Chief guest, Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, enjoins Rotary clubs to partner the Chandigarh administration in making organ and body donation a mass movement
Shares that families of organ donors will be honoured by the administration at official Independence Day and Republic Day functions
Formally launches Rotary Club Chandigarh’s e-waste collection project ‘BeWise’
Rotary Club Chandigarh is among the most respected clubs in India with a rich legacy of community service spanning over nearly seven decades and having produced one of the handful of Indians to lead Rotary International as its worldwide president, in Rajendra (Raja) K. Saboo. Taking on the mantle of upholding this legacy, an architect by profession, Abha Joshi Sharma was formally installed as the sixth woman president of the club at a gala ceremony at the CII Northern Region headquarters, graced by Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria as the Chief Guest, late on Monday evening.
The governor also formally inaugurated ‘BeWise’, an e-waste collection project of the club under which it will open e-waste collections points across the city.
Abha, who retired as Senior Architect from the Government of Punjab after putting in 36 years of service, which included a four-year stint as senior architect on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration, was formally passed on the ceremonial Rotary collar by outgoing president Jatinder Kapur. She will hold the responsibility for the Rotary year 2025-26.
Along with being an architect, Abha, who joined Rotary in 2015, is a passionate poetess and deeply involved in conducting meditation sessions as a spiritual seeker herself. She is also associated with Indian Women Network (IWN) chapter of the prestigious industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Outlining her priorities, the newly installed president of Rotary Club Chandigarh said apart from various ongoing projects, the club will gift a community outreach van to the Human Milk Bank set up with its assistance at the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Mohali. This will be done under the second phase of project ‘Ashneer’.
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Apart from this, the setting up of the Health Education Centre in Sector 22 will be expedited, Miyawaki forests will be planted in barren areas in and around the city, and programmes initiated to address the mental health issues among people, especially youth, she added.
Hailing the unparalleled selfless community services provided by Rotary clubs, especially their role in polio eradication efforts worldwide, and highlighting the special contribution of past Rotary International president Rajendra K Saboo and his wife Usha, Governor Kataria enjoined the clubs to partner with the Chandigarh administration in making organ and body donation after death a mass movement just as they did in polio eradication and blood donation.
In this context, he informed the gathering that the Chandigarh administration would be honouring families of organ and body donors in official Independence Day and Republic Day functions and goaded Rotary clubs to also initiate steps which encourage cadaver organ donations on a larger scale.
Similarly, he suggested, movements should be launched to encourage youth to participate in sports and other productive activities so that their energies can be channelised, thus preventing them from falling prey to drug abuse.
Ravi Parkash, District Governor for 2025-26, Rotary District 3080, who was the guest of honour, while describing Rotary Club Chandigarh as an iconic club because of its seven decades of history and contributions and past RI worldwide president Rajendra K Saboo being an invaluable part of it, at the same time reminded that the club’s high status also brought with it higher expectations. He promised Rotary District 3080’s full support to the constituent club in all its endeavours.
Rotary Club Chandigarh’s Board of Directors for 2025-26
Vice President – Rajinder Kaur; Immediate Past President – Jatinder Kapur; President Elect 2026-27 – Teena Virk; , Secretary – Arun Agarwal; Treasurer – Baldev Garg; Joint Secretary – Aman Aggarwal; Director Club Service – Prem Mahindru, Director Vocational Service – Lalita Grover; Director Special Projects – Anil Chadda; Directors of Community Service – Dr Bhavneet Bharti and Rosy Katyal; Director International Service – Shuchita Luthra; Col. Alok Batra (retd); Director Youth Service – Shivya Sehgal; Sergeant-at-Arms – Nidhi Kapoor; Bulletin Editor – Sartaj Lamba.
Past Rotary International president Rajendra K Saboo, and past district governors Madhukar Malhotra and Praveen Chander Goyal are coopted members of the Board.
