Seven Rwanda children arrive for heart surgery under Rotary Heartline

Seven children from Rwanda arrived here today under the Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s Heartline programme for heart surgeries. 

Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo, who received the seven children and two attendants at the Rotary House, and informed that the Indian doctors had offered to do free heart surgeries for 15 children when they visited Rwanda last year under the intercontinental medicare project.

Rajendra Saboo said that it makes one feel proud that India is able to serve beyond borders reaching out to these children in need with the medical help.

Rotary Club of Chandigarh launched the Rotary Heartline project in 1999 and till date has saved the lives of 442 children under the programme in association with its partner hospitals, PGIMER and the Fortis Hospital Mohali.

Out of these 442 patients, 67 have been from different countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Malawi, Africa, etc., he added.

Out of the 15 children, the first batch of seven arrived today at Rotary House, and range between the age of 2 to 21 years, namely 2 years old Bruno Mugisha, 10 year olds Jonathan Ntakirutimana and Yvette Iragena, 12 years old Jacques Turikumwe, Olivier Habinshuti (13), Gakuru Seminega Fulgece (16), and Joas Nshimiyimana (21).

Heshima Christophe is the escorting nurse, and Mutezintare Pierre Celestin is the attendant accompanying these children from Rwanda.

Eight women honored with Rotary ‘Hamari Beti’ Award

This Monday was a very special day, when our Club conferred Rotary Hamari Beti Awards on eight women achievers for their grit, courage, confidence, and exceptional spirit of moving ahead with aplomb.  And no less than a sitting judge of the Panjab and Haryana High Court, Ms Justice Ritu Bahri, was there to present these awards.

The awardees included IRS officer Monica Bhatia the first Indian woman to head the global forum on transparency of the international body OECD.  Though she had to leave early in the morning on her way to Paris having stopped over for a short while to connect with everyone at home, the Award was received by her proud mother Dr. Nirmal Bhatia.

Babbi Harbhajan Singh, the mother of over 442 heart patients who has been so fondly and affectionately been nursed by her before and after the heart surgery under our club's Rotary Heartline programme.

No less had been the contribution of Amarjit Kaur, who having served in a bank for 20 years, has devoted her life to cremate with full honor and dignity the unclaimed bodies.  She has cremated over 300 such bodies so far, and drives the ambulance herself to carry them to the cremation ground.

Archana Sardana, who has entered into the Limca Book of Records several time, is a dare devil who has conquered all her fear and is first Indian woman mountaineer, sky diver, base jumper, deep-sea diver, etc., besides undertaking all such events to raise awareness about eye donation.

Supreet Dhiman, a successful business woman leading the Chandigarh Adventure Treks and Sports (CATS) had not only been inspiring young and old for exploring the wilds and trekking to unexplored heights, but also engaging the city in voluntary blood donation every three months without fail with over 100 donors walking in  at each camp on an average.

President Vivek Gupta presents the 'Hamari Beti' Award to
Ms Justice Ritu Bahri of Panjab and Haryana High Court.

Hats off to Dr. Archana Singh, chairperson of School of Communication Studies at Panjab University, who adopted the 'Hamari Beti' project of the Club and initiated a weekly programme on campus radio Jyotirgamaya, to spread the message of female foeticide, and other women related issues in the community.

The Club also honoured two young girls from Sacred Heart School, Tarini (12) and Arunima Goyal (14), who have done their family, this city, and the country proud by winning numerous national and international chess championships.

Congratulating the award recipients, Ms Justice Ritu Bahri said that there was a greater need to spread the message across and curb the immoral practices in the society whether it is eve teasing or wife beating, or female foeticide.  The social organisations like Rotary must continue to awaken the masses through its programmes and empower the women to be capable of knowing their rights, and fighting the social evils that are destoying our society.

The programme  began with a moving street play 'Parchhaiyaan' presented by the staff of Mohali-based Gilard Electronics that highlighted the various facets of woman’s life and how her emotions and aspirations get stifled in the society.  The company's directors Ms Guneet Singh and Mr Sanjiv Singh with over a dozen of their employees presented a highly moving mime show that was beautifully punctuated with expressive graphics and background music.

Ms. Justice Ritu Bahri also presented a Commendation Certificate to the team of Gilard Electronics for their theatrical rendition.

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We are 'This Close'.

A team of 27 Rotarians from USA, Australia, New Zealand, and France are in Chandigarh to take part in the fight against polio during the national immunization day (NID).

Led by Cynthia Wright Covington with her husband Barry Walter Covington as co-leader from USA, the team went to various booths in Mauli Jagran, Manimajra town, Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26, to administer polio drops on Sunday, and later today in the morning went for a house-to-house mop up operation.

