Rotary News - December 2015 by Rotary News

RotaryNews India

December 2015

Vol.66, Issue 6

Annual Subscription Rs.420

@NewsRotary

Doing good with TRF

Dholak time

Rasheeda Bhagat

As the Rotarians and officers of the Shroffs Foundation Trust wait for the Collector of the Chhota Udepur District to dedicate a project of the Rotary Club of Baroda Metro at Katarvad village, about 130 km east of Vadodara, RI Director Manoj Desai, a Charter member of the club, takes over the dholak from the tribal drummer for a practice demo!

Contents 30 Polio pioneers saluted D 3230 hosted a programme to honour the polio pioneers.

36 A man of spirituality, compassion & action PRIP Rajendra K Saboo shares fond memories of his association with PDG Brijmohan Lall Munjal.

50 A match between voice and vision

10 Gearing up for TRF Centenary An interview with TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith and incoming Chair Kalyan Banerjee.

They have the best of voices, and their lack of vision did not come in the way of their getting employed.

54 Breast cancer awareness initiative Helping rural girls understand the dangers of breast cancer.

56 Pamper your taste buds in Vienna Apart from its rich history and cultural heritage, Vienna, with its delicious cakes & pastries, soups & schnitzels, is a foodie’s paradise.

68 Little known facts of Kashmiri food A look at Kashmiri food, the way it is eaten in the Valley.

32 Twinkle in the eye of Leelaben When RC Baroda Metro carried out simple interventions in a tribal village, an admirable fallout was women’s empowerment.

71 Memoirs of India’s Telecom Man A review of Sam Pitroda’s book Dreaming Big - My journey to connect India.

72 Live long ... Die strong Ways to age gracefully and live in bliss.

40 Vintage Rotarians At 100, Rtn Ramgopal Mehra attends Rotary meetings.

On the cover: TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith with incoming Chair Kalyan Banerjee. Picture: Rasheeda Bhagat.

18 Every time ... for Africa! A detailed look at Rotary India’s 25-member VTT medical mission to Ethiopia.

LETTERS

RI Headquarters

veryone should preserve the November issue of Rotary News for its attractive content and very rare photographs of the polio pioneers. It also has eye- catching photos of our RI Office at its headquarters at Evanston, USA. All the articles are very useful and informative, particularly the editorial which inspired me to dream of visiting the RI headquarters. It will definitely be a pilgrimage for every Rotarian, akin to visiting Mecca for Muslims and Kashi for Hindus. Thanks for bringing out this beautiful issue. Rtn DP Muniyappa RC Kolar Gold Fields-D 3190

taste of RI at Evanston was an educative article. It is a lesson that our club presidents and all Rotarians should learn to use polite language while dealing with the RI staff and inculcate a style to work together in a spirit of consultation and collaboration rather than rivalry, animosity and one-upmanship. The clubs need to work democratically and not resort to leaders shouting at club meetings, particularly in the presence of lady Rotarians or members’ spouses. The description of how RI Board meetings are conducted was wonderful. This is real training and education of Rotarians. Rtn JP Malhotra RC Faridabad Midtown-D 3011

Disability warriors

udos to the inspiring editorial, How to smile ... and win in the October issue of Rotary News. Smile and laughter are the two instincts given by the almighty to human beings alone. Manoj and Justin Jesudas and others have inherited their smiles in motivating and encouraging disabled drop-out children to return to school despite disabilitiy. It is like Rotary’s Asha

4 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

otary News and The Rotarian are the part and parcel of the Rotary world. Like RI stalwarts the editors of these magazines make a significant contribution to the cause of Rotary. So your presence in Evanston was an important event and your reflection about RI Headquarter is a great description of your experience. Your editorial has broadened our vision. You have emphasised on the democratic process of Rotary and your suggestion about working in a spirit of consultation, camaraderie and collaboration rather than rivalry and animosity, is really educative for all Rotarians. Your take on the sustainability of all development projects undertaken by Rotary is very meaningful and should be understood and observed at the grassroots level. Rtn Arun Kumar Dash RC Baripada-D 3262

ou have a nose for news and an eye for anything that is unique; congrats Rasheeda. I liked our RYLA reported by Kiran Zehra; it is a morale booster. You are lucky, and of course deserve, to be invited to Rotary One Centre at Evanston. I enjoyed reading your vivid description which brought a mental picture of the events that unfolded at the RI Board and Trustees meetings. We are happy that K R Ravindran spoke highly of RID Manoj Desai, who we will meet shortly at Madurai. Your advice to the DGs should be taken seriously by all DGs, DGEs and DGNs who should look at the RI President and his successors and learn from them how to work in unison and harmony. Rtn Nan Narayenen RC Madurai West-D 3000

Kiran because of their positive thinking. So we Rotarians, many of us physically, mentally and financially sound, should emulate their attitude and make the T.E.A.C.H. programme a grand success. Rtn GV Sayagavi RC Davanagere Vidyanagar-D 3160

ou have given a new look to the magazine. It’s interesting to read articles in

LETTERS your stewardship. Be it about the RI President or any community service anywhere in India. Spinal cord injury warriors is a wonderful write-up and an eye-opener for Rotarians across the country. Manoj Kumar is a deserving case for the local Rotary club or district to support him. We will also support as much as we can do from our side. Keep continuing the good coverage. Rtn AN Aiyanna RC Mysore Midtown-D 3180

I object

ongratulations to you and the entire editorial team for bringing out such a nice October issue. I am very new to the Rotary family and a regular reader of Rotary News. The contents of this issue were wonderful. As a Psychiatrist I was very impressed with the sheer grit and determination of Justin Jesudas and three others in overcoming their disabilities. It shows the strength of human mind. I was also inspired by the brilliant ideas of RID Manoj Desai. He explained in a very simple way the three major thrust areas of Rotary — Membership, TRF contribution and Public Image. I also liked his idea of continuous leadership (Troika). I hope he will visit our District (3240) and share his new ideas. The idea of having more Directors as our rightful share in the RI Board by dividing big districts is really the need of the hour. Rtn Dr Prosenjit Ghosh RC Greenland Silchar-D 3240

Doing God’s work on Earth

ery much impressed with the contents of October edition of Rotary News as it contains valuable and informative articles. The most touching was about the services the barefoot auditors at Jharkhand provide to illiterate villagers, emerging as a skilled force, gradually turning the wheels towards positive social change. May this be an eye-opener to many who want to serve humanity sincerely. Keep publishing such articles. Rtn MT Philip RC Trivandrum Suburban-D 3211

I object to the article Doctor Heal Thyself in the October issue of Rotary News. I think layman versions without any medico-scientific proof should not be published, as it will mislead readers. I request you not to repeat such articles against other professions in the future. DGE Dr K Vijayakumar RC Marthandam-D 3212

he November issue carried the speech of our modern day Swami Vivekananda — Ravindran at the Parliament of World Religions. His words, “A world with a bit less fear; A world with a bit more hope,” are true. Hands that serve are better than lips that pray. The combination of thoughts, words and deeds should be the guiding light for all Rotarians. I am proud to be with Rotary and I pray all Rotarians be like Paul Harris and emulate Ravindran Sir. Rtn Dr Sanjay Aggarwal RC Solan-D 3080 I President K R Ravidran’s speech sounds like Rotary’s Doing good in the world. He journeys from Hinduism, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa to Paul Harris and shows Religion and Rotary are complementary to each other. His gratitude to partners for polio eradication, health workers and Rotarians is moving. Rtn NP Ramaswamy RC Rasipuram-D 2982

Informative magazine RI Convention

ver since I subscribed to Rotary News I impatiently wait for the magazine to reach me. I find each issue interesting, informative and worth reading. The new addition of breath taking tourist destinations of the world is added flavour. Many Rotarians will visit Seoul for the upcoming RI convention. All set for Seoul by Sandeep Narang in October issue was timely and informative. Expecting more on South Korea in the coming issues. Rtn Bibhu Das RC Doomdooma-D 3240

am reading Rotary News for the past two years. In the November issue, the article, Recharging villages with borewells is very inspiring and informative. Water is the basic need for life and these Rotarians are doing such good work to provide potable drinking water to villagers and saving women from water drudgery, in turn saving their time for other productive works. Another article on water system revival is also good. Overall Rotary News provides good reading. Rtn Neelima Garg RC Dehradun West-D 3080 DECEMBER 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

Two scenarios, one lesson

rom two very different places and situations, and diverse class and genders, I return home with one lesson. Your passion and dedication can take not only you, but also others, to greater heights. Last fortnight I travelled to Ethiopia to get a firsthand experience of the much-talked about medicare missions that PRIP Rajendra K Saboo has been taking to African countries right from 1998. He told me how his very first mission to Uganda had baptism by fire as barely two weeks earlier the US embassy in Tanzania was bombed followed by another assault at the US embassy in Kenya. But despite apprehension from all quarters, the mission was undertaken, and repeated at least once a year. In recent times there have been two medicare missions in a year and this year will see three, with RI President K R Ravindran participating in the last one in Rwanda in February 2016. At these missions Saboo, I note, is a hard taskmaster, and frowns on anyone idling away, so it will be interesting to see how Ravindran will be used as a “volunteer” in Rwanda! But jokes apart, it was fascinating to watch the former RI President donning a disposable surgical gown, cap, gloves and shoes and helping Indian eye surgeons at the Debre Berhen Referral Hospital. Grim, dark faces … dark not so much in complexion as in anxiety on whether their turn will come that day … crowded the area where the eye surgeons were performing mainly cataract surgery. At a brisk pace the patiently waiting elderly people, speedily losing vision thanks to advancing and untreated cataracts, were helped on to stretchers. Drops were put into their eyes by Rotaractor volunteers, and then Saboo would put an arm around the patients and walk them to the OT, ease them on to the tables, wait as the cataract was removed, the IOL (Intra Ocular Lens) inserted and the eye bandaged. He’d then walk them back to the helper, and usher in the next patient. When he opts for vegetarian food at lunch, by which time 25 operations are done, Rotaractor Emma wonders how

he gets his proteins. “I’ve managed for 82 years,” is his cryptic reply. I want to add: “It is not proteins, but passion, which drives him.” Both his physical energy and mental stamina to patiently overcome mindless bureaucratic obstacles in getting medicare equipment and medicines passed through Customs in most African countries, surely comes from the passion he has for this cause. It would be so easy to throw in the towel when bureaucrats look at this gift horse in the mouth, but the missions are only growing. Closer home, in the tiny tribal village of Katarvad near Vadodara, the enthusiasm and passion of the much younger and sprightly Leelaben, all of 30, adds sparkle to the dedication ceremony of a Rs 65 lakh global grant project done here by RC Baroda Metro. A samaj shilpi (social architect) trained by Rotary’s partner, the Shroffs Foundation Trust, in the propagation of modern agri techniques, Leelaben works hard to ensure all the 212 tribal landholding families in her village adopt such practices. Such as locally made natural fertilisers which help the soil to retain moisture and thus reduce watering cycles; systematic rice intensification for better output of paddy, and the like. But the best lesson she gives fellow tribal women needs applause: “When we women are given some education, training and freedom to participate in developmental and economic activity of the village, we can collectively do so much. But very often we allow others to suppress us and are pushed to the background with menial jobs.” I’m bowled over by the aplomb with which she says all this, and think we certainly need more Leelabens to step out and speak up to make India a greater nation.

Rasheeda Bhagat

DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 7

Dear Fellow Rotarians, When the Canadian army liberated the Netherlands in 1945, they found the country on the brink of starvation. Seeing the suffering of so many, and especially moved by the faces of the children, four Canadian privates stationed near Apeldoorn that year decided to make that Christmas special for as many Dutch children as they could. Together, they made the rounds among their fellow soldiers, collecting chocolate bars and chewing gum, candy and comic books. In their spare moments, they built toy trucks out of wood and wire, sawed scrap lumber for building blocks; one, risking the military police, sold his cigarette ration on the black market, using the money to buy rag dolls. Each thought longingly of his own family at home; each channeled his energies instead toward the children whose Christmas they knew they could brighten. By 1 December, four sacks of gifts lay ready; the soldiers eagerly looked forward to the 25th. But two days later, they learned the date they were to depart for Canada: 6 December, long before Christmas. With mixed emotions, the soldiers decided that the best plan simply would be to take their sacks over to the local orphanage and leave them there to await Christmas. The night before they were to leave the Netherlands, the four set off for the orphanage, one of them in a makeshift white beard and red cap. On their way, they were surprised to hear church bells ringing and see houses lit brightly, with Christmas still some weeks away. As they approached the orphanage, boots crunching in the snow, they saw through the windows that the children, two dozen girls and boys, were gathered at their evening meal. Only a few months after the war’s end, food was still scarce; the meal was small, and the children’s faces pale and thin. “Santa Claus ” raised the knocker on the door and knocked three times, hard. As if by magic, the chatter of young voices inside fell silent; a priest opened the door. His polite expression gave way to one of shock, as the children behind him erupted into cheers, rushing forward and swarming the private who had dressed for Christmas three weeks early — but exactly on time. For in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas comes on St. Nicholas Eve: 5 December. For an hour, joyful chaos reigned as packages were opened and exclaimed over, sweets were tasted, dolls caressed. The last wooden truck, the last bar of chocolate, went into the hands of a little boy who had been waiting patiently all the while. After thanking the men, he turned to the priest and said something to him in Dutch, his face alight with happiness. The priest smiled and nodded. “What did he say? ” one of the soldiers asked. The priest looked at them with eyes full of tears. “He said, ‘We told you he would come.’ ” By sending joy out into the world, we do not sacrifice it for ourselves — we only multiply it. As we enter this season of giving, let us multiply the gifts we have been given by sharing them with others. Through acts of caring, kindness and generosity, in our clubs and through our Foundation, we become and remain a gift to the world.

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

President

Speaks

have been a firm believer of the joint family system. I do not hesitate in confessing that whatever I am is because of the joint family. We continue to enjoy that even in the present times. Here is what I feel about family.

Family is your blood and comprises people who accept you for who you are. They would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what. Family is the only place where your life begins and love never ends. You may have lots of people in your life, but you won’t find a single person who cares about you like your parents. But most of us don’t know the importance of family. Here are the three best reasons why family is important in your life (I know everyone of you can add more!) Family nurtures children - This is the only place where children study a lot after school. In school, teachers teach children academics, which will help them find a good job in the future. But the family teaches children about habits and discipline. This helps them to live a perfect life going ahead. When babies come out from the mother’s womb, they see their parents first and thereafter spend most of the time with their family until they start going to school. In fact during the first three years, your baby’s brain triples in weight and establishes about trillions of nerve connections. So during that period they get to know many things from family. Parents have to be careful in action in front of their babies, because your babies learn habits and discipline from you. Family stays with you in any situation - This is the great advantages of the family and we don’t even realise it! You may have lots of friends or relatives in good times. But your parents, sisters or brothers are the only ones who will stay with you in your difficult times. In fact, your parents are the only ones who understand you much more than any other person in the world. Because they are your creators and they are the only ones travelling with you from the beginning. So they understand your feelings and are always there for you whenever you need someone desperately. Understand the power of family, value it and do express this to your family members before you lose them. Family makes better society - A perfect family is a great example for the whole society. Father, mother, children — all of them have to work in order to build a perfect family. The good name of the whole family can be ruined by a single member. But if every family member works hard and builds an optimal family then they become good examples to society. The family’s impact is felt on society, which in turn impacts our country. So consider each family as the principal key of the society and our country. Isn’t Rotary our extended family? Let us have great family celebration at Jaipur. “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything” - Michael J Fox “My family is my strength and my weakness” - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Manoj Desai Director, Rotary International

Family

Matters

Gearing up for Rasheeda Bhagat TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith (RK) and incoming Chair Kalyan Banerjee (KB) are gung ho about the direction and long-term vision of the Foundation. But they also acknowledge the need for change. In an interview to Rotary News after a successful twoday joint session with the RI Board in Evanston, they answered questions ranging from the basics to the plans for the coming Centennial, and demystified how TRF works. Excerpts:

A brief description please of TRF, its functions and how it is different from the RI Board.

RK: TRF is the charitable arm of the organisation created by RI but made a separate corporation for tax purposes. But though separate it is a parallel organisation with the vision to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. So all our programmes are really peace programmes, and it has been highly successful. We started Rotary scholarships in 1948, in 1965 the group study exchange teams and matching grants. In 1979 came polio immunisation and early 1990 we started the share system by which Districts put in money and three years later get back half of that money, and decide how to use it. When we did that it became clear Rotarians preferred humanitarian grants projects in favour of scholarships or group exchange study programmes. That gave us a clear indication that we needed to move towards humanitarian projects in developing countries.

What would be the percentage of humanitarian projects and scholarships?

RK: A rough guess — 80:20. The bulk goes to developing countries; there are a few grants in the developed world in pockets, and increasing, but the greatest need is in the developing countries. A third of the world’s population is underserved. The change in direction came when the matching grants became so popular that in 2000, 35 years after we started, we had done 10,000. But in the next five years we did another 10,000. Due to increased demand, we couldn’t keep up, and the question was do we hire more staff and continue what we are doing or change direction. And thus came Future Vision. I was on the original future visions committee and we decided it was better to give more authority and administrative duties to the districts than increase staff. But along with this latitude, we insisted that the districts do larger, more sustainable projects. Some grants we gave were of $500, and the cost to administer those were $1,200! That was not good math! So we’re now encouraging clubs and districts to join and do much bigger, more sustainable projects.

TRF Centenary How big are the big projects?

RK: The minimum is $30,000, anything over $100,000 is Level 3 and has to come to the Board of Trustees for approval, but there aren’t too many of those in a year. Last year there were 1,087 global grants costing $69 million, and roughly Rotary’s contribution was $30 million, which means less than half came from Rotary. How is the corpus invested, in government bonds, securities, equity? How often is that portfolio churned?

RK: We have professional staff, an investment advisory with senior Rotarians, some of them maintaining investment portfolios for clients, as also a professional manager in a bank in Boston. They advise us on what is new, different. It is a very sophisticated system as we have quite a huge sum. How huge?

RK: We’ve now hit $1 billion, not all of it is in cash; two thirds is in expectancies — long-term gifts given by our donors. At our recent meeting we approved the concept of increasing that endowment fund corpus to $2 billion by 2025. In other words the cry now is that $2,005 million by 2025! Is that achievable?

RK: Oh yes, the way we are going.

How has been your year so far as TRF Trustee Chair?

RK: Extremely busy because I’m trying to make some improvements in how we do business. The joint TRFBoard meeting was a change; different because in the past we’ve had occasional joint meetings for a day but never a two-day joint meeting, and never with the kind of agenda we had. What would you call your biggest achievement so far?

RK: Probably the engagement of the (RI) Board in more strategic matters and decisions than just operational issues. Kalyan (Banerjee) and I are trying to look ahead and plan for the future. Some of what you heard yesterday (at the joint meet) had to do with creation of a strategic plan. What are you doing for better synergy between the RI Board and TRF?

RK: We’ve made great progress in that and are coordinating our goals; Kalyan is working with John Germ

Many American clubs have realised that we can’t expect the younger generation to change, we will have to change.

and we have common goals, meetings, and conversations. It is all going to be tied together through this new strategic plan. Previously the strategic planning committee has been only an RI committee. Now we are asking the Council on Legislation to change it towards half and half, which will be a big step forward. The world is changing, no one has any doubts about it, and we have to change. Mr Banerjee, yesterday at the TRF meet, a Trustee from the print industry talked of change, giving the example of his industry which might be wiped out in 20–25 years. Was he too pessimistic? How do you change and yet retain the core values of Rotary?

