Rotary News - November 2015 by Rotary News

RotaryNews India

November 2015

Vol.66, Issue 5

Annual Subscription Rs.420

@NewsRotary

Present & Future

Jaishree

Polio Pioneers

Rasheeda Bhagat

Polio Pioneers: L to R: Rtn K C Vijayan, Rtn Dr Jacob John, Dr H V Hande, PDGs P V Purushothaman, S Krishnaswami, Viswanatha Reddy and Rtn S L Chitale.

Rasheeda Bhagat

Rtn Jacob John being honoured by N Murali, Co-Chairman, Kasturi & Sons. Also present: PDG Krishnan V Chari (right) and DG C R Raju (second from left).

L to R: PDG P V Purushothaman and spouse Aruljothi with Rtn S L Chitale.

Contents 22 Doing God’s work on earth RI President K R Ravindran’s address at the Parliament of World’s Religions at Chicago.

30 Rotarians fulfill their promise to Garhwal’s children Rotary Uttarakhand Disaster Relief Trust hands over 14 newly built schools to Uttarakhand.

40 India tops the world in membership growth

10 A taste of RI at Evanston Interesting facets of Rotary at the RI headquarters, Evanston.

India ranks No.1 with 63.4 per cent of world’s net membership growth of 20,952 members.

44 Winning hearts in Malawi Rotary India Medical Mission team touches lives and makes a

16 The lion ... in his RI den For a man running a $2–3 billion conglomerate, RI President K R Ravindran looks pretty relaxed, but looks can be deceptive.

24 Meet your Governors Meet the DGs of D 3262, 3291, 3120, 3131, 3011, 3202.

difference to people of Malawi in Africa.

50 Rubella — an invisible danger An awareness on Rubella and how it can be prevented.

69 Taking Rotary to the community D 3030 organised a multidistrict public image seminar to discuss ways to popularise Rotary’s good work in the larger community.

70 An unforgettable sojourn in Korea A memorable experience in idyllic surroundings on the outskirts of Seoul.

72 Become Cardio Queens

32 Seoul searching Do you want trailblazing innovation and rich cultural tradition? Attending the 2016 Rotary convention in Korea will give you the best of both.

On the cover: RI President K R Ravindran with RIPN Ian Riseley (left) and RIPE John Germ (right). Picture: Rasheeda Bhagat

Read on to find out how a disciplined fitness regine keeps one agile and flexible.

64 Where gods reside in humans

LETTERS

Disability Warriors he October issue is in my hands; Rotary News has always been informative, but now it has become multidimensional. Every story covered touches our inner core — be it the stories of paralysed boy Manoj and Justin Jesudas or students of the Vapi College. Much is to be done and much is being done by Rotarians all over in the field of literacy, healthcare and social uplift of those in need. Carry on with your inspirational write-ups, RI President and RI Director. I feel proud to be a Rotarian. Rtn Dr Rajendra Singhania RC Raipur West-D 3261

Getting better & better y heartfelt compliments on adding increasing value for readers, since the time your new team took over the reins. The three articles in the October issue — the lead article Spinal cord injury warriors by you, Oliver Sacks, who has taught us so much by Dr Ranjana reproduced from The Guardian and Doctor, heal thyself by Bharat and Shalan Savur are real eye-openers. I congratulate the management for creating a surplus of Rs 1 crore despite reducing subscription. I have a suggestion: Please add 12 more pages and cover more Rotary projects that touch lives of many people. Later the best three can be recognised at an annual function. Rtn Dr MV Ravikumar Ph D RC Bangalore Koramangala-D 3190

’m reading Rotary News for five years. The October issue is amazing; the cover story Spinal cord injury warriors is highly inspirational. The wide coverage of other issues is overwhelming — Meet your Governors; A Happy School Model; Lighting up lives; A mother’s dream accomplished; Swiss delights and many more. Rtn Ranjit Singh RC Nizamabad-D 3150

his is my second year in Rotary and I’ve been reading Rotary News with great interest. The new look this year is very lively. Rtn Arun Ashtikar RC Dombivli East-D 3140 4 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

he September issue was fantastic. It touched my heart. The article Young India Enthralls Ravindran was marvellous. It was full of information and will help us to do Service above Self. Six Lessons will definitely encourage new members who join Rotary to serve mankind. Rtn Ashim Bhattacharjee RC Green Land Silchar-D 3240

must compliment you. I enjoy reading Rotary News and look forward to it month after month. It is absorbing, habit forming. May you continue to be its Editor for many years to come. Rtn Balram Gupta RC Chandigarh-D 3080

congratulate you for providing such an informative and well-designed magazine which enhances the brand image of Rotary. We thank you for covering our school projects, School quality matters, in June edition. Our members are highly motivated and it has really made us proud to get placed in such a reputed magazine of Rotary. Rtn Amit Chauhan RC Bhuj Wall City-D 3051

other’s dream accomplished was very inspiring. Swiss Delights made me feel like I was in Switzerland. I congratulate Rasheeda and her team for coming up with such rich content. Rtn Dwarkadas RC Gandhi City Wardha-D 3030

Inspiring editorial he editorial How to smile ... and win is very interesting and gives a clear message on ability and disability. The disabled have a strong willpower. Manoj and Justin are very special people and we are proud of them. Thank you for bringing them to the notice of Rotarians. Rtn R Srinivasan RC Madurai Midtown-D 3000

he editorial and Spinal cord injury warriors motivate Rotarians to face the odds of life. Extraordinary individuals by their grit and determination achieve success and render service to humanity. They send the message that amidst despair and helplessness anything is possible and rekindle new hope in the minds of others. Rtn Arun Kumar Dash RC Baripada-D 3262

LETTERS People’s President he September issue was very informative, especially the article on our late People’s President. An example of the woodcutter by RI President was really touching. His six-lessons are very educative and can shape one’s life. Hats off to him for his novel idea of combining business with service via Rotary Global Rewards programme. Rtn Piyush Doshi RC Belur-D 3291

he article On a mission to give dignity to teenage girls by Kiran Zehra is very interesting. However, it says that RC Karur Angels, D 3000, is an allfemale club. But can a Rotary Club be a one sex club? Once men-only Rotary clubs had to change its Constitution to open doors to ladies to avoid sex discrimination. Does not an all-female club discriminate against men? PDG Subimal Bhattacharya RI District 3291

Simpler Hindi please! want to participate in the Rotary world as an active member after an inactive membership of five years, and Rotary News has worked as a motivator. Your Editorials are excellent. The RI President K R Ravindran’s and RI Director Manoj Desai’s messages are interesting and inspirational. The new layouts enhance our reading experience. I see a big change in Rotary Samachar. Compared to the earlier issues the language is simple now, but can be simplified further to words we use in our daily life. Rtn Sushil Vishal Poddar RC Patna Midtown-D 3250

he August 2015 issue was filled with new information. The article Heal Yourself by Positive Thinking was very useful. Every Rotarian helps others and during the process forgets his own pain. These acts of service by Rotarians are inspiring. I thank the writer for this wonderful piece; every word in the article has left a deep impression on me. After reading Why did you join Rotary?(Global Outlook), I felt inspired by the foreign Rotarian’s answers. Every answer was different and every act unique. I request you to do a story on the same topic, but with Indian Rotarians. Rtn PK Bhatnagar RC Jhansi-D 3110

Vintage Rotarians

was delighted to read the article on my good friend and mentor Rtn Krish Chitale. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with him, first in the Round Table and later in Rotary. He was a great inspiration to work with. He is undoubtedly a tall figure in the world of social service who truly embodies the Rotary motto ‘Service above Self.’ Congratulations for not only this article but many other very interesting and informative pieces which have now made Rotary News my preferred magazine. It has a judicious mixture of articles on Rotary and general interest, making it a pleasure to read the magazine from beginning to end. You are proving to the world what a professional journalist can do to give new life to an old magazine. Keep up the good work. God Bless! Rtn RV Rajan RC Madras South-D 3230 Let’s give up LPG subsidy e, Rotarians believe there is a joy and satisfaction in ‘giving.’ So let’s heed our Prime Minister’s call and give up LPG subsidy, so that poor families can switch to LPG and reduce smoke, air pollution and ill health. Senior Rotary leaders should make such a request through Rotary News. If 1 lakh Rotarians give up LPG subsidy, it’ll be an astonishing contribution by a single organisation. Rtn Muni Raja Pasupuleti RC Gudur-D 3160

Too much non-Rotary content; too many compliments he new series Meet your Governors is an interesting addition to the content of Rotary News. I was thrilled to read about DG David Hilton. I taught him in Darjeeling in the 1970s. DG Chandrakumar Agarwal’s statement “I am the youngest DG in my district” is not correct. In the Rotary Year 2000–2001, PDG Udaya Mani Pradhan was 45 years old. On Rotary News content, there are far too many articles that have nothing to do with Rotary; for example, the one on Oliver Sacks, Vibrant Vienna and In Brief. Far too many letters are congratulatory in tone. And, what has happened to articles relating to Rotary Designated Months? Rtn John West RC Darjeeling-D 3240

NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 5

Board of Permanent Trustees

Governorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council RI Dist 2981

Dr Gunasekaran Chinnathambi

PRIP Rajendra K Saboo

RI Dist 3080

RI Dist 2982

R Vasu

PRIP Kalyan Banerjee

RI Dist 3060

RI Dist 3000

R Theenachandran

PRID Sudarshan Agarwal

RI Dist 3011

Sudhir Mangla

PRID Panduranga Setty

RI Dist 3190

RI Dist 3012

Jitender Kumar Gaur

RI Dist 3020

M Jagadeeswara Rao

PRID Sushil Gupta

RI Dist 3011

RI Dist 3030

Dr Nikhil Arvind Kibe

PRID Ashok Mahajan

RI Dist 3140

RI Dist 3040

Sanjeev Gupta

PRID Yash Pal Das

RI Dist 3080

RI Dist 3051

C A Lalit Sharma

PRID Shekhar Mehta

RI Dist 3291

RI Dist 3052

Pradhuman Kumar Patni

PRID P T Prabhakhar

RI Dist 3230

RI Dist 3053

Anil Beniwal

RID

RI Dist 3060

Parag Sheth

RI Dist 3070

Kuldip Kumar Dhir

RI Dist 3080

David Joseph Hilton

RI Dist 3090

Dharam Vir Garg

RI Dist 3100

Suneel Kumar Gupta

DG Sudhir Mangla

RI Dist 3011

RI Dist 3110

Sharat Chandra

DG Subodh Mukund Joshi

RI Dist 3131

RI Dist 3120

Ved Prakash

DG Dr Gautam R Jahagirdar

RI Dist 3160

RI Dist 3131

Subodh Mukund Joshi

DG C R Raju

RI Dist 3230

RI Dist 3132

Dr Deepak Prabhakar Pophale

DG Chandu Kumar Agarwal

RI Dist 3240

RI Dist 3140

Subhash Kulkarni

RI Dist 3150

Gopinath Reddy Vedire

RI Dist 3160

Dr Gautam R Jahagirdar

RI Dist 3170

Shrinivas Ramkrishna Malu

RI Dist 3180

Dr A Bharathesh

RI Dist 3190

K P Nagesh

RI Dist 3201

Kamlesh V Raheja

RI Dist 3202

George Sundararaj

RI Dist 3211

C Luke

RI Dist 3212

J Navamani

RI Dist 3230

C R Raju

RI Dist 3240

Chandu Kumar Agarwal

RI Dist 3250

Dr Bindu Singh

RI Dist 3261

Rakesh Dave

RI Dist 3262

Sibabrata Dash

RI Dist 3291

Jhulan Basu

Dr Manoj D Desai

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (In addition to Board of Permanent Trustees)

ROTARY NEWS ROTARY SAMACHAR Editor Rasheeda Bhagat Senior Assistant Editor Jaishree Padmanabhan Send all correspondence and subscriptions to ROTARY NEWS TRUST 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, 34 Marshalls Road Egmore, Chennai 600 008, India. Phone : 044 42145666 e-mail : rotarynews@rosaonline.org Website : www.rotarynewsonline.org

From th e E d i t or ’s Desk

Magic of collaboration & camaraderie

very Rotarian, I am sure, nurtures a dream to travel to Evanston in the US to visit the One Rotary Centre, where the offices of the Rotary International Headquarters are housed. Thanks to some nudging by RI Director Manoj Desai, in a rare departure from tradition RI President K R Ravindran allowed Rotary News and The Rotarian to attend a part of the RI Board meet and the joint Board-TRF session at Evanston in October. It was great to rub shoulders with senior Rotary leaders of both the Board and the Foundation. On the very first evening I was invited to a reception hosted by the RI for its staff in Evanston. At this meet, organised so ably by Betty Rozanski, there was a generous spread of food and drink, but more important was the ambience of warmth and camaraderie in the hall. Both Ravindran and TRF Chair Ray Klinginsmith made it a point to go around the room exchanging pleasantries with the staff. The Directors and Trustees followed suit. Representing India were incoming TRF Chair Kalyan Banerjee and RID Desai; Trustee Sushil Gupta had already left for home. It was interesting to note that about 500 staff work out of Evanston, with the remaining 200 RI staff working from other parts, including the South Asia office in Delhi. Walking around the corridors of the One Rotary Centre it is easy to get overwhelmed by Rotary’s history. Through tastefully done panels, shelves, wall hangings, Rotary’s most historic moments come alive. (Some of these are described in the cover story). At both the Board and TRF meets, what struck me the most was the democratic manner in

which senior Rotary leaders function. What I did not see was any attempt to steamroller or force down anybody’s throat a particular point of view or stance. Both the top honchos made it a point to keep their eye on the members, go around the room, seek out opinions and try to build a consensus. One distinctly got a feeling that a team was in place there to make policy decisions and manage the affairs of TRF and rest of RI. The other thing that struck me was President Ravindran’s bonhomie and camaraderie with his successors — both the President-elect John Germ and President-nominee Ian Riseley, as well as TRF Chair Klinginsmith. The easy body language, the smiles, jokes, the earnest consultations … all of this was on ample display for anyone to see. Visible images and symbols as well as assurance of continuity are vital for the success of any organisation. More so where positions of power end in just one year — be it the term of a Club President, Governor, TRF Chair or the RI President himself — but where the mega humanitarian projects that Rotary undertakes have to go on for long years. When you take on as mammoth a challenge such as polio eradication from the world, can you afford to take your eye off the ball? Break this down to the smallest club project … the message or lesson is the same — collaboration and camaraderie will win you the game.

Rasheeda Bhagat

NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 7

President Dear Fellow Rotarians, One sunny morning at the end of June 1991, a van drove through the busy, rush-hour streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Winding through traffic to a northern suburb, the van arrived at the Forward Command Headquarters of the Defence Ministry. Security guards stopped it for inspection. When they did, the two suicide bombers driving the van detonated their cargo: thousands of kilograms of plastic explosives. The roof of the building was blown off completely. Debris was strewn for blocks. In total, 21 people were killed and 175 people injured, among them many pupils of the girls’ school next door. More than a kilometre away, the blast shattered every window in my home. My wife raced toward the sound of the explosion — toward our daughter’s school. Our daughter was then nine years old. That morning, she had forgotten her pencil case at home. At the moment of the blast, she was coming out of a stationer’s shop, admiring her new pencils. Suddenly her ears were ringing, the air was filled with sand, and everywhere around her people were screaming, bleeding and running. Someone pulled her into the garden of the badly damaged school, where she waited until my wife arrived to bring her back to our home — its floors still covered with broken glass. Sri Lanka today is peaceful and thriving, visited by some two million tourists every year. Our war now is only a memory, and we as a nation look forward to a promising future. Yet so many other nations cannot say the same. Today, more of the world’s countries are involved in conflict than not; a record 59.5 million people worldwide live displaced by wars and violence. In Rotary we believe, in spite of all that, in the possibility of peace — not out of idealism, but out of experience. We have seen that even the most intractable conflicts can be resolved when people have more to lose by fighting than by working together. We have seen what can happen when we approach peace-building in ways that are truly radical, such as the work of our Rotary Peace Fellows. Through our Rotary Foundation, peace fellows become experts in preventing and resolving conflict. Our goal is that they will find new ways not only to end wars but to stop them before they begin. Among the hundreds of peace fellows who have graduated from the programme, two from Sri Lanka, one from each side of the conflict, studied together. In the first weeks of the course, both argued passionately for the rightness of their side. Yet week by week, they grew to understand each other’s perspective; today, they are good friends. When I met them and heard their story, they gave me hope. If 25 years of pain and bitterness could be overcome by Rotary, then what, indeed, is beyond us? We cannot fight violence with violence. But when we fight it with education, with understanding and with peace, we can truly Be a Gift to the World.

K R Ravindran President, Rotary International 8 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

Speaks

e all know November is The Rotary Foundation month. Our Rotary Foundation Does Good In the World! Any doubts? Well, the best proof is personal experience. Here is my real life story: Just after a successful DTA at Surat in 1997, we decided to take a three-day break in my uncle’s farm in a remote village — away from the city — to enjoy a mango orchard! Next day, during a visit of the farm, Sharmishtha, my wife, fell down and was writhing in agony as she had fractured her right shoulder. Though I am an orthopaedic surgeon, I felt helpless, as I was away from a city with medical/ surgical facilities. I asked my uncle where we could get an X-ray done. He told me that the nearby Kharel hospital has got a new machine since a year or so. The journey through the village road was hurting her so much, but I was helpless. May God never put anyone through such a painful ordeal. Finally we reached the hospital where an analgesic injection was given. She never cried till then, but when she came out of the X-ray room, I saw tears running down her cheek. Both my sons and I tried to soothe her. She said go and read what is written on the X-ray machine. It read thus: Thanks to TRF: MG No. _____ by RC Billimora and a US club. Can you imagine, my friends, what a lesson it was for a DGE before his year started? In a remote village, an X-ray machine to help a radiologist (Sharmishtha) and an orthopeadic surgeon in a crisis? I can never forget this experience that helped me to work passionately and create record collections for TRF, which remained the highest for a long time. As an RRFC and a 3-H cadre member, I have seen mega projects in Russia, China, Sri Lanka and nearly all districts in India. This passion reflected in my talks — Aadat se Ibaadat Ki Aur, Muskaan, Chahat, etc which became the highlight of my term. How many lives have been changed by our Rotary Foundation? Countless, my dear friends. Recently, at Mombasa, I heard Rotarians talking about superb results of the Medical Missions — made possible by TRF. Friends, remember it is TRF’s mission to do good in the world.

Next year happens to be the 100th year of TRF. For Indians it is a matter of pride that our dear PRIP Kalyanda will be the Chairman of Trustees of TRF. It is an honour indeed but it also increases our responsibility to create innovative trend-setting models such as WinS and Literacy. I am so happy that DGEs 16–17 (Smiling Sheriffs) have decided to create a new milestone during their term. Let us make India proud by taking it to the Number 2 slot in giving!

