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.