KB : It’s not going to be difficult. In my thinking, the problem has been that perhaps in the US, Rotarians have taken a little time to realise that change is inevitable. They have now started the process, and are on the way. It will take a few years before the changes will begin to show. I understand, for example, that last year the membership in US may not have gone down. That is a huge change and it didn’t happen by accident. It happened due to a huge effort. And the realisation by the current Rotarians of America that they have to do something about it. Till now they had either not been paying attention or looking at it in a different way.

We often say that thanks to PolioPlus, the world discovered Rotary, and Rotarians discovered themselves! 12 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

$40 million required to upgrade technology TRF Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith had recommended to the RI Board that Rotarians pay $6 extra every year to finance a more sophisticated technological system to run RI and TRF. “When you go to amazon. com, their computer system is so sophisticated that not only does your order go through smoothly and quickly, a month later they follow up. We’re still handicapped with old technology. If we ask for extra membership dues, which they’ve decided not to do, of $6 per year for four years, at $7.2 million a year we will get $29 million. The estimated cost of all the

improvement we need to make in technology is $40 million.” He adds it’s “just unbelievable how expensive it is to operate a corporation of this size with a staff of 500. And volunteers all over the world. I’m concerned that every time somebody has a good idea how to improve things, it is put on a list and it will take 3–4 years before it is done.” Klinginsmith adds there is just not enough money. “They are considering asking for $2–3 extra a year. We are a premier organisation but our business practices currently are not premier.”

As we grow older, we are used to our older friends and we don’t connect with the younger people. And the younger people don’t connect with us … we are a grandfather’s organisation. In India this did not happen for various reasons but we don’t have to go into that. The good news is that it is beginning to happen in America.

part of it to increasing technology. Young people don’t communicate the same way as we did when we were young, and the greater the technological advancements, the greater the gap between the two generations. Many American clubs have realised that we can’t expect the younger generation to change, we will have to change.

One or two things the American Rotarians did right to fix it?

KB: Absolutely. I full agree. Because of this the Secretariat itself is beginning to change. The way we operate things is changing, and Ray has played a huge role in getting John Hewko (RI Secretary) on board too.

KB: First was the realisation that things are not going well and this is not good for the organisation. It could also have been that the Americans began realising that they were once the premier group in Rotary. A few years ago they were 50 per cent, then they came down to 45 per cent, 40 per cent and now they are below 40 per cent of the membership. And that realisation must have hit them. RK: Also the realisation by the American clubs that they are not attracting younger members. I attribute

How does it feel to be taking over as Trustee Chair at such an important moment like the Centenary? A great moment for Indian Rotarians; I believe they are gearing up to raise more funds for the Foundation.

KB: Oh yes, they are very excited. They’ve already said they will give a considerable amount. Last year India raised nearly $15 million.

We don’t connect with the younger people. And the younger people don’t connect with us … we are a grandfather’s organisation. Coming to the $6 fee Ray talked about (see Box), the first ever contribution by an AKS member was $26.5 in 1917. It is from there we are taking about $26. RK: That, depending on which formula you use, is deemed to be $535 in today’s buying terms. $26.5 then would have bought you what you can get now for $535. RID Frederick Lynn from Taiwan is planning to get 5 AKS members from Taiwan, each contributing $1 million. Is that possible in India?

KB: One million may not be possible but we will get many more AKS members. I’ve been thinking that just like we have AKS ceremonies here in Evanston, where you have a Taiwan Day, or a South Korea Day, when all the AKS members from that country are inducted, we should have these in India. Sometimes all our AKS members are not able to come all the way here. How many AKS members do we get from India every year?

KB: Nowadays we are beginning to get more; people are beginning to give more. Normally, between 5–10 in a year. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 13

How easy or difficult is it to ask people to give money for humanitarian causes?

KB: It is not difficult; if you ask, people are ready to give money. But very often the problem is that nobody asks. But you should have the courage to ask. It doesn’t matter if they don’t or can’t give, but we have to ask. RK: And many people are already planning to give to charitable organisations; it is only a question of which organisation to give to. KB: The only issue in India is that you don’t get the kind of tax benefits that you get in America. And don’t forget $250,000 in Indian money is a lot of money. So how many Americans are AKS members?

RK: Over 500, and we get 60–70 new ones every year so the US number should be 1,000 in the next six years.

We’ve approved the concept of increasing our endowment fund corpus to $2 billion by 2025. The cry now is that $2,005 million by 2025!

1144 RRO ROTARY ROT OT O TA AR ARY RY N RY NE NEWS EWS WS DECEMBER DEC D DE EC ECEM EM EMB MB BEER R 2015 201 220 015

Surely it was a major triumph for Rotary to get Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on board? Are efforts on to get other such partners?

RK: We have an active and new joint committee on partnerships, with senior Rotarians and a new director with an amazing background in philanthropy work. I think that combination is going to produce another Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along the way. What are going to be your priorities for the Centenary year? And what next after polio?

KB: One, raising funds for TRF so that we can do better and more significant work. A time will soon come, at least we think so, when polio will be over. And whether we agree or not, Rotarians are beginning to think that way. And in India they are looking at other things;

literacy, water management, toilets in schools are big things today. Literacy in India, believe me, is a bigger thing than polio. Polio is one aspect, a small aspect, but literacy encompassed the whole human scenario, it’s a major thing. In a way we’ve sharpened our tools and brightened our vision through polio which has equipped us to think of new things such as literacy. I remember Muhammad Yunus asking us at one Rotary meeting: What great work will you take up after polio is done? He said the only thing that deserves your great capabilities and engagement power is the removal of poverty itself. And I thought, my God, what is he talking about? But when somebody like Yunus talks and thinks like that … I don’t know whether he said it only to please

us …. It’s something very special, it’s different. So whether it is literacy or food ... hunger is a huge issue in some parts of the world today, along with water, we really don’t know. I doubt Rotary will go towards another medical problem. We don’t want to be known as an organisation confined only to medical issues. So when you ask what next, we don’t know, let’s see. When the world talks about polio — whether it’s a coffee table book, or media reports, I find little mention of Rotary, compared to the huge work all of you have done.

KB: I think it’s beginning to happen now. Even though we were engaged in it passionately, we expected recognition a little too early. But now the recognition is beginning to come. But we must also remember that it is not only Rotary which is doing the polio eradication work. It is WHO and the Government of India who are immunising children. But the idea was Rotary’s in the first place, not that of the Indian or any other Government or WHO. We engaged WHO in this work and UNICEF came much later. Any big bang projects planned for Centenary year?

KB: Not really TRF has six areas of focus and we’d like to focus on all of them. We are working hard in areas of peace; we give peace scholarships. We have started something that is important. Our peace programmes have not perhaps delivered as much as we had hoped. And maybe we need some fix, some changes, in the way we are looking at peace. But when there are peace issues anywhere in the world, they don’t look for Rotary in the first place. We are not there to help in any way…. But you are not equipped to; there is so much strife and conflict and violence in the world today.

KB: I know. But my point is, are we getting any closer to world peace because of our efforts or anything that we are doing? And if not, what do we need to do, to bring about a change.

RK: We started the peace programmes in 2002, 13 years ago … certificate programmes, all of which have been in place for 10 years without change. So my concern is, are we keeping up with the changing world? The conflicts have changed. The methods of teaching have changed. Are we still on the cutting edge or have we fallen behind is the primary question. I was disappointed that there isn’t a single Female Trustee in TRF. Why is this so?

RK: I wish I knew the answer. But we’ve had women in the past. The President-elect nominates people around the world to serve on TRF, and it has to get the approval of the Board of Directors. We look for geographic distribution and experience in various professions … lawyers, doctors, etc.

And in the last two years a woman hasn’t cropped up. It’s a little embarrassing though. Well, RI is yet to get a woman President and so is the United States!

RK: In my committees at least I try to have women wherever possible. KB: That way, we in India are a little different. We’ve had a woman president, woman prime minister. How would you say Rotary has changed India and India has changed Rotary?

KB: We often say that thanks to PolioPlus, the world discovered Rotary, and Rotarians discovered themselves! Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by N Krishnamurthy DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 15

Meet your Governors Jaishree

Saving his people from drought

His heart is on dialysis centres Dr Nikhil Kibe, Nephrology, RC Akola Midtown, D 3030

Dr Deepak Pophale, Healthcare, RC Omerga, D 3132

R H

e is anxious about the impending water scarcity in his region owing to the scanty rainfall. Drought is a major issue and the focus of Deepak Pophale will be on water conservation projects and water literacy. This will include widening and deepening the nullahs and constructing check dams. A Rotarian since 1998, and a recipient of Best President Award, he commends Rotary for its democratic aspect. “Hailing from a small club in a small town, I did not expect to be elected to lead a District.” The DG is happy to have raised $35,000 towards TRF so far, against the $1.5 lakh annual goal, this despite the District’s composition of 82 rural and one metro club and a majority of Rotarians being small traders or agriculturists. Membership figures have increased by 200 and two new Rotary clubs formed.

16 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

otary blood passes on from father to son ... while his father was member of RC Akola, Nikhil Kibe began his Rotary innings from Rotaract Club of Government Medical College, Nagpur in 1980 and became a charter member of his young club in 1991. ‘Young’ because “the average age of the members is 35,” says Kibe. He is excited about the four life-saving projects of his District — a 30-crore cancer hospital at Jalgaon which will be functional in two years, two skin banks in Jalgaon and Nasik; a human milk bank in Akola and two dialysis centres at Nagpur and Jalgaon. “Who better than a nephrologist to realise the significance of a dialysis centre,” he laughs. Kibe recalls an incident when he accidentally knocked down a cyclist while driving. “There was no one in the vicinity and I could have just driven away, but my conscience didn’t allow it. I admitted the injured man in the hospital and waited until he was treated. He thanked me profusely and that was when I thought that I would certainly pass the 4-Way Test.” He aims at a $1 million District contribution to TRF, add 1,000 new members and establish 17 new clubs. “We have added 700 new Rotarians, 35 Interact clubs and 12 Rotaract clubs so far.” He compliments RID Manoj Desai for the corporate meet in Nagpur that brought together 120 CEOs; “we were able to raise Rs 6 crore and sign MoU with the State government for WinS and 300 e-learning centres.”

Family is important C Luke, Banker, RC Kottayam East, D 3211

his Rotarian has a long association with Rotary ... from an Interactor at 13, a Rotaractor in the year 1978 and a charter member since 1986, “at a time when polio eradication was a dream and today I am glad we’ve achieved it,” says Luke, highlighting that as his best Rotary moment. He is equally happy that his District has committed to promote 1,000 schools for WinS initiative and expects a global grant assistance of Rs 1.3 crore from a German district to execute WinS projects. A firm believer of family involvement in Rotary, Luke has lined up programmes that bring Rotarians and their families together over FIRE (Family Involved Rotary Entertainment), a cultural extravaganza with a grand finale in January. “Fellowship and service should go hand in hand to work wonders in Rotary,” he says. Next on his agenda is improving his District’s contribution to TRF by encouraging his Rotarians to give generously to the Foundation.

Fund raisers for the Foundation Dr Gautam R Jahagirdhar, Ophthalmic Surgeon, RC Gulbarga North, D 3160

Rotarian since 1993, he follows in the footsteps of his father, Raja Jahagirdhar, a member of RC Gulbarga, and mother Sunandha, who served as District Secretary of the Inner Wheel. He stresses on fund raising for contributions to TRF rather than “directing all clubs to pool in money from their pockets as was done earlier.” The thyrocare health card worth Rs 500, of which Rs 300 goes to the Foundation, and balance to be used for the club’s projects, polio stickers marketed through Interact clubs and a Krishi Mela, are few fund-raisers he has up his sleeve. As his region is agri-based, Jahagirdhar believes that the Krishi Mela will benefit farmers. He plans to add 6 new clubs to the existing 66. As for his best moment in Rotary, he cherishes receiving the RI’s ‘Service above Self’ award for the numerous eye surgeries he had performed.

Taking WinS forward Jitender Kumar Gaur, Educationist, RC Ghaziabad Greater, D 3012

e is the first governor of the newly bifurcated district and is excited about his district’s progress with WinS programmes and is keen on making it 100 per cent literate. “We have over 10,000 adult literates, converted 25 schools into Happy Schools and 500 Asha Kiran clubs against our target of 1,000,” he says. Recalling the polio immunisation work he did in high risk areas in 1996 when he joined Rotary, Gaur is happy to have inducted 300 new members, 30 Rotaractors and 100 Interactors to his District. He looks forward to February when RI President K R Ravindran will inaugurate the Rotary Vardhan Blood Bank which the District has newly established with a global grant. “We will have three AKS members from the District, including me, this year,” he adds. Designed by K Vishwanathan DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 17

Every time ...

for Africa! Rasheeda Bhagat

A detailed look at Rotary India’s 25-member VTT medicare mission to Ethiopia.

he 15 x 10 Surgeons’ lounge adjacent to the two operation theatres at the Government Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is buzzing with activity. The aroma of Indian vegetarian food fills the air as nearly a dozen doctors from India — Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, are laughing and chatting. All of them top professionals in their specialties of General, Orthopaedic, Paediatric, Eye and Dental surgery, Gynaecology, Urology, and Neurology, with some heading departments in prestigious teaching institutions. All of them are eating out of a tiny box a simple meal. While some have removed gall bladders through laparoscopy, the gynaecologists — Punam Maithani and Vineet Nagpal — have removed a twisted ovarian cyst, and the lone dental surgeon Dr Rupali Ashtaputre has performed some dental procedures. “Can you imagine they don’t even do fillings here, and simply remove the tooth,” she says. She has fixed two root canals for the next day. Earlier, steaming cups of tea and mithai have been served by volunteer Poonam Gandhoke. Her husband, PDG Manpreet Singh Gandhoke, is busy assisting the Orthopaedic surgeon Rajeev Dwivedi and plastic surgeons Sanjay Dvivedi and Surinder Makkar in the other hospital. The fifth volunteer, Manmohan Manchanda, is busy clicking pictures. “This is where Rotary lives and breathes, not in the

18 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

PRIP Rajendra K Saboo escorts a patient out of the OT after an eye operation.

five star hotels where many Rotarians meet,” says PRIP Rajendra K Saboo as he too tucks into the modest vegetarian roll and patties. He has been the architect of Indian medicare missions to Africa since 1998 and this VTT (Vocational Training Team) mission, a global grant project, is his fourth to Ethiopia. So how many has he done in all? “Oh, I’ve lost count.” Pointing to the doctors he says, “They are the real heroes, they do the work and we bask in their glory. When we go to meet VVIPs our names come … that Raja Saboo led the mission. True I started it, but it would have remained only an idea if Indian doctors had not made sacrifices in their professional and other commitments, sometimes even closing their private clinics for the 7–10 days they spend here. I am only a volunteer.” But the ‘volunteer’ is a tough taskmaster in ensuring that the work for which the 25-member delegation has come from India, gets done, and the maximum number of patients benefit in a country where medical facilities in several specialties remain where Indian health care was some 20–30 years ago.

The initial hitch Almost in every medical mission there are hitches; “bureaucracy is there everywhere, it has no borders, and Ethiopia is no

exception, but Rotary too has no borders,” says Saboo. So for two full days after landing in Addis Ababa the doctors and volunteers were “dejected and worried as all the medical and surgical equipment and medicines we had come with were held up at the Customs.” Rotary also has at its disposal many a strings. So on the day I land, Nov 19, these strings have been pulled. That morning PDG of 9212 Dr Tadesse Alemu and Mohammed Idris, a volunteer who had helped Rotary with polio eradication landed up at 8 am at the Health Minister’s residence and got the necessary clearances. But the all-clear message

Bureaucracy is everywhere, it has no borders, and Ethiopia is no exception, but Rotary too has no borders. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 19

was short lived; apparently each box would be opened and examined; another 24-hour delay. Once again the duo got into action and ensured that the boxes reached the hotel in a few hours. And the surgeries began in the two hospitals! But teething problems abound; for two days there are not enough patients screened and kept ready for these world-class doctors. Particularly considering that the

With hope in their hearts a large number of elderly patients line up for eye surgery at the Debre Berhen Referral Hospital. (Above also)

“primitive status” of health care in such government hospitals. Private hospitals are much better but the expensive treatment is beyond the reach of the masses.

Backward by a generation “Can you imagine that in the whole of Ethiopia there are only 5 paediatric surgeons for a population of nearly a crore, and all of them are in Addis Ababa,” says an incredulous Dr Milind Joshi, Professor of Paediatric Surgery at the Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College in Jalgaon. Dr Madhav Maithani, a senior general surgeon, says general surgery procedures in this hospital are “one generation back. Laparoscopy and endoscopy which we had 20 years ago are missing. But we are training surgeons so it can be introduced here.” Dr R S Parmar, a D 3132 PDG, is a senior general surgeon and a veteran in these medical missions. This is his sixth one to Africa. “The main challenge in this country is that local doctors are not trained in laparoscopy; so apart from doing the operations, we will also give local doctors hands on training.” Medical Director of the Zewditu Hospital, Dr Daniel Ebebe, is extremely grateful to the Indian Rotarians for this

project. The 45-year old, 230-bed hospital has 18 disciplines. “This was the first hospital in Africa where treatment for HIV/AIDS was started, but its incidence has now come down,” he says. He is grateful to the Indian surgeons as the hospital has a backlog of over 1,200 surgical cases. With help from the Indian doctors, he wants to make this hospital a laparoscopic centre, and sheepishly admits that the “laparoscope donated by the Indian mission last time was not used. Your doctors are trying to repair and restore that equipment, which was almost thrown away. I promise this will not happen again, as we are very keen to introduce modern surgical practices here,” he says. When I ask Saboo why some of these doctors cannot be trained in India on Rotary’s initiative, he says, “We are thinking about it. We had offered to do so two years ago, but did not get the right response.” That in essence sums up both bureaucratic hassles and a modest number of patients at the two hospitals in the first few days, making you wonder at such a fantastic opportunity going abegging.

Overwhelming response But this isn’t the case at the Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, which I visit on the third day, accompanied by Project Chair and PDG (D 3080) Arun Sharma, a veteran of many such missions, and host District 9212 DG Teshome Kebede. Providing an incredibly picturesque drive on surprisingly good roads — most of the roads in modern Ethiopia have been built by the Chinese — this city with a population of less than 100,000, was once the capital of the country.

Some of the patients you see waiting so patiently have come from villages that are 100 km away.

