March 2012 - The Golden Orange

MARCH 2012 T A RY

IN

AL

RO

TE

RN A TIO N

Reach Within to Embrace Humanity

H appiness is…….. ……….bringing a smile on a child's f ace

UDAAN INTERNATIONAL FOOD FEST NID PULSE POLIO VOCATIONAL VISIT

SOME MOMENTS FROM PROJECT “UDAAN”

2

The stage is set

Registrations

Chandru gives a helping hand

Sanjay checks out the muscles

Dinesh is in control

The GSE Team

DG Gopal and PDG Ramesh

Divya Das feeds a child

Lunch being served

A stroll……

….and a jig

Rita put her stamp on Udaan

G O O D HEALT H BEGINS WIT H DINSH AW’S

ICE CRE A M M ILK B UTTER M ILK L A SSI BI O D A H I M IS HTI D A H I K A D H I D A H I P A N EER B UTTER G H EE

Tauby's Take....

My Dear Rotarians, Character is your nature - it's who you are and what you are made up of. It is the real you, when no one is observing you. What we should be building upon as we grow in life and stature is character. In today's world that is overtly preoccupied with image, wealth and success, character is often given a back seat. Honesty, ethics, sincerity, humility and many such factors contribute to building up your character. The reputation of our club is the reputation of our members; and our character will carve out our reputation.

Who are we as Rotarians? We are a network of people who care. We recognize the challenges before us; we know our abilities and responsibilities. In this World Understanding Month we remember these words of Paul Harris “The hearts of men must be so touched and moulded that mutual understanding and goodwill will take citizens, people who have broader perspectives, enhanced by open eyes and open minds. Citizens of solid character and reputation.

The coinciding of the 107th Birthday of Rotary, with a Thursday was celebrated in a grand manner, true to our clubs standards of style and panache. I was happy to see the meeting hall decorated with balloons and ribbons, the excitement and exuberance on our members faces coupled with joy and satisfaction, pride and love for Rotary. These are the kind of members who will build the future of Rotary that we strive to carry on for the next 100 years. Long Live Rotary!!

Our war against eradication of Polio is almost won. Rotary International has committed to be the torch bearer until India and the world becomes absolutely Polio Free. The last polio case was seen a year ago. By attaining zero polio status for another two years, our country will be the first among the endemic countries to become polio free. That's our enthusiasm and passion.

Udaan … the all day sports meet for specially abled children is emerging as one of our landmark projects. It was our special way of expressing love on Valentine's Day. Love for those who are less fortunate than us, but whose spirit and zest for life overcomes their short comings. So many members put their hearts and soul into this project that the end result had to be spectacular. That's our sincerity and love.

When you help others, when you involve yourself in Rotary with sincerity, passion, love, enthusiasm, interest and appreciation they'll say that you're crazy, don't worry and continue on being yourself. When you achieve your dreams and trust in yourself, try not to develop arrogance, because that will be the quicksand that will swallow your victory.

May the colours of Holi add cheer and bring joy into your lives, Yours in Rotary,

Straight from the heart....

Friendships……… ……………the spice in our lives, our lifeline and so much more!!!! Friends are those who are there when we need them. And also when we don't. Friends are a boon at times, a bane at most. Life could be so much more uncomplicated without them. They are our extended family and at times a nuisance to our family. Life would be simpler but no fun without them.

Friends are of many types True Friends – We are friends inspite of all disagreements and differences. Everytime we are down and out, we find them rallying around us. We search them out in a crowd and look forward to meeting them and talking to them, even if it is to take an ugly argument forward. Fondness grows with passing time and life would not be possible without them.

Acquaintances – We meet them here and we meet them there. The conversations and interactions are interesting and involve a lot of fun.

We may enjoy their company and we may not. It does not really matter. The party is over and we move on, till we meet them again somewhere else. Bottom line being that we enjoy their company but do not miss their absence.

Fragmented Friendships – We have shared a great relationship and have been the best of friends. But somehow with passing time and for no particular reason, we have drifted away. The relationship has been neglected. Let's spend some time to nurture this friendship and put some effort to it. It will make us feel great and bring some spice back into our lives.

Friendship is the cornerstone of our lives!!!!

Shabbir Shakir

shabbir.shakir66@yahoo.in

Keep in touch......

We invite expert comments, suggestions, criticism and commendations. This will help us know the pulse of readers and improve the publication. Please write in to shabbir.shakir66@yahoo.in

Tauby Bhagwagar.

CREDITS Director Khushnoor Chugh

Processing Eskay’s Scanner

Chairperson Nimish Sutaria

Designing Gurushree Graphics

Advisor Madhavi Naidu

Printing Shabbir Shakir

Editor Shabbir Shakir

Paper Courtesy BILT

COVER up....

A child finds it fun at Udaan The kids had a gala time at the Food Fest The Festive atmosphere at the Food Fest

3

MAIL BASTION - Letters To The Editor

ETTER BEST L FOR E IZ PR ISSUE EVERY

BEST R LETTE

To RCML Members Many (perhaps all) of you may have already seen this special message from Sati Khanna 's club in India .

But just in case you didn't, it's worth reading.

P.S. to Sati: I very much enjoyed the uplifting sentiments expressed by Rtn Tauby Bhagwagar. Please thank her for me. And many thanks again to you for putting me on your club's mailing list.

Best regards to all, Bill Hodges, Bulletin Editor R.C. of Lakeshore

Dear Shabbir, Great going so far as the GO editor, which brings to fore one more dimension of your ability. Here I would like to make a mention about Sohrab's column for@technicallychallenged.com. It is an excellent edutaintment column. Its a must read for each one of us. Though I am not a technically challenged person so far as IT is concerned, I must confess lot of this info has been very good read for me as well. I recommend that each one of us must read and make use of these tips in our day to day work and improve our efficiency.

The only thing I don't like is that the column has too long a name and that probably desists most of the members from writing letters of appreciation for this column:-) Cheers!

-Atul Shah

DISTRICT CONFERENCE ...KALYANOTSAV

Almost as soon as a Rotarian is nominated as the District Governor, he or she mentally starts planning, the District Conference. Held around half way through the Rotary year, it is the most important event. Kind of a gauge of how that Governor's term was! Thus so, DG Gopal Shiralkar also aimed at a smooth sailing and memorable Conference.

Conference Chairman, Conf. Secretary, Ladies Committee in charge along with a large team, was picked out months ago. The Venue.

Registrations from and out of the city.

Speakers to interest every one in general.

Caterers to provide the best of fare, within a budget. Entertainment Program. Each and every detail was worked out well in advance.

Every Club from Nagpur was given some responsibility.

Saturday the 4th of February dawned crisp and cold. (Fortunately for Nagpurians, the winter had extended until Feb.) Vasantrao Deshpande Hall was dressed up, as though for a wedding. The dignitaries were welcomed to a smart band. Rotaractors dressed up in costumes of different Indian regions, presented regional dances. The Rotary International President's Representative, Past R I President, Richard King and his wife, Chery Kay King were thoroughly impressed with the opulence. Breakfast at Rani Kothi was an equally lavish affair.

The inaugural session started on time, with a discourse from Shri Jitendranath Maharaj.

Followed by an emotional speech from the RIPR and a motivational one by chief guest PDG Yashpal Das. Stalls outside, drew big crowds, specially, the pani puri, dhabeli, ice

4

gola, sugar candy, paan kulfi, ber, channa chor garam etc. Festive atmosphere prevailed, all day. The ladies had fun, watching a ramp walk, a medley, a lavni, along with a beauty cum brain pageant --Smart Shrimati Contest. For our club, it was a proud and joyous moment, when Rtn.Bina Mathews won the title. Children enjoyed the Cartoon Characters come alive.

More plenary sessions, elections for a future DG, an elaborate lunch, a short time to rest and the delegates were ready for more enjoyment at 'Surmai Shaam' the Cultural Program.

Suvarna Mategaonkar and her troupe, enthralled the audience, with live singing of nostalgic Hindi numbers as well as a few Marathi songs. Short yet sweet, the entertainment program ended in time for the delegates to enjoy a few drinks, before a multi cuisine dinner at the Ladies Club.

Sunday, the 5th of Feb. A new day brought more business sessions. Presentations from the incoming and outgoing, Group Study Exchange (GSE) and International Youth

The dais and the backdrop

Exchange (IYE) teams, were a hit as always.

Local, Maharashtrian Cuisine, was much enjoyed at lunch.

Another heart rending speech from the RIPR and it was time for bye byes. The much awaited, conference was over. Totally, by the Rotarians and for the Rotarians, the District Conference, has something for every Rotarian. Making new friends, renewing old friendships, listening to speakers, who would not be accessible otherwise, learning a lot about Rotary work carried out by other clubs aside from good food and a lot of fun. I wish, more Rotarians would attend.

Only when you experience it, will you know, how good or boring it is!!! Incidentally this was my 18th Conference.

-Manju Shahani

Smart Shrimati Beena with Pres Tauby

2ND FEBRUARY

The Board has its eyes on the podium The Business Meeting was held on 2nd February. President Tauby chaired the meeting. Hon. Secretary Dinesh Naidu read out the Minutes of the previous Business

Meeting and Treasurer Mahendra Kamath presented the Treasurer's report. President Tauby greeted the members celebrating their Birthdays and Anniversaries. President Elect Atul Shah informed the members about the forthcoming District Conference to be held on 4th and 5th February. The members were informed about the upcoming Programs and Projects.

President Tauby announced the best chairperson awards for the month and applauded their commitment and enthusiasm – Manish Bhati for WALKATHON and Dr Shaunak Mokadam, Dr.Jeristine Watchmaker,

DIAMONDS ARE A WOMAN'S BEST FRIENDS The theme of this meeting was to enhance awareness on diamonds.

It covered all aspects of diamond from how to make an educated purchase decision considering caratage, colour and clarity of the stone to tips on taking proper care of diamond jewellery. It was done in collaboration with Tanishq.

Tanishq staff demonstrated the above with the help of a power point presentation followed by a question answer session. They had also brought their caratometer machine and diamond cleaning machine. All the Anns present enjoyed the session thoroughly.