Manoj Desai Director, Rotary International

TRF

Month

Evanston Rasheeda Bhagat

A visit to the RI headquarters at Evanston, USA, and a walk around the corridors of the One Rotary Centre unveils several interesting facets of Rotary.

In deep conversation: RI President K R Ravindran and RIPE John Germ.

o thousands of Rotarians who make their Rotary pilgrimage to Evanston to the Rotary International headquarters in the US, there are a few defining moments, and photo opportunities. One is the PolioPlus statue right outside the entrance; the other is Paul Harris stretching out his hand for anybody who wants to shake it. The biggest privilege of course is to visit the RI President’s office and take a picture with him. I ask K R Ravindran if Rotarians have to make previous appointments to do so. “Of course not; I tell all Rotarians who want to visit my office or take pictures that this is your office; I am its occupant only for a year,” he says.

Room 711 At the lobby level of the One Rotary Centre, there is the famous Room 711, where in 1905 the first Rotary meeting was held. This room was actually in the Unity Building in downtown Chicago, and for Rotary’s 75th anniversary Convention in 1980, RC Chicago members rented and decorated the room. In 1983 a group of Rotarians formed the Paul Harris 711 Club to maintain the room. In 1989 when the Unity Building was being demolished, it was dismantled and temporarily reconstructed; it finally found its present and permanent home in 1992. The 18th floor of the building which houses all the important offices is the most impressive. The gleaming woodpanelled corridors are adorned with many interesting Rotary memorabilia such as the commemorative stamps brought out by several countries over the decades to honour the work of Rotary, including one by India in 1987 to recognise polio immunisation work. Along one corridor is the impressive and colourful line-up of the flags of member countries. Displayed opposite the Boardroom is a huge bell with an engraved image of Paul Harris, gifted by RC Agnone, Italy. It was made

by one of the oldest bell-making foundries — Campane Marinelli in Agnone — which has made many famous bells, including one for the UN building in New York. It is an interesting place to browse … there are several tastefully done panels with trophies and important photographs including those of RI Boards over the years. The black and white pictures speak eloquently about a vintage era. You find here how during World War II, Rotary had looked for ways to create a stable and peaceful world. The Rotarian magazine had then published a bunch of essays by writers, politicians and others on the challenges people faced in daily living. It was great to catch up with the RI Communications team — Michele Moiron, Donna Cotter and John Rezek, Editor of The Rotarian. From interactions with the latter I come away wiser on how to handle pressure and demand for space from Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, and marvel at how unfazed he is and how coolly he handles such pressure!

Poignant moment A poignant moment I experienced was when I entered the washroom area on the ground floor only to be startled by toilet cubicle doors donning pictures of ramshackle, makeshift toilets across the developing world. What grabbed my attention was one that said: “Yamuna River Bank, India,” and had the visual of a not-too-clean Indian toilet embedded on the floor and covered on three sides by a tattered blanket propped up on three sticks. Not the proudest of moments for an Indian, I assure you, but WinS (WASH in Schools) is working on it on a war footing. The other doors had images of a mud and thatch tiny structure from Gondola District, Mozambique, a bamboo rods and asbestos contraption from Sumpango, Guatemala, yet another dirty one from our very own Yamuna Bank, and so on. As you open the door to use the facility, you can breathe again … to find a spanking clean typical American

The 18th floor housing all the important offices is most impressive with its gleaming wood-panelled corridors tastefully displaying Rotary memorabilia — commemorative stamps, Paul Harris portrait, books, trophies and pictures. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 11

toilet. And the inside door has a clear message staring you in the face and challenging your conscience. It says “A clean, safe bathroom. Aren’t you relieved? Not everyone is so lucky. In fact 2.5 billion people without access to toilets or latrines relieve themselves outdoors, spreading diseases that kill as many as 2,000 children every day.” It goes on to add how adequate sanitation could save not only those lives and health costs by $260 a year, and how Rotary is working towards this goal!

Joint Board-TRF meet But I did not visit Evanston to write about toilets; I went there with special permission from Ravindran and his team to witness a part of the proceedings on the quarterly RI Board meet and a joint Board-TRF meet. On the agenda of the joint meet was a study done on RI staff, their interface with volunteers (Rotarians), and among other things, concern was expressed about the not-too-polite language used by Rotarians in their

The sessions were packed with voicing of ideas, endorsements as well as dissent and disagreements, but the latter were conveyed sans rancour or aggression. RI Director Manoj Desai at the Board meet. 12 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

Voices and Opinions z We should meet at least twice a year; the more we meet the better it is for team building. z We can’t have different positions between the Board and TRF. We have to work to come closer; at times we might disagree but it is healthy to disagree. z There were times the two would not even talk to each other. So we’ve come a long way towards One Rotary! z After all TRF is a subsidiary of RI, so it won’t take dramatically different positions. Only the priorities might differ. z Advocacy and debate are good, and so is some disrespect.

interactions with the RI staff. There are about 500 people working at the One Rotary Centre, the RI Headquarters, which goes all the way up to the 18th floor, where the offices of the seniormost RI leaders such as the RI President, President-elect, TRF Chair and General Secretary John Hewko, and the Boardroom are located. Six floors of this building are rented out and as Ravindran said later in an interview, “We have the best staff in the world.”

The joint meet, where Ravindran and TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith presided, sought views from both the Board members and Trustees on the feasibility of at least a half-yearly joint meet between the Board and TRF to develop better synergy and co-operation. There was a general consensus on the desirability of such joint meetings. Later, after the Board members had moved to the 18th floor after President Ravindran decisively declared a “tea break” (he is after all in the tea packaging business!), the

Incoming TRF Trustee Chair Kalyan Banerjee making a point at the meet. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 13

India deserves better representation on RI Board

his Board meeting was important in many ways, says RID Manoj Desai, who was in Evanston to attend it. For the first time there was a two-day joint session of the Board and TRF. “Then the Council on Legislation, which you can say is the Parliament of Rotary that meets once in three years, is due in April and will be attended by 535 DGs from all over the world.” He says for the first two days a lot of brainstorming was done on the strategic plan of Rotary and Vision 2020. “Ultimately any organisation needs a long term plan to decide where it wants to be five years down the line.” Desai adds that many other issues were discussed by the Board, such as problems in some Rotary districts, and decisions on various issues were taken. “An important part of this meeting was that President Ravindran has

introduced for the first time electronic voting. That takes away undue influence of the President or anybody else. You can look at me and smile but you can’t vote for me or change my decision!” A key point this time was both the Board and TRF accepting the need for strategic planning. “We decided that it is okay to have a difference of opinion but it is important to look at the long term future of Rotary.” Towards this goal he has already started his think-tank meets in India and completed two already. “I thought India, which has the second highest membership in the Rotary world — last year was a record-breaking year — should be a model, and so I started these meetings which are attended by RCs, RRFCs, RPICs, etc.” On who was responsible for Rotary’s growth in India both in membership and TRF contributions, Desai says, “It is team work, and people who work at the field level. No single person can take credit.” On how fair it was for India and the South Asia region to have only one RI Director despite crossing the 150,000 mark on membership, he said, “It is certainly not fair, our representation on the RI Board is not proportionate to our membership. At the time of re-zoning I will make a strong and effective presentation.” But, he added, partly it was our own fault “that we do not want to divide the districts; even with 7,000 members, we want to have the district intact.” While the criteria at the lower level was 1,100 members and 35 clubs, there was no upper limit. “But one should be set, and we should start bifurcations. The vision of our senior leaders both Rajaji (PRIP Rajendra K Saboo) and (PRIP) Kalyan Banerjee is to go upto 50 districts so that we can have 3–4 Directors, and then our voice will be heard.”

Washrooms at RI headquarters, which give a sense of poor sanitation facilities across the world. 14 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

The 18th floor of One Rotary Centre.

Trustees continued their meet. TRF Chair Klinginsmith presided and Chair-elect Kalyan Banerjee was present, with his interventions getting due attention.

Need for change There was considerable wisdom, mature thoughts, introspection and candid expression of opinions. Many of the members reiterated a strong desire for the need to change, and change soon. One of the Trustees said he was from the print industry and had seen first-hand how quickly change had engulfed his industry. Things were changing so fast in the print industry that he was afraid it might not even exist 20 to 25 years hence. “A lot of things are changing out there ... the cell phones are controlling our lives … and the outside world is not going to wait for us.” Many of the Trustees agreed that Rotary would have to respond to the “changing world and the demands from the younger generation in a more active manner. If we don’t change, we will become extinct.” But overall, the mood was positive and great optimism was expressed for Rotary’s future. But there were voices of caution too … it was agreed that each member had a different way of dealing with issues and tackling problems,

My poignant moment: entering the washroom area and being startled by toilet cubicle doors donning pictures of ramshackle, makeshift toilets across the developing world, including India.

and though change was necessary, it should not be brought in like a steam roller … “Yes, we have to be responsive to change, but should be careful not to move too quickly. Balance is necessary,” was one voice. The sessions were packed with voicing of ideas, endorsements as well as dissent and disagreements, but the latter were conveyed sans rancour or aggression. The Board meeting session that I attended a day later held a discussion on whether RI Conventions could be held once in seven years in countries that didn’t have all the critical criteria presently necessary for hosting a Rotary Convention.

Diversity, camaraderie The diversity of opinions, the respect with which they were heard, the way both Ravindran and Klinginsmith listened attentively to each member, all the time keeping a close watch on raised hands and went around the room giving everybody a chance to speak, were all impressive. One got a sense of a true democratic spirit reigning over these meetings. At the coffee and lunch breaks there was an easy camaraderie, much mirth and humour, with Ravindran pulling quite a few legs. What came through strongly was the camaraderie the RI President shares with his successors as well as the TRF Chair. Quite often, I saw him engaged in conversations with President Elect John Germ and President Nominee Ian Riseley. An invaluable lesson for DGs and club Presidents across the world to work together in a spirit of consultation, camaraderie and collaboration rather than rivalry, animosity or one upmanship. Other lessons for us Indians; I saw Ravindran carrying his laundry back home, and Klinginsmith taking out the trash can! At the annual staff reception hosted at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn, all the senior leaders, including TRF Trustees and Directors were seen mingling with the staff, sharing jokes and thanking them for the relentless work they do for RI. Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by Krishnapratheesh NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 15

The lion ... in his Rasheeda Bhagat

For a man running a $2–3 billion conglomerate, RI President K R Ravindran looks pretty relaxed, but looks can be deceptive.

t any given point you can see three airplanes in the air from here,” says RI President K R Ravindran, pointing to the enormous windows in his presidential office on the 18th floor of One Rotary Centre building, which houses the RI headquarters in Evanston, US. I notice the huge expanse of greenery; but the trees are donning yellow hues as autumn is folding up to make way for winter in this charming town, also one of the safest in the country. “And there you can see the waters of the Michigan Lake and the North Western University at the back. And on July 4, you get the best view of the fireworks display from here.” He and spouse Vanathy came here in the night and watched the display

166 ROT ROTARY O AR ARY A RY N NE NEWS EW WSS NOVEMBER NO NOV N OVEEM O M MB BEER R 2015 20 2201 0 0115

from his office just as his presidential year kicked in this July. So how have been his four months so far in the hot seat? “I am an ordinary fellow and the most unnoticed president....” Yeah, sure, I say and joke about his stern warnings to Rotarians of strict action for indulging in politics; his measures at cost cutting and making all his Directors accountable, and wonder if all this was just sound and fury signifying nothing. He just smiles. He had warned prior to his term that his Directors’ report cards would be assessed too, so is that happening? “Oh yes, at this and other Board meetings each Director’s performance is being assessed on the screen and

with numbers for all to see. They can no longer say I went here or there and had a nice conference.” They have to give numbers, whether on membership or Foundation giving and figures don’t lie. Each one reports on a quarterly basis; “my purpose is to give best value to the Rotarians and one of the way of doing that is to ensure that the people they pay for, which means us, are doing their work and I think that is happening now.” Long hours of work But he admits it gets very exhausting. His day at Evanston begins at 5 a m, at 6 a m it is gym for 40 minutes, and then begin the meetings with visitors in between. “I allow anyone

RI den

Manoj (Desai) is doing a super job. He is a star; is hardworking and doing everything that the Board would expect of a Director. He is hands-on, he knows his job and is articulate. He is a good man; he does India proud.

who wishes so to come to my office and take photographs. I tell them this is your room I am occupying it just for one year.” Then there are committee meets, “and I have to work on my speeches where I try and make a serious point. And as I’m not such a smart guy I have to work hard at such things.” Ravindran agrees that an RI President’s job is akin to managing a large corporate. “The value of the work we do is in excess of $ 1 billion; we have another billion in endowment funds and investments. So we are a $2–3 billion organisation.” He is on a twoyears leave from his company and has told his colleagues that “if you can’t manage for two years without me what will you do if I die.” His son is there but “slowly coming up the ladder. I believe that children are entitled to profits but not management.” Global rewards On the success of the Global Rewards programme he has introduced, Ravindran says it’s a slow process, but working. The target was 50,000 registrations for the first year; now there are 10,000 users, and renting cars is the most popular. “It is meant to be an attraction to bring in new members and to retain existing ones because you can recover the annual $55 dollars you pay ten times over if you use this NOVEMBER ER 20 2015 0155

ROTARY NEWS 17

At a glance Next priority after Polio We’ve discussed it but we’re not yet sure. Polio really frightened the hell out of us. Nobody knew polio would go on for 30 years and cost so many billions of dollars ... over $11 billion so far, of which Rotarians raised $1.5 billion. Most of the money came from governments.

Importance of government partnerships Very important. Governments ran the polio programme, along with the UNICEF and WHO. But we are the voice of the governments who do the implementation to a large extent, and our advocacy worked.

Rotary’s recognition for PolioPlus You don’t need to go in search of recognition, but nobody can run away from it. We played a big role. We are a part of the WHO announcement, Bill Gates mentions Rotary in many speeches, though not all. If someone complains Gates did not compliment us in his speech I ask did you compliment Gates in your speeches? We too have to say that we did this along with our partners.

Artefacts in his office Everything you see here is a gift, that portrait (of him and Vanathy) is a gift from Taiwan Rotarians. That Tanjore painting and Mahatma Gandhi’s statue are from Indian Rotarians. Each one is catalogued … when I leave I might take a few pieces, the rest will be given away to children’s homes or auctioned.

Legacy he’d like to leave behind I don’t intend to leave behind a legacy or statues. When I am done, if I am respected by the staff and

18 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

my colleagues, that’s all I want, nothing else.

programme properly,” he says. Apart from attracting new members, a part of the discount comes to Rotary and some vendors send money to TRF. “So when you use the Rewards you are also raising money for TRF.”

New ideas Global Rewards is mine, though I don’t like saying it. We have a strategic plan, we’re looking 3–4 years ahead. I am one cog in the wheel and I’ve got to make sure we are going in the right direction. If I do things to perpetuate my name then I might lose the total picture and start focusing on myself. I read somewhere that you must play for the name on the front of your shirt — your country’s or your team’s — not the one on the back which is yours. If you do that, the name at the back will take care of itself. Or else you become self-centred.

No spouses I’ve asked senior leaders to drop their spouses for meetings to save cost and I have to lead by example. I serve on several company boards and nobody pays me to take my wife to a meeting. Why should Rotarians do that?

Indian RID Manoj (Desai) is brilliant, very focused and hardworking. He has planned everything out meticulously.

Future of Rotary Post polio we’ll change the face of Rotary and get huge recognition as polio has proved we’re capable of doing something big, and we’ve built great partnerships. All that will come into play. We are trying to move away from operational stuff to transformational stuff. John Germ is excellent, he is much smarter than me and a very clever man and Ian Riseley is even more brilliant. In the next two years Rotary will go much higher with them.

Life in Evanston On his life in Evanston, Ravindran says, “Obviously we feel very homesick and miss our home, our children, our granddaughter. We’ve transplanted ourselves in a totally alien culture and it’s not easy. I admire my wife for putting up with everything the way she does. Not one day has she grumbled.” RI has given him and Presidentelect John Germ apartments in the same building. “We’ve moved from

John Germ is excellent, much smarter than me and a very clever man and Ian Riseley is even more brilliant. In the next two years Rotary will go much higher with them.

NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 19

our house in Colombo to this little apartment, but it has its own benefits and I’m enjoying it now. I tell Vanathy that we should move into an apartment. You can just lock one door and walk out. We’ve learnt to wash our clothes in the washing machine, I’ve learnt to work the dishwasher. I take my laundry out in the morning and bring it back. Rotary has given us a car, it’s a 13-year old Toyota … it’s a different life but most of the time we are travelling.” But surely his family can visit him? “My son wants to come but I can’t give him a date till April 10!

Either I’m not here, or busy with Board meetings which require a lot of preparatory work.” He gives me a short ride in his modest car and I wonder aloud what a difference it must be from the plush cars he has at home. “Oh yes, I like fancy cars and sometimes rent them and we drive around, but at my cost,” he quips. He’s collected his laundry for the day, and after 10 minutes or so we head for the hotel where there is fellowship planned. So how does Vanathy keep busy, I ask her.

We feel very homesick and miss our home and children. We’ve transplanted ourselves in a totally alien culture and it’s not easy. I admire my wife for putting up with everything the way she does.

“He keeps giving me little jobs; he’s asked me to design greeting cards for Christmas, and anyway mentally we were prepared to be away for two years. This is a very pretty town and I enjoy walking around, meeting people. He loves to entertain people, but we keep it simple.” She beams as she adds that Ravindran has also gifted her cable TV so she can watch her favourite Tamil soaps on Vijay TV, Sun TV, etc. And she is now busy packing as they will be away for the next three months. I compliment Ravindran for his ability to work a room so well; I have watched him in action over three days; at the RI staff reception, at the joint TRF-Board meet and later for one Board session. At each of these, he makes an effort to walk around the room, talk to people, share pleasantries with them, crack a joke. He grins: “Oh they are all very great people, particularly my successors and Ray Klinginsmith. They make me look smart.” Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by N Krishnamurthy

20 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR

Rotary Foundation Award Winners The 2014–15 recipients of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award and Citation for Meritorious Service have been announced. The Distinguished Service Award is the Foundation’s highest recognition of active service, which must reach beyond the district and last for an extended period. Rotarians become eligible for the award four years after receiving the Citation for Meritorious Service, which recognises individuals who have provided significant active service to the Foundation for more than one year. Although anyone may nominate a candidate for the citation, district governors must approve each nomination.

