Rtn. Suhas Dhamale, President of the Nigdi Rotary Club, welcomed the gathering and highlighted how Didi Krishna Kumari has inspired countless individuals to grow and evolve.

DGN Rtn. Nitin Dhamale remarked that while Rotary engages in numerous humanitarian efforts, cultivating ambassadors of peace stands at the heart of its mission.

Peace Director Rtn. Ranu Singhania then introduced Didi Krishna, describing her as someone who exemplifies both a deep Emotional Quotient (EQ) and a profound Spiritual Quotient (SQ). She spoke of Didi’s ability to inspire peace not just through words, but through the compassion she embodies.

Then, Didi Krishna Kumari was felicitated and presented with the citation.

In her acceptance speech, Didi humbly stated that her Masters—Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani—were the ones more deserving. She described them as ‘true prophets of peace.’

Didi addressed a common misconception: “Many believe they cannot contribute to world peace as mere individuals. But what causes wars? Jealousy, selfishness. If these begin within us, so too must peace.”

Peace is a Birthright and a way of life, said Didi Krishna.

She shared six simple ways to cultivate peace: choose moderation, live in the present, be grateful, learn to forgive, love unconditionally, and begin each day with God, spending the first moments in silence.

The evening concluded with a guided meditation by Didi, where attendees experienced moments of transcendental stillness.

A 62-year-old woman, previously uninterested in meditation, said that Didi’s words had brightened her thoughts.

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PUNE: Noble Hospitals and Research Centre in association with the Rotary Club of Pune Synergy today inaugurated the Human Milk Bank to support premature babies and mothers who are unable to breastfeed. The Human Milk Bank was inaugurated at the hands of veteran well-known actress and producer Shweta Shinde, Rtn. Manjoo Phadke, District Governor, Rotary Dist.3131, Rtn. Shital Shah, District Governor Elect, Rtn. Sonam Thakur, President, of Rotary Club of Pune Synergy along with Dr.Dilip Mane, Chairman and Managing Director of Noble Hospitals and Research Centre, Dr.HK Sale, Executive Director, Dr. Divij Mane, Director, Dr. P D Pote, Director, Department Of Pediatrics,  Dr. Abhay Mahindre, Director Neonatology, Dr. Mangesh Lingayat, Director, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Dr. Pradeep Suryawanshi, Neonatologist, Dr. Anil Khamkar, Neonatologist, and others were present on the occasion. 

Rtn. Dr. Archana Shingavi and Rtn. Neeraj Panchal has made significant efforts to establish a human milk bank at Noble Hospitals and Research Centre.

Breast Milk is of extreme importance to babies as it provides nutritional requirements, helps in neurodevelopment, protects against common childhood diseases, and can help babies from possible adult diseases in the future like diabetes, etc. According to WHO, the first 2 years of a child’s life are particularly important, as optimal nutrition during this period lowers morbidity and mortality, reduces the risk of chronic disease, and fosters better development overall.

Well-known actress and producer Shweta Shinde congratulated Noble Hospital and Rotary Club of Pune Synergy for this initiative and said that this will be extremely useful for pre-term babies and their overall well-being. 

Dr. Abhay Mahindre, Director of Neonatology at Noble Hospitals and Research Centre said that the Human Milk Bank will be a boon, especially for pre-mature or babies requiring neonatal care. Human milk has a significant impact on the well-being of infants, especially premature babies.  The State-of-the-art Human Milk Bank will be catering to the needs of Eastern Pune and will collect, screen, store, and distribute human milk for babies in need with thorough quality and safety checks. The milk received from donor mothers is tested at the milk bank for infections, then pasteurized and sent to a deep freezer. The Human Milk is strongly supported by expert lactation consultant Dr. Sangeeta Kharate.

Dr Mahindre added that Breast Milk is of crucial importance for any child. Formula feed is not an option. Apart from premature babies, the human milk bank will also be of crucial importance in cases where the mother is unable to breastfeed properly or in babies with issues like cleft palate, cleft lips, etc. If a mother is unable to breastfeed, we try to find out the reasons and address them with breastfeeding, expression techniques, or medications. If sufficient milk is still not produced, then human milk has to be given to the babies.