We are extremely grateful to Mr. Vilas kale and his Tanishq team for taking out their valuable time to support our program. -Neeta Gupta

CARDIAC SURGERIES The meeting of Thursday, 9th Feb was interestingly educative.

The earlier part of the meeting was taken up by the visiting GSE Team from Victoria, Australia.

The Team Leader, Dr. Marie and each of the four members spoke about themselves. While their backgrounds were similar, their vocations were diverse. However, what stood out was the commonality in their views about Indian hospitality. Indeed, "ATITHI DEVO BHAVO" is what DIst.3030 has lived up to !

The second half of the meeting was very educative. Our member and a noted Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Nikunj Pawar, spoke to us on Cardiac Surgeries.

Dr. Pawar started explaining his subject from the time early attempts were made by Alexus Carral in 1910 to do small vessel anastomosis to 1964 when the first by-pass surgery was done.

While explaining the various procedures used in cardiac surgeries, he informed the audience that conduits are substances th by-pass the block and the surgeon has to tailor what is required for each patient.

In conclusion, Dr. Pawar said that the masses need to be educated because the sad truth is that even after cardiac surgeries, patients continue with their indulgences. The masses need to understand that a Coronary Artery

The GSE Team

BUSINESS MEETING Mohan Anand and Kapil Sutaria for HEMALKASA SURGICAL CAMP. The Rotary Information was read by Mohan Anand and 'News you can Use' was presented by Jatin Sampat.

The Golden Orange for the month was released by PDG Vishwas Sahasrabhojanee and President Tauby announced the winners of the various GO contests. The attendance report was read by Hon.Secretary Dinesh Naidu. Sapna Vastani was the luck lady to get the lucky chair prize.

The meeting was adjourned after the singing of the National Anthem -Atul Shah

LADIES COMMITTEE

The Tanishq team

REGULAR MEETING Operation signals a change in the way of life.

Only then can the heart remain healthy.

Earlier, President Tauby exchanged Flags with the GSE Team members.

Secretary Dinesh Naidu, gave an audio-visual presesntation on the forthcoming project UDAAN. Vikram Naidu introduced the speaker.

Khushnoor Chugh proposed a vote of thanks.

-Khushnoor S. Chugh

Dr Nikunj Pawar

5 ELE CTRIC AL A C C ESS O RIES VIDE O D O O R PH O N ES, REM O TE SWITC H ES LI G HTI N G S O LUTI O N S RA H UL - m o b # 9 8 9 0 2 5 7 5 6 5

REGULAR MEETINGS The meeting of Thursday 16th Feb was all about ethics over numbers. Driving home the point that ethical attitude was more important than mere numbers was Mr. Donn Doongaji, Principal Consultant, Credibility Consulting.

President Tauby conducted the meeting.

Mr. Doongaji spoke at length about the five stake-holders in any business . Namely, Shareholders/owners, customers, vendors, employees, society/nation. Corporate governance is value-based management aimed at earning the enduring trust of all stakeholders. In any business, success is

ETHICS OVER NUMBERS important but one should achieve success through a sense of fairness and altruism. Do not compromise principles, he said. The future will measure HOW and HOW MUCH, he added.

Elaborating on each stake-holder, Mr. Doongaji narrated interesting anecdotes from his corporate life.He emphasised that right or wrong is more important than legal or illegal.

Earlier, Jehangir Doongaji introduced the Guest Speaker. Varsha Mansukhani read the Rotary Information.Shivkumar Rao proposed the vote of thanks.

-Khushnoor S. Chugh

Mr Donn Doongaji

ROTARY’S 107TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Cheers!!!!

Wonder how many of those who thronged to Udyog Bhavan on Thursday, 23rd Feb, knew what they were in for ! It was indeed a meeting with "a twist" as the Club was all set to celeberate Rotary's 107th Birthday.

The sight of the hall done up with balloons in blue and yellow got everyone in a celebratory mood. Even the dining area wore a festive look with a Rotary Song playing in the background.

The meeting, as usual, was called to order by President Tauby and the formalities got through.

The celebrations started with the Board of Directors cutting Rotary's Birthday cake amidst much clapping and cheering.

A sedate break in the meeting came in the form of Project announcements and felicitation of Udaan sponsors - Rachana Singh and Micky Arora.

Gently, Prez Tauby steered the meeting towards the promised ' fun-filled agenda' . An audio-visual presentation of RI President Kalyan Banerjee's speech at the International Assembly at San Diego was heard with rapt attention.In his speech, the RI President made it amply clear that , in Rotary, being a leader

A packed house isn't like leading anywhere else. In Rotary, one is leading equals , he emphasised. The Rotary exercise is the best exercise in " humble leadership ". He urged Rotarians to look past themselves to succeed in Rotary. "

Pres Tauby looks elated Remember, the best thing that you can do for the District is to leave it better than you found it, " concluded RI Prez. Kalyan Banerjee.

For those who wondered where the fun was, came the Rotary Quiz by PDG Vishwas.Tiny as the prizes were for the correct answers, the enthusiasm that was generated was worth watching. Soon followed PP Shabbir with his quiz with a difference which he called the Characterless Quiz. Members had to identify the person from the discription given by the quiz master. This rib-tickling quiz evoked much banter and cheering as your's truly had a field day chucking gifts at the winners !

The capacity of the hall was stretched to its limits. Well attended - the meeting rocked!!!

-Khushnoor S. Chugh

6 Rachna Singh & Micky Arora felicitated for Udaan

PDG Vishwas, Jehangir, Sharrukh and Shabbir recognised for their contribution to the cause of Polio Eradication

BLOOD DONATION CAMPS

TH

G. G. DANDEKAR MACHINE WORKS18 6 THFEB GANDHE COMMERCE CLASSES JAN2011 The pioneers in Rice Mills machinery and with 100 years of legacy, G. G. Dandekar Machine works recently started their operations in Butibori industrial area. As a CSR initiative they decided to hold a blood donation camp and the World Wide Web directed their search efforts to our website. The camp which started after lunch hours at 2 pm collected 26 units of blood. Mr Natu (Sr Officer Administration), coordinated the camp in an efficient manner.

Chairperson Parag Paranjpe was present during the camp.

-Parag Paranjpe TH

ETERNITY MALL: 18 FEB. 2012 A blood donation camp was organized on 18th February for the shop owners of Eternity Mall, Variety Square. Business was as usual at the mall, which was decorated and decked up to receive customers attracted by promotional offers from various brands. After some delay in allocation of venue, the camp started at around 1.30 PM. The organizers and staff of Jeevan Jyoti Blood Bank made appeals to the shop owners and customers walking in to come and donate blood. Announcements were also made on the PA system, along with those for brand promotion offers, and this resulted in generating some response. The collection stood at 33 units of blood at close of the camp at 5.00 PM. President Tauby, Director Dr. Sheela Mundada, Shalini Naidu and Prashant Rajurkar attended the camp.

-Prashant Rajurkar

SMART DATA ENTERPRISES (I) LTD, CHAPRU NAGAR –3RD FEB 2012 First impression is the last(ing) impression. Smart Data Enterprise a Mohali, Chandigarh based software Development Company partnered with our club by holding a blood donation camp in September 2011. They wholeheartedly participated in Walkathon in January 2012 with more than 100 members joining for the walk.

They expressed their desire to hold another blood donation camp and with 71 donors they almost doubled their previous count!! Sincere thanks to Mr Abhijeet Shahi who motivated his team to donate blood 4 months after the earlier camp. President Tauby, Director Dr Sheela Mundhada, Chairperson Shalini Gupta were present during the camp.

-Parag Paranjpe

KATIYA SAMAJ: 19TH FEB.2012 The enthusiastic office bearers of the newly formed Katiya Samaj had organized a blood donation camp on 19th February at Hindi Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh Hall, Mor Bhavan, Zhansi Rani Square. The samaj has about 200 families in Nagpur and the members are eager to render service to the society we live in.

The camp began at 2.00 PM and closed at about 5.15 PM. Although the number of units of blood collected was 13, the members were happy and upbeat at making this camp a reality. They have promised to be associated with our club in future also to offer service through other social avenues as well. Mr. Mahendra Shiv, President of Katiya Samaj and Mr.Dilip, Vice President, took great efforts in organizing this camp.The camp was attended by Director, Dr. Sheela Mundada and Prashant Rajurkar. - Prashant Rajurkar

SHRI DATTA MEGHE POLYTECHNIC: 24TH FEB. 2012 Blood donation camp was organized on 24th February at the Mechanical Engineering deptt. of Shri Datta Meghe Polytechnic. The camp, conducted at YCCE's huge Wanadongri campus was well received by the students who donated blood enthusiastically. The camp started at around 10.30 in the morning and closed at 2.00 PM. Prof. Khanke, HOD of the Mech. Engg. Department, was instrumental in arranging this and also for motivating the donors.

The camp went on to prove that young minds, otherwise occupied with engineering fundas, are also alert to social concerns. The collection stood at 34 units of blood at close of the camp. Director, Dr. Sheela Mundada was the Rotarian attending this camp.

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA FINANCIAL SERVICE LTD: 25TH FEB.2012 Donating blood as a social service is as important as extending finance as a business service. This was proved by the staff of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (MMFSL) at their Civil Lines office. The branch office saw some hectic activity in the afternoon of 25th Feb., to accommodate the camp in a limited time.

The camp began at 12.00 noon and closed at about 1.30 PM to facilitate staff on field. Mr. Ranjit Ashtikar, Area Manager MMFSL and Ms. Saloni Dabulkar, Manager HR, worked hard for the camp.

They thanked the staff members for being sensitive to social needs and the collection of blood stood at 24 units at the end. The camp was attended by Rtn. Dr. Ravi Wankhede.

- Prashant Rajurkar

7

INTERACT CLUB PROJECT

It's Santa Claus in a class room

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Christmas is the time to spread joy and cheer up all around you. Interactors of CPS Katol Road decided to share their Christmas wishes with the YMCA school children. On 21st December, a group of 30 Interactors along with Mrs Shuba Sarma visited the school. They took all material necessary for decorating a Christmas tree. A bare Christmas tree was given a festive look within no time. A group of 15 Interactors made cakes and shared it with the students of the school. One of the interactors dressed up as Santa Claus and distributed chocolates and small packets of eclairs and biscuits contributed by the students. They also sang Christmas carols and played games with the children. The little students of YMCA school put up a cat walk show and a few dances for the Interactors. To sum it up, it was a two hour celebration filled with fun joy and excitement. A truly memorable Christmas!!!