Distinguished Service Award District Name 3020 3053 3140 3150 3240 3291

Madhava Rao Badam Arun Prakash Gupta Rahul M Timbadia Sambasiva Rao Patibandla Salil Datta Dhakuria Debasish

Citation for Meritorious Service District Name 2982 Chinnaiyan Sivagnanaselvam 3011 Vinod Bansal 3020 Poosha V R Darbha 3030 Shabbir Shakir 3052 Suresh Poddar 3060 Dineshsinh Thakor 3090 Pawan Agarwal 3100 Sunil Kumar Agarwal 3131 Deepak Shikarpur 3132 Zubin Sam Amaria 3140 Rajendra Ruia 3150 Hari Krishna Chitipothu 3190 Badri R Prasad 3211 Krishnan G Nair 3220 Thariq Thulba 3230 K S Srinivasan 3240 Ashok Agarwal 3250 Rajendra Modi 3261 Ashok Singh 3272 Muhammad Saeed Shamsi 3281 Rafiq Ahmed Siddique 3282 Monzurul Hoque Choudhury Source: The Rotarian

Have you ever wondered – Why is November our Rotary Foundation Month?

t is well-established that The Rotary Foundation is the focus of attention in the month of November, and we try our best to publicise our Foundation programmes and to raise money to fund the programmes during the entire month! But why November? The idea started in May 1956 when the RI Board designated the week of 15 November as Rotary Foundation Week. The designation was firmly in place by 1961 when I was a Rotary scholar in South Africa, and most of the southern African clubs featured programmes about the Foundation that week. I also observed the same focus when I returned home and joined the Rotary club in my hometown of Unionville, Mo. Many of our clubs at that time scheduled low-cost meals at their meetings during Rotary Foundation Week and donated the savings to the Foundation. It was a good way to produce Foundation funds at a time when most contributions were still made by clubs, not by individual Rotarians. But why did the RI Board select the week of 15 November in 1956 and then expand it in 1982 to the whole month of November, starting in 1983–84? My speculation is that the initial decision in 1956 was based on the realisation that many clubs in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the large clubs, were not fully active during their summer months of June, July and August. Therefore, it was best to wait and give time for the clubs to educate their members each year about the Foundation. And since the Foundation contributions were coming from the clubs, it gave the clubs time to raise the money, but still send it to the Foundation in the first half of the Rotary year for investment purposes. It was a win-win situation for both the clubs and the Foundation! Regardless of whether my speculation has merit, Rotary Foundation Month has been, and will continue to be, a critical factor in the success of our Foundation. It is the month that our clubs and districts continue the tradition of educating our Rotarians about the amazing quality of our Foundation programmes and seeking the needed contributions to make the world a better place. Our Foundation is a premier organisation, and it owes its success to the support of Rotarians, many of whom have gained their appreciation of Foundation programmes during the traditional emphasis on such programmes in November. The importance of Rotary Foundation Month should not be discounted, and I hope that all of our clubs will feature the Foundation during the month of November. It is a significant and productive tradition, and I encourage all Rotarians to take the time to attend their club and district Foundation events this month. Embrace the tradition! Celebrate the Foundation!

Ray Klinginsmith Foundation Trustee Chair NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 21

Doing God’s work on

Earth Excerpts from K R Ravindran’s speech at the Parliament of World’s Religions.

n 1893, 122 years ago, Swami Vivekananda travelled to Chicago from Calcutta, to speak at the very first of these Parliaments. He spoke of Hinduism: his religion, and mine. He spoke of the idea of tolerance, universalism, and acceptance of all faiths as equal, each holding the same claim to truth. He spoke of the immense, dazzling variety of the world’s religions as simply different paths: each one winding according to its own choosing; each one leading finally to the same goal: service to the Divine. At that time, and in that place, the idea was revolutionary. A few short years later, in the same city of Chicago, another man, an American and a Christian, spoke of these same ideas. His audience was small; his voice, quiet; his thoughts, no less radical. This man, Paul Harris, shared the belief that all religions were equally valid and that the trappings of tradition and observance were merely trappings, while their essence remained the same. He spoke of measuring others by their deeds, not their creeds. He valued friendship above dogma, kindness above conviction. He saw the entire world, with all its inhabitants, as a beautiful gift, belonging equally to all, given by God — along with the duty for caring for it, and for each other. In this, without knowing it, he echoed the teachings of Vivekananda’s own guru, Ramakrishna: saying that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; and that therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. In 1905, Paul Harris founded, not a religion, not a place of worship, but the first Rotary Club — beginning the Rotary movement that grew and spread, year after year, decade after decade, nation after nation. 22 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

Today, there are no fewer than 34,000 of these clubs, with over 1.2 million members in some 200 countries and geographical regions. And I am here this evening as their representative. I realise that in this forum I may be a round peg in a square hole, for Rotary is not a religion. Neither does it replace religion. But it certainly complements it. It elevates our faith, as it elevates us. It allows us the chance to truly serve the divine, indeed reclaiming the Heart of our Humanity — by serving those who are in the greatest need. You could ask: what is so profound in this concept of service? After all service is simply charity and this is an idea common to every religion. As the great sage Hillel said, Love your neighbour as yourself: the rest is commentary. But what makes Rotary unique is that it is a framework in which we serve others — not with, or through, or despite our religion — but in parallel to it. In Rotary, you can have a dozen faiths in one room. In Rotary, every religion is respected, every tradition is welcomed, every conviction is honoured with one caveat only: that our faith may never be permitted to divide us. For in Rotary, we come together in friendship, and we are bonded by the one thread of service. And the power of service to unite people has proven, over the last 110 years, to be extraordinary, because service to others provides a bridge. It gives people a way to come together, a reason to work together, whatever their differences or their debates. When it is for the common good, the good of their community, their children’s future — people begin to cooperate in ways that would simply seem impossible in any other context. And the results of this are quite literally changing the world. Three decades ago, we were already a very large, very international oganisation; having tens of thousands of clubs, hundreds of thousands of members, and having completed some very serious, very ambitious service already. We had of course countless club projects; projects that provided water, sanitation, nutrition, education to those who needed it; we had built schools, hospitals, houses; we had done a great deal in many ways. But the time had come to aim higher. To find a project that would unite every Rotarian everywhere in the world, in the pursuit of a single, shared goal. The goal we chose, was the total, global eradication of polio: making polio the second disease, after smallpox, to be completely removed from the earth. At that time, in 1985, there were 125 countries in the world where polio was an active threat. About 1,000 children were being paralysed or killed every single

Along with our partners we are in pursuit of one goal: A world without polio. A world with a bit less fear. A world with a bit more hope. day — all this, even though there was a vaccine that was cheap, effective and easy to administer. We thought, what excuse have we got? What excuse for not trying? And last month, thirty years later, several billions of dollars and countless hours of work later, Nigeria — the last country in Africa with wild polio — stopped transmission of this disease. We have now only two countries left, sharing one remaining reservoir of wild poliovirus, across one border: the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we have every reason to be optimistic, that in a very short time, those two countries as well will see their last cases. And the incredible thing about all of this — beyond the obvious, beyond this colossal achievement of completely eradicating a disease that has plagued humanity for millennia — the incredible thing is not just that it is being done, that it is so close to being done — but how it has been done. The level of cooperation, optimism, commitment, ability, willingness and desire of so many people, in every country in the world, of every faith, colour, background, rich and poor, to join in this work. Along with our partners and health workers we are in pursuit of one goal: A world without polio. A world with a bit less fear. A world with a bit more hope. Because at the end of the day, how can we say that we are God-fearing men and women — how can we say that we serve God — if we do not do our best, to take care of all of God’s creations? For God’s work on earth must be done by all of His people on earth, every one of us. If we fail in that, we fail in the task we were placed here to do — we fail in our humanity. And so, whatever religion you represent here in this forum, however you conceive of God, of service, of charity, of our responsibility to each other — I ask you all to remember, that God is not up there. He is down here. With us. In us. In all of us. And whatever you do for the least of us, here below, you do for Him above. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 23

Meet your Governors Rasheeda Bhagat and Jaishree

Focusing on children’s education

Empowering girls

Sibabrata Dash

Jhulan Basu

Public Administration, RC Bhubaneswar Royal, D 3262

Project Consultancy RC Kabitirtha Calcutta, D 3291

From left: Sibabrata Dash, Jhulan Basu.

hen somebody asked Sibabrata Dash in 1998 why he hadn’t joined Rotary, the first reaction of the then executive officer in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation was: ‘Can I join Rotary?’“He said why not. All along I had thought that only the very rich and powerful can join Rotary. And even though a senior government officer, I didn’t think I was qualified to join the organisation.” Once his misapprehension was removed Dash joined Rotary and was bowled over at the San Diego Assembly by the “internationality of Rotary. Only after interacting with the incoming Governors did I come to know so much about the different ways in which Rotary operates in different regions of the world … the vast spectrum of Rotary has now unfolded before me.” Dash, an IAS officer, who retired in March as the Director Elementary Education in the Odisha Government, says he will continue to focus on Rotary’s core areas of keeping polio out of India, increasing membership, raising funds so TRF can do more good in the 24 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

world and improving Rotary’s public image. “And of course now with both Literacy and Swachh Bharat being a core area of Rotary, my District will concentrate on both the activities.” On the challenges in a comparatively lesser developed Odisha, compared to a better developed State like Tamil Nadu, he says in Odisha the focus would have to be more on literacy, sanitation and hygiene. “But our biggest challenge will be how to reach the farthest corner of Odisha, the hill and tribal areas.” He says that when he was the Collector for two years of the Navarangpur District, a totally tribal area where literacy levels are low and where there is hardly any mention of the right to education, he realised how important it was to address issues related to children’s education. “The biggest challenge in such areas of Odisha is that every child in the 6–14 age group has to be in school, and once they get into school they should not drop out. I believe Rotary India’s Literacy Mission should focus more on the challenge of school dropouts,” he adds.

e joined Rotary in 1995, “only on the persuasion of my close friend.” As a young professional of 23, Jhulan Basu wanted to join a service organisation and was advised by a senior executive of his company to join the Lions. “But my immediate boss came to know of this and advised me not to do this and concentrate on my career, at least till the age of 40.” His boss was a Rotarian and “I now believe that he gave me the right advice.” During his governorship Basu wants to focus mainly on the development of the girl child. “I believe that across the globe, whatever problems we have are because of lack of knowledge, lack of literacy … and knowledge, we know, begins with the mother. After all, she is the first teacher all of us have. If she is properly educated and informed, she can give her children the best lessons … lessons that will lessen many problems.” So he is urging his presidents to concentrate on projects for girl children and “we are also doing a project on using solar power as alternate energy.” Quoting the Bengali proverb which says whoever serves mankind serves God, Basu adds that he wants to empower girls by giving them bicycles. Of the 500 planned, 291 have already been given. “We are also putting up sanitary napkin vending machines at girls’ schools in underprivileged areas. We want to put 50 of these; and have completed installation of 10,” he adds.

Uplift of street children, his passion

Ved Prakash Textile Retail RC Varanasi Central, D 3120

silver jubilee Rotarian, Ved Prakash’s main concern is welfare of the “malin basti” (slum) children, and make his clubs rehabilitate them in orphanages and dormitories. “It is pathetic that street children in Gorakhpur are engaged in criminal activities and our Rotarians are housing them in orphanages such as Apna Ghar providing them food, clothing, education and most important, instilling moral values in them.” He wants extensive implementation of WinS in his District, but the limiting factor is “lack of basic infrastructure such as water connectivity and toilets. Many schools do not have proper roofs, flooring or electricity and taps are perennially dry. Yet our Rotarians visit schools and distribute tooth brushes, tooth pastes and nail cutters to the children in the hope that they will take home the message of cleanliness and hygiene.” Prakash aims to improve his District’s membership by 25 per cent, install 10 new Rotary clubs and contribute $1.5 lakh to TRF. “We have eight Major Donors now and are sponsoring education of 400 children under RILM.”

Moving from “celebration to service mode”

Subodh Joshi Medical Diagnostics, RC Pen Orion, D 3131

e joined Rotary in 1996–97, impressed by its eradication work.” After an enjoyable journey so far, Subodh Joshi is ready to carry out some mega projects in his district. Passionate about technology, he has developed a website and a mobile application through which he hopes to monitor and operate his District’s affairs and administration. “I believe that all areas of Rotary work can be speeded up and improved through technology, at the RI headquarters, District and clubs levels. He expects the 5,000-plus Rotarians in his District to use the app which can be downloaded from Google Playstore, etc; but before that each Rotarian would have to register at the website and give their email id and mobile numbers. “Till now nobody knew the exact number of beneficiaries who have been helped in our District. My mobile app, which was appreciated and inaugurated by RI President K R Ravindran, can collate that data.” It also throws up at a click the entire District Directory, all the events that have been planned in the district, along with their dates. “I have worked along with my DGE and the events for next year have also been updated on the app,” he smiles. On his priorities this year, Joshi says that as “we have a wonderful team of doctors and surgeons, we will concentrate on medical projects and do at least 5,000 operations free of cost. We’ll also do a dental check-up for 5 lakh students.” A motor bike enthusiast and seasoned trekker, this DG decided not to have a formal installation. About 1,000 Rotarians would attend, spending 3–4 hours on travel and another 4 on the event and fellowship. I didn’t want to waste nearly 8,000 man hours; I want to take Rotary from a celebration to a service mode.” NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 25

He will focus on girl children

Youth development is his byword

Sudhir Mangla

George Sundararaj

Cranes and hoists RC Delhi Lutyens, D 3011

General Surgeon RC Dharapuram, D 3202

“I do not have any more Rotary pins,” says Sudhir Mangla and goes on to explain how he lost his three pins to three new members — two blood donors and a District Commissioner — he inducted into Rotary at various occasions. “Mission 3000,” he says, is his target for membership and wants to add 300 members to his 2,700 “wonderful team.” The ease with which he parts with his lapel pins makes this not a difficult target. He aims a $1 million contribution to TRF from his District. WinS is Mangla’s District thrust area, for “proper sanitation facilities will bring more girls to schools and only education can empower girls. I am very fond of girl children; daughters give life to a house,” says the father of two sons; he has one granddaughter and 3 grandsons. He recalls an occasion when he administered polio drops to a Hindu child inside a mosque in Hapur district during an NID camp to convince the maulvi about the safety of the drops as his most defining moment in Rotary. “After that the maulvi went out to the streets and personally oversaw that all Muslim children were immunised.” Mangla is quite excited about his additional new roles for the year as Member of INPPC and Secretary of INPPS (India National PolioPlus Society). Both he and his wife Sunita Rani are Major Donors.

26 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

his Governor is RI’s dream of converting its investment and interest in Interact and Rotaract clubs into future Rotarians. Spelling out his priorities for his year as DG, George Sundararaj says that apart from working on the three core areas of Rotary — membership, TRF and public image, he will concentrate on youth development. “I was the charter member of an Interact Club that was the first in India and second in the world.” This was in 1962 when he was only 14, and since then Rotary has woven its magic web around him. “Thanks to Rotary we learnt the importance of leadership, friendship, developing skills and how to help others.” Sundararaj joined Rotary in 1990 as a charter member of his club. “So did my wife Priscilla. In 1989–90 Rotary opened its door to women and she was among the first 20,000 women across the world to join Rotary.” In 1999 both of them went to Alberta, Canada, on a friendship exchange programme. Later he went as a GSE leader to Washington State, US, and then to the British Columbia Province in Canada in 2002. “Once I started travelling I could fully understand how Rotary was a well-rounded organisation and unlike other voluntary organisations did more than service … it also helped in youth development and gave them skills, friends, confidence and leadership qualities.” Having benefitted so much as a youth from Rotary, this DG will devote a lot of his time and energy on Interact and Rotaract clubs, RYLA and youth exchange. “We also love the TRF; I am a major donor and my wife is a Paul Harris Society member, which means she donates $1,000 to TRF every year,” he adds.

District Wise TRF Contributions as on September 30, 2015 (in US Dollars)

District Number

APF

2981 2982 3000 3011 3012 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3291 India Total

9,551 11,036 (8,295) 15,297 1,24,016 52,288 4,245 172 0 0 339 44,445 5,145 21,712 22,949 31,826 13,050 13,553 33,516 13,808 2,75,044 2,389 3,521 1,022 42,545 1,50,938 59,647 4,882 3,310 12,288 93,053 29,072 16,944 656 50,970 (6,881) 11,48,055

3220

8,365

3271 3272

12,745 0

3281 3282

3,899 604

3292 South Asia Total World Total

70,168 12,43,836 2,10,20,499

PolioPlus*

Other Restricted

India 1,366 0 366 0 525 0 5,000 530 8,830 50,097 14,225 0 0 10,500 0 0 0 0 0 30,783 0 0 3,188 9,183 397 0 7,322 5,441 0 0 0 0 2,997 0 156 0 220 26,817 754 0 6,803 14,788 0 0 0 0 0 20,804 313 207 9,000 71,200 1,098 100 1,374 0 1,000 0 109 0 0 60,000 0 0 1,300 8,000 0 0 25 0 0 39,784 66,367 3,48,234 Sri Lanka 500 24,189 Pakistan 12,770 0 1,893 0 Bangladesh 0 32,200 0 0 Nepal 0 10,700 81,530 4,15,322 33,32,379 37,43,518

* Excludes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. * Does not include contribution of Mrs Rajashree Birla ($1,000,000)

Total Endowment Contributions Fund 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,016 0 0 0 0 3,063 12,500 10,000 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 (308) 8,643 0 0 0 37,000 0 72,923

10,918 11,402 (7,770) 20,827 1,82,942 66,513 14,745 172 0 30,783 339 56,816 5,542 35,491 22,949 31,826 16,047 13,709 63,616 27,062 3,06,635 2,399 3,521 21,826 43,065 2,31,138 60,844 6,256 5,310 12,090 1,61,696 29,072 26,244 656 87,995 32,903 16,35,579

7,583

40,637

0 0

25,515 1,893

1,000 1,000

37,099 1,604

0 82,507 42,29,116

80,868 18,23,195 3,23,25,511

Source: RI South Asia Office

ROTARY CLUB CENTRAL PLAN TOGETHER TRACK PROGRESS ACHIEVE GOALS Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a one-stop shop. It eliminates paper. It fosters continuity in leadership It enables clubs to track their progress. It creates transparency. It showcases the important work that Rotary clubs do worldwide.

Get started!

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Rotary International RI President K R Ravindran shares a lighter moment with TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith (right) and R I Secretary John Hewko.

TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith (extreme right) and RID Mark Daniel Maloney (extreme left) with RI staff.

Vanathy Ravindran, Binota Banerjee, RIDs Manoj Desai and Guiller E Tumangan.

Staff Reception

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat

(From left) PRIP Kalyan Banerjee glancing through October issue of Rotary News, TRF Trustee Orscelik Balkan, RID Manoj Desai and Binota Banerjee.

RIPE John Germ interacting with RI staff.

Ravindran with RI staff.

Ravindran with RIPN Ian Riseley.

Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat, PRIP Rajendra Saboo and Kedarnath MLA Shaila Rani Rawat at the inaugural ceremony.

