Fwd: Press release Baru Sahib

Akal Academies introduce AI Skills for children in rural Punjab

March 26: In a groundbreaking initiative, Akal Academy, a chain of 130 schools in rural Punjab, delivering value based education, has teamed up with renowned US-returned AI expert, Dr. Sandeep Singh Sandha, to impart Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills to its students. This new age program was blessed by Dr. Davinder Singh, President Kalgidhar trust at village Jiwan Arian

From the new academic year 2025-26, students of grade VII to XII across over 100 Akal Academies in Punjab, will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Sandha, an IIT Roorkee alumnus who did his doctorate in AI from the University of California, Los Angeles.

"We are grateful to Dr. Sandha for agreeing to mentor and skill our students in AI, ML, Robotics, Drones, and 3D Printing," said a spokesperson, of Akal Academies, Dr Neelam Kaur, Advisor Education and Health, Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. "This shall benefit over 15,000 students and aligns with our mission of providing value-based education," she said.

 

Having led AI research at Abacus.AI, Amazon, ARM, Teradata, IBM, and Oracle,Dr. Sandha's expertise in AI has been recognized globally, with his research being implemented in production, ranging from controlling robots to designing precision agriculture strategies.

It was at California that his research work on Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically the Mango library, is used in designing commercial CPUs powering billions of devices, including Samsung and iPhone smartphones.

Dr Sandha serves as a program committee member for top AI conferences and as a reviewer for leading journals in the field, and has over 50 research papers and articles in prestigious computer science journals. 

He has devoted himself to giving-back to his motherland and has returned from US in January this year to settle in his village home in Punjab, and has initiated Punjab AI-Excellence Programme and is not only mentoring school students but also guiding the IITs across the country on AI.

In his meeting with Dr. Davinder Singh, President Kalgidhar Trust, at his residence Dr Sandha shared that it's time that we bring the advancements in AI to our middle and senior school students for making them and the state of Punjab future ready. World wide AI is now a routine may it be agriculture, healthcare, education, industry and research. It is time that we gear-up to reap its benefits

Both, Dr. Sandha and his life partner, Dr. Inderjot Kaur, who did her Masters from North Carolina State University and Ph.D. and post-doctoral from Mississippi State University, who also empowers the students of Punjab for acquiring higher education in Universities abroad, have left their well paying jobs in USA to give back to their birthplace, Punjab, and the country.

About Kalgidhar Trust

Kalgidhar Trust is a registered non-government organisation committed to empowering the school children through value-based education, which runs over 100 Akal Academies that impart world-class education upto Class XII, as also the Eternal University at Baru Sahib, and Akal University at Talwandi Sabo, besides undertaking humanitarian service activities. https://www.barusahib.org

Caption:

Dr Davinder Singh, President, Kalgidhar Foundation, along with advisor Bhavneet Singh Bhalla, met Dr Sandeep Singh and Dr Inderjot Kaur, for their selfless service to teach AI to Akal Academies

Press Release Virtual Health Care

AI to redefine patient health care industry, says Harvard Professor Dr Jag Singh

Chandigarh:  Dr Jagmeet (Jag) Singh, a Harvard University professor says that digital devices and artificial intelligence shall make virtual care of patients a reality and more sustainable, at the release of his book "Future Care: Sensors, Artificial Intelligence, and the Reinvention of Healthcare" in the city yesterday.

Based on his extensive research over the years at Harvard Medical School, Dr Jag Singh, an electrophysiologist in cardiology, said that AI is being now evolved to empower the doctors to provide highly personalized care to the patients on the basis of the individual's data captured through different types of senors and wearable devices.

Dr Jagmeet Singh, cardiologist, physician, scientist, author, and Professor of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA, was in Chandigarh for the release of his book "Future Care".

Dr Jagmeet (Jag) Singh who has been working through his research on device technologies and electrical therapies for cardiac disorders, feels that rapid digital transformation holds a lot of promise in not only in drastically improving the way the health care is delivered, but improving human lives.

With AI and ChatGPT, even the role of the cardiologists will change 30 to 40% in a next decade with the metamorphosis that the medical field is undergoing with digital transformation, and expanding the role of the cardiologists to even predict the medical emergencies that a patient might have with AI, and take appropriate preventive measures.

"Every organ in human body can be potentially monitored remotely through sensors to enable doctors to proactively intervene in advance, Dr Jag Singh said. There are already several sensors available to detect heart failure 13 days and lung cancer as early as six months in advance, he said.

