2018-19 – Rotary Club Chandigarh

‘See and Learn’ programme launched under Youth Service

Continuing with our efforts to do more, we launched a new program, called ‘See and Learn’, for students of our Interact Club Schools. Under this program, we shall be taking students of classes 11 and 12 to various Industries to give them exposure of different vocations/career options. In the schools which don’t have senior secondary classes we shall take students from Class 10.

Under this program, we took 100 students from DPS, Chandigarh, in four batches of 25 each, to Drish Shoes, Panchkula where they were taken on a guided tour of the factory, followed by a question-answer session and refreshments. We express our gratitude to PP Atmaram Singh and Rtn. IS Paul for offering to host the students at Drish.

It is hoped that this activity will make a meaningful contribution to the development and decision making of our the youth, in their crucial years of learning.

Rotary Vidya Sadan launched at Bapu Dham

We have launched a new project ‘Rotary Vidya Sadan’ at Bapu Dham. We shall be running a crèche and after school classes for children of the Bapu Dham area and also continue to run our Basta Project at the same premises in the afternoon. The place has been fully renovated. Some essential furniture, toys and games for the crèche are being added.

We are presently running three classes for students of various ages. We are also providing mid-day meals to all the students. The staff includes three teachers, one supervisor-cum-teacher and a cook, a nanny-cum-helper.

Over 100 children are currently benefiting from the project, in addition to more than 50 young girls in the afternoon Basta Project. Once the project is streamlined, we shall increase the number of beneficiaries and keep on upgrading the facilities. We are hoping to have around 200 students enrolled in the project. We shall also be planning various activities for the benefit of the mothers of the students and also hold medical camps for the students on a regular basis.

Twinning with Rotary Club of Cairo Nile Valley, Egypt

We have signed a Twin Club Agreement with Rotary Club Cairo Nile Valley in Egypt and henceforth shall be cooperating in so many perspectives; whenever convenient; and whenever possible:

1. Develop friendship and mutual understanding
2. Encourage and organize the exchange of visits
3. Assist Rotarians and their family members to contact/correspond among each other, especially those with same classification, profession, business or vocation
4. Promote fellowship and service through vocational contact, meetings and related friendly activities
5. Joint service projects, whenever possible
6. Initiate steps to strengthen the future of Rotary in respective areas/countries

We shall also be working on friendship exchange, among other things like collaborating on Rotary projects.

Walkathon at Sukhna Lake to observe World TB Day

tb run

On the World TB Day (March 24), the Department of Paediatrics PGIMER and Rotary Club Chandigarh teamed up for TB-Free Chandigarh.

A walkathon was organized at Sukhna Lake, which marked the beginning of a partnership towards global initiative to End TB, and generate public awareness.

Dr Jagat Ram, Director, PGIMER, flagged off the walkathon in which Rotarians, Rotaractors, staff of PGI, students of Nursing and citizens participated. Rtn. Dr. Meenu Singh, head of Advanced Paediatric Centre at PGI and Project Chair said that “Chandigarh harbours nearly 3,000 notified TB patients and approximately 250 paediatric patients. Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER and Rotary Club Chandigarh have teamed up to combat TB in Chandigarh through a series of event like screening for patients in residential colonies and organising public awareness campaign.”

This curable disease is still the world’s deadliest killer, claiming nearly 4,000 lives per day globally and through a concerted efforts by WHO and different global agencies since 2000, nearly 54 million lives have been saved. In 2018, Prime Minister of India gave a clarion call to end TB by 2025, five years earlier than the global target.

PRIP RK Saboo expressed that with a concerted effort of all the stakeholders it is possible to have a TB Free Chandigarh.

The theme of World TB Day 2019, ‘It’s time’, put the accent on the urgency to act on the commitments made by global leaders to scale up access to prevention and treatment; build accountability; ensure sufficient and sustainable financing including for research; promote an end to stigma and discrimination, and promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centered TB response.

On 24 March 1882, Dr. Robert Koch had officially announced the discovery of bacterium causing TB and it is this day each year which is observed as world tuberculosis day, to raise the public awareness about health, social, and economic consequences of the dreadful disease.

₹25 lakh given to five families of Pulwama Martyrs

In a unique initiative, Rotary Club of Chandigarh and Kings XI Punjab contributed ₹25 lakh to the five families of CRPF jawans martyred in Pulwama attack.

On 19 March, cheques of ₹5 lakh each were presented to the next of kin by President A.P. Singh, DG Praveen Goyal, officials of KXIP, captain of KXIP, Ashwin, and player Mandeep, in the presence of Senior DIG CRPF Punjab, V.K. Kaundal, and other senior Rotarians, at a function organized at Hotel Aroma.

Families of martyred CRPF jawans from Punjab and Himachal, namely, Jaimal Singh from Dharamkot, District Monga; Sukhjinder Singh from Tehsil Patti, District Taran Taran; Maninder Singh Attri from Dinanagar, District Gurdaspur; Kulwinder Singh from Tehshil Anandpur Sahib, District Rupnagar; and Tilak Raj from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh were the beneficiaries.

President A.P.Singh said that three years back we had initiated the project of sending 5000 kg of sweets every Diwali to the jawans at the border, and now we are grateful to KXIP for making us a vehicle of doing good for the Pulwama martyrs as well. “This is a small contribution to the affected families to help them face the financial challenges and also to send a message that we care,” he said.

The requisite amount was raised in a matter of just 10 days.