Rotarians fulﬁll their promise to

Garhwal’s children Prem Bhalla

otary Uttarakhand Disaster Relief Trust handed over 14 newly built schools to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, on October 9 at Mohankhal, Garhwal, more popularly known as Devisain. This brings the total to 17 schools handed over to the State. Another eight are presently

Over 500 NGOs came here soon after the 2013 calamity. Everyone left. Only Rotary continues to fulfill its promise to rebuild the area. – Raghav Langer Rudraprayag District Magistrate 30 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

under construction and will be ready by the year end. In 2016, when the Trust builds another 10 schools, it would have fulfilled its promise of reconstructing 35 schools that Rotary made to the children of Uttarakhand soon after the Kedarnath natural disaster in June 2013. The venue of the handing-over ceremony was the lush green campus of the temple dedicated to Goddess Raj Rajeshwari, 6,700 feet above sea level, and a three hour drive from Rudraprayag, the district headquarters. Smartly dressed children in their spanking new uniforms assembled along with the teachers at their schools in this hilly terrain. It was the first time that the Chief Minister of the State had agreed to come. Rotarians, Annes and their guests stood out in the crowd with their yellow caps and aprons reminding everyone of Rotary’s contribution towards eradicating polio from India earlier, and now in rebuilding the schools in Rudraprayag. Local MLA Shaila Rani Rawat, already well acquainted with the Rotary School rebuilding project, and who had

earlier received the three schools, said, “Who would be more fortunate than me to have 35 well-built new schools in 35 villages in my constituency?” She thanked the Rotarians for their meticulous execution of the project. Raghav Langer, District Magistrate of Rudraprayag was equally enthusiastic about Rotary’s contribution to the area. He said, “More than 500 NGOs came here soon after the 2013 calamity. Everyone left. Only Rotary continues to fulfill its promise to rebuild the area. I am amazed with their dedication to the cause.” Trivedi, headmaster of a school said, “I have worked for years in government primary schools, but none can match the quality of a Rotary school.” L to R: Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat, DG David Hilton, Addressing the meeting, Deveshwari PRID Y P Das and PRIP Rajendra Saboo. Devi, a member of the Zila Panchayat and resident of Kandara where Rotary has rebuilt a school said, “Another NGO was assigned to build a school in Kandara, but looking at the difficult terrain they left. Rotary came as a god and now we have a new school.” The Chief Minister was formally received by Past RI President Rajendra K. Saboo, PRID Yash Pal Das and DG David – PRIP Rajendra K Saboo Hilton. “I am proud that Rotary could defy the challenge of distances and difficult terrain by providing schools in such faraway places,” said Saboo. An overwhelmed Usha Saboo said, Responding to local request, the Chief Minister prom“I see these schools as temples of learning.” ised to build a three kilometre road, provide a veterinary Certificates of formal handing over of the schools were centre, build an industrial training institute and also consider presented to the school management committees by the CM. building a stadium at Agastyamuni. Complimenting Rotary, Rawat said, “The devastation PDG Sundararjan Gopal from District 3000, that had has left behind a lot of wounds. We appreciate Rotary’s sponsored construction of one school said, “My visit has effort to minimise the pain and agony of the wreckage and been most satisfying. For me it has been a pilgrimage. I feel provide these schools for the citizens of tomorrow.” proud to be a Rotarian.” PRID Y P Das said these schools were built with generous contributions from KDDL, Ethos, Saboo Coatings, Bhavan’s Vidyalaya, late Rajpal Kakkar, VBL Innovations of Chandigarh; Shivdevi Prasad Goenka Foundation, Mumbai; Him Jyoti Foundation, Dehradun; Arya Dharam Seva Sangh, Kolkata, Mysore Citizens Forum, Mysuru; Asaram Charitable Trust, Shahpur, Ambala; Districts 3000, 3020, 3131; RC Panipat Midtown (3080) and RC Bombay (3140).

I am proud that Rotary could defy the challenge of distances and difficult terrain by providing schools in such faraway places.

(The writer is Past District Governor of D 3080.) Designed by N Krishnamurthy NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 31

Do you want trailblazing innovation and rich cultural tradition? Attending the 2016 Rotary convention in Korea will give you the best of both.

Seoul searching John Rezek

32 RO 32 ROTARY ROT R OT O TA AR ARY RY RY N NE NEWS EW EWS WSS NOVEMBER NO N NOV OVEMBER OV EMB EMB EM MBEER R 2015 201 220 0115 0

As the world hurtles down the path of modernisation, many cultures resist the speed of change. Korea embraces it, yet retains a balance many of us worry we’re losing. In Seoul, business-suited fathers patiently escort their children to school. Multigenerational families pause by ponds and brilliant bursts of wild azalea. Each day before dawn, Buddhist monks throughout the land sound fish- and cloud-shaped drums to wake all creatures, from sea to sky. It is a ritual thousands of years old, and in Korea, this rhythm of tradition infuses everything.

he Republic of Korea is home to about 50 million people, half of whom live in and around Seoul, the world’s second most populous city. Mountains cover 70 percent of the country, making space precious, and most new buildings tall. This geography informs the entire nation: its commitment to concision, its mindfulness about making the most of its resources, and its dedication to recycling and effective ecological practices. It might also explain why Koreans are wild about hiking. Walk around downtown Seoul and you see industrious, serious men and women going off to work. You see fit,

fashion-forward young people with the smartest of smart phones. You see a world-class city that has taken its place as an economic powerhouse, a centre of technological innovation, and the cultural nexus of Asia. In 2016, you can see all of Seoul for yourself when it hosts the Rotary International Convention from 28 May to 1 June. The city is divided by the Han River. Government, banking and investment offices occupy an area known as the Manhattan of Korea. North of the river is old Seoul; to the south, Gangnam (gang, meaning “river,” and nam, “south”) is the emergent cultural centre of the city,

where the rents are high, the kids are cool, and everything is happening. Gangnam has its own style; perhaps you’ve heard.

The Iconic Palace You owe yourself a guided tour of Seoul. Gyeongbok Palace alone deserves several hours. It was the seat of power for Taejo, the first king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). During full-dress ceremonial occasions, ministers stood in careful order, next to stone markers indicating rank. The king could identify, by placement, who represented what interest at what level. Slightly uneven stone pavers on the path leading to the

NOVEMBER NO NOV N OV O VEEM MB M BER ER 2201 2015 20 0115 0

ROTARY ROT RO R OT O TA AR ARY RYY N R NE NEWS EW WSS 3 333

throne forced all who approached the king to watch where they stepped, and therefore to come with heads bowed. Within the grounds of the palace, the beautifully designed and informative Korean Folk Museum showcases the artifacts and customs of everyday life. An ingenious invention of summer bedding is the jukbuin, which translates to “bamboo wife” — a large woven bamboo cylinder across which a sleeper can drape himself for maximum ventilation. Cheonggyecheon, an inspired urban renewal project completed in 2005, rerouted traffic and brought to life a stream that runs through the centre of Seoul. It is now a refreshing promenade that serves as an oasis for office workers during the day and

34 RO 34 ROTARY ROT R OT O TA AR ARY RY NE RY N NEWS EWS WS NOVEMBER NO NOV N OV O VEM EEMB MBER MB ER 2015 220 201 015 01

the romantically inclined during the evening. Stroll along the wide walkways on either side; at intervals, stepping stones allow you to cross over. Insa-dong, which looks like a village that survived Seoul’s transition into a post-modern city, is a neighborhood filled with antique dealers, art galleries, and restaurants. The winding streets lead past specialty shops where you can find Goryeo celadon and other ceramics, and traditional furniture such as antique Korean chests. You’ll also see tea houses offering time-honoured herbal brews, which often include ginseng and ginger. Side streets climb a hill to reveal centuries-old private homes. The atmosphere is hushed; signs (in English) ask visitors to keep their voices down.

Desi dining In Korea, dining is a team sport. Plates big and small occupy every available inch of the table; pick and choose among them with your stainless steel chopsticks, transferring food to the plate in front of you. There will be kimchi — always kimchi. The national dish is served at every meal. Sample everything. Someone will politely indicate which items may be too spicy for Western palates. Napkins are small, the size of cocktail napkins. Considering that so much of the food is handheld, one of these doesn’t last long; don’t be shy about asking for more. In many restaurants, tables have a buzzer that will summon your server. When something

needs to be cut — such as gogigui, or Korean barbecue — servers use oversize scissors rather than a knife and fork. Gogigui comes in several forms, but the best known is marinated beef. A refrain of my visit was, “Try this. It’s good for your health.” On a hot day, you may be encouraged to eat samgyetang, a ginseng soup that contains a whole young chicken and is considered exceptionally nourishing. Teas made of scorched rice, cinnamon, pine buds, or corn bestow specific healthful attributes. Ask a Korean woman what makes her skin so flawless, and she might say, “I eat a lot of mushrooms.” Street food is delicious; for the adventurous, try a bowl of beondegi — silkworm pupae served hot. (Sauce is optional.)

Starbucks galore Korea has a strong tea culture, but it runs on coffee. Seoul is home to more Starbucks than any other city in the world. In 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that coffee is more popular in Korea than kimchi — quite a feat in a country where families have traditionally gathered each fall to prepare large quantities of the spicy pickled dish, which is fermented in a crock and buried in the ground to maintain the required temperature. Some contemporary apartment dwellers use specially designed refrigerators. Beyond Seoul, about two hours on a high-speed train will bring you to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty (668–935) and part of the Silk Road. The comfortable bullet train zips through the mountainous landscape in a serene whoosh of efficiency and spotlessness. The vast Bulguksa Temple is Korea’s most famous. One of the oldest surviving Buddhist temples — built during the reign of King Beopheung (514–540) and later rebuilt during and after the reign of King Gyeongdeok (742–765) — is a masterpiece of Silla architecture. Nestled on a hillside among

groomed stands of pine and fruit trees, its intricately fitted, mortar-free stone steps and arches lead to vast terraces. Grand stone staircases usher the visitor up to awe-inspiring halls and pagodas. An experienced guide is essential. Kim Daesong, the architect who worked on the Bulguksa Temple, also had a hand in building the Seokguram Grotto, considered one of Korea’s finest Buddhist shrines. A gentle incline brings you to a broad terrace dominated by a huge structure framing a carved grotto. Surrounded by bodhisattvas and guardian deities, a serene Buddha gazes out over tree-covered hills and the East Sea to the distant horizon. Nearby, the large rolling hills of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex look at first glance like an especially cruel golf course. But visit the tomb, excavated in 1973, for a fascinating insight into the fifth- and sixth-century sensibility. Also take in the Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest in Asia, and the Gyeongju National Museum, an important anthology of relics and artifacts.

Peep into history Throughout its history, Korea has had an uneasy relationship with its neighbours. It has been invaded, warred upon, occupied, its people enslaved, its cultural treasures forcibly exported for decoration elsewhere. It has enjoyed periods of calm and prosperity, but it rests with one eye open. And now it shares a border to the north with one of the world’s most bewildering, belligerent dictators. This neighbour has a huge standing army, a clumsy but worrisome nuclear capability, and an oppressed populace. One of the starkest places to visit is the DMZ — the demilitarised zone that separates North and South Korea. An hour outside Seoul and once the site of fierce warfare, it is a heavily guarded border. In some areas, it’s also a nature preserve; in others, the fertile land yields specially labelled and highly prized rice, ginseng and wine. Diverse plant and animal life thrives, oblivious to political bellowing and boundaries. It’s a metaphor for the NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 35

Women proudly adorned in pink run the market; out of necessity, they took over when men went off to war.

36 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

optimistic spirit of South Koreans. Resolutions and wishes for peace can be found throughout the country, even on ribbons fluttering from the barbed wire along the border with North Korea. Panmunjom houses the Joint Security Area, a surreal collection of buildings on both sides of the Military Demarcation Line. That line runs right though the conference room for joint talks, dividing even the conference table itself. An air of contained tension prevails at the checkpoint, with security forces from both sides radiating intense alertness. Of particular interest to me was the Third Infiltration Tunnel, one of four discovered since the cease-fire in 1953. This one, found in 1978 based on intelligence from a defector who escaped from the North, was designed to deliver into South Korea 30,000 troops in full battle gear every hour. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claustrophobiainducing with 40 or 50 fellow tourists down there; 30,000 soldiers marching through at the same time would require impressive discipline. I ended up against a walled-up dead end within 170 metres of the North Korean border. On the ride to and from the DMZ, barbed-wire-topped fences and observation posts line the Imjin River. On the

South Korean side, trees grow lushly up the mountainsides. On the North Korean side, the mountains are bare, the trees having been cut down for firewood. Farther afield, the port city of Busan is a centre for shipping, and for cosmetic surgery. It also hosts a beach resort and has a fascinating fish market, Jagalchi, where, down long aisles of aerated tanks, you can see crowded, lively seafood. The octopus tanks seethe with undulations, and the long-limbed crabs are intent on escaping their containers. Women proudly adorned in pink run the market; out of necessity, they took over when men went off to war. These Jagalchi ajumma remain the face of the operation. Beomeosa Temple, at the edge of Mount Geumjeongsan, was constructed during the Silla Dynasty. Renovated in 1713, it features vibrant colors and some of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty. There’s a three-story pagoda, built in the ninth century, seven royal palace wings, three gates, and 11 hermitages. As the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, monks still live there. On the day I visited, a lavish celebration involving hundreds of monks from all over Korea honoured Dongsan — a monk revered for refusing to submit

to the Japanese occupiers before World War II who sought to dilute the rigour of Korean Buddhism by allowing monks to marry, as they do in Japan. This is one of the temples where visitors may stay and join in the monks’ routine. Closer to the East Sea, the path that winds through Dongbaek Park offers great views of the forested hillside and of the Nurimaru APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) house, which hosted the 2005 APEC conference. Follow the stairway and it deposits you on the magnificent Haeundae Beach, fringed with luxury high-rise hotels. If you’re unable to participate in the tours the Host Organisation Committee has arranged, conclude your visit at the Korean Folk Village, a short distance from Seoul, which cleverly showcases the customs and skills found in a typical village. You can see a traditional marriage ceremony, marvel at the simple but painful methods of punishment in the jail, and visit shops to see pottery and other crafts in action. Korea is a country without lassitude. It’s filled with people who aim to be healthy, successful and happy, and who want to share this with visitors. They are proud of their country and what they’ve been able to achieve despite tremendous challenges. They

THE 2016 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, 28 May–1 June, will take place at the KINTEX centre, about an hour outside Seoul. Rotary will occupy both behemoth buildings, which are outﬁtted with the latest technology. It is a beautiful and spacious setting. Organisers are planning a series of events and tours before, during, and after the convention. Many of the sites mentioned here will be included. Visit www.riconvention. org for speciﬁcs, and to register.

get down to business — and that business has, in all its forms, flourished. Their children are curious and exuberant with optimism. As a visitor from the United States, I was a curiosity, as was anyone with blond hair. They practice saying hello in English, and want to have their picture taken with visitors as proof that our worlds overlap. As proof that something special is happening, and that all of us are part of it. Reproduced from The Rotarian Designed by N Krishnamurthy NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 37

2016 Seoul Convention Fee (USD) Deadline Rotarians

Rotaractors

First preregistration 15 December 2015

$310

Second preregistration

31 March 2016

$375

Online and onsite registration

After 31 March 2016 $440 until the convention closes

$440

Cancellation

30 April 2016

Rotary Family Talent Contest Rotarians. show off your skill and talents! House of Friendship will host Rotary Family Talent Contest to highlight Rotarianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s untapped skills and talents. Be the winner of the 2016 Rotary International Conventionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rotary Family Talent Contest, and have a chance to show your talent at a plenary session of the 2016 Seoul convention. Contest Description

Registration & Schedule

Q &A

Category: Songs, dances, performances from each district.(Vocal, chorus, modern dance, magic Etc.

Deadline: December 31st 2015 via Email

HOCOffice

Eligibility: Non-professional Rotarians and their families Performance Duration: 3 minutes or less Criteria: Aesthetics, Creativity, Uniqueness, Teamwork, Etc.

FinalSelection: Email will be sent out to finalists by January 31st 2016 Final Contest: Main stage in House of Friendship at 2016 RI Convention in Seoul,Korea

Tel+822-516-2016/ 2016rishoc@riconvention2016.org

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L to R: Jatinder Singh, Club and District Support Manager - RISAO; PDG C Basker, PRID P T Prabhakar, RID Manoj Desai, PDGs Ulhas Kolhatkar and Vijay Jalan at the planning meet in Chennai.

India tops the world in membership growth PRID P T Prabhakar

ndia contributed 63.4 per cent of world’s net membership growth of 20,952 members. Zones 4, 5 and 6A created an all time record in membership growth, (see table). More significant, this increase is as of July 1, 2015 and not June 30, 2015, which means we not only added a net of 13,276 new members, but also retained them. My heartiest congratulations to RCs Vijay Jalan and C Basker and their team of ARCs and Officers on Special Duty, DGs, Membership

Zones

Membership as on July 1, 2014

chairs and Club Presidents for this stupendous achievement. Out of 34 RI Zones, Zone 5 ranks No 1 with 36.47 per cent (7,641 new members) of the world membership growth. In recognition of this outstanding achievement, the RI Board of Directors have honoured Zone 5 with awards for the Highest growth rate; Highest number of Gold Level sponsors; and Appreciation for bringing in the most number of new members. The RI Board of Directors has decided that next to polio eradication

Membership as on July 1, 2015

Membership increase

Percentage of increase

Zone 4

46,954

50,957

4,003

8.525

Zone 5

54,115

61,756

7,641

14.119

Zone 6 A

22,959

24,591

1,632

7.108

1,24,028

1,37,304

13,276

10.704

Total

NET INCREASE 13,276 - 10.70% 40 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

membership growth will be the No 1 priority of Rotary. How Zones 4, 5 and 6A could achieve this near impossible task and how they have planned for this growth is an interesting story. Even before the Rotary year began, along with RIDE Manoj Desai, RCs Basker and Vijay Jalan, ARCs and all DGEs in this region, I had planning meets in Chennai and Mumbai. The district membership chairs were also part of these planning meets. It was agreed by all DGEs that the minimum strength of a club should be 40 in city areas and 30 in city-plus areas. Keeping in mind the fact that the DGs had to take care of so many issues like TRF collections, in addition to membership growth, the District membership chairs held separate planning meetings with club membership chairs and fixed targets which were closely monitored. In each district, a senior PDG was appointed as OSD (Officer on Special Duty) to help clubs with less than 20 members to grow to 40 or merge with other active clubs in the area. While countries such as the US, UK are struggling with declining membership, in India we have made “the impossible, possible.” I salute all Rotarians who made this possible.

