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.