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1 NwRtr /RotaryNewsIndia @NewsRotary July 2021 0 1 - J u l - 2 1

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P M AT THE 2022 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA, 4-8 JUNE 2022

Take advantage of the limited-time registration rate of US$425* from 12 to 16 June. Register today at convention.rotary.org.

New this year: Nonmembers are welcome to attend, so invite a friend to join you! Information about nonmember registration rates and virtual-only attendance can be found at convention.rotary.org.

*Registration must be paid in full between 12 and 16 June 2021 to receive the US$425 rate.

P_Wrapper_Front_Front_Inside_July 2021_8.indd 2 01-Jul-21 1:39:14 PM 12 Inside

12 Dream Weaver RI President Shekhar Mehta envisions Rotary’s next chapter, and is ready to make it a reality. 24 24 Business as usual not possible after pandemic At the RI virtual convention RI President Holger Knaack urged delegates to adapt to and embrace change.

32 Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace The club members are extending various Covid relief measures including oxygen concentrators to people in Mumbai.

38 Medical Google of RID 3232 This 193-member unique group of Rotarian doctors and healthcare experts helped Rotarians and their families ÜOEIPTQJUBMCFETBOEPUIFSNFEJDBMDBSF

32 42 A mega `300 crore Rotary project to treat Covid patients Rotary India Humanity Foundation partners with United Way Bengaluru to deliver medical equipment worth `300 crore across India.

50 Apply yourself 3*DPNNJUUFFTJOOFFEPGRVBMJÜFE3PUBSJBOTBOE Rotaractors to serve various positions. 42

52 Meet your governors Get to know your district leaders as they share their plans for the year.

56 Healthy seasonal dishes to cook at home Explore these easy-to-do summer specials at home.

60 K L Saigal: the only singer who appealed to the heart & mind 56 He enthralled the whole nation with his soulful renditions.

On the cover: RI President Shekhar Mehta and his wife Rashi at their home in Kolkata.

Picture: Rajesh Gupta. 60

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 3

K_Inside _July 2021.indd 3 01-07-2021 12:58:44 PM LETTERS

Condolences to RNT family

lad to see a colourful photo of RIPE Midtown running an electric crematorium GShekhar Mehta and Rashi on the June that charges a nominal amount, RIPE Shekar issue cover. RI President Holger Knaack’s Mehta’s quick decision to kick-off distribution message is motivating and the Editor’s Note of 50,000 oxygen concentrators and many explains well the agonies of people who have other clubs hosting vaccination camps, are lost their loved ones. The RI directors’ state- all noble projects. ment that the pandemic has shown that the Winston Churchill’s words, quoted by the only constant is change, and together we Ravindran: “Let us go forward together” are can do so much’ is meaningful. Foundation so relevant during the present crisis. Rota- Trustee Chair urged us to go forward with- ry India Covid Task Force chairman Ashok out fear. Dreaming big, bringing smiles by Mahajan has rightly said, “Fighting Covid is Rasheeda depicts Shekhar Mehta’s noble character. our priority”. All other articles like the water projects done by RC R Srinivasan, RC Madurai Midtown — D 3000 Belthangady, life story of RIDE Mahesh Kotbagi, etc are excellent. Also, the advice by Dr Ramasubramanian in he proﬁle on Shekhar Mehta showcases his containing the second wave of Covid is an eye-opener. Tboundless energy and Rashi’s statement that he Photos are colourful too. Kudos to the editorial team makes heart-to-heart connections is quite true. I wish for a superb edition. his campaign Each one bring one achieves great Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum success. Suburban — D 3211 I felt extremely sad to read that the Covid had not spared the kin of the RNT team. I had the same feeling he sad demise of the close relatives of three of as your favourite writer Chimamanda Nagozi — “my Tthe RNT family members due to Covid, makes anger scares me, my fear scares me, and somewhere in sad reading. We pray for the departed souls to rest in this shame, too- why am I enraged and so scared?” My peace. Never in a hundred years there has been such compliments for the title of the editorial: “The trauma a pandemic, and it is heartening to note that Rotary of long-distance mourning”. clubs are providing relief in many forms to the affect- RID Bharat Pandya rightly says where there is ed. RC Madras donating logistic equipment and trucks great love there are always miracles, RID Kamal worth `1.1 crore for Covid vaccination, RC Madurai Sanghvi appeals to Rotarians to adapt to the new

Sound advice by Dr V Ramasubramanian rightly the right emphasis on being calm. Dr Ramasubramanian advises us not to panic if infected His perception and views are of The interview with Dr Ramasubra- with Covid, and stay calm at home an experienced clinical physician. manian is informative as he advised for a week and take medication. He The importance on psychological us to have a balanced meal, sleep and urges everyone to get vaccinated, stay counselling and support ring true. exercise, avoid alcohol and smoking, healthy by taking balanced meals, He rightly says, “Whether it is help- and get vaccinated. Bharat and Shalan getting good sleep, exercise and ing somebody to survive or to feel Savur in their article, Stability on a avoid smoking. I thank this member better… showing empathy is impor- seesaw gave an insightful account of of RC Madras for his sane and sen- tant, and getting a warm glow which appreciating the “sight and sensitivity sible advice. only helping others can bring.” of what life is”. Their tips will help us N Jagatheesan, RC Eluru — D 3020 This is what Rotary is doing. This to manage our lives better by thanking interview deserves a much wider our blessings. The editor’s interview with Dr circulation. KMK Murthy Ramasubramanian was absolutely Dr Usha Desai RC Secunderabad — D 3150 delightful and informative with RC Deonar — D 3141

4 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

G - Letters to the Editor - July 2021.indd 4 6/30/2021 10:18:39 AM LETTERS

letters are a testimony to the popularity I liked the global grant project of RC of the magazine. Gwalior. I also read with interest the The well-written articles with journey of a young Rotarian, Naresh normal of virtual world. Trustee accompanying pictures are inform- Kumar from RC Guindy. His is a fas- Chair Ravindran sums up the ative. It is always a pleasure to read cinating journey of 8,646 miles from achievement of the Foundation them, including the LBW column Chennai to Hamburg, creating aware- so far: “We’ve raised more than written with a literary flair by TCA ness about Rotary’s global work. $282 million, putting us on the Srinivasa Raghavan. My kudos to him. Dr Madhav Kashalikar, RC Sangli track to reach our $410 million I only wish that the magazine reaches Midtown — D 3170 fundraising goal.” us in time every month. Nan Narayenen, RC Madurai Anil Latey, RC Poona The editorial The Covid Cauldron West — D 3000 Downtown — D 3131 described an inadequate healthcare system and how both the government t is sad that the RNT family was A grim situation indeed and the public are equally responsible not spared by the pandemic. I Your May editorial The Covid caul- for the lapses in handling the second The editorial rightly pointed out dron vividly portrayed a grim situa- wave. The tragic life of Geeta Dutta that most families had to bear loss tion, and focused on the need for the was nicely penned by S R Madhu. I am due to coronavirus. As the death government to take emergency meas- keeping a copy of this tragic life story toll rose, so many young people ures to contain the second wave. published in Rotary News for my record. living overseas were at a loss to Rotarians are one with your clar- Raj Kumar Kapoor understand the grave situation in ion call to strengthen healthcare sys- RC Roopnagar — D 3080 India. My daughter-in-law, an only tem to overcome the pandemic. You child, living in the US, lost her are spot on when you said politicians Rotary Plus is a boon father due to Covid but could not should relinquish the blame game and Rotary News and Rotary News Plus are visit India due to travel ban. So unite to bring relief to the people. informative and have become family many family members were not Arun Kumar Dash magazines. Congratulations to Editor allowed to cremate bodies of rel- RC Baripada — D 3262 Rasheeda Bhagat and her team. atives. People can understand the Ashish Desai, RC Kankaria pain of those living overseas, who The article Girl’s day out was impres- Ahmedabad — RID 3054 had to grieve long distance. sive and inspires Rotarians to think of T D Bhatia, RC Delhi Mayur taking up such projects in their areas, In these unprecedented times, Rotari- Vihar — D 3012 and tell the local community that ans have done excellent service. Rotary Rotary cares for them. We will take News Plus has given good coverage, up one such project in the near future. showcasing the club projects. A pleasure to read B A Prabushankar, RC Coimbatore Moin Khan, RC Jamshedpur Rotary News Industrial City — D 3201 Midtown — D 3250 I was thrilled to receive all the three issues of April, May and June and am thankful for your personal We welcome your feedback. Write to the Editor: follow-up on this matter. The [email protected]; [email protected]. Mail your project details, along with hi-res photos, postman delivered them as we were to [email protected]. sitting down for lunch. I lost hunger and started going through the April Messages on your club/district projects, information and links on zoom meetings/ issue immediately, only to be admon- webinar should be sent only by e-mail to the Editor at [email protected] ished by my wife Meena, to “eat first or [email protected]. WHATSAPP MESSAGES WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED. and then read your beloved Rotary magazine.” Click on Rotary News Plus on our website Rotary News is well-produced, www.rotarynewsonline.org to read about more Rotary projects. right from the opening page and the

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 5

G - Letters to the Editor - July 2021.indd 5 6/30/2021 10:18:39 AM President Speaks

Rotary must empower girls for a better world

My Dear Changemakers, Unfortunately, even in this day and I wish each of you and your families age, girls and young women face a great Rotary New Year! Together, disproportionate challenges all over let us make it the best year of our the world. We have the power to lives, by making it a year to grow lead the charge for gender equality. more and do more. Let this be a year Empowering girls and young women of changemakers, and let us begin to have greater access to education, with our membership. better healthcare, more employment, That is precisely why the Each and equality in all walks of life One, Bring One initiative is so should be embedded in every Rotary important. During this year, I urge project we launch. Girls are future you to dream of new ways in which leaders, so we must ensure that we Rotary can expand its reach into your help them shape their future. community and therefore the world. These are challenging times, If each member introduces one and I compliment each of your person to Rotary, our membership efforts in grappling with Covid-19. can increase to 1.3 million by July No challenge is too big for 2022. So, let’s just do it! Rotarians. The bigger the Imagine the change we, as challenge, the more passionate the Rotary members, can make when Rotarian. Look at what we can there are so many more of us! do when we take on a colossal More people to care for others, challenge such as eradicating more people to Serve to Change polio. Look at the millions of Lives. Think of the impact we lives we improve by strengthening

can have through grow more, do access to water, sanitation, and Rajesh Gupta more. More members will enable hygiene. Look at what we do every us to embark on bigger and bolder year to promote peace in places service projects. And each of us can where it seems unimaginable. also continue to serve in our own Our basic education and literacy personal ways, responding to needs programmes have nation- in our communities. building impact. The beauty of Rotary is that This year, let us challenge service means different things to ourselves to do more such different people around the world. projects and programmes One element, however, that we can that have national reach and incorporate into all of our service impact. This year, let us initiatives is empowering girls. Serve to Change Lives.

Shekhar Mehta President, Rotary International

6 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

P_President Message - July 2021_4.indd 6 01-Jul-21 1:39:08 PM Chennai schoolgirls’ #MeToo moment

major focus area of RI President Shekhar Mehta to the police right then, hundreds of other girls would have this Rotary year will be empowering the girl escaped the humiliation and trauma of sexual molestation A child. In recent years I’ve watched several by a teacher. Rotary clubs working passionately for the girl child, Unfortunately, in several schools, complaints made to building thousands of toilets for exclusive use by girls the school managements hitherto had been stonewalled. in schools across India under the WinS programme, to Denial is so much easier than action. Add to this the prevent adolescent girls dropping out of school for lack upbringing and social conditioning of our daughters in of privacy. So many clubs have also taken up projects most families being so skewed that a victim of sexual to spread awareness on child sexual abuse and how to harassment first blames herself, thinking: ‘I must be doing differentiate between good and bad touch. something wrong’. Many harassed girls said they had For a month now Chennai has been rocked by a scan- told their mothers, but were shamefully advised to “keep dal involving the sexual harassment of schoolgirls by their quiet”, avoid the perpetrators and finish their high school. male teachers in some of the most prestigious schools. It Who is going to compensate these young minds for the all started with a brave young woman, Kripali, an alumnus psychological scarring caused? of an elite Chennai school, sharing appalling Instagram I’m sure this is only the tip of the iceberg. Girls from stories and screenshots of conversations between a Com- affluent classes going to reputed schools in a city like merce teacher of the school and girl students. The scoun- Chennai finally found a voice, thanks partially to the ano- drel, who has now been arrested, would comment on their nymity offered by social media platforms. What about appearance, send them pornography links, touch them the small towns and rural areas? What assurance is there inappropriately, ask them out for movies and turn up for that similar sexual harassment is not going on unabated, online classes with just a towel wrapped around his waist. unreported? Following these allegations on social media, over This is serious cause for concern as our education 1,000 alumni of that school demanded the teacher’s sack- ethos is already loaded heavily against the girl child. We ing. He was arrested under the POCSO (Protection of all know that where financial resources are limited, the Children from Sexual Offences) Act. Soon complaints, son goes to a private school, the daughter to a government involving male teachers from six schools, including school. Provided she is not required at home to cook, clean one Kendriya Vidyalaya, poured in. The theme was and look after her younger siblings. UNICEF’s India head common — pinching thighs, slapping bottoms, encircling Yasmin Ali Haque had spelt out at the virtual Rotary Insti- waists, and lewd comments and gestures. tute the terrifying prospect of a post-Covid world where The saddest part was that this heinous sexual predator “11 million girls may not return to school this year due was dismissed from another school for forcing his girl to the unprecedented disruption in schooling.” students to sit on his lap, and give him “friendly kisses”, I salute the brave girls of Chennai who dared to speak whatever that means. Had the offender been handed over up, and their seniors who supported them.

Rasheeda Bhagat

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 7 Governors Council Director RID 2981 S Balaji RID 2982 K Sundharalingam RID 3000 R Jeyakkan RID 3011 Anup Mittal Innovate for a RID 3012 Ashok Aggarwal RID 3020 Rama Rao M digital world RID 3030 Ramesh Vishwanath Meher RID 3040 Col Mahendra Mishra RID 3053 Sanjay Malviya RID 3054 Ashok K Mangal Greetings fellow Rotarians, collaborate with Rotary to make dreams RID 3060 Santosh Prdhan Welcome to a journey of opportunities real… ours, theirs and those of our RID 3070 Dr Upinder Singh Ghai and joy. We are about to begin a new year communities. RID 3080 Ajay Madan of Rotary which is not only challenging RID 3090 Parveen Jindal but is also going to test our commitment Edgar A Guest said: RID 3100 Rajiv Singhal towards our motto: Service Above Self. There are thousands to tell you, it RID 3110 Mukesh Singhal In these challenging times, we need cannot be done, RID 3120 Samar Raj Garg innovative minds brimming with ideas, There are thousands to prophesy RID 3131 Pankaj Arun Shah joy and enthusiasm. We have to get away failure; RID 3132 Dr Omprakash B Motipawale RID 3141 Rajendra Agarwal from negativity of the pandemic, apply There are thousands to point to you, RID 3142 Dr Mayuresh Warke our minds, plan and re-plan, design and one by one, RID 3150 K Prabhakar re-design our actions. The dangers that await to assail you; RID 3160 Thirupathi Naidu V We have to be innovative in But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, RID 3170 Gaurishkumar Manohar Dhond everything we say, think and do. This is Just take off your coat and go to it; RID 3181 A R Ravindra Bhat the time to re-define our ways and means Just start to sing as you tackle the thing, RID 3182 Ramachandra Murthy M G to serve humanity. We can no longer rely That “cannot be done,” and you RID 3190 Fazal Mahmood on the way we used to serve for more will do it. RID 3201 Rajasekhar Srinivasan than a century now. RID 3203 Shanmugasundaram K RID 3204 Dr Rajesh Subash We need innovation in today’s digital I conclude with Swami RID 3211 Srinivasan K world, in this new-normal life. It has pro- Vivekananda’s thoughts: Stop not RID 3212 Jacintha Dharma vided, along with challenges, new oppor- till the goal is reached. Stand up and RID 3231 Nirmal Raghavan W M tunities to us. Post-pandemic, the world express the divinity within you. RID 3232 Sridhar J has changed forever and the process Fellow Rotarians, the time has RID 3240 Dr Mohan Shyam Konwar continues. Nobody knows exactly where come for all of us to stand up and RID 3250 Pratim Banerjee we will end up but we need to prepare express ourselves through our acts and RID 3261 Sunil Phatak and be ready to serve in this changing deeds. Be a light not only for yourself RID 3262 Santanu Kumar Pani environment. but others too. Be a friend not only for a RID 3291 Prabir Chatterjee Instead of trying to few chosen ones but others too. achieve our goals on our Remember that “we shall not

Printed by P T Prabhakar at Rasi Graphics own, let us expand our pass this way again. Whatever Pvt Ltd, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, vision and outreach to good you want to do in the Chennai - 600 014, India, and published other organisations world, start doing it today.” My by P T Prabhakar on behalf of Rotary News Trust from Dugar Towers, 3rd Flr, 34, that are doing good best wishes to each of you on the Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008. in the world. Find journey of change, opportunities Editor: Rasheeda Bhagat. NGOs in your vicinity and challenges. which can The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or Trustees of Rotary News Trust (RNT) or Rotary International (RI). No liability can be accepted for any loss arising from editorial or advertisement content. Contributions — original content — is welcome but the Dr Mahesh Kotbagi Editor reserves the right to edit for clarity RI Director, 2021–23 or length. Content can be reproduced with permission and attributed to RNT.

P_RI Direstors Message_Trustees list_Jul 21_7.indd 8 01-Jul-21 1:39:02 PM Speak Board of Trustees Shekhar Mehta RID 3291 Dr Mahesh Kotbagi RID 3131 A magical network for A S Venkatesh RID 3232 ǡϐ Gulam A Vahanvaty RID 3141 new Rotary year is with us and Rajendra K Saboo RID 3080 we have learnt a lot of lessons Kalyan Banerjee RID 3060 A in the year that has just gone Panduranga Setty RID 3190 by. As we engaged in bringing relief Sushil Gupta RID 3011 to hundreds of thousands of Covid- Ashok Mahajan RID 3141 affected people, we learnt that the P T Prabhakar RID 3232 Rotary world truly has no boundaries Dr Manoj D Desai RID 3060 when it provides opportunities to serve. C Basker RID 3000 Distributions of masks, PPE kits and Dr Bharat Pandya RID 3141 sanitisers, food supply to patients under Kamal Sanghvi RID 3250 quarantine, oxygenators import, distribution and tracking, search and alloca- Executive Committee tion of hospital beds to those in need Members (2021–22) and so much more happened. All this Gaurish Dhond RID 3170 was achieved through the compassion conferences, training seminars etc and hard work of Rotarians worldwide were held virtually and none missed coming together magically, swiftly and out was an admirable show of Anup Mittal RID 3011 seamlessly to form a network of care. commitment to keep the show going We learnt through the pandemic that and on the road. Congratulations Ramesh Meher RID 3030 the world and humanity needs Rotary everyone! Well done! more than ever before. Rotary is the As we step forward this year, best suited organisation to efficiently strengthened and fortified, we must V Thirupathi Naidu RID 3160 and effectively connect resources resolve to operate in a leaner fashion to those in need. As we begin a new and cast away some of the practices Jacintha Dharma RID 3212 Rotary year, I urge every Rotarian to that may no longer be necessary and work to strengthen Rotary. harness those which will help us grow. A strong membership base is a Having walked a difficult path prerequisite for effective and significant over the last two years, which may service projects if we are to penetrate continue for some more time, and Editor all corners of our community. We must having emerged unscathed and Rasheeda Bhagat therefore work towards a broad-based toughened, should give us the cour- membership growth, with the respon- age to take the new and untrodden Senior Assistant Editor sibility being shared by each and every pathways. For, we must remember Jaishree Padmanabhan member — Each One, Bring One. that the most difficult roads often Rotary News Trust The resilience exhibited by the lead to the most beautiful destina- 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, districts and Rotary clubs in our region tions. Good luck! 34 Marshalls Road, Egmore in the past two years has been nothing Chennai 600 008, India. short of amazing. Despite the world as Phone: 044 42145666 we know it crashing down around us, [email protected] Rotary clubs effortlessly adapted to www.rotarynewsonline.org the virtual world for meetings, events A S VenkatesVenkateshh Now share articles from RI Director, 2021–23 and even fellowship. That all events, rotarynewsonline.org on WhatsApp.

P_RI Direstors Message_Trustees list_Jul 21_7.indd 9 01-Jul-21 1:39:05 PM Message from TRF Trustee Chair 2022 Convention Our vision for a better world Begin countdown! uly is the most exciting month in Rotary, a time for fresh starts Jand new beginnings. For many, it’s an opportunity to take on new leadership roles. Rotarians brim with optimism, thinking about the good we can do for humanity in the 12 months ahead. As I write this message, I recall a quote often attributed to Helen Keller, a renowned American activist for people with disabilities: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” ouston calls itself “the city with no How profound that a woman who was blind taught us limits,” and when you attend the 2022 such a powerful lesson about the difference between sight HRotary International Convention, June and vision. Indeed, it is one thing to see the world as it is, 4–8, you will see what that means. It is a city but entirely another to envision it as it could be. The Rotary of big numbers: Houston covers more than 600 Foundation is all about envisioning possibilities — and making square miles, and with 2.3 million residents, them happen. it’s the fourth-largest city in the United States. As we begin this Rotary year, I ask: what is your vision for The metropolitan area’s seven million people the next 12 months? Could a community or region you know speak at least 145 languages; Houston is by benefit from a grant from the Foundation? One probably could, some measures the most diverse metropolis in and, as you read these words, many people in that community the country. are waiting for our help and leadership. The city contains more than 300 parks, with We are still reeling from the challenges of serving the some 40,000 acres of parks and green space. world during Covid-19, but we cannot let that or anything It’s a hub of entrepreneurship; more than 250 else stop us. Many educational and healthcare needs have early-stage software and digital technology only been exacerbated by the pandemic. The world needs us. companies call downtown Houston home. It’s Beginning July 1, you can apply for Foundation grants also a centre of biomedical research: The Texas supporting Rotary’s new area of focus: the environment. July Medical Center is one of the largest hospital also brings changes, such as the financial restructuring of campuses in the world, employing more than the World Fund, that have been implemented with an eye 100,000 people. toward sustainability. We are just beginning a year when we And, of course, Houston is home to NASA’s will continue our first Programs of Scale grant in Zambia, Lyndon B Johnson Space Center, which has been seek a home for our next Rotary Peace Center, and plan and one of the country’s centres of space flight for implement district and global grants that will make positive more than 50 years. Home to the US astronaut impacts for generations to come. corps, it continues to foster innovative space To paraphrase the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi, research. While you are in Houston, make today we begin the journey of a thousand miles by taking our time to visit Space Center Houston, NASA’s first step. Let’s walk together, looking forward, not to the past. official visitor centre, which offers a variety Rotarians love a good challenge, so here’s one for us all: let’s of educational exhibits and programmes about challenge ourselves to think bigger this year and enlarge our space exploration. vision of what we can and will do. Whether you are looking to the stars or Make the Foundation a part of your vision for a better making connections with Rotary members from world, and you will see the world, and yourself, change. around the world, the 2022 convention is a chance to discover new horizons. John F Germ Learn more and register at Foundation Trustee Chair convention.rotary.org.