So many persons present at the event got emotional as the details of the families of martyrs was read out and the cheques presented. The DIG spoke highly of the efforts of KXIP and our Club to help the families financially.

We had also offered to take care of one girl child in terms of providing free school and college education but none of the five families have a child who can avail of this offer. We also offered to take care of a young wife of a martyr if eligible for college education. CRPF officials will discuss with the affected family and let us know.

Inspire to Empower session for students of RVTC

On 19 March, we tied up with TATA Communications to hold an Inspire to Empower session for the students of Rotary Vocational Training Center. The purpose of the session was to train students for job interviews, prepare their resumes, teach them to handle different work situations and conflict resolution. Over 60 students attended the session and were motivated to follow their interests with passion.

Heartline project update

Surgery #718: Jitendra Yadav, 14 years old Boy from village Dawankara, District Gharwa (Jharkhand), was successfully operated at PGIMER, Chandigarh, by Dr. Anand Mishra, on 22nd January 2019. It was a case of Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR). His father Mr. Ram Lal Yadav is working as labourer.

Surgery #719: Komfal, 21 years old woman from village Chhapnata, District Rolpa, Gaurigaon (Nepal), was successfully operated at PGIMER, Chandigarh, by Dr. Rupesh Kumar, on 6th February, 2019. It was a case of double Valve Replacement (DVR). Her husband is working as a peon.

Surgery #720: Gursahib Singh, 8 years old Boy from village Datarpur-Morinda, Tehsil Chamkaur Sahib, District Roopnagar (Punjab), was successfully operated at PGIMER, Chandigarh, by Dr. Anand Mishra, on 26th February, 2019. It was a case of VSD closure and Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR). His father is working as security guard.

Project Saksham launched

PDG Haresh Ramchandani and PRIP Ian Riseley presented laptops to six girls and four boys of Class XIth from EWS category, who had topped in their Board examinations last year, and commended Rotary Club of Chandigarh for its project Saksham to empower the EWS children to progress further and inspire them to excel in their studies and do well in life.

Rotary Club of Chandigarh initiated this project at the instance of PRIP RK Saboo. This will be an annual project of our Club.

Visit of Interactors from Webb School, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Peace was the buzzword during the 11th February meeting as President A.P. Singh welcomed the students and their two teachers, Alpa and Doug, from Webb School, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. He also welcomed the Interactors and teachers from DPS, Sri Aurobindo, St. Johns and Bhawan.

We were joined by Mr Kiran Malhotra and his wife Rama Malhotra. Kiran is President Indo-German Chamber and Ambassador of Cologne city in Germany. Mrs Vinita Arora, principal of Bhavan Vidyalaya, was also present.

The meeting was planned to understand the present day youth’s perspective on the subject of ‘Peace and conflict prevention/resolution’.

Four Interactors from India and two from the USA expressed their viewpoints. Their views can be summarised as: Youth desire to work for peace and mission of Rotary basics teaches them to follow the path. Through the exchange of ideas the youth from different cultures gain perspective to work together. Youth need to understand to work for a peaceful tomorrow and it is essential to engage youth in that endeavour. Youthful energy should be directed to build peace. There is a need to develop tools for active change makers. Youth should be encouraged to have capability and welcome an opportunity to work with government. This is a big communication challenge which needs to be overcome by Rotarians to develop a sustainable model.

Vani Adlakha from Aurobindo iterated that hate can not drive hate but love can bring love. Angry youth need to be trained to learn that they should stop being trouble makers. She said,”there is no path to peace, peace is the path for a harmonious tomorrow. We want to live in peace not rest in peace.”

Amit Kaur warned that presently we are blinded by desires and are exploiting resources. Humans are separated by political, religious and other considerations. We long for harmonious living and for that we need to put aside differences and peace is the only answer. We need to actively work for peace so that peace becomes a state of mind. We need to build kindness through small gestures for a kinder and peaceful world.

Ms Alpa emphasised on the benefits of exchange of students within the two schools since the students learn the power to be tolerant and change perception through communication.

PRIP RK Saboo informed the audience that Knoxville was the most secure city during the world war as it had the nuclear arsenal and Rtn. Bill Sergeant, who spearheaded the polio eradication program of Rotary was in charge of security at Knoxville during the war.

Rtn Reema Dewan, while presenting a formal vote of thanks, said that
peace has no language and no boundaries. Through (student) exchange
Interactors pick up pieces to learn that path forward is peace for the world.

Friendship team visits from USA

nid visit-02 On 2 February 2019, we received the Friendship Team from USA at the Rotary House, Chandigarh. The team consisted of 33 Rotarians who were hosted by our members. They stayed in Chandigarh till 5 February.

The team participated in administering Polio drops to children and also painted a slum school. They also visited other projects of the Club and attend the Club meeting on 4 February.

Visit to Burail school

nid visit-03

Visiting Rotarians had a first hand experience of our efforts under WINS project at Govt. Middle School, Burail. Students demonstrated the eight steps of hand washing while singing about it, making it a fun activity. The students also gave a dance presentation, as also made the guests dance with them. The guests were also shown a garden developed by students out of waste.

Painting the crèche cum school, Bal Bahar

Members of the Friendship Team painted Bal Bahar in Bapu Dham Colony to gain some hands on experience of helping in one of the projects of Rotary Club Chandigarh. Five rooms of the school-cum-crèche were painted in 3 hours with loads of enthusiasm. Packed working lunch was served during the break by Hot Millions.