RI Director visits D 3262 Team Rotary News

I Director Manoj Desai was on a two-day visit to Bhubaneswar in September. Summing it up, he said that after bifurcation, the District has performed well in terms of membership (200 new members and 1 new club in two months) and contribution to TRF. Although it comprises more of rural regions, the fact that 90 per cent of the clubs are in Rotary Club Central is commendable, he observed. Desai visited Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences and was overwhelmed to find that 25,000 children from underprivileged background are provided free education. The meeting with Dr Achyuta Samanta “made me understand the real meaning of the word ‘passion.’ I couldn’t resist inviting him for Jaipur Zone Institute,” he said.

He was at Khairapada village in Bhubaneswar to inaugurate the toilet blocks constructed for individual residences by RC Bhubaneswar Kalinga. The club is one of the 12 Rotary clubs that have entered into an agreement with the rural development department of Government of Odisha to execute its Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) project; the District is constructing 750 IHHLs across Odisha, said DG Sibabrata Dash. At the TRF Dinner organised in the city, Desai felicitated the 149 Rotarians who had contributed US $500 or more to TRF since July. Dash was pleased to announce that the contribution consolidated to over US $100,000. The RI Director then visited a mega dental health and eye care camp

organised at Salia Sahi, one of the largest slums of Bhubaneswar. The camp was supported by Kalinga Institute of Dental Science (KIDS), Kalinga Eye Hospital, Dhenkanal; Rotary Eye Hospital, Kalarahanga; Patia RIHF Rotary Royal Eye Hospital and SSB Eye Hospital, Bhubaneswar. About 750 slum dwellers were screened and treated for various dental and eye disorders and 1,000 spectacles were donated by Kalinga Eye Hospital. He appreciated the wash stations and toilet blocks constructed as part of the WinS programme by RC Bhubaneswar Kalinga at Khairapada Primary School. At a press meet, he briefed mediapersons about Rotary’s role in executing various welfare projects in the State.

Light after Storm Kiran Zehra Rotarians of RC Calcutta Mahanagar, D 3291, light up the lives of villagers living in the dark and victims of two natural disasters.

Solar lamp helps him to study at night.

ave you seen the movie ‘The Twister,’ asks Rakesh Jain, President of RC Calcutta Mahanagar, referring to the Hollywood thriller which shows the horrors of the devastation caused by the typhoon. “It was just like that, and we are told the first one of its kind in the region. In September, an area that is about 50 km and on the border of West Bengal and Bangladesh, was struck by the ferocity of a similar typhoon. For a distance of about 300 metres that was in the eye of the storm, all the houses and trees that came in its path were literally ripped off.” He adds that the typhoon lasted for barely 25 to 30 seconds, but it destroyed a few hundred houses in its path. Soon after the devastation, a group of Rotarians from his club visited the distressed residents who had lost their homes and were living in makeshift tents perched on bamboos, with their open homes being vulnerable to

42 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

the vagaries of nature. “We have put up for them 300 tin sheets fitted as roofs; the project costed us Rs 4.5 lakh.” This natural disaster took the people of Domjur province in West Bengal by surprise. “I had to rush out of the house as the thatched roof began to fall. All I was worried about was my three-year-old baby,” recalls Anoj, a villager. Tucked in his mother’s arm, little Diben found refuge in the nearby government school. While the women waited in the classrooms, the men went out in search of family members and other villagers. “We went to bed hungry that night,” he adds. Release of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation added to the trouble of the villagers. The calamity affected 814 gram panchayats in 21,885 villages in West Bengal, according to the Joint Needs Assessment Report. “We received government aid for a week but it wasn’t sufficient. I ate one meal a day, so did my wife and we kept the remaining for Diben,” says Anoj with

Rotaractor Chhoden Shascra Lama fixing the solar lamp panel.

“

We received government aid for a week but it wasn’t sufficient. I ate

one meal a day, so did my

“

wife and we kept the remaining for our three year-old-son.

A Rotaractor with a village senior.

a deep sigh. The villagers recall the arrival of well dressed people who distributed food kits to them. “They said they were from Rotary, I couldn’t thank them enough for the milk powder,” he adds. “We had to deploy two teams to carry out relief operations in Domjur and in interior parts of Habra and Ashoknagar (on the border of West Bengal and Bangladesh) that came under the eye of the typhoon,” says Jain. “Even though we lost everything, Rotarians assured us help in rebuilding it,” says Om, a farmer, whose mustard field was destroyed in the floods.

From darkness to light The inmates of the remote hamlet of Kumirmari, tucked in the Sunderbans, related countless stories to the Rotaract Club of Heritage Institute of Technology. The Rotaractors installed solar lamps sponsored by their parent club RC Calcutta Mahanagar in 50 huts in this village. After a hectic journey of 12 hours (2 hours by train, 4 hours by jeep, 5 hours on a ferry and a quicksand trail) they were “enthralled by the stories the villagers had to relate — encounters with the Royal Bengal tiger, bee-keepers who risked their lives and mastered the art of collecting honey and tales of those who survived the wrath of hightides caused by the Aila cyclone,” says Rotaract President Anwesha Lahiri. “I am never going to forget the Payesh (a local delicacy) that was served to us when we arrived at the village, tired and exhausted,” she adds. Rabindranath Banerjee, a 96-yearold villager who lives with his wife and grandson, depends only on his paltry pension for survival. “I couldn’t imagine a 96-year-old, braving all odds and walking 5 km to collect his pension,” quips Anwesha. With the solar facility that enables mobile phone charging, Banerjee will now be able to “communicate with his bank effectively; other villagers will be able to find jobs and extend their working hours into the sunset. Most importantly they can now help their children read and write after dark,” she adds. Designed by L Gunasekaran NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 43

Winning hearts in Malawi David Hilton

s I leafed through the pages of the Ethiopian in-flight magazine Selamta on our way back from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, at the culmination of a 10-day Vocational Team Medical Mission centred at the Kumuzu Central Hospital, the heading of an article When less is more, caught my attention. It was similar to my school motto Multum in Parvo (Much in little), which in many ways defined the impact of our Mission in Malawi, to serve humanity beyond borders. Our efforts, though modest, had a significant impact on the populace of a brave and noble nation in dire need of medicare facilities and specialised medical training. With a brilliant team of 21 specialist doctors and seven volunteers, and inspired by the driving force of PRIP Rajendra K Saboo and spouse Usha Saboo, Team India (District 3080 in partnership with Districts 3131 and 9210, and members from three other Districts) went about its business of touching lives and making a difference to the many we had the opportunity to serve. The 1.2 tons of equipment

A surgery in progress.

444 ROT ROTARY R RO OT O TA ARY AR RY N RY NE NEWS EWS WS NOVEMBER NO NOV NO OV VEMB EMB EM MBEER R 2015 20 2201 01 015

and medical supplies we had carried with us was now ready to be put to good use. We did not go to Malawi with the sole objective of only notching up a large number of surgeries, though those were substantial. The impact lay in working together with the medical staff of the hospital to make a qualitative difference in people’s lives through the expertise of our doctors and train the medical staff of the hospital. For Patricia and myself, it was a life changing experience, memories of which will linger to treasure. The experiences at the Kumuzu Hospital and especially in the OT was literally like being thrown into the deep end of service in the hustle and bustle of a frenetic medical facility. It was a rare opportunity to witness the unbelievable operative procedures by the real heroes of the Mission — our doctors, who laboured hard, sometimes beyond the call of duty, in saving innumerable

lives that hung by a thread, thus making the mission truly special. What can you say of the two 3–5 day old babies that were operated on; one for abnormal intestinal obstruction and the other born with the intestines and stomach parts outside the body? Our collective chant and prayer was “Baby fight. Hang on.” With the blessings of the Almighty they both made it, as did many others who were treated successfully. Or the 70-year-old man who was successfully operated on after languishing in the ward for over 10 days with intestinal gangrene. Or the 10-yearold boy with a bleeding spleen after a malaria attack, that had to be removed. Or the two stab-wound cases … but for the timely surgical intervention of our doctors, they would not have made it through the night. The general surgery team operated on a child fabricating an anal orifice after a long and delicate procedure. Then there was a boy with flipped intestine that ballooned out like a tyre

Usha Saboo (second from left) with the ladies who accompanied the medical mission team.

on being opened up. Who can forget the smile of the proud parents of the young girl whose ‘permanently’ frozen jaw was freed after surgery, enabling her to open the mouth and eat normally and communicate orally, perhaps for the first time! There were innumerable other supra and major surgeries in orthopaedics, dental care, burns and plastic surgery, reconstruction, urology, eyes, dermatology, histapathology, gynaecology and ENT, that were ably assisted by our team of anaesthesiologists. Hundreds of patients were also attended to at the OPDs regularly. As tumours, some malignant were removed, hysterectomies conducted and a host of other surgeries executed, days passed in ‘honest sweat’ for the medical team which restored health to many and brought smiles to patients, grateful parents and a thankful community. The medical team with advisor Dr Rajiv Pradhan and Medical Directors PDG Dr Girish Gune (D-3131) and Dr Bhanu Parmar efficiently coordinated and organised the doctors in various OTs making for a crack team! Team Malawi also had a fair share of heroes with the Director of the hospital Dr Jonathan Ngoma leading the

Who can forget the smile of the proud parents of the young girl whose frozen jaw was freed after surgery, enabling her to open the mouth and eat normally. way, assisted by Dr Carlos, Dr Joseph, Dr Jessie, Dr Kayaand and Dr Yama supporting our efforts significantly. In the burns and plastic surgery theatre, a Florence Nightingale incarnation, in a nurse aptly named ‘Gift,’ won our hearts for her dedication and commitment in facilitating the work of the surgeons and maintaining an immaculate OT and Burns ward. PRIP Saboo and Project Chair PDG Madhukar Malhotra were a constant source of strength and support in coordinating, encouraging, liaising and fire-fighting all the challenges and problems of the Medical Mission. Mrs Usha Saboo and Patricia moved from ward to ward, distributing gifts to the children, especially to those who had been

operated. The smiles on the faces of the children were infectious! Past Presidents Manmohan Manchanda and Harjit Saggu, our stalwart volunteers, organised the logistics at the hospital with refreshments, medicines and equipment with seamless efficiency and aplomb.”Selfie” Manmohan also doubled up as the official photographer for the Mission, capturing the action with an array of cameras and a selfie stick. The Rotarians and Rotaractors of the clubs in Lilongwe were always at hand to support and assist us to make our Mission productive and comfortable. We gratefully acknowledge and thank Nazir, Usman, Alfred, Chris, Marshall, PDG Stollard, Stella, Dan, Sophie and DG Dean Lungu, for their help. Clara, an NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 45

PRIP Rajendra K Saboo attends to a child at the hospital.

endearing volunteer, was most helpful in bringing us delectable home-made treats throughout our stay in Lilongwe. There were also official meetings with the Minister of Health and our own Indian High Commissioner to Malawi, Vanlalhuma, who also came to the hospital to witness and appreciate our

work. At a memorable visit to the office of the Vice President of Malawi, he appreciated our offer to help 15 children for cardiac surgeries under the ‘Heartline’ project and to operate on a young girl’s facial tumour in Chandigarh. Our offer to train a team of medical staff in laparoscopy procedures in Chandigarh

was also received with enthusiasm and gratitude. On the penultimate day of our stay in Malawi, at the farewell organised by RC Lilongwe, our team was felicitated and appreciated for making a difference to the lives of so many. As we bid farewell to patients, medical staff, officials, Rotarians and volunteers, we were grateful for this opportunity to serve and be a gift to the world. Usha Saboo’s words rang so true…. ‘When you gift your time in service, You Touch Lives When you gift your resources, You Uplift Lives When you gift both your time and resources with love and compassion You yourself become a gift to the world. Pictures by Rtn Manmohan Manchanda (The writer is DG of D 3080.)

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PRIP Kalyan Banerjee interacting with Rotarians at a camp site.

Towards a TB-free Mumbai Jaishree D 3140 and Lupin Laboratories join hands to detect and combat TB in Mumbai through a series of camps held in the District.

housands thronged the 150 camps in and around Mumbai on September 13; it was an anti-TB campaign organised by the Rotary clubs of D 3140 with support from pharma major Lupin Limited to the tune of Rs 3 crore, to enhance awareness and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for those afflicted with TB. Accounting for one fifth of the global incidence of tuberculosis, India has the highest numbers; while a large number of cases go undetected, at least 50 per cent of detected cases are not reported to the National TB Programme and vast majority across the country have latent rather than active TB disease. The incidence of TB has risen sharply in Mumbai; “it is an easy target for the rapid spread of this highly contagious disease due to congestion and urbanisation. This prompted us to take action on an urgent basis,” said DG Subhash Kulkarni.

The District, along with the municipal corporation, has adopted a massive campaign — TB Bhagao Zindagi Badhao — across the metro, over 8 months with 4 Sundays designated as TB Days; all 145 Rotary clubs of the District along with Rotaract, Inner Wheel and other NGOs and hospitals, will organise preliminary checks, report identified TB suspects to DOTS, the government agency that offers free treatment, follow up on compliance and support patients with nutrition. The camps are called ‘Lung health checkup camps’ instead of TB detection camps to avoid the stigma attached to TB. The first camp organised at highrisk localities such as Dharavi, Govandi, Malvani brought to light over a thousand TB suspects, out of the 25,000 screened. They were referred to the Revised National TB Programme’s centres. PRIP Kalyan Banerjee who

visited one of the camp sites was overwhelmed by the crowd and the meticulous mode of screening. So was TRF Observer Dr Dennis Addo, a TB specialist from Ghana, who was there to analyse the camps and report to the TRF Trustees, following a proposal from the District to consider this as a TRF Term Gift Global Grant project. “It was heartening to see the inspired efforts of the Rotary team to save thousands of lives … touching millions of people,” said Banerjee. Lupin provides financial resources and trained volunteers and specialists to assist in detecting and treating those affected. To spread awareness, Rotary will conduct one camp every quarter — a total of 600 camps across Mumbai during the year. Camps have been planned for November 27, January 24, 2016 and March 27, 2016 at various locations. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 47

Recharging villages with

borewells Selvi Rotarians save villagers from consuming contaminated water by digging borewells in villages.

hen the members of RC Nasik, D 3030, visited the rural communities surrounding Nasik for a dental cum health check-up camp, reality knocked them hard on their faces when they saw the villagers suffer from lack of clean and safe water. “We saw women folk walk miles daily to collect water from open holes dug in dried-up ponds, which were invariably contaminated,” says Vivek Jaykhedkar, the Club President. The Rotarians explained to the villagers about the dangers of drinking unsafe water which was the major cause for 30 per cent of diseases. They then surveyed the areas in April and applied for Global Grants (GG) to provide borewells to bring water for the villages. As the GG did not materialise they associated with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd who agreed to bear 75 per cent of the total cost as part of their CSR initiative. The initial plan of drawing water from nearby dams was dropped due to high costs, (approximately Rs 1,000,000 per village). Subsequently, the team dug borewells in the

48 RO 48 ROTARY ROT R OT O TA AR ARY RY RY NE N NEWS EWS WS NOVEMBER NOV NO N OV O VEEM EMB MBEER MB R 2015 2201 20 0 0115

Now I can sleep a little longer and work an extra hour too. My daughter can also go to school.

villages Hiroochi Wadi, Patryachi Wadi, Talyachi Wadi and Doryachi Wadi. Wherever the water tables were detected in each of these villages, the villagers readily provided a part of their land to accommodate the borewell and “an affidavit was signed to this effect between the landlord and our Club,” said Jaykhedkar. With a total cost of Rs 2,62,000 borewells were dug in all the four villages and hand pumps installed which were inaugurated by Harshawardhan Navadhe, Mahindra’s Zonal CSR head in August. The villagers, especially the women were relieved and thanked the Rotarians. “We used to wake up very early everyday and walk long distances to collect water and return only after 5 to 6 hours carrying heavy pots on our heads, we took our girls to help us. Now I can sleep a little longer and work an extra hour too. My daughter can also go to school,” says a much relaxed Champa of Hiroochi Wadi village. The members of RC Nasik, have lined up many projects on literacy, sanitation, cleanliness and solar electrification in these four villages adopted by them.

A buried

water-system revived Jaishree The discovery of 600-year-old underground aqueducts in Bidar provide a welcome relief for the city’s water-starved populace.

fter the innovative QR codes installed in the city’s heritage monuments and artefacts to promote tourism, the discovery of the ancient underground canals comes as yet another feather in the cap for Bidar, the heritage city in Karnataka. The underground watercourses, known as the Qanat or Karez system canals, were built by the Bahmani rulers in the 15th century, under the expert advice of Persian engineers, to overcome the challenges of drilling wells due to the rocky terrain. The gently sloping channels with a series of vertical access shafts were used to transport water from an aquifer under a hill for use by the civilian settlements and the garrison inside the Bidar Fort.

Rotarians with DC Anurag Tewari visiting Karez canal.

The Bidar Karez has tremendous potential to solve the city’s water scarcity and improve the water table. There are seven Karez lines around Bidar, all of which drain into the royal enclave inside the Bidar Fort. While the Karez lines in cities such as Gulbarga and Bijapur run to around 400 m, each line in Bidar runs to 3 km and have several vents. A study conducted by the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation led by Valliyil Govindan Kutty, a geographical expert from Kerala, and M Labaff Khaneiki, a groundwater expert from UNESCO’s International Centre for Qanats and Historical Hydraulic Structures, revealed that if the Bidar Karez is systematically revived, it has tremendous potential to provide a perfect solution to the city’s water scarcity and improve the water table.

Rotary steps in The Rotary clubs of the city led by RC Bidar swung into action to create awareness among the people and evacuate illegal occupations of land surrounding the Karez lines, with support from the District Administration. Heritage walks, marathon, seminars on Karez system were organised to sensitise people about the significance of the structure and rope in their cooperation in making the subterranean canals functional. The Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari released a grant of Rs 5 crore for the operation. With the Rotarians coordinating with the government officials, work commenced to revive one of the Karez lines in Naubad village near the city. Tons of debris, mud and silt clogging the vents were cleared; two months later water gushed out of this system one day. It was a celebration for the villagers of this drought-prone area. Of 23 vents, 13 have been cleared so far. The mother-well has 60 ft of water and is interconnected to several surrounding wells. On testing, the water was certified good for consumption. It is being used for domestic and irrigation purposes by this largely agrarian community. The rejuvenation of this system will fetch the city a UNESCO heritage site status too, says club president Dr Khaja Mohteshamuddin. The State government proposes to promote the Karez or the Surang Bavi system as it is referred locally, into an international tourist attraction. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 49

Rubella an invisible danger Nalini Prabhakar

s chairperson of Inner Wheel District 323, when I visited a school for the hearing and speech impaired about 15 years ago, the correspondent explained to me the dangers of Rubella and the need for vaccination. She estimated that the mothers of 85 per cent of the children in this or any other special school in India would have been affected by Rubella during pregnancy. “You should take up this cause to prevent deafness in newborns. A single vaccine safeguards the foetus through the woman’s child-bearing age, that is, for the next 20 years,” she said. This was an eye opener to me. We, the Inner Wheel members, started working towards creating awareness about the dangers of rubella and the need for immunisation. We organise awareness seminars in schools, colleges and communities with a team of doctors, headed by gynaecologist Dr Jayshree Gajaraj, who enlightens the girls/women on the subject. This is followed up with immunisation under the supervision of the medical team. We recently organised one such camp for the students of Nazareth School in Chennai. Rotary clubs Madras Esplanade, Chennai Galaxy and their respective Inner Wheel 50 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

Rubella or German Measles Dr Jayshree Gajraj Inner Wheel members and Rotarians at a Rubella vaccination camp in a school.

ubella is a disease caused by the virus, Rubella. It is also known as German measles because the disease was first described by German physicians in the mid-18th century. Many people do not even realise they have Rubella, because the manifestation of the disease is very mild. It can affect anyone, young or old, male or female. Most often young children transmit the disease to adults. Transmitted by air, it spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease is most contagious when the person has a rash. But people without symptoms can also spread Rubella.