There are more than 500 wearable devices that can be synced with smart phones to give early warnings and inform the doctors for corrective measures.

Padam Bhushan awardee, Dr. T.S. Kler, a renowned interventional cardiologist, formally released the book of Dr. Jagmeet Singh and said that the medical community will have to upgrade itself to provide better and sustainable health care to the critical patients, and save their lives.

"Future Care" makes an interesting read since it is all about patient stories and Dr Jag Singh's personal encounters with disease management and how timely intervention through AI help and data analytics could save lives.

The book also talks about the new hybrid models required to help hospitals of the future to go virtual and adapt a hybrid model in patient care and remotely monitoring large number of patients through AI based diagnostic tools.

Dr Jag Singh reiterates that the essence of our research is to improve lives through forecasting and averting emergencies and disease through timely interventions.

Addressing some of the city's discerning audience including several senior cardiologists, diagnostic experts, and medical professionals, Dr Jag Singh advised them to adapt the new technologies to their advantage and patient care.

Notable among those present during the function included renowned radiologist Dr. Ladbans Kaur, cardiologists Dr. U.P. Singh, Dr. H.K. Bali, Padamshree Dr H.S. Chawla, Dr. T.S. Mahant, eye specialist Dr. S.S. Grewal, Punjab's DGP Sanjeev Kalra IPS, among others.

Caption: Chief Guest Padmabhushan Dr TS Kler second from left, author Dr Jag Singh (second from right),  Padamshri Dr H S Chawla, Dr HK Bali, released the book

Press Release Blood Donors Awarded

NEWS RELEASE

 

City Blood Donors Honoured.

Rotary and Blood Bank Society Resource Centre honours tricity Blood Donors

February 25: Rotary and Blood Bank Society Resource Centre (RBBSRC) Sector 34 honoured over 1000 blood donors and institutions of the region at their annual award function today at Community Centre, sector 37 C, Chandigarh.

Chief Guest Mr. Anup Gupta Mayor Chandigarh, and guests of honour Renu Vig Vice Chancellor Panjab University, and Prof. (Dr.) Rati Ram Sharma, Head Transfusion Medicine PGI, graced the occasion.

The Mayor said that it is one of the few blood banks in the country that has been recognised by various agencies for its excellent performance. He commended the Centre for adding the much needed apheresis procedure facility in Octoberlast year to meet the need for platelets in the Tri-city

Mr. Rajendra K Saboo President of RBBSRC and Mr. Anil Kumar Nehru, Chairman Managing Committee, RBBSRC along with several other prominent personalities gave away the awards and commended the efforts of the donors for promoting voluntary blood donation and celebrating life by saving lives.

There were 46 star donors who donated blood four times and 421 others who had donated for two to three times during 2022.

Organisations who had organized blood donation camps were also felicitated at the function including Curetech Formulations Pvt. Ltd., Vishvas Foundation, Baddi University of Emerging Sciences & Technology, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Vivekanand Manav Sewa Society, Noble Charity Welfare Society, St . Johns Old Boys Association are some of them.

The Centre. Rotary and Blood Bank Society Resource Centre is a joint venture between Blood Bank Society, Chandigarh and Rotary Club of Chandigarh and was started in July 2004, and runs on completely voluntary blood donations by means of either indoor or outdoor blood donation camps.

The centre provides round-the-clock service for blood and blood components to patients in and around Chandigarh.  

Later a grand carnival for the families of blood donors was also organised. 

CAPTIONS: 
1. RBBSRC President Arun Nehru and Secretary Neeti Sareen and Mac Sareen with some of the camp organisers 
2. Dr. Manish Rai, Director of RBBSRC, also received recognition from the Mayor of Chandigarh being the highest blood donations and platelet donations. 

Press Rlease Governor of Punjab joins in Rotary Peace Day celebrations at Sukhna Lake

Only generous people join Rotary, says Governor Punjab

-     Run for Peace organised at Sukhna Lake

 

Chandigarh, Feb 23:  Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Shri Banwarilal Purohit attended the Rotary's 118th-anniversary celebrations as chief guest at Sukhna Lake here today.

Earlier in the morning students joined by other senior Rotarians including former world president of Rotary International Rajendra K. Saboo, District Governor V.P. Kalta from Shimla, and Club President Vinod Kapoor joined in the walk.