10 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

G - Trustee Chair Message + Convention - July 2021.indd 10 6/28/2021 5:02:48 PM District Wise TRF Contributions as on May 2021 (in US Dollars) District Annual PolioPlus Endowment Other Total EREY Donors EREY Number Fund Fund Funds Contributions (in numbers) % India 2981 82,274 5,978 12,128 0 100,381 390 7.99 2982 50,118 17,194 20,770 65,991 154,073 136 4.45 3000 88,727 30,242 492 48,063 167,524 96 1.87 3011 90,729 16,253 65,653 437,990 610,625 153 4.22 3012 18,762 2,580 0 42,321 63,663 87 2.37 3020 162,532 71,917 86,660 42,907 364,017 279 6.84 3030 61,903 2,317 27,840 143,546 235,606 168 3.30 3040 37,694 458 0 14,507 52,659 53 2.53 3053 27,093 4,248 5,000 230,147 266,488 57 2.07 3054 74,395 3,562 0 368,873 446,830 266 4.37 3060 120,683 1,466 158,924 193,665 474,738 1434 32.89 3070 49,059 1,813 0 53,217 104,090 309 9.82 3080 70,784 13,615 97 (11,748) 72,749 183 5.55 3090 36,545 533 0 (736) 36,343 119 5.38 3100 58,072 252 0 15,885 74,209 193 8.59 3110 48,248 200 0 0 48,448 75 2.05 3120 16,919 1,811 0 9,127 27,857 120 3.63 3131 275,463 44,060 136,935 962,735 1,419,193 1153 22.50 3132 30,501 4,612 15,000 6,451 56,564 76 2.27 3141 710,728 46,361 397,279 1,535,408 2,689,776 1283 24.13 3142 258,604 34,634 451 6,831 300,520 1021 31.85 3150 141,302 10,165 160,043 54,299 365,809 821 24.80 3160 44,687 9,846 16 440 54,990 83 3.29 3170 85,135 24,889 1,240 216,338 327,603 318 5.62 3181 96,908 7,524 0 8,826 113,258 383 11.45 3182 102,703 6,170 0 30,852 139,725 416 13.48 3190 226,713 81,234 52,035 243,752 603,733 1150 23.02 3201 191,708 43,344 0 579,819 814,871 669 12.01 3202 69,706 28,028 8,468 94,044 200,246 233 4.32 3211 48,782 3,452 0 151,356 203,589 75 1.67 3212 19,726 56,488 10,153 227,512 313,879 58 1.41 3231 4,776 589 0 23,767 29,132 25 0.64 3232 80,095 48,730 21,500 1,219,025 1,369,349 301 5.29 3240 166,798 29,431 0 48,835 245,063 446 14.65 3250 50,638 4,464 7,195 100,550 162,846 360 9.76 3261 108,390 1,563 50,000 107,471 267,425 46 1.76 3262 114,055 3,253 2,777 (14,082) 106,004 160 4.46 3291 87,422 15,397 35,758 71,577 210,154 142 3.88 India Total 4,009,378 678,674 1,276,417 7,329,562 13,294,031 13,337 8.99 3220 Sri Lanka 196,992 37,082 31,000 48,881 313,956 344 18.07 3271 Pakistan 55,292 102,291 0 306,550 464,132 203 12.50 3272 Pakistan 84,067 20,600 0 1,168 105,835 518 30.94 3281 Bangladesh 192,454 38,600 34,012 480,501 745,567 450 6.37 3282 Bangladesh 64,263 11,023 0 8,270 83,556 129 3.15 3292 Nepal 274,937 9,867 0 317,142 601,947 1,769 35.77 South Asia Total 4,877,383 898,137 1,341,429 8,492,073 15,609,023 16,750 9.87 World Total 112,566,754 24,912,477 28,908,170 27,816,154 194,203,554 Source: RI South Asia Ofﬁce

G - TRF Details - July 2021.indd 11 6/25/2021 1:12:55 PM K_Dream weaver_3.indd 12 01-Jul-21 1:43:22 PM Dream weaver

Our new president, Shekhar Mehta, envisions Rotary’s next chapter — and is ready to make it a reality.

John Rezek

ver the years, I caught we asked the people who know Shekhar glimpses of Shekhar Mehta best to tell us about him in their own when he came to One words. ORotary Center in Evanston, In the following pages, members Illinois, for Board of Directors meet- of Shekhar’s family, some of his oldest ings. I met him formally during one friends, his personal assistant, and his of the days of back-to-back meetings presidential aide share anecdotes and with various staff members that every talk about the man they know, in order incoming Rotary president participates to help Rotary members everywhere in. During the session I attended, he was feel that they know him, too. Many the most relaxed person in the room, of you will, of course, meet him your- despite being the only one suffering selves — virtually, if not in person — from jet lag. He was alert, patient, and over the course of the coming year. asked perceptive questions — not sur- Shekhar Mehta, a member of the prising for someone as successful as he Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar, is in his professional and philanthropic has been a Rotarian since 1985. He life. I kept thinking that he was assess- trained as an accountant and founded a ing each of us to see how we could real estate development company, Sky- be recruited to help him achieve his line Group, which he also chairs. But dreams for Rotary. his professional title tells only a small I was lucky to have met Shekhar part of the story of who he is. He is also in person back when we could meet in a director of the India arm of Opera- person. We are now well into the section Eyesight Universal, a Canada- ond year of the global Covid-19 pan- based nonprofit focused on preventing demic, and as I write this, India is in avoidable blindness. He helped estab- the depths of a tragic outbreak. Rotary lish more than 15 eye hospitals, in sev- has had to make adjustments, but the eral Indian states, that together carry business of Rotary goes on. out nearly 50,000 surgeries each year. In a normal year, one of the Rotary And he started Saving Little Hearts, a editors would have traveled to Kolkata, project that has facilitated more than where Shekhar lives with his wife, 2,500 heart surgeries for children from Rashi. We would have spent time India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Shekhar and Rashi Mehta at with him, his family members, and his some African countries and that is now their home in Kolkata. Rashi friends and fellow Rotarians, exploring an India-wide programme. painted the picture “Mother how his upbringing and adulthood in As you’ll read in these pages, he and Child,” behind her. India have shaped his perspective on also has been actively involved in dis- life and on Rotary. This year, of course, aster relief work. Among other under- no one was able to travel — so instead, takings, he helped build 500 homes in

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 13 01-Jul-21 1:43:25 PM the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after part of his journey. We’ve been to eye surreal, albeit thoroughly deserved, that the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. hospitals and polio vaccination camps, my dad is Rotary president himself. At the International Assembly this participated in disaster relief kit work, year, Shekhar talked about how he and discussed every aspect of his literacy Deepak Choudhury some fellow Rotarians decided to start a mission, and attended many confer- Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar local version of ShelterBox, a Rotarian- ences. We learned and grew so much Main hoon na: This Hindi phrase, founded organisation based in the UK. as a result. meaning “Don’t worry, I am there for “We named it Shelter Kit and put 52 Rotary has contributed hugely to you,” embodies Shekhar’s mindset. He items of daily need in a large trunk,” my parents’ growth as individuals. has been there not only for me, but for he told the incoming district gover- Travelling the world and meeting peo- many people in Rotary and other parts nors. “Over the last 15 years, in every ple from many countries has made them of his life. He has been this way for major disaster in India, Indian Rotari- more knowledgeable, self-aware, hum- as long as I’ve known him — first as ans have volunteered to bring Shelter ble, and compassionate. As their son, I his lawyer before he introduced me to Kits to areas struck by disasters.” The feel very privileged to have been a part Rotary in 2002, and ever since. programme already has served about of it, and proud of who they are today. With his encyclopaedic knowledge 75,000 people. Shekhar also served on One of my earliest childhood mem- and his wit, he can have you laughing at the ShelterBox board of trustees. ories is of pouring over Rotary direc- any moment. But when he sees suffer- And he is also the architect of the tories and memorising the names and ing, he has an unrelenting zeal to elimi- TEACH programme, which aims to do themes of Rotary presidents. Now it is nate its cause. He dreams about a smiling nothing less than end illiteracy in India. (You’ll read more about this ambitious RC Calcutta Mahanagar supports this girls’ school in Kolkata, Bhowanipur programme in a future issue.) Arya Vidya Mandir, with a daily breakfast for more than 1,000 students. Although Shekhar is skilled in the business arts, he prefers to engage his other fluencies. He told me that, after so much studying and reading during his career, he now favours learning by talking to people. He added, “I hate accounting.” It all follows his belief that we would do well to think from our hearts as much as our minds.

Chiraag Mehta Shekhar and Rashi’s son For as long as I can recall, Dad has lived and breathed Rotary. He and my mother have worked hard at both the service and fellowship aspects: planning and attending events, then staying afterward with Rotary friends into the wee hours of innumerable mornings. My sister, Chandni, and I would joke that we have an invisible elder sibling: Rotary. And Rotary has given back to our entire family. It gave Chandni and me our earliest friends, and it gave us the spirit of service, which Dad has always emphasised to us and in his countless Rotary speeches. Throughout his many leadership roles, he always made us

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 14 01-Jul-21 1:43:27 PM world, and when he wakes up, he works by the work exhibited at the booth. to make it happen. He is a changemaker That casual encounter developed into “Shekhar’s programmes and who aims to inspire an entire generation a strong friendship. to Serve to Change Lives. Shekhar is a visionary leader. He ideas are larger than life, but he I read a few years back that good always sees things others can’t. He always walks the extra mile to things happen when you engage in envisaged a way to eradicate illiter- make Rotarians feel at home.” Rotary. Shekhar and Rashi have been acy in India by 2025 and designed the instrumental in imbuing this belief in TEACH programme (which stands for me and others. Teacher support, E-learning, Adult literacy, Child development, Happy Ravi Vadlamani school). He started the Shelter Kit Rotary Club of Guntur; 2001–02 project that now is in the vanguard Shekhar has many extraordinary governor of District 3150 of disaster relief in India. His Saving qualities. He is an unparalleled vision- When I met Shekhar almost 20 years Little Hearts project, which provides ary, a great motivator, and an absolute ago, he was busily manning a booth at heart surgeries to thousands of children, optimist; he’s super energetic, enthusi- the Rotary International convention. along with the more than 15 eye hos- astic, unbelievably kind and sensitive. His enthusiasm and energy in showcas- pitals he helped establish, which have He’s a perfect family person and, above ing his club’s projects were infectious. served hundreds of thousands, speaks all, a fantastic human being. A project man myself, I was inspired to the scope of his dreams. He has an exceptional talent for Nancy Barbee building teams and driving them to Rotary Club of Maysville, North achieve their goals. Shekhar’s pro- Carolina; 2018–21 Regional Rotary grammes and ideas may seem larger Foundation Coordinator, Zone 33 than life, but he always walks the extra In 2010, to honour then-Rotary Pres- mile to make Rotarians feel at home. ident-elect Kalyan Banerjee, Shekhar His power of dreaming big is stated his vision of opening 100 schools, backed up by planning, persever- 100 hospitals, 100 training centres for ance and patience. He’s an excellent young women and 100 eye hospitals in communicator who connects with his India. We were sitting in his home in audience instantly and can motivate Kolkata. As I listened, I realised I was people to move mountains. He is also in the presence of a visionary. a family man, ably supported by his Since then he has had a profound spouse, Rashi. influence around the world. Paediatric Shekhar’s X factor as a leader? heart surgeries, eye surgeries, the Nobody is able to say no to him when TEACH programme for literacy, he asks for something. and memorandums of understanding signed by governments, nonprofits Sarla and Nisheeth Totla and foundations — all are the results Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar of his vision. We met Shekhar and Rashi about 32 Every time he speaks, he motivates years ago through a mutual friend. us all to “dream big.” Shekhar inspires Today they are not just our friends, but us to do better, be better, think better, our family. Shekhar is the first person and do grand things. No more small there in all life’s joys and sorrows. He projects. was there for our daughter’s marriage, He was thinking big a decade ago, taking on major responsibilities. He and I knew I wanted to be a part of his was there for the cremation of Sarla’s dream, which now has become reality. mother. Shekhar also introduced us to Shekhar has been leading Rotary in the Rotary world, something that’s been India and inspires others to create pos- a gigantic part of our lives. itive and sustainable change worldwide.

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 15 01-Jul-21 1:43:28 PM A S Venkatesh Rotary Club of Chennai Mambalam; 2021–23 Rotary International director Closest to Shekhar’s heart is humanitarian work, the very DNA of Rotary. Conversa- tions with him invariably last late into the night. I have spent hours with him over the last several years and have yet to figure out when he eats or sleeps. He has unending energy, exquisite people skills, and inspiring thoughts. His enthusiasm is infectious. I am excited to be serving on the Board during his term as president.

Rashmi Singh and Madhulika Jain Shekhar’s sisters Shekhar, our elder brother, is a dreamer whose next dream is always bigger and more audacious than the previous one. He inher- ited a love of community service from our parents, and his optimism, meticulousness and dedication are the secrets to his success. His favourite response to us is Main hoon na, which translates as, “Don’t worry, I am there for you.” In our more than 50 years together, he has always been true to his word.

Bryn Styles Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia, Ontario; Aide to the president I first met Shekhar when we sat on Rotary’s Board for 2012–13. Our relationship was

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 16 01-Jul-21 1:43:32 PM cordial, but not close. When Shekhar was nominated as 2021–22 Rotary International president, he asked my wife, Randy, and me to be aides to Rashi and him. Since then we have developed a close friendship. What I have learned to appreci- ate about Shekhar is that he listens to advice. He realises that he is not an expert in all things. Since becoming president-nominee, for example, he has developed a greater understanding and appreciation of Rotary’s peace efforts. He has spoken with staff, Rotarians and our peace partners to learn how we can enhance our efforts with the United Clockwise from top left: Nations, our Rotary Peace Centers and With PRID Ashok Mahajan, RID our peace fellows, among others. 3142 PDG Chandrashekhar Kolvekar I would be remiss in not mentioning and RC Thane Hills member Anindya that Shekhar has a wonderful sense of Dasgupta, inaugurating computer humour, which allows him to engage learning programme for students with people and put them at ease. He’s with visual impairments; Meeting an excellent speaker and ensures that patients at an eye hospital founded everyone feels welcome. Although by RC Calcutta Mahanagar; Building I know he regrets not being able to a toilet in a village with club members attend presidents-elect training semi- Pranay Agarwal and Sandeep nars where he would have met Rotary Shah; With Rashi and Anu Rampal, club presidents face-to-face, his passion Vidhawan visiting a child being treated for heart disorder; Celebrating comes through even in a virtual setting. RC Calcutta Mahanagar’s 25th anniversary in July 2015; Playing Ritu Kedia carrom with students at the Paresh Shekhar’s Rotary assistant Nath Vidyalaya school in Kolkata. Shekhar’s guiding mantra is: “Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant.” He envisions goals that might seem impossible to others. He can transform his dreams into realistic goals. He is at his best when he works with a team, figuring out a strategy and a timeline. Shekhar excels because of his passion for what he does. He is an amazing orator, persuading others to join his efforts. He is a great planner and digs deep to the grassroots level to ensure that his plan of action will be successful. His involvement is hands-on throughout the process. Shekhar is a man of his word; if he says he will do something, he will.

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 17 01-Jul-21 1:43:35 PM He helps those in need and teaches them Rotary experience, product, or service. to help others. He is a patient listener and Shekhar is one of the most innovative a great mentor — I am lucky to have people I have known. He has a solution experienced that firsthand. He has taught for every problem. me how to be comfortable juggling mul- Shekhar has a tremendous capac- tiple priorities, as he does. He is very ity to overcome obstacles with sheer kind to the people around him. steadfastness and grit. He will not sleep until he achieves his goals, no matter Kamal Sanghvi how hard that may be. His team mem- Rotary Club of Dhanbad; 2019–21 bers do not rest either, and Shekhar Rotary International director ensures that each one follows a mantra People are so accustomed to thinking of excellence. like everybody else that they are afraid For him, everything has to be larger to explore the possibilities of their than life. Thinking big is not unique, but mind. Shekhar, on the other hand, has thinking big and achieving the auda- an uncanny ability to picture something cious is. Shekhar believes that a dream that isn’t yet there. He sees possibilities is not what you see while sleeping; a where others find dead ends. dream is what won’t let you sleep. He He constantly questions the sta- believes that “love and compassion tus quo and thinks of improving the are necessities, not luxuries; humanity

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 18 01-Jul-21 1:43:39 PM Clockwise from top: The Mehta family: children Chandni cannot survive without them.” He also and Chiraag; Rashi and Shekhar; and daughter-in- believes that if you cannot keep your law Geeta; Enjoying pani puri with Sangkoo Yun, the family happy, you cannot keep anybody current Rotary Foundation vice chair; At his desk: else happy. “This is where I put all my dreams into action,” Mehta says; Shekhar and Rashi Mehta with 1999–2000 RI President Carlo Ravizza and his wife, Rossana, at the Anand Sureka 1999 International Assembly. In 2016, Rotary leaders Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar from across India, including PRIP Kalyan Banerjee I’ve known Shekhar since 2001 and had and his wife, Binota (front row), lit candles pledging to the privilege of working closely with prepare tens of thousands of children to attend school him during the year of Rotary’s centen- through the Asha Kiran (Ray of Hope) programme; nial in 2005. Here’s what I’ve learned: Shekhar and Rashi Mehta doing their part to spread He is highly focused, he never says no the message of End Polio Now. to anything, he is witty and has a great sense of humour, he always delights his audience when he speaks, and, more than anything, he is a very good human being and a great friend. At the base of all of his activities is the philosophy that mankind is his business. In 2008, Shekhar dreamed of setting up another eye hospital in Kolkata. He established a partnership with the L V Prasad Eye Institute, one of the best eye care hospitals in the country. He helped raise funds and gave his time, resources and energy to make it self-sustaining. He always leads from the front. Whenever a disaster struck the nation,

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 19 01-Jul-21 1:43:45 PM I saw Shekhar present. When there mysterious supply of constant energy, were floods in Guntur and Begusarai a capacity for 18-hour workdays, and or earthquakes near the Pakistan border an ability to provide instant solutions or in Nepal, Shekhar was there, lending for any problem. his hand for Service Above Self. He is always looking for ways to Anirudha Roychowdhury do more and explore new areas of ser- Rotary Club of Calcutta Mega City; vice. Whether constructing toilets or 2007–08 governor of District 3291 setting up a library, he is never short Shekhar is a charismatic leader who of energy and vision. always exudes positive energy. He’s a great motivator and an out-of-the- Kishore Kumar Cherukumalli box thinker. He fosters friendships, Rotary Club of Vizag Elite; 2009–10 generates goodwill and is easily governor of District 3020 approachable. His never-say-die atti- I first encountered Shekhar when he tude is one of his greatest assets. He spoke at a club in Kolkata in 2008. is a down-to-earth person; he enjoys I was moved by his speech, which was simple food from ordinary places and laced with candid and bold ideas. In often visits roadside joints to eat spicy 2010, I invited him to our district con- Indian snacks. ference; it turned out to be the begin- He and Rashi complement each ning of a strong friendship. I have also other: Rashi is calm and rooted to the had the privilege of working with him ground, providing strength for Shekhar on events and committees and have to fly high. witnessed his exceptional work ethic. His mission in Rotary is service, ser- Chandni Mehta vice, service. Shekhar and Rashi’s daughter He has big dreams, but he is also a Dad has tremendous zeal and enthu- keen listener who observes, analyses, siasm for life. He exudes energy and and then implements a plan in order warmth and wins people over with his to achieve his objective. He believes sense of humour and thoughtfulness. strongly in Rotary, and practices what He has an intuitive awareness of ineq- he preaches. He respects democracy uities, and his commitment to service and carefully weighs every opinion springs from his commitment to fair- in group decisions. This encourages ness and fellowship among people. everyone he works with to give their He ignites enthusiasm in others. He best. He can precisely identify the is, most important, a free soul with an strengths of his team members and undying spirit for life and action. match them with the Rotary responsibilities best suited to them. In meetings Rajendra Saboo he often breaks the monotony with Rotary Club of Chandigarh; 1991– anecdotes and humour. 92 Rotary International president Shekhar once had to address a con- I got to know Shekhar through Vijay ference with just a couple of hours to Bhandari, a past district governor prepare. One of his former employ- who spoke highly of him, saying that ees lived in the town where the event he had potential to rise within Rotary. was being held and had invited him to My friend Vinay Nevatia, a member visit. Although he was on an impos- of the Rotary Club of Calcutta, told sible timetable, Shekhar obliged. He me that if I were to go to Shekhar’s has demonstrated the importance of apartment I would find that it was full sustaining relationships — as well as a of materials for disaster relief kits, and

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 20 01-Jul-21 1:43:47 PM that both Shekhar and his wife, Rashi, would themselves be busy packing the boxes. I realised Shekhar was a hands-on, service-oriented Rotarian. When the Boxing Day tsunami hit in 2004, Shekhar’s club put together hundreds of kits for people on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which had been devastated. Shekhar travelled thousands of miles, many times, to and from those islands in the Bay of Bengal to deliver kits and help set up shelters. And in 2015, Shekhar packed and organised the kits that were destined for Nepal after a catastrophic earthquake there.