Dr.Dilip Mane, Chairman and Managing Director of Noble Hospitals and Research Centre said the state-of-the-art Human Milk Bank is a part of our continuous process of expansion of our services aimed at the overall well-being of patients and people at large. He added that this is the seventh human milk bank in Pune and the first in eastern Pune. 

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NEW DELHI: With limited irrigation facilities in India, many farmers are dependent on rainfall, leaving them vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms affect soil fertility, crop yields, and livestock production – all of which have led to reduced productivity and income for farmers.

To improve water resource management and farming practices in India, a Rotary club-led initiative is making significant strides to help farmers improve their harvests, increase yields, and raise their incomes to help them enhance conditions for their families and create more resilient communities.

Rotary members, experts, and technical advisors will collaborate with local and national governments to strengthen farmers’ capacity at the community level in four states – Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.  

The program aims to:

•  increase groundwater tables by 10-15 percent each year,
• extend the area of cultivation by 20-30 percent by increasing the availability of water,
• improve the incomes of approximately 60,000 farmers by an estimated 25-30 percent,
• introduce drip irrigation to reduce soil erosion on 4,113 hectares (more than 10,000 acres) of land by planting native species and fruit trees.

“In a country where only 50 percent of the arable land is irrigated, I have seen the plight of farmers who pray fervently to the rain gods so that they may have enough bountiful harvest and enough income to survive till the next crop. I have seen the distress in families of marginalized farmers in years of failed monsoons. Making more water available is the panacea for the more than half of the population that subsists on agriculture”, said Sudhanshu Pachisia, Club President of the program sponsor Rotary Club of Delhi Premier.

Throughout India, Rotary clubs have supported the construction of rainwater harvesting structures and improved irrigation, which allow farmers to harvest crops more than once per year and increase yields.

‘Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India’ is Rotary’s fourth Programs of Scale recipient – an annual competitive grant process that awards US$2 million to an evidence-based program that aligns with one of Rotary’s causes and has the capability for scaling up to help more people. The programs are sponsored by Rotary members in collaboration with local communities and partner organizations.

“Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier and their partners for taking action on their vision to empower rural communities in India to improve their crops and increase their yields through water security and climate-resilient practices,” said Rotary International President Gordon McInally. “With these life-saving and sustainable innovations, farmers can now begin to plant the seeds for a healthier and more hopeful future.”

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies, and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.

Bharat Pandya, Trustee, of The Rotary Foundation said, “As People of Action focused on increasing impact, Rotary members invest in relationships, make decisions grounded in evidence, and mobilize their networks to create solutions that last. Programs of Scale is an effort to implement sustainable projects that empower our communities and create measurable impact. I’m very proud that this year’s Program of Scale has been awarded to the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier in India for addressing the issue of water scarcity and its impact on agriculture and the livelihoods of farmers.  The grant will help the club in bringing a change, advancing environmental sustainability, and ensuring a brighter future for rural communities in India.”

Mayank Gandhi, Managing Trustee at Global Vikas Trust said, “I congratulate the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier for getting this prestigious grant to help the farmers of India. We know that it is the poorest of the poor that bear the greatest brunt of the climate crisis, and we at Global Vikas Trust believe that the only way to transform their lives is by sustainable agriculture at scale. We have been planting trees and working on water conservation for several years now, and through this association with Rotary, we hope to help thousands of farmers in one of the worst-hit areas of India, which is drought-prone, poverty-ridden and reports some of the highest numbers of farmer suicides. We look forward to working together on this collaboration and hope that we can impact the lives of farmers significantly in the long term.”  

Sharad Jaipuria, Chairman of PHD Rural Development Foundation said, “PHD Rural Development Foundation in partnership with Rotary looks forward to empowering farming communities in remote rain-fed rural India. The partnership will focus on climate-resilient agricultural practices to improve the socio-economic conditions of 30,000 farmers, with 45 percent being women, by diversifying to high-value crops like fruit plantations and multilayer vegetable farming, along with groundwater recharge by generating a water potential of more than 10.45 million Cubic feet through sustainable natural resource management. The project will be executed in an integrated community participatory approach in collaboration with the Government; with the community being one of the key stakeholders.”

