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.