Rashi Mehta Shekhar’s wife Shekhar has a deep soul and a large heart. He is not only genuinely kind but also sees kindness in others, and never shies from praising and encouraging others for the smallest acts of good- ness. He loves to work with people, is a team guy as much as a leader. His joy, energy, and capabilities double up when he works with a team. He is an exceptionally positive and enthusiastic person. I have not seen the thought of failure bogging him down. If anything, he emerges stronger and smarter out of challenging situations. He has trained his mind to see the silver lining in difficult situations and firmly holds on to the faith that we will overcome.

Kalyan Banerjee Rotary Club of Vapi; 2011–12 Rotary International president I first met Shekhar 25 years ago. I was a Rotary International director, and then-RI President Herb Brown had asked me to convene a South Asia conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, which then was in the same district as Kolkata. The district governor had assigned a team of young Rotarians to help me organise the event, and one particularly bright, smart and often outspoken young man engaged my attention. He was full

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 21 01-Jul-21 1:43:51 PM of ideas, enthusiasm and innovations and was always willing to learn. That’s how I first got to know Shekhar. Following the success of the Nepal event, Shekhar and I stayed connected. I followed his Rotary career with interest, first as he was elected governor of his district and then, a few years later, as a director. I was always amazed by his ability to get people to support him enthusiastically in whatever task he gave them. He was irrepressible and bustled with new ideas. After the Boxing Day tsunami, he travelled to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — which, though a part of his district, are 1,000 miles away in the Indian Ocean. And he later devised an amazing kit, which included a tent, bed- ding, toiletries, candles, clothing, and basic tools. Rotarians from all Indian The UK-based ShelterBox, which he served as a ShelterBox trustee districts helped with funds, and if there was started by Rotarians, is interna- as well. was an earthquake in Nepal, as there tionally known for providing relief Over the years, with his obvious often are, or a tsunami in Chennai or after disasters anywhere in the world. sincerity and commitment to Rotary, a cyclone in Odisha or a disaster in Around 2015, the Rotary Board asked Shekhar has elicited amazing trust and Maharashtra, the kits would be there Shekhar to meet with ShelterBox to devotion from almost every Rotarian in 24 hours flat. Shekhar himself would negotiate a long-term arrangement. he meets, everywhere. I have watched be there just a bit later. Not only was he successful in that, with admiration as he became some- what of a pied piper in Rotary and was not surprised when he took on the assignment to help make India fully literate. No one was sure how this could be done. India has a population of 1.3 billion people, about a quarter of whom are not literate. Shekhar connected with the Indian government, joined with all the appropriate NGOs, and got Rota- ry’s efforts and sincerity recognised. This literacy task is as big as making India polio-free. Now, with Shekhar leading Rotary, I’m confident that it will be achieved. And Shekhar will ensure that Rotary is recognised all over the world not only for the service that it does, but for bringing people every- Mehta’s parents, Sumer Chand and Vallabh Mehta, surrounded by their where together. children and grandchildren: (back row) Chiraag and Madhulika Jain, Rashi and John Rezek is the Shekhar Mehta, and Rashmi and K K Singh, (middle row) Geeta and Chiraag Editor-in-Chief of Rotary Mehta with Shekhar’s parents, and (front row) Ishita and Roshni Jain; Shekhar’s daughter, Chandni Mehta; and Sejal and Sanjana Singh. © Rotary

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K_Dream weaver_3.indd 22 01-Jul-21 1:43:54 PM Rotary launches oxygen cabs to ferry Covid patients

Team Rotary News

abs fitted with oxygen cylinders and other Covid care Cfacilities were launched by RC Chandigarh Midtown, RID 3080, under its Oxygen on Wheels project to provide emergency assistance to corona patients and transport them to nearby hospitals. The club joined hands with Buddy Cabs, a car rental service provider, and Haryana State Legal Services Author- ity (HSLSA) to extend the “the first mile connectivity before a patient gets proper treatment at a hospital,” said Club members with the Oxygen on Wheels cab. club’s past president Salil Dev Singh Bali who had conceived the project. their doorstep and assist hospitals with judge Parmod Goyal, also secretary, The service will be available to patients heavy caseloads but lack ambulances HSLSA; judicial and police offi- across Chandigarh, Panchkula and by ferrying patients. “The drivers were cials from Panchkula and Mohali; Mohali, he added. HSLSA executive trained to administer oxygen to patients and Buddy Cabs founder-CEO Sar- chairman Justice Rajan Gupta, also in need during transportation or at their taj Lamba. AG Dr Rita Kalra, pres- a judge at the Punjab and Haryana doorsteps,” said Bali, adding that the ident-elect Salil Chopra and Rtns high court, flagged off the project and oxygen cab service is provided free of Renu Chopra and Pardeep Sisodia appreciated the club’s initiative. charge for Covid patients in the tricity. represented the club. The emergency The cabs will also deliver oxygen The inaugural ceremony was project was dedicated to late DGN cylinders for needy Covid patients at attended by district and sessions Naveen Gulati.

Justice Rajan Gupta from the Punjab and Haryana high court flagging off the Covid cabs in the presence of Rotarians.

JUNEJUJUNJUUNNE 202202202100221 RROTRO ROTARYOOTTARAARYRYRY NENNEWSEWWSS 23

K_Rotary launches oxygen cabs to ferry Covid patients_1.indd 23 01-07-2021 12:59:57 PM Business as usual not possible after pandemic: Holger Knaack

Rasheeda Bhagat

hose who think that after their commitment to end polio from generations, clubs built around shared the Covid pandemic it will the world, Rotarians across the world meals don’t fit with their lifestyles. be “business as usual”, are were also looking forward to taking up This was not an experience they had Twrong, as “ that will be work on Rotary’s new area of focus — growing up, and certainly did not fit impossible,” said RI President Holger the environment. Work would also with their busy social calendars.” Knaack, at his inaugural address at the continue to take “Rotaract to a new In his opening conversation, Taipei virtual convention. Rotarians level this year, with higher visibility in filmed outdoors in his home town of will have to adapt to and embrace the Rotary world than ever before. Hamburg, and which gave the feel of a change, and think about the oppor- Also, two countries — Africa and physical, real time meet, he shared that tunities this pandemic has brought, Australia — as well as many clubs Suzanne and he “don’t have children along with challenges. “For Rotary will be celebrating their Rotary of our own, but we have hosted about clubs, this means thinking strategically cecentennial.”ntennial. and considering how we canan bbuilduild ThThee RI ppresidentresident sasaidid anotanotherher on the experiences of the ppastast yeayear.r. oopportunitypportunity ggiveniven bbyy tthehe We have all seen just how vvaluablealuable papandemicndemic was vvirtualirtual cclublub virtual meetings can be. Internationalternational memeetings,etings, “w“whichhich aarere meetings are now routine. EExcitingxciting appealinappealingg to younger new service projects can bee planneplannedd people. EvEvenen before and executed in real time aacrosscross tthehe CCovid-19ovid-19 beganbegan to world, and we can collaboraterate totogethergether spspreadread rrapidlyapidly arounaroundd like never before.” tthehe world, I sspokepoke One challenge could bee ffund-und- aaboutbout tthehe imimportancemportance raising in this environment,t, ““butbut tthathat of RRotaryotary adadaptingapting too can be managed, if not enenhanced,hanced, ttoo tthehe cchangeshanges arounaroundd by the use of technology, aass pepeo-o- uuss to ststayay rrelevant.”elevant.” ple can see now their donationstions iinn TThathatt cchangehange inincludedcluuded action. All of this immediatete iinter-nter- vivirtualrtual cclublub meetmeetings.ings. action is leading to new ideaseas and ““ForFor most yyoungerounger problem-solving.” Knaack said that for Rotaryotary and Rotarians, “this has beenen an important year.” The optimismmism ooff Africa being declared wild polpolio-io- free, had been followed by RRotarians’otarriiansns’ commitment to ending polioio bbeingeinngg greeted by the news that untilntil eearlyarrlyy May, there were just two casesases ooff wiwildlld poliovirus worldwide. Apartrt ffromrom

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P_Business as usual not possible_3.indd 24 01-Jul-21 1:39:56 PM 40 youth exchange groups.” In a lighter vein he added that Suzanne says this improves their tolerance levels! Knaack said that it cannot be denied that Rotary clubs are “ageing”, and Rotary is counting on Rotaract to help bring the average age down. He said he is often asked what he says when a youngster asks him to describe Rotary. He tells them that it is a service club, but much more than that. “It helps foster international connections, networking and enables friendships around the world, apart from giving the opportunity for personal growth.” The pandemic had brought great devastation and far many lives had been lost, including many “people RI President Holger Knaack in conversation with Sasha Hingst, news anchor important to us. We must continue to and member of RC Hamburg, in front of the 325-year-old German Academy honour those who have passed and do of Arts, in Hamburg. whatever we can to bring this devastation to an end as soon as possible.” things are important and will return He was happy that Rotarians cocon-n in due time. But we’re also getting tinuedtinued ttoo pplaylay a cruccrucialial rorolele to ““helphelp Instead of speakers at a podium, better at the casual parts of virtual and thethe worworldld cope wwithith tthehe panpandemic,demic, everybody’s face is right in front of turning it into more opportunities for andand we are steppinsteppingg up acrosacrosss the unscripted thinking and planning.” globe with vaccination campacampaignsigns us. We speak to each other directly, The lessons learnt in the last one thatthat can help bring it to an eend.nd. face-to-face, and this has helped us year would help Rotary “become a I want to thank all the RotariansRotarians more modern organisation. We need transcend cultural boundaries. who have dondonee so much to helhelpp usu to use this opportunity to welcome copecope wwithith tthesehese diffdifficulticult ttimes.imes. younger men and women and more NothingNothing can overrioverridede diverse groups. This is how we will our sense of loss, but we cannot ignore expand our reach. And the technology the ways the pandemic has forced us will continue to evolve. Our comfort to make positive change.” will continue to grow. The technol- This change had allowed the ogy will become more user-friendly, forming of a “new closeness through exciting, and engaging, and we will our use of technology and our com- become better at blending the live mitment to mutual care. The time world with the digital one.” and distance between us has shrunk Always an espouser of new tech- dramatically. Instead of speakers at a nology, Knaack urged the attendees to podium, everybody’s face is right in use the “technology of this convention front of us. We speak to each other to have an engaging learning experi- directly, face-to-face, and this has ence and fun” by attending breakout helped us transcend cultural bounda- sessions, engaging in chat rooms, and ries,” Knaack added. making new connections. Of course, “we have missed hug- He extended a warm welcome ging people, casual chats over coffee, to Vietnam, the newest country with and our in-person meetings. These Rotary’s presence.

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P_Business as usual not possible_3.indd 25 01-Jul-21 1:39:57 PM 2XUGL൵HUHQFHDQGGLYHUVLW\DUH RXUVWUHQJWKVJennifer Jones

Rasheeda Bhagat

ach of us is that helps us to tackle the were “drawn to each our souls and creating unique and world’s most pressing other, because we know greatness.” that’s what challenges,” said RI Pres- the power of our ser- Earlier a video clip was Emakes us spe- ident Nominee Jennifer vice. We’ve all felt it. played out of a conversa- cial. And in Rotary, we Jones, addressing the We know the myste- tion between Jones and know that our differences Taipei convention. rious, powerful force PDG Sylvia Whitlock, really are our strengths. In Rotary people with that service creates, and a trailblazer in making It’s our diverse perspective diverse backgrounds which ends up enriching possible women’s entry

RIPN Jennifer Jones (R) in conversation with PDG Sylvia Whitlock from RC Duarte, California, US.

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K_Our difference and diversity are our strengths Jennifer Jones.indd 26 01-07-2021 12:59:36 PM into Rotary. In that conversation Sylvia explained to the RIPN, the whole drama behind the court case to bar women’s entry into Rotary, with the US Supreme Court finally ruling that women cannot be kept out from Rotary. RI President Holger Knaack announced the setting up of a Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award to honour any Rotarian or anyone who had advanced women’s membership in Rotary. Addressing the virtual convention and stressing the importance of the power of team work, Jones said that working together, Rotarians would accomplish great things. As civil rights activist Martin Luther King had

said, “‘everyone has the only had the clubs been power for greatness.’ Not strengthened more, but for fame, but for greatness. because of technology, Because greatness is deter- “we also see a Rotary mined by service.” that includes people we By working together would’ve never come Rotarians would not only into contact with in other achieve great things but times — and who we can’t also “leave for future wait to meet face-to-face” generations an organisa- whenever that becomes tion that reflects the world possible. they live in and that carries Even as its reach had forth timeless values we widened, Rotary had found treasure so dearly. Imagine “a broader, more diverse a world that’s becoming perspective”, reaching out more aligned with the to people, of every gender, values of Rotary.” age, nationality, language, One fallout of the belief, or economic status. Covid pandemic was the “Now we are diversifying creation of “a season of our friendships like never outreach in Rotary. We’ve before,” Jones added. had to find new ways to connect, new ways to hold our hands and expand our Designed by arms a little wider.” Not N Krishnamurthy

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 27

K_Our difference and diversity are our strengths Jennifer Jones.indd 27 01-07-2021 12:59:37 PM Support the Action Plan to keep Rotary thriving: John Hewko

Jaishree

he world is changing rapidly guide for Rotary clubs and districts to area of focus — environment — and and to continue thriving in follow the path of growth. programmes of scale to fund large, the years ahead, Rotary “Often, organisations reach significant projects to make a difference must keep evolving. The saturation at some point. This made in communities. We have moved on to T us think what can we do differently, engage Rotaractors significantly, into new Action Plan has been designed to take the organisation over to the how can we engage members and the Rotary family. We can do a lot more next 20–30 years,” said RI general take the organisation farther. This on this.” secretary John Hewko, addressing the Covid pandemic has shown us that it Clubs and districts are the core Rotary virtual convention. “This plan is possible to change,” said Hewko, of Rotary. “One of the most impor- is intended to help us honour our past highlighting how Rotarians world tant things clubs can do to support the and embrace our future by guiding our over have learnt to adapt to virtual Action Plan is to develop their own organisation, members and supporters platforms. “We have learnt to embrace strategic plan that aligns to and reflects towards projects, opportunities and technology. We have expanded our the priorities and objectives of the new activities that support our vision,” reach through partnerships in various strategy,” he said. Every club president, he added. areas of focus. We have added a new president-elect and nominee must work The plan has four priorities — in tandem to ensure continuity over the iincreasingncreasing Rotary’s impact, expanexpand-d- yyearsears “so tthathat we can aallll worworkk totogethergether iingng its reach, enhancing ttowardsowards thethe same ggoals.oals. We can evoevolvelve participant engagement and anandd kkeepeep Rotary not ononlyly rerelevantlevant bbutut iincreasingncreasing the ability to tthriving.hriving. We need to explore and adopt aadapt.dapt. It is a step-by-stepstep-by-step newnew,, effective mmodels odels and wawaysys for people to engage with Rotary.Rotary.”” EEarlierarlier Hewko took the convention attendees on a virtual tour of the One RotarRotaryy Centre — the RI headheadquartersquarters in Evanston, ChicaChicago,go, includinincludingg the RI ppresident’sresident’s officeoffice andand thethe AKS Gallery.Gallery. CConventiononvention committeecommittee chairchair andand past RI vviceice prespresidentident K Kennethenneth M SSchuppertchuppert welcomedwelcomed thethe del-del- egegatesates anandd invitedinvited themthem to “h“haveave fun”fun” anandd participateparticipate iinn a walkingwalking challenge,challenge, cookincookingg classes, yogayoga and meditation sessionssessions,, and even attend a dance pparty.arty.

2828 RROROTARYOOTTAARYARRYY NEWSNNEEWSWS JULYJJUJULUULLY 2021202022 21

K_Support the Action Plan to keep Rotary thriving_John Hewko.indd 28 01-Jul-21 1:42:57 PM Environmentalism is part of all our service projects: Shekhar Mehta

Jaishree

aring for the environment rejuvenating water bodies and water management programme is a health has always been part of harvesting. “Even if the programme and an environment programme as most of the areas of focus is about water and sanitation, it also well. “When we began promoting reus- Cof RI, said incoming RI addresses the environment. Similarly, able cloth sanitary pads, this helped to president Shekhar Mehta at the Rotary when we built toilets in schools and address women’s health and with the convention, talking about Rotary’s villages, they took care of the health elimination of the plastic element from role in environmentalism and how it and hygiene of children and adults, disposable napkins, we could make it has been adopted as an area of focus. in addition to addressing proper san- eco-friendly.” Rotary’s WASH programmes itation for the surrounding areas,” Mehta highlighted the various have included building check dams, he pointed out. A menstrual hygiene environment-friendly initiatives being implemented by Rotary clubs world over, including installation of solar panels, recycling and encouraging tree plantation in communities. Environmentalism can lead to new business opportunities as well, he said and highlighted how the intro- duction of reusable sanitary pads has given income generation opportunities to women’s self-help groups. When Rotary clubs distribute the saplings of fruit-bearing trees in villages and semi-urban areas, they not only enhance the green cover but also provide a source of livelihood for the villagers, he added. Focus on environmental care has given huge savings in businesses and career opportunities come up in energy audit, organic stores, waste recycling, etc “when we start concentrating on environmental care,” he said.

K_Environmentalism is part of all our service projects_Shekhar Mehta.indd 29 01-07-2021 12:57:57 PM We refused to allow TRF to be “burned to the ground” K R Ravindran

Rasheeda Bhagat

istory is full of catastro- Ravindran added that Burnham’s pandemic challenges, he said, phes, rebirths and incred- plans were adopted; Chicago grew, “Early in 2020 when we set the ible accomplishments great skyscrapers rose and “Rotary goals for this Rotary year we did Hthat seemed impossible was hatched in this atmosphere of so with high hopes of achievement in the darkest moments. Rotary was optimism and ambition.” only to see Covid 19 posing so born in Chicago in 1905. Only 34 Drawing this analogy to TRF many challenges which threatened years before that, the entire city had and its performance during the to derail our plans. But we have, burned to the ground with only a handful of structures still standing.ing. Some wondered if it was even wworthorth the effort to rebuild Chicago.” With this anecdote, TRF Trusteerustee Chair K R Ravindran captivatedd parpar-- ticipants of the RI virtual convention,ention, to illustrate how every catastrophephe comes with an opportunity. Chicago’s devastating destructionruction also brought with it both “hopee anandd vision”, with city planner Danielel Burnham drawing up an entire new vision of the city that “defined tthehe landscape and set the stage for aallll tthehe structures that we see today. Hee sasaidid about his ambitious city plan: ‘MakeMake no little plans. They have no magicagic to stir men’s blood; make big plans,lans, aim high in hope and worth, remem-mem- bering that a noble logical diagramram once recorded will never die. BButut long after we are gone, we’ll seeee a living thing asserting itself withh eveeverr growing insistency. Remember thathatt our sons and grandsons are goingng to do things that will stagger us. LLetet your watchword be order, and yyourour beacon, beauty.”

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P_We refused to allow TRF.indd 30 01-Jul-21 1:39:42 PM incredibly, not only achieved much grants. Beginning 2022, Rotarac- of what we set out to do but in tors take on a new and important early Jan 21, we even exceeded the role in shaping the service projects goal (the milepost set for the year that define us.” Even as Rotary till January). We refused to allow celebrated Africa being declared TRF to be burned to the ground.” polio-free, “TRF has awarded our TRF has awarded our first The Trustee chair urged all first project of scale grant, that project of scale grant, that Rotarians to “look at our architec- will make a major impact towards ture and envision a future foun- a 90 per cent reduction in the will make a major impact dation that will withstand every incidence of malaria in Zambia, towards a 90 per cent storm in the horizon.” This year saving countless lives of children reduction in the incidence TRF had laid the groundwork to and pregnant mothers.” In this, the enable Rotary’s seventh area of Foundation received equal finan- of malaria in Zambia. focus, the environment, to take off cial contribution from the Gates on July 1 “to inspire our clubs to Foundation and World Vision. This think of innovative ways that will could be a precursor for the future. help protect our planet and miti- Opening the door to corporations gate the growing threat of climate looking to partner with us to make by the Otto and Fran Walter change”. a big impact through big projects.” Foundation” a new Peace Center in “We also opened the doors to Ravindran announced that the Middle East and North Africa Rotaract clubs to apply for global thanks to “an extraordinary pledge region would be opened with no cost to us.” Amidst “all these ambitious steps”, the Trustees were constantly pondering on ways to raise more funds for the global grants, TRF’s flagship programme, which were getting immensely popular. Giving numbers, he said that in 2013–14 when GGs were introduced, 868 grants were given worth $47.3 million; by 2019–20, the number of these grants had risen to 1,359 (worth $95.6 million)! “While global grants funding increased by over 100 per cent, the correspond- ing Annual Funds contributions did not keep pace, increasing by only 6 per cent during that period.” So “corrective action” was taken “to ensure that GGs will be sustainable for years to come, even, as we predict, that the demand for them will grow further. And we are not stopping there; TRF has been exploring avenues to raise more funds from outside agencies. This year we obtained $5million from USAID to fund Italian Covid- related projects.” he said.

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P_We refused to allow TRF.indd 31 01-Jul-21 1:39:43 PM Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace

Rasheeda Bhagat

hese are times when mil- the contributors and the receivers. lions of Indians have been The second, of course, is that some- hit by loss of jobs with the body, preferably an organisation on T worst affected being daily whose premises the fridge is kept, wage earners, migrant labourers and has to take responsibility for it. the homeless. To mitigate the hun- Temples, mosques, churches, schools ger pangs of those who cannot afford and even restaurants have proved to their meals, Rotary Club of Queen’s be successful locations, she says. Two Necklace in Mumbai, RID 3141, has members — Asif Porbanderwalla launched a project titled Community and PP Sanjiv Mehta — are in charge Fridges. of this project to ensure that the This 35-year-old club with 181 fridges are kept well stocked with members has installed several com- food, there is no stale food and the munity fridges across Mumbai in fridges remain clean. areas such as Andheri, Bandra, Parel, Sneha says that the ultimate etc which are stocked by the local idea is to set up 50 such community people with fresh food, leftovers, fridges across Mumbai, but “we fruits and vegetables. “Those in need have to ensure that the local resi- of food can walk up to a fridge and dent groups take the onus of ensuring take whatever they require. There are these fridges are always stocked with no eyes watching them and no one food”. On the kind of food available judging their helplessness. Preserv- in the fridge Porbanderwalla says, ing dignity of those in need is the “It is largely bananas, packets of philosophy of this initiative and it dal-chawal, or khichdi, some peo- helps remove the stigma of begging,” ple put loaves of bread, while others says Sneha Pathak, club president. might buy some samosas or vada- There are two crucial factors pao and place those packets there. A little boy picks which are making this project work; A very thoughtful gesture is putting up a food packet so far five fridges, each costing about water bottles in these fridges.” from the Community `45,000, have been placed. “The first It is interesting to know that Fridge installed factor is the location of the fridge, those who pick up the food are not by RC Queen’s because they have to be close to both only the daily wagers or homeless, Necklace.