At the camp site there are large groups of people, mostly elderly, waiting quietly, with incredible patience, and without any pushing or shoving, a sight common in Indian government hospitals. But even though there is orderliness, calm and near-silence, their anxiety is visible. Most of them have lost vision or are near-blind and by word of mouth know about this opportunity. Inside the operation theatre there are three tables on which the Indian eye surgeons Nishant Nawani, Ashworth Valentine and Pankaj Shah are performing mainly cataract surgeries at an admirably brisk pace. PRIP Saboo has switched base the earlier evening to assist the eye surgeons right from the morning. He can be seen in the thick of action, ushering in patients, and helping them onto the tables, waiting for the doctors to finish the procedure, complete the bandaging, after which he supports

The VTT team performing eye surgeries.

and escorts them out. With admirable efficiency the Rotaractors — Alef, Emma, Sam — are completing the several rounds of eye drops to prepare the patients for surgery. The pace is so brisk that by lunch 25 surgeries have been done. Nawani says such a brisk pace can be seen only in camps, whether in India or Africa. For lunch, while I opt for a packet of rice and meat prepared in Ethiopian style, Saboo settles for a vegetarian sandwich. “Only vegetarian? How do you manage for proteins,” asks Emma. “I’ve managed for 82 years,” is the cryptic reply she gets! Later he gives her a list of vegetarian foods, led by lentils, that Indian vegetarians consume. He is a bit out of sorts, say other veterans of these missions, because spouse Usha, who accompanies him on almost all African medical missions, could not make it.

extremely grateful. “My mother was virtually blind for a couple of years; I am so grateful to the Indian doctor doing this surgery.” The next day the doctors operate on a two-year old boy with congenital blindness in one eye. His parents are delighted that the child’s vision will return in that eye. General anaesthesia is required for this surgery, which is organised. Thanks to Dr Nawani — his father Dr Jayanth Nawani is the medical director of this mission — who has brought his own portable phaco equipment, many of the patients are able to benefit by this advanced procedure done without an incision. This costs around Rs 11 lakh and Tadesse, who

That’s because she was diagnosed with herpes, and “was so disappointed when the doctor grounded her for three weeks,” he says. But from Day 1, she has been calling for status reports on whether the medical equipment and medicines have been cleared, or how many operations are taking place. “She has been calling every morning and evening; I give her a daily report but feel she would have been good for this camp as she is very good with eye patients,” he says. Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Fiseha Tadesse, a Rotarian himself, says this 120-bed hospital is 79 years old and patients come here for treatment from long distances. “Today some of the people you see waiting so patiently have come from villages that are 100 km away.” As Saboo brings out Beletech, a 60-year-old woman after surgery, holding her by the hand, her daughter is

The doctors are the real heroes, they do the work and we bask in their glory. PRIP Raja Saboo talks to the parent of a two-year old child after he undergoes an operation under general anaesthesia.

Picture by Poonam Gandhoke

Disappointed volunteer opts out

Indian doctors sparkle

Dr R S Parmar and other Indian surgeons train Ethiopian doctor Abeye Gurnessa in laparoscopic surgery.

r Manoj Sharma, consultant urologist from Chandigarh and Dr Pamposh Raina, consultant urologist at the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla, point out that Urology is in a very primitive stage in Ethiopia. “I have forgotten when I last made an incision on a patient for prostrate or stones; in India we do it all by laparoscopy and endoscopy, except in advanced cancers,” says the former. They are amazed that a city like Addis Ababa which has such modern infrastructure should lag behind thus in medical care. As I step into an OT to take pictures, the doctors are doing a prostrate procedure, and are taken aback to find a huge growth being responsible for obstruction. As they meticulously attack it, I beat a hasty retreat! While private hospitals do provide some advanced care, the treatment is very expensive, sometimes costing thrice of what it would in an Indian private hospital, says Dr Parmar. And prostrate medicines are five times more expensive than in India. The tragic result is that patients who can be cured by medicines often opt for surgery, even when not indicated, because they can’t afford the costly drugs. Dr Abeye Gurnessa, a general surgeon at the Zewditu Hospital who is being trained by the Indian surgeons in laparoscopy, has 19 years of experience. So why are medical and surgical procedures so backward in his country, I ask. “Well, I am ashamed of it; it’s not due to poverty; it’s due to the attitude and mentality of the administration.” Along with some other doctors he has been sent to China for training, but didn’t learn much because either they trained on simulators or operated on rabbits! “But this is hands-on experience. These doctors have taught

me how to do a laparoscopic procedure on patients and now I am confident of doing it myself once the equipment is available.” He is sure that within a few years both the Ethiopian doctors and the government will have to shed their apathy. “A time will come when people will demand better care and women will tell us we don’t want such big cuts and scars on our stomach! Then we’ll be forced to change!” Dr Sanjay Dvivedi, a plastic surgeon from Dehradun says that the plastic surgeons were doing reconstruction surgery for patients with injuries sustained in burns or other accidents, and for birth deformities. “Many patients with failed surgeries have returned with complications and we are doing a variety of skin grafts.” Dr Vivek Lal, HOD of Neurology at PGI, Chandigarh, played a very active role in giving lectures, taking classes for Neurology students, interacting with patients and changing their treatment patterns. “I found the students very keen to learn about neurological disorders caused by infections, stroke, headaches and epilepsy. Infection in the brain is the major cause of morbidity the world over, and TB of the brain is common in such countries,” he says. Dr Milind Joshi operated on a 7-day old child, thanks to support from expert anaesthesiologists in the team. “He weighed 2.6 kg and had a half kg lump on his head, fortunately benign, and we removed it. “ As the patient flow improved, there were three more patients who wanted the doctors to operate on them, “but as it was a Saturday the hospital staff was not willing to stay back, so we’ve promised to do the surgery on Monday,” he added. The same day Dr Parmar did a “tough cholecystectomy, despite his back pain, standing for six hours.”

Dr Rupali Ashtaputre performing a dental procedure.

is the incoming president of RC Debre Birhen, swears that during his year his hospital will have such an equipment. It is good to see that apart from training and surgical intervention, these doctors are also triggering aspiration for better medical facilities in government hospitals in an African country like Ethiopia. “Phacoemulsification not only improves the quality of the surgery but also makes post-operative rehabilitation faster,” says Dr Nawani. Dr Valentine adds, “We’re seeing lots of patients with very bad or no vision thanks to untreated cataracts.” Dr Shah adds that each person is fitted with an IOL “so they go away happy.” But thanks to lack of general anaesthesia, the ophthalmologist are not able to do complicated cases such as retinal detachment. For Arun Sharma this is his eighth medicare mission; his first being also to Ethiopia when he was D 3080 DG in 1999. He has been to Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, and his experience speaks in the quiet efficiency with which he ties up all loose ends, resolves glitches, deals with wounded egos … all this without getting a bit fazed! “Oh, I’m used to all this now,” he smiles at my question on how he keeps his cool. “We are very happy that our target of over 110 surgical procedures, 400 eye operations and numerous training sessions were achieved,” he says. Saboo thanks Rajeev Sharma, originally a Rotarian from Delhi, who has now moved to Ethiopia to start a paper industry. “He is considered a leader among the Indian expats here, respected by the Rotarians of this country. Rajeev is the bridge between Rotary India and Rotary Ethiopia.” Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by Krishnapratheesh Project Chair PDG Arun Sharma with volunteer Poonam Gandhoke.

Jaipur Beckons

“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”— This phrase does full justice to the historic monuments, regal palaces and havelis of Jaipur when seen from the eyes of a discerning traveller in the royal State of Rajasthan. Sight-seeing in Jaipur will bring you up close and personal with chronicles of the Rajputs’ heroism, valour, courage and victory, and the State’s rich and glorious past. Beyond forts and palaces, Jaipur offers a relaxing and enriching experience, in the best hotels where traditional Indian hospitality and luxury will transport you to another world. Weather in December Though Jaipur has a hot semi-arid climate and the temperature remains relatively high all through the year, the best time to visit is December when the temperature ranges between 8–23 degrees. The climate is perfect for holidaying, sightseeing and engaging in various tourist activities that the city has to offer. Rotary Institute Venue The centrally located B M Birla Auditorium and Convention Centre is

By Train

the main Institute Venue and it is about 9 km from the designated hotels.

The fully air-conditioned Shatabdhi Express connects Jaipur with many Indian cities while ‘Palace on Wheels’ offers a luxury travel experience.

How to reach Jaipur By Road

By Air With both Domestic and International terminals, Jaipur airport is 12 km from the main city and about 2 km from the designated hotels. The city has excellent connectivity with New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Guwahati and Indore with daily frequent flights being operated by all major airlines.

Jaipur is well-connected by National Highways 8, 11 and 12. The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation runs regular Volvo (AC and non-AC) and deluxe buses between Jaipur and other cities within the State. Added Attraction Visit Jaipur Jewellery Show (Dec 19–22).

JAIPUR ROTARY INSTITUTE BASIC PROGRAMME SCHEDULE 15-20 DECEMBER 2015

Tuesday 15 Dec

GETS Address by RIPE John Germ Group Photos

Lunch Dinner

: :

Hotel Marriott Jaigarh Fort

Wednesday 16 Dec

GETS

Lunch Dinner

: :

Hotel Marriott K-Villa, Farm House

Thursday 17 Dec

GETS & Concurrent Seminars (9.00 am to 5.00 pm) Ͳ District Governor Mid Year Review Meeting

(9:00 am)

Ͳ District Governor Nominee (DGN) Orientation Meet Ͳ District Trainer Training Seminar (DTTS) Ͳ Council on Legislation (COL) Representative Seminar

Lunch Dinner

: :

Hotel Marriott TRF Banquet Dinner at Hotel Marriott (Ticketed)

Friday 18 Dec

Seminar, Inauguration of Institute, Fashion Show & Musical Nite

Seminar

Vision 20-20 Seminar at Hotel Marriott (9:30 am to 1.00 pm) Top leadership speaks

Lunch

Hotel Marriott

Hi-Tea Inauguration

: :

Birla Auditorium (2:30 pm) Inauguration of Rotary Institute at Birla Auditorium (3:30 pm)

Fashion Show, Musical Nite : & Dinner

City Palace (7:30 pm), Son-et-lumiere, Fashion Show & Musical by Ravindra Upadhayay

Saturday 19 Dec

9.00 am at Birla Auditorium

Lunch

Birla Auditorium

(1:30 pm)

Polo Match (Juice-Wine-Cheese)

Rambagh Polo Club

(4:00 pm)

Dinner

Bardia Villa (Rajasthani Food & Mela Theme) (6:30 pm) Cultural Performance by Rajasthani & Gujarati artists

Sunday 20 Dec

Final Day at Birla Auditorium

(9:00 am)

Lunch

Birla Auditorium

(2:00 pm)

Polio pioneers saluted Jaishree

or a hyperendemic country reporting from 2–4 lakh polio cases annually during the early 1990s, it was a stupendous feat for India to be certified poliofree in 2014. This achievement involved determined efforts of several ‘foot soldiers.’ Those from Tamil Nadu were honoured by RI District 3230 on the eve of World Polio Day — October 24. Thirty years ago, the revolutionary groundwork spearheaded by Rotarians S L Chitale, Dr Jacob John, K C Vijayan, PDGs S Krishnaswami, P V Purushothaman, Viswanatha Reddy and late V Chidambaram and Dr H V Hande was recalled and applauded at this event.

The beginning The polio eradication drive in India began on September 19, 1979 when an interaction between Rotarians Jacob John and Kenneth Hobbs of RC Whitby, Canada, resulted in the latter promising to raise funds to provide red measles vaccines. Soon 64,000 vaccine vials arrived from Canada. Between October 1980 and September 1982, 3.5 mil-

lion dosages of measles vaccine were shipped to Chennai from Canada. While Air India transported them free of cost, the Tamil Nadu government facilitated their storage at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy. It also ensured that the vaccine was available in all villages and children were immunised, ending measles in the State. This later extended throughout the country and 110 million children were immunised. In 1984, when RI formed the PolioPlus programme to wipe out polio from the world, Tamil Nadu was a natural choice to launch the programme. At the Chennai event, it was a walk down memory lane for the audience gathered to salute the polio pioneers, as each of them shared their nostalgic experiences of the eradication movement. Acknowledging the honour, Dr Hande recalled the carte blanche that the then Chief Minister M G Ramachandran gave him to start the massive polio immunisation programme in the State and how the entire State public health department was at Rotary’s disposal for

the campaign. “The nation-wide Pulse Polio concept was Rotary’s brainchild. It all began in Tamil Nadu and replicated pan India through the efforts of P V Narasimha Rao, the then Union Minister for Health,” he said. Earlier PDG Raja Ramakrishnan introduced Hande as “the Field Marshall among generals,” who had played a significant role in persuading the government to introduce the additional two doses of vaccine, which is the norm today. Dr Jacob John, a paediatrician and member of RC Vellore (D 3230), spoke of how he had requested RI to release a Polio Grant for Tamil Nadu with an additional $250,000 to set up a cold chain for the Rotary District rather than the State government, after the central government had rejected Rotary’s offer of a grant of $30 million for polio eradication. No other Polio Grant has ever been given to an individual organisation; only governments. He added that MGR as the CM was so impressed with the Rotarians’ rescue work during a flood faced by the State, that he declared Rotary as

Rtn Dileep Bajaj (third from left) presenting cheque for Rs 66 lakh to TRF to PRIP Rajendra K Saboo. Also present DG C R Raju and chief guest N Murali, Chairman - Kasturi & Sons. Previous Page: L to R: Dr H V Hande, PDGs S Krishnaswami, Vishwanatha Reddy, Rtn S L Chitale and PDG P V Purushothaman.

the State government’s partner in all its social welfare schemes. Dr John suggested to DG C R Raju to undertake measures to curb tuberculosis, the next biggest killer that drains the country of $24 billion annually. “Don’t expect a global Rotary movement against TB, or even a national Rotary movement. We are there to support you,” he said. But the TB control programme will be equally arduous and long, like polio, he warned. Chitale recalled how he and his team of Rotarians began the polio vaccine movement in the State and the challenges they had to overcome. Echoing John’s call for controlling TB in the State, he said, “Although we are old, we are there. Do give us an opportunity.” PDG P V Purushothaman, D 2982, with 52 years in Rotary, was lauded for setting up the cold chain facilities essential for effectively storing the vaccines throughout South India. Later, his vast experience took him to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi for polio

eradication efforts. His connections with Rotarians across the globe has resulted in 75 matching grants valued at Rs 20 crore for 70 clubs of his district. He revolutionised agriculture and introduced pepper cultivation in Yercaud which is a major source of income for the people today. He spoke about his measles vaccine experience that immunised “6,480 children on a single day at Salem” and recalled the services of German Ambassador, Rtn Gerhard Fischer, who was conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for his exhaustive work in rehabilitation of leprosy and polio patients. PDG S Krishnaswami recalled how in 1984 he met Chitale and PDG V Chidambaram in Chennai and acquired the red measles vaccines to inoculate children at Coimbatore. Later in 1986 when he visited Denmark as a GSE Team leader, he received one million dosages of polio vaccine and two million more from Japan. Coimbatore, well equipped with cold chain facilities, was the first to start the polio

The blessings of mothers whose children have been saved from the crippling polio virus will see Rotary grow from strength to strength. — PDG Viswanatha Reddy

immunisation programme in India, he said. He served as polio and measles coordinator for various districts for 13 years. PDG Viswanatha Reddy said the blessings of mothers whose children have been saved from the crippling polio-virus will see Rotary grow from strength to strength. He dedicated his award to late Rtn Padmanabha Rao who was in charge of the district polio committee then. “It was a teamwork and with support from Dr Hande and Sam Pitroda from the Government’s side, things worked smoothly,” he said. “I thought it was all over and forgotten; we all feel happy that our humble services are still being recognised,” he added. Reddy and K C Vijayan, helped by AVM Saravanan of AVM Studios and AVM Balasubramaniam and cinema director S P Muthuraman made a series of documentaries which were screened in movie theatres to raise awareness on polio. K C Vijayan is synonymous with polio eradication programme for his 20 years of service to the cause and is one of the few non-RI officers to be conferred the ‘Service above Self’ award. The pioneers were felicitated by N Murali, Vice Chairman of Kasturi & Sons, publishers of The Hindu group of newspapers. PRIP Rajendra Saboo thanked and felicitated these pioneers for the yeoman service they had rendered to the children of India. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 31

Doing good with TRF help

Twinkle in the eye of

Leelaben Rasheeda Bhagat When RC Baroda Metro carried out simple interventions in a tribal village, an admirable fallout was women’s empowerment.

don’t know your name Collector Sahib but you are very welcome in our village,” says Leelaben, the 30-year-old woman, handling the mike like a seasoned speaker and addressing a meeting of 100-odd co-villagers where the Collector of Chhota Udepur District Jenu Devan, RI Director Manoj Desai, Rotarians from RC Baroda Metro and executives of the Shroffs Foundation Trust (SFT) have gathered. The occasion is the dedication of the Rs 65 lakh global grant project executed by the Club to the tribal village of Katarvad, about 130 km east of Vadodara in Gujarat. Bang in the midst of the tribal belt bordering Madhya Pradesh, this village with a population of 817 and 212 families, has a command area of 167 hectares and its inhabitants have all been dependent on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood. “Let me confess at the outset that we have not brought rocket science here; all we have done are simple interventions, such as building check dams, a couple of community wells, some water harvesting measures in 10 ‘model houses’ we created with cattle sheds, bio gas plants etc,” says past president and Charter member of the club Sunil Vakil. This project was conceived a couple of years ago with RC Baroda Metro getting involved with a global grant project

When women are given education, training and freedom to participate in development of the village, they can collectively do so much. But often women are suppressed and pushed to the background with menial jobs. 32 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

of $105,000 (with the rupee then at 62 to a USD, the amount was Rs 65 lakh) along with RC Ashiya, Japan. The Club had raised Rs 18 lakh. With the SFT being active in this tribal belt of Gujarat for over two decades, and already running several interventions in Katarvad such as farm schools, it was chosen as a partner. Vakil, a Chartered Accountant, and a tough taskmaster when it comes to accounting for every penny of Rotary money raised, and who ran a tight ship during the rebuilding of villages after the 2001 Kutch earthquake, has managed

to save Rs 10 lakh from the funds available. At the meeting he promised the villagers that this money would all be spent on bettering their lives, but only after the Rotarians watch and assess for some time how the new facilities created are being utilised.

Land-owning tribals Fortunately, all the families in Katarvad own land — sale of tribal land to non-tribals is prohibited under law — with landholding being mostly between 1–4 acres. Another plus is that the village is on the banks of the Aursung River, a virtual tributary of the Narmada. The village also receives good rainfall — an annual average of 40 inches. “But the rainfall is limited to four months (June–September) and like over 80 per cent of India, these villagers too are dependent on rains,” says Vakil. To add to this, most of the land is undulating so the water runs off faster. Katarvad was chosen because the Rotarians found that with simple interventions and harnessing of natural resources, household incomes could be improved dramatically and so sustainable economic and community development was possible. Also, as the SFT had already done a complete aerial survey with the State geological department, and had complete data on crucial indicators such as soil condition, additional livelihood opportunities etc, it was felt that this could be developed as a model village, which could later be replicated.

Simple interventions As there are no natural water bodies here, the first intervention was to level the undulating land and put in gulley plugs (big stones) at exit points to ensure that the rainwater doesn’t run off. Next they had to ensure water for the fields for at least 8–10 months, so two check dams were built. Says Club President Agam Shrivastava, “The topography of the command area of this project is such that small streams flow through certain parts of the village’s fields, so the check dams

could obstruct the monsoon water. This also improves the sub soil water content.” But since these check dams could service only a part of the command area, two group wells were built; normally water is available at 40 ft but these went down to 60 ft to take care of deficient monsoons. As luck would have it, this very year, after 15 years of good rainfall, the recent monsoon was deficient, but the villagers have adequate water for their farming needs. Of the total area, only 31.82 hectares are cultivable. To take care of the remaining area, a lift irrigation system has been set up by installing water pumps on the river bed and then water is distributed to the dry areas through piped supply.