"India is a shining example in the world in eradicating polio through remarkable collective efforts of government and Rotarians", said Cynthia Wright Covington, who is on her third visit to Chandigarh with the NID team, having come earlier in 2009 and 2011.
The team comprises 23 Rotarians from USA, one each from Australia and France, and two from New Zealand, including 81 years old past district governor William Edward Crawford from US.

Having learnt about this team's trip, a 27-years old Rotaractor from Alaska, Ann Marie, also joined the team at Chandigarh and felt completely transformed having interacted with little children and families in some of the slums outside the city.

After participating in different localities around Chandigarh on Sunday, during the NID, they went around house-to-house for mop up operations on Monday.  Later in the afternoon, as they returned, for a brief stopover for lunch at Hotel Aroma's Aquamarine, they posed for a "This Close" pose for the media.
Later in the evening they attended the reception that our Club organised.
Kudos to PDG Madhukar Malhotra, and Rtn. A.P. Singh for coordinating their visit, Rtn PP Praveen Goyal for providing an overview of polio-eradication efforts made in India,  and all the host Rotarian families who so graciously opened their homes for their visiting guests.

'Hamari Beti' programme on air from today

Today is the World Radio Day, and the day the Panjab University's community radio, Jyotirgamaya 91.2mhz, launched the 'Hamari Beti' programme.

If you recall, last year, we had tied up with the University's community radio and initiated the recording for a radio programme on 'Hamari Beti' by creating a bank of recordings with various women personalities of the city.

Thanks to the School of Communication Studies, and with the coordination by the alumni of SCS and Rotary Club of Chandigarh members, the radio programme, 'Hamari Beti' went on air today morning, with the formal inauguration by Prof. Arun Grover, Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

This was a momentous occasion as President Rtn. Vivek Gupta, Director Community Services Rtn Shuchita Luthra, Hamari Beti Chair Rtn Senu Duggal, and I attended this event.

Prof Arun Grover also launched the audio-books created by the students and Rotaractors from our Club, for the visually impaired children to help them prepare for examination.

In end-March/April, we shall be launching 'Hamari Beti' Awards for recognising the women in our tricity area who are not only contributing to the society but excelling in their own respective fields.

We welcome more suggestions from our members for taking this programme further.

Sponsor Your Child for Youth Exchange to Germany

We have received invitation for Summer Camp from D1840/ Germany  under Short Term Youth Exchange programme for a summer camp being organised in Germany from 13th to 27th July 2013.

You can send your child if he/she is of 17-19 years old, or you can recommend another child in this age group to be a part of this exciting opportunity.

The registration fee is € 100 only which will take care of the child's accommodation, meals, and excursions (except personal expenses and presents for friends).

Participant will have to arrange his/her to-and-fro air ticket to Munich airport, health and accident insurance, passport, etc,

The summer camp's theme is "Discover Bavaria and New Neighbors":

For more details you can contact :

Rtn Harjit Singh Saggu, Chairman Youth Exchange at  e-mail ID - rotaryye3080@yahoo.in and phone 09814108903

The application for for Short Term YE is in attachment or can be downloaded. Click this link.  

The applications are accepted on 1st come 1st serve basis. Ask youth who are interested to apply immediately.

 

Rotary South Asia Summit 2013

Time to register yourself for another mega event, the Rotary South Asia Summit 2013 at Hyderabad. This conference is on May 3-5, 2013.  Visit the website for more details. .

Download the Registration Form here. 

Applications invited for Rotary Peace Fellowship

The Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for the world-competitive Rotary Peace Fellowship. The fellowship provides academic and practical training for individuals working on solving conflicts and building peace around the world.

Professional Certificate Option 

* "Strengthening the leaders of today" 

* 3 month professional development certificate program 

* Designed specifically for candidates already working in fields related to peaecbuilding and conflict resolution to further their understanding and build their skills

* Mix of theory and skills practiced throughout 11 weeks of combined classroom and on site field study interactions 

* Eligibility Requirements: minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent; 5 years relevant work experience; proficiency in English

Master's Degree Option 

* "Building the leaders of tomorrow" 

* 15-24 months of Rotary-funded graduate study toward a master's degree at one of five Rotary Peace Centers around the world

* Training in the root causes of conflict, theories of international relations, and effective models of cooperation, conflict resolution, and negotiation including course work and applied field experience

* Eligibility Requirements: minimum bachelor's degree; 3 years relevant work experience; proficiency in a second language

The application deadline is 1 July 2013.  Application forms and more information are available at www.rotary.org/rotarycenters.

Watch the video, Is Peace Possible?

Voices For Peace from Rotary International on Vimeo.