32 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace_2.indd 32 01-Jul-21 1:44:02 PM Preserving dignity of those in need is the philosophy of this initiative and it helps remove the stigma of begging.

but also local policemen patrolling the street, or the safai karmacharis. “We’ve even had students picking up some food from our fridges. One of them is kept at a convent school and the nuns have taken the responsibility of ensuring that the fridge is well stocked and is kept clean too,” says past president Sanjiv Mehta.

Raising money for its charitable projects has never been a problem with this club. It may be recalled that during the first lockdown, when Mumbai’s homeless, street dwellers, migrants and daily wagers were struggling for sustenance, RC Queen’s Necklace raised a whopping `14 crore to supply one crore fresh, cooked meals through April and May 2020 to needy Mumbaikars. Sneha adds, “we customise every fridge, which has a glass door, by branding it with the Rotary Wheel and if it’s a donation by a member in the memory of a loved one, his/her name is also displayed on it. We want to expand this project to put 50 community fridges but are going slow with their installation, as we want to ensure that first of all the local people take ownership of

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 33

K_Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace_2.indd 33 01-Jul-21 1:44:02 PM the project, no stale food remains in Hospitals in Palghar, Mahad and the fridge and it is cleaned regularly. Nashik also reached out for support, During the second wave, as cases were showing the seriousness of oxygen We haven’t had a single going up, and there was more demand shortage. for food, the club itself was stocking at negative experience like Team Miracle, the service arm of least 150 meals in every fridge, to meet people walking away with the club swung into action and started the shortfall on demand. this project to give out OCs on loan, several food packets; they During times of such huge demand, free of cost, to needy patients. “We what prevents a person from walking take only what they need. asked no questions about caste, class away with several packets, I ask her. or creed; our only aim was to help She smiles and says: “We haven’t had patients stabilise and remain at home a single negative experience like that and in doing so reduce the demand yet. I was there for the inauguration and pressure on hospital beds. We of a couple of fridges and saw people recipient of the President’s Gallantry soon built up a bank of 40 machines, taking only what they need. Yes, occa- Award for his bravery in the Taj Mahal acquired at an average cost of `50,000, sionally someone may take not one but hotel terrorist attack on 26/11, called to ensure that we never had to say no two meals, for a person at home, which seeking an oxygen concentrator (OC). to anyone,” says Sneha. is okay.” A woman from Bhiwandi called to say Admirably, the money required she has no money to pay a deposit for for this project was raised through the an OC, but a family member needs it club’s members. In this project the urgently,” says Sneha. oxygen concentrator is loaned free Those getting discharged from of cost for 10–15 days, and about 35 A nother commendable pro- hospitals required to take oxygen at concentrators are constantly in circula- ject of the club appropriately titled home for 15 days, and because oxy- tion, and over 200 people have already Breathe India Breathe is to provide gen was not available, even the HNIs benefited from this scheme. oxygen concentrators to those infected who could remain in home isolation Awareness about availability of by corona and gasping for breath. This and get well with oxygen support, these OCs was spread through social was started three months ago, even were rushing to hospitals, taking up media “and our message went viral. before the second wave of the pan- beds required for the more seriously We also put up posters in hospitals and demic hit Mumbai and other places sick patients, because OCs were not spread the word to doctors,” she added. in India. “A commander who is the available even at a premium. With a club member, who has a spare

This & facing page: Covid patients get oxygen support with the help of oxygen concentrators rented out by the club.

34 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace_2.indd 34 01-Jul-21 1:44:02 PM house in Bandra giving the nod, the existing comorbidities, all the people OCs are kept there and two tele-callers who availed this facility from the club, hired by the club, answer calls. did well through home isolation, and A three-member core team — “hence our intent of reducing pressure comprising Rima Shah, PP Manoj on hospital beds was well achieved,” Gursahani and Anne Shefali Mehta — says past president Manoj Gursahani. were in dire need of advanced life sup- then decides on the genuineness of port ambulances. They often found that the request, and tracks the patient. even after travelling this distance, the “We ensure that the concentrator is admission itself at overburdened hos- returned in a good condition, so it can pitals was taking hours,” says the club be cleaned and made ready for the next A nother significant service president. Seven such well-equipped patient. So far, we haven’t had a single project of the club is helping patients ambulances are being organised for bad experience,” says Rima Shah. from interior villages, that are about use in the rural areas of Maharashtra Barring two cases where the two hours of driving distance from the at a total cost of `1.4 crore. Half of patient had to be hospitalised due to district headquarters hospitals. “They these funds were raised through CSR,

JULYJULY 20220211 R ROTARYOTARY NEWS 35

K_Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace_2.indd 35 01-Jul-21 1:44:03 PM A volunteer providing a food packet to a needy person.

the other half came from club mem- Next it was found that medicines and the city was locked down, the bers. The ambulances are fitted with were required for thousands of people club decided to supply 3,100 ration oxygen supply and ventilators, along in “rural and government hospitals kits, each enough to feed a family with other monitors and are capable as well as daily mushrooming Covid of four for a month. Raising money of supporting a critical patient from centres. We provided the same”. has never been a problem for this remote villages till she reaches the Medicines worth `7 lakh were sup- club, where at least 70 per cent of nearest hospital. This project is being plied by the club to Covid treatment the members donate money for com- done in conjunction with the National centres at Nehru Centre and Poddar munity welfare projects, and money Health Commission, Maharashtra, Hospital, besides government-run is often, and speedily, raised on the which will be maintaining and man- hospitals such as St George, KEM club’s Whatsapp group. “Each ration aging the ambulances. and GT Hospital, as well as hospitals kit costs `850; we wanted to start in Mahad. the distribution on June 3, and put An oxygenated van was donated up a Whatsapp message the previous by the club to be stationed at the evening at 8 pm, and in three hours Quepem Covid care centre, Goa, and it we raised `34 lakh for 4,000 gro- We put up a Whatsapp ferried patients within the city of Goa cery ration kits from our club mem- message the previous evening to hospitals and back and provided bers. An outside donor chipped in oxygen in the interim hours before a with 1,000 kits.” So a total of 5,000 at 8 pm, and in three hours bed was found. grocery kits were handed out, says we raised `34 lakh for 4,000 Sneha. Proving that it really cares, during grocery ration kits from our the last lockdown, as the supply of club members. food to the community fridges dried A s May 2021 saw Mumbai up, the club raised money to place 150 reeling under the second and more cooked meals every day in the five lethal wave of the Covid pandemic, community fridges.

36 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Breathe India, breathe, says RC Queen’s Necklace_2.indd 36 01-Jul-21 1:44:03 PM Creating a Rotary-Rotaract synergy

Jaishree

t the Rotary virtual con- RI President Mark Maloney recom- lead and manage the project as well. vention Yichun Elyse mended an update in Rotaract policies Rotaractors are great leaders,” she Lin, charter president, to reflect this new status and create said, addressing the Rotarians and, ARC Taipei Daylight, an inclusive, innovative and flexible to the Rotaractors, she suggested, Taiwan, highlighted how Rotarians membership experience. “if you have a service project, you and Rotaractors can work in harmony Elyse, a dual member herself, can turn to Rotarians for help. They to achieve Rotary’s common goal — extolled how this elevated status can have the professional experience transforming communities. benefit both Rotarians and Rotarac- and resources through their well- After the 2019 CoL voted to offi- tors. “At club level, while devel- developed network.” cially recognise Rotaract clubs as a oping a service project or event, Rotaractors are good with social membership type, the Elevate Rotaract when Rotaractors come up with media platforms such as Instagram and Task Force appointed by the then good ideas, invite them to take the Facebook. Having a Rotaractor in the team can help Rotarians expand their reach. Elyse recommended inviting Rotaractors to be part of Rotary’s district committees. “Their knowledge of technology will help in developing effective district training events,” she said, adding that her district committees benefited immensely with contributions from both, Rotarians and Rotaractors. “We triggered an amazing chain reaction when we invited Rotaractors to participate in our training seminars. Chairs of several youth district committees started inviting Rotaractors to join and serve on their committees. The DRRs, in turn, sought help from Rotary clubs to develop district service projects.” There are still so many ways to develop a synergy for Rotary and Rotaract to work together. “It benefits not only the people we serve, but ourselves too. The more connected we are, the more opportunities we will have. In the long run, we are also opening opportunities for Rotary,” said Elyse.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 37

K_Creating a Rotary-Rotaract synergy.indd 37 01-07-2021 12:57:49 PM Medical Google of RID 3232

Rasheeda Bhagat

ll of us have seen pictures district together in a group, to help responded saying there is a bed availa- of ambulances queueing Rotarians with their healthcare needs, ble in MMRV Hospital, and we imme- up outside hospitals dur- RID 3232 had a robust group of 193 diately shifted him there. He had left ing the second wave of healthcare professionals, including 165 Rotary but I was still in touch with him. the Covid pandemic. We doctors. The “doctors’ group”, which The son-in-law got treatment, recov- were all under tremendous Dr V Sriram, community services chair ered and was discharged.” pressure to find hospital for the district, refers to as Medical A fallout of this help was that the beds with oxygen, and Google — as it has not only specialists grateful man has returned to Rotary, even ventilators. A former and super specialists, but also profes- “saying that thanks to help from Rotary, Rotarian called to say he sionals from hospital management, the my son-in-law is alive today.” was waiting outside the GH in Chennai. pharma industry and medical equipment ‘There is a queue of ambulances, my manufacturers, was further strength- A great gesture son-in-law is sick and his oxygen sat- ened by DG S Muthupalaniappan, There are so many such cases. DG uration level is only 80’,” recalls RID as he saw the pandemic taking a firm Muthu relates two interesting anec- 3232 DGN and eminent maxillofacial grip over the country. dotes. Dr S Suresh, a member of this surgeon Dr N Nandakumar. On getting the SOS, Dr Nandakumar doctors’ group, and secretary of the By this time, thanks to the initiative immediately reached out to the doc- Voluntary Health Services (VHS), a of IPDG G Chandramohan during his tors’ group, saying “we need a hospital flagship hospital in Chennai which year to bring the doctors in his Rotary bed urgently. DRFC M Ambalavanan caters to the middle and lower

From L: RID 3232 Covid Task Force chairman P Sathish, DGN Dr N Nandakumar, IPDG G Chandramohan, DG S Muthupalaniappan, district community services chair Dr V Sriram and disease prevention and treatment chair Dr Vasudha Rajasekar.

38 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Medical Google of RID 3232_1.indd 38 01-07-2021 12:59:12 PM classes, which Rotary has been helping upgrade for decades now, shared Secret behind their success with him a heartrending tale. A Rotar- ian from Thiruvannamalai lost one r Nandakumar says that if 15,000 Covid beds. What they of his parents in the pandemic and D Chennai and Tamil Nadu never didn’t have was the infrastructure, his Covid-positive wife admitted in really went into a crisis in oxygen sup- oxygen cylinders, concentrators, a hospital, was very sick and was ply, it is thanks to the TNMSC (Tamil nurses, PPEs, etc.” brought to VHS in a very critical Nadu Medical Services Corporation) She recalls that there was a condition. “They tried their best but MD P Umanath. “Thanks to his plan- time during the second wave when couldn’t save her. The couple had two ning and action, we had access to an Stanley Hospital, one of the biggest young daughters. The bill came to adequate supply of oxygen. Another government hospitals in Chennai, `3.8 lakh, and the relatives were try- thing which helped is Tamil Nadu’s ran short of drugs. “This, not ing to raise the money, “but because robust healthcare delivery system, because they didn’t have money, she had left behind two young daugh- which helped our doctors’ group to but because the stocks weren’t com- ters, Dr Suresh decided not to collect be effective.” Almost every hospi- ing in. They reached out to us Rotar- any money from the family. Such tal, be it government or private, or ians, because they saw the work we wonderful gestures have happened non-profit, has a Rotarian doctor in had done in the first wave. We had during this pandemic.” it, he adds. classmates and friends in all govern- The DG related one more incident His goal, he admits, was to put ment hospitals and they would ask from VHS. Dr Sriram, the commu- at least one representative from each our help to see if private suppliers nity services chief, had referred a hospital in the doctors’ WhatsApp had drugs which we could buy and patient, and his family had expected a group, and say: ‘Hey, we don’t do give them. This included even the huge bill, but got a small one and they this in normal times, but these are most common drugs such as blood insisted on paying `30,000 above extraordinary times and your help thinners to prevent blood clots.” that bill. Dr Suresh called to com- will make a huge difference in get- Adds Dr Sriram, “Oxygen con- plain that they are not vacating the ting vital information in getting beds.” centrators were needed in many bed because they want to pay more!” Dr Vasudha adds that even places and DG Muthu asked my Thanking the doctors’ group, he though RID 3232 created a club to ensure people requiring added: “This group of doctors has large number of beds, “the TN oxygen support at home after dis- rendered remarkable service to save government itself had already added charge got the OCs.” so many people’s lives. There are instances when I have passed on a request at 10 pm, and this group has it really meant. I thought even for the right equipment at the right price. worked till 3 am to do the needful. ordinary ailments like flu, malaria, They have many brainstorming sessions District 3232 would not have han- typhoid etc, the district’s 5,000-odd which I attend, even though often what dled this pandemic so well without Rotarians (20,000 with their families) they discuss is like Greek and Latin to their help. Hats off to Dr Sriram, need medical consultation. And RID me. Their involvement and application Dr Nandakumar and Dr Vasudha 3232 has so many wonderful doctors, of knowledge is exemplary.” Rajasekar, the district disease pre- a doctors’ group to provide general He added that RID 3232 has vention and treatment chair, for healthcare was started. Then the pan- donated to the Chennai Corporation working tirelessly.” demic hit us.” 15 mobile vans for vaccinating visually What began as a 60-member group challenged, differently abled and senior Genesis has now expanded to 193, including citizens. Four vans have been donated Giving details of the genesis of this 165 doctors; the rest being from allied to visit traffic signal points and check group, IPDG Chandramohan said that healthcare fields. As the pandemic policemen on duty for vital parameters, in March 2020, when the coronavirus worsened, the group helped with con- to ensure their good health. “All this hit and a lockdown was announced, sultation, advise and hospitalisation. has been done with the guidance and “everybody was at sea, we had no DG Muthu added that this group leadership of Dr Sriram. Eminent doc- knowledge of this virus and even has also been helping each other “by tors with whom an appointment is often doctors were not totally aware what sharing knowledge, helping to acquire difficult, are available for consultation

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 39

K_Medical Google of RID 3232_1.indd 39 01-07-2021 12:59:12 PM to Rotarians thanks to this group. Other in the last couple of weeks the pressure She added that Dr Sridhar had to districts should also emulate our exam- had reduced (May-end). “But it was directly call the ward and “I could hear ple,” the DG added. sheer madness while it lasted.” Con- this normally patient man, tell the sister fessing that she sleeps late and wakes in an agitated tone: ‘Admit that patient Enormous demand for beds up late, she said one morning she got a now, take a picture and send it to me, so Dr Sriram, an ENT surgeon who is now call at 5.45 am from “Rtn Suryanarayan I can share it with Dr Vasudha.’ It took more into healthcare management, and Rao, from RC Madras Central. He said, four hours to finally get her on the bed. runs his own clinic in Chennai, said that ‘one of my staff members is going from She got discharged after a week and is during the month of May, as the sec- hospital to hospital in an ambulance, doing very well.” ond Covid wave hit India, “there was not able to find a bed, and her saturation There are so many such cases and an enormous demand for hospital beds, is down to 82. She is only in her ’40s Dr Nandakumar says that despite work- lack of oxygen supply and medicines and she is going to die’.” ing for long hours late into the night, like Remdesivir. For a month, we were The patient couldn’t afford a “posh pooling resources, compiling lists and getting from early morning to late night, hospital, and the only place I could giving referrals depending on the con- desperate calls pleading for a hospital think of immediately was the Govern- dition of the patient, whether he needed bed. Money was no criterion, people ment Hospital of Thoracic Medicine in a bed with oxygen, or an ICU bed with just wanted to see their dear ones get Tambaram.” Last year, her club (RC ventilator, sometimes their help comes some medical treatment.” Chennai Temple Towers) had done a too late. “Most of the calls came from It was decided to get oxygen con- `1.25 crore ICU project for them. She Rotarians asking for help for their fam- centrators (OC); "we've started mobi- called the hospital superintendent Dr ilies or friends. I think 90 per cent of lising 100 OCs and have tied up with a Sridhar, who said it would be done. the time we were successful in finding partner for 100 more, which we will be The additional medical superintendent suitable beds in time.” lending free of cost. There are several was also roped in. “But from then to He says that what really helped this patients who get discharged from hos- 9.45 am, I got a call every 10 minutes, group to render effective and timely pitals but still need O2 support at home, saying ‘nobody is there’, ‘we went to help was “that we already had a doctors’ and for such people OCs are a big help.” the Covid ward, nobody is attending to group in place as the pandemic hit us. In On the funding, Dr Sriram says, us’ etc. So I called Dr Sridhar again and January 2020 itself we knew something “While 100 OCs were donated by Portea, said please do something, I can’t take bad was going to hit us. Thankfully the the online doctor’s consultation app, the this stress anymore.” district leadership is well connected to other 100 were procured with the funds raised by RCs Vadapalani, Chennai Temple Towers, Chennai Central and my own club RC Madras West.”

The long dance for a bed Vasudha Rajasekar, an anaesthetist and trained health management expert, said

This group has been helping each other by sharing knowledge and helping to acquire the right equipment at the right price.

S Muthupalaniappan District Governor

A line up of Covid patients in ambulances waiting to be hospitalised.

40 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Medical Google of RID 3232_1.indd 40 01-07-2021 12:59:12 PM this group and DG Chandramohan asked from its inception this group also me to prepare a list of all Rotary doctors refers Rotarians to the right specialists. The government reached out and get them into the group.” “When we get a call, we refer patients to us Rotarians, because they With so many seniors being in the for cardio, neuro, ortho, gynaec and group, “from RC Madras to the junior- other cases. This ensures that not only saw the work we had done in most club, the “younger doctors were do the Rotarians get effective treatment, the first wave. reluctant saying we won’t fit into this Rotarian doctors too get an adequate group, but I said we have to do this number of cases and some professional Dr Vasudha Rajasekar during Covid times, and many came on benefit through this networking.” Chair, District Disease board. Some didn’t, but they still help Prevention and Treatment when we ask.” Early vaccination The group realised the need to P Sathish, a past president of RC connect very swiftly with equipment Madras North, who owns a pharma manufacturers, suppliers, doctors and company, is the chairman of the Covid club, “and they promised to sponsor hospitals, “right from the government Task Force for RID 3232 in the current the beds. We quickly called TN health to the private sector and in all aspects year. “And everybody who got vacci- secretary J Radhakrishnan and told him of the healthcare industry. We worked nated early in the district, owes it to we want to help with additional beds.” particularly closely with the govern- him; he took them to KMC, and all the Within a short period, the entire ment because we know that anything PDGs in the district got vaccinated well state government administration started largescale can be handled only by the before anyone was looking seriously at rolling, with “all the required depart- government.” vaccination. We pushed them, they said ments such as health, PWD, and entire Luckily the group has some Rotari- why are you pushing us, and we said hospital management team of KMC ans very well “connected with the gov- you as leaders ought to set an exam- doing whatever was required and within ernment and at the drop of a hat we can ple. So, everybody from RIDE Venky one week we had set up 250 beds; 50 reach the seniormost people in govern- and Vinita got vaccinated as well as my ICU beds and 200 with oxygen supply.” ment in doing a project or programme,” wife Dr Sumedha, who is also a mem- Next on his radar were another 250 he adds. ber of RC Chennai Temple Towers as beds in Omandurar, Annanagar Periph- Dr Vasudha adds that apart from Vinita,” says Dr Nandakumar. eral and Saidapet, all government hos- helping out with Covid cases, right He added, “he also helped in the pitals. A total number of 500 beds were procurement of critically required created in 10 days. It worked so fast as medicines and organised the supply of CREDAI was involved and they know the much-wanted Remdesivir within the system,” smiles Sathish. Next, beds a week.” were added in Madurai, Salem and Quips Dr Sriram: “I told you, this Coimbatore. group is a medical google… anything He adds: “I’d like to add that there you require, from an ICU/oxygen bed was never any paucity of funds for what- to medicines, you will get a solution ever we wanted to do in terms of creating quickly.” beds, additional oxygen supply or other Sathish explains how at the peak of equipment because the money that came the second wave, “when ambulances in was unbelievable. Indians living over- were waiting in long queues at hospi- seas, after seeing pictures of desperation tals… and the patient would spend a from India, were just pouring money whole night hooked to oxygen supply, into the country. And so many clubs in an ambulance outside a hospital, we individually have done global grants to moved fast to create additional beds help in Covid relief work.” with oxygen.” He started a dialogue There was also CSR money; “Dr with the president of CREDAI (Con- Vasudha’s club did a `1.25 crore project federation of Real Estate Developers to create 40 ICU beds for VHS, thanks Association of India), Tamil Nadu, to a partnership with the Cognizant Suresh Krishna, a past president of his Foundation.”

