Keeping the Hearts Beating

The Pacemaker Bank of our Club keeps many hearts beating, helping numerous lives to continue to have a healthy life.

Every year a number of pacemakers are fitted free of cost on the patients in PGI, thanks to the project that was conceived way back in 1990-91, and continues to run even today.

It was in 1990-91, our Club provided pacemaker to a patient in PGI.

In 1991-92, the Club entered into collaboration with Heart Beat International, USA, for providing free pacemakers to poor patients in PGI.  Rtn Abhilash Kapoor was the then president of the Club, and he continues to be the Project Incharge for this. 

The process involves PGI recommending poor patients for pacemakers, and through Heartbeat International, the pacemakers are arranged.

In 2004, the most touching  scenario was when PGI requested a tiny pacemaker for a two years old child.  It was an emergency.  The team of Rotarians got active immediately and was able to get from USA the required pacemaker within 7 days.  It was collaboration at its best in which Rotarians and Heartbeat International, as well as the government of India worked at tandem to save the life of the little soul.

In 2004-05, however, it became essential to bear the cost of importing and handling charges, and the Club raised US$ 2,500 and remitted to Heartbeat International in order to get 30 pacemakers for the Pacemaker Bank.

During 2011-12, under the leadership of Rtn Madhukar Malhotra, District Governor, the project was extended to other areas in the District, especially Shimla and Dehradun. 

The video shows how Rotary and Heartbeat International is saving lives. 

A salute to Inner Wheel

Life is a Gift...to be shared together.  Watch out how the Inner Wheel in India is making a difference.




If you can't see the video please click here. 

Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures

On March 8, tomorrow, the world would be celebrating the International Women's Day.  This year, the theme for world-wide activities is, CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING FUTURES

If every International Women's Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.

Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

It is sad that in certain parts of our country the female foeticide is a disgraceful act that people indulge in.  Some women succumb to family and societal pressures to get rid of the female fetus even before birth, just for a stupid, irrational craving for a boy child. 

Though 'Hamari Beti' , an initiative of our Club to sensitise the people against female foeticide is endeavouring to make a difference and change people's attitudes, the task is challenging. 

A recent survey by a student journalist in the village Mubarkpur near Chandigarh, revealed how a lady had to undergo five abortions to avoid the birth of girl, thanks to sex determination test being conducted by unscrupulous doctors, and finally, she was able to conceive a boy, who was born mentally challenged.  

Think about this. 'Hamari Beti' needs to be protected. We need to own up the responsibility and put our foot down to curb any such inhuman act against the girl child the moment we learn about it.  

Connecting Girls would always inspire future...a better future for everyone.  

Polio: The New Challenge

Post Polio Summit 2012, Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo exhorts us all to meet new challenges 

Dear friends,

The Polio Summit is behind us, leaving its mark on our memory pad.  Most of you were there to be a part of this historic occasion which was truly Divinely blessed when the official letter from W.H.O. arrived taking India off the list of Polio endemic countries.  Your participation meant much as it did for other  Rotarians who came from different districts. 

What was an idea 18 months back has become a reality and we want to thank our President Kalyan Banerjee for the guidance  and encouragement he gave for holding up this Summit.  It has brought a new dimension to the bonding between the government and Rotary, also encompassing our other global and local partners.  It is true that the media has not given much recognition to Rotary for this event.  I am sure media will eventually see the role that Rotary has played and will bring the facts to the eyes of the people.  Those who were part of the Summit fully recognize that.

Whereas Polio Summit ended with compliments flowing all over to Rotary and the role that Rotarians played in setting the goal of Polio-free world and working towards it, my friends, it has opened new challenges for us. The "Delhi Commitment" which spells out the commitment that each Rotarian present  including you, needs to be worked upon until the ultimate objective is achieved. 

I am, therefore, urging you to make the document, the "Delhi Commitment"attached herewith be circulated by you to each of your club members, each Rotary leader in your district be made aware of the commitment, each person to become aware of the commitment he or she has to fulfill.  Thus, the document the "DelhiCommitment" is not just a piece of paper, it is an honour that we have to keep.

In the closing, let me thank you once again for making the Polio Summit 2012 a historic occasion.

Warm greetings and regards.

Delhi Commitment. (Please click here to view/download and share with others)

DO YOU WANT TO...?

This is a beautiful video on how you, as a Rotarian, are impacting the lives of the people around the globe. Must see.

(video)


In case you are unable to see the video, click on the link to the blog and check it out. 