The programme was organized jointly by Rotary Club of Chandigarh in collaboration with the Chandigarh Tourism department.

Visually challenged students from the Institute for the Blind opened the proceedings with Saraswati Vandana, as well as recitals of bhajan and a shabad.

Addressing the congregation of Rotarians, and school children at the Rotary Peace monument, Shri Purohit recalled the contribution that Rotary has made to the world in advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its humanitarian services.

Switching over to Hindi for the benefit of the children, Shri Purohit remarked that only generous people who have big hearts and accept the challenge to serve society and humanity, join Rotary, and no one can ever refuse them.

He related the story of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was known for his generosity and recalled how he rewarded an old lady with 1000 gold coins who had hit him inadvertently with a stone that she had hurled to get mangoes from the tree to feed her hungry children.  Despite his ministers' insistence to punish her, Maharaja remarked that when a tree can give her the fruit to eat when she hits it with a stone, why can't I help her?

Peacebuilding today needs a new approach, he said, and efforts of Rotary to have a peace march is a good beginning to keep ourselves reminded that our ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is an age-old guiding principle that India has shown its commitment to even for upcoming G20.

The guest of honor Smt Hargunjit Kaur, Secretary of Tourism, complimented Rotarians and felt that the Chandigarh Administration has joined hands with the Rotarians to acknowledge their service to the society and our city.

Rtn Rajendra K. Saboo, shared the story of how Chandigarh was declared the Rotary Peace City on 12^th December 2003, and the monument was unveiled by the then Governor of Punjab Shri O.P. Verma, and other dignitaries, which makes the city a unique status as a Peace City.

Later all the dignitaries joined in releasing the blue and white balloons into the air to spread the message of peace.

Earlier District Governor V.P. Kalta and Club President Vinod Kapoor shared insight into the celebrations and how Rotary is impacting the lives of the people worldwide, while Assistant Governor Rtn A P Singh Dhiman, the project coordinator, later proposed a vote of thanks. 

Over 60 students and teachers from Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, and M.DAV School, Sector 22 participated in the peace march. 

Caption: HE Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh addressed Rotarians at Sukhna Lake today morning on the Rotary Peace Day and 118th anniversary of Rotary. 
Rotarians and school children from Bhawan Vidyalaya and M. DAV School, participated in the peace march. 

Rotary Club of Chandigarh to fight Alzheimer Dementia

Rotary Action Group to fight Alzheimer Dementia (ADRAG) appointed Rotary Club of Chandigarh as the 4th Indian Chapter to lead the project. 

Past Rotary International President Rajendra K Saboo formally launched the Chapter and said that this would be a great service to the people suffering from Alzheimer and their families. 

The first chapter was established in Bangalore last year, and 15 chapters are planned in India by the end of June 2022, said President of Rotary Bangalore Cantonment Rtn Vinod John. 

ADRAG-India Initiative Chairman Rtn Wg Cdr DP Sabharwal said that India has over 4 million patients suffering from Alzheimer's who need proper rehabilitation, and awareness to identify the earlier detection of the disease. As a part of the campaign, Rtn Sabharwal offered to make a presentation in whatever club this is required. 

District Governor Rtn Ajay Madan said that every effort would be made to promote the programme and engage all Rotarians in the District to spread awareness. 

Rtn Jaspal Sidhu, President of Rotary Club of Chandigarh expressed happiness in Rotary Club Chandigarh being selected in the District to lead the campaign. 

Rtn. Amrit Pal Singh, past president of Rotary Club Chandigarh would be spearheading the programme in the District and providing the strategic plan.   

Miracles do happen, that’s how India won the battle against polio

A child being vaccinated for polio in India. (Shutterstock)

At a time when the world battles Covid-19, the story of how the polio virus was eradicated brings hope that mankind will triumph over adversities at all costs

By RK Saboo

PUBLISHED ON JAN 25, 2021 The Hindustan Times

A child being vaccinated for polio in India. (Shutterstock)

 

On January 13 this year, India celebrated ten years without polio, the last patient to be diagnosed with the disease on this date in 2011 being two-year-old Rukhsar of Howrah.

For her we were too late but after that India was well on its way to achieving the status of a polio free country.

In 2012, the government of India and Rotary organised a polio summit at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and just before the inauguration, Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, came to the dais and announced that India had been removed from the active list of polio endemic countries.

On March 26, 2014, India was certified by WHO and declared polio-free. That is the reason why January 13 is a memorable day in the public health history calendar.

