The Story of First Surgery

The 18-year old Sarvesh, the first beneficiary of the Gift of Sight project, had been having severe eye inflammation and had lost considerable vision in her right eye.
When she was brought to PGI's Advance Eye Care Centre, Dr. Vaishali Gupta examined her and found that she was suffering from Cysticercosis - a very common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system worldwide. Humans develop cysticercosis when they ingest eggs or larvae of the tapeworm Taenia solium, which are usually found in fecally-contaminated water and undercooked pork.
The parasite had travelled to her eye and had infested the retina leading to loss of her vision. If left untreated she would have turned completely blind, the doctor said.
Dr Vaishali operated on her, removed the parasite, and repaired her retina, restoring her eye sight to 50% level, and there would be no further deterioration at least.
Our congratulations to the team of surgeons at Advance Eye Care Centre at PGI.

Dr Tom Grams visits Dental Chair project

Rtn. Dr. Tom Grams from Colarado USA was in our Club last Monday as a volunteer dentist for the dental dispensary set up by Rtn Dr. H.S. Coonar of Rotary Mill Hill, at village Hansali in Punjab. Earlier in the day he visited the Institute for Dental
Studies and met with the Director Principal Dr. A.Gauba and was highly impressed by the
facilities there, and the dental chairs installed by our Club in association with Rotary Club of Mill Hill, UK.
Rtn. Dr Grams exchanged the Club flags on this occasion. He has been working overseas and has done service work in many parts of the world, especially Guatemala, Mynamar, Nepal, and Afghanistan. He was accompanied by Dr. Dheeraj who is working as a dentist at the dispensary in Hansali.

Message from Coral Gables

Here's a message from Rtn Noelle from Rotary Club of Coral Gables, USA, our twin club, and partner in Rotary's Gift of Sight project.
She writes in response to the news of the first surgery done at PGI last week, "When you serve something bigger than yourself, it gives your life a whole new meaning." Blessing to all for our ability to do good for others.

Relief for flood victims in Bihar

Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo is visiting flood-affected areas in Bihar to oversee the distribution of relief material from District 3080. Various clubs have responded to the relief call, and our Club is also contributing about Rs.3 lakh immediately towards distribution of special kits containing essential clothes, medicines, and food.

First surgery under Gift of Sight performed

Mrs. Sarvesh, an 18-years old resident of Chhattarpur Pahari, New Delhi was operated successfully for eye-disorder. Dr. Vishali Gupta of Advance Eye Care Centre PGI, Chandigarh, operated on her on 9th September, successfully. Our heartiest compliments to the AEC, PGI for restoring the eye sight of Sarvesh.

The Gift of Life project has been started under The Rotary Foundation's matching grant to restore eye to at least 160 patients suffering from retinal disorder.

11 months old girl from Pakistan saved

The Rotary Club continues to save lives of children under its Rotary Heartline project.  The project which began in 1999 has so far saved the lives of 240 children as of date, including 30 from Pakistan. 

Last week 11-months old girl, Yusra, from Pakistan arrived in Chandigarh on a special request from the Rotarians from Pakistan to Past Rotary International President R.K. Saboo. 

Fida Hussain, her father, who works as a driver in an airline company, and her mother Bushra Hussain, crossed the Wagah border to arrive in Chandigarh where Rotarians admitted her to their partner hospital, Fortis Hospital Mohali. 

The problem was discovered by parents when Yusra was barely two months old, and with no facilities in Pakistan to handle congenital cardiac disease for such a small child there was no chance of her survival.  Her father continued his search and learnt about Rotary programme being run by Rotary Club of Chandigarh. The local Rotarians got in touch with PRIP R.K. Saboo, and the child was ultimately brought to Chandigarh. 

Dr. T S Mahant, Executive Director - Cardiac Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said, “Baby Yusra was admitted in Fortis on Aug 19 and after her initial investigations she was taken in for heart surgery on Aug 25. She was diagnosed with TOF (Tetrology of Fallots) i.e. her body used to turn blue.  I feel very happy that she has shown remarkable progress and will  be able to lead a normal life now”.

Commenting on the successful surgery, Mr. S K Duggal , president , Rotary Club, said, “Our foresmost motive is that no child should die for want of money, and if we are able to forge bridges of better understanding and goodwill amongst people across the border, as human beings, our mission is served."

Monday Meetings since July

Women in Governance

This is a series that the Club has started to celebrate womanhood and recognise the accomplishments of the working women, especially those in bureaucracy.  
On 28th July, Ms Navraj Sandhu, IAS, from Government of Panjab spoke on the subject and again on 8th September 2008, Ms. Jaspreet Talwar, IAS, Special Finance Secretary, Punjab, addressed the issue. 

On 4th August, PDG Yash Das, RRFC Zone 5, addressed the Club on Membership Development & Retention

On 11th August, there was no meeting which was postponed to 15th August, for celebrating Independence Day with the children from slums.

On 18th August, Rotaract Club installation was held in the Club. DGN Chetan Aggarwal was the chief guest.

25th August saw the celebration of Janmashtmi.

On 1st September, Mr Justice (retd) J.S. Narang spoke about ethics in legal profession. 

On 8th September, besides the presentation by Ms Jaspreet Talwar, Dr. Tom Grams from UK was a visiting Rotarian.

On 15th September, a special presentation on the relief work done by Rotary under the leadership of PRIP R.K. Saboo for the flood affected people in Bihar, would be held.

22nd September, there is a presentation by TheatreAge group organised by Inner Wheel Club.

29th September: Business Meeting