Symptoms A person with Rubella has a mild fever (below 39 deg C/or 102.2 deg F). Mild rashes appear on the face, neck and spread to the rest of the body, but disappears in 3 to 4 days. The patient feels tired and worn out. Many patients recover without treatment and any major complications. If a pregnant woman is exposed to the virus, it severely affects the foetus, causing

congenital malformations such as defective heart, corneal blindness, hearing loss, physical handicaps and mental retardation. That’s why it is known as an ‘invisible danger.’ Immunising girls and women with a single dose of rubella vaccine prevents risk of the disease in their child-bearing age.

Vaccines available for Rubella Generally the vaccine is administered as the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) to children in a series of three doses at the age of one. A booster dose after 15 years is essential. In adults a single dose of is effective for a minimum period of 20 years. Who should not be given the vaccine • Pregnant women. • The woman should not get pregnant for 1 month after receiving the vaccine. • Children less than 12 months. • Patients receiving cancer medicine. For more info about Rubella check out: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/parentquestions.html

clubs partnered this project where 500 out of 1,500 students from classes 9-12 were vaccinated. Some of them had been immunised earlier and therefore, were not included for this camp. The vaccines are procured from Serum Institute of India at a subsidised cost, and an immunisation certificate is given. The Rotary clubs support us and the Rotaract clubs are our key to reach colleges. Many other Rotary districts are also promoting Rubella awareness. D 3131 is immunising about one lakh or more girls every year. The Kerala government has made it mandatory for all girls above 15 years to be vaccinated and this is done free. Some wedding halls, for instance, the Oppiliappan temple in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) insist that the bride produce a Rubella immunisation certificate in order to book their hall! It is important to promote this immunisation drive on a war footing because while Polio immunisation reduces disability, it can increase due to Rubella which is a totally preventable disease. (The writer is spouse of PRID P T Prabhakar and member of Inner Wheel Club of Madras Central.) Pictures by Jaishree A student being given a shot of Rubella vaccine. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 51

Padharo Mhaare Des

K R Ravindran & Vanathy

RID Dr Manoj Desai & Sharmishtha

PDG Dr Ashok Gupta & Vijaya

RI President 2015–16

Convener, Rotary Jaipur Institute 2015

Chairman-Rotary Jaipur Institute 2015

aipur is the much loved capital of India’s largest and most colorful state. It is also the main gateway of the splendour and magic of Rajasthan. This heritage city, popularly known as the Pink City, is an epitome of meticulous planning. Majestic forts and palaces dominate the skyline and yet, it is the bazaars in the old city, that create Jaipur’s unique energy, providing a special shopping experience. The city’s heritage status and proximity to the national capital New Delhi have attracted people from

far and wide. Mainly known for its innumerable sagas of valour, culture and heritage, it provdes an aristocratic treat for tourists. There is something in the atmosphere of Jaipur that brings joy and delight and the genuine hospitality of the people wins hearts. From sunset-pink walls, buildings and temples, all the corners of this city seem to be humming the famous folk song ‘Padharo Mhaare Des.’ Which is why we’ve chosen this as our theme. We are sure that the warmth of this city will mesmerise our guests as we walk them through an overwhelming experience.

Registration Details: Nov 1, 2015 till D Day

INR 22,000 (Couple)

INR 16,000 (Single)

Amount to be paid in favour of JAIPUR ROTARY INSTITUTE 2015 payable at JAIPUR Online Transfer Details On-line transfer of funds can be made to the Rotary Institute account from any bank in India. Please find below the details required for the transfer. IFSC Code Name of the Account Account Number Branch PAN No.

: : : : :

HDFC0000987 Jaipur Rotary Institute 2015 50100063848862 HDFC Bank, Mansarovar, Jaipur AABAJ8796J

Registration Form

RI District...........................

Name

Hotel Accommodation

(CAPITALS):.................................................................

No. of Rooms: ..........................

Official Hotel

Tariff

*From.........................Dec 2015 to .........................Dec 2015

1. Hotel Marriott

Rs 7,000

No. of Nights .......................... Amount Payable:...........................

2. Hotel Clarks Amer

Rs 5,000

*Early check In and late check out may attract extra payment.

3. Hotel Royal Orchid

Rs 5,000

4. Hotel Fortune Bella Casa

Rs 4,500

One day room rent is payable as advance payment in favour of JAIPUR ROTARY INSTITUTE 2015 at JAIPUR

Preference 1-2-3 1..................................... 2 .................................... 3 ....................................

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests will be accepted upto 15 Nov 2015. All cancellations are subject to a deduction of 10% of the total registration and also one night’s hotel accommodation. Thereafter there will be NO REFUNDS. I submit the accommodation reservation form after having read the cancellation policy.

Registration Data Sheet Institute Registration From November 1, 2015, Couple: Rs 22,000 / Single :

Rs 16,000

..........................

GETS (per couple)

Rs 18,000

..........................

DGs Review Meet/DGN Training Seminar/ DTTS

Rs 03,500

..........................

COL Seminar

Rs 03,500

..........................

Foundation Seminar

Rs 03,500

..........................

Foundation Banquet

Rs 04,000

..........................

Advance towards Hotel Accomodation TOTAL

For office use only Total Amount Payable :..........................

Advance Paid

: ..........................

Amount Due:.............................................. Paid Vide

: Cash:...................................... Card:............................................................................... Bank:........................................................... Cheque No:......................... Date:.............. in favour of JAIPUR ROTARY INSTITUTE 2015 payable at JAIPUR

The Institute registration covers the following: a. Inaugural plenary on Friday 18th Dec’15 followed by Dinner. b. Lunch and dinner on Saturday, 19th Dec’15 c. Lunch on Sunday 20th Dec’15 d. Kit

The other events such as GETS (Couple), DGs Review Meet, DGN Training Seminar, District Trainers’ Training Seminar, C.O.L Seminar, Foundation Seminar & Foundation Banquet have additional registration fee as mentioned above.

Please send this form duly filled in by post/e-mail to: PDG Dr. Ashok Gupta Chairman, Jaipur Rotary Institute 2015. The IIS University, Gurukul Marg, SFS, Mansarovar, Jaipur 302020 INDIA Tel: 0141-2400160-161 • Fax: 0141-2395494 E-mail: ashok.gupta@iisuniv.ac.in

Date:..................................................

Signature:...........................................

Dial 104 and gift sight Kiran Zehra For emergency corneal donation on someone’s death please call 104. A vision ambassador will help you with the procedure.

Blind Walk event organised in Districts 3170, 3180 and 3190.

see the world through my mother’s eyes,” says Ravi Hiremath who was born blind. The 16-year-old Dharwad resident led a thousand participants in a Blind Walk organised by Rotary Districts 3170, 3180, 3190, Nayana Jyothi Trust and Project Vision. The two-kilometre walk took place at Bangalore, Tumkur, Mysore, Hubli and Dharwad during the National Eye Donation Fortnight Aug 25–Sep 8. “We blindfolded the participants so they could feel what it is like to walk without eyesight and at the end of the Blind Walk they pledged to donate their eyes,” says PDG Ganesh Bhat, D 3170. This new approach to draw more eye donors also promoted the toll free eye donation number ‘104’ that

collects corneas of the deceased for donation to the nearest eye bank. The idea of the blind walk was conceived by Fr George Kannanthanam, founder of Project Vision. D 3190, which has been part of this walk for the last two years, proposed a joint district event and this resulted in the signing up of “28,000 vision ambassadors within a week,” says Subramaniam Jayaraman, PR Chairman, District 3190. A member of the Nayana Jyothi Trust, he is anguished that “every day over 30 children under the age of three wait at an eye hospital for a corneal transplant (60 percent of avoidable blind are children), an extremely painful situation. The little ones have

their whole life in front of them, but will live in darkness for want of donors.” He adds that there are over 700 eye banks in India, and they hardly collect 26,000 reusable corneas, but the demand graph is soaring at 1,50,000. “Lack of awareness is a major problem,” points out Rtn Ravi Kumar, Avoidable Blindness and Eye Donation Committee Chair, D 3190. While many say they have no idea about donating their eyes Jayaraman recalls the accidental death of a clubmate’s son whose eyes were donated to the Manipal Hospital. “The very fact that ‘he is somewhere around and seeing us’ consoled the parents and helped them fight their grief.” NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 55

LITERACY FOCUS

Teacher Support PRID Shekhar Mehta Chairman, Rotary India Literacy Mission

eachers are the harbingers of change in a country’s education scenario. Empowering them with the right mechanisms and tools is the focus of RILM’s Teacher Support Programme. Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM) aims to assist the central and state governments’ on-going efforts, in accordance with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to improve the professional abilities and performance of teachers in selected primary/elementary schools through better training and use of modern teaching aids so as to enhance the learning outcomes of students. Through the Teacher Support Programme RILM aims to: z Train teachers in government/government-aided elementary schools with better teaching aids, to enhance the learning outcomes. z Impart supplemental teaching to students in selected schools using the services of volunteers. z Strengthen District Institutes of Education & Training (DIET) in States.

Recognise and Award outstanding teachers at the level of revenue Districts and below.

Supplemental Teaching: z Government/Government-aided primary/elementary schools sometimes require volunteer teachers to give extra lessons to students of various classes to help improve their academic performance. These are needed to help children with slow learning abilities to keep up with the class. z Identified volunteer teachers can be then connected to schools for supplemental teaching from the list of registered volunteers available on www.rotaryteach. org. Volunteer teachers to be chosen must be a graduate, who has expressed interest in teaching and ready to commit at least 30 hours (2 hours/day for 15 days). z Assessment of number of students needing supplemental coaching, their classes and the subjects is necessary. Focus to be given on students of class II and III. Mathematics, Science and English are usually the subjects in which children need special attention.

Adult learners writing the NIOS examination at Kolkata. 56 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

The volunteer teachers must receive orientation about the needs of the children from the Principal/Head Teacher. The volunteer teachers are encouraged to submit an ‘endof-course’ report to showcase their teaching experience with special focus on the improvement noted in students’ academic performance. Out of school children in the Asha Kiran centre at Nishta, Kolkata.

Teachers’ training z Organisations experienced in teachers’ training to be identified and collaboration details to be worked on. z Experienced teachers must be selected for training. Request them to facilitate and participate in workshops to exchange ideas and help teachers of government/government-aided schools to improve their performance. z Workshops to focus on effective innovative teaching methodology. z Invite teachers from some local schools for these workshops after speaking with the concerned authority obtaining consent. z Workshops to be repeated in order to refresh their knowledge and seek inputs from them. Interactive sessions enable teachers to discuss common problems they face in teaching and collectively arrive at solutions and innovative ways to improve the teachinglearning experience. British Council collaborates with RILM to bring in quality education in the country One vital component of the Teacher Support is the training of Teachers. British Council will collaborate with RILM to provide Teacher Training and a MOU will be signed shortly. The collaboration aims to develop the core skills of teachers. The British Council is delivering a large programme in partnership with UK-Aid called ‘Connecting Classroom’ which focuses on integrating a range of core skills into the curriculum which are: z critical thinking and problem solving z creativity and imagination z Digital Literacy z citizenship z student leadership and personal development z collaboration and communication

British Council will offer Teacher Training at a subsidised rate for RILM and waive the training fee for government school teachers (venue and lunch costs will not be covered). The pilot teacher training will be held in Tamil Nadu followed by West Bengal later during the year. Strengthening District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) z To be done at a Rotary District level. z Visit the DIET nearest to your location and contact the Principal. Some DIETs have their own websites which too can be visited to obtain preliminary information. z Discussion with the Principal and Teacher-Trainers if the pre-service and in-service training of primary/ elementary school teachers is taking place as per the policy prescriptions of the Regional Committees of the National Council of Teacher Education. Visit the website http://www.ncte-india.org/index.asp. z Having discussed the academic and related status of the DIET, ask the Principal and Teacher-Trainers the ways in which the DIET can be assisted in areas such as improving the library with teacher training material (including e-modules with teacher training), computer, crucial laboratory equipment. Use the Form T 6 for DIET Survey to assess the felt needs of the DIET. z In accordance with such need assessment, estimate costs and tie-up funds, start the process of strengthening the DIET. Any item involving construction and staff or other items of expenditure of recurring nature will have to be avoided. z RILM has not prescribed any specific model or funding assistance for this purpose. It is expected that Districts will be able to access TRF grants to finance these activities. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 57

Nation Builder Award z An award system implemented by RILM to recognise outstanding teachers, and motivate them to do better and inspire others to better themselves. z The award not only recognises outstanding performers; as an important by-product it gives information of the less effective teachers in surveyed schools, who in turn can be helped through specialised teacher training workshops/courses.

Programme updates 1,500 teachers felicitated with Nation Builder Award After last year’s hugely successful programme, where nearly 3,000 teachers were felicitated with the ‘Nation Builder Award,’ RILM launched the 2nd chapter of this award on the occasion of Teacher’s Day and International Literacy Day. Acknowledging the efforts of teachers and providing them with necessary support for enhancing their skills has been the objective of ‘Teacher Support’ in the T-E-A-C-H Programme. 333 Adult Learners of Rotary India Global Dream Campaign appear for the NIOS Exam Every year NIOS in collaboration with National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) conducts examination for adult learners in March and August. RILM got approval from NLMA for using the former’s adult literacy centres to conduct examination for 333 adult learners on August 23. Adult learners from Kolkata (66), South Paraganas (24), Howrah (105), Birbhum (23) and Moradabad (122) appeared for the examination.

Asha Kiran … a ray of hope Asha Kiran continues to be the focus area of T-E-A-C-H. We have received commitment of sending back 22,500 children to school from Rotarians across the country. Till now we have identified approximately 1,500 out of school children and more are being identified. Also registered NGOs working in the vulnerable communities are being called upon to send in their proposal to partner with RILM for this cause. The proposal format is available at www. rotaryteach.org.

Role of Rotary clubs in implementing Asha Kiran z

Sponsor as many children they want @ Rs 2,100 per child.

58 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

School children onboard Air Costa Airlines. z

Support RILM in finding right NGOs to work in Asha Kiran. The sponsoring club can look out for organisations that are working with children and motivate them to work in Asha Kiran project. The clubs will be responsible to link these NGOs with RILM office. The NGO Proposal format is available at ‘Asha Kiran … a ray of hope’ on the ‘What’s New’ section of www.rotaryteach.org. Visit NGOs to validate the identified children. After the programme and financial terms are finalised with RILM, the Rotarians must visit the NGO, meet each child identified and approve them before they are enrolled in Asha Kiran centres. Funds will be released by RILM only after this process. Make periodic visits to intermediary centres (Centre where students are provided with a bridge course to enable them to be in a class suitable to their age) run by NGO and give feedback to RILM. RILM will tag the donors with children online, as and when they are enrolled in Asha Kiran centres. Donor details like name, mobile number, email id and city are required. No separate report will be sent. Individual donor visit is not encouraged.

Guidelines for identifying NGOs z Any non-governmental, non-profit organisations registered under societies or trust act and working in the field of child education and mainstreaming of out of school children. z These organisations are selected after rigorous screening, where their credentials and capabilities are scrutinised. A field visit by RILM is undertaken to validate the proposal. After screening, the programme and financial terms (MoU) between the

NGO and RILM is signed to formalise the agreed plan of action.