-Madhu Mrig

ROTARACT INSTALLATION

IGGMC The new team of Rotaract Club of Indira Gandhi Govt. Medical college Nagpur was installed on 2nd of Jan 2012. President Tauby, Hon.Sec. Dinesh Naidu, Teacher in charge Neena Parekh, Director Sonia Khurana,. Atul Shah and Chairpersons Sandeep Pathak and Jatin Sampat were present at the installation ceremony.

Amit Kothari was elected as the President of the Rotaract Club, Aniruddha Mundada as the Vice President and Aman Saxena as the Secretary.

-Sandeep Pathak

PULSE POLIO

Pres Tauby administers polio drops The National Immunization Day for Polio was held on 19th February 2012. We all assembled at 7 AM at NMC office Zone 7, Shatranjipura, near Itwari Railway Station. President Tauby along with PDG Vishas, PP Gulab Mahant, PP Rajan Bhatia, PP Akhtar Parvez Maimoon and a host of other members were there to help in distribution. It was a nice to see some of our new members also present. The distribution of the drops and food packets for volunteers started immediately. All the distribution was over before 8 AM and all the booths started on time. Dr Mushir Ahmed of NMC and his staff was very cooperative. All members left by 8.30

8

NID

Naushad works too

Animated in work

Photo Time!!!!

AM after a cup of steaming tea and hot their respective booths, maintaining the cold jalebees and crisp bhajias. chain, providing of snacks etc. More than There were 92 booths under our zone to which 19000 children were immunized on that day in logistic support was provided by our Club in the zone. terms of reaching officers and volunteers to -Jehangir Doongaji

PARANJPE ANATHALAYA - 11th FEB.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

A Workshop was arranged at Paranjpe Anathalaya at Paranjpe school in Kharetawn Dharampeth by the Vocational Training Committee. The inmates were given training of 'Crotia' by Ruquaiya Vali. She taught Lace making on ladies handkerchiefs. Sadhana Paliwal also demonstrated making of small Dr Ruquaiya Vali The crafts bag (Potli) using Crochet. Asha Joshi, Kanak Bhargava, Parheez Gimi and Sharad Paliwal were also present. The workshop was well attended. It was also decided to teach advance Crocheting once the participants develop skill & proficiency.

-Sadhana Paliwal

PARANJPE ANATHALAYA - 19th FEB. A special talk was arranged at 11 O'clock on Sunday the 19th Feb. The venue was Paranjpe Anathalaya and the talk was for the benefit of the inmates the subject was " Personal Hygiene and Adolescence problems with special reference to adolescent girls.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The talk was conducted by Ruquaiya Vali. The first part, Hygiene was for all inmates whereas the second part was specific for the girls. 30 inmates had attended the talk and was well appreciated. She also discussed some specific problems of girl inmates and advised

MEDITRINA

them accordingly.

Dr. Vijaya Chaoji was a special guest on the occasion and Asha Joshi, Sadhana Paliwal, Sharad Paliwal and the staff of Paranjpe Anathalaya attended the talk.

-Sadhana Paliwal

VOCATIONAL VISIT

Dr Nikunj Pawar explains various aspects of Hospital Administration

The goddess of healing descended on our very own Central bazar road, Ramdaspeth in the form of MEDITRINA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES – A WORLD CLASS SUPERSPECIALITY SERVICES HOSPITAL. We members of our club were privileged to have a complete comprehensive pre-opening visit to the hospital. The visit being arranged by our very own Dr.S.Hazra, who also happens to be associated with this most modern state of art hospital.

We were welcomed by Dr.Sameer Paltewar and Dr.Nikunj Pawar Directors of this hospital

and taken around to various facilities being offered by the institute. The emphasis of the entire institute as explained by the two directors was imparting top class medical services to all strata of society without compromising on quality of medical technology, hygiene, nursing care etc.

Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences is a unique conjunction of doctors dealing with the brain and the heart. Thoughtfully conceived not only with great minds but also with the heart, this World Class superspeciality Hospital is commendably built to house the

FOUNTAIN SIZZLERS

following Servicesin Neurosciences, Cardiac sciences, Spinal surgery, Urology and Nephrology and many more. The four operation theatre are truly state of art with most modern equipment's which are used in the international hospitals.

The hospital also boasts of highly qualified and experienced team of doctors, the best in their respective fields. It has very comfortable wards, patients recuperating rooms and suites which are most economically priced as stated by the directors.

-Promod Jamwal

METLOK PVT. LTD.

9

UDAAN

10

"Udaan" Hope flies High ~ Rotary Club of Nagpur celebrated " Valentine's Day with a difference "on 14th Feb 2012 for the second consecutive year along with Lata Mangeshkar Hospital , Department of Social Welfare, Zilla Parishad, Hotel Centre Point & My FM 94.3.

"Udaan" a day long sports carnival for specially abled 800 children, from 39 special schools of Deaf & Mute, blind, mentally challenged and physically disabled category competing in 67 various events. Breakfast and banana's was served at the time of registration along with the caps. It was aimed to bring smiles on the faces of these special children, to pamper, motivate and share our love and make a memorable day in their lives.

I consider myself fortunate to be a part of Udaan and contribute in this endeavor.

The day started with the Marathon Tricycle Race open to all above the age of 16 yrs in both male and female category for 2.5 mts was flagged off by our chief guest Shri Ashish Deshmukh , Lata Mangeshkar Hospital & wheel-chair race of 500 mts flagged off by Shri Surendra Pawar, District Social Welfare Officer . Cash Prizes of the marathon race were given in the evening .

Opening ceremony started with march past on the band played by cadets of St.Ursula's Girls, Flag hoisting of Udaan' 2012 and mashal lighting by our honorable Chief Guest Shri Ashish Deshmukh, and Pres. Tauby , PDG Vishwas Sahasrabhojanee declared the meet open and Sec. Dinesh took the oath. Ms. Shayari a deaf and mute child of 8 yrs performed mesmerizing Ganesh vandana .

Various sports competitions like Sac race, Pick & Run Race, Soft Ball throw, fancy race, three legged race, lagori, burst the ballon and group games like langdi, musical chair etc. were held in different ages and categories.

GSE team from Australia escorted by Vijay Naidu interacted with these kids, distributed chocolates & knick-knacks. Prize distribution ceremony was conducted every hour and the winners received Gold, Silver and Bronze medals along with the prizes at the hands of our esteemed guests - DG- Gopal Shiralkar, PDG's- Ramesh Khanzode, Madhu Rughwani, PDG Sangramsingh Bhonsle, Dr Kiran Kulkarni, PP's Shiraz Gimi , Sudhir Bhiwapurkar, Dr Sanjiv Chugh, Sreeram Marawar, Dr Suresh Kulkarni, Rajan Bhatia, Yatin Malji, Bunty Rawal, Arun Bhargava, Gulab Mahant ,Vijay Naidu, Shabbir Shakir, Akhtar Pervez, Ganesh Joshi, President Tauby , and fellow Rotarians.

A sit down lunch was sponsored by Hotel Centre Point was the major highlight wherein the Rotarians, Rotractors from different

HOPE FLIES HIGH

Pictures on centre spread

colleges, management of Hotel Centre Point Lokmat Times . Pres.Tauby – Rs.10,000 for led by Jasbir Arora with family and Mr.Saigal First Prize of 5000 each in both Tricycle and and group served children making them feel Wheelchair Race. Mr.K.B. Agrawal – Rs.6000 special. Spot games were conducted by for second prize of 3000 each in both the Sharmila Sutaria while lunch was going. marathon races. Mahesh Agrawal –Biscuits, Children were also entertained by Air show by Rita Bhargava – Banana, Nilufar Rana – IcePP Pervez Akhtar and Falli Bakshi. Popcorn , cream , Sunil Bhatia – Chocolates. candy floss tang drink and Ice-cream were My heartfelt Thanks to the support team which distributed to rehydrate them from time to time contributed for the smooth conduct of the which kids enjoyed thoroughly. sports carnival and their efforts need to be Cultural evening was organized by six schools acknowledged – of different categories – sizzling performance on Chamak challo by a physically challenged Marathon Race and Technical Support – girls with calipers, a theme dance on female Parag Paranjpe and Manish Bhatti : Marshals Manju and Chandru foeticide, Dashavtaar were some highlights of and Registration Shahni , Shabbir Shakir, Shiraz Doongaji, the evening. Children enthralled the Atul Gupta, Nisreen Maimoon, Deepa spectators by dancing and singing to the Jamwal, Sanjay , Smita and Rajiv Bhargava, tunes of the rock band performance by Hislopians. Gift hampers were distributed to Richa Sethi , Deepesh Ajmera , Pritesh Tank , all the children. A unique exercise of adopting Pramesh Pandhi , Raj Shah, Gogi Bhasin, those children for education is undertaken for Sunil Bhatia, Rajesh Yadav, Shiv Rao, Rs.500 per child for educational material. The Shridhar Pasari. amount collected from Udaan Café Adopt a Catering Management and service – Ashish Child was Rs.40, 000 on that day. The Mehadia, Cyrus Watchmaker, Devendra technical assistance for the event was Agrawal, Rajiv and Smita Bhargava, Renu provided by Mr. Surendra Pawar along with Arora, Amita Behal and Rotractors team . Club Mr.Warjurkar & team - Social Welfare department worked hard to make the event Invites – Pres. Tauby , Atul Shah ,Sunil Thapar, Sunil Bhatia. Transportation – successful.

Vikram Naidu and Raj Shah. Ground The core team who worked to the minutest detail since last one month President Tauby , Preparation - Mannu Seth , Manjot Kahai, Secretary Dinesh Naidu Director Sharukh Kanak Resources. Web-Designing – Sohrab Cassad Chairpersons - Ashish Mehadia, Rita Kanga. Spot Games – Sharmila Sutaria.