Congratulations. India is Polio Free

WHO takes India's name off polio endemic countries list
India, which has been polio-free for over a year now, was taken off the list of polio endemic countries by the World Health Organisation. This announcement was made by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the polio summit 2012 in New Delhi on 25th February in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Azad said he has received a letter this morning stating that the "WHO has taken India's name off the list of polio endemic countries in view of the remarkable progress that we have made during the past one year."

There were only four countries in the WHO endemic list, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

After being removed from the list, India will have to remain polio free for the next two years to achieve the polio-free status with concerted efforts and an emergency preparedness and response plan, WHO representative in India Natela Menabde said.

The Prime Minister, while lauding the achievement complimented the government officials and Rotary for this massive success.  Singh said, "This gives us hope that we can finally eradicate polio not only from India but from the face of the earth."

Though many countries have achieved this goal, every country is still under the threat of polio as long as the virus existed, she warned.

Rotarians must keep up extra vigil and continue with vaccination efforts for next two years to ensure that polio virus does not enter the country again. 

Prime Minister opens Polio Summit tomorrow

Prime Minister of India S. Manmohan Singh shall be inaugurating the Polio Summit that opens tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
It is for the first time that a joint summit by Government of India and Rotary International is being organised.
This is a significant event for all the Rotarians...and in fact, the entire humanity on this planet.
In India we have just completed one year when not a single polio case has been registered.
Overall, the annual number of polio cases have diminished by more than 99 percent since the initiative was launched by Rotary in 1988, when polio infected about 3,50,000 children every year.
Through Rotary efforts and active participation of the governments around the world, more than two billion children have been immunized in 122 countries, preventing five million cases of paralysis and 2,50,000 deaths.
At this stage, today, we require much more concerted endeavours to keep the status-quo...maintain the zero polio-case level, which alone can ensure a polio-free world for our children.


. 

Harbhajan Mann's Hearty Gesture

Harbhajan Mann also contributes for one heart surgery

Chandigarh, February 23:  There could not have been a better gift from the star Panjabi actor and singer, Harbhajan Mann, who not only came to perform free of cost for the Heartline Concert organized by Rotaract Club Chandigarh at Panjab University campus yesterday but also made his contribution for one heart surgery under the Rotary Heartline project.

Rotary Heartline project, started in 1999 by Rotary Club of Chandigarh has so far done 400 free heart surgeries for children from economically-challenged background, informed Mrs. Neena Singh, President , Rotary Club of Chandigarh. 

We deeply commend this noble gesture by an artist like Harbhajan Mann  who not only went out of his way to support the cause through his gratis performance but also contributed for the surgery of one child, she added.

Rotaract president Pragya Kapil informed that Rotaract club had been organizing the Heartline Concert to raise funds for and support the Rotary Club Chandigarh’s heartline project since 2005.

The concert began with a ramp walk by Rotaractors of DAV MCM, DAV College and Gian Jyoti Institute of Management, followed by an energetic bhangra performance by the students of Doaba college.

Upcoming artist Vineypal Buttar set the tone of the concert with his recent release dedicated to Sri Guru Gobind Singh, and popular number “Chudail”.

Harbhajan Mann started off with a prayer and moved the audience with his touching songs, “Maanwan, maanwan…”, and “Maan jannat da parchhavan…”, and later made everyone dance to his lilting foot-tapping numbers, “Le gayiaan chain churaake sajjan de akhiyaan…”, “Lalli laal dupatte wali”, and ever-green “Gallan goriyaan…”.

Rtn. Pres Neena Singh, Rtr Pres Pragya, and Harbhajan Mann released the souvenir published by Rotaract Club of Chandigarh, on this occasion. 

Being Human: From Knoxville to Bapudham

US girls gift for children of Bal Bahar school in Bapu Dham

Nicolle from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA was in 9^th standard when accompanied by her sister and Rotarian parents visited Chandigarh to be a part of the team of Rotarians from various countries who visited India to participate in national immunization day for polio.

She was overwhelmed as she went around visiting the slums and Bapu Dham colony. One of the Rotarian couples from the city, Major B.M. Singh and his wife, Kiran, took them to the school and crèche that they were running for the children of the colony.  Nicolle interacted with them as the children sat around on make shift rooms, with no proper kitchen, flooring, or uniforms.

She was moved.  “I became attached to every child, and something inside me was torn and I wanted to do something for these children,” she said.  

“I thought this was a normal reaction that a child from abroad would have looking at the conditions here, and I almost forgot about it,” said Major B.M. Singh, who was surprised to see their commitment. 

However, for Nicolle, and her classmatesit became her life mission.  Being human, was perhaps the only reason that ignited the fire in them. 

Helped by their Rotarian parents, they set up the Interact Club in their school, Webb School of Knoxville, with Nicolle as the first club president.