Model houses Next, 10 houses were chosen for development as “model houses” at a cost of Rs 1.1 lakh for each. The existing parnala of small channels on the rooftops were used or developed for water harvesting. Through these channels water flows into a small storage tank and is drawn out through a hand pump installed close by. Each of these homes is also provided with a cattle shed and a biogas facility. The cowdung and other bio-waste collected are turned into cooking fuel for the home. As we drive into Katarvad, passing on the way the majestic expanse of the Narmada canal brimming with water, I don’t have to depend on the Rotarians’ testimony on the water availability in the village, where most parts wear a huge green blanket. The enthused villagers are ready with dholak and all, to welcome their benefactors — officials of SFT and the Rotarians — as well as their Collector. There is water available in the check dams and the community wells. Enthused by the wells put up by the Rotarians, with local shramdan, the villagers themselves have put up 10 more community wells. During the drive SFT CEO Vikas Vaze explains to me how this region is one of the poorest of poor blocks in the

Listening to Leelaben in rapt attention are (From Left) Club President Agam Shrivastava, RI Director Manoj Desai, District Collector Jenu Devan, Shroffs Foundation CEO Vikas Vaze, Trustee R K Sama, and Charter member of the club Sunil Vakil.

Chhota Udepur District carved out of Baroda district. “When we came here, the villagers, who mainly grow paddy, bajra, maize, cotton, were able to get only a single crop and were totally dependent on rain-fed agriculture. After 3–4 months when they had no water for their fields they would migrate to neighbouring areas for work.” As entire families migrated, taking even their animals with them as there was no fodder, the children were deprived of even primary education. Things were so bad initially, that an entire block would get barely 3–4 litres of milk a day “and we had to even carry our own milk for making tea,” he adds. But today Leelaben and other women from the village can ensure that they get at least two litres of milk everyday from their cattle. Most of it is consumed in the home; “these are desi animals; that is why the milk supply is small. But when we have surplus, we sell it to the dairy,” says Leelaben, who has four animals. Dhanjibhai, another farmer who owns 3 acres of land grows not only paddy and maize, but also vegetables such as brinjals, tomatoes, chillies and palak, which he markets. Adds Leelaben, “This year, for the first time we used natural fertilisers and you should have seen the fresh green leaves and the quality of the watermelons we grew and sold!”

Long term impact Now with increased availability of water and micro irrigation facility the villagers will be able to harvest multiple crops every year. Dhanjibhai with three acres of land and Samdakaka with five acres confirm that their soil has become much healthier and softer by avoiding chemical fertilisers and using the natural fertilisers prepared at the SFT farm schools. “What is more, instead of irrigating the land six times for a crop, we now have to do it only three times, as bio fertilisers help the soil retain moisture,” says Samdakaka. But he is most happy that compared to the 2–3 bags of rice or maize they earlier got from one acre of land, now the produce is 8–10 bags. Add to this the value addition given by the SFT at its farm schools, where samaj shilpis (social architects) such as Leelaben are given special training in modern farm techniques, bio manure, special seeds, etc, incomes are

We have not brought rocket science here; all we have done are simple interventions, such as building check dams, two community wells, some water harvesting measures in 10 model houses. expected to even quadruple. “Now we have the confidence that by using proper farming techniques, the yield can go up to 15 bags per acre,” he smiles. So what next? “For at least a year Agam and I will visit the village along with other committee members to see that the resources we’ve created are shared equitably,” says Vakil. Also, being an expert in socio-economic assessment — he has done such analysis for a Rotary project in the Philippines — he feels this is a perfect case for such an assessment. “We’ll take the help of students and the Social Work faculty in the MS University to do such a study and then build a replicable model on long term impact of such interventions,” he adds. While Desai announces construction of girls’ toilets in the region, Shrivastava adds that the club has undertaken to build under Swachh Bharat 100 toilet blocks in schools in the region, mainly for girls. “The Gujarat Government has asked us to uplift a whole village. After seeing our work, now several MPs and

Lift irrigation system on the bed of the River Aursung.

34 ROTARY 34 ROT O ARY RYY N R NE NEWS EWS WS DECEMBER DEC D DE EEC CEM EMB EMB MBER ER 2015 201 220 0115 0

Empowering tribal women

rior to the meeting I’ve asked to interview the beneficiaries of the E cube project in Katarvad. At one of the farm schools of the Shroffs Foundation Trust, set up by the Shroffs Family Charitable Trust, Leelaben (30), captivates me with her bright smile and intelligent sparkling eyes. Later, as she holds the mike and speaks with admirable confidence before the District Collector Jenu Devan and a bunch of Rotarians led by RI Director Manoj Desai, it is difficult to imagine that she is a tribal woman from a backward Indian village where all the 212 families don the BPL label. She helps run the family farm with husband Karsanbhai, growing paddy, maize, etc.Having passed Class 10, she is now the primary social worker and trainer in the farm school — the Trust runs 72 in this region — she effortlessly speaks of “SRI,” (which CEO Vikas Vaze explains as ‘systematic rice intensification’), vermi composting and bio fertilisers such as “Amrutpani and Brahmastra!” In the presence of other women farmers that she has trained, she explains how through SRI, paddy yield from the land can be scaled up significantly. “This is a scientific way to get more produce with fewer seeds and less water.” She trains both male and female farmers at this ‘school’ in the benefits of using bio fertilisers and other scientific methods of farming. We all watch in fascination as she concludes her address at the Rotary meet asking village women to stop allowing others to divide them, and grab with both hands the opportunities the SFT and Rotary were giving them to improve their lives and livelihood. Like a seasoned activist she says, “When we women are given some education,

training and freedom to participate in developmental and economic activity of the village, we can collectively do so much. But very often we allow others to suppress us and are pushed to the background with menial jobs.” As she winds up her speech with a call to the women to unite to change the entire village’s future, a relieved Devan is grateful to the Rotarians for solving one of his dilemmas. He reveals that often at meetings presided over by the Chief Minister to explain government initiatives for women’s empowerment, his dilemma is to get a rural woman to explain how these have empowered women. But the problem is that the female beneficiaries are very nervous at such meetings and unable to speak. “But now I know exactly where to find such a confident and articulate woman,” he says amidst applause. But my main takeaway is what Leelaben had told me earlier. Her eight-year-old daughter goes to a school and her toddler son is yet to enter one. But she swears that both her daughter and son will get equal and good quality education!

Charter member of the club Sunil Vakil displays the green fields.

MLAs are giving us their adopted villages for uplift, offering us their funds too!” Ultimately the sustainability and long term impact of this project named E cube — to represent the three Es — empathise, energise and empower — will determine its success. But the USP of this project, as sums up Vakil, is its simplicity. “As I said, it is not rocket science we brought here, but only simple intervention and scientific approach in harnessing available resources.” Water harvesting, land leveling, group wells, lift irrigation … all simple interventions which were available for thousands of years but somehow the Rotarians became the catalysts and tapped these resources. “Did you notice the twinkle in Leelaben’s eyes as she spoke to you or when she addressed the gathering? This is the inner spirit that most Indians have. To bring out that twinkle in the eye is an opportunity that Rotary gives … it is the service aspects of Rotary that I enjoy the most. Otherwise temperamentally I am not fit for Rotary,” he smiles. Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by Krishnapratheesh

RID Desai and spouse Sharmishtha interact with the tribal villagers.

DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 35

A man of spirituality,

compassion & action Rajendra K Saboo

here are people, though not very often, who come to the world with divine blessings and make their own destiny, overcoming the challenges of humble beginnings and life’s hurdles. In the process they create history. Such a person is known as a Yug Purush, or a person of an era. And when they indelible depart they leave an indelib ble mark on posterity to remember. Munjal, Brijmohan Lall Munjal l, Chairman MotoCorp, Emiretus of Hero MotoCor rp, was one such person born in 1923 in i Kamalia, now in Pakistan. When he passed away on November 1 at thee age of 92, an era passed with him. T The era that saw the Partition of the co country ountry with immense human tragedies, but also the emergence of a new India with hope, freedom and opportunities opportunities.. In this new era, achievements achhievements in science radicall radically ly changed lives and opened new vistas for better quality y of life. In this period, mobili ity patterns mobility changed, and bicycle bicycles es and later motorised two wheelers, bec became came popu popu-today lar and remain even tod day the most commonly used vehicl les. Brijmo vehicles. Brijmo-hanji became a part of this thhis upswing. After Partition he settled inn Ludhiana, Punjab, first selling bicycle parts doormanufacturing to-door and then manufactu uring them. The whole family became a part of the business and soon Hero wass born, manmancompeting ufacturing bicycles, comp peting with even world-class brands. Cycles Under his leadership Hero H became the world’s largest largeest bicycle manufacturer. But he had haad a larger vision and simultaneously y went into motorcycles manufacturing motorc ycles and group scooters. Today the gr roup is the biggest in the two-wheeler two-wheeleer segment.

36 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Spirituality, compassion But I don’t want to talk about how great Brijmohanji was as entrepreneur extraordinaire, which he indeed was, but to share my thoughts about him as a man. Each one of us faces a choice as we move on in life. This journey challenges us to find a vision and then to make that vvision a reality. But only very few can convert co that vision into action. There are nno limits on how you envision life. Most have limitations but he was one who extended ex his limits further and further. This Th made him different from He was not only beyond selfall others. H consciousness but also capable of shapconsciousn ing his own life and lives of those who came in to touch with him. This he did through his inner potential of spirituality blended with compassion and action. It was my privilege to know Brijmohan Brijmohanji as we walked along the Rotary pat path. This co-travel converted first into clo close friendship and then a family-like relationship. rela I got to know him around 196 1969–70 and then saw him in action in Ro Rotary during the District Conference in Ludhiana, of which he was the chairman. chairm I recollect well how the enormous ppandal built to accommodate over 600–700 600–7 people got blown away in a thunde thunderstorm the previous day and Brijmohanji led the team to make alterBrijmohanj arrangements to organise one of the nate arrang memorable conferences I’ve ever most memo attended. That T showed the capacity of the man. worked together in Rotary, we As we w close. In 1973, he became a candicame close of the Rotary disdate for governorship gov the whole of Punjab, trict encompassing encom Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Delhi Haryana, H substantial part of Uttar Pradesh. and a subst That year Rtn R K Beri got elected.

Rtn Brijmohan Lall Munjal donating blood at a Rotary Conference in 1973.

However, Brijmohanji’s love and work for Rotary never ceased or diminished. Ultimately he became the Governor of the bifurcated District 3090 for 1977– 78. It was my privilege to handover the governorship to him after completion of my term. I could not have found a better successor to lift Rotary in the District and the country to a higher echelon.

An example in service Though busy in his business and profession, he became an example of how if you have the will to extend yourself in Service above Self, you can find time both for your profession and service. He contributed his time and energies generously to Rotary, was involved in his Club and District affairs and participated in Zone Institutes. His humility and belief in social service became his trademark in human interactions. How can I forget his readiness to donate blood at the blood donation camp I had organised at the Chandigarh Conference? Whenever a project needed monetary support, he’d do his utmost for its success. When I was nominated as RI President in 1989, I was asked who I’d like to formally propose my name at the

Portland Convention in 1990, a tradition then. Usha and I spontaneously thought of Brijmohanji. He immediately agreed and with his wife travelled to Portland to propose my name amidst thunderous applause. As I embraced him after my acceptance speech, he whispered in my ear: “Raja, from now on, I will devote more time in serving humanity and will be at your disposal all the time.” He then gradually retired from active business, handing it over to his sons and devoted more time to spiritual and service pursuits. And, along with my family members, he too attended in 1991 the Mexico City Convention. But tragedy struck him soon after, when he lost his eldest son Raman. He confided to me that his utmost concern was to look after his daughter-in-law Renu, and he plunged back into day-to-day business, and encouraged Renu to attend office, so she did not feel helpless without her husband. That was Brijmohanji.

Man of values An impregnable set of values were his life’s philosophy. In Ludhiana, I’d always stay with him, and once asked

him about his rather small bedroom, and wondered why he didn’t shift to a bigger house. He replied: “Raja, only when all my brothers and other family members will be able to live in separate houses with the same standards, only then I will think of making a change.” This was a great statement from a man who did not think of himself alone, but his entire family. When I asked him the secret of his overtaking so many of his competitors, he said he and his family had a personal relationship with each dealer or distributor, and one of the family members would always attend an occasion of joy or sorrow in any of their homes. He knew most of the dealers and distributors by name. This was his way of dealing with people. At no time his office was out of bounds for any Rotarian. He or she would have to just ask for an appointment and would get it. He would go out of his way to accommodate any request of help from me. We may have started together but he rose to Himalayan heights in business and industry and yet his affection for me was unfettered. He would call me sometimes “Sabooji” DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 37

It was my privilege to know Brijmohanji as we walked along the Rotary path. This co-travel converted first into close friendship and then a family-like relationship.

live well, we have to learn to depart well, finding a quiet exit from a feast at which we’ve shared the enjoyment of staying full time. In the thoughts of the great Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Brijmohanji would have said: “I have had my invitation to this world’s festival, and thus my life has been blessed. My eyes have seen and my ears have heard.

or “Raja” but his and Bhabiji’s thoughtfulness and kindness to Usha and I were boundless. I cannot forget how he came by a chartered flight to attend my granddaughter Satvika’s wedding, and most unusually, stayed overnight in Chandigarh to attend the wedding and the reception. We will miss him. He was an uncommon man with the common touch. All of us have to go some day; this is the eternal truth.

Brijmohanji lived a full and complete life. American poet Wallace Stevens has said, “Death is the mother of beauty;” it is our mortality, our acceptance of departure as the final goal of life that exists with all its richness of meaning, the creation of art and the unfolding of the soaring wings of spiritual transcendence. Learning to live well is essential to all those who believe in values and morals. But to

It was my part at this feast to play upon my instrument, and I have done all I could. Now, I ask, has the time come at last when I may go in and see thy face and offer thee my silent salutation?” The time had indeed come for my dear friend. Physically he may not be with us now but his indomitable spirit continues to prevail. His departure from this world is truly a celebration of life.

A Peace messenger Jaishree A Rotarian’s goodwill promotion tour to Sri Lanka.

very Rotary club must have a SAARC Committee that will develop and implement comprehensive plans for promoting goodwill and lasting friendship among the SAARC nations. This was a suggestion made by Rtn Chandrakant Chaudhari of RC Aurangabad Metro, D 3132, when addressing a joint meet of nine Rotary clubs in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The peace summit was hosted by RC Colombo Capital City, D 3220. Chaudhari was on a two-week tour of the island nation to exchange ideas on promoting and sustaining peace among SAARC nations. 38 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Rtn Chandrakant Chaudhari addressing the Rotarians at Sri Lanka.

So what message has he carried from the tour? “I am an enriched person now. I learnt a lot from the Sri Lankan Rotarians and had an interesting peek into their rich culture and economy. I strongly feel that person to person, we do not have any issues or hard feelings against each other. That is the most important aspect to develop respect and love for each other.” Sharing of vocational knowledge, encouraging sister club projects, exchanging cultural troupes across

borders and organising inter-district/ club conferences were few other ideas Chaudhuri discussed with Sri Lankan Rotarians to foster healthy relationships between countries. Visiting Bangladesh is next on his agenda. He is excited about the threeday peace summit to be hosted by the District at Aurangabad during February 20–23, 2016. “We have already received registrations from 15 Rotarians from Nigeria, 2 from Pakistan and 16 from Sri Lanka so far,” he said.

District Wise TRF Contributions as on October 31, 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

9,871 12,846 4,003 17,291 1,26,443 58,136 4,245 172 0 0 339 45,986 6,595 22,064 24,622 34,551 13,050 20,462 43,549 14,318 2,90,283 3,419 2,714 1,300 51,776 1,89,940 67,967 7,788 3,537 14,575 1,04,959 30,721 18,108 656 53,055 (6,881) 12,92,461

3220

8,440

3271 3272

12,745 0

3281 3282

4,705 2,304

3292 South Asia Total World Total

73,488 13,94,143 2,76,81,993

PolioPlus*

Other Restricted

India 1,366 0 366 0 525 0 4,748 530 9,133 50,097 14,225 0 0 26,065 0 0 0 0 0 30,783 0 0 2,188 9,183 397 0 8,776 5,441 0 0 0 0 6,224 6,230 156 0 720 27,817 784 0 8,393 14,788 0 0 0 0 0 20,804 313 447 9,000 71,685 1,198 100 1,422 0 1,000 0 1,159 0 25 72,120 0 100 1,300 8,000 0 0 25 0 0 39,866 73,442 3,84,056 Sri Lanka 9,545 34,459 Pakistan 12,795 989 1,893 0 Bangladesh 0 32,200 0 0 Nepal 0 10,700 97,676 4,62,403 49,90,608 46,31,175

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

Total Endowment Contributions Fund 0 0 0 3,030 0 4,848 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9,258 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 89,045

11,238 13,211 4,528 25,599 1,85,673 77,210 30,310 172 0 30,783 339 57,357 6,992 45,539 24,622 34,551 25,504 20,619 75,148 27,602 3,23,464 3,429 2,714 22,104 52,536 2,70,625 69,264 9,211 5,537 15,427 1,85,748 30,821 27,408 656 90,080 32,985 18,39,004

7,583

60,026

0 0

26,529 1,893

1,000 1,000

37,905 3,304

0 98,628 53,37,778

84,188 20,52,850 4,26,41,555

Source: RI South Asia Office

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Madhu Mehta, Rtn Ramgopal Mehra and spouse Urmila.

At 100, he attends

Rotary meetings Rasheeda Bhagat

40 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Ramgopal Mehra’s fascinating journey across the world reads like a thriller movie.

his centenarian’s life story — at least the earlier years, reads like Gulliver’s Travels. Well almost; with tensions, pulls and pressures associated with World War II. But the most fascinating part of his saga is that even as he turns 100, this charter member of RC Bombay MidTown regularly attends club meetings. Meet Ramgopal Mehra, who became a charter member of his club in 1968 when RC Bombay ceded part of its territory to the new club it sponsored. He joined Rotary because somebody living in his building was a Rotarian, “and during my Rotary years I have met so many interesting people and listened to such great speakers that you can’t even imagine,” he says in a telephonic interview. The man who started Huechem Textiles, which has been in the textile and knitted clothing business since its inception in 1982, first left India for Japan as a teenager of

only 18, but with some experience in textiles. This helped him get a good job in a Japanese textile company with a much better salary. “In India my salary then was only Rs 30, but in my new job I got a salary of Rs 80, along with a house, telephone and all expenses paid … they paid even for my clothes! They were very generous to me.” He would travel all over East and South East Asia — Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, etc — to market their textiles and after five years came to India on a steamer. He landed in his hometown of Bombay just before the World War II began and was in two minds on whether to stay back or return. “But my brother advised me to return to Japan” and he set sail.

Adventures galore And here is where his adventure began! By the time he and his fellow Indian passengers reached Sri Lanka, the War had begun. As they were British subjects “the British put us up in a hotel and gave us a daily allowance of £10 and even from that we saved,” he chuckles. They were made to stay in Sri Lanka for a month. He has several interesting stories to relate of how a tug of war started between the Indians and the British who wanted to first send them back to India. But they insisted that they wanted to go to Japan. Eventually, Mehra left Japan “for Shanghai, where I could be safe during the War. Next he went to East Africa. Eventually, in 1942, he returned to India “where Gandhiji’s

In India my salary was only Rs 30, in Japan I got a salary of Rs 80, a house, telephone and other expenses. They were very generous to me.”

movement on India’s Independence was catching up.” He came home with a deep understanding of world cultures and global business practices. So what did he enjoy the most about being a Rotarian? “Oh, meeting so many wonderful people; but for Rotary I wouldn’t have met so many people, some of them very interesting foreigners. Also, when I joined, the speakers used to be very noted people who spoke on a range of subjects which were very novel and fascinating to me.”