Bhargava, Sanjay Sethi, Neena parikh Divya Rotract Team – Jatin Sampat and Sapna Dass technical team Manish Bhatti , Parag Vastani. Rotractor teams – Hislop college, Paranjpe & Jatin Sampat which helped to take SRKCEM, Datta Meghe, Sadabai Raisoni , Tirpude college , IGGMC. Gift Hampers in the UDAAN 2012 flight at a higher altitude. the making- Shalini Gupta, Vandana Some things in life never change, Some Agrawal, Richa Sethi , Manju Bhatia , Smita moments in life are never forgotten, and Udaan is one of these soul stirring Bhargava, Shalini Naidu, Ratna Joshi, memoirs . Because …. You'll find them always Anagha and Varsha Jaiswal , Smita Seth. Air –Show – Akhtar Pervez Maimoon and team. living in you.

Culltural Program – Madhavi Naidu and My gratitude towards the sponsors without whom the event wouldn't have been possible – Dinesh Naidu Mr Ashish Deshmukh – Rs 2 lakhs. Mr Ashwin -Rita Bhargava Mankeshwar and team – Rs 1 l a k h .

Mr.Jasbir Arora – Lunch courtesy . Mr A p p u Wadhwani – Rs.30,000 Mrs.Rachna Singh – Venue & Band . Ajay Sancheti S p a c e The Team that made UDAAN possible courtesy in

HOPE FLIES HIGH

UDAAN

The banner stands proud

The 3 wheeler race

Ladies breathing fresh air

Participants being encouraged

The March Past

Sonia lends a hand

The viewer's benches

11

A Foodies Delight It was exactly 21 years ago, that PP Sati Khanna, thought of having an International Food Festival. We were not a very large club then and had only 7 stalls, all manned by Rotarians, Anns and friends. Everyone got into the spirit, and dressed in International costumes and the event was a super hit. In the first 3 years we did very well --- but then people lost interest, as not many were willing to try out the different cuisines.

So for a few years, this event was skipped.

Till PP Aspi Bapuna, restarted it with a bang.

Since then, there's been no looking back.

We conduct it in a much more professional way now.

In house stalls, have been replaced by professionals. Publicity, sponsors, prizes, competitions, no stone is left unturned.

Tastes of Nagpurians have also changed. In one of the quizzes, I observed, that the majority of children stated that 'Pizza' was their favourite food.

On Sunday the 26th, The Ladies Club was all dressed in Purple and White. With almost 20 stalls, there was was food to cater to every taste. Pakistani, Afghani, Omani, Italian, Burmese, Chinese and of course,Indian gave a vast variety of wholesome, vegetarian and non vegetarian food. Shakes and Juices, Chocolates, Ice cream, Games, Nail Art, Hair Braiding, Mehndi, Tarot Card Reading. There was everything and more for all ages. Musical and On the Spot Quizzing were introduced this year and became instant hits. Prizes a Plenty, brought a smile to every face.

An out and out evening of Food and Fun ...A Foodies Delight...as one scribe called it.

Yes friends, that was the International Food Festival for us this year.

-Manju Shahani

12

INTERNATIONAL food festival The decked up venue

Brisk business

Chandru, Gulab and Sharad - a welcome sight

Tuli College of Hotel management – Best stall

Salads are good for health

Lucky dip

Everyone enjoying themselves

Sangeeta Chhabra has the kids occupied

Sanjay Mansukhani regaling the crowds

Chairperson Neeta deserves applause

Director Nisreen gives away a prize

The full house was a pretty sight

An elderly gentleman shakes a leg

Pappus can dance

Fire flaring

Members having a family time

13

UDAAN gh i h i es l f e p o H

The gate on the road

The entrance to the ground

Mr Asish Deshmukh all ready to flag off

The Tricycle race

The Wheelchair race

Everyone got involved

Winners all

The food court

The festivities at the closing ceremony

Personal attention to every detail

The grand entry

The parade

Mr Ashish Deshmukh lighting the mashaal

Dance performane at the inaugural

The children enjoying themselves

The races

14

15

UDAAN gh i h i es l f e p o H

The gate on the road

The entrance to the ground

Mr Asish Deshmukh all ready to flag off

The Tricycle race

The Wheelchair race

Everyone got involved

Winners all

The food court

The festivities at the closing ceremony

Personal attention to every detail

The grand entry

The parade

Mr Ashish Deshmukh lighting the mashaal

Dance performane at the inaugural

The children enjoying themselves

The races

14

15

TAKE ROTARY HOME Red and white heart shaped baloons, heart shaped chocolates, tables with red covers, white covered chairs, candles, rose petals, lush green lawns with red and white fairy lights and gurgling waters from a fountain made a perfect ambience for a Valentines Day Celebration.

We planned a Take Rotary Home on the 15th Feb. at the beautiful farmhouse of Seema and Raju Jain. The Rotarians invited were also requested to wear red and white. A pound was planned as usual and with 27 couples, the fare was pretty lavish. Stalwarts in Rotary, like PP Chandru Shahani and PP Vijay Naidu mingled with new comers like Rajshree Dewani and Nilesh Agrawal. Novel introductions were planned by chairperson Anula Goenka. Mamta

SEEMA AND RAJU JAIN together possible, as the wedding season is still not over and a lot of our members were busy.

A musical dumb charade, planned by Seema (with romantic duets in mind) was enjoyed by all.

The karaoke, tempted many a new singer.

Regular singers including Pres. Tauby gave a few excellent numbers. The Rain God did make our heart gallop, earlier in the evening but fortunately, we had perfect weather later

on. Thank You Seema, Raju and Urjita for being such perfect hosts. I have said this earlier and I say it again. Take Rotary Homes are not parties.

Its a kind of a Rotary Meeting and should be treated like one. It is important we keep time.

Kanga's herculean efforts made this get Otherwise we sometimes have the dessert

16

coming in at 8.30 and the snacks at 10 pm. So please folks, when you next receive an invite, do plan your day, so that you reach the venue on time.

- Manju Shahani

AT WCL GHUGHUS Cataract Surgical camp at Rajiv Ratan Hospital, WCL, Ghughus on the 18th & 19th February 2012.

Surgeons team from Nagpur: Rtn Dr Ajay Sood, Dr Yashpal Lamba, Rtn Dr Prashant Choudhary, Rtn Dr Shaunak Mokadam Supporting eye-surgeons at Rajiv Ratan Hospital: Dr Dilip Sonkusare & Dr Karan (from WCL, Lalpeth, Chandrapur) The Cataract Surgical Camp at Rajiv Ratan Hospital, Ghughus, in collaboration with WCL, Wani area, has now become an annual feature in the list of activities of our club. We look forward to this camp since we get an opportunity to serve the needy patients and also because of the warm hospitality of the entire WCL family, right from the CMD Mr Sanodia to the OT staff.

We started for Ghughus on Saturday the 18th Feb 2012 at about 01:30 PM, and reached by 05:30 PM. The patients were already screened by the eye-specialist of the hospital, namely Dr Dilip Sonkusare. On reaching the hospital, after tea & samosa, we directly started surgeries, which went on till 0945 PM. We had a sumptuous dinner and fellowship with the WCL bosses at the VIP Guest-house, where we were accommodated for the night.

On the Sunday morning, after a heavy breakfast we started the surgeries once again at around 10AM to finish by 3:15PM. We thus managed to finish the 135 cataract surgeries lined up for us, uneventfully. We started for the return journey at 4pm after a late lunch and reached Nagpur by 7pm.

We were efficiently assisted by our staff of 6

IOL SURGERIES assistants from Nagpur and the OT staff of Rajiv Ratan Hospital.

-Dr Shaunak Mokadam

Dr. Shaunak Mokadam and Dr. Ajay Sood

Surgeries in progress

17

GET ON BOARD

know your Board members

Still waters run deep, so they say.

All these old sayings are based on true life observation of humans, their mannerisms & nature. One such person for whom these words are tailor made is Rtn Dr Nisreen Maimoon.

Nisreen is on the board of directors for this year.

She has travelled a long, long road from her carefree, fun filled & protected life as the 3rd of 5 siblings, the children of Asghar Ali & Memuma who belonged to the well known Maimoon family of Nagpur.Though they are conservative in appearance, they have always been very forward thinking as far as education & freedom of thought is concerned, which, in my opinion is the true 'khandani' way of -simple living & high thinking. Money shows by way of dress, homes, cars etc. but money talks by your education, broadmindedness, demeanour and humility.

To get back to our subject-Nisreen, she studied at St. Josephs, post grad. from L.A.D., M.Sc.in Home Science from Univ. Campus, for which she holds a gold medal, PHD. in Food Adulteration from L.I.T. She enjoyed doing her research, as most of the people would run a mile when asked for food samples! She has fond memories of growing up- going fishing & for 'shikar' with her brothers, being in the kho-kho team in school & participating in various matches against other schools. She was also an Interactor (early bird Rotarian) & in YCS &NCC. Her CV runs into 4 pages, well, let me update you on the highlights. She was a contributory lecturer in home science PGTD, Ngp. Univ., lecturer in home management in LAD, lecturer in cooking in M.A.K. Azad Junior college, Academic Counsellor for Bachelors degree program in ANC & IGNOU Delhi, contributory lecturer in home management in LAD, contributory lecturer for M. Phil. PGTD, Ngp Univ.(groan!!!!how did she do all this?). She has various publications to her credit from the years 2003 to2010, which are mostly academic studies related to nutrition, stress, clothing, health of mid- section communities & living practises of tribals.

She has also done courses in Beauty Culture,

18

-NISREEN MAIMOON (Director) Indoor Plants& roses, accounts; and has conducted workshops on Early childhood nutrition, Memory Technique & Mind mapping, Right to Food, Clothing & Shelter ,Problems of Malnutrtion & Solutions, Higher Education &opportunities ahead, Building your Business empire, phew! I wont tell you more or you will get a complex. Let us suffice to say that she is a walking-talking Encyclopedia, a bomb in a matchbox.

