyse their strength and weakness. A session on gender roles and gender sensitisation was taken. Post lunch kids took part in debate on social media, mobiles, TV and internet. They were given kits and RYLA certiď€ cates.
RC Vapi managed Nukem Blood Bank holds a blood donation camp at Aarti Industries Ltd., each year where they initiate a mega Blood Donation Drive in memory of Late Shri Rasiklal Devji Gala in association with other partners. rd
This was the 23 Blood Donation Drive. A total of 630 units were collected and distributed amongst the Blood Banks of Vapi. Rotary Club of Vapi : 204 Units collected
RC Rajkot Greater - CT Scan Centre at B. T. Savani Kidney Hospital RC Rajkot Greater, with partner club Emory Druid Hills, District 6900,USA, took the challenge to raise 200,000 USD to supply CT Scan Machine to B.T. Savani Kidney Hospital, under the Global Grant. This hospital is one of the largest hospital for kidney related diseases doing 100-120 dialysis per day, with daily OPD of 100-150 patients and 10-15 surgeries daily. Hospital is providing treatment free or at a considerable subsidized cost. They also provide medical relief bonds to patients. The CT Scan machine will be useful for early investigation, quick reporting and cost effective. Club have also donated 15 dialysis machine to this hospital and Rotary Rajkot Greater Dialysis Centre running successfully since last four year.
Guest Column RIPE MARK MALONEY'S VISIT TO SURAT RIPE Mark Maloney and his gracious lady Gay were on a two day visit to Surat on 26th November, 2018. He had previously visited Surat in 2004 as TRF Trustee. They were received at the railway station and escorted to the hotel by Rotaractors on motorcycles where they were formally welcomed by the PDGs, Presidents and PE of Surat area clubs and then taken to my home for dinner. th
The morning of 27 November began with visit to club projects of Surat area beginning with a project of RC Surat at Village Niyol - a project launched by him on his previous visit. The second visit was at Dialysis Centre of Surat East. They then visited Dhinka Chika, a child home where Surat West supports and educate 35 girls. The fourth visit was at Rotary Physiotherapy Centre managed by Surat Riverside. They visited Mamta day care centre for mentally challenged children supported by Surat Roundtown. The icing on the cake was a rickshaw ride by Mark & Gay in which children are brought to school everyday. Lastly they visited the Deaf & Dumb school supported by RC Udhna and welcomed by a huge Rangoli of Mark and Gay created by the children. Here RID Elect Dr. Bharat Pandya, coming specially from Mumbai, joined us. DGE Anish & Swati Shah also joined us. In the evening Rotaractors of Surat area organised an excellent program 'Rotaraction' conceived by PDRRs Viral Gondalia and Nirav Trivedi which included presentation of their activity. This was followed by a Talk Show. RIPE Mark responded sportingly to questions to the satisfaction of 100+ Rotaractors.
RIPE Mark Maloney & Gay Maloney
The formal meeting in the evening was a gala show put up at a beautiful venue, with ambience created by Rtn. Raju Pandit. The function began with a Ganesh Stuti dance by Pratibha Acharya. The meeting started with Rotary Song “Viva la Rotary” led by Rotarians of Udhna. The national anthem of USA and India were sung by the IYE Students. 250+ Rotarians and spouses were present. DG Pinky Patel, RIDE Dr. Bharat Pandya, PRID Dr. Manoj Desai and many RI ofcers were present. On behalf of all present the senior most PDG Devendra Shastri welcomed the gathering. PE Mark was introduced by PP Devang Munim. The address by RIPE Mark was very interesting with input from his experience in Rotary. He shared his vision for Rotary and the points which we need to focus on for a brighter and relevant future. During this meeting the support to the TRF was in the forefront. PDG Himanshu Thackar announced a contribution of USD 3,98,000, majority coming from RC Udhna, Surat, Ankleshwar and Dhulia Crossroad. PDG Ashish and Dr. Ranu Ajmera were felicitated for their induction in Arch Klump Society. The glittering evening came to an end with a vote of thanks by PDG Kulbandhu Sharma. The day ended successfully with support from all Clubs of Surat area and due to great efforts put in by Rtn's Prakash Patel, Devang Munim, Santosh Pradhan and Kshitij Desai. The entire proceeding was very ably conducted by MOC Maharukh Chichgar. RIPE Mark departed from Surat on 28th November for their onward journey to Indonesia and Taiwan. It was an historical time for Rotary in Surat.