Changes in Rotary But he feels some of the sheen has gone out of Rotary. “In my days people used to join Rotary not for furthering

Rtn Ramgopal Mehra, Nainu Thacker and Urmila Mehra.

In my days people used to join Rotary not for furthering personal interests but to make new friends and do service. These days some people join Rotary only to further their business interests. personal interests but to make new friends and do service. I am afraid these days some people join Rotary only to further their business interests,” he sighs. Saying he is a “Rotarian first” and then anything else, he adds, “In our days there were so many good Rotarians who were committed to Rotary and devoted to social service. Can you imagine that I never fought an election and never tried to become President? I don’t see the same kind of commitment to Rotary these days.” 42 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Even at this age, he continues to attend Rotary meetings and last year clocked cent per cent club attendance.

Fitness regime Right from 12, Mehra has been doing yoga and till recently his passion was “long walks.” From his years in Japan he learnt the virtue of qualities such as hard work, discipline and punctuality. His discipline ensured that he followed a strict diet, did yoga and took long walks, obviously the secrets to his long life. But recently, thanks to an unfortunate fall, his walks have been curtailed. He is married to Urmila and it’s been a partnership of 71 years. Their son Vipal is a Rotarian too, but not wanting to join the same club as his father, he joined RC Mumbai Cuffe Parade. Though Mehra is happy that “today India is in safe hands,” he is disturbed at the growing culture of corruption in the country and the ease with which Indian youth compromise with honesty and truth for making a fast buck. On what other Rotarians can learn from this vintage Rotarian, fellow club member and PDG Dr Shirish Sheth says: “Wonder how many Rotarians in their 90s, forget 100-year-old, would be attending Rotary Club meetings. Hats off to Ramgopal Mehra; his devotion says a lot about what Rotary really is!” His example should inspire Rotarians of all ages to show similar devotion to Rotary, he adds.

A momentous Diamond Jubilee

Marlene Kamdar presenting cheque for Rs 5 lakh to PRID Shekhar Mehta for Rotary India Literacy Mission.

Marlene Kamdar handing over a DD of $25,000 for TRF to RI Director Manoj Desai. Also present DG D 3230, C R Raju.

PDG J B Kamdar recently celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his organisation, Nadi Airtechnics Pvt Ltd in Chennai and Rotary dignitaries graced the occasion. Humanitarian endeavours done by the company were highlighted at the celebrations. PRIP Kalyan Banerjee inaugurated an eye camp organised by Kamdarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family trust in association with Sankara Nethralaya at a village, Azhinjivakkam. Nearly 700 people were screened and 117 cataract operations were performed. The Trust also handed over 15 toilets to the village community. Generous contributions were also made to The Rotary Foundation, the Polio Fund and Rotary India Literacy Mission.

PRID Panduranga Setty, PDGs Raja Seenivasan and J B Kamdar, DG C R Raju, PRIPs Kalyan Banerjee and Rajendra K Saboo, Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National PolioPlus Committee Chair Aziz Memon and Marlene Kamdar during the inauguration of the eye camp. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 43

From misﬁts to

outﬁt designers

Kiran Zehra

he white walls of RC Kankaria, D 3051’s Rotary Vedic Apparel Training Centre, are decorated with fabric, thread and instructions in Gujarati on the different types of sewing patterns. A group of Rotarians give instructions to freshly qualified trainees on their D Day — an opportunity to get placed in big textile houses like Arvind Mills and Ashima in Ahmedabad. “Hum aapko chod kar nahi jayenge (we are not going to leave you),” says Guddi, a trainee. Travel allowance, a decent stipend and good chai-nashta (tea and snacks), has made her comfortable here. The centre that started four years ago is housed in the club’s own building and lists jobs for women from rural background. Rtn Bina Desai, Project Coordinator, reminds them that “this job can give you the money you need to educate your children and lead an independent life.” These women from rural villages aren’t a part of the earning world and if they want to pursue a vocation “kisiko bhai nahi anney deta 44 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

toh kisiko pati (male family members do not allow them to work),” says Pushpa, the coordinator of the training centre. She meets women from nearby villages and convinces them to join the training programme. The trainees start with basic stitching lessons and within two months “I could stitch Aishwarya Rai wala lehenga for my daughter,” says a confident trainee. Most of these women are victims of domestic violence, dowry harassment and poverty. “My husband asks me if I am going out with another man and blames me for not paying enough attention to household chores,” says Rekha and thanks members of Inner wheel and Rotary Legal Aid that work with their families to address grievances and conduct regular counselling sessions. Each year the centre distributes 130 machines to women from different villages. At the centre, they not only learn tailoring, but tip each other on “how to download facebook, games and watch the latest Hindi songs on

Youtube,” laughs Guddi. RC Kankaria has an adult literacy training facility in the same premises that provides rural women with basic education. The club’s beautician training programme is a front runner as skilled beauticians “don’t have to necessarily work in a parlour. They can go to different houses and provide beauty services and don’t have to divide their earning,” says Bina. There are courses on handbag making and mehendi too. When these women get jobs outside they do not want to settle for anything less than their stipend. “They gave me 30 p for a piece, so I quit and came back here,” complains Guddi. In her defence she adds “Dusri jagah dant bhi sehni padti hai (we have to bear with scolding at our workplace),” In about six months they can get a hike and easily make Rs 5,000–10,000, explains Bina. On the other hand, Ganga, another trainee, is very happy that “Lakshmi ghar aayegi,” and she will be able to educate her children and start her own business someday.

Discover Seoul 2016 RI Seoul Convention HOC has designed exciting tour programmes of Korea. There are pre- and post- convention tours, half-day tours, and all day tours, for 24 distinct programmes. Three of them are detailed here. Tour Jeju, the Fantasy Island Designated as a UNESCO National Heritage Site, biosphere reserve, and global geopark, Jeju Island has amazing sights and experiences to offer. From a walk through Dokkebi (Goblin) Park and Bijarim Tree Forest to a visit to the Dragon’s Head Yongduam and Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, lap up the breathtaking beauty of Jeju. Discover the legend of Seopjikoji rock formation and enter the lava-formed rock palace of Manjanggul Cave. A 3-day tour package, Jeju Island Tour is a popular programme among local Koreans as it offers many tastes only available in Jeju including a plethora of fresh seafood and meals made in traditional Korean pottery bowl (Ttookbaegi).

Bukchon Hanok Village Tour If you want to learn about and experience the history of Korea, an all-day tour titled ‘From Traditional to Modern — Learn about History’ is recommended. You will get to live the past and the present walking through a village filled with traditional Korean houses called ‘hanok.’ Experience the beauty with all the senses as you walk

around various artisan workshops and museums. Enjoy a cup of tea and relax in Insa-dong as well as craft traditional Korean jewelry as a souvenir.

Ancient Palace Tour There are endless activities and places to visit in Korea that if you are short on time, take advantage of the halfday tour programmes. Experience the 600-year history of Joseon Dynasty with the World Heritage Palace Tour — the true beauty of Korea. Visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace which has the Geunjeongjeon Hall that inspired the 2016 RI Seoul Convention logo. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and known as a place of rest for the kings, Changdeokgung Palace and its rear garden boasts the beauty of traditional Korean royal garden.

HOC Tour Programmes For reservations, please visit HOC website: www. riconvention2016.org. For any queries, please contact Ms Seok Hye-Ji at email: shgmuse@globaltour.co.kr Picture by: Korea Tourism Organisation

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CONVENTION

Korean hospitality

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR

A new look for presidential conferences

t would be easy simply to describe Koreans as friendly and gracious, or to highlight their earnest desire to make visitors feel welcome. What’s more difficult is to define the driving force behind their warmth. Jeong is a feeling of devotion, of caring and kinship. It signifies a genuine connection, a fondness for another. It can be a feeling between old friends, or with someone you just met. If you’re confused, don’t worry: You’ll know it when you experience it at the 2016 Rotary International Convention in Seoul, 28 May–1 June. Korean jeong will be at the heart of Host Hospitality Night, which allows convention goers to interact with area Rotary members in a more intimate setting. Host Rotarians arrange events, from a casual picnic to an evening of local entertainment. Purchase tickets at www. riconvention.org. It’s this type of opportunity that makes Rotary conventions special, says Sangkoo Yun, chair of the Host Organisation Committee. “I sign up at every convention I’ve been to,” says Yun, who has visited a family home in Sydney, an art gallery in Los Angeles and a castle in Malmö, Sweden, during past Host Hospitality Nights. In Seoul, the host committee is organising hospitality nights on several evenings. Yun especially encourages Rotarians whose clubs have a partner relationship with a Korean club to sign up. Enjoy the Korean hospitality and feel the jeong. – Susie Ma. Register for the convention by 15 December for the best rate. Go to www.riconvention.org.

residential conferences have become popular meetings for Rotarians from around the world, but the conference programmes vary from year to year with each president. President Ravi has planned five unique conferences during this Rotary year, each inspired by one of the areas of focus established by The Rotary Foundation as part of its Future Vision plan: Peace and conflict prevention and resolution: 15–16 January in Ontario, Calif. peaceconference2016.org Disease prevention and treatment: 19–20 February in Cannes, France rotary-conference-cannes2016.org Community and economic development: 27 February in Cape Town, South Africa rotarycapetown2016.com Literacy and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) in Schools: 11–13 March in Kolkata, India rotaryteach.org/presidentialconference WASH in Schools: 18–19 March in Pasay City, Philippines 2016RotaryPresidentialConferenceManila.org President Ravi and I will attend all five of the conferences, which are cosponsored by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, and we hope that Rotarians will take an active interest in supporting them, particularly the ones closest to their homes. These events offer opportunities to explore the issues alongside Rotary’s leaders and outside experts in the various areas of focus, as we spotlight practical approaches for Rotarians to become involved in new and effective projects. If you find any of the conferences to be of interest, which I hope you will, please consider attending one of them, or perhaps sending a representative from your club. The presidential conferences are excellent supplements to the Rotary conventions, and they are further proof that Rotary is truly Doing Good in the World all around the globe!

Ray Klinginsmith Foundation Trustee Chair

Grooming leaders Selvi

o impart leadership qualities in youth, RC Mangalore, District 3180, recently conducted the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) programme for the newly formed Interact club members of the Sharadha Vidyaniketan Public School in Mangalore. More than 100 students, along with the Interactors, took part in the programme. Sessions on leadership skills, personality development, problem-solving and conflict management, swimming lessons and fun activities provided a memorable learning experience for them. “The event gave them the self-confidence to communicate their views freely, thus helping them come out of their cocoons,” said the Interact Committee Chairman Vinod D’Souza. The Interactors had an opportunity to learn new skills and display their latent talent. The two days gave

them a different perspective of life. Completion certificates were given to the participants. The school principal Sushma appreciated the Rotarians for instilling the “spirit of dedication and service in the minds of our students. Every day the Interactors help in

cleaning classrooms and dining area, serving food and maintaining general discipline in the school.” She applauded the Interactors for collecting, recycling and selling waste paper for giving gifts to the inmates of Olavina Halli Rehabilitation and Community Development Centre.

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A match between

voice and vision Jaishree They have the best of voices, and their lack of vision did not come in the way of their getting employed. “Yes M’am, how can I help you?” responds a pleasant voice on the other end of the phone. I’m calling the Drishti Call Centre in Mumbai and Hussain Presswala, a visually challenged telecaller, who works here. This centre is part of the National Association for the Blind (NAB), located at the Worli Seaface in this metro. Inaugurated in 2006 by the then President of India Pratibha Patil, initially it was manned by 15 visually

challenged telecallers providing marketing support to Tata Indicom. Since September, the centre has been scaled up with an auto dialler and server with 50 work stations and 30 people with visual impairment work here now. “More candidates are being screened for jobs from the database at our employment cell,” says NAB Executive Director Pallavi Kadam. “Earlier it was a manual system and quite cumbersome. We had to

hold the Braille printout of phone numbers in one hand and dial the numbers with the other. This way so many wrong calls were dialled and we used to be rebuked by the person called almost every day,” says Hussain, a B A (History) graduate from St Xavier’s College. He is with the centre for the past 18 months and can speak Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi and English. “Now working is more fun and comfortable. Each of us is

Juhi Chawla inaugurates the call centre.

50 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

able to make 100–150 calls a day of which at least 35 get converted into customers.” The centre handles marketing calls for Vodafone now. Asked about the nature of his job, Hussain says that he explains to potential clients about the various offers of Vodafone and “I convince people to convert to post-paid connectivity.” He is happy that he has not had any unpleasant experience in the past three months after the centre has become fully automated, and takes home a salary of Rs 4,000 to support his father’s earnings. He closed his call with an impressive, “Thank you M’am, nice speaking to you, have a great day!”

The genesis It all began when Rtn Digant Shah of RC Bombay Hanging Gardens, D 3140, initially offered to donate a computer to the call centre. He learnt from Pallavi Kadam that the manual system had several issues, one of them being calls wrongly placed to people in the ‘Do not disturb’ list, for which NAB was penalised by TRAI. Subsequently Tata Indicom opted out, after which NAB entered into a contract with Vodafone. Discussions with Vodafone revealed that the problem can be solved if the operations are computerised and calls automated. “That meant employment for 50 visually challenged people, and I got excited,” says Shah. Later he spoke about it to the club secretary Rtn Dilip Shah who funded the equipment through his Premlata Vandravan Shah Charities in memory of his aunt and uncle. The computerised call centre was inaugurated in September by Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla, who is also an honorary Rotarian of the club. “The quantum of investment is not important, it is the cause … how many lives this call centre is able to touch. It is like giving a glass of water to a thirsty person,” says Dilip Shah.

“I am able to support my family comfortably and what’s more, we have been promised a hike.” — Subhash Dharne For Subhash Dharne (49), who had to shut down his PCO booth after mobile phones took over, his employment at the centre has been a godsend for four years now. “I am able to support my family comfortably and what’s more, we have been promised a hike in the salary now, post-computerisation.”

How it works The auto dialler dials the call from the list pre-fed into the server. The call is transferred to a computer. The visual data on the computer monitor is converted into voice with a special screen reading software, ‘Jaws,’

which the agent manning that computer hears through headphones and proceeds with the job. They are provided a week’s training prior to appointment. With computerisation, the efficiency level has vastly improved; more calls are being made compared to the manual method, says Pallavi. “We highlighted this point to the Vodafone representative and told him that the benefit of the efficiency should be shared with the call centre employees, following which they have agreed to increase their salary by 50 per cent,” says Dilip Shah. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 51

Honouring Unsung Heroes Team Rotary News Hong Kong’s elite come together to celebrate the winner of THE ONE International Humanitarian Award 2015 — India’s Sindhutai Sapkal.

he who’s who of the city assembled at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Hong Kong, on June 23 to honour and celebrate the world’s unsung heroes at the fourth annual fundraising gala dinner for THE ONE International Humanitarian Award. Sindhutai Sapkal from India was conferred with the title — THE ONE 2015 — for her unfaltering passion and determination to improve lives of destitute women and orphans of Pune. The four finalists — Bharathi Mekala Jayaram from Lagos, Nigeria; Dr Burenjargal Bultuush from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Chung To from Greater China and winner Sindhutai Sapkal from Pune, India, were present. THE ONE Ambassador Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, an accomplished film personality and martial artist; and THE ONE Hong Kong Ambassador Cecilia Wang; the then RI President Gary Huang and RIPE K R Ravindran participated. Founder of THE ONE, PDG David Harilela, summed up its purpose: “These angels are active where people fear to tread, and where pain is most acute, and ensure we are there to make a difference. When the world is in chaos, we need a hero, and this hero will inspire us not to worry about ourselves, but to help those in need,” he said. Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, an ardent supporter of the project since its inception, said: “THE ONE celebrates the unsung heroes that give back so selflessly. Heroes that inspire us with their achievements, against all odds. Tonight is a celebration of these individuals.” The entertainment included a lively Bollywood dance and a spectacular musical performance by Gretchell Yaneza Yeung who inspired all with her portrayal of Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you.” The night closed with a powerful rendition of charity hit “We are the World,” sung by David Harilela, Tricia Buser, Gretchell Yaneza and Grammy nominee Howard McCrary. While the story of each finalist was told, it was Sindhutai Sapkal who captivated the hearts of the judges. 52 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Sindhutai Sapkal.

Sindhutai has nurtured over 1,050 orphaned children, and has a grand family of 207 sons-in-law, 36 daughtersin-law, and over 1,000 grandchildren. “I was on my way to commit suicide with my daughter, when we saw a very old beggar dying on the streets. He asked for a sip of water so that he wouldn’t die. So I stopped and went to get him some water and some food — he didn’t die. It was then that I realised dying is not the solution — I have to live for such people. This is what would make living worthwhile.” All proceeds raised during the event will go for the 2016 and other awards.

Sindhutai Sapkal Sindhutai was born in a village in Wardha district of Maharashtra where women were not allowed education. Her father secretly sent her to school till the fourth grade after which she was married at the age of 19 to a 30-year-old cowherd from a nearby village. Poverty-stricken and saddled with a daughter to feed, she was forced to beg on the streets to survive. As she wandered through the streets she became immersed in RI President K R Ravindran, End Polio Ambassador Donnie Yen, THE ONE winner Sindhutai Sapkal, PRIP Gary Huang and THE ONE Founder PDG David Harilela. the pain of others, particularly orphans and women like herself. It was then that she decided she would fight to improve their lives. She raised enough money to build and run six shelter When the world is in chaos, we need a homes for the destitute women and orphans of Maharashtra. hero, who will inspire us not to worry Today Sindhutai resides at the shelter, providing shelter, about ourselves, but to help those in need. food, education, protection and most importantly a future for the destitutes who fondly refer to her as ‘Mai’ (mother). — PDG David Harilela Over the years she has nurtured over 1,050 orphaned children, who she has adopted as her own, and now has a grand finalists in case of any emergency. In 2015 THE ONE sent family of 207 sons-in-law, 36 daughters-in-law, and over out $15,000 within 48 hours to Cynthia Maung, a finalist 1,000 grandchildren. from Myanmar, whose boarding school for her orphaned Even with no steady income to speak of, she still invests every ounce of her being to make sure her ‘family’ conboys was suddenly burned down. tinues to thrive. She dreams of setting up a Saptasindhu The award money is used to build schools, hospitals, Mahila Aadhar, Balsangopan va Shikshan Sanstha training provide medicine and medical care to the needy and educate centre for the orphans to prepare them for the future through children. These heroes have improved the lives of millions computer, English language and personality development in India, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, classes. the Philippines, East Timor, Thailand, India, Mongolia, Sindhutai was nominated by Rtn Govind Patel of RC Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia. Link Town, Airoli, D 3140. He is the National Representative appointed to help the committee identify a worthy Your participation requested person for the award. The organising committee has over 500 Rotarian representatives from 60 countries, to help promote THE ONE THE ONE world over. Conceptualised and founded by PDG David Harilela, D If you identify one or more worthy candidates, please 3450, in 2012, THE ONE is dedicated to finding the hero submit a completed nomination form with a Rotary Club of all heroes. endorsement, resume and photograph of the candidate, The award winner receives $100,000 to further his/ description of his/her service to humanity and supporting her respective humanitarian cause and service projects, material to nominates@theonerotary3450.org or post to and a trophy, specially designed by Harilela. The other THE ONE Organising Committee, Rotary Information three finalists get $50,000 each, sponsored by The Peter Centre, 14/F Capital Commercial Centre, 26 Leighton Bennett Foundation. Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, no later than Friday, THE ONE $100,000 Emergency Fund is made eligible January 31, 2016. only to its past finalists. Applications will be reviewed and Rotarians can nominate and endorse only nonapproved, case to case, by THE ONE Emergency Fund Rotarians. The endorsing Rotary club receives $5,000 if Committee headed by PDG Peter Wong and Dr Ricky their nominee becomes THE ONE. Chan. The Fund was set up in 2014 to further assist the (http://www.theonerotary3450.org) DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 53

Breast

cancer awareness initiative Kiran Zehra Helping rural girls understand the dangers of breast cancer.