As if all this was not enough, Nisreen is running a boutique with younger sister Jumana Shakir, w/o yours truly Shabbir Shakir. She had started this work as an interesting diversion while still studying , when the Maimoons were living in their old house in Itwari. Now it is a full blown business. For Nisreen this boutique is a hobby; the passion lies in the cause that she has taken up_ that of dyslexic children.

She is a Resource Centre Consultant in the Mrs Khadija I. Maimoon Memorial project for Dyslexia, in association with Dyslexia Study Circle Rotary East (of whom elder brother Iqbal is PP), Inner Wheel Club of Nagpur East & the SK Asgarali Hasanali Maimoon Charitable Trust. Two rooms in the Maimoon homestead have been converted for this purpose along with a small sensory park with a Paediatrician, Occupational Therapist, Psycologist & Special Educator, Nisreen teaches dyslexic children self management & learning abilities. It is an Individual Education Programme (IEP) with a teacher student ratio of 1:1. They also go to schools to sensitise teachers educationalists & parents on how to handle dyslexia.

Blessed with a son Adnan(22) Nisreen's circle of life is complete & content. Following in Mom's footsteps, Adnan is another brain in the already rich-in-the-grey-matter Maimoons. tAfter studying in Kota ,he is now at I.I.T. Gauhati, in his final year of engineering. He has already got a campus placement with Airbus, Bangalore but is a homebody &is reluctant to be away any longer from home & hearth. But Nisreen feels it is time for the bird to leave the nest & learn to fly.

Nisreen did not 'join' Rotary, she simply drifted towards it. What with almost 50% of the family being members & the rest being active non

NISREEN MAIMOON WITH SON ADNAN members, (Akhtar parvez, Anjum, Iqbal, Sabiha, Shabbir, Jumana) well, she's just participating in family activities! Jokes aside, Nisreen is a very conscientious human being & in rotary she has found an outlet for her forte-social work. She has been chairperson of some committee or the other since she joined & has always excelled in whatever she took up, be it project nutrition, manovikas, career guidance or vocational training How does this lady tune of? By tuning in! She enjoys light classical music, be it vocal or instrumental. She loves meeting new people, catching up with old friends & most restful is time spent with Adnan.

When asked if given a chance to relive her life, what would she like to change_ after musing a bit she says with sudden clarity,� I love my life, but yes, I wish I was a more assertive person�. I look at her dumbfounded-she took only a minute to look into her soul, found her only flaw & did not hesitate in placing it before me. These words came unbidden in my thoughts----Patience with family is Love, Patience with others is Respect, Patience with self is Confidence, and Patience with GOD is Faith.

It is only the scented flower like the Jonquil (or, in urdu, Nisreen) that wherever it is placed fills the atmosphere with its sweet fragrance.

-Jyoti Goenka

AT MARIAM NAGAR

EYE CHECKUP CAMPS

An ' Eye Checkup Camp' for cataract was organized at Mariam Nagar slum on Sunday 26th February at 11am . Rotarian Dr. Rafat Khan examined more than 35 patients out of which 10 to 12 had cataract in various stages. Number of patients were suffering from eye sight problem and needed to wear powered glasses. Eye drops were also given to some suffering from minor eye infection.

Patients diagnosed for cataract were assured free of cost operation and further treatment at Dr. Rafat Khan's clinic.

President Tauby Bhagwagar, Rtn. Seema Jain were present and Slum Development Chairpersons Nirja Shukul and Ragini Sahu made necessary arrangements to make the project a success.

-Ragini Sahu

AT SANJAY NAGAR A successful eye check up camp to identify patients for cataract was organized by the Slum Development Committee at Sanjay Nagar slums on Sunday 26th Feb. Eye check up was conducted on over 50 patients out of which 15 were identified for Cataract operation.Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal's Erista hospital provided the infrastructure and technicians for the camp and the surgeries for the same will be performed in the first week of March.The camp was attended by Pres. Tauby Bhagwagar and Chairpersons Smita Chaubey and Bhavna Kalra.

-Bhavna Kalra

BREAKING NEWS

POLIO UPDATE

World Health Organization declares India a NON Endemic Country At the just concluded "2012 Polio Summit" held in Delhi on February 25 & 26, 2012 Dr. Margaret Chang head of WHO sent a letter to the Minister of Health & Family Welfare of the Government of India informing him that "the name of India had been removed from the list of Polio Endemic Countries.

Thank you President Kalyan Banerjee and Rotarians worldwide for making this possible.

Just completed the first NID of 2012 on February 19, 2012 Did you know what it involved? Here are just some basic facts. *800,000 vaccination booths *23 lac vaccinators *12 lac vaccination teams *155,000 supervisors, with 155,000 vehicles ( cars, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, boats, elephants, camels or whatever it takes ) *22 Crore doses of Polio Vaccine, carried around the country in 20lac vaccine carrier bags *63 lacs ice packs to keep all those doses of polio vaccine in the 20lac vaccine carries bags cold *19.1 crore homes visited *17 crore children immunized during each NID - of these, 10 crorechildren immunized in just one day at booths. No Polio Case was reported this week.

India Total in 2012 - REMAINS at Nil India Total in 2011 REMAINS AT - 1 Wild virus maps, FAS, polio-update and wild virus line list prepared by the WHO-NPSP Data Team can be sent on request. "Polio Summit 2012": Jointly Sponsoredby the Government of India & RotaryInternational will be held in New Delhi from tomorrow February 25 & 26, 2012.

Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh to inaugurate the event in theaugust presence of

President Kalyan Banerjee, TRF Chair Bil lBoyd, International PolioPlus Chair Dr. Bob Scott, Directors Yash Das and Shekhar Metha, General Secretary John Hewko , Ms. Carol Padak and may more. The Summit will be Chaired by PRIP Raja Saboo with PRID Sushil Gupta as its advisor.

India NID dates for 2012 Note the Change of dates: The Government of India has announced that Polio National Immunization for 2012 will now take place on: * Sunday April 15, 2012. (Please note that due to non availability of Polio Vaccine the April 1 date stands postponed to April 15). Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update February 23, 2012, World Health Organization; New polio cases reported in the past week for 2011: 1 New polio cases reported in the past week for 2012: 4 Total number of cases in 2011: 650 Total number of cases in 2012: 18 OFFICIALLY REPORTED WILD VIRUS CASES ON January 11, 2012 in Endemic Countries: Pakistan: 2 new of cases reported in 2012 move to 11. No Cases of Polio in 2011 was reported this week. The 2011 total remains at 199 Afghanistan: One cases reported in 2012

Total moves to 4. Number of Polio Cases r e p o r t e d i n 2 0 11 r e m a i n s a t 8 0 Nigeria: One case reported in 2012. Total moves to 2. One Case reported this week of 2011. Total Cases of Polio in 2011 - move to 61) - Manjit S. Sawhney Rotary International's 2011-13 Chairman South East Asia Regional Polio Plus Committee 200313 Representing INPPC of Rotary at NPSPWHO 2010-13 Member India National PolioPlus Committee 2008-12 Director Rotary Action Group on P o l i o Survivors 2 0 11 - 1 2 Director Rotary Action Group for Preventabl e Blindness 1997-98 Governor RID 3010

19

ROTARY RUN Historic Moments: The first four Rotarians

By Susan Hanf and Jason Lamb Rotary International News – 15 February 2012 On 23 February 1905, Paul P. Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram E. Shorey gathered in Loehr's office for what would become known as the first Rotary club meeting.

Harris's desire for camaraderie among business associates brought together these four men and eventually led to an international organization of service and fellowship.

Read about each of the first four Rotarians below, and about Harry L. Ruggles, who is often called the "fifth Rotarian."

Rotary's founder, Harris, was born in Wisconsin, USA, on 19 April 1868. He was raised by his paternal grandparents in Vermont and attended the University of Vermont, Princeton, and the University of Iowa. He was Rotary president from 1910 to 1912 and a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago until his death on 27 January 1947.

Learn more about the founder of Rotary in “ The Life and Times of Paul Harris.”

Loehr, a mining engineer, was born on 18 October 1864 in Carlinville, Illinois. He was a Rotarian for only a few years, never holding office at the club or international level. But that first Rotary meeting was held in his office, Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. He died in Chicago on 23 May 1918.

A Rotarian for only a few years, Shorey served as recording secretary during the club's first year. He was born in Maine in August 1862 and died in March 1944.

Schiele , a coal dealer, served as the Chicago club's first president in 1905 and Rotary International's third treasurer in 1945. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1870, Schiele attended Terre Haute Business College and served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. He was president of the Schiele Coal Company from 1902 until his retirement in 1939. He and Harris became lifelong friends and lived near each other on the South Side of Chicago. Schiele died on 17 December 1945 and is buried near Harris at Mount

Hope Cemetery.

Originally from Michigan, Ruggles was a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and joined Rotary at its second meeting. He was treasurer of the Chicago club during its first year, president from 1908 to 1910, and a Rotary director from 1912 to 1913. He is known for having introduced singing to Rotary club meetings.

His printing company, H.L. Ruggles & Co., printed the first issue of The National Rotarian and the first Rotary songbook. He died on 26 October 1959, an honorary member of seven clubs in addition to his home club, the Rotary Club of Chicago.

-PP Vijay Naidu

The first four Rotarians -Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram E. Shorey, Paul P. Harris.

NEWS YOU CAN USE 1.Men take a fraction of a second to decide if they are attracted to a woman or not – but they should not be called shallow because they are genetically programmed to do so, scientists say.

Men weigh up potential partners almost instantaneously based on their appearance because their “ancient” genetic preference for

SHIRAZSPEAK

20

One of the most unforgettable and moving moment of my life was when I was about 10 years old. I had accompanied Dad to Unthkhana ( Home for Aged & Handicapped) for a function where he was the Chief Guest. The last part of the programme was a dance by the children who, inspite of being on crutches or calipers, put up the performance with smiles on their faces and with an enthusiasm which had to be seen to be believed. By the end of the show I was trying desperately to hold back the tears, seeing those kids struggling to do even the simplest of tasks .

In the car going back home I started to sob and

attractive mates leads them to, experts claim.

