Club News - August 19

Vistaar now in September
The District Membership Development Seminar, Vistaar, has been postponed to 29 September 2013, because of flooding and damaged roads in Saharanpur area. The registeration fee is Rs 600. Please get in touch with the President for registration.

Hamari Beti to shine in 25 States in India
“Hamari Beti” has been chosen as the mascot for the Uner-15 National Girls Hockey Championship being organised by MBCT Hockey Nursery, under the aegis of Indian Hockey Federation, from 14-21 September 2013, at Bassi Pathana, Fatehgarh Saheb. The mascot merchandise shall be prized possession with nearly 600 girls from 25 States who will be participating in this tournament.

Special Thanks
Our special thanks to Rtns Jatinder Kapur, P.S. Matharoo and PP Vijay Wadhawan for gifting 150 packs of eatables and drinks for children in Dhanas and Colony No. 5.

We are grateful to Rtn Jaspal Singh Sidhu and Nestle for supplying 150 Gift Hampers for distributing among children in Dhanas and Colony No. 5.

To Rtr Harneet Kaur, President of Rotaract Club of Chandigarh, and her team for making the August 15 evening so special with such excellent performances which made the Independence Day celebrations this year so special.

Last but not the least, thank you  PP Charanjit Singh for bringing out Issues 6 and 7 of Open Hand in absence of the Editor.

Helping a poor girl hear properly
Ms Satpal Kaur, 20 years old daughter of Mr Tarsem Singh, from Village Chandiyal, Tehsil Sunam, District Sangrur (Punjab), was referred to us by Rtn Dr Raman Abrol, for financial help to get corrective surgery done to restore proper hearing.  Her father  is working as a daily labourer. Your club has helped her with financial aid of Rs 9500 from the Sunshine collection.

Installation of new team at Interact Club , Bhawan Vidyalaya
The installation ceremony of 2013-14 team of Bhavan’s Interact Club, led by President Tanisha Garg, was held on 22 August. President Hassan Mejie was the Chief Guest.

A skit, “Main Hoon Chetna”, on the status of a daughter-in-law, was also enacted.

Among the Rotarians who attended the function were: PRIP R.K. Saboo, PDG Madhukar Malhotra, Rtn Dr. Pushpinder Chahal, Rtn. R.K. Taneja, Rtn. Reema Dewan, PP Arvind Mehan, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Rtn. Nandini Khanna, and Rtn. Mona Khattar.

HEARTLINE PROJECT
Supported by RI Dist. 3600 Taiwan and RC of San Marino, D 5300, USA
Seven children from Rwanda were successfully operated upon by Dr T.S. Mahant, at Fortis Hospital. These children had arrived on 5 August and were received at the Chandigarh Airport by PP Kewal Seth, Rtn Mona Khattar, Pres. Hassan Mejie, Rtn Sukhjit S. Gill and Ms Meher. 

We would like to thank Rtns Sukhjit Gill, Geetika Rao, Mona Khattar and Rajnish Khattar who devoted not only time to take care of the children and their parents, but also used to take fruits and eatables for them throughout their stay in Chandigarh.

We also thank Thakur Mejie and Mehar from USA for distributing crayons, sketch books and world flags’ books to the Rwandan children.

PRIP R.K. Saboo also visited the children, along with President Hassan Mejie, and interacted with them.

Celebrating Independence Day

1st Stop: Dhanas

The celebrations started at the Rotary Balwari in village Dhanas. President Hassan S Mejie along with Rotarians Piara Singh Matharoo, Chairperson RCC, PP Vijay Wadhawan, PP Darshan Mehandru, Vice President Jatinder Kapur, PE Prof Paramjit Singh, IPP Vivek Gupta and Mona Khattar coordinated the Independence Day celebrations. Gift Hampers from NESTLE, thanks to our Rtn. Jaspal Singh Sidhu, and sandwiches, cold drinks and confectionary items contributed by Rtn. Jatinder Kapur & Rtn. P S Matharoo were distributed among 150 children and 6 staff members.

National flag was unfurled by President Hassan Mejie at 11.00am. Children sang patriotic songs and gave Gidda performance. An excellent motivational song on freedom was sung by a 63-years old student of the adult literacy class.

2nd Stop: Bapu Dham
At 12.30pm Pres. Hassan S Mejie, along with Rotarians P.S.Matharoo, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Mona Khattar and Jatinder Kapur met with 30 children and their teachers in colony No. 5. A painting competition was held, the first 5 best drawings were awarded with a paintbox and crayons. Sweets and confectionary items were also distributed. Children sang patriotic songs/

Evening at Peace monument at Sukhna Lake

It was an evening with a difference when Rotarians with their families, and Rotaractors, gathered at Sukhna Lake.

Nearly 500 strong general public gathered around the amphitheatre as Rotaractors and a Rock Band, “Curse” regaled the audience with patriotic songs. Rtr President Harneet Kaur handled the stage, Rtr Aarti Goyal spoke on the topic of independence. Rtr Balwinder and his team performed a skit on Fake Godmen– which kept the audience in splits. Thereafter, Rtr President Harneet led a team of six Rotaractors for an enthralling Giddha performance, and programme concluded with Bhangra.

The programme ended with lighting of candles at the Rotary Peace Monument. Tea and snacks were served to Rotarians and Rotaractors at the Lake Restaurant.

A Re-look at India’s Response to Foreign Military Aggression

If we can sleep at peace at night and go about our daily chores without any fear, it is because of our defence forces who stand guard at our country’s borders, and it was a privilege for the club to host an army officer of distinction, Maj Gen Charanjit Singh Panag (retd), on 19 August.

Maj Gen Panag gave a rundown on the aggression and skirmishes on Indian borders with our neighbours, and informed that these are pin-pricks which are a daily affair in the life of a soldier on the borders, which are blown out of proportion by the electronic media. However, he lamented the need for a more graduated response and a long-term plan with respect to various neighbouring countries.

The absence of strong foreign policy vis-à-vis our neighbours is the weakest point and it is high time that our country moves with a strategic plan, he said.  He pointed out the need for a think tank for defending our borders, just like Pakistan’s army which calls the shot, and Central Military Council of China, whose members do not retire and offer strategic advice on policy matters.

His engaging presentation kept the audience glued to their seats and was followed by an interactive session with the members.

PP Charanjit Singh introduced Maj Gen Panag, R’Ann Sadhana Mehan presented a bouquet, and Rtn Dr Rajinder Kaur presented a memento to him. PP Arvind Mehan proposed the vote of thanks.