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 41

K_Medical Google of RID 3232_1.indd 41 01-07-2021 12:59:12 PM A mega `300-crore Rotary project to treat Covid patients

V Muthukumaran

ere is another example sense of urgency he noted among the and algorithms to find out places in of RIPE Shekhar Mehta partners in taking forward one of the need of medical oxygen and other thinking big and taking largest Covid projects so far in the supplies, and these were delivered Hquick decisions to help country.” While in the first wave of promptly. “Rotary will track and thousands of Covid patients in rural the pandemic, Rotary clubs have done monitor the usage of oxygen concen- and urban India. projects such as setting up Covid centrators given under this project over An MoU was signed between tres, distributing PPE kits, sanitisers a one-year period,” explained Mehta. Rotary India Humanity Foundation and food grains, all worth `150 crore, In the first phase, district hospitals (RIHF) and United Way Bengaluru, at the grassroots-level to fill the gaps and PHCs in Tamil Nadu and West an NGO with patrons from the US, in relief work by the governments, Bengal will get these machines. In UK and other countries, for delivery Rotarians have once again risen to the the second phase eight more states — of 100,000 oxygen concentrators, set- challenge during the second wave, he Rajasthan, Karnataka, Delhi, Andhra ting up of 100 PSA plants to generate said. The district governors had led Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, medical oxygen; and supply of 5,000 the clubs in the distribution of oxy- Goa and Haryana — will benefit from Bipaps (non-invasive ventilators) and gen concentrators and other medi- this partnership, he added. 50,000 oximeters at a cost of `300 cal equipment to hospitals and rural crore ($40.4 million). Speaking at PHCs, he added. An exciting journey the virtual sign-in ceremony, Mehta The Rotary national committee of Sharing his experience of the last two recalled the telecon he had with PDG the Covid Task Force acted quickly weeks, when the first phase was being G Olivannan, RID 3232, and the and worked on artificial intelligence implemented, RIDE A S Venkatesh

Mayiladuthurai MLA S Rajkumar (centre, left) hands over oxygen concentrators to Dr R Rajasekhar, CMO, government hospital in the presence of DG R Balaji Babu (third from R), RC Mayiladuthurai president K Durai (R) and project coordinator V Raman (fourth from L).

42 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_A mega Rs 300-crore Rotary project to treat Covid patients.indd 42 01-07-2021 12:57:40 PM said, “In the last 15 days, we had delivered over 2,300 machines across PHCs, community health centres and district hospitals in TN and West Bengal.” Around 7,500 units would be delivered by June third week covering eight more states. As the Covid situation was dynamic, “we have to make real-time assessment based on the needs of hospitals and the rise in Covid cases,” he said. PRID Ashok Mahajan, chairman, Rotary India Covid Task Force, said that over 150,000 Rotarians are involved in setting up Covid centres, Members of RC Trichy Metro handed over 100 concentrators to the holding vaccination camps and dis- government hospital in the presence of K N Nehru, minister for municipal bursing medical equipment to hospi- administration, urban and water supply. tals across the country. “By mid-June over 300,000 people were vaccinated Rajya Sabha MP and PDG Vivek time I saw RIPE Shekhar Mehta in under the Rotary banner. We will Tankha said, “This was a fantastic action from the concept to the imple- continue to play the advocacy role, initiative under Mehta’s leadership mentation stage at close quarters, right support vaccine drive and deliver wherein a coalition is formed with from the zoom call on May 15 when I equipment to hospitals in the coming NGOs to lessen the hardship of the took up this project with him.” months,” he said. second wave and get ready for the RIDs Kamal Sanghvi, Dr Bharat PRIPs Rajendra Saboo and Kalyan third wave. I will pass a ‘thank you’ Pandya, Trustee Gulam Vahanvaty, Banerjee complimented Mehta for motion in Parliament to commend RIDE Dr Mahesh Kotbagi and RC speeding up this mega Covid project Rotary for this initiative.” Madras North president Venkataraman which would help India to get ready PDG Olivannan said in his 27 Visveswaran, who took up the initia- for the third wave too, apart from years of experience in Rotary, “this is tive with Mehta, along with Olivannan, revamping the healthcare system. my greatest moment, as for the first spoke at the sign-in ceremony. Speaking to Rotary News, Biswajit Ghosh, chief operating and strategy officer, RIHF, said, “so far we have supplied 18,000 oxygen concentrators and are expecting 32,000 more in the coming days. Due diligence is being carried out across states to set up PSA plants at district hospitals. Also, we may expand our delivery list of critical equipment if the need arises based on our assessment, hence the project value may go up.” While United Way signed the agreement with Rotary, there are other implementing partners including Swasth, Sequoia Capital, Sattva, Capillary Technology, ACT (Action Covid-19 Team), 24/7.ai and Zomato Feeding India. Around 420 Rotarians RID 3232 coordinator N S Saravanan (L) hands over oxygen concentrators including DGs, PDGs and Rotary lead- to Dr Gupta, Director, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai. ers were present at the virtual event.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 43

K_A mega Rs 300-crore Rotary project to treat Covid patients.indd 43 01-07-2021 12:57:42 PM Jalna Rotarians do exemplary Covid work

Rasheeda Bhagat

n April 21, 24 Covid Jalna Rainbow, Jalna Midtown and should make sure that their oxygen patients died in a hospital Ambad. Even before this tragedy, as pipelines are performing optimally in Nashik, Maharashtra, the second wave of Covid surge was and without leakage. “The CM liked Owhen their oxygen supply coming on, in an online meeting of his suggestion and the district com- was disrupted thanks to leakage from the Maharashtra government chaired missioner suggested that Rotarians an oxygen tanker. Even before this inci- by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, take this up as a pilot project,” says dent, a group of Rotarians from several with district collectors and hospital Govindram Mantri, assistant gover- Rotary clubs in Jalna, engaged in Covid representatives, Dr Hitesh Raithatha, nor and regional coordinator of the prevention and relief work, were look- a Rotarian from Jalna and a club Rotary Covid Task Force, RID 3132. ing at ways to maintain and repair piped director of Rotary’s Covid Task The task force in Jalna swung oxygen supply in hospitals. Force (RID 3132), who owns a hos- into action and undertook a crucial These included members from pital in the city, gave a valuable and timely exercise to ensure proper Rotary clubs of Jalna, Jalna Central, input. He suggested that all hospitals maintenance of oxygen pipelines at

Covid vaccine being administered at a vaccination centre set up by Rotary.

K_Jalna Rotarians do exemplary Covid work.indd 44 01-07-2021 12:58:51 PM the Government District Hospital, Government Women’s Hospital, the Jalna Mission Hospital and four other private hospitals. “We knew that doctors and hospital administrators, already under so much pressure, have no time to do this, so we undertook this responsibility.” Ultrasonic machines were used to detect leakage. He explains that the cost involved in plugging the leakage of oxygen from piped supply is merely `3,000– 4,000 per hospital. “Normally to repair a leaking oxygen pipe you have to suspend the supply and cut the pipeline. But at this critical juncture, when people are dying for lack of oxygen, this is not possible. So we use machines which allow plugging the leakage without stopping or disrupting An ultrasonic machine being used to detect and plug leakage in oxygen supply.” an oxygen pipeline. He adds that by this simple initiative at least 20 to 30 per cent of this machines to needy patients free of cost. provided free vaccination, covering till life-saving substance can be saved. Once the patient is better, the concen- April-end, over 2,700 people. “Covid- This team of Rotarians also came trator is given to somebody else, and immune passports will be issued to all together to set up a helpdesk for Covid totally 121 patients have benefited. Rotarians who have completed both vaccination at five places in Jalna, District 3132 funds helped to buy five the doses of the vaccine,” he added. along with 10 selfie points. Working of these. A former member of RC Jalna, diligently at 17 vaccination centres, They also undertook the responsi- Rajendra Barwale, now a member of the Rotarians distributed over 12,800 bility of keeping the vaccination centres RC Bombay Midtown, RID 3141, who stickers for those vaccinated. Reacting clean and hygienic, and provided chairs is an industrialist, had put up an oxy- speedily to the second wave causing for the people coming for vaccination, gen plant in Jalna at a cost of `2 crore. acute shortage of oxygen, the Rotari- apart from distributing masks, sanitisers This was inaugurated by Maharashtra ans have given 18 oxygen concentrator and ensuring social distancing. health minister Rajesh Tope “who is Realising the crucial need for from Jalna. This is one of the reasons vaccination, particularly in those we all know him well and get good areas with lower levels of literacy and cooperation and speedy response from awareness, the Rotarians did public the government for doing community announcement through hired rick- service projects,” says Raithatha. Normally to repair a leaking shaws in slum areas and by organising Mantri adds that all these initia- oxygen pipe you have to suspend roadside meetings. “This was done to tives were undertaken by the collec- the supply and cut the pipeline. remove any fear of vaccination,” said tive club leadership, and relentless Mantri. Hoardings shaped like masks work put in by Rotarians such as Dr But at this critical juncture, we use were also put up at vantage points car- Raithatha, Dr Rajiv Jethaliya, Dr machines which allow plugging rying messages about the benefits of Ravindra Bedarkar, Dr Pratik Lahoti taking a Covid vaccine. and Dr Rohit Bhala. As for the money the leakage without stopping or Apart from awareness, there was required for this work, he smiles: “Oh, disrupting oxygen supply. concrete action too — mega vaccina- there are many good people in Jalna tion centres were set up at the Roopam and there is no dearth of donors for Hall and Karwa Hospital, and these worthy service projects.”

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 45

K_Jalna Rotarians do exemplary Covid work.indd 45 01-07-2021 12:58:51 PM Rotary, Tatas come together for mega projects

V Muthukumaran

t is a perfect match over an MoU signing event strike a great synergy with is aiming to provide tap between the two leg- between Rotary India Tata Trusts as they are also water to 1,000 villages, the acy organisations — Humanity Foundation into construction of check Tatas are planning to cover I Rotary in the field (RIHF) and the Tata Trusts dams, WASH facilities, 1,500 villages in the next of community service on a virtual platform. rejuvenation of water five years, he said. for over 116 years and It will be a 50:50 bodies, setting up RWH Rotary is also into the Tatas, a 130-year-old partnership between units, providing toilets and distribution of saplings corporate group — as they Rotary and the Tatas to tap water connections to (five crore distributed in come together to execute implement work across a rural houses, community 2020–21), and had done grand projects across the wide spectrum of projects. toilets and PET bottle 25,000 heart surgeries RI’s seven focus areas of While Rotary is targeting crushing units.” In some so far. “In the next five action throughout India to achieve 10 per cent of fronts, Tatas have bigger years, we aim to do five over the next five years, GoI’s projects in water, ambitions than Rotary as million health camps, set said incoming RI president sanitation and hygiene, in the case of tap water up 50 eye banks and 3,000 Shekhar Mehta, presiding among others, “we can connections. While Rotary dialysis machines. We are

P_Rotary Tatas come together for mega projects.indd 46 01-Jul-21 1:39:19 PM trying to send 1.25 lakh dropouts back to school, set up 12,000 Happy Schools and 24,000 librar- ies across the country.” Rotary clubs have it ready 14,000 shelter kits which will be rushed to disaster sites for rescue operations. “Joining hands with Tata Trusts will enable 1.75 lakh Rotarians in India led by their district governors to plan and do mega projects. RIHF will facilitate the clubs to partner with Tata Trusts in identifying

Joining hands with Tata Trusts will enable 1.75 lakh and jointly executing pro- health, nutrition, water and large-scale transformation ` Rotarians in India led by jects,” Mehta said. sanitation, education, envi- is 100 crore. “While Both Rotary and Tatas ronment and betterment Telangana government their district governors to shared a common vision, of rural livelihoods.” With is giving us a subsidy plan and do mega projects. value systems and worked a considerable overlap of amount, the balance will for the larger well-being, interests and convergence be shared between the two Shekhar Mehta said Srinath Narasimhan, of activities, “we are partners.” RI President CEO, Tata Trusts. “Like coming together to enhance Tata Trusts manager Rotary, we are also the scale and impact of our (partnerships) Swapnil working in the areas of projects across India.” Chauhan said, “a lot of engagements are under Maiden joint project discussion such as In a presentation, AG augmenting the income of Uday Pilani from RC Lake small, marginal farmers, District Moinabad, RID scaling up of NCD 3150, said Bhupalpally and cancer-screening district of Telangana will programmes and setting be the first district to have up artisan clusters.” RIHF the Rotary-Tata projects chairman PRID Ashok over the next three years. Mahajan and Tata Trusts “We have chosen 100 group CFO Mehrab Irani villages for taking up signed the MoU. RID literacy, nutrition, WASH Kamal Sanghvi, RIDEs A S and livelihood projects. The Venkatesh and Dr Mahesh target is to raise the average Kotbagi and PRIP Kalyan annual income of farmers Banerjee welcomed this from `40,000 to `1 lakh valuable partnership that in the next three years,” he aims to change the rural said. The budget for this landscape of India.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 47

P_Rotary Tatas come together for mega projects.indd 47 01-Jul-21 1:39:19 PM RC Nasik saves 35 infants in three months

Team Rotary News

An infant being treated on a bubble CPAP machine.

he rising infant mortality was yet to take a monstrous surge precious few days before reaching rate at the Civil Hospital, in the beginning of 2020, but the the hospital, a major provider of Nashik, gave sleepless average infant mortality rose to healthcare in this district which has T nights to Dr Pankaj around 25 per cent at the hospital. a large number of Adivasi hamlets Gajare, head of paediatric depart- Soon, he found out that moth- lacking in basic medical services in ment of the hospital. Covid virus ers with their newborns wasted their neigbourhoods. “Mothers with their infants were forced to reach this hospital as there is no hospital or health centre with good medical facilities to take care of them in the remote and far-flung padas (hamlets),” said Vinayak Deodhar, a member of RC Nasik, RID 3030.

Time running out Despite Dr Gajare and his team striving hard to save the newborns, lack of modern equipment and facilities at the neonatal ward had made their valiant attempts a ‘losing fight’. Also, the mounting cases of attending to newborns, rising to over 350 admissions a month was the last thing they wanted to take on, apart from coping with the existing challenges, said Deodhar. DG Shabbir Shakir (second from right) felicitating Dr Pankaj Gajare, head At this time, a RC Nasik pres- of paediatric department at the Civil Hospital, Nashik. RC Nasik president ident Mugdha Lele, visiting the Mugdha Lele is on the extreme left. hospital for a different reason, had

48 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_RC Nasik saves more than 35 infants in three months.indd 48 01-07-2021 12:59:47 PM a chance meeting with a staff of the the hospital, the club decided Sali inaugurated the new neonatal neonatal department who briefed to donate four bubble CPAPs (a machines in February. In the last her about the crisis facing them non-invasive ventilator for new- three months or so, till May, the with rising deaths of newborns. borns with respiratory problems) refurbished paediatric wing of the “The CSR team of the club swung and a portable x-ray machine,” hospital brought joy to over 35 into action and roped in a couple of recalled Deodhar. The project team parents as their infants were saved corporates with the idea of funding convinced the manufacturers to give with timely intervention by the necessary equipment for the annual maintenance for five years to Dr Gajare and his team, thanks to paediatric ward.” But then Covid the equipment and the orders were the new equipment. The mobile struck with ferocity and for some placed in January this year. x-ray unit was used more than 200 months, the club had to take up With the cooperation of the occasions during this period. only pandemic-relief work. hospital staff, all the machines at “Our project has not only However, the CSR team was the paediatric department were brought down the infant mortality determined to find a corporate commissioned within few weeks rate at the Civil Hospital, but was sponsor and got the final nod from of placing the purchase orders. able to bring smiles on the faces of Autocomp for funding equipment DG Shabbir Shakir and Autocomp underprivileged people from Adivasi worth `12 lakh. “After consulting executive director Anil Ramdas hamlets,” added Deodhar.

Dialysis machines at Mangalore hospital to help the underprivileged

wo dialysis machines cost- Ting `11.8 lakh were installed by RC Mangalore, RID 3181, at the Wenlock District Hospital. Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, club president Archibald Men- ezes pointed out that the new facility will augment the availability of dialysis machines at the hospital as it caters to people from DG Ranganath Bhat inaugurating a dialysis machine at the Wenlock District Hospital. lower economic backgrounds who cannot afford The hospital’s exist- convenience of time as had contributed `4.5 lakh the cost of dialysis at ing dialysis unit had they no longer will have from their CSR funds private hospitals. “These been “stretched beyond to wait in long queues for for a dialysis machine. machines will not only its capacity and patients their turn,” he said. While club member Satish enhance the healthcare have to wait long hours DG Ranganath Bhat Kamath and his spouse infrastructure at the hos- for their turn. We believe appreciated the club Prabha donated `5.8 lakh pital but will be of timely that this initiative will for its efforts. The club the balance amount was help for those in need of a not just offer afforda- partnered with Zeus funded by the club’s char- dialysis.” ble dialysis but also the Biotech, Mysuru, who itable trust.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 49

K_RC Nasik saves more than 35 infants in three months.indd 49 01-07-2021 12:59:48 PM Apply yourself

s members of the family of Rotary, we are people of for you to share your vocational expertise and help ensure purpose, people of influence, and people of action. diverse perspectives within each committee. AEach year, committees that support Rotary and All committees correspond via email and on virtual The Rotary Foundation focus on putting Rotary’s strategic platforms, and some involve at least one mandatory priorities into action, challenging us to increase our impact, in-person meeting per year. Dual members of both Rotary expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and and Rotaract are especially encouraged to apply. increase our ability to adapt. To be considered for committee membership or to recommend someone for an appointment, visit on.rotary. Would you like to contribute to Rotary’s success? org/application2021. Applicants must be registered on My The following committees are searching for qualified Rotar- Rotary at rotary.org/myrotary and should make sure their ians and Rotaractors to serve as members and apply their My Rotary profile includes current contact information. leadership skills to advance our organisation. Although the Applications are due by Aug 15 for appointments starting number of openings is limited, they offer an opportunity July 1, 2022.

Committee Function Prerequisites Commitment

Communications Advises the board on Professional background Two positions for communication with key and experience in a three-year terms; annual audiences communications-related in-person meeting in field Evanston; virtual meetings as needed

Finance Advises the board on Professional background Two positions for three- Rotary’s finances, includ- in a finance-related field; year terms; one or two ing budgets, investment nonprofit experience pre- in-person meetings per policy, and sustainability ferred. Candidates should year in Evanston; virtual measures have experience in finan- meetings as needed cial matters at the club and district levels

Leadership Development Advises the board on Must have significant Two positions for three- and Training Rotary’s leadership training training or education expe- year terms; annual programme for Rotarians, rience with a preference in-person meeting in clubs and districts with a for leadership development Evanston; virtual meetings special emphasis on train- as needed ing for district governors

Operations Review Monitors the effectiveness, Experience in man- One position for a six-year efficiency, and implemen- agement, leadership term; two in-person meet- tation of operations and all development, or finan- ings per year in Evanston; internal systems; advises cial management, and virtual meetings as needed the Executive Committee a thorough knowledge on compensation matters; of Rotary’s operations. and performs other Appointments will be lim- oversight functions as ited to past RI directors requested by the board.

50 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

G - Apply yourself - July 2021.indd 50 6/25/2021 1:17:09 PM Committee Function Prerequisites Commitment

Rotaract Advises the board on Rotarians: Experience Rotarians: One position Rotaract; develops the working with Rotaract; for a three-year term; Rotaract Preconvention direct experience as meets virtually or has programme a mentor or Rotaract annual in-person meeting adviser or district chair. in Evanston Rotaract alumni are strong candidates Rotaractors: Three positions for one-year Rotaractors: Leader- terms; meets virtually ship at the club, district, or has annual in-person or international level. meeting in Evanston Strong candidates who have served as a district Rotaract representative, organised projects, or attended a Rotaract Preconvention

Strategic Planning Reviews Rotary’s strategic 10+ years of experience One position with a four- plan and associated meas- in strategy development, year term; one or two ures; advises leadership on monitoring and imple- in-person meetings per other matters of long-term mentation, and strong year in Evanston; virtual signiﬁcance understanding of RI and meetings as needed Foundation programmes and services

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 51

G - Apply yourself - July 2021.indd 51 6/25/2021 1:17:10 PM Meet your Governors

V Muthukumaran

is a veteran Rotarian from the same club, while her son, D Mohinth, is the charter president of RC Nagercoil Surpeme, formed last year. Both the father and son are major donors to TRF. Jacintha is the first woman DG from the district, and second in Tamil Nadu after PDG Rekha Shetty. Girls’ education and empowering women through vocational training will be her priority. “I want to open at least 250 small dispensaries in government schools with the help of parent-teacher associations. Each club can start such health-screening clinics in schools nearby,” she says. E-learning centres and providing drinking water in schools through RO units will be other priorities done through global and district grants. She has devised a flagship district project called From an Interactor to a Healthy and Happy Students which will conduct around 1,000 programmes, events and workshops to improve Rotary Governor physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual quotients of schoolchildren and college-goers. Jacintha Dharma One of her pet projects will be Family First which is Educationist, RC Nagercoil, based on the concept that children will excel in studies RID 3212 and school activities only if they have a ‘happy family’. “We will conduct seminars, workshops for parents each month and encourage clubs to hold similar events in er rendezvous with Rotary began when she was their localities.” Jacintha is fond of RYLAs since her in Class 11 in 1974. “I was charter president of the college days and plans to conduct “this youth conclave H Interact club at the St Joseph’s Higher every month. I will encourage each club to hold club- Secondary School, Nagercoil, and later, a Rotaractor level RYLA at regular intervals.” at the Holy Cross College during my UG and post- Chartering 100-plus Rotaract clubs, taking its graduation,” recalls Jacintha Dharma. She vividly number to 175, and more than doubling the strength remembers her stint as staff advisor to Interactors for of Rotaractors to over 9,600 are her other priorities. She over 35 years. She became a member of RC Nagercoil hopes to add 15 new Rotary clubs, and 1,000 Rotarians, in 2008. “It was a natural evolution as I have love and half of them women, taking the clubs to 150 and total admiration for this club which sponsored my earlier Rotarians to 6,000 by the end of the Rotary year. For Interact and Rotaract clubs.” Her husband A I Dharma TRF giving, she has a target of $800,000.