It was estimated that in 1988, 450 children in India were affected by polio every day. Only 1 out of 200 children who contracted the poliovirus got paralysed. The other 199 went undetected. Experts opined that India would be the last country in the world to eradicate polio (even as late as in 2002), because of its huge cohort of 170 million children below the age of 5, the population density, unsanitary conditions, impure drinking water, and enteric diseases, etc.

India’s victory over polio was achieved after a long drawn struggle.

From 3,50,000 children affected by Polio in 122 countries of the world in the ’80s, the global partnership of Rotary with WHO, UNICEF, Centre for the Control of Diseases and Prevention (CDC), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and numerous partners except for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the world as of now is free of polio. Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunise more than 2.5 billion children in countries worldwide.

Rotary’s advocacy efforts have also played a significant role in decisions by donor governments to add more than $7.2 billion to the effort.

It all began in 1977 when Sir Clem Renouf who was nominated as president of Rotary International came across an article in the Reader’s Digest about eradication of small pox. That prompted him to look for another health challenge facing the world. After discussions with numerous health agencies, polio was identified as the biggest threat to the children of the world.

In 1979, Rotary initiated the polio immunisation campaign with Philippines by acquiring six million doses of OPV (oral polio vaccine) developed by Dr Albert Sabin and immunised the total population of young children in the country. Encouraged, Rotary took up this programme to free the world of this dreaded disease.

Despite World Health Assembly in 1988 persuading all nations to join in this fight, no substantive headway was made in India. Late Sudarshan Agarwal, then secretary general of Rajya Sabha and also a senior leader of Rotary, prompted some members of Parliament to ask questions in both houses about why India was lagging in polio eradication while many countries had gone far ahead.

Due credit has to go to Dr Harsh Vardhan, currently the Union minister of health and family welfare, for his contribution in changing the direction of the polio movement. It was one single factor that helped India finally reach its eradication goal. Before 1994 the bureaucracy at the government of India level did not believe in the strategy of National Immunisation Day (NID), observed so successfully by other countries including large population areas such as China and Brazil.

Dr Harsh Vardhan took the immunisation initiative in Delhi on October 2, 1994, naming it the pulse polio programme. With D-Day approaching, however, the plague endemic popped up in Surat with an all-too-real threat over Delhi. However, Dr Harsh Vardhan was determined to go forth. All Rotarians and other stakeholders assured active participation. Wearing masks the health workers of the Delhi government with the support of Rotarians, reached out to 12 lakh children in a single day to protect them from polio and also the plague.

The then newly appointed Union health minister AR Antulay grabbed the opportunity and convened a meeting of all state health ministers where I could make a presentation to them. The result was the adoption of a plan for observing NID. This was the changemaker in the policy. It was also decided that to ensure the success of the programme the Indian government had to be in the driving seat, which was also done. Rotary took up the responsibility of supplying the entire polio vaccine stock and also funding the activities of WHO and UNICEF in the country.

India has been very fortunate that irrespective of the party in power, the immunisation efforts continued year after year. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, however, had problems with minority communities boycotting immunisation due to false rumours. The government encouraged Rotary to develop a connect with these communities. Through notable work conducting free polio corrective surgeries and befriending Ulemas this hurdle too was crossed

In August 2020, Nigeria, and all of Africa as a result, were declared polio-free.

The only countries with polio cases now are Pakistan and Afghanistan. All efforts are being focused on them and after three years of nil cases the entire world will then be polio free, the second disease to be vanquished after smallpox.

Step by step, overcoming hurdles, never losing determination despite setbacks, the Indian government with Rotary and other partners moved forward.

Indeed, the last decade has shown that persistence, perseverance and perspiration can move mountains.

Victor Hugo, well known poet and novelist rightly said, “Perseverance, secret of all triumphs”.

Applications invited for Rotary Peace Fellowship

Rotary International is a private, non-profit, non-religious, non-governmental international service organization. They are the world’s oldest service club dating back to kindle fellowship among members of the business community.

Rotary Peace Fellowship Program:

Applications are open for the Rotary Peace Fellowship Program 2021-22 by The Rotary Foundation, US. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Their fellows are committed to the community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.

Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,300 fellows who now work in more than 115 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments, NGOs, the military, education, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

Program Details:

• Master’s Degree Programs: Accepted candidates study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.
• Professional Development Certificate Program: During the one-year program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote peace within their communities and across the globe. Fellows complete field studies, and they also design and carry out a social change initiative.