“Bal Bahar School in Bapu Dham was our first project, and we decided to raise funds. We organized holi, hosted an Indian dinner for the community, published a 2012 calendar also and successfully sold its copies for US$15 each to the people to collect funds,” Nicolle said.

Accompanied by the incoming president elect of Interact Webb School, Isabel, who is currently in 9^th standard, and their respective mothers, brought gifts for the 150 children who study at Bal Bahar, and also presented a cheque of US$ 11,000 to Major B.M. Singh, for the school.

Working for the children of Bal Bahar, had been the most satisfying for us, say Nicolle and Isabel, as they left for Delhi for their onward journey back home.

Young Heroes programme launched

Rotary Club of Chandigarh and Rotaract Clubs sponsored by our Club, joined hands with the Chandigarh Police to make our city safe.
Named 'Young Heroes' programme, engages the young Rotaractors in reaching out to homes to ensure people are made aware about community's own participation.
"Safety remains our major concern since that alone can ensure an environment wherein anyone can be more productive, efficient, and use his/her full potential," said Mr. Alok Kumar, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), addressing the Rotarians and Rotaractors at Rotary House today.
Accompanied with SP Operations Mr R.S. Ghuman, DSP HQ Ashish Kapoor, and Inspector Ram Gopal of ICCRU for Traffic Safety, interacted with the youngsters and demonstrated the nuances of spreading the message across all sections of the society.
He informed that after the Rotaractors and others who want to volunteer for the programme fill out the form and submit to the traffic police, the department will organise an orientation programme besides issuing them with special identity cards to facilitate them in this campaign.
DIG Alok Kumar said that these 'Young Heroes' would be the brand ambassadors for this mission to generate awareness among the residents.
Speaking on the occasion, Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo complimented the enthusiastic Rotaractors and hoped that this mission to create a better and safe city can be realised through their continued participation and involvement. "You must take up this task as a mission to make a difference in the lives of the people," he added.
DG Manpreet Singh encouraged the Rotaractors to bring the positive change in their own self as responsible citizens and then bring the change in the attitude of the people through concerted campaign.
Earlier Rtn. PP Arvind Mahajan introduced the chief guest DIG Alok Kumar.
This is a great initiative of our club and anyone can join this campaign for a safe city. 

Celebrating Change

Here are the highlights of the District 3080 Conference that concluded on Sunday, as covered by Day&Night TV Channel. (video)

Your friends won't be here in May!

Some of your Rotarian friends won't be in Chandigarh from 6-9 May, as they would be attending the Rotary International Convention at Bangkok.
Time to get yourself registered and be with them in the beautiful Bangkok...and meet old and make many many new friends out there at the Convention.
Register yourself as the last date of March 1 is approaching fast!

Get Your Copy!

Many of our Rotarian friends have been asking for the 'Reflection' book published by the Club on the occasion of the Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo and Usha Saboo's Golden Jubilee of selfless service to Humanity.   The book contains the messages from various  Rotary leaders from around the globe when they learnt about the event that our Club hosted last year.

'Reflections' was quickly compiled and presented to Raja and Usha Saboo by our Club. 

Click on the link below and read it online, or download it if you wish. 

Reflections

Our very own District Governor 2010-11  Madhukar Malhotra has published the District 3080 Report of Activities for the year.  This provides a quick overview of the accomplishments of Rotarians in the District.  Read it on line or share it with your Rotary colleagues or even non-Rotarians to showcase the service activities of Rotary in our District. 

District 3080 Activities Report 2010-11

Share Your Thoughts!

Here's another competition. Please send to me a 200 words essay on how you feel we can sow the seeds of gender equality in the minds of the people. 

Rotarians and their family members are also encouraged to participate and contribute.
- The entries should be emailed to seejaysingh@gmail.com, with 'Hamari Beti' Competition written in the subject box of the email.
- The last date for receiving all entries is 15th February.
- Each entrant would receive a Certificate of Participation.
- Three selected entries would win prizes.
So get going. Put on your thinking caps and go ahead.

Hamari Beti Committee

How close to eradicating polio?

We are very CLOSE. All that is needed is...YOU.

We got to be at Bangkok...together!

Here's a passionate appeal from PDG Kawal Bedi, Chairperson of District 3080 Bangkok Convention Promotion Committee.  Let's register and get your tickets booked before it is too late.  This is one of a life-time opportunity to have a RI Convention so close to home, with less than 5 hour flight and one of the lowest registration fee ever.

Peace Through Service

The theme for the Rotary Year 2012-13 announced by the incoming President of Rotary International, Sakuji Tanaka, unveiled at the International Assembly, is :

“PEACE THROUGH SERVICE”

Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through agreements, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways.