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K_Meet your Governors_July 2021.indd 52 01-Jul-21 1:43:06 PM 50 ambulances for Delhi Anup Mittal Industrial automation, RC Delhi Chanakyapuri, RID 3011

e will appoint 50 club advisors and entrust and NCR. “The project them with the task of forming 50 additional funded by a mix of TRF Hclubs to the prevailing 112 in the district. “We and CSR grants will come will be adding 1,500 new members to the existing with a Rotary health help- strength of 4,200 in our district and those instrumental line. We already have commit- in forming a club will be given a Paul Harris Fellow ment for 20 vehicles.” status,” says Anup Mittal. He has formed two district Medical camps will be held throughout the year chairs for institution and community-based Rotaract to take care of avoidable blindness in 360 villages, clubs — each panel will have a chairman and three “which we will make 100 per cent adult literate.” For members — to increase the vibrancy and strength of TRF giving, his target is $1 million. A third generation district Rotaractors. At present, there are around 2,500 Rotarian, “I was inducted into Rotary by my father Rotaractors and he wants to raise this to 10,000 during B P Mittal in 2008. My son PDRR Manuj Mittal is past his tenure. president of RSAMDIO.” Rotary should take efforts By July-end, he will be flagging off Life on Wheels to spread the message of good work it is doing all over Project (`3 crore) in which 50 ambulances will take the world, he says, so that “people queue up to join care of the emergency medical needs of people in Delhi Rotary clubs.”

Pandemic is a blessing in disguise for clubs in coastal Andhra M Rama Rao Chartered accountant, RC Vizianagaram, RID 3020

he Covid pandemic has been a blessing in dis- global grants for implementing guise with Rotarians taking efforts to reach out a host of WinS projects, setting Tto remote villages to distribute food, medicines, up dialysis centres, blood banks, Covid-relief kits and donate oxygen cylinders and con- revamping crematoriums, and other need- centrators to hospitals and PHCs, says M Rama Rao. based programmes. Three more blood banks will be “Our emergency work lifted the public image of Rotary added by the end of the year to the existing five in in rural areas of Andhra where people had not heard the district. of Rotary earlier. Also, we can now meet and discuss “We will install 24 RO plants (GG: $67,500) across on projects through virtual platforms.” He is planning the district in the next two months, and provide sewing to start four new clubs taking the total number to 80 machines to 300 women (GG: $60,000) after training across the six revenue districts of coastal Andhra. He them through tie-up with garment manufacturers,” Rao is confident of inducting 600 new members taking explains. He wants to double the number of Rotaract the headcount to well past 5,000 by the end of the clubs and Rotaractors to 100 and 5,000 respectively. Rotary year. For TRF giving, he has a target of $500,000. “The district clubs will be holding 200 blood dona- He was inducted into Rotary by his classmate VVS tion camps to collect at least 10,000 units of blood in Prasad in 1992. His club, RC Vizianagaram Central, residential areas and apartment complexes,” he says. is the youngest in the district, with over 150 of its 264 All the clubs were told to make full use of district and members below 45.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 53

K_Meet your Governors_July 2021.indd 53 01-Jul-21 1:43:06 PM Improving the livelihood of farmers, villagers R Jeyakkan, realtor, RC Star Madurai, RID 3000

illage adoption projects will be given top priority total number to 154, and induct for “we want to improve the livelihood of farmers 1,000 new members raising the Vand underprivileged families in rural areas. Our headcount to above 6,000. There clubs will adopt 25 villages and include initiatives such as are 73 active Rotaract clubs, while around drinking water supply to houses, skill training for women, 150 clubs are in a moribund state. “I want to revive the laying of roads and organising de-addiction camps to dormant ones and charter new clubs, and increase the wean people away from liquour there,” says Jeyakkan. total number to 300 Rotaract clubs in the next one year, He wants to do at least 50 Happy Schools across the dis- and double the number of Rotaractors to over 2,000.” trict and organise 500 medical camps including Kannoli One of his pet projects, Miyawaki forests will see thittam, an eyecare project, breast-screening camps and an addition of native species like palm tree and other events under Project Positive Health. indigenous varieties as “part of our drive to preserve the Jeyakkan will also be focusing on constructing natural ecosystem of our villages.” His target for TRF check dams funded by a mix of global and CSR grants giving is $1.2 million. In 2001, he was persuaded to join in 10 villages. He aims to start 25 new clubs taking the Rotary by his friend working in a bank.

Happy Villages will have transformational projects S Balaji Realtor, RC Kumbakonam, RID 2981

very single club in the district will adopt a on sending back dropouts to schools village and all the happy 128-plus adopted and the education of poor children will Evillages will have transformational projects be sponsored by clubs. These initiatives will lift up like vocational training to empower women, promotion Rotary’s public image,” he says. An important project of dairy farming, donation of livestock to provide a planned is a mammography bus worth `1.5 crore, that secure monthly income to the villagers, desilting of will screen at least 100,000 women in its first year. local lakes and ponds, and improving adult literacy, “I wish to start eight vision centres to benefit at least says Balaji. 500,000 patients a year.” Balaji firmly believes in this “Currently there are 128 clubs and my target is to year RI’s motto Serve to Change Lives, as “Rotary add 12 more clubs, inducting at least 1,200 members to can truly change the lives of underprivileged families increase the strength to 6,400 by the end of the Rotary through projects.” He has a target of $1 million in year,” he explains. TRF giving, and plans to become an AKS member. He Toilets will be built at community centres and schools was inspired by the then RC Kumbakonam president as part of Happy Villages project. “We will also focus Dr V C Nedunchezhian to join Rotary in 2001.

54 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_Meet your Governors_July 2021.indd 54 01-Jul-21 1:43:07 PM Youngsters learn to work in Tally software Team Rotary News RC Madras East has given its vocational training centre at Thoraipakkam, a city suburb, for the Tally training project of RC Chennai Mitra. Yennes Infotech headed by club member N S Saravanan provides technical support, including computers and the faculty. “Trainees must have basic accounting knowledge. Computer usage and training in the software will be provided at the centre,” he said, adding that the students DGE J Sridhar (third from left) with club members after were identified from across the inaugurating the training workshop. district and other Rotary clubs. welve youngsters were momentum until end-April when The course duration is flexible and Ttrained to work in Tally, an we had to press the pause button students can attend the programme accounting software, thanks to the as Covid’s second wave began until they are confident with the initiative of RC Chennai Mitra, rearing its ugly head,” said Rajesh application. RID 3232. “The workshop that Kumar Natarajan, the club’s public DGE J Sridhar inaugurated the began in March was going in full image chairman. workshop. Rotary holds Covid vaccination camp at Payyanur

mega Covid vaccina- volunteers, Asha workers, Ation camp was organ- student police cadets, ised by RC Payyanur, RID Kudumbasree workers and 3202, in partnership with police officers for their the municipality and the active involvement and state health department support to our vaccination at the Government Boys camp,” said project chair Higher Secondary School, Dr Santhosh Sreedhar. Payyanur. DG Dr Harikrishnan Over 7,000 people Nambiar, DGE Dr Rajesh were vaccinated at the Subash, DGN Pramod week-long camp under Nayanar, zone-5 coordina- People registering for Covid vaccination the club’s project Rotary tor PDG Sunil Zachariah at a camp in Payyanur. Aaslesham which exe- and members of Rotary cutes a slew of Covid Covid India Task Force coordinator Venkitesh Pai The Aditya Birla care initiatives in this extended their support to guided the members in the Group provided financial town. “We thank the the vaccination drive of successful implementation support for publicising Payyanur municipality the club. District coordi- of the camp, said club’s the vaccination camp staff, frontline workers, nator Dr N Mohanan and acting president C R through various media school authorities, NSS Kannur revenue district Nambiar. channels.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 55

G - Youngsters learn to work with Tally software + RC Payyanur - July 2021.indd 55 6/25/2021 1:21:06 PM potato masher or fork, mash to RomaRoma TomatoTomato SoupSoup break up the roasted garlic and tomatoes. aandnd CCroutonsroutons In a large pot, heat oil. Add onion and saute. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the onions soften. Add tomato Healthy puree, roasted tomato mixture, stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow the soup seasonal to simmer for around 15–20 minutes. To prepare the croutons, in dishes another baking sheet, lay out the crusty bread. Drizzle the Rajesh Wadhwa, executive chef oil and season with salt and Taj Palace, New Delhi pepper. Bake until golden to cook brown for around 6–8 minutes. This is an easy-to-make, light yet Puree the tomato soup mixture wholesome soup recipe that is packed with hand blender or in a mixer at home with flavour. The roasting process grinder in small batches. helps bring out robust flavours, and Transfer the soup back into lends a wonderful, mellow depth to the pot and bring it to a bowl. Adjust the seasoning as desired. Sharmila Chand the soup. The recipe requires simple ingredients that we stock in our home Serve hot, topped with butter kitchens and makes for a delicious, and croutons. nourishing treat. When you eat well, you Ingredients feel well. More than 500 gm peeled tomatoes Baked Prawn ever, in the present 8 garlic cloves, peeled tough times, people Salt Sesame Toast have realised the Pepper 1 large onion, chopped Vaibhav Bhargava importance of healthy 2 tablespoon tomato puree consultant chef food packed with 4 cup stock nutrients to build up 1½ cup torn crusty bread This appetiser is a healthy twist immunity and improve Olive oil to the classic Chinese dish overall well-being. 2 tablespoon butter which is generally fried but we have baked the dish to reduce Here are some healthy Method the calorie-count and can be dishes to try at home Preheat oven to 425°C. In a large made with multi-grain bread or as suggested by chefs. baking dish, crush tomatoes with brown bread as per choice. Give these a shot in the hand, scatter garlic cloves, drizzle Prep time : 30 min comfort of your home! olive oil and season with salt and Cooking time : 10 min pepper. Roast for around 35–40 Serves : 4 minutes, tossing the ingredients halfway through, until the garlic Ingredients softens and tomatoes become 200 gm prawns C grade, jam-like. Once done, using a peeled and cleaned

56 ROTARYROTARY NEWSNEWS JULY 2021

P_Healthy seasonal dishes to cook at home_6_7.indd 56 01-Jul-21 1:39:49 PM 10 gm ginger chopped Pre-heat the combi oven at 200 10 gm garlic chopped degree or use salamander for 1 egg baking the bread. Pre-heated oven 5 gm breakfast sugar will take 8 to 10 min to cook and 5 gm salt gives a golden colour to sesame 3 gm white pepper powder seeds. 3 ml light soy sauce Cut the sides of the bread and 10 ml oyster sauce then cut them into rectangles or 5 gm broth powder triangles as per your choice. 1 small red onion, peeled and 20 gm butter Serve hot with sweet chilli sauce very thinly sliced 5 ml Chinese wine or sriracha sauce. śEWRYJKVGXKPGICT 30 gm spring onion green chop śUOCNNECDDCIGXGT[VJKPN[ 4 pieces brown jumbo bread Tip sliced into long strips slices ¾ You can use any white wine for 1 medium carrot, peeled and 5 ml sesame oil this dish if Chinese wine not julienned 80 gm sesame seeds available, wine brings a distinct 2 tbsp fresh coriander and mint, and enhanced flavour from finely chopped Method prawns when mixed together and Clean the prawns and chop them it brings that little acidity and Method very fine with a chopper or use sweetness which is required in the For the dressing: Crush chilles, food processor to make a coarse dish. garlic, sugar, and salt into a paste. ¾ Don’t churn the prawn mixture fragrant, rough paste with Wash and clean vegetables. too much in food processor. It a mortar and pestle. Scrape Finely chop the ginger, garlic will get cooked because of its own paste into a small bowl, then and spring onion and keep aside heat. stir in vinegar and fish sauce to be used for making a mixture. (optional). Set dressing aside. Take a bowl. Put the prawn For the chicken: Put chicken mix, add chopped ginger, garlic, in a medium pan, add enough spring onion, egg white, sugar, water to cover by 1”, then soy sauce, salt, white pepper, SpicySpicy CabbageCabbage & bring to a simmer over melted butter, oyster sauce, medium-high heat. Reduce Chinese wine, broth powder CChickenhicken SSaladalad heat to medium-low and and mix very well so that all gently simmer, partially ingredients mix well. Cover and Vikramjit Roy, founder and covered, until chicken is chill for 30 minute. executive chef, Hello Panda just cooked through, 10–15 Brush the bread with sesame oil minutes. Drain and set aside to and spread the prawn mixture on Perfect fresh and crunchy salad for cool. Tear chicken into small top of it. Brush the beaten egg the summers which has the right strips, discarding any cartilage carefully on top of the prawn protein and enough spice oomph! or fatty pieces. Set aside. mix and then sprinkle sesame Meanwhile, put onions and For the dressing seeds on it all over. white vinegar in a large bowl. 2 small, fresh red chili Set aside to marinate for 15 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped minutes, then drain. Add śVURUWICT cabbage, carrots, reserved a pinch of salt chicken, and fish sauce 6 tbsp white vinegar (optional) to onions and 3 tbsp fish sauce (optional) toss together. Shortly before For the chicken serving, toss to mix well, and 1 boneless, skinless whole chicken adjust seasonings to taste. The breast salad will wilt slightly.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 57

P_Healthy seasonal dishes to cook at home_6_7.indd 57 01-Jul-21 1:39:50 PM and salt in a pot. Add barley and Beetroot, mushroom InsalataInsalata ddii cook for 10 minutes. Then add lentils and cook for 20 and avocado salad llegumiegumi more minutes. Drain water and keep aside to cool down. Siddhartha Sankar Sarmah Ivan Chieregatti, executive Cut zucchini into brunoises after executive chef, Holiday Inn, Mayur chef, Hyatt Regency, Delhi removing the seeds, similarly cut Vihar, Noida carrot, celery and tomato. Blanch A healthy high fibre salad, the vegetables separately in salted This leafy vegetables salad is Insalata Di Legumi is packed water and immediately cool definitely recommended for its with proteins, it is a hearty salad, down in iced water to preserve healthy quotient. perfect for the warmer months. the colour. Drain and keep in the Fresh and full of flavour, it is a fridge. Heat a pan and add olive vibrant and satisfying meal. oil, chopped garlic and chilli and cook till medium golden in Ingredients: (serves 4) colour, add tomato sauce and 100 gm barley reduce the heat to cook for few 100 gm black lentil minutes. Keep it aside. 300 gm tomato sauce In a large pan, add olive oil with 300 gm pumpkin roasted the rest of chopped garlic, add the 20 leaves basil leaf lentil and barley, season with salt 30 ml extra virgin olive oil and pepper and reduce the flame, 4 tomatoes blanched add few spoons of water during 100 gm celery Ingredients the cooking process to absorb the 100 gm carrot 4 medium mushrooms flavour. 100 gm green zucchini 1/4 lemon juice Now add now zucchini, carrot 10 gm salt 3 tbsp olive oil and celery, cook for few minutes 4 gm pepper crushed 1 small shallot, finely chopped more until the consistency is 3 gm chilli flakes 20 gm baby spinach right enough. In a tray season the 5 gm chopped garlic 20 gm pre-cooked beets, pumpkin (with or without skin as Mix cress chopped per your choice) with salt, pepper 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced and olive oil. Method Salt and crushed pepper for Put it in the oven with some Soak the barley overnight taste herbs and roast for about 35–40 before cooking. Take water minutes until it is cooked. Method In a servingserv plate, put the tomato On a large rimmed baking sheet, ssauce,auce, using a square mould, spray non-stick cooking spray aadddd all the vegetables on mushrooms and sprinkle half ttogether and press it teaspoon salt on it; roast at 450°F all a little bit to give a for 20 minutes or until tender. nice shape even after Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, removing the mould. shallot and 1/4 teaspoon each of Garnish with baked salt and pepper; toss half with baby pumpkin, herbs and spinach, rocket leaves and beets. few drops of extra Divide among serving plates. Top virgin olive oil. with avocados and mushrooms thinly sliced. Serve with remaining Designed by dressing on the side. Krishnapratheesh S

58 ROTARYROTARY NEWSNEWS JULY 2021

P_Healthy seasonal dishes to cook at home_6_7.indd 58 01-Jul-21 1:39:53 PM Doing good with TRF help RC Puttur honours a late Rotarian through dialysis centre Team Rotary News

t was a proud moment for members of RC Puttur, RID 3181, Iwhen its dream project, a dialysis centre, was inaugurated by Union chemicals and fertilisers minister D V Sadananda Gowda in the presence of DG Ranganath Bhat, local politicians and past district governors on Feb 20 this year. Rotarians were shaken when their colleague, who graduated from Rotaract, suffered a kidney failure in 2016 and passed away at 49 despite undergoing dialysis at a private hospital in Mangalore. First, he approached a government taluk hospital in Puttur, but it had limited Union chemicals and fertilisers minister D V Sadananda Gowda dialysis units which were already inaugurating the dialysis centre in the presence of DG Ranganath Bhat. overbooked. Then he tried his luck at a private hospital, but in vain. Luckily, a chance meeting with donor, RC New Tampa Noon, US, “Hence, he had no choice but travel PDG Vinayak Kudva from the US RID 6890, set up the dialysis centre to Mangalore with a companion, wait at a fellowship meet gave the club at a cost of `50 lakh, along with con- for his turn, undergo dialysis, return members a good opportunity to take tributions from members and district home and recover. He had to endure up their pet project of dialysis centre fund. The facility has a capacity to do it twice a week losing two working with him. Kudva was the one who 250 dialysis a month. “We have tied days. His income dwindled, expenses got the matching partner for the cell up with A J Hospital and Research shot up and health deteriorated,” separator project and when he asked, Centre (Mangalore) for the smooth said Rtn N Shrikanth Kolathaya, a “what next?” the Rotarians chorused running of the dialysis facility. We club member. After his demise, the “dialysis unit”. He readily said, offer concessions from our charitable club members made a resolve to do “go ahead”. trust to BPL card holders and poor something to help people suffering In an initial study, they found that patients,” said Kolathaya. from kidney ailments in and around around 60 patients were regularly this town. travelling to Mangalore, about 52km Proven expertise from Puttur, due to lack of dialysis The club has got rich experi- A godsend PDG facilities in this town. When the club ence of running a blood bank and However, the club was unable to thought of setting up the facility at the has 15 doctors working in five immediately work on the dialysis local government hospital, they found multi-specialty hospitals as mem- project for at that time, “we were the supply and running of machines bers. In the near future, the club is preoccupied with the implementa- were outsourced. keen to flag-off a blood donation tion of a cell separator system, an Past president Dr Ashok Padival vehicle and cardiac care ambu- upgrade for our Rotary-Campco offered space at his hospital, lance to provide quality healthcare Blood Bank at a cost of around `1 Mahaveer Medical Centre, and the to needy patients who can’t access crore,” he said. club, with the support of matching medical services.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 59

G - RC Puttur honours a late Rotarian through dialysis centre - July 2021.indd 59 6/25/2021 1:23:50 PM a non-film song of his, Jhulana jhulao ri, sold half a million records, in an era when few people owned record-players. Lata Mangeshkar as a kid was so besotted with Saigal, she said she wanted to marry him! In his spectacular stage shows, Kishore K L Saigal mimicked everyone — but never Saigal. That would be a sacrilege. the only singer Said Talat Mehmood of Saigal — “What pronunciation, what throw who appealed to of voice, what depth of feeling, heart & mind what voice control — I couldn’t

S R Madhuu

n 1937, a Bombay business wanted the best and most prestigious singer to perform at a family event. Kundan Lal Saigal was offered I` 25,000 for a few hours. But he preferred to keep his promise to a poor lighting assistant, whose daughter was getting married. Saigal sang all night there, ignoring the `25,000 offer. “The badshah of singers had the voice of an angel and a heart of gold,” said Naushad. Saigal’s was “the voice of the century”, a voice so powerful that it could break recording needles! He was the first great singer-actor and the first superstar of Bollywood music. His god-like status as singer is remarkable for many reasons. He was active for barely 15 years (1933 to 1947) and sang just 185 songs (including 142 film songs in 39 films in six languages) in rudimentary sound recording facilities. He had little music training. But he held a whole nation in thrall. Classical maestros like Ustad Faiyaz Khan were stunned by the elemental force of his music. In 1932,

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P_Music and Melody_K L Saigal the only singer_3.indd 60 01-Jul-21 1:40:06 PM touch him!” Suraiya was so over- awed at the idea of singing a duet with him in the 1947 Parwana that the composer had to drop the duet! During the 1930s and 1940s, Bollywood believed that a singer had to sound like Saigal to be effective: he was the sole barome- ter of quality and impact. Mukesh began his career with the haunting Dil jalta hai to jalne do (Pehli Nazar, 1947), a song so Saigal-like that Saigal remarked “I don’t remember singing this song”! C H Atma adopted the Saigal style for the immortal Preetam aan milo (sung for a private album in 1945), so did Surendar in that iconic duet with Nur Jehan, Awaaz de kaha hei (Anmol Ghadi, 1946). For some 45 years (starting from the mid-50s), the most important time of the day for thousands of film music fans was 7.57am, when Radio Ceylon K L Saigal in the film My sister. would play a song of K L Saigal, and this had an incredible nation- soundsound of Saigal’s voice, says film unkempt appearance and craze for wide appeal. People arose not to hhistorianistor Manek Premchand. music. the twittering of birds but to the SSaigal was born on April 11, The young boy was distraught 19041904, in Jammu, the third of four when his voice cracked at 12, and ssons.ons. His father Amarchand Saigal he was unable to sing. His mother was tthe tehsildar of a small town. took him to a mystic Sufi who had The bboy showed a keen interest in blessed the boy at birth and later Saigal’s was the voice of sisingingngin and could copy any song predicted a bright future for him. the century, a voice so hhee heheard. He often accompanied The mystic asked young Kundan hihiss mmother Kesar Devi, an to practise two secret chants of his powerful that it could accoaccomplishedm singer of bhajans, sect, zikr and riyaz, which would break recording needles! ttoo religiousrel gatherings. He would ensure spiritual enlightenment and ppickick uup music from folk singers enable him to transform emotion and wwandering minstrels and even to song. Kundan stopped singing ffromrom dancing girls of Jammu being for two years but perfected the zikr ttrainedraine in their kothas. At 10, he and riyaz to obtain a rich, nasal playedplaye the role of Sita at Ram Lila baritone. functions.funct Saigal once told a close friend But his father regarded him “I was born at the age of 12 in a a wastrel, often scolding and peer’s hut one windy evening in spanking him for his lazi- Jammu.” ness, laxity in studies, poor When his father retired, performance in exams, the family moved to Jalandhar.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 61

P_Music and Melody_K L Saigal the only singer_3.indd 61 01-Jul-21 1:40:10 PM needy person. He once gave Saigal lore away his clothes to a beggar shivering in the rain and came home in shorts and vest. He musical and personal parted with his diamond ring to a widow in distress he met in Pune. His wife told producers to hand over money due to Saigal only to his driver. An introvert, he shunned publicity. Fame left him unaffected. When praised for his music, he would say, “I have not killed a lion, just sung a song, forget it”. Like Ghalib, Saigal was fond of the bottle. It is said that he suffered from sciatica, and liquor was recommended. It became a habit, then an addiction. Saigal often had a Saigal singing Jab dil hi toot gaya in Shah Jahan (1946). dose of “Kaali panch” before a song. Naushad says he n 1937, Prithviraj Kapoor goals! Two days later, Saigal persuaded Saigal to record Jab took Saigal to watch a sang 14 songs for them and dil hi toot gaya both before hockey match in Mumbai gifted them expensive watches. and after a drink. Saigal was featuring hockey wizard At his peak in 1938, he amazed that the pre-drink IDhyan Chand and his brother was invited to a large musical version was better, and wished Roop Singh. But till half time, conference in Allahabad. he had met Naushad earlier. no goal had been scored, Giants of classical music In December 1946, and Saigal expressed his like Omkarnath Thakur, Saigal’s health deteriorated disappointment. The brothers Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Vinayak (he suffered from cirrhosis of asked him if he would sing a Rao Patwardhan and others the liver and diabetes). He song for them for every goal were present. Saigal stole moved to his home town of they scored in the second half. the limelight as the audience Jalandhar, and passed away He agreed. They scored 12 clamoured for him to sing on January 18, 1947, driving and asked for more and more. out politics, communal riots Carrying his mother in the and Pakistan from newspapers audience in his arms, he said for a whole week. When praised for his “They want me to sing more He was just 43 when he music, he would say, and more.” She shed tears of died. But he lent soul and joy that her son who used to magic to Bollywood music. “I have not killed a lion, get mercilessly thrashed by his If today it is regarded as an just sung a song, forget it”. father was a public hero. awesome example of India’s Generosity and humility soft power, it owes more were part of the Saigal legend. to Kundan Lal Saigal than He never turned away any anyone else.