Eligibility:

Rotary Peace Fellowships may not be used for doctoral study. The following people are not eligible for the master's degree program:

• Active Rotary members
• Employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
• Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents or grandparents by blood) of any living person in these categories
• Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of their resignation)
• Recipients of Rotary Global Grants Scholarships must wait three years after completing the scholarship to apply for Rotary Peace Fellowship programs.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program must wait three years to apply for the master’s degree program. Certificate fellows are not eligible for another certificate fellowship.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the master's degree program must wait five years to apply for the certificate program.

Application process:

• They are now accepting applications for the 2021-22 Rotary Peace Fellowship program.
• Candidates will have until 31 May to submit applications to their district. Districts must submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July.

For more information please click here.  

What exactly does the Rotary Club do?

This is the most frequently asked question on Google: What exactly does the Rotary Club do? 

Rotary is an organization of business and professional person united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Founded in 1905 by a lawyer, Paul Harris, Rotary is a worldwide body with presence in more than 120 countries and geographical regions of the world with 1.2 million Rotarians in nearly 34,000 Rotary Clubs across the globe. 

Rotary Clubs are part of the world body, Rotary International, which has its headquarter in Evanston, USA.  

Rotary brings together professionals from different vocations.  None of the businesses in a Rotary club can hold monopoly, and therefore, prominent leaders in diverse professions and businesses are invited to join Rotary. 

Rotary is a great teacher. 

It is a way of life. 

Religion, caste, colour, geographical boundaries, cultures, do not matter. The basic philosophy is that we as a human race, are one; wherever we may live.  And respect for One's individuality and diversity is acknowledged and respected without any discrimination.  

Rotarians represent hope when everything else fails.  They are often the first responders in any crisis situation and take care of the rescue, and rehabilitation. 

Wherever they find the people in need, they try to find a sustainable solution to human issues. 

We are the 'People of Action'.   People call us differently, the saviours, the harbingers of hope, the humanitarians, and whatnot. Put this all together, and we are the Rotarians. 

Whenever you find this symbol of Rotary anywhere in the world, or in the form of a pin on the lapel of a person, go ahead, and share your problem.  And they will find a solution. 

Talking about what we do?   

To mention just a few, 

- Rotarians worldwide identified polio as a curse on humanity in 80s, and took it upon themselves to rid this world of polio saving millions of children from this crippling disease.  From nearly 122 countries afflicted of this disease, 99.9 per cent of the world has been rid of polio with Rotary spending  more than $1.7 billion — including matching funds from the Gates Foundation — and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children.

- For last several years, over 50 medical missions comprising Indian doctors and Rotarians have worked beyond borders, in Africa and other countries, to help combat disease through the expert hands of Indian doctors. 

- A similar number of mega medical camps are held in the far-flung, tribal areas of our country bringing relief to their health issues. 

- We hold the distinction of having the largest number of Rotary managed blood banks in the country today to save precious lives and encouraging voluntary blood donation; 

- In Chandigarh alone, more than 800 lives of children suffering from congenital cardiac disease have been saved, including many underprivileged children from abroad. 

The six core areas of Rotary's work are: 

• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution.
• Disease prevention and treatment.
• Water and sanitation.
• Maternal and child health.
• Basic education and literacy.
• Economic and community development.

In Chandigarh, Rotary came in May 1958 and since then has worked for the people of the city making ways across the globe. through its major humanitarian initiatives.   This blog does chronicle some of its projects over the years. 

- Rtn CJ Singh

Rotary Salutes Frontline Heroes

Rotary Distributes 500 Sweet Boxes to the Health Warriors

Rotary Club of Chandigarh handed over 450 boxes of sweets to PGIMER Director Dr Jagat Ram here today.

The words cannot express the gratitude that we owe to doctors, nurses, paramedic staff fighting the pandemic to save human lives, said President Sukhjit Singh Gill of Rotary Club of Chandigarh, handing over the gifts of gratitude to the frontline heroes who are healing the suffering humanity against Covid19.

Fifty boxes of sweets would be handed over to the doctors, nurses and paramedics in General Hospital Sector 16 too, he informed.

Dr Jagat Ram, Director, along with Dr Meenu Singh from Paediatrics department received the gifts from Rotary Club of Chandigarh represented by President Sukhjit Singh Gill, President-Elect Jaspal Singh Sidhu, and Rtn Lalita Grover.