Signing up to be pink warriors.

andhini, a Rotaractor from PSNA Engineering College and a Pink Warrior of RC Dindigul Queen City, D 3000, talks to her college mates about breast cancer and how it can be self-detected. “Initially they giggled and made fun. But the PPT and lecture from the oncologist who is also a Pink Ambassador made them wonder, what if they got it? Now they share this information with their family and friends,” she says. Pink warriors are college students who are roped in to spread awareness on the dangers of breast cancer and the need for prevention and early detection. “My mother’s battle against cancer was demanding and it distracted our attention about post-treatment impact,” says PP Ananthajothi, RC Dindigul Queen City. “The pricking and piercing was over, but the true pain began when she had to deal with 54 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

the fact that her breast was removed, following which she slipped into depression.” Dr Sharmila, a member of RC Queen City, says: “This happens when women are not aware of post-mastectomy stress. The trauma of fighting cancer and having either or both breasts removed takes a toll on her confidence, affecting her emotional well-being.” At the hospital where her mother was being treated, Ananthajothi saw girls in their late teens undergoing treatment. “As a survivor, my 65-yearold mother was not willing to accept the change in her body. How would these young girls cope,” was the question that troubled her. According to oncologists from the Indian Medical Association, eight out of ten Indian women suffer from breast cancer and most of the patients are under 20. But Club President Rethinamala has some good news. Early detection

and advanced treatment can prevent mastectomy. “Our pink ambassadors and pink warriors will run awareness sessions throughout the year to support early detection,” she says. At the club’s ‘Dindigul Turns Pink’ initiative, 4,000 girl students from 12 different colleges, doctors and Rotarians participated in the formation of a human pink ribbon at Achyuta Academy. It helped create awareness on breast cancer and post-mastectomy stress for young girls from nearby villages too. A screening camp at the event site co-hosted by Devaki Hospital, Madurai, screened 200 women. Six women from medical and political backgrounds were honoured as Pink Ambassadors and 100 students enrolled as pink warriors. The guest of honour DGE M Muruganandam lauded the club’s efforts for spreading awareness and enhancing Rotary’s public image.

Doing good with TRF help

Digitising Schools in Tamil Nadu Selvi

truly value the enormous efforts of the Rotarians to upgrade government and government-aided schools in Tamil Nadu to become E-learning centres. This will make education more enjoyable and easy for the children, especially in the rural belts, where they can’t even speak fluently,” says a government school teacher, one of the 110 teachers attending the Training Seminar for Teachers on E-learning conducted by Rotarians of Districts 2981, 2982 and 6270 (USA) at Excel Engineering College, Komarapalayam. The Zonal Literacy Coordinator N Asoka and District Literacy Committee Chairman Dr AK Natesan addressed the teachers on Rotary’s Literacy

Schools with lesser staff strength and almost nil infrastructures will benefit the most. — DRFC R Selvarangam

programme and asked them to take E-learning to underprivileged children. This Global Grant project initiated by PDG SP Balasubramaniam, D 2980, last year was approved now, by which time the District got bifurcated into 2981 and 2982. Partnered by D 6270, RC Elmbrook (Brookfield), D 6270 and TRF, and with a total contribution of $81,345 E-learning kits were provided to 60 schools. Each school received a CPU, projector, video projection screen and speakers. DVDs covering the State promoted syllabus up to class 6 and training for the teachers were given by Vedha Systems, Pondicherry owned by Rtn V Sunder, who also supplied the laptops and study material for the training seminar. This computer-aided teaching “is attractive and will create an interest in the students and encourage them to continue their studies,” says DG Dr Gunasekaran, D 2981. URLs enabling easy selection of content from websites were emailed to the teachers who will be periodically trained to upgrade their computer skills. DG Vasu, D 2982 says, “Learning will now be more fun compared to a text book as it will bring the world before the students.” “Schools with lesser staff strength and almost nil infrastructures will benefit the most,” says DRFC R Selvarangam. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 55

Pamper your taste buds in

Vienna Rasheeda Bhagat

A typical vineyard tavern where a local player entertains the diners.

A Apart from its rich history and cultural heritage, Vienna, with its delicious cakes & pastries, soups & schnitzels, is a foodie’s paradise.

t the Grand Hotel in Vienna, I am amazed to see an explosion of veiled women, with large shopping bags of designer goodies, children and maids in tow. Of course they are all accompanied by Arab men. Perhaps there is a conference on, I think. But later Isabella, Team Manager Media Management, Vienna Tourist Board, tells me that the Arab visitors like to stay at the Grand Hotel because they allow them to bring their own cooks. A good point to note for Indians, particularly vegetarians, especially Jains who are often miserable while travelling overseas and find it difficult to explain to restaurateurs that even in vegetarian food there can be restrictions. Anyway, I have none, so I set out in Vienna, a gourmet delight, to sample all kinds of food.

Coffee house culture First and foremost, in this Austrian city, you have to soak in the coffee house culture, discreetly and delicately moving aside the heaps of double cream adorning their heavenly pastries. We head for Café Central which has a pride of place in the city’s history as the who’s who of Vienna’s intellectuals were regular patrons here, one of them being Sigmund Freud. Apparently Adolf Hitler also loved its delicacies! With a lot of chess playing happening here, till 1938 it was called the ‘Chess School.’ At the end of World War II it was closed and in1975, it was renovated and opened for business. Today it is a buzzing tourist spot, and proud of its literary history, has a corner where, sipping your cup of coffee and tucking in its delicious cakes and pastries, you can leaf through newspapers and journals on a lazy afternoon, and watch the world go by. I opt for the Melange, which is just like the Italian cappuccino, but with more coffee than milk, my guide Ilse points out. She quickly orders lemon, raspberry and chocolate cakes and we have a tough time putting aside

A favourite debate topic with the Viennese residents is which city restaurant or pub makes the best schnitzel. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 57

Delicious cakes at Café Central.

the overwhelming cream topping. As I watch a little boy, accompanied by his father, struggle to decide on his pastry, I learn that some of the tables at this iconic coffee house are reserved for regulars, and others are not allowed to occupy them. Regular patronage is respected here.

City of sausages and schnitzels A few hours in Vienna will tell you this is a city of sausages! They occupy the pride of place on most menus, and you can find sausage stands all around the city. When the Viennese have little or no time for lunch they go to the sausage stands, grab a couple of sausages with some bread, and that is lunch. None of our elaborate thalis for them. The Viennese have a lot of spaghetti, other pasta and the young just love to guzzle pizza! But in Vienna the pride of place has to go to their trademark schnitzels. The world-famous Wiener (Viennese) Schnitzel is a tender flat veal cutlet, coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and pan-fried in butter and oil to a perfect golden brown. It typically comes with potato salad, but is also served with boiled potatoes or a side salad. Just like Indians, the Viennese too have a passion for deep-fried dishes, and

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apart from the schnitzel which is deep fried, other staples too are tossed in breadcrumbs and fried … chicken pieces (Backhendl), liver, fish, and a variety of vegetables. A favourite debate topic with the locals is which city restaurant or pub makes the best schnitzel. They also agree that there are plenty of candidates to choose from! Most visitors order cakes as these are delicious and melt in the mouth, but schnitzels are also available. And neither the cakes nor the coffee is too expensive, costing between 3–4 euros. While lunch is on the run, what do the Viennese have for breakfast? Not surprisingly — the variety of breads here are to die for — I learn that most people have for breakfast a traditional bread or a roll with cheese, ham, sausage or jam. What about eggs? “Oh no, eggs are not so traditional; that’s an influence from the English or American breakfast. Even those who go in for an egg would take it boiled,” says Ilse.

Variety of beers As I’ve landed in Vienna on a record-making hot summer day, with the mercury sizzling around 35–37

deg C, in the afternoons a chilled beer is the obvious choice. Austria has a wide variety of beers, with Stigl and Gösser being popular brands. Ilse says that beer has been found in Vienna and other Austrian cities since 1492. “In the monasteries, traditionally the monks brewed their own beer, which was not only a drink but a substitute for food to strengthen them. Particularly before Easter and the 40 days of fasting. During Lent the monks were not allowed to eat, but they were allowed to have two litres of beer every day, and it was strong beer!” Lent beer is stronger than normal beer, she adds. The Viennese love their wines too and there are several vineyards and wineries in this city. But they are not great whiskey drinkers; if a stronger spirits is desired, most of the time schnapps is the drink of choice. What about Raka, I ask, recalling the timely little helping offered to me once by a monk on a freezing winter day in Greece. “No we don’t take Raka here,” smiles Ilse, adding, “but it reminds us of holidays in Greece! We also like drinking vodka, but not as much as the Russians!” But beer is a hot draw and men with beer bellies are referred to as Gösser Muskel; “it’s a humorous Austrian expression for a beer belly,” she adds.

History of Viennese Cuisine

Veal Schnitzel.

Traditionally the monks brewed their own beer, which was not only a drink but a substitute for food to strengthen them during fasting periods.

Vienna is probably the only city in the world which has its name on a particular style of cooking. This has evolved by the blending of the best culinary traditions from Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Italy and the Balkans, to make some unusual dishes. As Vienna was at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy for centuries, it imbibed the culinary traditions and influences from all these countries. “The capital’s location — close to Hungary, Bohemia and Moravia — and the presence of exceptionally gifted female cooks from all over the empire in well-to-do Viennese households saw the city’s cuisine take on a distinctly Eastern European flavour,” says Isabella. Hungary contributed goulash, as well as the strudel, which it had in turn borrowed from Turkey. Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, contributed many of the city’s pastries (known as Mehlspeisen). The secret behind

the calories-stuffed sweet dishes such as pancakes and apricot dumplings, often served as a main course, is the Bohemian influence! The jewel in the Viennese culinary crown, the Wiener Schnitzel, is rumoured to have reached the Austrian capital from Istanbul via Venice and Milan!

Delicious soups Viennese cuisine is also famous for its clear soups, which are traditionally served as starters. I try for lunch a classic Viennese beef soup garnished with green vegetables, chives and parsley and it proves to be a delicacy, the taste of which will linger for a long time. The broth of this soup is made from beef, bone and vegetable stock that is simmered for hours, after which various extras are added. DECEMBER 2015

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A little boy struggles to decide on his pastry at Café Central.

The Viennese have a sweet tooth and the sweet delicacies in this city will quadruple your guilt complex and send you sprinting to the gym! This soup can also be had with semolina or liver dumplings. Dumplings are a big draw in Vienna. I next try a grilled snapper, which is crisp on the outside but oh-so-tender and fresh on the inside. A smoked sausage bought from a street stall, stuffed in freshly baked bread, is another delicacy that is highly recommended. Also, don’t miss the famous Viennese rolls stuffed with delicious jams … I tried peach and wasn’t disappointed. An occasional pizza 60 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

or pasta in any Viennese restaurant won’t disappoint you. This is apparently a city which knows its food! The Viennese have a sweet tooth and the sweet delicacies in this city will quadruple your guilt complex and send you sprinting to the gym! Many hotels have their trademark delicacies and the more upmarket ones keep a sweet souvenir in your room to take away. Mine had a tantalising box carrying the delicious cake that is branded as the original Grand Guglhupf, and the hotel claims that Emperor Franz Joseph loved it just the way it was made — from a secret recipe — from the best ingredients without artificial flavours or additives. The difference was deciphered by the taste buds! But the delicacy to die for is said to be the original Sacher Torte, the most famous cake in Vienna, as the rest of Austria. According to literature from Vienna Tourism, this fluffy chocolate cake made with apricot jam and chocolate glaze is prepared at the legendary Hotel Sacher, behind the Vienna State Opera, again through a secret recipe dating back to 1832! This cake was invented by Franz Sacher, an apprentice chef employed by the royal household. More than 360,000 of these cakes are made by hand each year. A third are eaten at the hotel itself, a third sold elsewhere and the remainder sent to cake lovers all over the world. Well, I missed it, but it’s a good enough excuse to return to this lovely European city, which is much kinder on your pocket than the neighbouring Swiss cities. Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat Designed by N Krishnamurthy

Interactors help people walk Team Rotary News

leven physically challenged people including eight children will now be able to lead a near independent life, thanks to the efforts of the Interactors of Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan Interact Clubs of Uplands and TPT Colony. The youngsters pooled in funds and organised artificial limbs fitment camp in their school campus. The camp cost Rs 60,500. “I was overwhelmed to see these people walk on their own after being fitted with artificial limbs. As an individual I couldn’t have done so much. Being a part of this organisation has given me this opportunity,” said Interact Club Vice President Navya Raaga, a class 10 student. The clubs have been putting people back on their feet through such projects for two years now. Rtn Chitturi Vasu Prakash, the schools’ Director, is all praise for the Interactors.

The Interact Clubs were chartered in November 2009 by RC Visakha Port City, D 3020. They became the first Interact Club in India to donate for

the cause of polio eradication when in 2012 they donated Rs 3 lakh to Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ programme, immunising 20,200 children.

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LITERACY FOCUS PRID Shekhar Mehta Chairman, Rotary India Literacy Mission

Volunteering for the T-E-A-C-H Programme

chieving Total Literacy and Quality Education through the T-E-A-C-H Programme is an enormous responsibility that requires constant on-ground support. It needs passionate and committed people wanting to serve and help us in achieving our literacy goals. Last year Rotary India Literacy Mission ran a campaign to which the Rotary Clubs and Rotarians across India responded amazingly. Over 13,000 volunteers have registered, expressing their interest in associating themselves with each of the T-E-A-C-H vertical.

Coca Cola and RILM join hands to make 50 Happy Schools! RILM partners with Coca Cola’s “Support My School” campaign and Aircel to make 50 Happy Schools in Chennai, Coimbatore and Pondicherry. The campaign funds are with Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) who is one of the funding partners for this project. The funds are with RI District 3230 Rotary Centenary Charitable Trust, who will implement few elements of ‘Happy School’ of RILM. The partners have finalised 32 schools in Chennai, 8 in Coimbatore and 10 in Pondicherry. The MoU between D 3230 Rotary Centenary Charitable Trust and CAF has already been signed. CAF India has an approved grant size of Rs 42,99,000. RILM is also matching the grant with Rs 31,21,688 for this project. The project will focus on improving the infrastructural facilities — provision of Sanitation facilities, hand washing facilities and maintenance of toilets — in 50 government schools in the above mentioned three cities.

62 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

Why do we need volunteers? All five verticals of the T-E-A-C-H programme need volunteers for their implementation. From volunteer-teachers needed for supplemental teaching to conducting surveys for the other verticals to starting an e-learning centre, volunteers are needed at every step. They are also required for organising PR activities, developing communications and in impact assessment studies. How to get volunteers? Volunteers can be identified from amongst • Rotarians • Spouses and families of Rotarians • Inner Wheel members • Rotaractors • The general public at large like D Retired people D College students D Homemakers D Anyone willing to contribute to the cause of total literacy in India. Anyone wishing to be a volunteer can register themselves as per the vertical they are interested in working for, at the www.rotaryteach.org website. The detailed list of 13,000 registered volunteers along with their chosen areas of work is available at the website. This can be utilised as per the requirement of any Rotary Club as they implement the T-E-A-C-H programme.

Deploying volunteers for the T-E-A-C-H Programme:

TEACHER SUPPORT • Supplemental teaching D Preferably volunteers with teaching experience who can teach Language, Mathematics or Science of Classes I – V in selected State funded primary schools. D Commitment to devote minimum 2 hours after school or during vacations. D Commitment for 15 – 30 days of continuous teaching. •

Teacher Training D Should have 10 years of teaching experience D Can be trained to become a Master Trainer if interested

E-LEARNING • Conducting survey to select State funded primary schools for E-learning classroom set up. • Understand the functioning and usage of E-learning modules from RILM approved vendors. Should be able to answer queries and train teachers of the selected schools. ADULT LITERACY • Conducting survey in village/urban slum/basti to set up Adult Literacy Centres. • Select Adult non-literates and counsel them to join the Adult Literacy Centre. • Commitment of dedicating at least 1 hour every day for 3–5 days in a week, for a minimum of 3 months.

• • •

Undergo training to teach by using available primers and wherever possible E-learning modules. Identify and engage with schools which are interested to participate in Rotary India Global Dream (RIGD) project. Motivate and train student-volunteers participating in RIGD project.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT • Identify and visit social/ non-governmental organisations interested to work in Child Development. • Work with NGOs and RILM to ensure out of school children are enrolled in Asha Kiran project. • Monitor work of NGOs and add value to the projects. HAPPY SCHOOL • Conducting survey of Government/Government-aided primary schools to select and meet the requisite parameters to make a Happy School. • Setting up libraries in selected State funded primary schools. • Help Rotary clubs to monitor the work based on all the parameters that make a Happy School. PR, PUBLICATIONS and EVENTS • One can help by designing communication collaterals, write for publications and blogs and work on ground during events, promotions and conferences with assistance of local Rotary clubs.

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How can you get data of registered volunteers? The Volunteer Search tab on the website gives details of all registered volunteers categorised in RI Districts. This data, inclusive of email ids and mobile numbers of volunteers, can be downloaded in Microsoft Excel format. The data can be filtered according to the programme verticals the volunteers have chosen to work in. How can you connect with them? The Volunteer Link tab on the website gives access to a matchmaking tool between Rotary clubs and volunteers. Clubs can upload the names of the projects for which they require volunteers through the Volunteer Requirement for

Project tab. Rotary clubs can see the details of volunteers for each vertical and contact them. How can Volunteers apply? Volunteers can apply through the Volunteer Application tab. Training Volunteers • Through day-long seminars/training programmes. • Attending Level-II training programme. • Encourage volunteers to attend District/National level events related to literacy like the Summit/ Presidential Conference.

T-E-A-C-H programme Update

Teacher Training Seminar in District 3060

Around 600 teachers trained through teacher training seminars Districts 3060, 3051 and 3012 organised three large teacher training seminars in their respective districts, providing training for more than 600 teachers from State funded primary schools. These seminars focused on usage of e-learning software, techniques of improvisation in teaching methodology, where teaching related obstacles were thoroughly discussed and different teaching strategies were divulged to the trainees. Few teachers expressed their pleasure to have got such a wonderful opportunity for self enhancement and requested for continuation of such training at least once in each semester.

Out of School Children in RILM Asha Kiran Centres in Kamina Welfare Society, Kolkata

64 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

1000th e-learning centre at D 3131.