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P_Music and Melody_K L Saigal the only singer_3.indd 62 01-Jul-21 1:40:14 PM scoffed at the unkempt Examples: youngster from • Ek bangla bane nyara Jalandhar — he was (President, 1937) described as Frank- • Babul mora (Street enstein when he first Singer,1937) entered movies — vied • Karoon kya aas niras bhaee with each other to tap (Dushman, 1939) the gold in his throat. • Mai ka janoon kya jadoo hai During a 1937 visit (Zindagi, 1940) to Lahore for a stage • So ja Rajkumari so ja (Zindagi, performance, Saigal 1940) was lionised by adoring • Aye katib-e-taqdeer mujhe itna Passionate about music and stifled crowds. Cries of Kundan Lal bata de (My Sister, 1943) by life in that city, Saigal left Saigal zindabad rent the air. • Do naina matware tihare (My home. He took up sundry jobs He got married in 1934 to Sister, 1943) and listened to music and sang Asha Rani, a girl chosen by his • Jab dil hi toot gaya (Shah whenever possible. He wandered mother. They had three children. Jahan,1946) about in several cities. He served In 1941, an exodus occurred of as a timekeeper in the Railways, film personalities from Calcutta to Each of these masterpieces sold Remington typewriters and Bombay, and Saigal too made the merits detailed analysis; here saris, and was manager of a hotel switch. Chandulal Shah of Ranjit are just a couple of factual in Shimla. During these years Movietone signed a three-movie of wanderlust, he often charmed contract with him at `1 lakh a people at homes and soirees with movie. Saigal sang memorable his exceptional music. songs in Bhakti Surdas In Calcutta, Saigal got intro- (1942) and Tansen (1943). duced to B N Sircar, who had just In 1944, he went back started New Theatres. He was not to Calcutta for My Sister impressed by the lanky gauche with New Theatres. His last man nervously clutching his kurta. famous film was Shah Jahan But he was astounded when Saigal (1946), where he sang Jab dil sang. Result: a five-year film con- hi toot gaya, a blend of sadness, tract, on a monthly salary of `200. sweetness and intoxication, Saigal’s first three movies with perhaps the song he is best New Theatres flopped. However, remembered for. fortunes turned with the 1934 Many Saigal Chandidas — its pathos-filled songs belong to romantic song Prem nagar was the pantheon a hit. The 1935 Devdas was a of Bollywood national sensation. Balam aye baso immortals. more man mein was a romantic gem that charmed one and all. Dukh ke din bitat nahin was the cry of a person sunk in the abyss of despair. Millions wept with Saigal, said Baburao Patel. Success followed success (with films like President, Street Singer, Dushman etc). Those who had

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P_Music and Melody_K L Saigal the only singer_3.indd 63 01-Jul-21 1:40:18 PM glimpses. In Ek bangla bane nyara (President) Saigal sings and jigs, elated at the idea of owning his own house. Millions of aspirational Indians empathised with this song. It was a favourite of Lata Mangeshkar, she often hummed it. Through Mai ka janoon kya jadoo hai and Do naina matware, Saigal paid effervescent and melodious tributes to his screen sweetheart. Gham diye mustaqil and Jab romantic Urdu poetry, particu- Sufi rituals he practised for two dil hi toot gaya were heart- larly at private events. And won years which showed the path to wrenching melodies. Babul mora recognition first as a ghazal God through music. Some critics (Street Singer) was historic. singer. It is said that he immor- have highlighted his tonal vari- He insisted he would walk and talised Ghalib by singing his best ations, and the way he caressed sing, live on the street, like ghazals in his own inimitable certain words while singing. He street singers, not in a studio. style, being well-versed in Urdu had 20 ways of singing a word! The mike followed in a truck. literature and a poet himself. Kanan Devi remarked Music director R C Boral was What made him such a phe- that Saigal had a perfect pitch astounded with the impact. nomenon? It is said that he was sense. He didn’t need the help Saigal has been lauded as the only singer who appealed of a veena or tanpura to set the the “ghazal king”. He did more to both mind and heart. Some right pitch. In fact, at recording than anyone else to popularise attribute his power to the secret sessions he would sing out a note and musicians would set their instruments accordingly. An amazing phenomenon! In an illuminating interview with Kirit Ghosh, editor of the film magazine Jayathi, Saigal said, “I have no clear understanding of the grammar of music. I manage to sing because of a strong feeling about how certain sounds should feel in a given raga. I do not use ten notes if I can manage to do the same with one. That’s because I know very little.” He said his “favourite raga is bhairavi. To know bhairavi is to know all the ragas.”

The author is a senior journalist and a member of the Rotary Club of Madras South.

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P_Music and Melody_K L Saigal the only singer_3.indd 64 01-Jul-21 1:40:22 PM From RI South Asia Office desk

Data privacy alert instructions on customising presentation slides with Club and district directories may contain Rotarians’ per- their own text, charts, images and club logos. There sonal data. Directories should never be distributed to the are links to Rotary resources, such as official logos, general public or posted on web pages accessible to the photos, videos and brand guidelines. Rotarians can public. Digital directories should be password-protected choose colour and layout options, all in keeping with or require a login to access. When collecting personal the Rotary style guidelines for brand consistency. information, let your members know in advance how their The new template replaces all previous versions on information will be used. the Brand Center, including TRF’s PPT template. To access, login to the Brand Center, go to Materials, Club PAN mandatory Resources and then Presentations. Indian donors must submit their PAN number for contribu- zDownload the new Voice and Visual Identity guidelines tions made online/by cheque/draft, irrespective of value or from the Brand Center. It provides essential informa- the donor’s intention to claim tax exemption under Section tion to help you build Rotary’s brand and helps you 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax exemption certificate understand the difference between Rotary’s Master- u/s 80G will be issued only on providing PAN number. brand Signature and Masterbrand Signature Simplified, how to write in Rotary’s voice and follow Rotary’s Revised communication assets colour palette while designing various new club doc- With the start of the new Rotary year, access the brand uments and assets. centre by signing in or registering to your My Rotary It has also been updated to include references to People account and download the following revised documents: of Action; the new vision statement and guidelines for z Rotarians must use the redesigned PowerPoint template using the Mark of Excellence, Masterbrand Signature and for their club presentations. It includes step-by-step Simplified Rotary Masterbrand Signature. Renovated sanitation facilities for a Dharwad school Team Rotary News C Dharwad Central, RID 3182, Rrenovated toilets and added a handwash station at a government school in Dharwad. When PDG Ganesh Bhat was invited to preside over an event at the school, a chance visit to the toilets there “made me cringe. When I commented about their poor maintenance one of the teachers nonchalantly informed me that the students will relieve themselves at the large vacant plot adjacent to the school.” Upset over this, Bhat, a Students using the new handwash station at the school. WinS national recogntion committee PDG Ganesh Bhat (second from right) is also seen. member, decided to revamp the facility at the school and RC Dharwad Central from Rtn Nagaraj Tayannavar the school management to take proper volunteered to get the job done. the club renovated the toilets and care of the structures and informed After the lockdown is lifted the chil- ensured continuous water supply. them that we will be conducting dren visiting the school will be in for a A wash station has also been installed surprise checks,” said Anand Nayak, huge surprise. With financial assistance on the premises. “We have instructed club president.

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G - RISAOffice - July 2021.indd 65 6/30/2021 10:16:23 AM ϱϴ ϭϮϯ ϭϬϱ ϭϮϲ ϵϴ ϲϲ ϯϲ ϯϱϬ ϭϴϯ ϱϯϲ ϭϭϯ ϭϰϲ ϳϱ ϮϮϱ Ϯϭϯ ϱϵ ϯϱϵ ϭϭϱ ϭϰϱ ϱϱ ϭϲϱ

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P_Membership Details - July 2021_without lines.indd 66 01-Jul-21 1:39:36 PM ϭϭϴ ϭϳϭ ϭϬϰ ϱϰ ϭϯϮ ϰϭϵ ϮϬϴ ϰϯ ϲϯϮ Ϯϰ ϮϬϱ ϭϮϱ ϳϰ ϴϮ ϭϭϱ ϲϲ ϰϴ ϭϱϯ ϵϱ ϭϴϰ ϳϵ ϰϳ ϰϲ

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P_Membership Details - July 2021_without lines.indd 67 01-Jul-21 1:39:39 PM Make your home energy-efficient

Preeti Mehra

nergy efficiency is not just a goal of every environment-friendly column, the next step is to check catchphrase, it is doable to a citizen, charity, as they say, begins everyday appliances. If some of them Elarge extent. literally at home. are due for replacement, it is best to Among other things, a new millen- For a start, to make our dwelling do some homework before you go in nium home must be energy-efficient. energy-efficient, we need to upgrade for new ones. This is the unwritten code and includes our home. While the first move is to In the past decade, the Bureau of all constructions, new and old. Since replace incandescent bulbs with LED Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India has reducing the carbon footprint is the bulbs, as covered in the previous invested much effort in developing

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K_Go Green_Make your home energy-efficient.indd 68 01-Jul-21 1:43:14 PM energy-efficient standards for electri- better to go in for a laptop as it uses cal equipment and labelling them to almost 80 per cent less electricity. help consumers make their choice in Though the laptop is more expensive Electronic devices if left on an informed manner. This has helped when you buy it, it is greener in the “standby” or “sleep” mode enhance the cost saving potential of the long run. draw power to work clocks, products and reduce your energy bill Enormous amount of energy can every month. It also boosts your green also be saved by the way you cook. timers and remotes, and can quotient on the home front. For instance, microwave ovens are account for 5 to 10 per cent Thanks to BEE, all quality electri- said to consume 80 percent less cal equipment and appliances display energy than conventional ovens of your electricity bill. energy performance labels and have which have to be pre-heated. So, if minimum standards laid down for you are merely heating or last-minute them. The more the stars the better browning, using the microwave may the energy efficiency. Included in be a better option. Similarly, good flood the house with as much natural the list of star-rated appliances are cooks swear by the time and energy light as possible. This itself enables those considered essential for city saving pressure cooking provides. less use of artificial energy. life — the air conditioner, washing They also say that if pots and pans In case you are redoing the roofs machine, refrigerator, computer, are covered, food gets cooked faster, of your house, or adding another sto- microwave, solar water heater, reducing the use of whatever cooking rey to it, as often happens with stand- LPG stove, ceiling fan and the deep medium you are using. alone homes in a city, make sure freezer. For larger operations, BEE In the same way, tweaking the that the roof structure is designed to has also labelled induction motors, way you launder clothes can help support solar panels (the subject of pump sets, DG sets and chillers, lower the power bill. First and my column next month). An invest- among others. foremost, when using a washing ment in renewable energy can pay According to experts, apart from machine, wait for a full load of off for years to come. Needless to the appliance you choose, it is how clothes and avoid using the medium say, it would be expedient to call in a you use them that also makes a dif- setting on the washer. Second, avoid solar expert who will help identify a ference. For instance, many elec- high temperature settings for water if location for the inverter and batteries tronic devices if left on “standby” the clothes are not too soiled. Third, and tell you how the electric conduit or “sleep” mode draw power to work if you put the laundry on a clothes- will run for making the connection clocks, timers and remotes. This low- line on a sunny day, you could save to solar panels. level use can account for five to 10 on the drying function altogether. In cities that are hot for most of per cent of your electricity bill. It is However, energy efficiency is the year, considering the best kind also recommended that if you want not achieved only by using star-rated of roofing and flooring helps in to replace a desktop computer, it is products, energy saving devices and controlling the temperature inside by following relevant tips. Going the house. To make roofs cool, it is green is a holistic concept that recommended that you use reflective encompasses other areas as well — material that absorbs less heat from home construction is one of them, the sunlight. For the floors inside To make roofs cool use and crucially, introducing renewable the house, it is best to avoid carpet- reflective material that energy for domestic consumption. ing as it adds to the heat. Instead, If you are refurbishing your go in for flooring that is tiled or absorbs less heat from the home, or building a new one, there made of natural material that can be sunlight. For the floors are many important aspects to keep swabbed to bring down the tempera- in mind, especially those to do with ture. It is bringing all these elements inside the house avoid car- light and air. In case you are replac- together that make a house more peting as it adds to the heat. ing windows or doors, make sure you energy-efficient. choose ones that are made of eco- friendly material, give you the right The writer is a senior journalist insulation, ventilation and help to who writes on environmental issues.

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K_Go Green_Make your home energy-efficient.indd 69 01-Jul-21 1:43:14 PM language, time-to-revive-it language… It probably has as many labels as it has adherents. There’s even a Wordsworld village in India where the language of communication is Sanskrit; this is Mattur (aka Mathur) in Karnataka. (I often think that living in Mattur Surrounded would seem to a dunderhead like me as if I were a permanent actor in a perpetually running Kalidasa play!) by sounds The decision to adopt Sanskrit could not have arisen spontaneously; it must Sandhya Rao have been a deliberate choice. Sounds make a language and Sanskrit is a prime example of this, Languages tell us who we are and with all its soft, hard, sibilant, aspirated, dental, alveolar and other where we may have come from. syllables. According to one theory, human beings make around 500 different vowel and consonant sounds with et’s start at the very or workplace, but on the informal the mouth. And these sounds lead to beginning, a very good platform, there’s little to stop Indians thousands of languages, each distinct, place to start…’ says Maria from talking. some existing only in oral form, and Lin The Sound of Music as Okay, so why the last chapter first? some with few or no speakers remain- she strums her guitar in the gorgeous Simply because it more or less plots ing. The internet throws up lists of outdoors of Austria in an attempt to the journey undertaken in the rest of languages that include those that are teach her seven Von Trapp wards the book and makes it easier to then extinct and vulnerable. how to sing. In the case of Peggy follow the detailed route and take in As Peggy Mohan points out, Mohan’s book, Wanderers, Kings, some of the sights. Wanderers, Kings, languages don’t die, it’s the people Merchants: The Story of India Through Merchants (WKM) is not an easy read, speaking them who do. More its Languages, let’s start at the very and is perhaps not even for everybody. importantly, the languages and their end, the last chapter, ‘Chapter 8: Despite my interest in the subject, for variants tell us about who carried Confluence’. instance, it was a bit of a challenge. No, this is not a gimmick, just a But once you get past (or skip!) the practical suggestion that makes the technical bits, the rest of what it says is motive clear when put in context. But bound to interest everybody. After before that, a small digression: I love all, who doesn’t want to know who the idea of languages, the sound of they really are, where they came different languages, and am not shy from, and which way they may be of trying my tongue at them. I believe headed? At once philosophical and that we Indians possess naturally scholarly, the argument presented twisted tongues that empower us to in the book is persuasive particularly be multilingual with varying degrees because it is placed in a highly of fluency. Although this may be a relevant historical context. generalisation, we can claim that a For instance, over the years ‘typical’ Indian tends towards unself- there’s been so much discussion consciousness, which makes it easier around Sanskrit. Old language, oldest for her or him to take informal shots at language, root language, complete unfamiliar languages. It works differ- language, elitist language, caste-ist ently in a formal set-up such as school language, mother language, dead

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P_Wordsworld_Surrounded by sounds.indd 70 01-Jul-21 1:39:39 PM these languages and dispersed them, language in the classroom would pick who absorbed them, who rejected up. These is something organic and Sounds make a language and them and whom they met and mingled native-like about it.’ It took a while with to create other languages, when Sanskrit is a prime example for this to sink in, but understanding and where and how. Wrapped up in of this, with all its soft, hard, this enables a better appreciation of the all this is the moment — moments difficulties educationists and policy- sibilant, aspirated, dental, strung together in a seamless passage makers face with regards to ‘making of time, leaving historical records in alveolar and other syllables. India literate’ or even ushering in their wake. This is the path WKM social reforms. Chapter 7 brings explores, offering fresh and, for me, the reader up close with the whole curious perspectives. For instance, it after independence, we continue to business of English in India: ‘English theorises that retroflexions — the hard simultaneously politicise and struggle has stayed because elite Indians and doubled-up tt/thh and dd/ddh for over our approach to education. wanted to preserve the old idea of a example — were actually Dravidian There are two words used in the ruling class that lived far above in the sounds that found their way into the book that are important in this context: stratosphere. And it continues to spread Rig Veda. It points to the phenomenon ‘bilingualism’ and ‘diglossia’. Peggy because the dream of independence that when invasions or conquests or Mohan explains bilingualism as being and self-rule has inspired the poor, even trade took place, the groups that ‘about two languages you know who see in this language the surest way came into new territories with the having essentially the same functions, to rise above sea level and gain their sounds of their own languages were such that it is easy to translate from share of the sunlight.’ largely male-dominated. At a time one to the other.’ The same stretches Continuing to read the chapters when campaigns and journeys tended to as many languages as you know right to left, we get glimpses into to be long and often undertaken on equally well. With diglossia, ‘what the way languages evolved under foot, it was common for the men to you find is a child first learning one Magadhan and Nagamese influence, settle with local women. The women language and speaking it at home, and the link between Turkic, Persian and gave their progeny their own, local then later on, maybe at school, transit- Urdu/Hindi, the birth of Indo-Aryan languages and slowly, over time, ing to another language which is used languages, what happened with these were the languages that began for less basic things. The end result is Malayalam, and the behind-the-scenes to gain currency. Where the settlers not two separate languages that exist story of Sanskrit. We see what happens or conquerors were dominating, their in parallel, but a single competence, to ‘pure’ languages, if indeed they language, too, dominated. English is a where ground-level things are done were pure at all, how they blend with classic example of this. in the first language and things to do each other, creole and pidgin, and a The hegemony of the English with school, or the modern sector, in whole lot more. In the process, more language in India is a political work another.’ In other words, the language importantly, we see what events influ- that has made great progress: most used at home comes with a vocabulary enced or triggered these changes. readers will find the second last that is different from the vocabulary of Tamil is believed to be the oldest chapter, ‘Indian English as an Invasive the language used at school, making surviving language and one of its Species’ very illuminating. The translation mutually impossible. If more challenging sounds is ‘zh’ as in author makes this telling observation the speaker was bilingual, on the ‘Tamizh’ or ‘Kozhikode’. Some Tamil about language as political strategy: other hand, s/he would have suffi- speakers themselves have it from ‘Independent India chose to keep cient vocabulary and equal and/or the their sound store and replaced it with and extend its large sector of elite required facility in both languages; ‘easier-to-enunciate’ equivalents. As private schools, which were English mutual translation would be possible. a child, I remember being schooled medium, instead of going the socialist ‘A language is viable,’ Peggy by my father to say ‘vazhappazham’ route like most other countries — Mohan writes, ‘when it is capable hundreds of times in order get the ‘zh’ including the USA — which had of expressing the sort of things a just right. And he wasn’t even Tamil neighbourhood schools, where rich child that age needs to express. This speaking! Try it. Or ‘kozhakkattai’. and poor children sat in mixed classes does ultimately involve words and See what you bite into! studying at government expense in grammar, but it is not an assemblage of The columnist is a children’s the local language.’ Over 70 years structures like a child learning a second writer and senior journalist.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 71

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Vol.64, Issue 12 Vol.64, Print Version & e- Version

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P_Subscription Form 21-22_Updated for July 2021_curved.indd 73 01-Jul-21 1:38:58 PM A Jaipur limb camp in Guwahati helps people walk

Kiran Zehra distant voice attacked by a rhinoceros. At the Jaipur Foot Shekhar Agarwal, R P crackles over He was critically injured fitment camp organised Sureka and club president A phone in broken on head and chest, and jointly by RC Guwahati Uttam Kothari — spon- English: “Me Sat Singh lost a leg. When he Metro, RID 3240, sored the Jaipur limbs Tamong, the ‘one-legged regained consciousness and Shree Bhagwan costing `60,000. man’, as the children here after several days of Mahaveer Viklang “It’s better than call me.” Two years ago, treatment, he realised that Sahayata Samiti, Dispur, crutches. But I still Tamong, a forest guard at “losing a limb doesn’t 15 amputees were fitted need to get used to it,” the Kaziranga National mean you have lost your with artificial limbs; says Tamong. Mira, 54, Park in Assam, was life. Although I can’t go Tamong was one of another beneficiary from back to being the same, them. While the Viklang Nagaon, 121km from I was ready for a new Sahayata Samiti helped Guwahati, says “this and different experience. the club identify the ben- will help me carry on Challenging, but eficiaries, four club mem- with my daily chores and never dull.” bers — Arun Sharma, activities like household work, bathing and getting dressed on my own.” Forest guard Sat Singh Tamong An amputee himself with his prosthetic leg. Dr Sushil Surana, the limb fitment in-charge and technician at the Samiti, says, “it can take time for amputees to finally accept their limb loss. With a positive mindset, along with physical rehabilitation and the prosthetic limbs, they can show tremendous improvement in their quality of life. Of course, it is crucial that family and friends support them while they struggle to cope with the change.” For DG Subhasish Chatterjee who inaugurated the project and

G - A Jaipur limb camp in Guwahati helps people walk - July 2021.indd 74 6/28/2021 4:59:50 PM fitted the limbs for a do larger community beneficiary, “nothing projects to reach more beats the smile on their beneficiaries,” says face. Instead of posing Chatterjee. for pictures along with Kothari, a us, one beneficiary who second-generation had lost both limbs, Rotarian, says despite stood up after getting Covid constraints and his prosthetic feet fitted challenges, “we are and took pictures of finding ways to carry us. I was stunned at his on with humanitarian enthusiasm.” projects by observing With a strength of the necessary protocols.” 26 members who For him changing the are all Paul Harris life of an eight-year-old Fellows, this club has amputee by fitting her been doing a variety with a Jaipur foot was of projects to support ‘most satisfactory’. the local community The club will be and also contributes to continuing with the TRF in these challeng- artificial limb fitment ing times. “They must camp each year to Dr Sushil Surana, limb fitment in charge at the partner with a few other empower the physically Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, checking clubs in the district to challenged, he says. out on the beneficiaries.