In contrast women take longer to decide their feelings for a man because they need to weigh up whether he will be a committed partner who will provide for them well – part of their survival programming.....!!!

2. A married Chinese businessman who could no longer afford five mistresses held a competition to decide which one to keep.

“UDAAN” as tears literally poured down my checks, Dad said “ I know it is very sad, but those kids don't need sympathy or pity, they just need an opportunity” .

Those words have stuck with me all these years and every now and again I am reminded of them. Recently, on Valantines' day at St. Ursula, I was once again taken back 60 odd years as I saw hundreds of kids with smiling faces overcoming all odds with spirit and enthusiasm as each one of them triumphed over adversity, in what can only be described as “Udaan” -Shiraz Gimi.

But the contest took a fatal turn when one of the women, eliminated for her looks, drove the man and the four other competitors off a cliff......survival programming again!

3. And now to cool you off....Versace, the renowned fashion house, is to create the world's first refrigerated beach in Dubai so that hotel guests can walk comfortably across the sand on scorching days.

-Anmol Badjatia

TROPICAL ROMANCE Selaamat Detang! Welcome!

When you get off the plane at Denpasar, the Bali airport, you encounter romance in its purest form! The exotic airport architecture, random statues in the airport areas, the terracotta tiled sloping roofs, terracotta floor, wooden beams et al. Sheer poetic architectural experience and a journey to eternal greenery!

Bali is to the south eastern Asian countries, what Goa is to India. The entire place looks like a luxury beach resort. Bali is an island belonging to Indonesia, just an hour and 15min away from the capital city, Jakarta.

Indonesia is an Islamic country. But an extremely modern one at that! One does not find Burka clad women on the streets. They do wear a head gear, mandatory for the Muslim women but a lot of them go without them! In spite of Indonesia being a poor nation, the people are extremely modern AND much disciplined. Always smiling and polite! One might develop facial cramps due to constant smile plastered on ones face, in response to theirs. Might also develop chronic back pain doubling over in response to their courteous bows!! They have a constant habit of saying “Sorry”, even if the fault lies with the other party! Indians should definitely take a lesson or two from them!

Bali, though a part of Indonesia, is a Hindu island, totally different in culture and traditions from its parent country. The two religions co-exist in total harmony. Though the above mentioned traits of friendliness and politeness, is a common factor with these islanders.

The famous Balinese way of life is not a myth. It's been made famous in the Hollywood movie “Eat Pray Love”.

Bali has the most exotic

beaches, with turquoise waters. The Kuta beach area is famous f o r i t s numerous pubs, hotels, shopping arcades etc, a very popular commercial area, and a favorite with all the westerners. Pub hopping at night is a popular pastime. The best way to enjoy the night life, is to walk along the streets of Kuta, stop at random pub, have a drink, enjoy the band playing international music and carry on to the next one for another drink while the sea plays its own music on the other side!

Balinese serve some of the most delicious cocktails and mock tails. Food is healthy and sumptuous. The entire place comes alive at night.

Nusadua is a very posh area in Bali with most of the famous hotel chains there.

Bvlgari, Hilton, Hyatt, Oberoi, Shereton, to name just a few. But Hotels are hotels! My vote goes to luxury villas on hire. A very popular way of holidaying in Bali is to hire luxury villas for your stay. These villas come with drawing, dining room, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, kitchen AND your own private swimming pool!

These villas are single units and built like row houses, providing total privacy. One can get room-service here like any hotel or choose to do your own cooking in your private kitchen.

Legyan Street is a shopper's paradise. Its

TRAVEL LOG stores are varied and many.

Designer stores jostle with ethnic without any rivalry.

Balinese famous teak wood furniture is a collectors pride and joy. These stores house teak and cane furniture, artifacts, paintings etc. The furniture is made from the rain forest teak trees famous for their girth.

People from all over the world come to shop here for furniture. Walking these streets, from one end to the other is a super way to spend the day.

The temples in Bali tell a different story. There are many temples worth a visit. The squares on the roads have humongous statues of Krishna and Arjun on the chariot, depicting the Mahabharat war. Most of the squares have statues of mythological figures. Bali, has an Indian history. The characters of Mahabharata and Ramayana have connections to this land.

That explains its Hindu status. Any Balinese can recite 5 versus of the Gayatri Mantra without a pause. And I thought, there is only one verse, to my shame! Indonesians, especially Balinese people have an obsession called Shah Rukh Khan!! They love him and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is the national obsession.

Everyone can sing the damn song Kuchi Kuchi hota hai! The moment you sit in a cab and you divulge that you are from India; the cabby promptly breaks into that song. It's hilarious, sometimes.

It's a destination people visit often. A super romantic getaway. Don't miss it!

-Amita Behal

21

FREEDOM(AIN) For the children

Hi Freedomanians. I am sure the heat of the ongoing/oncoming exams must already have got the better of you…… and yes, to add to it the March heat must be pulling you down too.

Yesterday, I met a teenager from our club….and I said… Hi, Freedomian friend…..how's it going? Immediately she replied…I am not a Freedomanian for this month……for I have lost my freedom to my books, parents and exams.” This really had me thinking…….. are the children so stressed, that they cannot handle a month full of exams – not keeping in mind the other months of the year when they enjoy to the fullest. A few days of stress pulls them down. Anne(name changed) wrote in and asked me whether I could help her find the reasons for annual exams. This had me thinking…..and I asked many children the answer to the same question…….but received a bag full of mixed replies. My answer to this was….. ask yourselves, why party, why picnic, why vacations…….the answer to WHY EXAMS will also be found. After examinations – the best part is the vacations.

March always reminds me of the great plannings we would start for the annual visit to Nana Nani's. The long awaited annual reunion with cousins, and deciding gifts…….always helped us tide calmly thru the examination

PROGENETICS Genesis of Projects In continuation with our coverage on yearly Club projects, this month we focus on the International Food Festival. Started in Pres. Sati Khanna's term, the main idea was conceptualized and implemented that year, by the Director for International Affairs, Vilas Kale.

Since then this has always been a major successful project of our Club. Initially, when the idea kicked off, international students from Nagpur, especially the Palestinians were also involved, where they had put up dances and a cultural show. The cuisine ofcourse, was international varying from Lebanese,

22

heat. The beautiful Wild Daffodils and the Easter Lilies in Nani's garden were a real treat to the eyes and till today one of the best memories associated with Nani and the oncoming summer vacations. Few things which Nana told us…..I can never forget and would like to share with you: Coco cola was first launched in March, Eiffel Tower was opened in March and so did Heathrow Airport start functioning in this month.

Let us all MARCH thru this month with a lot of confidence and face the Annuals with all the zest and confidence. To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream.

Not only plan but also believe……so best of luck for your exams.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not using it in a fruit salad.

We live in a society where pizza gets to our house faster than the police.

How is it that one carelessly thrown matchstick can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a camp fire.

Why is it that, when you are looking for an address you turn down the volume of the radio?

If a turtle doesnot have a shell – is he homeless or naked.

It is hard to imagine how a cemetery raised its burial cost and blamed it on the increase in the cost of living.

The things that come to those that wait,

are those probably left there by those who got there first, 8. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. And a tax is a fine for doing well.

9. Light travels faster than sound….. therefore some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

10. Place a mouse trap over your alarm clock……will prevent you from tapping and rolling over and going back to sleep.

A quick cooler for the heat: 1 small cup ice cream of your choice Mixed fruit of your choice – cut into pieces Some cake pieces crumbled or biscuits of your choice broken into pieces Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and put in individual small boxes and pour some chocolate sauce over it and put it in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, when you feel your sugar levels going low with anxiety while studying…just pull out a box and ENJOY. Thanks for all those letters that have been coming in………… and true to my words, little Freedomanians I will never spill the beans on you……so keep them coming. Together with you, I look forward to the forthcoming events especially planned for you Freedomanians but for now it is STUDY WELL, WORK HARD and then we will HOLIDAY HARDER together.

Adieu for now and here's once again wishing all Freedomanians HAPPY EXAMINATION MONTH. -Sangeeta Chhabra

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL Mexican, Italian and ofcourse Indian .

Renowned Chef Rahul Akerkar on request from Vilas, had also agreed to participate in the Food Festival.

Earlier the venue for the festival was C.P. Club, but now for a few years, it has shifted to the Ladies Club. Attendance ranges from 2500-3000 every year. Over the years, there was some waning when it came to international cuisine, there were more of Indian eatery stalls, perhaps to the requirement of public, but once again in the last couple of years or so, the international flavour has picked up.

Enthusiastic Rotarians also participate, along

with Rotaract Clubs, especially those of the catering colleges in the city. This becomes a platform for these children to show their culinary skills.

Entry used to be a nominal Rs.10, but now it has become free for everyone. Last year our Club birthday coincided with the festival so the celebrations were done with more fervour.

Rotarians give away gift items to be put in the lucky dip game.

The International Food Festival is a major project on our Rotary calender, and each year, chairpersons put in a lot of effort and zeal to make it a hit!

-Anita Chitaley

TIMEPASS – THE MEMOIRS OF PROTIMA BEDI (WITHPOOJA BEDI EBRAHIM) I confess, this is not a trend I am trying to establish. I seem to be traveling into the past with each review having started with 2011 (Theodore Boone) and now this memoir published in 1999! It just happened, much in the same way Protima Bedi happened to the people in her life. From her birth to her untimely and unfortunate death, she happened to people around her – and How!! In that generation and even post that generation, one cannot recollect a single person who can come close to what Protima characterized - a life in which admittedly – she could not (and would refuse to) be a Sita to her husband, a Yashoda to her children or a Radha to her lovers.

So a woman regarded universally a flop: As a wife, mistress, mother, daughter, sister, friend and whatever else, not the least socially as well; in reality, did exactly as she pleased, breaking every moral and social more carefully constructed by society over 2000 years.

She lived shamelessly, whether she flaunted her youth, her sex, her intelligence, but never felt guilty about it.

She was loved, taunted, insulted, ostracized, laughed at….. But, never hated. In her own words “I have merely let life live me” and “the greatest favour you can do yourself is to get out of your own way”. Believe it or not, she felt she had not done enough in her youth!!???!!