Asha Kiran Star Club Update

Fund dispersal of NGOs The release of fund will be broadly in the following pattern and can differ from one NGO to another. Of the Rs 2,000: z 25 per cent at the time of admission of the child in intermediary centre. This will be after identification, approval and uploading of data at RILM website of out of school children. z 25 per cent on completion of 3 months in the centre. The child must attend the informal study centre regularly (at least 75 per cent attendance). z 25 per cent when the child gets admitted to formal school or starts going regularly to government or government-aided school. . z 25 per cent after the child completes 3 months of formal school with regular attendance. Monitoring report has to be submitted to RILM. Note: A progress report has to be uploaded at RILM website for every child after completion of each stage. Utilisation of Rs 2,100 per child z This is one time payment and one shall not be required to pay for the same child again. If you wish

to donate again, the funds will be utilised in sponsoring a new child. An NGO receives maximum of Rs 2,000 to send one child back to school. The money is not paid as admission or school fees. The money is spent over a period of 6–12 months for: a) Salary for teacher/social mobiliser at the intermediary centre b) educational materials to children and c) administrative and logistical cost of running a centre etc. Rs 100 will be spent on administrative expenses of RILM. Donors will be able to know which child they are sponsoring. Once a child is assigned to the donor, he/she can see the profile and subsequent progress of the sponsored child online at www.rotaryteach.org. Participation of Indian Inner Wheel clubs District 302 — Inner Wheel Club of Vizianagram has made BPMM into a Happy School by providing all facilities under the Happy School criteria, benefiting 500 students. Inner Wheel Club of Eluru organised a special day out for the children of Sri Ramalingeswara Municipal Corporation Elementary School, their adopted Happy School in association with Air Costa Airlines. District 322 — Inner Wheel Club of Tiruchirapalli has adopted a government school in Trichy to be converted into a Happy School. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 59

with

Matt Winkler

As Editor-in-Chief of Bloomberg News, Matt Winkler oversaw a dedicated strategy to increase the gender balance in both the newsroom and in the organisation’s editorial coverage. He asked that a woman’s voice be included in every story, as a policy; allowed flexible work hours for parents; set specific targets every year for increasing women team leaders in the newsroom — doubling their numbers in just four years — and created a mentoring system. It’s a strategy, he says, that makes business sense, and has given the network an advantage over its competitors. Winkler recently accepted a new role as Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Bloomberg, after almost 25 years as the Editor-in-Chief of Bloomberg News. In a wide-ranging interview, he reflects on how and why they pursued this transformative strategy, and its successes and challenges. When did you come to see the need for greater gender balance in your newsroom? For me, it was getting to the 20-year mark in Bloomberg News and realising just how professionally inadequate our reporting was in its gender balance for attributive sources. The preponderance of people quoted in our stories was male and I was unsettled by this awareness. The situation converged with discussions I was having simultaneously with my colleague Lisa Kassenaar and some other executives at Bloomberg News about gender imbalance in reporting and the relative paucity of women in senior positions at Bloomberg News. I saw the two situations as linked but they were not mutually exclusive. If we wanted to have more gender balance in our reporting, it would come more readily if the management was gender-balanced. Thirdly, not only was the reporting in Bloomberg News sourced overwhelmingly to men, we weren’t 60 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

reporting about women in all beats who were newsmakers and I thought it was a real deficiency in terms of news judgement. You’ve talked about this strategy as a smart business model. Was the motivation more economic or ideological? We decided to present this issue as an economic or business necessity. The only thing I could think of was that we would be a better news organisation if we did these things. We would be more competitive, break more news, have more exclusive reports and be in a position where we would influence other news organisations as we were growing. The biggest catalyst — to answer those who questioned it [the move] — would be if we achieved these goals simultaneously. Has the women’s initiative worked? Most of our headcount reports to a woman Laura Zelenko [Senior Executive Editor for Beat Reporting] who is in charge of most of our

beats…. She was really a pioneer at Bloomberg News.... By the time she was appointed, she had literally been there, done that and she was equipped to deal with management so she had got there on merit. She also got married and had children while she was at Bloomberg News, so she did all the things that men usually do on their way to the top and none of this interfered with her advancement. And the best is yet to come with Laura. Similarly, other news executives, who are women, are in a whole variety of positions across the globe pretty much doing the same things [with female bureau chiefs in Frankfurt, London, Moscow, Paris, Sao Paulo and Toronto].… If you look back to 2007, nothing like this existed at Bloomberg News. There were a handful of exceptions then, but most of the management was men. The middle management is much more balanced now. Coming into Bloomberg News, probably the single-most valuable

programme is the internship programme, which leads to us hiring half a dozen or a dozen people every year. It is very selective, with a four per cent acceptance rate. Most of those people who have come into the programme in the past two years have been women and historically those who come into the programme do become leaders. You’ve said that focusing on women newsmakers has helped Bloomberg News be more competitive. Can you share an example? Covering the automobile industry coming out of the crisis of 2007–08, the big story was General Motors because it had gone through a major bankruptcy and restructuring and its complete leadership was overhauled. The event prompted us to turn our attention to the likely successor to GM’s Chief Executive. In our news judgement, the one who we thought had the most potential was Marry Barra and our reporter Tim Higgins in Detroit paid her close attention. We were the first to report that she would be the first female Chief Executive of GM and the first in the automobile industry. We had the exclusive for a day and we had it so big that we were able to get

her to pose for a picture for the cover of our magazine Bloomberg Businessweek. That’s pretty big. Bloomberg News was not even 25 years old and it was competing against the titans and we owned the story. As a man, you oversaw this change but what were the key ingredients in this change? Lisa Kassenaar is right at the top of the list. We could not have done this without Lisa’s infectious enthusiasm…. She is an agent for all this. For me, it has been a labour of love. There have been lots of people who have an important mandate. The company is called Bloomberg and named after a guy called Bloomberg. Most of the people look and seem like him and, for men, there are role models who walk in and out every day. We wanted to, in as much as we could, find role models for the women so we found coaches…. Their purpose is to promote confidence, provide inspiration, provide the best kind of counsel for idiosyncratic situations that we might not otherwise be equipped to handle, people with families, understanding what we want to do globally.

We have always been able to say with conviction and accuracy: it is not about where and when you work, it is about having the best stories. I could justify that to people in a big way. News does not happen on a nine-to-five timetable or Mondays to Fridays. To anyone who questions our news ethics, I would say news is 365 days a year and that makes it possible for families to meet their family and their professional commitments without any conflict. As we developed this, it was converging harmoniously with human resources and the trends they were following and it made it easier that we were in the news business. What challenges did you face — or does Bloomberg still face — in implementing this strategy? We are still struggling with a 50/50 per cent of people quoted in stories so that there is gender balance there. Still, there are more women than ever and we track that. It’s a problem faced by most news organisations. We have developed and continue to grow an internal women’s source list on the Bloomberg terminal. What we write about is mainly financial and for overwhelmingly male customers who are overwhelmingly led by men, so we are consciously attacking the centre, where there is the biggest resistance. If we go to a beat like education it is easier, so general interest newspapers reporting on the education beat will have an easier time in terms of providing gender balance. We have a long way to go if we want to be 50/50. (This article is part of U.N. Women’s Empowering Women — Empowering Humanity: Picture It! campaign in the lead-up to Beijing+20.) (© Women’s Feature Service) Designed by L Gunasekaran NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 61

Young Seamstresses Selvi

DG Sudhir Mangla along with Rotarians at a vocational training centre.

stitch in time saves not only nine, but can also be an income generating vocation for women struggling to make ends meet. To empower underprivileged women, Rotarians of D 3011, in association with Singer India Ltd, are establishing tailoring classes across the District.

Vocational training centres

DG Sudhir Mangla says, “Under this programme Singer India shares 50 per cent of the cost of the machines and the remaining 50 per cent is borne by the host Rotary club. We also provide space for setting up 15–20 sewing machines. The training is done by Singer through their supervisors. The centres provide a three-month certificate course and six-month diploma course, imparting training in cutting, stitching and embroidery.” An admission fee of Rs100 is collected from the women. With hands-on training and a certificate from Singer, the needy women now have a choice of taking up a relevant job or starting their own tailoring business by purchasing sewing machines from Singer at a 50 per cent discount. These training centres are set up by the various Rotary clubs in Rotary schools and Rotary owned vocational 62 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

The centres provide a three-month certificate course and six-month diploma course, imparting training in cutting, stitching and embroidery. centres. RC Delhi South has its tailoring centre at Birla Vidya Niketan School; RC Faridabad Central runs it in Shirdi Sai Baba School; RC Rohtak, RC Delhi Midwest and RC Palwal (Haryana) have also inaugurated centres in their localities. Mangla is positive about starting a similar centre at Tihar jail in Delhi and is sure “this will make the inmates self-reliant and help them to lead a dignified life, refraining from criminal activities.” Further, the District and Zonal Interact Representatives and Interactors are being encouraged to set up such centres in their schools to benefit women from nearby slums.

atop a hill

Kiran Zehra

itting on the banks of the sparkling Kodai Lake and listening to stories of leadership from the life of Dr APJ Kalam is everything I could ask for, says an emotional participant of D 3000’s CLIFF RYLA 2015. The chief guest Dr V Ponraj, former Scientific Advisor to Kalam, completed his 55 minute lecture “and every participant in the hall stood up, most of them with tears in their eyes,” says PP P Baskaran, RYLA Chairman. DG Theenachandran inaugurated the programme amidst loud applause and heavy rain. “We named the event ‘Cliff,’ because we hosted the RYLA in the salubrious climes of Kodai Hills and wanted the 70 participants from D 3000 to understand that life is all about overcoming hardships and getting to the top,” says P Ganesh, President of RC Tiruchirapalli Fort. Rain did not dampen the spirit of the young boys and girls who “walked on a pit of fire” on mentor Senkuttuvan’s instructions, to show that “fear is in the mind and a leader can do anything,” quips Amrita, a participant. For majority of the participants who were from the plains “Kodaikanal felt like heaven and the camp fire session was my favourite,” says Monica. “I felt like the real Shah Rukh Khan after winning the Mr RYLA,” says Khan, a student from Madurai while Archana (Miss RYLA) from Anna University, Trichy felt nothing short of “Miss World. They gave me a crown,” she says. Quiz Shahji James about where he lost points and couldn’t win the title, and he says, “Who said I didn’t win? Bhaskar Sir called me a good leader, so I won too.” NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 63

Where gods reside in humans Jaishree Kerala’s famous Theyyam performances are mesmerising, entertaining and awe-inspiring.

erala, the nature lover’s wonderland, the land of green groves and shimmering water can never disappoint anyone and I was at Kannur to watch a Theyyam performance. The distinct music of the chendamelam (a percussion musical of Kerala) could be heard at a distance. Theyyam is a form of worship where 64 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

men impersonate the gods and dance to various musical accompaniments. This ritualistic art is popular in the North Malabar region comprising Kannur and Kasargod districts. Also known by kaliyaattom, this dance form has its etymological origin from ‘Deivam’ meaning God in Malayalam. Theyyam is generally performed in the theravad (ancestral home), temples

or homes and fields as ancestorworship. The invocation is said to bring prosperity and remove hazards. The Theyyam dance in one house I visited was a thanksgiving for the occupant’s recovery after being hospitalised for a fortnight. In another home I visited, it was being performed as part of the house-warming celebration.

Costume The main attraction in Theyyam is the vibrant and awe-inspiring costumes of the artists. Elaborate headgear in various shapes based on the deity they depict, face painted red and intricately designed, eyes heavily done up with lamp soot, huge ornaments adorning their body — all these demand long hours of preparation prior to the performance. The costumes are made from painted coconut sheaths, coconut shells form the breastplates and coconut fronds are worn as skirts. The spirit of the deity is invoked during the night and the performance lasts for at least ten hours. Each deity’s physical appearance ppearance aged cenconforms to an image envisaged ision of a turies ago in the dream or vision ke-up and respected guru, and the make-up costume is in accordance with the image.

Theyyam rules The Theyyam performerss belong to a particular community (Vannan, Malayan, Velan, Parayan etc). tc). Each community represents certain n deities and hence must be knowledgealedgeable about the mythology, rituals, ituals, make-up and costumes of that deity. They have their own jurisurisdiction and cannot perform in another locality. Referred to as koladharis, s, these artists enjoy great imporrtance during the rituals as they ey are worshipped as god and peoeople share their grievances and seek blessings from them. “God resides in their body as soon as they begin the rituals and they are not aware of what they do or say when d until they are the ‘Theyyam’ and off) is the ‘malaiyettom’ (the send-off) performed,” says Kannan, a Theyyam rformer. and a chendamelam performer. ession, he A government pleader by profession, says that it is an inherited art; his father, ather were grandfather and great grandfather Theyyam artists, and now his ten-yearold son is also performing. “Although Although we imbibe by watching the elders lders perform, we attend rigorous training ing where

we are prepared physically, mentally and spiritually,” he adds. Only men are allowed to perform. A male inherit the shrine rights from his maternal side and after marriage also acquires the shrine rights of the wife’s family. Santosh, a carpenter by profession, but in the guise of Pottan Theyyam at Mandira’s house where I was watching his performance, chided me in Malayalam for leaving my hair untied when I went up to him to seek the deity’s blessings. “You must tie up your hair when you visit a temple,” he said, while predicting my future. Later, I was taken aback to find him a young boy hidden under heavy make-up, smiling shyly and asking how I enjoyed the performance.

There are 450 forms of Theyyam which branched out from 35 original forms. Pottan, Vishnumurthy, Vayanaatu Kulavan, Gulikan and Rakthachamundi are few popular Theyyams. Each Theyyam is based on one deity; Pottan is the incarnation of Shiva, Vishnumurthy is of Lord Vishnu and Rakthachamundi is of the Mother Goddess referred to as Bhagawathy. They have various mythological tales associated with them. Kannan related the tale of Pottan: A childless Brahmin couple found an infant by the riverbank, took him home and reared him lovingly. When the boy grew up, he was interested in nonnon vegetarian food, hunting and nonsattvicc rituals. (He was Lord Shiva in the incarnation of a hunter.) One day his mother dissuaded him from such violent

activities. The boy, suppressing his anger, stared at a passing deer and it turned into ashes. The horrified mother realised who he was and prayed to blindfold his eyes to safeguard the world at large. This explained why the Theyyam in Mandira’s house had plates covering his eyes.

Dance The initial performance — vellattom — is done sans decorative costumes. The thudangal (beginning) and thottam (invocation) form the introductory rituals wherein the dancer comes in front of the shrine and gradually “metamorphoses” into the deity of that shrine. He then dons the headgear and dances to the accompaniment of the musical instruments, then takes a shield and kadthala (sword) in his hands, circumambulates the shrine and moves into the courtyard. The steps are called kalaasam. Some Theyyams such as the ‘Ottakolam’ performed for Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Narasimha, involve supernatural feats such as the artist walking through a bonfire several times; it is believed that performing such an act 104 times elevates the koladhari to the status of a panikker.

The highlight is the unique prasad comprising meat, fish and toddy among other food items. Unusual offering I was quite surprised when I smelt fish in the prasad that was given to me, and even more was in store for me when I found the men drinking something akin to milk. Kannan enlightened me stating that since Lord Shiva (Pottan) was a hunter, he ate anything he could lay his hands on while roaming in the forests. Hence the deity is offered meat and fish and toddy as prasad. The Theyyam artists also take sips of toddy during the dance. The Parasinikadavu Muthappan temple in Kannur is largely associated with Theyyam which is performed everyday here. Mid-October-November and mid-May-June are the peak seasons for Theyyam performances here. Pictures by Jaishree Designed by N Krishnamurthy

66 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

India’s Defence Minister is Rotary Ambassador on WinS Team Rotary News

Rtn Gaurish Dhond, DG Shrinivas Malu, PDG Ganesh Bhat, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Senior Editor India Today Gaurav Sawant, RC Panaji President Shashank Mahatme, DGE Vinaykumar Raikar and Rtn Viresh Nadkarni.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar flags off the District’s water purifier installation in schools project.

nion Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has signed an MoU to be the Brand Ambassador of RI District 3170, for WINS (Wash in Schools) and Literacy promotion. After signing this MoU recently in Goa at a meeting organised by RC Panaji and the Sports Authority of Goa, he inaugurated and handed over a water purifier to the President of the club Shashank Mahatme. A total of 380 water purifiers will be installed in schools of RI District 3170, covering North Karnataka, South Maharashtra and the State of Goa. This is being done through a Global Grant Project worth $66,000, (Rs 43.56 lakh), with help of D 7360, USA. IPDG Ganesh Bhat of D 3170, India and IPDG Jason Piatt of D 7360 USA, with the help of DDFs had planned and finalised this project during 2014-15. Nearly 2,000 people, including industrialists, politicians, artists and Rotarians participated in this meeting. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 67

Membership in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives

Top Indian districts for Annual Fund contribution - 2014-15

As on October 1, 2015

APF Contributions in (US $)

Districts 3190 3140 3010 3060

1,002,131 884,752 713,275 522,823 Source: RISAO

Rotary at a glance Rotarians

: 12,24,056*

Clubs

: 35,180*

Districts

: 535*

Rotaractors

: 1,87,864

Clubs

: 8,168

Interactors

: 4,23,499

Clubs

: 18,413

RCC members : 1,95,960 RCC

: 8,520 *As of October 1, 2015 As of June 30, 2015

SOLUTION FOR THE LAST MONTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CROSSWORD O D E S D U E L P L A C E

V E N A

A C D C

L O O K F E V O S E R S T OO N O RO M E V I ME N U R E S T E

W R I T

D A AM ME AC GH E E

G Y R O

I B E T

D D E

T E N E T

A N T

D I MO V E N I N S S E P E A L P O L A L E T OR

I N D O C A L I C O

F O O D H I M O A L A M W H E S E A S T L E L I N W C O K E N E N T E C E H E A R O P L U A L S D Y E

68 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

S M O T E G O L D T S O S

RI RI Rotary No. of Women Rotaract Interact Zone District Clubs Rotarians Rotarians

5 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

2981 2982 3000 3011 3012 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3220 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3271 3272 3281 3282 3291 3292 Total

104 66 113 64 70 77 93 98 65 68 57 95 114 77 79 84 108 71 136 82 148 92 66 126 140 100 134 137 133 90 78 146 79 99 75 80 57 105 176 122 152 90 4,146

4,564 3,004 4,938 2,784 2,953 3,949 5,009 2,232 2,432 3,497 2,172 3,927 3,168 3,219 2,059 2,022 3,508 2,837 5,705 3,433 7,648 3,332 2,315 5,136 5,699 4,316 5,054 5,166 4,224 3,688 2,075 6,244 2,852 3,713 2,448 2,880 1,008 1,883 5,131 3,295 4,006 3,179 1,52,704

209 120 430 384 327 218 563 274 174 534 227 335 270 184 103 104 190 255 1,029 332 1,075 274 101 311 264 363 264 282 249 181 247 616 334 604 265 308 141 344 666 284 666 399 14,500

44 33 160 28 45 61 53 35 38 28 14 40 51 50 27 10 46 31 62 49 113 72 9 32 41 67 72 72 9 25 69 140 46 40 14 33 35 21 195 111 49 96 2,266

196 102 331 88 92 274 186 92 118 128 30 96 139 156 36 84 48 47 186 105 347 165 37 260 368 146 93 362 67 148 185 393 123 186 97 62 14 35 79 21 104 96 5,922

RCC

164 37 78 28 53 266 128 133 330 125 90 111 58 98 122 146 71 48 68 92 140 109 80 155 146 41 46 39 119 118 94 298 125 171 42 68 13 34 179 38 536 89 4,926

Source: RI South Asia Office

Taking Rotary to the

lot more to do and many more underprivileged to help. That can be achieved if we involve society in a big way. Industrial houses with CSR funds at their disposal are a good source, he said. They have the resources and the desire to help the community, but lack the connection with the deprived section of society. “We can tie up with them and use their resources to execute various welfare plans,” he said. Asha Venugopal Rtn Anand Madgulkar, the voice of ‘Geet Ramayan’ of FM radio channel, said that Rotary should broadcast its good work through akashwani, the cheapest medium of publicD 3030 organised a multiity reaching out to maximum listeners. Shikarpur spoke on district public image seminar extending Rotary’s public image through the social media as everyone owns smartphones with internet connectivity and to discuss ways to popularise the good work done by Rotary can be publicised through varRotary’s good work in the ious social networking sites we regularly use on our mobiles. larger community. He added that if we can convince people of the impact of our work for the needy, they will certainly be interested to associate with us. Ranjeet Kate, CEO of Metropolitan Media Company Ltd, confessed that he too was unaware of the diversity of the projects carried out by Rotary. He said his company had access to big corporate organisations and can be a catalyst to link them with Rotary for fruitful partnerships. Bhushan Khot, VP, Zee Marathi News Channel 24Taas, said that they have done several projects along with some Rotary clubs of Thane. He welcomed the idea of partnering with the Rotary clubs of Nasik. Rtn Sanjay A section of the audience at the seminar; on the foreground: PDGs Arora, a brand building expert and Kamal Sanghvi, Jayant Kulkarni and Ulhas Kolhatkar. corporate trainer, presented simple yet novel ideas on the subject. multi district seminar on public image of Rotary was organised by D 3030 on October 11. Named Special events Chhavi (Marathi for ‘image’), it was chaired Sweaters were distributed by RC President’s Enclave to by PDG Kamal Sanghvi who is RPIC (Rotary children from underprivileged background at the event. Public Image Coordinator 2013–16); Assistant PICs PDGs Clubs were invited to participate in a contest where they Deepak Shikarpur (3131) and Ulhas Kolhatkar (3140) were had to submit their best project. RCs Gandhi City Wardha the Advisors to this seminar which explored ways to brand and Bhusaval Tapti Valley (3030) shared the first prize Rotary and take its good work to the larger community to for the mobile mammography buses they had sponsored. attract more members. RC Nagpur (3030) won second prize for their Walkathon RC Nasik Grapecity, the lead host, was supported by all project, an annual affair since 2005, followed by RC Thane other Rotary clubs of Nasik. Districts 3030, 3140, 3132 and East (3140) for their Rotary Kopari Fest, an eight-day affair 3060 participated. Experts from diverse fields of media and where they showcased Rotary through different mediums. publicity shared their thoughts and best practices with the gathering. A special prize was awarded to RC Nasik Grapecity for their Addressing the meet on enhancing Rotary’s public image, Project Rain Doors for auto rickshaws. Fifty vehicles plying DG Nikhil Kibe, D 3030, pointed out that though Rotary school children were fitted with doors on which road safety has played a phenomenal role in polio eradication, very few and Rotary messages were displayed. people outside the organisation are aware of it. Sanghvi said (The writer, a member of RC Nasik Grapecity, is the Rotarians world over are doing fantastic work, but there is still convenor of the seminar.)

community

NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 69

An unforgettable sojourn in Korea TCA Srinivasa-Raghavan

Picture by: Jayanthi Raghavan

A memorable experience in idyllic surroundings on the outskirts of Seoul.