Asha Kiran Star Club Update

Inner Wheel Clubs

Rotary Clubs

1,200 E-learning centres are being installed Districts 3190, 2980, 3180 and 3131 are being pioneers of change in providing quality education through E-Learning classroom set ups. Approximately 1,200 e-learning centres are being undertaken to be installed in the next few months. Asha Kiran â&#x20AC;Ś a ray of hope Asha Kiran continues to be the focus area of the T-E-A-C-H Programme. We have received commitments of sending 25,000 children back to school from Rotarians across the country, along with contributions of funds for 4,500 children so far. Till now we have identified approximately 2,500 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. Eighty NGOs from 18 States across the country have sent in their proposals, to take care of more than 50,000 children.

Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India has made a commitment of sending approximately 5,000 children back to school till date for Asha Kiran â&#x20AC;Ś a ray of hope programme.

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HIGHLIGHTS: â&#x20AC;˘

An opportunity to meet 3,500 Rotarians, Inner Wheel members, Rotaractors and guests from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and beyond.

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Network with top leaders of Rotary.

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Galaxy of speakers from South Asia and around the Rotary world.

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Enriching plenary and breakout sessions.

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Convention style House of Friendship and excellent entertainment.

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2 special ticketed events â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dinner with RI President K R Ravindran, Friday March 11, 2016 at Taj Bengal and TRF Chair PRIP Ray Klinginsmith, Saturday, March 12, 2016 at The Oberoi Grand.

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Literacy Heroes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A heartwarming event to be attended by 6,000 partners and beneficiaries of T-E-A-C-H programme where five unsung Literacy Heroes from around India who have done exemplary work will

Adult literacy centre inaugurated by Association Vice President Prabha Raghunandan.

be felicitated and recognised.

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6100 children = 1 Gandhiji Team Rotary News

his year Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated in a unique manner in Bapu’s homeland of Gujarat. On October 1, 30,000 school children from 200-odd schools in Vadodara were galvanised and roped into Swachh Bharat Abhyan by the Rotary Club of Baroda Metro, District 3060. In this massive community awareness initiative, each child armed with a broom, a collection bag and a supri, swept Vadodara’s streets and bylanes right from early morning, in the presence of their parents, teachers, politicians, the Mayor and other civic officials and Rotarians. Later, at the City Sports Complex, over 6,100 students gathered and sang “Vaishnav jan toh…” while participating in an amazing exercise. “Amazing because there was absolutely no rehearsal for it. We didn’t even know which children would participate in it,” says Club President Agam Shrivastava. To pay tribute to the Mahatma, 6,100 boys and girls, wearing bright

66 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

and colourful uniforms and donning Rotary caps with cleanliness messages, got into place and collectively took a pledge to keep their surroundings clean.

“The image was divided into several pieces and the children were just told that so many would have to be at the upper right corner, so many at the lower right, left, etc and the whole image fell into place beautifully,” he adds. As for the logistics, Shrivastava says that 150 buses were organised to ferry the children and the police were present to ensure the children’s safety. “Much earlier, we had to embark on the massive exercise to procure 30,000 brooms/cleaning brushes, collection bags etc.” His biggest reward: A parent called him the next day to say his son had got up in the morning and was cleaning their garden!

Focussing on

adolescent girls Team Rotary News

Bicycles being given to girl students.

hen Jhulan Basu assumed office as District Governor of D 3291, he decided to concentrate on improving the lifestyle of girl children. “With Rotary’s amazing reach I felt we can do wonders in making their lives worthwhile.” As the year progressed, Basu with his team of Rotarians devised various schemes which aimed at enhancing education and better health for girls.

Bicycle ride to school

Rotary clubs across the District set about distributing bicycles for high school girl students hailing from poor families. The clubs were directed to receive applications from the students with details such as income/residence proof of parents, distance between school and home and a declaration attested by the schools that the

applicant has not received a bicycle under any other scheme. The project was operated through a 50:50 partnership with club and district and 220 bicycles were distributed between July and September. Rotary clubs and RCCs of the District are setting up libraries in schools lacking the facility. Book shelves, furniture and books are being donated to these schools and children are encouraged to read exhaustively. About 50 schools have benefitted so far. Personal hygiene

A majority of adolescent girls are not aware of the significance of personal hygiene and its impact on their health; this is because parents lack knowledge on such issues and resort to unsanitised methods that results in reproductive tract infection (RTI),

says Basu. Gynaecologists believe that use of sanitary napkins reduces the risk of severe RTI and cervical cancer in women. Adolescent girls miss school five days every month due to inadequate menstrual protection, and many of them drop out of school at puberty. The Rotary clubs are installing sanitary napkin vending machines in school premises through which sanitary napkins are provided at Rs 2.50 each. Trained health workers will deliver counselling regularly to girls in schools on personal and health aspects. “The concept of such vending machines is new in West Bengal and the schools have appreciated this approach from Rotary,” says the DG. The District plans to install incinerators in schools to hygienically dispose of used napkins. DECEMBER 2015

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Little known facts of

Kashmiri food Marryam Reshii A look at Kashmiri food, the way it is eaten in the Valley.

t was my very first meal at the family homestead in Srinagar. We were all seated on the thickly carpeted floor, with copper bowls in front of us covered entirely with a fine layer of tin. The soft, warm glow of copper was lost, alas, but the gleam of tin in the family kitchen made a fine sight. Each of our bowls — those for men and women were differently shaped — had been filled with rice and all we had to do was to help ourselves from the row of small serving bowls in front of us. It was almost like a deconstructed thali. The starch was pre-portioned and the accoutrements were pre-organised, to provide various proteins and vegetables, not to mention colours and textures. But what happened next took me by surprise. Abba bent his head, picked up a scoop of dry rice and popped it into his mouth. Hafeez, my husband,whispered: “Start eating,” but this was the first time I had seen rice being eaten on its own, with not a drop of any accompaniment! That, I soon learnt, is what Kashmiris mean when they call rice a staple: they can, 68 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

to a man, eat a few mouthfuls of it without any gravy at all. In Delhi and elsewhere, we consider rice as a sort of background to the main part of the meal — the accompaniments. In Kashmir, it is the very reverse. Every time, over the last quarter of a century that I have been married, that we buy a new consignment of rice, the first time it is cooked, all we do is dissect the nuances of taste and texture minutely. I use the word ‘we’ loosely, of course. I am no closer to prising out the secrets of Kashmiri — or any other kind — of rice. On the other hand, the vegetables that we buy are of great interest to me, as are the spices that are grown in the Valley. Firstly, the vegetables that are grown in Kashmir have a total solid content compared to their counterparts in the plains. Take just one example: cauliflower. You can cut it into large florets, deep fry it with a pinch of turmeric (to imbue it with a golden tinge: white-coloured foods do not find much favour in the Valley), pop them into gravy made with tomatoes and pressure cook the whole lot a couple of

A floating vegetable market on Dal Lake. Sun-dried Kashmir chillies.

times, and they will still hold their shape! It is the identical process with Kashmiri potatoes, Kashmiri turnips etc. Not surprisingly, vegetables grown in the Valley are far more expensive than those that come in, usually bedraggled, from the plains, after an arduous journey by road to the wholesale market in Parimpora, on the outskirts of Srinagar. The pressure on real estate, thanks to increasing population, means that the vegetable patches that existed on swathes of land in the Old City, have now all been built upon, so there is greater dependence on vegetables from the plains. On the plus side, there are still the Dal vegetables, surely a unique concept. A ‘bed’ is made with an ingenious mix of reeds, branches, dried weeds and a bit of silt. It floats on the surface of the lake and is used to grow every conceivable vegetable, from tomatoes to red cockscomb — not technically a vegetable, but indispensable in Kashmiri cuisine for the deep carmine colour it imparts to roghan josh and mirchwangan korma, without

influencing the flavour. All the vegetables grown on the Dal are sold at dawn in a magically romantic market right on the lake from boats. As a spectacle, few sights match up. And you can grow vegetables for your immediate family or for selling in the pre-dawn market. I have seen the market on the Dal several times over in the last 25 years, as also markets, small and large, across Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. The concept of ‘exotic’ vegetables like baby corn and broccoli are unheard of, so it is striated beans in early autumn, garlic in spring, tomatoes and aubergines towards late autumn, along with the humble bottle gourd. In Kashmir, autumn is the one season where nature shows off her bounty. Turnips, their tops an almost unnatural purple, are the favourite vegetable. All through summer, kohlrabi and haakh (collard greens). Green peas, carrots and cucumbers, sweet and fresh as they are, hardly have the same cachet, somehow. DECEMBER 2015

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Rice - Kashmiri style

he word for meal — batthe — is the same as that for rice. Not only that: there is a separate word for paddy, (shali); after it is husked (tomul), just before it is put into the cooking pot (vye) and after it is cooked (batthe). Kashmiri rice grows from a seed that in agricultural parlance is called K-448 (not very romantic, I know, but that’s how it is). The grain is not as long or as fragrant as basmati is, but is short and quite dense. I have known Kashmiris living outside the State to make do with varieties of rice from South East Asia rather than ‘descend’ to the level of the far drier basmati. Kashmiris usually eat while seated on the floor; the plates

being arranged on a dastarkhan or long cloth. When any other variety of rice drops on the cotton cloth, it is dusted off easily enough; when Koshur tomul (Kashmiri rice) falls, it has to be scraped off meticulously. This is because of the sheer amount of starch in the grain: far more than the starch content of the varieties grown in the plains. It is for this reason diabetics in Kashmir are expressly forbidden to consume rice. Needless to say, Kashmiri rice is grown only in the Kashmir Valley, the best coming from District Pulwama that used to be known as the rice bowl of Kashmir. There isn’t enough rice grown in Kashmir to go around for every family to subsist entirely on Kashmiri rice, so it has to be used in tandem with rice

brought in from the plains, whose variety is close enough to the Chinese variety and is called C-103, in which C stands for China! No other variety of rice would be consumed at a wazwan besides Koshur tomul, considered by Kashmiris as so delicious as to be eaten on its own, without any accompaniment! Its stickiness is sought to be minimised by the cooking method adopted — it is boiled in large quantities of water, which is drained when the rice is cooked. It is then ‘dried’ completely by placing on a just-warm fire with a thick cast-iron plate under the vessel so that the starch dries up to the optimum extent.

However, Howe Ho weve we v r, every Kashmiri’ Kashmiri’s favourite vegetables are the onnes tthat ones h t can be dried in the warm autumnal sun and preha served for the harsh w winter. There used to be a time when dried veget vegetables were the only option in winter, when snow lay thick on the ground and the road from Jammu — and thence to the plains plain — was closed to vehicular traffic. Glo Global warming has meant consistently sist tentlyy less snow every winter and progress has meant that snow on the progres national na ation highway is cleared within a fe ffew w hours, so the need for dried vegetables is largely redundant. vegeta However, it is huge on the nosHo talgia factor, fa so when the skies are heavy aand grey, every family in the Valley m makes plans to cook moong dal with boiled eggs or thick slices of turnips in a sauce made with sun-dried ttomatoes. to matoes. And A when our family settles down do own to sun-dr sun-dried aubergines cooked with sun-dried sunsu n-dried onion slices, we don’t bother to nibble plain rice first: f we just dive right in. Pictures by Marryam Reshii Boiled eggs prepared with sun-dried ingredients. 70 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

De Designed by N Krishnamurthy

Memoirs of India’s Telecom Man TCA Srinivasa-Raghavan

Understated and factual, without unnecessary flourish, overs carve their names on trees and rocks — the book presents Pitroda to us in a way that we never saw and Indians who had worked for the governhim. Far from being a boastful charlatan as he was made ment, well, they write their memoirs. This is in out to be by the media in the 1980s — and even later — he contrast to the old days when they went to their emerges as a simple and dedicated man. funerals with their stories in their biers. Most His was born in a family of modest means but never of these memoirs are dull and boring but some hold your saw himself as being restricted because of that. He went off interest. One wonders, though, at the reasons for the change to the US for a Ph D in physics but in a sharp exhibition of of heart in the last ten years. Is it just the need to explain, practicality so that he could bring his beloved over to the US expatiate, confess, boast, or to say, hey, I was there also? as quickly as possible — a Ph D meant a wait of at least six Is it something nobler, like the inner urge to just put down years — he switched to a one-year course in engineering. everything for the future generations? Or is it the generous She came over, they got married in the Hindu style but not advances that big publishers now offer, and the attendant before lighter fluid had been used to light the fire around publicity they arrange? After a lifetime of anonymity both which they took their vows. A national factors play a part, I suppose. In all, TV channel then turned up to view this India is better off on account of these strange heathen ritual, so they had to do it personal accounts. again for the cameras. There has been a small flood of He went into the telecom business autobiographies since about 2005. and quietly became a millionaire in the From T V Rajeshwar who headed the 1970s. In the 1980s he decided to do IB to A S Dulat who headed RAW; something for mother country and sought Jairam Ramesh who ended up as a an appointment with Indira Gandhi who cabinet minister to D N Ghosh (an said ok — just that one word — to whatIAS officer) who had specialised in ever he was proposing. Rajiv Gandhi was banking; Arun Maira who went from also impressed by his approach to modernthe private sector to become a Member ising India. That political backing, along of the Planning Commission to, well, with his usual commitment to modernisI should stop: the list is almost ending Indian telecommunications resulted in less. Indeed, gossip has it that many Indians getting connected to each other for Congress party members like M L the first time. His PCO initiative created Fotedar etc are contemplating a downDreaming Big - My Journey to 15 million jobs. load. That will be real fun because Connect India It would have been easy for him to there is nothing like a politician wieldAuthor: Sam Pitroda write a salacious account of his interacing the scalpel on his or her rivals. Publishers: Penguin Publishers tions with the Gandhis, mother and son. Most of these people seek to gloRs 700 But he doesn’t because that is not his way. rify themselves or to explain things in He reveals no embarrassing secrets. Yet, a way that puts them in a good light. his book is full of nice little anecdotes — such as eating That is a human foible and a natural need. But that is also beef when he first went to the US and his plane got diverted where Sam — shortened from Satyanarayan for payroll purto Montreal. There, without knowing what ‘rare’ meant, he poses in the US — Pitroda’s book stands out. He makes ordered a steak and ate it — there are dozens of such stories. no such attempt. He tells a modest tale of his life in which He had to deal with charges of corruption which perhaps things simply happened in a continuum of success, failure led to a heart attack; he emerged from near bankruptcy and and success. It is a real pleasure to read his book. became a millionaire again; and so on. He doesn’t paint himself into the pious plumes of a savIt is a fascinating story and unusually for such memoirs, iour. This even though he was one who changed many of the this book is a real page turner. It must be read by everypolicies and practices of the Government of India in the 1980s one, and above all by anyone who wants to write his or her when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister. The ‘mission mode’ autobiography. which Narendra Modi has now adopted was his brainchild. DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 71

Live long ... Die strong Bharat and Shalan Savur

ecent research finds that the average life expectancy of Indian men and women has increased by 7 and 10 years respectively. But, it’s not yet time to celebrate. Not until longevity embraces good health naturally. For, the same study poignantly points out that most people spend the extra years in pain, weakness, being bed-ridden and dependent on care-givers. We have to change our circumstances and add health and grace to our years. As the TV commercial goes: “We are worth it.” Pause to prepare: For this change to occur, let knowledge be our guiding star; faith in our capabilities, our strength; and healing practices, our chosen path. Let our awareness and good intentions grow into bright twin flames where they burn our internal dross to fragrant ash. Let us stop focusing solely on anti-aging concepts and instead ring in a wider vision of enlightened living. Let our life-force flow freely and bring back vigour and vitality to our body, mind and spirit. Now, together, let’s build on this blueprint….

Know your health asset: One of the most heartening discoveries is that our DNA — which reigns in and rules our cells — is sturdy and immune to wear and tear. Astonishingly intelligent, its ability to heal, repair, renew our cells and manufacture new ones when required never diminishes. Moreover, it powers on totally oblivious to the passage of time defined as ‘aging.’ You might have heard about the archaeological team which discovered in its digs a vessel of wheat grains in a pyramid in Egypt. The team sowed and watered them and voila! within a week, these two-thousand-year-old seeds sprouted! That’s the DNA we have in our cells — a positive powerhouse with a phenomenal memory. With so much going for us, why then do we fall ill and deteriorate? Well, our cells respond 72 ROTARY NEWSS DECEMBER DECEMB DEC EMBER 2015 EMB

according to the memories we sow in them. Sow healthy memories and we rejoice in lifelong wellness. Unfortunately, almost every one of us has willy-nilly sown unhealthy memories of fear, guilt, anger, resentment, revenge, jealousy, condemnation, even beliefs like “Suffering and sorrow are part of life,” and “We all grow old and frail, fall sick and die some day.” How easily we give in to these negative, healthopposing emotions! Over the years, their toxicity forms a kind of metaphysical barrier between the DNA and the cells. However, valiantly the DNA sends messages to heal, the toxic vapour disallows the cell-receptors from receiving them. As the cells weaken, they are unable to perform even the basic tasks of

producing health-building proteins. At some point, the cells become incapable of absorbing nutrients from foods and medicines. And begins our decline.... It’s time to reverse this trend. To ride astride the prevention-is-better-than-cure and the enlightenmentis-transformative frequencies. To live as enlightened humans. The great Buddhist leader, Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Mindfulness, the capacity to be here, to witness deeply everything that happens in the present moment, is the beginning of enlightenment.” And the beginning of great health. Being present: The easiest way to be in the present moment is through exercise. The body is always here. It anchors the emotional, wandering mind. And you discipline the wayward mind by deeply observing the physical exercise you are doing. In the first exercise, sit comfortably, let the mind enjoy the beautiful music of the body. The body’s music is its rhythmic breath. As you inhale through your nostrils, swell your stomach out. As you exhale through your mouth, draw your stomach in. Think rhythmically with the breath, “Calm … ease. Smile … release. Present moment … healing moment.” Engage the mind with these meaningful words. When the mind is with the body, it is fully in the present, undisturbed. Breathe 10 times. Each day, increase to 20…30… until you feel a joyous hush in your mind. Remember: the enlightened one neither strains nor strives. The process is simply experienced — from tumult to healing peace, from darkness to wondrous light, from sleep to a gentle aliveness.... For the second exercise, please stand up. Face the wall, heels flat on the floor, arms straight down. Make the right hand crawl on its fingers up the wall until the arm is straight. Crawl down. Repeat with the left hand. End with both hands crawling up and down together. Crawl six times. Your spine straightens and strengthens, neck, back, hip-joints, thighs ease. All aches — potential or present — in these regions crawl away. Think, “I surrender all blocks and conflicts in this stretch and allow the vital energy to flow freely through my being.” When the mind stops struggling, you become centred in your own serene stability.

As you soften your responses, you’ll find yourself to be a still reservoir of goodwill and a moving river of energy.