No definition is right, and no definition is wrong,
 However we use the word, this is what peace means for us

“In Rotary, our business is not profit. Our business is peace,” . “Our reward is not financial, but the happiness and satisfaction of seeing a better, more peaceful world, one that we have achieved through our own efforts.”
Tanaka will ask Rotarians to focus their energy on supporting the three priorities of the RI Strategic Plan , he said. He added that he will ask the incoming leaders to promote three Rotary peace forums, to be held in Hiroshima, Japan; Berlin; and Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Bangkok would be a lifetime experience

There is no reason why we should not be there at Bangkok. This would indeed be a lifetime experience for every Rotarian to feel and experience the internationality of Rotary.
Here's our very own IPDG Madhukar Malhotra, who invites to be a part of the Indian contingent to Bangkok for the RI Convention on May 6-9, 2011. Please register if you have not done so already.

Congratulations on First Year of Polio-free India

Here's a message from our RI President Kalyan Banerjee as we completed one year of polio free India. But it is the time for every Rotarian to make sure that the next two years remain polio free by stepping up our efforts in generating awareness, reaching out to the unreached population, sensitising them, and making sure that every child under 5 years receives the magic touch of Rotary through polio drops.


Rotary celebrates India’s first polio-free year. from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Why is Bangkok so exciting for Rotarians this year?

Check this out with PDG Shaju Peter. And of course, do not go alone. Its got to be a family outing.

News from Noelle's work in Haiti

All of us know Rtn. Noelle Galperin from Coral Gables, Florida, USA, who had been part of our various club projects and has led a number of NID teams to our District in the past, had been working on Project Medishare in Haiti.  I reproduce her update on this project to share with all of you who know her so intimately.  

Our clubs compliments for the good work she had been engaged in along with other Rotarians. 

"Rotarians & Friends,

It was wonderful to spend a celebratory, enlightening and very productive couple of days together in Haiti marking the 50th anniversary of Rotary in the country and getting a personal introduction to the valuable work Project Medishare has been engaged in in Haiti since 1994 (http://www.projectmedishare.org/).

It was a honor to travel with RI President Banerjee, RI Director Smarge, and RI Past Director Rassin and their lovely wives Binota, Cindy and Esther.  We we so warmly received by DG Theodore and the entire Rotary contingent in Haiti.  What a spectacular celebration!  Thank you for your generous hospitality!

The team from Project Medishare - Dr. Ginzberg, Ms. Chery, and their teams - coordinated expertly by Catherine Murphy and Rachel Beltz - took an incredible amount of time out of their jam-packed schedules to share with us Project Medishare's significant accomplishments and future plans.  Thank you for your all you did for us and all that you do for Haiti!

The Rotary - Project Medishare Partnership, which began in 2007 with D6990's U of Miami's Interact Club's $107,000 donation towards the production of Akamil in the Central Plateau, and continued in 2011 with D6990's $70,000 commitment to trauma care training, has been very positive for all.  I look forward to exploring together how we can extend the Rotary - Project Medishare relationship in order to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of the people in Haiti.

Please find a link to photos and videos of our visit:  (Please note that "the best photographer in the world," Frank J. Crothers, took all of the best pictures in this album.  Feel free to use any photos or videos.)

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107485703358858141682/albums/5695844313345596193

My best to all for a magical 2012,

Noelle"

Car Rally of Rotarians for Polio-Free India reach Chandigarh

In order to generate awareness about polio eradication drive, a nation-wide awareness rally of six Rotarians in two cars, reached Chandigarh. 

The two cars were flagged of on December 11 from Kochi for a 63 days trip covering 23 states and 18,500 kilometres will culminate at a Rotary conference in Coimbatore in February 2012.

They were received by Rotarians of local Clubs and senior Rotarians including District Governor Manpreet Singh Gandhoke. 

On their way from Ludhiana they were greeted by Rotarians at Morinda, SAS Nagar, and later of all tricity at the Rotary House. 

The team comprised of Rtn. Georgekutty Kariyanappally, Rtn. Anil Kumar, Rtn. Krishna Moorthy, Rtn. K R Rajan, Rtn. Shylesh and Rtn. Sunil, who have taken the initiative as part of the Rotary’s commitment to make India a polio-free country.

They will be staying in the houses of local Rotarians before being flagged off for Delhi on Monday morning.

In New Delhi, the team along with World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNESCO officials, will call on the President, Mrs Pratibha Patil and the Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh.

At several places school children will hold rallies to welcome the nation-wide rally. Team leader Georgekutty said the Rotary Clubs are taking this initiative as part of their commitment to make India a polio-free country.