Dr Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER thanked the Rotarians especially past Rotary International President Rajendra K Saboo for his leadership assisted by senior Rotarians like past district governor Kawal Bedi who helped raise funds for the cause.

The Club had earlier paid tribute to the great congribution that the army, police, and other frontline heroes are making to protect the country and save human lives by sending the greetings and gratitude of the society towards them through boxes of sweets, including 4000kgs for army, 2000kgs for the police personnel, and now another 500kg for the medical fraternity engaged in fight against Covid19.

Rotary Club Commends Chandigarh Police on Gurpurab

Members of Rotary Club of Chandigarh gifted 500kgs of sweets to Chandigarh Police, on 30th November, as a mark of appreciation of the wonderful work that the force did during the hard times of corona pandemic. The sweets were distributed among those members of the police who were present, while the remaining were handed over to be sent to various police stations for distribution.

In his welcome address, Mr Ketan Bansal IPS lauded the contribution of Rotary Club of Chandigarh in reaching out to the police force and appreciating the work done by the police.

President Sukhjiit Singh Gill informed that the Rotarians have contributed money to send their best wishes on the occasion of Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, through the efforts of Past Rotary International President Rajendra K Saboo, the guiding force of Rotary Club of Chandigarh. PDG Kawal Bedi has been a big support in raising these funds. He stated that there is a long-standing association between Rotary Club of Chandigarh and Chandigarh Police Department, and together, they have done many projects on traffic awareness, and the like.

This partnership was at its zenith during the pandemic lockdown, as Rotary Club of Chandigarh took up supplying ration and cooked food to the stranded residents. It was the daredevil staff of Chandigarh Police that came forward to distribute the cooked food and the ration to the needy.

Those present on the occasion included Rotarians Jaspal Sidhu, Dr. Nusrat Shafiq, Mandeep Singh Sodhi, and Aarti Goyal.

Rotary sends another 2000 kg mithai for army jawans

Rotarians of Rotary District 3080 have sent another 2000kg of mithai to the army jawans on boarder today. 

President Sukhjit Singh Gill informed that the Rotarians have contributed more money to send their greetings on the Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev through the efforts of Past Rotary International President Rajendra K Saboo, Past District Governor Kawal Bedi, and the current Rotary District Governor Ramesh Bajaj.

The 2000 kg was flagged off by the President from the city to be delivered to the forward posts in Kupwara and Baramula region of Sri Nagar.

Earlier the Rotarians had sent 4000 kgs of sweets for army jawans on border on Diwali.

This is the humble tribute that we can pay to them, as the sticker on each box said, "Aap Hain to Hum Hain", said PDG Kawal Bedi. 

Rotary engages in rehabilitating fire-affected jhuggi dwellers in Saketri

Rotary Club of Chandigarh is actively engaged in rehabilitating the 47 families affected in the fire that devastated their lives on 14th November. 

President Rtn. Sukhjiit Singh Gill informed that Rotary Club had been working in Saketri village with a major community development project for the last two-and-a-half years providing sanitation, education, and health services to the children and families residing in this tenement. 

Rotarians were first to reach the site when the fire broke out at 3:15pm on 14th November and mobilised its resources to rescue the families, inform the fire brigade and the DC office. 

Today, dry ration bags were distributed to the affected residents so that now onwards they are able to cook their own meals. And the Rotary Raahat project will continue to serve these slum dwellers of Saketri

A big thanks to Rtn. Sangita Vardhan, coordinated with the local authorities to organise help, and to Rtn Dr Seema Gupta, Saketri project Coordinator, for providing the material for rebuilding of jhuggis.

The residents were immediately provided with food, blankets and masks to survive the ordeal, and a big tented accommodation was created for the affected families to spend the night. Rotarians have been coordinating with the administration for the immediate support to these slum dwellers. 

