Cover Story / Interview
“Ek Chamach Kam, Chaar Kadam Aage: Let us focus on health and fitness this year” GAURISH DHOND speaks to HARSHVARDHAN BHATKULY about his plans for Rotary District 3170 as District Governor, and explains the various initiatives of Rotary International Tell us about the signature projects that you wish to undertake as Rotary District Governor 3170? The main advantage that we have for the Rotary Clubs in India is that we have an Indian who is heading Rotary International (Rtn Shekhar Mehta). He is only the 4th Indian in Rotary’s 116-year history to lead the global organization. Mehta is a grassroot Rotarian, having been part of the Rotary movement for so many years; and he knows the ins and outs of the Indian economy and the States in our country. The priority this year is to empower women and to help the girl child. Although Rtn Mehta is a global leader, he has a plan to make India completely literate by 2025. Rotary International has
been working with the Government of India to take this mission forward, so that people directly benefit from it. Goa being a small State, we have the infrastructure and wherewithal to roll out this program, thus making us well poised as far as education is concerned. But there are bigger States like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where they need educational infrastructure to make a difference. Rotary Clubs, across the nation, have also been a major contributor towards the PM Relief Fund to fight the covid-19 pandemic. The Clubs have collected almost Rs.150 crores by way of individual collections; and equipment and infrastructure worth another Rs.150 crores was
Joining Rotary Club of Panaji in January, 2000 at the hands of then District Governor Rtn Mahendra Mutha in the presence of then President of Rotary Club of Panaji, Rtn Ghanshyam (Parag) Sardesai and Secretary, late Rtn Rajesh Rao
18 | My Goa | July 2021
donated by various Rotary Clubs all over India. Rotary International has also helped with the polio eradication programme, one of our signature global campaigns, that has almost wiped out the polio virus from the face of the earth. Moving ahead, we see diabetes as a major health concern in India; and we have started a campaign called “Ek Chamach Kam, Chaar Kadam Aage” which is India specific. It translates to one spoon less of salt, one spoon less of sugar, one spoon less of oil and a walk of four kilometres every day. We have just started this initiative and it will go on for the full year. How do you plan to use the Rotary theme for this year to make a difference?
‘Serve to Change Lives’ is the Rotary theme for this year and as District Governor of Rotary District 3170, I would rather focus on saving lives. This means I would like to see improvement in the healthcare system, preferably in Government hospitals. I have already discussed with the Presidents of Rotary Clubs in our District that we would like to have many global grants projects. Wherever facilities are inadequate or do not exist, we can provide these hospitals and healthcare centres with equipment. I would also like to have more ambulances which are fully equipped for all emergencies, one of which is in the pipeline at Kumta (Karnataka). These ambulances are fully
Being installed as President of Rotary Club of Panaji in June, 2008 at the hands of then Rotary International Director, Rtn Ashok M Mahajan and Immediate Past President Rtn Dr Hirendra Kumar
