Rotary Club Chandigarh gifts Human Milk Van to AIMS Mohali

In yet another milestone towards strengthening maternal and newborn health, Rotary Club Chandigarh, handed over a dedicated Breastfeeding Promotion and Human Milk Collection Van to the "Ashneer" Human Milk Bank and Comprehensive Lactation Management Centre (CLMC) at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali on 29th June 2026.

District Governor (RID 3080) Rtn. Ravi Prakash and Past Rotary International President Raja  Saboo and Usha Saboo attended the event. 

The Rotary Club of Chandigarh's initiative had been made possible by active guidance and support of PDG Madhukar Malhotra, international funding facilitated by PP Hassan Mejie, Director, Special Projects, Rtn. Anil Chaddha, and Rtn. Dr. Bhavneet Bharti, former Director AIMS, Mohali. 

Earlier in 2024, Rotary Club Chandigarh had helped establish, 'Ashneer' Human Milk Bank in AIMS Mohali with the funding from Ruchira Papers Ltd. Yamunanagar. 

The Human Milk Bank is Punjab's first comprehensive CLMC for providing lifesaving pasteurized donor human milk to vulnerable newborns. 

The van shall facilitate collection of human milk from adjoining areas, villages, rural health centres, and wouild be promoting optimal breastfeeding practices, said President Abha Sharma Joshi. 

An MoU has also been signed between AIMS Mohali and Rotary Club Chandigarh to strengthen breastfeeding promotion, donor human milk collection, community outreach, research, and advocacy, she added.

The initiative has further received valuable international support through the efforts of Past District Governor Rtn. Madhukar Malhotra and Past President Rtn. Hassan Mejie, who mobilized assistance from Rotary International clubs in the United Kingdom and Italy. 

The primary international support partner is the Rotary Club of Canton, USA, where Rtn. Anu Narula initiated support from her club and her  Rotary District for this important maternal and child health initiative.

Since its establishment, the Human Milk Bank at AIMS Mohali has collected breast milk from over 1600 donor mothers and provided it to more than 350 premature and sick newborns receiving care at the hospital.

Rotary Club of Chandigarh marks 800th milestone surgery at Fortis Hospital

Seven year old Abhijot, the 800th patient from Fatehgarh Sahib gets lease of life under Rotary's Heartline Project

Chandigarh, 7 May 2026:  The Rotary Club of Chandigarh announced the successful completion of the 800th heart surgery under its flagship Rotary Heartline Project, in partnership with Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

The milestone surgery was performed on a 7-year-old boy Abhijot of Behlan Khanpur of Fatehgarh Sahib district, after successful heart surgery by Dr Rajat Gupta of Fortis Hospital on 26th March.

Son of a daily wager, Abhijot suffered from hole in the heart and was referred by Rotary Club of Kharar to the Heartline team of Rotary Club of Chandigarh.

Abha Joshi Sharma, President of the Club informed that Rotary Club of Chandigarh has not only saved the lives of the children from India, and as many as 800 children have received a new lease of life under the expert hands of Indian doctors, including from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, African continent, Nepal, Mangolia, and many other countries.

We are extremely thankful to Ashish Bhatia, Executive Vice President, Fortis Healthcare, Dr. T.S. Mahant, Director CTVS, and Dr. Abhijeet Singh, SBU Head, Fortis Hospital Mohali for the wonderful support for Project Heartline.

Dr. T.S. Mahant, Director Cardiac Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali, added, “Partnering with Rotary Club of Chandigarh for Heartline has been one of our most fulfilling programs. The clinical team is proud to combine surgical excellence with Rotary’s spirit of compassion. Together, we are not just mending hearts, we are healing families.”

The credit for conceiving the project goes to former world President Rotary International, Rajendra K Saboo and his wife Usha Saboo.

Eight-hundred might be a milestone, said Usha Saboo, but for us it is the celebration of life, and occasion to express our gratitude to the team of doctors and nurses who have made us the instrument to save the lives of 800 children who can now continue to lead a normal life and thrive.

Launched in 1999 as a Gift of Life project with the support of PGIMER, to benefit only about 40 children initially, but looking at the large number of economically-challenged children suffering from congenital cardiac diseases, the Club decided that "no child should die for want of money."

However, after completing 100 surgeries, the Club rechristened the programme as Rotary Heartline Project and in 2005-06, signed up with Fortis Hospital Mohali primarily to save the lives of infants who required cardiac intervention.

The Club felicitated the team of doctors and nursing staff from Fortis Hospital for their commitment to the project and saving little lives, and gave the gifts to the child.

The Rotary Heartline Project is funded through members contributions, philanthropists, and global grants from The Rotary Foundation.

Current Project Chair Rtn. Ms. Vijay Wadhawan who co-ordinates with parents, hospital, and the donors informed that each surgery costs approximately Rs.1.5–3.7 lakh, provided at no cost to the beneficiary family though at times some of the sponsoring clubs or local philanthropists also provide financial help, which goes into the kitty of the Heartline project so that the benefit to more and more such children can be extended.

Chartered on 10th May 1958, the Rotary Club is one of India’s most active clubs which established a Rs.4 crore blood bank, a Rotary Vocational Training Centre, a number of Balwaris in slums, a Human Milk Bank in Mohali, and the most photographed Rotary Peace monument on the Sukhna Lake, besides numerous literacy, environment protection and organ donation projects, said Rotary 3080 District Governor Ravi Prakash, who was present on the occasion.  

Mahatma Gandhi and Rotary

 

As we remember Mahatma Gandhi today on his birthday, we recall his association with Rotary too.   

Mahatma Gandhi had a direct connection to Rotary in India, having addressed the Rotary Club of Calcutta, the first Rotary club in the country, on August 18, 1925, to speak on the economic and spiritual value of the charkha (spinning wheel). Beyond this direct interaction, Gandhi's philosophy of "Service Above Self" resonates deeply with Rotary's core values, as seen in the shared emphasis on helping others, non-violence, and community empowerment. His teachings have inspired Rotarians and are reflected in their pursuit of service and positive change globally. 

Read the text of the full speech: 

He also wrote an article , "My 7 points for a new world order," which was published in the February 1942 issue of The Rotarian magazine. 

Read about PRIP Rajendra Saboo's encounters with him, and the lessons that he learnt from him, in his article that was published in Rotary magazine in May 2025 issue: