Projects – Page 2 – Rotary Club Chandigarh

Diwali celebrations: 5000 boxes of sweets sent to soldiers in border areas

diwali sweets

On 2 November, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore flagged off two truckloads containing 5,000 boxes of sweets for jawans at the Punjab Raj Bhawan.

Badnore said, “It is a commendable gesture of Rotarians to remember Army jawans who guard our borders day and night so that we can live in peace.”

The consignment was airlifted by the IAF for further distribution to Army units at Siachen and Ladakh borders where our jawans stand guard in difficult conditions.

A society’s character is reflected in the manner it demonstrates gratitude and support to the brave men and women who protect the nation and who ensure people are free to pursue their dreams. We have a responsibility to show our gratitude to the brave men and women who have made many a sacrifice for the nation.

We decided to celebrate Diwali with them by saying, “You are not soldiers, but saviours; the guardians of this divine land. We thank you for everything you do – upholding our nation’s guiding values – liberty, fraternity and equality. In return we want to celebrate the Festival of Lights with you, when you are so far away from your home, your family and friends. Can we be your family this Diwali? Can we add sweetness to your life by sharing this box of sweets with you?”

‘Aap Hain, Toh Hum Hain’ was the greeting pasted on each box. Rotarians of Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Uttrakhand contributed.

Initiated by PRIP RK Saboo and Usha Saboo two years back, Rotary District 3080, under the leadership of DG Praveen Goyal continued with the project of sending sweets for soldiers to celebrate Diwali with them. Project Chair PDG Kawal Bedi was instrumental in putting it all together.

The sweets cost Rs. 20,00,000.

Nutrition awareness talk held at Saketri

A talk on Nutrition Awareness was organized by the Women’s Health and Hamari beti Committee, at Saketri village, in which a team of experts, comprising Dt Madhu Sharma and Dr Manvi Singh spoke to women and adolescents.

Rtn Seema Gupta, Rtn. Abha Joshi, Rtn. Lalita Grover and Rtn. Ritu Nakra were also present.

Most of the young women and adolescent girls were found to be anaemic and malnourished. Some of them complained of fatigue and digestive issues, even giving history of worm infestation. Dietitian Madhu Sharma explained to them the importance of green leafy and other vegetables to help combat iron deficiency. They were also explained about healthy cooking methods and how to combine available foods in order to enhance the availability of nutrients from seasonal fruits and vegetables.

In view of the anaemic status of most women and history of worm infestation, it was suggested by Dr. Manvi to supplement iron capsules, along with de-worming treatment.

The talk was highly appreciated by all the women who suggested having more of such session for them. They said ,”Aap roz aaya karo!” (Please do try and come every day)

Celebrating Indian doctors making a difference in Africa for last 20 years

On 15 October, we honoured former RI President Rajendra K. Saboo and his wife Usha Saboo for conceiving the first-ever initiative of medical missions to Africa 20 years back.

The Intercontinental Medical Mission was conceived in August 1998, to enable Indian doctors to serve beyond borders and spare their time and expertise to heal the suffering humanity in Africa.

This year, from 5th to 15th August, a team of 18 medical specialists and 9 volunteers led by PRIP Saboo, conducted 420 eye, 56 orthopaedic, 94 general, 38 Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT), 23 plastic, 420 dental and 27 gynaecological surgeries.

The team of doctors from India also trained Ugandan doctors in newer medical techniques.

City doctors in the team included: eye specialist Rtn Dr SPS Grewal, dentist Dr Jagat Bhushan, surgeon Dr Kuldeep Dhawan, plastic surgeon and Dr V.D. Singh. PDG Shaju Peter was the Team Coordinator.

His Excellency, the Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda, Hon Edward Sekandi visited the camp during the mission to congratulate the team.

District Governor Praveen Goyal presented Citations to the team members of the Ugandan Medical Mission.

PRIP Rajendra K Saboo was honoured for his selfless service by the Interactors, Rotaractors, Doctors, Volunteers, Members of Innerwheel and Rotary Club Chandigarh.

PP Dr. PS Chari, an eminent plastic surgeon who has been a part of many medical missions, was honoured for lifetime of service to mankind.

Global Hand-washing Day

hand wash day

On 15 October, the global Hand-washing Day, a special session on Hand-washing and clean water was held by us under our WiNS programme. Correct technique of hand-washing was demonstrated. A musical activity, including songs on hand-washing was also conducted.

Separate MHM and Gender Sensitisation sessions were facilitated for about 500 boys and girls from classes 6th to 10th, at the Govt. High School, Dadumajra, by Rtn. Manjula Sularia and her colleagues Gulshan and Pooja. Thereafter, around 200 sanitary napkins were distributed to the girls who together posed as PadGirls.

We also involved the girls in some special special yoga asanas which ease the pain of periods and make them feel more at ease.

WiNS Project update

wins project-02

On 9 October 2018, MHM and Gender Sensitisation sessions were facilitated for more than 1300 students, comprising of 705 boys and 615 girls from classes 6th to 10th, at Govt. Model Senior Secondary School in Dhanas. It was quite a labour intensive job to sensitise and create awareness amongst such big group of students and that too on such a sensitive topic.

Later, sanitary napkins were distributed to nearly 450 girls.

Project Chair Rtn. Manjula Sularia facilitated the sessions.

RYLA@Chail

We successfully organized and hosted RYLA@Chail on 5-7 October 2018. More than 80 students from our Interact schools participated. The two nights, three days event was held at Snow Trail Camps near Chail, Himachal Pradesh.

IMG-20181006-WA0041 The participants not only had an opportunity to fine-tune their leadership skills, including time management and mind-fullness, through a series of sessions by experts, but also had an opportunity to experience out-door activities that included use of rope bridges, nature walk, star gazing, etc.

CLICK HERE to see the pictures and videos of the event.

RI President’s Visit

RI President Barry Rassin and his wife Esther visited Saketri project of RC Chandigarh. He took a round of the Slum where our project is being undertaken. Under this pilot project we are providing education to children under the “After School” classes, as also providing supplements to the malnourished children. Regular health camps are held to provide free medical care to the inhabitants. Capacity building endeavours are also being undertaken for the adults.

President Barry was welcomed by children with a dance performance. Two children, speaking in front of an audience for the first time, welcomed the President in English. Impressed by their effort, President emphasised on the role Rotary is playing in preparing the youth for the future challenges by educating them and congratulated all who were involved in the project.

Visit to the Rotary and Blood Bank Society Resource Centre and Rotary Peace Monument

RI President Barry and Esther also visited the Blood Bank Resource Centre, Sector 37, and the Rotary Peace Monument at Sukhna Lake. He was received at the Blood Resource Centre by President AP Singh, PE S.P. Kaur, Rtn. Vinod Kapoor, PDG Madhukar Malhotra, and Rtn. Dr. Manish Rai, Director of the Blood Bank. Barry and Esther interacted with the donors and appreciated the good work being done by the Centre.

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WiNS Project update

wins project-01

We distributed 220 sanitary napkins to girls of classes 6 to 10 at Govt Model Senior Secondary School, Khuda Ali Sher, one of our WiNS project school. This was the 3rd time that we distributed sanitary napkins at this school after doing our MHM sessions with the girls.

Giving their feedback, the girls said that these napkins have given them freedom to come to school even during their periods and, most importantly, overcome the chronic issue of absenteeism during menses. In fact, the girls now look forward to us coming to their school every month.

Independence Day celebrations

Independence day celebrations were held at Village Saketri where we are undertaking a major project in the slum area. Members from SEWA, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, volunteers and beneficiary families and their children were also present along with local leaders.

Initiating the program, Mrs Sunanda of SEWA thanked Rotary Club and Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan for supporting and encouraging the team. She shared the background of the project where the spadework started about one year back. The project has been able to initiate small changes in the community. From a few takers of the program to start off, the number has swelled to about 100. “The basti has brought in cleanliness and we will have an ideal clean basti and the same will be demonstrated on 2 October,” she said.

The entertainment program started with SEWA prayer titled Ae Malik tere bande Hum. A dance performance by two young girls on Desh rangeela song was appreciated by all. There was also a Gidha performance, followed by a solo dance by a young girl from the community.

President A.P. Singh said, “we wish to do the project efficiently and we wish to bring in change for the better and help the community overcome poverty and discrimination. Our endeavour is to work with the basti and the village so that we can help them live a better life.”

He added that parents should support their children in their efforts to educate themselves as also find their latent talents. “With their achievements, all in the family and society will benefit.” He also prompted children to work for a better life and standard of living by achieving career goals through hard work and dedication.

Vote of thanks was presented by Ms Sunanda of SEWA.

It was indeed a satisfying experience for all the Rotarians who attended the function.

Medical Mission to Uganda

A medical mission, consisting of 18 doctors of different specialties and 7 volunteers including Rotarians and spouses, is leaving for Uganda on 5 August 2018 and will be in Uganda till 15 August.

The doctors will operate upon a large number of patients and also hold OPDs for thousands. Rotarians Dr. SPS Grewal and Dr. Jagat Bhushan from our Club are part of the team of doctors. PRIP RK Saboo and R’Ann Usha Saboo are going as volunteers with the mission.

A brainchild of PRIP RK Saboo, it was exactly 20 years ago that the first medical mission went to Uganda and the country is being revisited on the occasion of 20th anniversary of the medical missions. The budget outlay of this project is US $97000. The mission is a project of Rotary District 3080, along with Districts 3131 and 3132.