She felt that the body had matured but the mind had not…. that she wished that we could all be born old and wise, but die innocent and young.

Her journals date from 1969 almost till her death in 1998. Pooja(her daughter), in finishing the memoirs which were a work in process for almost a year before she passed way, got help from her well planned and documented instructions how her book was being structured as also letters, her reflections and thoughts / confessions on her life, relationships, religion, society or politics.

Amazingly and uncannily reminiscent of Devdutt Pattnaik's style, and equally entertaining, though much before we ever heard of him, she starts her story right from the creation of the universe leading to her arrival into this world and her rebirth, after being declared dead at 7 following her accidental consumption of a whole box of purgatives (because they were chocolate flavoured, she ate all 24 in the box!!). Using the mythological metaphor, she likens herself to Urvashi (though as belonging to an earthly Indra) about being used as an apsara, but ever yearning to be united again with her

Pururavas! So we begin her journey with a chapter titled “My first death”.

Moving on to her early years, she was exploited at age 10 or thereabouts, by a horrible pathetic cousin, eventually deflowered and quietly bore the shame for the remainder of her stay at their Haryana village.

The experience of attending the festivities and bhajans at the family temple, and a chance occasion of seeing a lady going into a swoon after dancing like a dervish – gave birth to one of her lifetime fascinations – dance.

Studies at a convent in Panchgani did not make life easy in some measure due to her

fellow students and partly because of the school's disdain towards anything nonwestern, such as her interest in classical dance. Her body's inability to mature even at 16 was adding to her misery. Age 17 suddenly transformed her physically, and proud of her assets, she would flaunt her body with abandon. Typically, because she was branded as a fast one, she got invited everywhere – but to her chagrin, in a typical MCP manner, the same men got scared of her (because she was not scared of them, and they just could not handle this)! She wanted fun, and loved being the bad girl.

ALL BOOKED

book review

Protima's life is encapsulated in well-structured chapters covering her early years, her loves (and lovers), her “life in sin” and eventual marriage to Kabir, her escapades (fuelled also by his flirtatious behaviour and some affairs), not the least her wanton behaviour. Her journey through Europe, her experimentation with acid and drugs, her disappointment with the sad and unconnected lives of the Europeans (except when they were indulging in their favourite habit), her encounter with a conservative customs officer (when she got back a vibrator!) and her most famous streaking episode! We discuss morphed photos these days, and she had a brush with the ugly world of yellow journalism way back then. Undoubtedly she streaked (on Anjuna) but the pictures got released with Jehangir Art Gallery in the background!!!!

Her chance encounter with Kelucharan Mahapatra, her eventual Odissi guru, was life changing, resulting into the creation of Nrityagram outside Bangalore, run by some of her protégés now. Her ability to leave her children (very young) at that time and take off to Orissa to learn dance present a picture of a woman who could chase her dreams and desires without guilt or remorse. Her subsequent split from Kabir, her new loves, the tragic loss of her son, her 4 year relationship with Pandit Jasraj and followed by her platonic relationship with Rajni Patel, her ugly encounter with trade unions, the media and politicians because of her proposed book are all featured giving us an insight into what she went through.

This book offers to the reader her candid views, in an unapologetic manner, presented with equal candour by Pooja without taking away her language. The book is straight forward, in your face and shocking to say the very least. It's a great read, and I can vouch for the fact that, though it's got a whole load of stuff I cannot mention here – and which most people may not seek out for their normal reading. You really want to read on and on and on, because it is interesting, intriguing, funny, sad, horrifying, disgusting, amoral ……. I could list many more, but urge you to find out for yourself. Without a doubt, apart from aforesaid, it is well structured and, last but not the least, there are no language bloopers which can be blamed on the printer's devil.

-Nimish Sutaria

23

X-FACTOR Nature does not give a man virtue. the process of becoming good is an art. Human perfection is illusionary and tested at all times by circumstances, but nevertheless it is in our nature to be good.

Evolutionary biology assumes that societies have developed moral principles in order to get people to co operate. An individual who maximizes his friendships and minimizes his antagonisms will have an evolutionary advantage and selection would favor those characters. So, the person's actions are deliberative and repetitive. Good behavioue and being good can to taught. To become virtuous I need to repeat virtuous actions.

Karma them becomes an inclination to act in a certain way. This inclination is character. It begins with a journey of self discovery over coming self deception. Being good entails that we are true to ourselves in keeping with the

BEING GOOD 'rules of general world society'. To a more mature mind, being good might mean obeying the dictates of one's conscience, an internal voice which judges our actions as right or wrong, as worthy of approval or disapproval.

By being good we gain a sense of uprightness, of rectitude, and we avoid feeling guilty.

Further reflection leads us to wonder where the voice of conscience comes from and what the justification is for what that voice tells us.

We find ourselves with a sense of duty and wonder who or what imposes that duty. Many believe that God defines the moral rules and imposes the duty to obey. God is thus a surrogate parent, and by being good we gain divine reward and (we hope) avoid divine punishment. I am good only so long that it is in my self-interest to be so. I am indifferent or actively bad when I see no advantage in being good. As I've grown older and more deviously selfish, I realize that it is to my advantage that

BOBBY'S BUBBLES One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm.

That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see

24

others are good. Empathy instructs me that this means that I should try to ensure that the others also have their self-interests met.

Otherwise they might be bad, which may, heaven forbid, inconvenience me. Therefore to increase the good in the world and hence our mutual comfort and safety I act with care.

The great divide in ethical thinking is in between those who judge an act based on its consequence versus those who judge it based on duty or some rule. So is the case with goodness. It varies in an individual scene and a mob, also on circumstances in one's life. But, when moral worth is at issue, what counts is not the actions, that one sees, but those inner principles that one does not see , that which has propelled the action. Ultimately, being good is innate but can also be taught, is necessary for survival and practiced widely and thus exalted to the place of godliness .

-Deepali Kale

THE CARPENTER - really beautiful

his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge... A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor,

NAGPUR HEARING AIDS CENTRE - 9823074112

his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his tool box onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

The above is reminiscent of Rotary's theme of RI President Hiroji Mukasa (1983-84) Mankind Is One — Build Bridges of Friendship throughout the World -Bobby Srinivas

for@technicallychallenged.com Learn Something New

THE BENEFITS OF INTERNET ON THE LIFE OF SENIOR CITIZENS Research shows that every second one senior is added to the aging population of the world so as the growing popularity of senior citizens going online is increasing, the benefits of Internet are tremendous in helping them to live a happier life after retirement.

BENEFITS OF THE INTERNET Mental benefits.

Knowledge of the Internet will help senior citizens improve their mental alertness.

Aside from the vast information from the Internet, it is also a great source for video games. Why video games? According to Psychology and Aging magazine, playing video games helps improve cognitive functions of seniors which normally decline during old age. Strategy video games help in keeping their brains razors sharp, and improve their eye-hand coordination. The gaming Industry is now looking into possibility of developing more video games tailored for seniors, and that they will be their highest next target market in the future.

Establish a home-based online business.

Seniors who worked especially from corporate offices for so many years will still have the opportunity to earn after retirement. Examples are selling products, stock photography, and offering services online. Another freelance home based job is to be a content online writer. It enables them to share their expertise, knowledge and wisdom acquired over the years.

Shopping is just one click away.

Purchasing online is the best thing that hashappened for seniors. It means that they can shop in the comfort of their home since mobility is their main concern.

Explore the world through the Internet.

Not all seniors have the chance to travel due to financial and health reasons. Now the Internet gives the seniors at least the opportunity to explore the world more by browsing and watching videos online . The Internet is a tool to continue learning by browsing the Internet to get more information especially about health and fitness.

Watching tutorial videos related to their interests such as painting, playing musical instruments, gardening, flower arrangements, cooking, travel, and among others.

YouTube is the most popular video site for various categories.

Emotional benefits.

Uplift the spirit through online communication with family and friends. It enhances self-esteem, gives them a more cheerful outlook, gain independence, and interact more with people.

Instant Messengers : Skype and Yahoo Messenger are the two most popular free service chat providers that seniors can avail. Video conferencing is the most satisfying experience that enable them to see live and talk with their loved ones who are away from home.

Facebook is the most popular social networking site that brings family and friends together. Share photos, chat online, play games, search old friends and more.

Reconnecting with old friends whom they have lost touch with, through the years, is an exciting experience.

Help build grandparents' relationship with their grandchildren.

Many seniors or grandparents feel they are being left behind because they cannot cope up with the world. With Internet knowledge, seniors can still catch up with their grandchildren bridging the gap between them. Having a common activity together on the Internet helps build a better relationship.

-Sohrab Kanga

ROTARY RATTLE Hi friends, Finally we are through with the weddings. At least the big ones.

After Gaurav and Astha Sangtani ,Karan and Yeshvi Goenka and Farha Sanjana and Sunny Mahajan culminating their romances into marriage, we have time to breathe and get back into our routines.

But before we get lethargic, we have some more children keeping us on our toes.

Meenam, daughter of Inderjeet and Harbhajan Singh, tied the knot with Adnan Khan of Dubai, on 25th Jan.at Dubai.

Shrivardhan, youngest brother of Harshvardhan Dhanvate tied the knot with Krutika on 27th February.

Ankit, son of Kanak and PP Arun Bhargav and brother of Shipra Pritesh Tank, is engaged to Yashasvi Bhargav of Mumbai.

Anuraag, son of Pinky and Romesh Batra, has found his match in city girl, Neha Chachda.

Congratulations ! to all the families.

Anushree Soni, daughter of Dr. Rajesh Soni and Gira has done us all proud.

She won Elocution Competitions at the school, district and regional levels.

The competition was conducted by Rotary International. Topic being, (Role of Rotary, in Polio Eradication) Many Congratulations and Good Luck at the National Level.

Friends, am sorry to tell you that Rajiv Chowdhary, lost his mother recently.

Manisha Agrawal lost her father.

And Neeru Bhatia lost her youngest sister.

May the families, have the strength to bear the loss.

More news next month.

We wish our children in the 10th and 12th standards, success at their respective exams.

Ciao -Manju Shahani

DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES 09890387018

25

LET'S PLAY GAMES

IT'S A DATE...