This is the crucial time for India since it is completing one year of polio-free India on 13th January 2012 and the need now is to be more vigilant and cautious to ensure that it does not recur. 

City of Bangkok beckons you.

Hope you have registered yourself for Rotary International Convention at Bangkok with your family.  Here's a peep into this amazing city.


Discover Bangkok from Rotary Thailand on Vimeo.

Make 2012 and Beyond Special for Yourself!

As we ring in the New Year, it is time once again to pause our lives for a while, and look within...or better still, "Reach Within", as Kalyan Banerjee says it.  

We are living through an exciting time when the entire world is looking towards India... for the knowledge it possesses, for its IT prowess, for its growing economic impact,  for its multi-skilled young human resources, and of course, for the treasure trove of spirituality. Coupled with that is a growing strength of  Rotarians trascending human barriers of diverse cultures, religions, or castes, that augurs well for a better future for humanity.

"Reach Within..." to discover the love, care and compassion that resides within each one of us, and see the world around us with a new perspective.

"Reach Within to Embrace Humanity" by showering and sharing love, care and compassion for the humanity at large. 

The most quoted author C.N. Bovee writes beautifully, "There is no better exercise for your heart, than reaching down and helping to lift someone up!!!" 

Yes, there is no greater pleasure than helping someone rise. 

Let this be our promise to ourself for 2012 and beyond, to exercise our hearts and reach the people in need. 

This alone is the biggest reason of our being a Rotarian. This alone is our religion. Or as Dalai Lama says, "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." 

Rise. And let the new religion of love, compassion and care permeate through our beings and "embrace humanity".

Why you should be in Bangkok in May 2012?

Rotary International Director Yash Das shares his views and lists out the 4 most pressing reasons for all Rotarians in India especially, to be there in Bangkok for the RI Convention, 6-9 May 2012.

I'm going to be there. Will you be?

Friends it is time that you get yourself registered for the Rotary International Convention to be held at Bangkok in May 2012.
There are many reasons to be Bangkok in 2012 for the RI Convention. The first, and perhaps the only reason is to express our solidarity with our Rotary leader Kalyan Banerjee with massive presence at Bangkok.
Please get in touch with Club President for more details.
Here's a message from RI President.

Mother and Child Care

A health camp "Mother and Child Care" was organized in association with Fortis Hospital as part of their CSR activities at Colony no. 5 on 21st Dec 2011. The camp was attended by more than 100 beneficiaries of our Rotary Roshni Centre (a centre for adult literacy classes for women).

Before the check up, Dietician Nivedita Singh, educated mothers about the common health problems such as anemia, constipation and protein and calcium deficiency prevalent in economically backward classes. Oral examination, eye check up, BP and ENT examination were conducted. After the check up, calcium and folic acid tablets were also distributed to the mothers and refreshments to the children.  The Fortis members who participated were: Dr. Monica, Dr. Sunil Kochar, Sister Deepika and Sister Pavittar. President Neena Singh motivated the women to give priority to their own health as well as the health of their children. The camp was very well organised by Surinder Kaur the teacher of our Roshni Adult Female Literacy Center. 

Youth should help create a better, safer and happier world: Kalyan Banerjee

Rotary is spending nearly US$ 5 Billion every year on humanitarian projects.

 

Rotary spends nearly US$ 5 billion annually around the world on humanitarian service projects alone, informed Kalyan Banerjee, the world President of Rotary International.

Talking to the media in JW Marriott, Kalyan Banerjee felt that Rotary's strengths include its ability to attract leaders from different vocations around the world, as well as its role in promoting peace.

My goal is for Rotary to become the preferred organization for today's generation to join and participate in, to make the world better, safer and happier," he said.

He informed that it was for the first time that Rotary was invited to World Economic Forum at Jordan and Mumbai which he addressed and would be participated in the last week of January at Davos, Switzerland, to engage the businesses in the humanitarian services.

As president of Rotary International, Banerjee oversees Rotary’s top priority of eradicating polio, a crippling and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in Africa and Asia.

Since 1985, Rotary club members worldwide have contributed more than US$1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the effort. Rotary is also working to raise an additional $200 million to fulfill its commitment for a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Great progress has been made, and the incidence of paralytic polio infection has plunged worldwide from 350,000 cases in 1988 to fewer than 1,300 in 2010, he said, and already even earlier endemic states like UP and Bihar had no polio case reported for the last over 18 months.

The third Indian to be the world president of world's largest humanitarian service organizations, Rotary International, Kalyan Banerjee, arrived in Chandigarh today for a two-days visit, and addressed a meeting of over 1000 Rotarians in the morning at Shivalik Public School, Mohali.