PDG Himanshu Thackar
“Sangam - The Confluence” - 49th District Conference
At Nashik, 4th to 6th January, 2019
9
Q’s
Read what District IYE Counseller Devang Munim has to say to 9 questions posed to him
Please tell us briey about your association with the International Youth Exchange program of RI District 3060. My association with IYE started way back in 1997-98 when I was the President of my club RC Udhna. Then onwards I got interested in the IYE programme. In 2000-2001 I became the chairman of IYE Programme and from 2001 to 2006 I was given this responsibility. From then onwards till today I am connected with IYE programme at various position. Which do you think is the better program : long term or short term? I personally feel that long term is the best programme to learn the culture and language of one country. Short term is more like a holiday exchange where you do not go to school but stay with host families. How are these different from the New Generation Service Exchange? NGSE is for student between the age group of 20 to 30 years. The programme focus more on the vocational side. In the programme the student gets a chance to attend work place which is connected to their vocations. They also stay with their host families and learn about their culture and way of life. Do our children who travel widely still need to be oriented about another country? Has any of our children come back because they could not adapt to the new country? Every year orientation has to be done for all students undertaking L.T/S.T or NGSE. Going on a Rotary programme is much different than going as a tourist. Orientation of the Rotary norms and ways is required and will help the student for a smooth exchange. Students need to know these rules and follow them at all times. There has been incidents where our students have come back. This is due to carelessness and breaking the rules of Rotary. Why are the exchange students not becoming Rotaractors? Should they not be giving something back to Rotary ? We need to work on this. The student who go for college education do join Rotaract clubs if it is available in their college. We need to prepare a data bank of student and get in touch with them and encourage them to join Rotaract.
Which are the countries where children get a better experience? Or the favourite destinations among applicants ? Experience at any place and any country will be good. There is no country which is better than others, it is the overall experience which is important in this programme. Also, it is up to the students to take maximum advantage of the opportunity. Normally Europe and U.S are favourite destinations. What is the future of IYE? Are the number of applications rising or going down? The future of IYE is good provided we get good host families, host clubs and we are able to provide a good atmosphere for the student's well-being. Which country would you choose if you could go for a similar exchange? Any country where I get the opportunity to learn new languages. I will prefer the long term programme. What maybe the bad experience faced by students? The bad experiences are when the student do not get hosts who are familiar with Rotary culture. Also, there are times when the student do not follow the rules and regulations of Rotary and then may get in to unwanted trouble. By and large if the students follow the instruction of the host families and councillor then there are very less chance of facing problems. Mostly all students have a very positive experience.
TRF AND FLAGSHIP PROJECT SEMINAR, SAURASHTRA ZONE TRF and Flagship Projects Seminar was hosted by Rotary Club of Wadhwan City, along with Rotary Club of Wadwan Metro, on Sunday 16/12/2018, at the Shri C.U.Shah Engineering College auditorium. More than 25 clubs registered for this event. Delegates were welcomed by Event Chair Rajiv Mehta after which DG Pinky Patel highlighted the purpose of the Seminar and how it would be helpful to garner TRF donations and in doing projects. Session on Global and District Grants was taken up by DGSC Manish Shroff. A debate on TRF versus local club donation was moderated by PDG Deepak Agrawal with DGE Anish Shah and DGN Prashant Jani as panelists. Foundation status of clubs was discussed by DRFC Ashish Ajmera. PDG Mohan Palesha spoke on the topic “TRF Life line of Rotary and Humanity”. Other presenters and speakers were Rtn. Shrikant Indani discussing the Service Projects; Rtn. Neel Doshi moderated the signature projects; Skin Bank project by Hita Mehta, Red Revolution by Dr. Nayna Patel, Mobile Literacy van by Yash Rathod; Impact of Service Projects in small places by Rajendra Rana and Water Harvesting by Dr. Umang Desai. Session was concluded by Dr. Nimesh Rajput, while DG Pinky Patel handed over the awards and Ritesh Vasani proposed a vote of thanks. Project Chair Rajiv Mehta and Co-Chair Ritesh Vasani organized the seminar very well.
January is Voca onal Service Month RED Revolu on - District Project A lot many workshops have been conducted all over the District under the banner of the Red Revolution, which teaches the female beneciaries all about mensuration, related hygiene and the use of reusable cloth sanitary napkins. Workshops held are as follows: Maharashtra : 11 WS, 6 clubs, 2265 beneted. South Gujarat: 24 WS, 6 clubs, 2384 beneted. Central Gujarat : 24 WS, 8 Clubs, 4672 beneted. Saurashtra : 20 WS, 10 clubs, 12130 beneted. TOTAL 79 Workshops, 30 Clubs, 21451 beneted.
Rotary Puzzle December
Solu on for Rotary Crossword November
Winner : PP Haresh Desai (Surat Roundtown) Winners ll now to be recognised at the conference