Prasanna Khemariya, CEO, of Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN) said, We are pleased to announce SRIJAN’s partnership with the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier to empower women farmers and foster sustainable livelihoods in Jhansi and Niwari districts. Through our combined efforts in water conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and livelihood initiatives, we aim to benefit 1500 women farmers and facilitate the plantation of 7000 trees. This project will create eight crore liters of water potential, transforming 700 acres of agricultural land. Together, we are committed to driving positive change and creating a resilient, prosperous future for rural communities.”

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GURUGRAM: The Rotary Club of Delhi South (RCDS), together with The Earth Saviours Foundation (TESF), inaugurated a new old age home in Mandawar village, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to provide shelter and care for the elderly in the community.

India is witnessing a significant demographic shift with a rapidly increasing elderly population. According to recent reports, the number of senior citizens aged 60 and above has been steadily rising. As of 2023, it is estimated that over 140 million of India’s population comprises senior citizens. This proportion is projected to continue growing in the coming years, making it crucial to address the challenges faced by this demographic. Factors such as familial neglect, low education levels, socio-cultural beliefs and stigma, low trust in institutionalized healthcare services, and affordability hamper access to care for the elderly.

TESF, founded by the late Karma Yogi Shri Ravi Kalra and now ably managed by his son Shri Jas Kalra, has a long-standing commitment to caring for the elderly. The Vridha Ashram in the Mandawar village alone houses over 400 elders who have been abandoned by their families.  TESF provides them with care, including healthy meals, medical attention, and a sense of belonging.

The new block, constructed with assistance from Rotary members comprises two floors and a total area of 3,000 square feet, offering comfortable living space for 48-50 elders. Equipped with essential amenities like toilets, shower rooms, lighting, fans, air coolers, and beds, the facility aims to provide a dignified living environment for the elders.

Speaking at the occasion, the chief guest Rtn. Ajeet Jalan, District Governor 2026-27 of District 3011, India said, “We are proud of the Rotary Club of Delhi South which is celebrating its 55th anniversary. They are at the forefront of community services be it Leprosy. Polio, nari shakti, or providing shelter for elders. With the successful completion of this project, we yet again create hope in the world with the magic of Rotary.”

Expressing his thoughts, Rotarian Pramod Agarwal, President 2023-24 of RCDS said “In a country like India, which is known for its respect for the elderly population, it is an unfortunate reality that they’re leading isolated and neglected lives. Rotary Club of Delhi South has joined hands with TESF to collectively work towards bettering the life of homeless and vulnerable elderly population by providing them with the necessary care and support to lead a dignified life.”

Shri Jas Kalra from TESF said, “This project is slated to become the world’s largest center dedicated to providing shelter and support for over 5,000 elderly, homeless, and destitute individuals in need. I am grateful to the Rotary Club members for their unwavering support in building a shelter at Mandawar Sewa Dham. Their generosity is a beacon of hope as we strive to uplift the lives of the less fortunate. With their kindness guiding us, we can rise above the challenges of today and pave the way for a brighter future for all.”

With one club in 1920, Rotary India has evolved into a vibrant community of over 2 lakh members spread across 4500+ Rotary clubs and 2900 Rotaract clubs. Through the commitment to service above self, Rotary members have exemplified what it means to be global citizens, bridging gaps and uniting people from different cultures and backgrounds for the greater good. Their unwavering dedication to sustainable projects reflects a shared responsibility to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

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The Health ATM is a touch-screen kiosk designed by Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL) to manage health-related information. It operates as a cloud-based clinic that offers automated health screening and immediate diagnostic reports, allowing individuals to access their health records online.

This project aims to provide community-level screening for anemia, diabetes, and hypertension, as well as telemedicine services to rural residents. Currently Rotary has funded the program for about 30,000 people to get checked for two parameters sugar and haemoglobin. A common person has to stand on the application enter his or her mobile number and do the tests. A technician will be available currently to assist the people. The program will be extended to the Community Health Research Unit in Manchar in about a month. This project will be useful in rural areas where accessibility to diagnostics and healthcare professionals is still a challenge.

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