We are looking for the Missing Piece

Weekend is often the time to relax and reflect...to get away from the speed of daily routine...to slow down a bit, sit in the sun, close your eyes, and reflect on your life.  Think about Rotary how it has changed your life...for all the new friends and families that have come into your life, and the opportunities you have received to think beyond your immediate family and do something for the people around you; in your neighbourhood, in your community, amongst your professional or business circles. And how you have become an importance cog in the Rotary's worldwide wheel of that's churning out peace through service.

Rotary is all about momentum exciting Rotarians and their families around the world to look at the world in much more meaningful way, and lending amazing power in each one of us to bring about change, positive change, around us.  Because each and everyone of us, you and I, matter the most in this vast world of 1.2 million proud Rotarians, who are committed to make our lives meaningful. 

Every day is an opportunity to touch a life somewhere, not because someone wants us to do... because we are intended to do good. 

I was watching the Rotary International's humanity in motion video on "The Missing Piece".  It was intended to look for members for the community who are oriented to do good, and can join be a part of Rotary family.  At the same time, however, it stuck me that it fits the Rotarians too.  Rotarians who have not been able to come to the Club for sometime because of any reason; Rotarians who are not being seen around anymore...the missing pieces.  We miss you in the family.   Just get back and connect, because you are the most powerful being destined to transform lives.

Missing Piece from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Hats off to Rotarians in India

A must watch video...an inspiration that the entire world's eyes are on every Rotarian in India...for having accomplished and completed two years of polio-free period on 13th January.  There is one more year to go, that requires everyone of us ensuring that no child is left when we go ahead and participate in the next NID. We have to ensure that everyone follows the routine immunisation for their children...our children

Click here to watch the video.

Rotary Fights to End Polio Now (EN) from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Rotary Moments

I reproduce here the recent speech by Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo at the International Assembly at San Diego, USA, sharing his 'Rotary Moments' : 



Good Morning, 

When President-elect Ron Burton asked me to speak on my Rotary Moment, my mind flashed back to mid 80s when I was visiting his State Oklahoma and was staying with our very good friend late PRID Roy Trout. He had arranged for me to address a luncheon meeting of a Rotary Club about 100 miles away. A Rotarian owning a single engine plane had come to take Usha and me for that meeting. It was a very cloudy day and the flight was extremely bumpy. 

Usha was scared to death. 

With the rosary in her hand she leaned over to me and whispered, "Must you go to any place where you get free lunch?" 

That was some Rotary moment !! 

Rotary journey is full of moments of joy, laughter, compassion, care, even tear…… with the ultimate of fulfillment. 

My leaders, you are on that journey and I extend my salutation to you.

One idea, that not only changed a life, or may be many lives, one advice that gave a nation-wide identity to Rotary…… this is a story that happened in 1976 in a small town, Gurdaspur, in North India.

After serving a six year term in prison, When Gurbux Singh, a life convict was released on parole for good conduct, he found his family penniless and no body wanted to accept him. After all he was branded………..a murderer, a life convict., 

Dejected and totally broken, Gurbux Singh, returned to the prison and pleaded with the kind hearted Superintendent and said, "this is the only place I can call home now. Please take me back".

The Superintendent consoled him and directed him to the local Rotary club.. Gurbux had come to the end of the road and as a last straw of hope, approached the local Rotary Club. 

Earlier during his official visit to the Rotary Club of the town which did not have much economic activity, the District Governor had suggested a project, to rehabilitate ex–convicts. That would require not much funds but deep commitment of Rotarians. As is well known, the governor gives an idea and as soon as he turns his back the club forgets it. But not this club. The club took the idea seriously, and established contact with the Prison authorities.

Thus when Gurbux approached the Rotarians, they checked his antecedents. Except this one incident of a drunken brawl when he killed a man and was given life imprisonment, Gurbux had a clean record. 

Remembering the District Governor's advice, the club decided to help him. Rotarians stood surety and got him a bank loan of 1000 dollars to buy two buffaloes. Gurbux started small business of selling milk, but no body would buy from an ex-convict. Once again Rotarians came forward and started buying milk from him.

Because Gurbux was a changed man and was supplying quality milk, his customers increased and he started paying off his loan. His business enhanced. Thanks to Rotary, Gurbux was now a respected member of the society. But that is not the end of the story.

One fine morning the District Governor received a letter and I quote, "You do not know me but your advice to the Rotary Club has changed my life". He closed his letter with the words, "Thank you, Sir, and thanks to all the kind hearted Rotarians for helping the downtrodden and dejected people like me". 

Friends, I was that fortunate Governor and receiving that letter, was my proud Rotary moment. 

I hope in your term as District Governor as you will engage Rotary you will have many opportunities to change some life….many a life, lift many a Gurbax. Let those be your memorable Rotary moments, just as I remember after 36 years of my touching Rotary moment. 

Source: International Assembly 2013, San Diego
Courtesy: www.eflashonline.org