BIRTHDAYS 15 March to 14 April Neeta Kale Vishwajeet Kshirsagar Mamta Jaiswal Syed Anwar Khatib Abdul Ghafoor Parekh Kiran Rathod Zulekha Abdul Parekh Jehangir Doongaji Shabbar Shakir Dr. Ujjwala Agashe Rajesh Yadav Kishore Sheth Sachin Palewar Amita Behal Priti Chhabra Rita Dhodapkar Gurinder Kahai Durriya Ahmed

15 17 19 19 20 21 23 23 23 24 24 24 26 26 26 28 28 28 Abnash Chander Khurana 29 Usha Kale 29 Sylvester Isaacs 29 Ashish Neb 29

Dr. Anil Masand

29

It's time to get interactive. The contests below are open to members, spouses and children. Each has exciting prizes which shall be announced during the following business meeting.

More than one correct entry shall be decided by a draw of lots.

Send in your answers to me@madhavinaidu.com

APRIL

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS QUIZ ARE....

Beena Isaacs

1

Pinky Batra

2

Archana H. Panchmatia

4

Anushka S. Kale

4

Priti Badjate

5

Zamin Amin

5

Rajiv Mittal

6

Meenu Moryani

7

Madhu Mrig

7

Anjali Chaudhari

8

Shailendra S. Agrawa

l9

Deepika Mehta

10

Harsha Doshi

11

Manju Bhatia

11

Dr. Deepa Jamwal

12

Archana Singhal

12

Adarsh Daga

12

Shreeram Marawar

13

Mohd. S. Vali

14

ANNIVERSARY 15 March to 14 April Dr. Vivek & Smita H arkre Ush a & Satish Kale Z a min & Rash e ed a A min APRIL Binita & Anil G oenk a Rajiv & A mita Be h al Sohra b & M a mta Ka ng a

17 29 30 5 7 10

1. the 2.

3.

Tommy's mother has 3 children. The first child is April. The second child is May. What is third child's name? - Tommy Which is heavier: a pound of gold or a pound of feathers? - Both weigh the same How much dirt is there in a hole 3 ft deep, 6 ft long and 4 ft wide? - A hole will be hollow, else will not be one if filled with dirt 4. A phonebook, 80% are listed, 20% are businesses, 20% begin with 2. Take a random 1000 numbers, how many would you expect to be unlisted. - 200 5. Is it possible to stand somewhere that every direction is South? - North Pole 6. How many bricks do you need to make a building entirely from bricks? - Not possible because roof cannot be made of bricks only.

7. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? Mt. Everest 8. You only have a match when you enter a dark and cold room. You come across an oil lamp, an oil heater, and a candle. Which do you light first? - The match stick 9. How many months have 28 days? - All months 10. A man dressed all in black is walking down a country lane. Suddenly a large black car without any lights on comes round the corner and screeches to a halt. How did the driver know there was a man in the road? - It was daytime Correct answers received from Jerestine Watchmaker, Kirit Joshi and Nakul Malani.

QUIZ This month we have an "all woman quiz" ... Let's see how much you men know about women and how much you women know about your own species...

1. Who is the longest serving President of Indian National Congress?

2. Who is the first Indian woman Badminton player to reach singles quarterfinals at the Olympics?

3. Who set up the first IVF centre in India?

4. Who is the first women boxer from India to have won Five World Championship titles?

5.Who is the first woman IPS? 6. Who is the first Indian woman to win Miss World title?

7. Who is the first woman President of Rotary Club of Nagpur?

8. Who is the first Indian musician to receive the Raman Magsaysay award?

9. Who is the only Indian woman to receive Nobel Prize?

10. Who is the first Indian woman to receive Oscar award?

FUN FACTS ABOUT ABOUT ALL THINGS FEMALE... READ ON...

1. The average amount of time a woman can keep a secret is just 47 hours and 15 minutes. (men I am sure think it's much less but... Highly debatable) 2. When a male penguin falls in love with a female penguin, he searches the entire beach to find the perfect pebble to present to her. (well...whether they are diamonds or pebbles...

They just have to be perfect).

3. A study by the oxford university suggests, when you fall in love you lose two close friends. ( but hopefully they an find their way back) 4. The bikini was named after an Atomic bomb testing site at the Bikini Atoll. (isn't it obvious why it was named after that?)

5. If you mouth the word "colorful" to someone, it looks like you are saying "I love you". (is that what is meant by "whispering sweet nothings???"

GUESS WHO Please sms your answers to me on 9823080820

26

This was an extremely difficult guess who... Correct answer received from just one person and it is from Jumana Shakir ( Looks like husband and wife talk a lot ... Just kidding ) The people in the photos are Manju Shahani and Rajiv Behal.

- MADHAVI NAIDU

X-PRESS

We've had an election for the post of District Governor at the recent District conference which generated some heat and much controversy in our Club. As a past President, I can tell you that my acquaintance with District personalities and knowledge and awareness of District affairs during my term was very limited; nor was there much time or interest left after dealing with our own Club's affairs. That knowledge and awareness came later...towards the end of the term and after the term was over!! I would presume that the position is much the same with other Presidents and more so with other Board members.

The question this month therefore is: We have a nomination committee which according to the bye-laws is made up of ALL the Past presidents in our Club and can meet JUST ONCE in a year to nominate the team for the next year. We also have sixty odd committees headed by chairpersons for various projects and these are constituted every year by the incoming President.

Would it be a good idea for the President to constitute an advisory committee made up of 5-7 Past Presidents whose advice he/she trusts and the board would be guided by them in District affairs? The Board of course would not be bound by that advice.

CHANDRU SHAHANI: Club Presidents generally have limited knowledge about District Matters. And naturally the members of the board are relative novices in such matters. Especially so in knowing the future District Governor candidates, whom they have probably never even met!!

Though the board is chosen by the nominating committee and we in our club definitely stand by the board, yet to ensure that right decisions are made, I definitely feel that the board should be guided by a few past presidents & our PDG's. In fact, this decision had been made earlier also in one of our board meetings.

And as you rightly say this advice need not be binding on the board.

SUDHIR BHIWAPURKAR: Dear Sanjiv, Have you lost it all? Have you gone "NUTS"?

You want the senile "Bunch of Jokers" to fiddle in the smooth working of the President and his Board of Directors?........No way!!! Just don't think of it!*#!

PP Sudhir (Member Bunch of Jokers)!!

V I S H W A S SAHASRABHOJANEE: Excellent idea! In fact this is how it should be. We must understand and accept that our board members (50% of whom are just four years in Rotary), though very competent in their profession and able to guide & execute numerous projects effectively, have little or no bearing on District matters!

It is therefore necessary that they are guided by Past Presidents with identity and grip at the District level. This is how things work in most of the clubs in 3030 and elsewhere. This way, the board members will be saved of 'Dharmasankat' of selecting a candidate whom they hardly know. Had this wonderful proposal come earlier, our club would have been saved of the unpleasant happenings on 12th January. Anyway, better late than never! I hope President elect Atul Shah agrees to constitute such a committee in Rotary Year 12-13.

BOBBY SRINIVAS: · No harm, old horse, in having an advisory committee! It is left to the President to constitute such a committee at the beginning of the year when the President constitutes other committees. · The nominating committee can meet more than once a year. The president is the convener and chairs this committee's meetings. Therefore the President can call for a meeting, if necessary, again.

MANNU DAGA: I strongly feel that the right to elect a Governor is a right of every individual Rotarian. As there is a lack in awareness of the activities at the District Level thus it is the prime responsibility of the Board and the President to make every member aware of the full Bio-data of the candidates in question. I strongly feel that there are vested interests in candidates and the District Politics can raise its ugly head in the club so as to create ill will without any benefit. Past Presidents should thus not form an advisory committee. The Board too does not have right to decide the matter in this regards without taking a consensus vote from the members. Let the right be with every individual Rotarian SHABBIR SHAKIR: The first controversy would begin with 'which 5-7 Past Presidents'?

And then 'recommendation' from the PPs is meant to be 'mandatory' in a polite language. The recommendation not being adhered to, would signal the beginning of another controversy!!

Why should we take any step to undermine the authority of the Board and instead hand over the decision making to a set of people more prone to bias? The Board should be left alone to take its own decision without any interference from any quarters. To the extent that in this particular Board Meeting, no Past President should be invited as a special invitee.

SHIRAZ GIMI: Hi Doc! What a brilliant idea, a committee of 5 7 Past Presidents to "advise" the President & Board on matters pertaining to the District! PPs love to give advice, whether wanted or not & the President poor fellow/fellie(?) would feel obliged to accept the suggestions of the PPs as, if they do not, they would probably have to deal with bruised EGOs !

But seriously, I feel that if there is a matter pertaining to the District which requires "advice", let the President seek it informally rather than from a committee.

AKHTAR PARVEZ MAIMOON: Every board meeting has 2 PP's to give advice and guidance. More of them could be called as 'special invitees' if thought necessary. Being the convener of the Nomination committee, even a meeting of all the PP's of the Club could also be called by the President if he/she so feels. Where then is the need to have such a committee??

There you have it folks….now you know why and how these gentlemen got to be Presidents of this Club!!

They have a special knack for looking at things differently!! People see 2 sides to a coin…….these eight gentlemen will see at least 8 sides to it!!

Since the proposal and I have variously been described as 'Brilliant', 'Wonderful idea', 'Nuts', 'Lost it' and 'Old Horse' by these respectable gentlemen in their responses, let me add a 9th dimension to the confusion: I feel that a committee made up of the last 5 PP's should be there to help and advise the President on District affairs, though it's advice would in no way be binding on the Board, bruised egos or not!! Now let the incoming President get even more confused………Good Luck Atul!! The ball is in your court…..

-PP Dr. Sanjiv Chugh

27

SNAP SHOTS

PDG Vishwas Releases The GO

BEST CHAIRPERSONS AWARD FOR DECEMBER

Mohan Anand and Jerestin Watchmaker for Hemalkasa Surgical Camp

ROTARIANS ROCK AT THE FOOD FEST

PAPER COURTESY : BILT