Banerjee is a director of United Phosphorus Limited, the largest Indian agrochemical manufacturer, and the chair of United Phosphorus (Bangladesh) Limited, who took over the reigns of Rotary International on 1^st of July 2011, and gave to the Rotary world the theme, “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity”.

Children from Malawi return with Gift of Life

Three of the four children, who had successfully underwent heart surgery for congenital heart disorder under the Rotary Club Chandigarh's Heartline Project, flew back to their home yesterday. 

Rtn. Hassan Mejie and PP Kewal Seth gave them a warm send off with a quick sight-seeing of the city and lunch at Rtn. Baldev Aggarwal's restaurant Sip'n'Dine yesterday. 

Earlier on 8th September, having known about the visit of Malawi children for heart surgery, the First Secretary from Malawi High Commission in India reached Fortis Hospital to meet with the three children and their parents. She expressed deep gratitude to Rotary for saving the lives of these children. 

Patience Nkomo (6), Hastings Maloya (6) and Prisca Patrick (14) were very happy having had the precious Gift of Life, but were sad at the time of leaving our  beautiful country. 

Our special thanks to Dr. T.S. Mahant, Director Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, who conducted the surgeries. And of course, our very own Ann Babbi Harbhajan Singh, who took care of the entire family right from their arrival till they returned back to their homes. . 

Children from Malawi for Heart Surgery

TV News Coverage by Day&Night TV


And how this project came about? Learn from IDPG Madhukar Malhotra in another tv channel story

Four children from Malawi arrive for heart surgery

Four children out of 20 from Malawi, Africa, to be operated free of cost for congenital heart disease under the Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s Heartline project, arrived here in the city.

The offer to provide free heart surgeries for  twenty children from Malawi was made in April this year, when a team of voluntary doctors from the region led by former world president of Rotary International Rajendra K. Saboo and the then district governor Madhukar Malhotra had gone to Malawi and Zambia on a medical mission and treated patients there.

The four children who arrived from Malawi along with their  guardians included a two years old boy Brain Milanzi, suffering from atral septal defect (ASD), two six years old boys Hasting Maloya, and Patience Nkhoma, both suffering from ventral septal defect (VSD), and a 14 years old girl Prisca Patrick with Patent Ductus Arterisum diagnosis.

Rajendra K Saboo informed that all these children would be operated at one of the partner hospitals of Rotary Heartline project, Fortis Hospital Mohali, and are being admitted in the evening there.

He further stated that 10 doctors from Malawi would be sent by the Government of Malawi’s health department, for advanced short term training  in India which will be facilitated by Rotary.

Rajendra K. Saboo  who had been instrumental in starting the project of Rotary Heartline, earlier known as Gift of Life, under which Rotary Club of Chandigarh had been providing free heart surgeries to children suffering from congenital cardiac diseases since 1999.

So far 365 lives of children have been saved, he informed briefing the media here today,  and whenever there is a deserving case in and around Chandigarh, Rotary has always taken up such cases. The idea of taking up cases from other countries is to also serve beyond borders and live the eternal saying "Vasudevya Kutumbhkam" i.e. World is one family. Thus in the total surgeries done so far,there have been  2 children from Afghanistan, 6 from Nepal, 24 from Pakistan and 12 from Uganda over the years. 

   

Media reports Hepatitis Awareness Rally

Print and electronic media widely covered the Rotary Club of Chandigarh and Rotaract Club's hepatitis awareness rally.

Hepatitis Awareness Rally

Rotary Club of Chandigarh organized today the hepatitis awareness rally at Sukhna Lake, as a precursor to the WHO’s officially supported World Hepatitis Day which falls on 28^th July 2011.

Dr. Yogesh Chawla, Head, Hepatology Department, PGI flagged off the march with Rotarians, Rotaractors and their family members, distributing literature amongst the large number of people who gather at the lake on Sundays.

Hepatitis kills more than one million people every year and as per WHO report, approximately 500 million people worldwide are infected by hepatitis B or C1 necessitating awareness of the people, said Rotary Club Chandigarh’s President Neena Singh.

It is believed that one in 12 people worldwide are infected with these virus and majority of those infected by it do not know about it.

Rotary Club is also organizing a one day free screening camp at Rotary House, 107A, Sector 18A, from 10am to 5pm on Monday, Neena Singh informed. 

Are you ready to End Polio?