The third exercise rejuvenates. Stand with legs apart, arms at sides. Raise both hands to the ceiling, then lower until they are a little behind you — 30 times. Breathe normally, consciously. Think, “I calm my heart, rhythmise my lungs and ease my digestion.” Bonus: If you’ve not slept well, this great stretch of the trees freshens. Do these three exercises daily and you will find your mind calming … clearing … contemplating … Affirm at every opportunity this beautiful wisdom, “My mind rests in peace, floats in fearlessness and forgiveness, basks in acceptance and harmony, soars in gratitude, celebrates in love.” You’ll be surprised how effectively this personal memorandum makes you hold your tongue where you’d normally lash out sarcastically or pass a cutting judgement both of which dispel harmony. As you soften your responses, you’ll find yourself to be a still reservoir of goodwill and a moving river of energy. And yes, during low energy phases or trials, don’t give in to irritation or fear, instead gear up, knowing the low phase will pass. At such times, rely on the steadfast rock of discipline rather than on the shifting sands of emotions. A beautiful story goes: a protestor took a silent stand against the overbearing behaviour of the USA by showing up at the gates of the nation’s military school. Asked, “What makes you think your single little candle will have any effect on the government? They’ve always been bullies,” the protestor replied, “I’m not worried about changing them. I don’t want my country to change me.” Yes, don’t allow general acts of violence, aggression and intolerance get into you. Hold up your candle of good health and continue to send healing memories into your cells. It’s not just about dying in peace tomorrow but living in bliss today. (The writers are authors of the book Fitness for Life.) DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 73

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Membership in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives As on November 2, 2015

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

Rotary at a glance Rotarians

: 12,27,917*

Clubs

: 35,215*

Districts

: 535*

Rotaractors

: 1,94,028

Clubs

: 8,436

Interactors

: 4,29,203

Clubs

: 18,661

RCC members : 1,97,869 RCC

: 8,603

*As of November 2, 2015 As of September 30, 2015

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 65 70 77 93 98 65 68 59 95 114 77 80 86 108 71 136 82 148 93 66 126 141 102 136 137 133 90 78 147 79 99 75 80 57 105 177 126 152 91 4,165

4,562 3,021 4,921 2,776 2,949 4,031 5,070 2,230 2,436 3,434 2,251 3,965 3,185 3,224 2,087 2,042 3,547 2,853 5,768 3,461 7,674 3,378 2,315 5,171 5,872 4,432 5,124 5,178 4,230 3,731 2,093 6,295 2,860 3,718 2,451 2,896 1,017 1,883 5,150 3,459 4,024 3,233 1,53,997

210 119 423 382 333 232 567 271 176 511 223 340 270 186 103 114 186 259 1,034 335 1,080 285 101 316 286 388 287 282 250 183 253 620 339 608 265 310 141 345 676 306 671 405 14,671

44 34 164 29 46 74 54 38 40 31 15 43 51 50 27 10 47 32 63 49 116 72 9 32 43 72 73 72 9 50 69 143 48 40 15 34 35 21 197 112 49 96 2,348

196 102 339 88 95 289 186 93 122 128 30 97 140 157 36 84 49 48 191 107 357 165 37 260 400 164 93 371 67 159 187 400 124 187 97 62 14 35 79 21 106 96 6,058

RCC

164 37 96 28 52 287 127 133 330 125 90 112 54 98 122 146 71 48 69 94 140 109 80 155 148 43 46 39 119 118 77 294 127 171 42 68 13 35 179 38 536 89 4,949

Source: RI South Asia Office

RC Kumbakonam RI District 2981 Mothers were sensitised on the importance of breast feeding at an awareness camp organised by the club.

RC Tiruchirapalli RI District 3000 The club along with Rotary Clubs Tiruchirapalli Shakti, Tiruchirapalli North and Tiruchirapalli Midtown organised a Walkathon in Trichy to sensitise people to not waste food and water. 76 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

RC Navsari RI District 3060

RI District 3011 Rallies were flagged off at Delhi, Narnaul, Rewari, Palwal, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Faridabad on World Polio Day.

RC Modi Nagar RI District 3012 A blood donation camp was conducted by the club.

RC Vijayawada Midtown RI District 3020 Over 40 sewing machines were donated to women who had

RC Amritsar Midtown RI District 3070 DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 77

completed their tailoring course at the club’s vocational training centre.

RC Chopda RI District 3030 A singing competition highlighting patriotism was conducted by the club for schools in the region.

RC Nagda RI District 3040 The club installed 3 dialysis machines at Indubhai Parekh Memorial Hospital, Birlagram, under matching grant with TRF and D 7120 and 7630.

RC Deesa RI District 3051 Promoting Rotary’s TEACH mission, Rotarians distributed educational kits to the students of Naherunahar Primary School.

RC Sikar RI District 3052 The club organised a surgical camp in Sikar. This is a permanent project of the club.

RC Gwalior Verangana RI District 3053 Clothes and educational kits were distributed to girls hailing from poor families at Maharana Pratap Nagar.

RC Navsari

RC Lakhimpur Kheri

RI District 3060 A cultural programme showcased the skills and talents of 300 differently-abled children.

RI District 3120 The club donated an ambulance to Rotary Samudhaik Kendra to help the underprivileged patients.

RC Amritsar Midtown RI District 3070 Promoting Rotary’s WinS initiative Rotarians emphasised the importance of hygiene and taught the students of the Government High School to wash their hands the right way.

RC Paud Road RI District 3131 The club along with Niramaya Polyclinic administered suvarnaprashan drops (herbal medicine) to school children to improve their immunity.

RC Shahabad Markanda RI District 3080 A medical camp at Sidharth Hospital screened around 250 people for Hepatitis B and C.

RC Uklana Mandi RI District 3090 Tricycles and wheel chairs were distributed to the physically challenged in the region.

RC Agra West RI District 3110 The club along with Inner Wheel Club of Agra Royal organised a medical camp for the benefit of the 100 residents of Ramlal Vrudh Ashram with help from Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital.

RC Aurangabad Cantonment RI District 3132 The club donated Rs 10 lakh and 50 beds to St Paul’s Hospital, Paithan.

RC Bombay Queen City RI District 3140 Rotarians celebrated Diwali with 700 children afflicted with cancer at the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and distributed gifts to them.

RC Nizamabad RI District 3150 The artificial limb fitment camp, a permanent project of the club, provided mobility aid to 25 physically challenged patients.

RC Navanandi Nandyal RI District 3160 The club distributed educational kits to students of E M Municipal Primary School.

RC Hubli South

RC Navanandi Nandyal RI District 3160 78 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2015

RI District 3170 Rotarians planted saplings in the region to showcase their responsibility towards nature.

RC Udupi Manipal RI District 3180 Separate toilet blocks for girls and boys were constructed by the club at the Government Higher Primary School in Badagabettu village.

RC Bangalore City Centre RI District 3190 Around 600 students were treated at a two-day eye camp conducted by the club in association with Sankara Eye Hospital.

RC Coimbatore West RI District 3201 Recognising the services of traffic policemen, the Rotarians distributed sweets to them on the occasion of Diwali.

RC Payangadi RI District 3202 Under its project, ‘Girl Child Care,’ the club distributed bicycles to girl students of Priyadarshini Upper Primary School, Vengara.

RC Karaikudi Heritage RI District 3212 The club partnered with Apollo Children’s Hospital to conduct a medical camp for children

RC Payangadi RI District 3202 suffering from congenital heart diseases and Autism.

RC Madras Downtown RI District 3230 Through a fundraiser show ‘Laugh OK Please,’ the club raised funds for its various community service projects.

RC Gauhati West RI District 3240 The club organised treatment for children suffering from congenital heart diseases in association with Durgapur Mission Hospital.

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

RC Dhamtari RI District 3261 Under Rotary’s TEACH initiative the club along with Inner Wheel members conducted adult literacy camps in the region.

RC Baripada RI District 3262 A three-day rally was organised by the club in and around Baripada to promote literacy.

RC Salt Lake Metropolitan Kolkata RI District 3291 The club gifted wheel chairs to polio victims at Chakdah, a village on the borders of West Bengal and Bangladesh, with help from their RCCs.

RC Butwal

RC Dhamtari RI District 3261

RI District 3292 The club organised a dental camp in association with Simali Dental Care Pvt Ltd at Kerawani Bashantapur, benefitting 215 patients. DECEMBER 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.

President K R Ravindran has been conferred Doctorate in Business Administration by University of Korea, Dankook.

TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta, while speaking at the TRF Seminar of D 3170 in Goa, urged Rotary clubs to add WinS in the global grant project. He distributed water purifiers to schools on the occasion.

Zone 5 was recognised by Rotary International for achieving highest growth rate in Membership in 2014–15. The Zone ranks No 1 with 36.47 per cent (7,641 new members) of the world’s membership growth last year.

Indian Postal Department released a special postal cover and cancellation commemorating India’s polio-free status. The event graced by Rajashree Birla was organised by INPPC and RC Bombay West, District 3140.

DECEMBER 2015

ROTARY NEWS 81

IN BRIEF

PRDP for a cause Goat Bank! We are familiar with conventional banks, piggy banks and blood banks. But goat bank? Meet P Ramesh, the promoter of a goat bank in the Rangasamudra village of Mysore. A farmer with three and a half acres of land, Ramesh formed a group with 23 other marginal farmers. He gave each one a female goat for free. The deal was that each farmer will give him a calf, when the goat gives birth. Generally goats breed once in six months and give birth to 2–3 kids at a time. In this mutually beneficial endeavour, each farmer has 20 goats now, which can fetch an income of at least Rs 4,000 each! A similar concept is operated by a few women in Afrozi village near Allahabad.

Mr Ugly reckoned too handsome Mison Sere (42) claimed Zimbabwe’s Mr Ugly title out of 36 entries at the 4th annual contest held in Harare, citing his several missing front teeth and grotesque facial expressions. However, this triggered a controversy, when threetimes winner William Masvinu claimed that Sere was “too handsome” to win and his ugliness was based only on his missing teeth, while another contestant commented, “Do we have to lose our teeth to win?” Sere calmly dismissed his critics as “sore losers” as he pocketed the $500 prize money!

Salman Khan starrer, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP), based on good old family values, is helping Bihar police to win over children of Maoist-hit villages from joining the Naxal movement. An initiative of Gaya’s SSP Manu Maharaj, under Operation Vishwas (Trust), the film was screened to 100-odd children and their guardians, with the objective to spread the message about the value of one’s family and that knowledge is more powerful than bullets. Most of these children are orphans who have lost their parents to Maoist violence years ago and are soft targets of the extremist groups.

173 toilets in 24 days When Prema Timmanagoudar (60) took charge in July as gram panchayat leader of three villages, only ten per cent of the households had a toilet. She made 100 per cent sanitation her mission with the construction of 173 toilets in 24 working days at Khanapur village of Karnataka. She had to battle all kinds of odds including resistance and resentment from villagers, because they were so used to defecating in the open. Determined to change their mindset, she ensured that the villagers helped the labourers in building the toilets so that each household now has its own toilet.

Madame Tussauds comes to Delhi The world famous Madame Tussauds’ museum, home to wax sculptures of celebrities world over including Bollywood stars, will open in New Delhi in 2017. The museum was founded by Marie Tussaud of Strasbourgh, France, and her first subject was Francois Voltaire which she sculpted at the age of 16. With the first overseas branch established in Amsterdam in 1970, Madame Tussauds’ has branches in 20 cities and have been visited by over 500 million people worldwide. From the first private sitting with the star, the vast creative team takes approximately four months to create a figure.

Salaam Chennai Rasheeda Bhagat

Move over Mumbai, Chennai is the new resilient city. When battered by the heaviest rains in a century, the City showed a heroic face that stumped the whole country.

s Chennai’s streets turned incredibly and unbelievably into virtual rivers that swirled and sloshed around the homes of lakhs of residents in various areas in the first week of December, the metro unraveled a face few suspected it had. When an unprecedented bout of rains battered the city — upto 40 cm in Chembarambakkam, a major catchment area, 34 cm in Tambaram and 29 cm in Nungambakkam met regions in 24 hours, which is akin to 60 to 80 per cent of the North East Monsoon rainfall in a

day — Chennai had little chance. This was the record of a century and most parts of the city resembled little islands. As water entered homes and destroyed what had been painstakingly put together over years, nay decades…. the house itself, with TV, refrigerator, furniture, kitchen appliances and utensils, there were heartrending tales of loss, pain and grief. Over 260 people lost their lives in the flood fury and lakhs were rendered homeless, many fleeing their homes with nothing more than the clothes they were DECEMBER 2015 ROTARY NEWS 83

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07-Dec-15 6:55:14 PM

and bureaucrats faced heat from experts and citizens for allowing unauthorised construction, at the end of the day it was man’s greed for land that caused this tragedy. Land that was reclaimed from the dry and parched banks of several swamps, marshland and areas that were once lakes.

Water scarcity

wearing. Trains were cancelled, diverted, the waterlogged Chennai airport had to be shut down. These images will stay etched in memory forever … men and women ploughing through waist-deep water holding close to their hearts their babies covered in blankets, sometimes only plastic sheets to keep them dry; sobbing men telling reporters and volunteers how they had helplessly watched an entire lifetime’s hard work washed away in the flash of the eye; courageous women hanging on to life. Chennai’s sorrow and disaster resonated in Paris at the world climate summit. In print and electronic media experts debated on the link between the Chennai deluge and global warming and of course the El Nino effect. Just as had happened during the flooding of Mumbai in June this year, heated charges were heaped on the authorities. While politicians traded charges

Community halls and kitchens, marriage halls and places of worship — mosques, temples, churches, gurudwaras — all pitched in with shelter and food.

It is difficult to believe that barely a month ago Chennai’s residents were grappling with water shortage with doomsday predictions about worse days ahead as Chennai’s reservoirs ran dry. Who’d have imagined that huge quantities of precious water from these reservoirs would soon be discharged; that from the Chembrambakkam lake flooded the Adyar river winding through a big part of the city. The dirty waters of a flooded Cooum — there’s been talk forever of cleaning it but nothing has been done — further ravaged the city.

Social media to the rescue Amazingly, as the low lying areas flooded, twitter and Facebook (FB) started buzzing with numerous messages from citizens, offering help. With the hashtags #Chennairains, #Chennaiflood and #Chennaifloodhelp on twitter, Chennaites started sharing helpline numbers. And FB was abuzz with posts from voluntary groups on what was needed, what was not needed, where it should be sent, or what number to call to pick up food or relief material. The numbers shared were more of volunteer groups than the Chennai Corporation or government helplines. These were numbers and addresses of voluntary groups which had sprung up without any notice, without any planning or commandeering, to help their fellow citizens in distress. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force moved in after the second day of the deluge. Strapping young men, dressed in shorts or dhoties tied around their waists, waded through waist and even chest deep water to rescue citizens trapped in inundated homes … mostly children, elderly and women who were petrified at the sight of all that water angrily swirling around them. In no time a map had sprung up — later I learnt it was the work of someone in Bengaluru who wanted to help — showing inundated, distressed areas. Tragically two volunteers have died, as I write this. Chennaites opened their houses and hearts to people, and these included PDG Raja Seenivasan and Rtn Jayanthi Seenivasan; the latter said on FB that her doors

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were open. D 3230 DG C R Raju went into a huddle with the CII, Ramakrishna Mission and Infosys and formed a steering committee which will first deal with healthrelated issue and then concentrate on rehabilitation. PDG G Olivannan was busy marshalling relief and food.

No intolerance here Under the caption, “Chennaites have reminded us what we had forgotten as a nation,” there were several tweets and FB messages on how people had reached out to help others irrespective of their religion, caste or class. A bearded gentleman stuck at Chennai airport tweeted how he felt “very safe” because he was at Chennai. Community halls and kitchens, marriage halls and places of worship — mosques, temples, churches, gurudwaras — all pitched in with shelter and food. The Jain community was active on social media posting telephone numbers offering food delivery. Doctors offered free service. One volunteer group you couldn’t miss on FB was led by Sam Paul, among the first to jump in with a massive rescue effort, reaching help, food and water, medicines, clothes, blankets, etc to distressed people. In one of his first posts on FB, he said that he’d been involved in rescue work for 10 hours and “today I saw something which is what Chennai is all about. Muslims helping Hindus in more than 7 feet water. Hindus helping Christians. Christians helping Muslims. And all the combinations possible. Nobody cared which religion they were from. Nobody cared for recognition. They only wanted to save lives. They only wanted to help. This is our city. Proud of u Chennai; this is why we will bounce back stronger than ever and more united than ever. Jai Hind.” In another post three days later, he said his group had reached almost 2 lakh people with food and other rescue work. “Lot of people ask me whether we need money but in the last 3 days irrespective of all the work we did, we did not feel the need for money.” And this was thanks to his 30 dedicated volunteers — “young boys and girls who come early in the morning and are there till late in the night. Standing outside in the rain waiting to unload food from donors and to load them into delivery vans…. It isn’t easy but these kids did it with such joy and enthusiasm.” The help that poured in from Bengaluru was unbelievable and heartwarming. Volunteers brought

P_Salaam Chennai.indd 85

Strapping young men, dressed in shorts or dhoties tied around their waists, waded through waist and chest deep water to rescue citizens trapped in inundated homes.

relief material, dosai and wheat dough — in one case for one lakh rotis — and some offered a ferry service in their vehicles for the stranded who wished to move to Bengaluru. Who’d think the two States fight over Cauvery waters?

Indian innovation, jugad to the rescue There were others who did not wait for help and were smart enough to save themselves. When one of the localities in Perungudi, a well established IT hub, was totally flooded, with the waters creeping upon them in the dead of night, the residents were stumped. They had no time

07-Dec-15 6:55:16 PM

to plan, as suddenly on Tuesday night the water level rose when they were fast asleep and they find water all around them. Without waiting for outsiders to help them, they began organising rescue. They got hold of large plastic bags — is there a dearth of them in any Indian home? — and filled them with empty plastic bottles, foam and other packing material available, and any other lightweight stuff in the house. When the devices were large enough to float with people, they put some planks inside the bags, and quickly used these “boats” to flee to safety. With 25 such “boats” at least 70 per cent of the residents were able to escape the flooded locality.

NDRF, Army use social media Smartly and effectively, the NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) desk in Delhi closely monitored the social media, picked up messages of distress and calls for help and posted quick responses such as “noted”, “passed to field teams, “will do needful”. It was heartening to see the Indian Defence forces rescue people from all over the city. Sukanya, a 7-month pregnant woman, trapped in her flooded house had given up all hopes of being rescued, but she was airlifted from her home near Guindy in Medavakkam, one of the worst affected areas, along with her 3-year-old daughter by the Indian Air Force and brought to the Tambaram Air Base in a Chetak helicopter. Similarly about 50 stranded students were rescued from the SRM University and arrangements were made for those from Bengaluru and Delhi to be sent home. Forget people, there was thought and concern for trapped animals too. Social media was replete with

There is a gentle sweetness to the Chennaite that is hard to see but impossible to overlook.

Chennaites saying they had been rescued but would someone please rescue their trapped cats or dogs. Blue Cross responded to a tweet about five tiny orphaned pups, and within a few hours rescued them. But while Chennaites rose to the occasion and helped save so many lives, it will take a long time for this wonderful city to get back to its feet. And somewhere people will need to fix accountability. And ask questions to Chennai’s planners — for building a brand new airport on the floodplains of the Adyar river; a sprawling bus terminus in the flood-prone Koyambedu and huge buildings on marshlands and waterbeds, totally choking drainage channels. Rehabilitation work will be gigantic too, and will have to be spread over years, and hopefully Rotary India will do its bit. But while marveling at a face of Chennai that was little-known for all these magical qualities of its citizens — smart, Internet and social media savvy, generous, courageous, helpful, innovative, the last word has to go to Vaishna Roy of The Hindu. She saw a chilling FB video of a couple on a scooter who would have got washed away by the gushing water, but for passing motorists quickly forming a human chain and rescuing them. But then, she says, Chennai had always been thus. While stranded on a busy road when her car stalled, “a taciturn Good Samaritan has sprung up from nowhere to help. Stuck in a cafeteria while it poured outside, one man has actually walked me the few steps to my car under his umbrella. There is a gentle sweetness to the Chennaite that is hard to see but impossible to overlook. And it comes to the fore each time someone somewhere needs help.” Designed by Krishnapratheesh

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