RID 3132 holds national symposium for Interactors

Team Rotary News

nteract chairs from 15 RI districts came together to efforts of district Interact chairs (DICs) in making this Ishare notes and showcase their projects at a one-day programme a success. symposium organised by the district Interact chair of PDG Ravi Vadlamani spoke on innovative ways to RID 3132 Dr Bindu Shirsath and her team. RIDE Dr strengthen Interact clubs and urged DICs to continue their Mahesh Kotbagi gave a talk on RI’s diversity, equity efforts in organising similar programmes. DGs Harish and inclusiveness (DEI) principles and appreciated the Motwani, RID 3132; Chinappa Reddy, RID 3160; and Dr Bindu spoke on the occasion. DIC Virendra Parrikar, RID 3030, gave a presentation on various projects of Interactors. The convener Bindu received a letter of congratulations from RI President Holger Knaack for hosting the “the first ever symposium for Interactors at the national-level.” Praising the DICs, he said, “the future of Rotary depends on leaders like you. We want you to feel empowered to imagine new opportunities for Rotary. This is the only way we will adapt in these rapidly changing times — through meaningful collaboration with young, energetic people.” Interactor Stuti Salvi of Interact Club of Priyadarshini Buds rendered a special song to heal the world from the pandemic situation.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 75

G - A Jaipur limb camp in Guwahati helps people walk - July 2021.indd 75 6/28/2021 4:59:51 PM Health Adapt to disruptions, and breathe!

Bharat and Shalan Savur

e’ve rallied so far and we We can control our body-reactions Make trying times, caring times. will continue to do so. For by taking control of our breath. Sit- Thomas Paine sighed, ‘These are Wif, as Eckhart Tolle says, ting where you are, consciously inhale the times that try men’s souls.’ He ‘Life is designed for disruptions,’ then through your nostrils to a count of 8, was, of course remarking on a differ- it is a sure thing that we are designed while allowing your stomach to swell. ent concept, but the sentiment holds to ideate, create and overcome. We’ve Then exhale through your mouth to true today. And we can, at a personal come up trumps already, haven’t we? a count of 8, allowing your stomach level, make them less trying. There’s From working from home to work- to subside. Do it comfortably, slow a timely, humane reminder making ing out to strengthen our immunity to and easy, 20–30 times until you feel the rounds. It says, ‘We all need each vaccinations to staycations to virtual calm. By doing this simple exercise, other. Take care.’ Perhaps, initially, conferences and parties and doing our you are letting go of fear and anxiety we needed the shrill negativity of the stuff online, we’ve covered a massive and allowing calmness to govern your media to shock us into wearing masks, area with our innovations. system. And now, you voluntarily step sanitisinggg our hands and maintaining The next question iis:s: hhowow ddoo we into the next phase. ssocialocial distancing. At the same time, proceed? The answer iiss very simple: Normally, in the second phase, the wwhilehile we need to continue these pprac-rac- we adapt and keep aadapting.dapting. The acute fear can sharpen or dull down tices, we now need to keekeepp awaawayy from story goes: A village calledalled Land had leading to high anxiety if you are a ssuchuch shrillness.shrillness. ForFor thesethese are alsoalso never seen the ocean. AAss the ecology high-strung kind of personality or ttimesimes tthathat can numbnumb our souls.souls. changed, the sea expandednded and began depression if you are prone to quick So, ppleaselease dodo minimiseminimise watchingwatching encroaching on the Land.nd. The villavillag-g- lows and pessimism. What this 8-8 news cchannelshannels anandd gigiveve your mmindind tthehe ers panicked. ‘We willll drown!’ theythey breathing does is that it helps you spspacepace to bbreathe,reathe, to ttrustrust tthathat ththingsingsg aarere cried. Only one personn cacalledlled SShamshams manage your reaction and guides you remained calm. He quietlyietly wawalkedlked to into a state of readiness to respond to the shore and went intonto thethe sshallowhallow the situation. This state can be enor- water. He stayed there. ThThenen hhee llookedooked mously productive — it gives us the back and told the anxiousxious vvillagers,illagers, beautiful urge, the positive impetus to ‘I have walked into thehe OOcean.cean. It iiss ideate, create, overcome and progress. very comfortable. Why don’t you leave There’s a wonderful feeling of: ‘We your fears behind and join me?’ And cannot let ourselves down!’ the whole village did. AAndnd everybody And that brings us to the third agreed that it was reallyy quite comforcomfort-t- phase which is a ‘let-downer’ — able and enjoyable. a continuous high-energy state which brings on chronic exhaustion and then The breath that builds.. TheseThese vvillagersillagers illness. However, our 8-8 breathing had an inbuilt skill thatt wwee allall hhaveave — mellows it, keeps it balanced yet beau- the skill to adapt. In adapting,dapting, we gogo tifully lubricated. through three phases: inn tthehe fifirstrst pphase,hase, There’s much wisdom here. the body reacts acutelyy to a stressfulstressful When we cannot change the envi- stimulus. It secretes adrenalinadrenalin andand ronment, we change our reaction to other stress hormones.. TheyThey quickenquicken it with our breath. Tip: Do the 8-8 our heart rate, breathingng anandd raraiseise our breathing at bedtime when the lights blood pressure. Beforee we get to the are off. You will slip into a lovely, second phase, let’s pauseuse here. restful state.

76 ROTARY NEWS JULY 202121

K_Health_Adapt to disruptions, and breathe!.indd 76 01-Jul-21 1:45:08 PM working out. Distrust is a slow, unpleas- for the answers which could not be said, ‘The secret to life is meaningless ant destroyer of our inner cohesiveness. given to you now because you would unless you discover it yourself.’ As Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘The not be able to live them. The point is poorest way to face life is with a sneer.’ to live everything. Live the questions Telling takeaways. The virus has given Many speakers on news channels do. now. Perhaps, then, some day you will a greater emphasis and deeper meaning Interestingly, I find channels that spe- gradually without even noticing it, live to the words ‘health’ and ‘immunity’. cialise in economics more positive, your way into the answer.’ These are compelling takeaways for very upbeat about the state of affairs. Live everything with grace and our present and future. The key is to Their analysts speak in measured tones, enthusiasm. A few days ago, a thought exercise regularly — walk briskly half they don’t suffer from ‘future block’ — floated into my head, ‘When you an hour five days a week or CAH — where it’s all fog, no future — they see accept life as perfect in its imperfec- cycle at home at 70–80 rpm. A study disruptions as opportunities, they plan tions, you rise above life-situations.’ was conducted before vaccines came for the next six months and beyond, Stillness does that. It teaches. It points on the scene in California. It followed they walk the stocks through thick and you in the right direction. Emotions 48,440 people who had Covid and thin, they see the future in all its bright- don’t give you direction but they give found that the active ones did not need ness where others don’t. you a certain drive, a flair, so that you hospitalisation. live everything. Be interested, be passionate. That’s Lift the greyness. Mental immunity an important pointer — do things that Live the pause too. Maybe you’ve and strength are equally important. yyou wouldn’t have time for in the had to putpgpp some big plans on pause. Three of the most heart-lifting words old normal. SSpendpend an hour or so on That’s okay.okay. Live the pausepause too. ItI I heard recently were from my cousin sometsomethinghing you are passionatepassionate about.about. gigivesves space to re-tre-think,hink, re-planre-plan andand bebe Pramod who was hospitalised after test- As a carcardiologistdiologist said,said, ‘Be interestedinterested inin mmoreore flflexibleexible iinn your approacapproach.h. AAllowllow ing positive and feeling breathless as sometsomethinghing anandd you wwillill bbee iinterestingnteresting yyourour eyes to open to thethe multiple,multiple, mmul-ul his oxygen level fell. ‘I am recovering!’ to others.’others.’ ThisThis isis howhow wewe allowallow thethe tti-colouredi-coloured routes your lifelife coucouldld tatake.ke he messaged all of us on the first day present to interactinteract intimatelyintimately wwithith us, WhWhoo knowsknows whatwhat secrets werewere hiddenhidden itself. It’s amazing how the greyness iitt comes aalivelive iinn our ddoings.oings. RaRaineriner M ffromrom you bbeforeefore tthehe corona vvirusiru lifted. That’s what we need — a feel- RiRilkelke pupputsts iitt bebeautifully,autifullyy, ‘‘Don’tDon’n t sesearcharch cacameme along?alongg? As SomersetSomerset MaughamMauggham ing of being on top of our ailments, for that’s where adaptability springs from. The secret taught by sages is to never underestimate your energy. When I heard Nayaswami Jyotish thunder, ‘We live in a sea of powerful energy!’ I felt a wave of strength in me. It’s true. Each of us is powered and we live in an environment powered with energy. That’s how millions of us are alive and the world functions 24/7. Have trust, faith, conviction that everything is working out. We will vaccinate ourselves, we will all get well and stay well. As Yogananda said, ‘All challenges are challenges of our willingness!’ And by God, are we willing! Not just willing but ready and roaring to go!

The writers are authors of Fitness for Life and Simply Spiritual – You Are Naturally Divine and teachers of the Fitness for Life programme.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 77

K_Health_Adapt to disruptions, and breathe!.indd 77 01-Jul-21 1:45:08 PM CLUB HOP

RC Chinnamanur — RID 3000 RC Anjar — RID 3054

A Rapid Antigen Test Dresses were donated camp was organised to an orphanage with support and an old age from the health home. A sew- department. ing machine As many as was given to 2,980 people a widow and were tested and meals were ayurvedic medi- provided to all the cines were given to inmates. The project Covid patients. Project cost `70,000. cost `2 lakh.

RC Nasik Grapecity — RID 3030 RC Surat Roundtown — D 3060

The club, along with Green Revolution, an An oxygen cylinder NGO, planted over was donated to 500 saplings a hospital with at Chunchale the help of Shivar, a past president neighbour- Vimal Zaveri. hood. Club Club president president Kavita Esmayeel Dagaonkar Saherwala coordi- handed over the nated the project. plants to the volunteers.

RC Burhanpur — RID 3040 RC Palampur — RID 3070

Seven clubs jointly organised a mobile can- The club, in partner- cer-screening ship with a veter- camp for women inary hospital, through a is providing mammography free anti-rabies bus. In all 460 vaccine to stray patients were and owned dogs identified with in the city. Over breast and uterine 2,500 dogs have cancer through been vaccinated so far. mammogram and Pap smear tests. 78 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

G - Club HOP - July 2021.indd 78 6/25/2021 6:51:13 PM CLUB HOP

RC Ambala Industrial Area — RID 3080 RC Kushinagar — RID 3120

Blankets were A Covid vaccina- distributed for tion camp was needy families held in a slum residing in the colony. Health slum localities workers were around awarded with the Kasia Corona Warrior neighbourhood. certificate.

RC Malerkotla — RID 3090 RC New Panvel — RID 3131

The club is supporting the A BiPAP machine was government’s Covid donated to the vaccine programme Hazrat Halima by offering its Hospital, premises and Malerkotla, for volunteering for treatment of the programme. Covid patients. Rotary clubs The project around Panvel was done in the have helped in presence of PDG vaccinating 15,000 Amjad Ali. people so far.

RC Brahmavarat Kanpur — RID 3110 RC Solapur MIDC — RID 3132

The club sponsored the An oxygen concentrator marriage of a bride was donated to a PHC from an under- at Chapalgaon privileged family village in and donated Akkalkot household tehsil under the items including disaster man- bed, fridge, TV, agement fund. washing machine, Club president cupboard and Vitthal Vanga and kitchen utensils to the members were present newly-wed couple. at the handover ceremony.

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 79

G - Club HOP - July 2021.indd 79 6/25/2021 6:51:14 PM CLUB HOP

RC Hyderabad East — RID 3150 RC Shoranur — RID 3201

DG Jose Chacko inaugurated a A second breastfeed- rainwater harvesting unit ing kiosk was inau- at the KVR High gurated by ACP School under Shikha Goel at Project Ripples. the Nampally This is a GG railway station project with in the presence RCs Cochin of DG N V Harbour, Hanmanth Reddy. Palm Springs, The project was California and TRF. done with the support of PDG Vinod Kutty and SC Railway. project chair Anil Menon were present.

RC Shimoga Central — RID 3182 RC Kasaragod — RID 3202

A Covid aware- Thirty-one front- ness campaign line workers who through a public had reached address system out to Covid mounted on a patients across mini tempo was the 24 wards of launched during the city corpo- lockdown. Dis- ration were felici- infectant spraying tated in the presence machines were donated of DG Rajaram Bhat. to the wards.

RC Bangalore Vidyapeeta — RID 3190 RC Chengannur — RID 3211

IAS officer P H Kurian The club distributed handed over eight cooked food and laptops to the water bottles to flood-affected over 100 con- Metropoli- servancy staff tan School, of the Bruhat Chengannur. Bengaluru The project Mahanagar was done with Palike at a project financial assistance cost of `20,000. from RCs Willodale, Canada, and Kalamassery.

80 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

G - Club HOP - July 2021.indd 80 6/25/2021 6:51:15 PM CLUB HOP

RC Tirunelveli Town — RID 3212 RC Tagore Land — RID 3240

Dress material and a A dental camp was sumptuous dinner held at Madhu were provided to Pukur Par village the mentally-ill near Bolpur inmates at the in association Deva Home. with RCC, Club president Dharmarajtala Ramasamy, Naba Jagaran A G Thiruponraj Sangha. A total and Rtn Senthil, the of 105 patients were sponsor, were present. treated.

RC Pernambut — RID 3231 RC Mahanadi Vihar Choudwar — RID 3262

Five jumbo oxygen cylin- E-learning project was ders were donated expanded to five to the govern- more government ment hospital, upper primary Pernambut, in schools fol- the presence of lowing good district revenue results from its officer, club first such school office-bearers in Cuttack. The and past president project is financed Elangovan. by CSR funds.

RC Chennai Mugappair — RID 3232 RC Joka — RID 3291

A metal barricade was installed A special camp for on a culvert at an inner thalassaemia ring road junction in patients was Chinna Nolambur conducted with for easy passage the support of of vehicles Rotaractors without falling and local RCC into the trap members at a below. Rtn A village in South 24 Prabakaran spon- Parganas district. sored the initiative which cost `45,000. Compiled by V Muthukumaran

JULY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 81

G - Club HOP - July 2021.indd 81 6/25/2021 6:51:16 PM Madrassi, Mohajir, Eyeranian or Punjabi?

TCA Srinivasa Raghavan

he other day, when I went to give them credit, at least thought English channels never called me — no for my vaccination the that I was an Indian. They had never wonder they are all shutting down — young nurse said some- heard of Tamil Nadu, but Madrassi, but the Hindi ones often did. One day Tthing that a Punjabi friend, yes. But you are not dark, they said. I asked the producer why me. He said who grew up in Kerala and Tamil I had to laugh it off saying my heart is the audience loves it when, in the mid- Nadu, had told me just the day before, very, very black. dle of your chaste Hindi, your utterly namely, that I didn’t at all sound like a And that’s how it has been. Having Tamil name comes up on the screen. Tamilian. I told her I had been living lived in the north for as long as I have, When I told my wife this, she said, yes, in the north since I was born, 70 years I naturally don’t sound like the solid you are the freak in the circus ring. ago — and in Delhi for 63 of those. Tamilian that I am. But with my name I toyed with the idea of refusing fur- She said you don’t look like a Tamilian being what it is, the locals think I am a ther invitations but the money was either. I apologised. What else could Mohajir from Chennai. A North Indian very good and I consoled myself that I do. She was soon going to poke a minister once told me and a colleague, no one ever remembers anything that needle into me. that for him Tamilians were from comes on TV. When money speaks, Actually the same thing happens another universe. “I can’t understand they say, no one criticises the accent. everywhere including at Delhi immi- their language or the way they think,” he I face the same problem in Tamil gration. In the old days, the immigra- grumbled. I then spoke to him in a mix Nadu but in reverse. The moment I say tion chap used to struggle with my of pure Hindi and colloquial Punjabi. something, they assume I’m a Punjabi name while telling me that I didn’t He was quite dumbstruck. and try to fleece me. If I speak in Tamil look like a Madrassi. But one of them Much the same thing happened to they ask if I have come from Dilli — did congratulate me saying it was easy me when I used to be invited to take which is how the fellows from UP to find my name on the system. There part on TV talk shows. The upmarket pronounce ‘Dehli’ which is the correct was just one, unlike the million or name, not Delhi. The H comes before so Ashok Singhs or Rahul Sharmas. the L. It’s humiliating to be spotted and Now, with the magnetic strip on the slotted so easily. passport, that erstwhile problem of My sons, who belong to the post- having to key in my name with its 49 In the US they thought 1980 generation, can barely speak characters, has vanished. I once asked I was an Eyeranian Tamil. I have told them that if they my elder brother, who was the chief want to be accepted in the north they and in the UK, a Turk! passport officer then, why the gov- should change their names by adding ernment refused to accept initials. He The Bangladeshis there a Singh at the end. Or if they want to just looked at me sadly as if to say he thought I was a Punjabi, be accepted in the south, they should always knew I was an idiot. improve their Tamil. I don’t think they In the US they thought I was an which to them meant are going to do either. So poor chaps, Eyeranian and in the UK, a Turk! a Pakistani. like me, they are destined forever to Indeed the Bangladeshis there thought be in that amorphous state where their I was a Punjabi, which to them meant identity is concerned. Being Indian is a Pakistani. The Pakistanis, however, no longer enough.

82 ROTARY NEWS JULY 2021

K_LBW_Madrassi, Mohajir, Eyeranian or Punjabi.indd 82 01-07-2021 12:59:00 PM In Brief Floating city in the Maldives A Dutch planning and architecture firm is working with the Maldives to create a 200- hectare-floating city as the Acid attack archipelago with 25 survivors islands in the Indian distribute food Ocean faces the risk of becoming inhabitable Sheroes Hangout Café, run due to warming. by acid attack survivors in The floating city Agra, opened its doors to is modelled on the the poor and needy during structure of coral reefs the lockdown under the Smile Goal Hai campaign. Supported and will be powered by green energy to help fight climate by Chhanv Foundation, the cafe carried out food distribution change. A series of canals and flexible bridges will connect drives across the city. The acid attack survivors also carried its housing modules while docks will allow people to park out food distribution drive for Covid patients. The initiative their boats and access services to facilitate a whole new is providing 200 FSSAI-certified food boxes every day. The experience of shopping. The construction, beginning next meal box includes rice, chapati, vegetables and dal. year, will be completed in five years.

Covid vaccine for animals China’s new three-child policy Russia has registered the world’s China has announced that it first Covid vaccine for animals, will allow couples to have after tests showed it generated up to three children, after antibodies against the virus in census data showed a steep dogs, cats, foxes and mink. The decline in birth rate. The vaccine has been developed by country had introduced the a unit of Rosselkhoznadzor, a one child policy in 1979 to federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary supervision, slow population growth. This was replaced in 2016 with a that exercises oversight over vet medicine and agricultural two-child limit. The latest move was approved by President production. This vaccine was named Carnivac-Cov. Farms in Xi Jinping. The new policy of having three children by Russia, Greece, Poland and Austria have already requested a couple will boost the country’s population which is for bulk supplies of the vaccine. The effect of the dosage currently at 1.4 billion. The announcement comes after the is said to last for six months. But experts continue to study release of the Seventh National Population Census, which the effects and results of the vaccine. So far Russia has only showed that the number of births in China in 2020 were registered two Covid cases among animals, both in cats. only 12 million, the lowest since 1960.

Billionaires in space race spacecraft will carry six passengers on a 10-minute flight to about 105km Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and head of above Earth. Only one ticket was the aerospace company Blue Origin, has auctioned online and an unnamed announced plans to launch the first human bidder won, offering $28 million. The space flight. If successful, the 57-year- bidder will join Bezos, his brother Mark old would become the first person to ride Bezos, another guest and two crew his own company’s rocket into space. members on the ride to the Karman Two others — Elon Musk of SpaceX and Named after NASA astronaut Alan Line, that boundary line the divides the Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic — Shepard, the first American to go into atmosphere from the outer space, where have said they also want to ride into space space, Blue Origin’s New Shepard they will experience weightlessness and on their own company-built spaceship. rocket plans to take off on July 20. The observe the curvature of Earth.

Compiled by Kiran Zehra; Designed by Krishnapratheesh S

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