What exactly does the Rotary Club do?

This is the most frequently asked question on Google: What exactly does the Rotary Club do? 

Rotary is an organization of business and professional person united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Founded in 1905 by a lawyer, Paul Harris, Rotary is a worldwide body with presence in more than 120 countries and geographical regions of the world with 1.2 million Rotarians in nearly 34,000 Rotary Clubs across the globe. 

Rotary Clubs are part of the world body, Rotary International, which has its headquarter in Evanston, USA.  

Rotary brings together professionals from different vocations.  None of the businesses in a Rotary club can hold monopoly, and therefore, prominent leaders in diverse professions and businesses are invited to join Rotary. 

Rotary is a great teacher. 

It is a way of life. 

Religion, caste, colour, geographical boundaries, cultures, do not matter. The basic philosophy is that we as a human race, are one; wherever we may live.  And respect for One's individuality and diversity is acknowledged and respected without any discrimination.  

Rotarians represent hope when everything else fails.  They are often the first responders in any crisis situation and take care of the rescue, and rehabilitation. 

Wherever they find the people in need, they try to find a sustainable solution to human issues. 

We are the 'People of Action'.   People call us differently, the saviours, the harbingers of hope, the humanitarians, and whatnot. Put this all together, and we are the Rotarians. 

Whenever you find this symbol of Rotary anywhere in the world, or in the form of a pin on the lapel of a person, go ahead, and share your problem.  And they will find a solution. 

Talking about what we do?   

To mention just a few, 

- Rotarians worldwide identified polio as a curse on humanity in 80s, and took it upon themselves to rid this world of polio saving millions of children from this crippling disease.  From nearly 122 countries afflicted of this disease, 99.9 per cent of the world has been rid of polio with Rotary spending  more than $1.7 billion — including matching funds from the Gates Foundation — and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children.

- For last several years, over 50 medical missions comprising Indian doctors and Rotarians have worked beyond borders, in Africa and other countries, to help combat disease through the expert hands of Indian doctors. 

- A similar number of mega medical camps are held in the far-flung, tribal areas of our country bringing relief to their health issues. 

- We hold the distinction of having the largest number of Rotary managed blood banks in the country today to save precious lives and encouraging voluntary blood donation; 

- In Chandigarh alone, more than 800 lives of children suffering from congenital cardiac disease have been saved, including many underprivileged children from abroad. 

The six core areas of Rotary's work are: 

• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution.
• Disease prevention and treatment.
• Water and sanitation.
• Maternal and child health.
• Basic education and literacy.
• Economic and community development.

In Chandigarh, Rotary came in May 1958 and since then has worked for the people of the city making ways across the globe. through its major humanitarian initiatives.   This blog does chronicle some of its projects over the years. 

- Rtn CJ Singh