 It was on the eve of the 2018 New Year’s when Rotarians of Rotary Club Chandigarh were doing blanket distribution in Saketri that they found the slum residents in a state of absolute neglect with barely any clothes to keep themselves warm or food to eat. Rotary Club then started spearheading the community upliftment project at Saketri.  Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyalaya was brought on board as the education partner for the children.  SEWA Punjab came in for implementing a holistic participatory community development program for the Saketri slum dwellers. There are 133 families having more than 500 members that are being taken care of under this holistic development project of Rotary Club of Chandigarh The educational classes for children are being run by Rotary Club for last 2-1/2 years in association with the Bhavan Vidyalaya Chandigarh

Punjab Governor flags off Rotary's gift of Diwali sweets for Army Jawans

Four tons of sweets sent by Rotarians of District 3080 fifth year in a row 

 

In no way we can ever thank our jawans and their families for their sacrifices as they guardiour borders, said Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Shri V P Singh Badnore, as he flagged off three army trucks containing Diwali sweets. 

We in Punjab, being a border state, have one or the other relation serving in the defence services and this is commendable that Rotarians continue to remember them year after year, he said. 

He commended the Rotarians for their continued gesture of sending sweets and greetings on Diwali to jawans serving in the harsh conditions on our borders. 

The project which was initiated in the year 2016 by Rotary Club of Chandigarh at the instance of Mrs Usha Saboo wife of the former world president of Rotary International Rajendra K Saboo, has now participation from Rotarians of other Rotary clubs in the District 3080 which comprises besides Chandigarh, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP, and Utrakhand. 

The programme continues to be spearheaded by the past district governor Rtn Kawal Bedi wife of an ex Indian Army Officer, who manages the entire logistics assisted by the past president of the club Neenu Vij and her husband Praveen Vij who takes care of the airlifting of the consignment through the Indian Air Force.

The current District Governor of Rotary District 3080 Ramesh Bajaj said that this is a humble gesture from Rotarians to acknowledge the great sacrifices that our jawans make.  

Club President Sukhjeet Singh Gill said that Rotarians are grateful to the Indian Air Force and all the Rotarians from District for keeping this project going.  He said that the project is very close to his heart having lost many close relations in defence forces during the war with Pakistan. 

The consignment of 4000 kg of mithai worth over Rs.20 lakh would be airlifted by the Indian Air Force to be delivered in the border areas of North East, China border, Kupwara, Pithoragarh areas, of Siachin, Leh.and Ladakh, informed PDG Madhukar Malhotra. 

Inner Wheel President Komal Gupta amongst others was present on the occasion. 

Sukhjit Gill is Rotary Club Chandigarh’s new President

Rotary Honours Justice Rajiv Sharma by conferring Paul Harris Fellowship

Hon'ble Mr Justice Rajiv Sharma of Punjab and Haryana High Court

Chandigarh, 6^th July:  Rotary Club of Chandigarh installed its new President Rtn Sukhjit Singh Gill and Team for 2020-21 here today through a virtual meeting in the presence of various dignitaries and prominent Rotarians from District 3080.

Rtn Sukhjit Singh Gill, who is a financial consultant took the collar of presidentship from his predecessor Rtn Surinder Pal Kaur, an ex-IRS officer.

Mr Justice Rajiv Sharma  of Punjab and Haryan High Court was the Chief Guest and District Governor Ramesh Bajaj was the Guest of Honour.

President Sukhjit Singh Gill took over the reins of the Club.
Seen with him is his wife Dr Kamaljit Kaur

Outgoing president Surinder Pal Kaur informed that the club has spent nearly Rs.1.8 crores including Rs.55 lakh during the Covid on providing medical supplies to PGI, GMCH32 and General Hospital Sector 16, besides extensively providing dry ration and prepared food to the doctors, migrant labour.

The club was able to undertake 16 children for heart surgeries under club’s Heartline project, besides various initiatives in the village Saketri, and throughout the lockdown the Club continued to meet regularly.  

On this occasion, Mr Justice Rajiv Sharma was conferred the Paul Harris Fellowship for his contribution to the environment,  by the Club contributing USD1000 to the Rotary Foundation.

Speaking on the occasion the chief guest who himself is a great environmentalist and known as ‘green judge’, Justice Rajiv Sharma said that everyone should be concerned and caring about our environment beyond our own homes.  He said global warming and other environmental destruction would lead to crisis for our earth and humanity.

He advised we must start living in harmony with nature, and respect environment and lamented the growing disharmony being caused by our dependency on technology especially the mobile phones. 

Rtn Sukhjit Gill shared the roadmap for the club during 2020-21 and said that the club shall continue to impact lives through blood donation camps, promote the flagship project with free heart surgeries through its partner hospitals, sensitise school children in menstrual hygiene and sanitation, launch of health education centre for the children of the city, and health of women and children.

Rotary Vidya Sadan in Bapu Dham shall be strengthened further to educate drop-out girls, and provide crèche facility for the daily wagers, and clubfoot treatment to children in GMCH32.

District Governor Ramesh Bajaj, guest of honour, stated that despite the continued lockdown the Club shall continue to reach out to the community come what may. Sharing success mantra with the new team, Ramesh Bajaj asked to follow ‘BMW’ i.e. prayer, Bless My Wisdom, Bless My Work,  Bless My Words, and Burn My Worries.  He advised the leadership to put up three factories for success, one, of Ice factory to stay cool; sugar factory to speak sweetly; and the third, love factory to instill compassion and love in your heart.

Earlier former world president of Rotary International, Rajendra K Saboo said that the leadership inRotary changes on 1^st July and he congratulated outgoing president Surinder Pal Kaur for her stellar achievements during challenging times and complimented the incoming team for their plans.

Assisting President Sukhjit Singh Gill in the team 2020-21 are Vice President Praveen Agarwal,  Secretary Gurvinder Saggu; Baldev Garg, Treasurer; Sonia Dhillon, Jt Secy; Dinesh Dua director club service, Vinod Kapoor, Director Vocational Service; Lalita Grover, Director Community Service; Gurmeet Chawla; Director International Service; Baldev Aggarwal Director Youth Service; Kulbir Dogra, Sergeant-at-Arms; PRID Rajendra Saboo, PDG Kawal Bedi, PDG Madhukar Malhotra, PDG Praveen Chander Goyal.

Those who joined the meeting included past district governors Ranjit Bhatia, Madhukar Malhotra, Yoginder Dewan, Manmohan Singh, Praveen Goyal,  Jitendra Dhingra,  district governor elect Ajay Madan, Usha Saboo, Inner Wheel President Komal Gupta, and Rotaractors amongst others with Rtn Dinesh Dua and Rtn Suditi Jindal moderating the session.

Past President Neena Singh recited the mool mantra of Japji while Rtn Ruchi Singla recited the Gayatri Mantra as invocations at the beginning of the meeting.

The Club was chartered on 13 May 1958 and has since grown with the city launching various projects for the community.

Rotary Club delivers dry ration in Kachhi Colony

Chandigarh, 22 April:  Rotary Club of Chandigarh delivered 1,400 dry ration bags in Kachhi Colony in village Dhanas.

Club President Surinder Pal Kaur informed that senior Rotarian Jatinder Kapur along with two young Rotaractors, Abhishek and Bhupinder, accompanied the SDM Central Shri Nazuk Kumar, and supervised the distribution of the dry ration.

 “This is the most equitable distribution system that Administration is using marking each house with house number, number of families and number.of souls living there, so that deserving families get the ration," informed Rtn Jatinder Kapur.

Dry Ration for families in sealed village Faidan from Rotarians

Chandigarh, 9 April:  Rotary Club of Chandigarh has volunteered to provide 1000 bags of dry ration after every five days, to familes inside village Faidan which was recently sealed down in the city, informed President Rotary Club Chandigarh Surinder Pal Kaur.

The supplies were handed over today to the Administration by President Surinder Pal Kaur, accompanied by past presidents Rtn Anil Khanna, Rtn Baldev Aggarwal, and Rtn Pankaj Khanna.

Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar commended the Rotarians for their continued support to the Administration in these challenging times.

Former world President of Rotary International Rajendra K Saboo informed that village Faidan located adjacent to Sector 48 which was sealed, is inhabited by nearly 3700 families (19,000 residents) who need ration supplies, and Rotary Club shall be providing 3,000 dry ration bags over a period of three weeks, i.e. 1000 bags every week.  

Each bag contains one week supply of 5kg Atta, 2kg rice, 2kgs Dal, 1 Kg sugar, 1 litre oil, 1/2 kg salt,  200gms of turmeric red chilli powder, jeera etc, costing Rs 590.

Rotarians supervise the packing of each bag at the vendors approved and selected by the Chandigarh Administration, and will be spending almost Rs.18 lakh for this humanitarian project which is being contributed by club members, informed President Surinder Pal Kaur.

The Club is already supplying daily 500 cooked meals each for lunch and dinner for junior doctors and nurses to PGIMER and 400 meals each in the afternoon and evening for the daily wage earners and migrant labours, thanks to the active involvement of Rtn Kawal Bedi, a past district governor of the club, in coordinating the activities and raising funds.