As we come closer to the eradication of polio from our country, with only 1 case reported so far in last six months, it is time to sit up and be extra vigilant, extra cautious, and more active in ensuring that the polio virus does not return.
The Emergency Preparedness Plan is what Rotary is working out with the government to be ready to combat in the eventuality of a polio outbreak. Our areas are more at risk with more migrations, and the need is to identify the migrants, sensitise them, and immunise the children travelling with them.
Yesterday, the Punjab PolioPlus Task Force, comprising of 24 senior Rotarians with Rotary International Director Yash Pal Das as Advisor, and PDG Shubh Karn Gupta as Chairman-Convenor along with Dr. Dinesh Singh from WHO and Dr. Balwinder Singh, State Immunisation Officer, Punjab, met at Chandigarh Judicial Academy to thrash out the immediate plans.
Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo who had all along been a great votary and driver of polio movement in the world, said that Rotarians, perhaps, feel that we are done with polio and "we're almost there".  "Almost", he emphasised, "is the most dangerous terminology that is leading us to complacency, and almost does not mean the completion of the task at hand".  He urged the Rotary leaders to engage Rotarians more and more in the task of keeping the pressure on, on the society, on the state agencies, on various other stock holders, so that any child carrying the virus gets detected at the early stages and reported.
Rtn. Yash Das said that for the intensified eradication activities planned until 2012, there is a global deficit of Rs.2992 crores, and hence continued financial support by Rotarians is a must.
He also pointed out that there is poor response to NIDs and approximately 60 percent of the children get covered despite massive efforts and in the next two days 40 percent uncovered children are reached out through door-to-door campaigns, which should be tackled by Rotarians.
The Task Force identified certain key areas in which Rotarians must intensify their efforts and involve themselves throughout the year, including :

• Developing and managing communication plan and ensuring better visibility through multi-pronged campaign
• Help in the Emergency Preparedness Plan and conducting mock drills to manage an eventuality
• Recognise doctors/revenue districts reporting maximum cases of AFP
• Organising media sensitization workshop
• Identifyication and reaching out to migratory population

Every Club, every Rotarian must come forward to make a difference and ensure that no child is left out.

'Hamari Beti' to go on air

After having successfully launched its Facebook community page, which has attracted community participation to join the debate against female foeticide, the Rotary Club of Chandigarh (District 3080) has been able to tie up with Panjab University’s School of Communication Studies, for initiating a radio series titled “Hamari Beti”.

The community radio, Jyotigramye 91.2 MHz, would be producing series of interview based programmes on various facets of the issue including female foeticide, crime against women, literacy, women empowerment, rights of women, the health issues, and the medical fraternity’s role in preventing the menace of female foeticide, etc.

The programme was kicked off with the interview of Rotary Club Chandigarh’s President Rtn. Neena Singh who spoke about the Rotary’s initiatives in reaching out to the women in the region and sensitise them to the isseue.

From Drop Box

We shall be enaging the local community and have interviewed people living in the villages and the residences around the campus, who would be part of the radio programme “Hamari Beti”, informed Rtn. Charanjit Singh, an alumnus of the School of Communication Studies.

The programme is aimed at reaching out to the community at large targeting the youth in the campus plus people living in Chandigarh in a periphery of 15-20kms radius, where this community radio is heard.

The recording bank is being created at the moment, and is being packaged with lots of other inputs from students and research scholars in this programme and would be launched within a fortnight for which some celebrities are being approached, informed Dr Archana Singh, Head of the School of Communication Studies, Panjab University.

How to 'Reach Within'

Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee has charged the Rotary world with his spiritual message which is out and out call for action.  Each one of us can do it

As I started looking at various meanings or interpretations of the word, 'Reach', one definition impressed me. (n)  "the power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity."

As a verb, it has been defined as "to extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate as far as".

In short, there could not have been a better word than 'Reach' that inspires us to act, to make an effort and extend ourselves to look within and search the real meaning of life...our life.  One can delve as deep as one desires to be. And as Buddha says the answer to our existence, life's purpose, lies within our own consciousness. 

Each one of us are born with a purpose...to accomplish something...to make a difference. All we need to do is to look within to find the right answer.  Rotary provides us this opportunity every day....to meet destitute, deprived, diseased, or challenged - physically, socially, emotionally.  Everytime we reach out to help them, extend a helping hand, without knowing them, or without expecting anything in return from them...the godliness in our being emerges.  

Just do at least one good a day...minimum, though each one of us is capable of doing much more than that...and as Rotarians, we have been ordained and blessed to get this opportunity to think about others, care about them, and act to help them tide over their challenges in life. 

Once it becomes a part of our life... as a genuine desire emerging from within ourselves to feel for others, or as Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo often says "to step into the shoes of another", it takes us to another level of achievement of godliness...of being a better human being. 

The first part of the theme, "Reach Within" is what you need to practice, and the rest - "to Embrace Humanity" - becomes an automatic outcome which will ensure a better, beautiful and peaceful world for each one of us.