Accommodation on idyllic surroundings.

ost people when they retire from service go home. I went to Korea — because my wife who is a professor of Korean studies and language at JNU in Delhi had been invited to spend 90 days — not a day more, not a day less — by the Academy of Korean Studies which is about 60 kilometres from Seoul, the capital of Korea. She had arranged it such 70 ROTARY NEWS W NOVEMBER 2015

that I could more-or-less go straight from the last day at office to the airport. Korea is way up north and there is a quality to the Korean sunrise that explains why the country calls itself the Land of Morning Calm. The only other place where I have seen such a pristine sunrise was in Aberdeen about 30 years ago.

I always wake up before dawn and as the light grew I was desperately hungry but my wife who is as at home in Korea as in Kanpur, said Koreans ate early and “in any case you will only get rice and fish soup.” She then pulled out her large handbag from which emerged, quite magically, a few tea bags, coffee, milk and sugar sachets, and a large plastic zipbag filled with egg sandwiches. Jeeves couldn’t have done a better job. I pulled out the whiskey I had bought in the duty free and poured it into the water which I had fetched from the water heater in the corridor. The water was boiling but the corridor was sub-zero. It was, verily, an unforgettable breakfast — a silent sunrise, cold but buttery eggs inside soggy Indian bread, indifferent coffee and sublime whiskey. Just this once, my wife warned. Eventually we stepped out around 2 pm to buy some supplies. It was cold, very, very cold. There was still some ice on the ground and a smart wind was blowing. This wind blows most of the time in Korea, at about 15-30 knots. It makes your eyes water, your hands freeze, and your feet clumsy. The ice and the inclines — Korea is all hills, by the way, hardly any plains — can make it dicey for the uninitiated. My wife held my elbow throughout that first day as if I were an octogenarian and asked me to use the umbrella for additional support.

Hi-tech country But I soon got used to it; what I could not get used to was the degree to which technology has penetrated day-to-day

Korean life. And it has all been achieved in about 30 years. Not just Korea, even the Koreans have been transformed into what the West calls post-modern Man. That, as it happens, includes a low savings rate and a high level of personal debts. But what the hell! Even Koreans live only once. The use of IT in the transport network, to give just example, has transformed the services which are under a ‘quasi-public operation system.’ The government manages the service operated by privately owned buses. It is all real-time and super efficient, not to mention spotlessly clean and punctual. The bus from the Academy to the heart of Seoul covered the 50 km in just 45 minutes — for $2. And, there are heating systems even at bus stops! Connectivity is so high that to a foreigner it looks as if Koreans don’t talk to each other face to face any more. They use their smartphones. Every Korean has an earphone inserted into his/her ear, and eyes on the screen, sometimes even while walking — the roads and pavements are that good. Small wonder then that Korea was ranked No. 1 among 152 countries in the ICT Development Index of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). For Indians, the entire IT experience is truly revelatory. The speeds alone are such that you can watch live TV on the move. The images are super HD and there is no buffering at all.

Eats, learns, eats Korea decided long ago that the way to glory lay through brains, not brawn. It has invested heavily in knowledge and now has about 400 national and private universities. Some of these have state of the art research facilities in several emerging scientific fields. There are around 1,000 Indian students there now. One of them was a Tamil girl working for her doctorate in marine biology. We met her in Jeju Island, which is an hour’s flight away from Seoul and has a huge, extinct volcano in the middle. It would have led

Buses are all real-time, super efficient and spotlessly clean. And, there are heating systems even at bus stops! Firdaus to break out in rhapsodical raptures that if there is a heaven on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this. Earlier on we had visited a Korean lady who runs an ashram and teaches yoga. This too was tucked into a hill with a river running alongside the ashram. It is fully vegetarian and not even onions are allowed. It is probably the only place where you don’t smell garlic. The Tamil student fed us sambar, rasam and rice. The only problem was that the rice was the Korean kind, sticky and glutinous. But she made up for that with walnut-sized, seedless oranges crushed in salt, ginger and mirchi powder. That was the only Indian meal we had apart from some chole and chicken curry prepared by a Pakistani student at the Academy. She

owned a small dog which she guarded with her life! Most Korean food is non-vegetarian and super food it is, too. It is virtually oil-less, clean and soupy. One can increasingly find vegetarian food as well. But Indians need to be careful because the soup can smell and taste fishy. A simple Korean meal in a small restaurant costs no more than $5. The trick, as always in a foreign country, is to avoid the fancy places and look for the traditional places. These are super clean and its owners passionate about the taste of Korean food and culture. Garlic tends to be pervasive but you get excellent mouth fresheners now. In any case if all else fails, you can sip soju, the Korean rice wine which they sell in general stores. It was, for me at least, like milk. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 71

Become Cardio Queens Sheela Nambiar

hen I was younger, I loved cardio. You might say I was the archetypal ‘cardio queen.’ Anything to get the heart racing … I walked, ran, cycled, did floor aerobics, stepper, kickboxing etc. Weights or strength training didn’t feature and I did yoga because I had learnt it as a child and wanted to keep up the rhythm. Not because I enjoyed it. With age (and hopefully wisdom), the body yearns for something else. Yes, the cardio is still very much a part of my routine. But, I don’t spend as much time on it now as I did then. Instead, weight training and yoga have become more essential.

Strength Training Strength training gives you a different kind of empowerment. You feel stronger, more in tune with your physical self, you feel more in control of your movements.

Yoga, on the other hand, makes you more limber. You also feel calmer.

You are unafraid of being stuck near the airport carousel anticipating your heavy baggage, wondering if the guy with the ponytail will help you get it off or if you will have to embarrass yourself. You are not afraid of a bit of physical labour or carrying your own grocery bags. You develop a certain body awareness as you train muscles you never knew existed. You appreciate your body more. Yoga, on the other hand, makes you more limber. You also feel calmer. More in control. More accepting. Your changing body requires it. It builds strength in different ways. It teaches you to handle your own body with better balance. The focus on the breath brings home just how important the breath is. Without it, we don’t exist! Yes, weight gain is a dreaded side-effect of ageing! I was never slim as a teenager, (in fact, I was told I was ‘pleasantly plump’), but I was athletic, loved sports and running. So staying physically active later on in life came naturally. But medical college didn’t allow for too much

physical activity. With the strenuous academic work and unearthly hours, not to mention the horrendous food, college was primarily about getting through the difficult course and getting the right marks … pure survival.

Extension of medical practice Later I grew to imbibe fitness as part of my medical profession and as an extension of my medical practice when I also certified as a Fitness and Lifestyle Consultant, so that made it easier for me to stay fit. Making time, or having the motivation for fitness is not an issue for me. Not everyone is so fortunate. They usually struggle with time and motivation. To them I say, there’s nothing as important as ‘feeling good’ about yourself. Exercise, with its discipline, sacrifices, growth, empowerment and energy, is the best thing you can invest in. One hour in twenty-four is not asking for too much. It is one of the most satisfying hours you will experience. Regular exercise is certainly more than just staying slim or even fit. It is more about the mind, emotion and staying in control of a small part of your day. Those who have grown up being physically active, and/or come from a physically active family, usually find it that much easier to incorporate activity or a fitness schedule into their lives even after a hiatus. However, even if you don’t have these advantages, it’s never too late to start exercising at any age. Celebrate your body! It’s the only place you have to live in. (The writer is a fitness and lifestyle consultant. E-mail: Sheela.nambiar@gmail.com) Designed by Krishnapratheesh

The writer performing a cardio workout.

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CONVENTION

Seoul’s artistic side

he neighbourhoods of Seoul pulse with distinct personalities. Myeong-dong is for shopping. Hongdae is for partying. Gangnam is for people watching. And the charming neighbourhood of Insa-dong will be a great place to delight over handmade crafts and antiques while you’re in Seoul for the 2016 Rotary International Convention from 28 May to 1 June. Insa-dong’s reputation as a tourist destination began after the Korean War, but its roots as an artist’s haven go back more than 500 years, when it was home to a government painting school. The neighbourhood’s artistic legacy lives on in streets dotted with art galleries, and shops full of fine pottery, handmade paper and other Korean crafts. You’ll also find plenty of less-authentic items that still make for good souvenirs, such as wooden masks, mother-of-pearl jewelry boxes, embroidered bags, Korean flags, dolls, chopsticks, fans and slippers. At the area food stalls, you can watch as young men make kkultarae (Korean court cakes), spun from silky threads of honey and filled with sweet nuts. In the summer, ice cream cones are hard to resist, and in the winter, lines

form for hotteok, a chewy pancake flled with sugar, honey, nuts and cinnamon, served hot off the griddle. The main street is closed to traffic on weekends, and you’ll often come across a traditional music performance or an arts demonstration. – Susie Ma. Register for the 2016 Rotary convention in Seoul at www.riconvention.org.

A Shoe sale for a cause Team Rotary News

C Mumbai Lakers, D 3140, organises a unique fundraiser in June every year — the Lakers Shoe Sale.

Branded footwear are sold at discounted rates at the sale. “We procure the stock directly from factory outlets in Mumbai and

Agra at subsidised rates,” says club member Darshini Parekh Shah. The attractive range and rates bring in several clients. The proceeds from this sale are used for the club’s flagship project — treating congenital heart conditions — and various other community projects. “We used the funds from this year’s sale to treat six children who were suffering from congenital heart dis orders,” she said. Girls’ education is close to the hearts of these Rotarians, and they have educated 120 girls this year. Supporting the District’s ongoing midday meal project, the club provides nutritious vegetarian meal daily for 800 children. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 75

RC Kumbakonam East RI District 2981 Club members installed an RO water unit at a cost of Rs 11,500 at Little Flower Primary School.

RC Villupuram RI District 2982 Rotarians conducted an awareness camp on diabetes at Sarawathi Matric Higher Secondary School. 76 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

RC Kumbakonam East RI District 2981

RC Thuraiyur Perumalmalai RI District 3000 A one day RYLA was conducted for 400 Interactors from 17 Interact clubs sponsored by this club.

RI District 3011 A blood donation drive was conducted at the Delhi High Court. The camp was inaugrated by the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, G Rohini.

RC Thuraiyur Perumalmalai RI District 3000 NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 77

RC Delhi Mayur Vihar RI District 3012 A bone density check-up camp was conducted at ASN International School. Over 115 patients were screened at the camp.

RC Hirai Chandrapur RI District 3030 The club conducted a haemoglobin check up and a rubella vaccination camp at Wadgaw, Sonapur and Bhendavi villages.

RC Bikaner RI District 3053

RC Sidhpur RI District 3051 Promoting Rotary’s TEACH mission, Rotarians installed the e-learning software in 80 schools in the region.

RC Baroda Sayajinagari

RC Moga City

RI District 3060 Rotarians sponsored the education of 61 children at Rs 1,28,100 and became a Star Club in Rotary’s Asha Kiran project.

RI District 3090 The club’s Rotaractors laid the foundation for a girls’ toilet at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Moga.

RI District 3052 The club distributed 1101 uniforms in 27 Government schools at a cost of Rs 2,25,000 to encourage students to continue their schooling.

RC Ludhiana North

RC Ballia

RI District 3070 The club along with Vasan Eye Care Hospital, Ludhiana, conducted eye check-up camp in the hospital premises.

RI District 3120 A tree plantation drive was conducted by the club to promote a greener world.

RC Bikaner

RC Shahabad Markanda

RC Pune Mid East

RI District 3053 Fans were distributed to Apna Ghar, a home for the mentallychallenged students.

RI District 3080 Rotarians distributed handwash kits to students of government schools in the region.

RI District 3131 The club gave a facelift to its adopted anganwadi in Durukdara village and distributed educational kits to students.

RC Shri Madhopur Sunrise

RC Jalna RI District 3132 Under its ongoing project the club installed an e-learning unit at Ahankar Devalgaon School.

RC Kalyan Riverside

RC Baroda Sayajinagar RI District 3060 78 ROTARY NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

RI District 3140 Over 1,000 school uniforms were distributed to tribal children in Murad to encourage them to go to school.

RC Chandanagar RI District 3150 The club in association with Citizen Hospital conducted a health camp followed by distribution of medicines at Patancheru.

RC Gulbarga Suncity RI District 3160 The club distributed educational kits to tribal children suffering from cerebral palsy.

RC Jayasingpur RI District 3170 The club renovated the existing crematorium at a cost of Rs 27 lakhs.

RC Bannur RI District 3180 The club conducted a dental camp in the region.

RC Gobi RI District 3202 Over 1,000 students from 25 government schools were checked at a dental camp conducted by the club.

RC Vaikom RI District 3211 Rotary Annes designed a floral rangoli displaying the current

RC Shahabad Markanda RI District 3080 Rotary theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be a Gift to the world, as part of Onam celebrations.

RC Nagercoil RI District 3212 Emphasising on the WinS programme, the club constructed a toilet block and handwash unit at a cost of Rs 6,72,000 in 3 government schools.

RC Malda RI District 3240 Rotarians planted 200 trees in the region to showcase their responsibility towards nature.

RC Patna Mid Town RI District 3250 Rotarians conducted a drawing competition at Ashadeep, a school for physically challenged students.

RC Madras Central RI District 3230 Two medical camps were conducted at Thirisulam over 200 needy patients were examined.

RC Rourkela Steel City RI District 3261 Under the Asha Kiran initiative Rotarians pledged to send children back to school.

RC Calcutta South City RI District 3291 In its efforts to ward off dengue and malaria the club distributed mosquito nets to underprivileged people.

RC Rupandehi

RC Gobi RI District 3202

RI District 3292 The club completed its first batch of the adult literacy programme across Tilottama municipality resulting in 200 literate elder women. NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 79

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Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor, trustees of the Rotary News Trust, or Rotary International. Every effort is made to ensure that the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content is accurate. Information is published in good faith but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from errors or omission. Advertisements are accepted at face value and no liability can be accepted for the action of advertisers. The Editor welcomes contribution of articles, news items, photographs and letters, but is under no obligation to publish unsolicited material. The Editor reserves the right to edit for clarity or length. Contributors must ensure that all material submitted is not in breach of copyright or that if such material is submitted, they have obtained necessary permission, in writing, for its reproduction. Photographs in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the consent of Rotary News Trust. Printed by Mukesh Arneja at Thomson Press (India) Ltd, Plot A-9, Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar 603209, India and published by Mukesh Arneja on behalf of Rotary News Trust from Dugar Towers, 3rd Flr, 34, Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008. Editor: Rasheeda Bhagat.

PDG Shashank Rathod, D 3051, was conferred with Dharti-Ratna Award for performing several free cataract operations in India and Africa. He was felicitated by Om Prakash Kohli, Governor of Gujarat (left).

D 3110 organised the Vision 2020, TRF and membership development seminars at Agra. RI Director Manoj Desai, the chief guest, urged the Rotarians to plan efficiently to undertake construction of more toilets for the community.

D 3011 played host to DG Alex Wilkins, RC Stuart, D 7570, USA, who visited the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projects and the INPPC office at Delhi.

NOVEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 81

IN BRIEF

unique tribute to Kalam star Wars returns with a bang Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases on December 18 and it has broken earlier IMAX records by generating $6.5 million from first-day presales. This beats hits such as The Dark Knight Rises, Avengers and Hunger Games: Catching Fire – all in the $1 million presale range. Movietickets.com reports that the film has four times more traffic than its prequel: Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. As fervent fans rushed to book their tickets, few other sites crashed. Theatres are adding more show times to meet the phenomenal demand; in North America the film will be played in around 390 IMAX screens. The Disney and Lucas film directed by J J Abrams has Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia).

Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, observed Dr Abdul Kalam’s 84th birth anniversary in a novel way. The event, Kalam tujhe salaam, had 6,000 students creating a huge portrait of the late President in paper filigree spread out over 15,000 sq ft. It was the school’s maiden attempt to set a record in the Limca Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.

bajrangi bhaijaan in sign language The blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan will be dubbed into sign language by the Help Centre for persons with special needs run by the Tukoganj Police Station, Indore. This is following a request from Geeta, the deaf-mute Indian girl who was stranded in Pakistan and returned to India on October 26. Geeta who was in Karachi then, expressed her desire using sign language through a video call to the help centre head, so that people like her can understand and appreciate the film. The film is about a little Pakistani girl who wanders across the Indo-Pak border and finds herself in India. Bajrangi, played by Salman Khan, takes her back home against great odds. The storyline is almost similar to Geeta’s ordeal.

women fighter pilots in indian air force

appear fresh after long flight

Women will now steer fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha made this surprise announcement on its 83rd anniversary celebrations. While the IAF has about 100 women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters, their role in the three defence services is limited to non-combat streams. Women fighter pilots will tear through the skies on supersonic fighter planes by June 2017 after undergoing advanced training. The Defence ministry has been rather tepid about such moves in the past. Women comprise about 3 per cent of the total strength of the Indian Army and Navy, while the Air Force has a much higher representation at 8.5 per cent.

A British Airways stewardess shares her tips with BA travellers on how to look fresh after a punishing long flight. Use of coconut oil. “This is my travel essential. I use it everywhere from my lips to my scalp. Solid at room temperature, I can carry it with me in an old Vaseline tin.” Other tips: dry shampoo; “it helps my hair from going flat”. I don’t wear a lot of make-up while flying, as my skin feels cleaner without it. Plus, I can splash water on my face to freshen up without mascara running down my cheeks.”

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