How to Reach Within? Here's a 10-Steps Forumula:

1. Just as you get up in the morning, while you are still sitting on your bed, raise your arms, close your eyes, and thank God for blessing you for another great day to do good.  Thank God for all the bounties that He has bestowed on us all. 

2. Go out in the open, and facing East, bow to the sun, close your eyes, and repeat to yourself, "This is a great day.  I have the power within me to do good and I shall make a difference in the life of someone today."

3. Sit silently and feel the flow of energy from your surroundings getting into you...the sunlight, the plants, the earth, and the air you are breathing. 

4. Focus at the point between the eyebrows, and feel the energy of life flowing into your body. 

5. Open your eyes, sit silently, breath normally, and remember that all human beings are created equal and each one is a creation of God. 

6. Remember, our purpose on this planet earth is to forget all the goodness we do to others, and forgive those who are not kind to us. 

7. Water the plants in your home with extreme love and care. Put out a water bath on the window sill or outside in the open for the birds to drink or dance joyfully in it. 

8. Learn to LISTEN to your family, your business associates, your colleagues, the people around you. Don't jump to conclusions. Have focussed listening. 

9. Be focussed to keenly look around, as a person out on a mission to do good. Ask yourself, "Can I do something to improve the situation or someone's life?"

10. Be proactive. List out tasks that you want to do for the general good of the society...for the people in need.  And how you are going to accomplish them. 

Repeat the process for 21 Days...without fail. And share it with others, what difference it has made in your life! I look forward to hearing from you.

Reach Within and make a difference!

Change with Continuity...thy name is Rotary!

Kalyan Banerjee, Rotary's 101st president, and the third from India, is our new leader this year, and William B. Boyd, of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. 

John Hewko has become Rotary International’s 12th general secretary on 1 July. He has said his priorities include improving Rotarians’ connections with the Secretariat and increasing awareness about what the Secretariat can offer. 

Other Changes include:

• Four pilot programs will begin 1 July, designed to improve recruitment and retention, allow for flexibility in club operations and structure, and give clubs an opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to promote member diversity -- all goals of the RI Strategic Plan. For each of three pilot programs – corporate member, associate member, and innovative and flexible Rotary club -- 200 clubs have been selected to participate, and about 125 will take part in a satellite club pilot program.  
• The Changemaker Award will accompany the Presidential Citation during the 2011-12 Rotary year. The award will encourage Rotarians to focus on change and will recognize clubs that make an extraordinary impact through their work in the Avenues of Service.  
• The World Community Service and Rotary Volunteers programs will be phased out as of 30 June, replaced by a new model designed to expand the resources available to clubs for connecting and partnering with one another. The RI Board approved a shift to a resource and support model for RI programs to reinforce the priorities and goals of the RI Strategic Plan.
• Efforts to enhance Rotary’s public image will be undertaken by 49 Rotary public image coordinators (RPICs) working in partnership with their zone’s RI director, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Rotary coordinator, and district governors. RPICs, who are selected by the RI president or Rotary Foundation trustee chair, have professional expertise in public relations, journalism, or communications and will help support the RI Strategic Plan by conveying effective public relations practices to district leaders.
• The Rotarian magazine launches its digital edition with the July issue. Subscribers can now choose to receive either the print or digital edition, or both. This would be a good time to buy a subscription for your Interact or Rotaract club, to inspire them with Rotary’s breadth.  
• Rotary clubs’ annual per capita dues to Rotary International will increase to US$51 in 2011-12. The 2010 Council on Legislation also set dues at $52 for 2012-13 and $53 for 2013-14.

Hamari Beti

Celebrating womanhood.  Sensitising people against the scourge of female foeticide. Taking action to correct the skewed male:female ratio in our country.
With this mission in mind our Club has renewed its efforts in this direction and proposes to take up projects that can bring about a positive change in our society. Under the leadership of Rtn Neena Singh, "Hamari Beti" would be one of the focus area.
Members would recall that as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of our Club, we had started this project. A school painting competition and slogan writing contest marked the beginning of this project which received tremendous response.  There had also been a tieup with Fortis Hospital, and the new Committee under the Community Service avenue would be renewing its ties with Fortis as well as forging new ones with the Hospitals around the tricity.
Already our Club has created a CAUSE on Facebook, and a new Group, HAMARI BETI,  has been created there to associate more and more people with this cause. And surprisingly there is great response from some of the youngsters. One girl has penned a poem and put it up on our page. Surely, if young people understand the issues, they perhaps would be ready to meet this challenge as they step into their married lives. Or even otherwise in their homes too.
So get going. Be a part of this mission. Save girls from extinction.