The third in line of Rotary International presidents from India, Kalyan Banerjee (2011-12) has emphasised on the need for Rotarians to adapt to the rapidly changing global environment, especially in tackling increasing issues of mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic and challenges likely to be posed to the society with the rapid pace of development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking as chief guest at the installation ceremony of the new team at Rotary Club of Chandigarh for the year 2023-24, where the collar of presidentship was passed on from Vinod Kapoor to Anil Chadda, Kalyan Banerjee said this is important while designing and executing various programmes and activities for their greater relevance and impact.
Rtn Anil Chadda (centre) being congratulated on his installation as President of Rotary Club of Chandigarh for 2023-24 by District Governor for RI District 3080 Arun Mongia (left) in Chandigarh on Monday. Applauded by RI Past President Kalyan Banerjee, the chief guest for the occasion.
Photos By: Rotary Club of Chandigarh & Life In Chandigarh
Incumbent Rotary International President Gordon R McInally has spelled out that this year the club’s focus will on three presidential initiatives that Create Hope in the World: Prioritising mental health, building peace through virtual exchanges and empowering girls.
The chief guest also joined other Rotary members on the dais, including Rotary International past president RK Saboo and Rotary International District 3080 Governor Arun Mongia in releasing Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s coffee table book listing out various projects undertaken by the club in the city and elsewhere during its 65 years of existence.
Board of Directors for 2023-24
Earlier presenting his report for the year 2022-23, Rtn Vinod Kapoor listed out various initiatives and activities undertaken by Rotary Club of Chandigarh, including vocational training courses and scholarships for the underprivileged, blood donation camps, heart surgeries, gifting of prosthetics, nutrition for TB and other patients, etc. He also highlighted that the club collected 97,000 US $ as members’ contributions for the Rotary Foundation, the highest ever in a year.
Coffee Table Book being released
Later outlining his vision and some of the projects to be undertaken during 2023-24, Rtn Anil Chadda said besides continuing with various ongoing projects, an MoU had already been signed last week with Dr BR Ambedkar Sate Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali for creation of a first of its kind facility in Punjab of a Human Milk Bank for premature babies.
The club will also be initiating a programme for the development of thinking skills among students in both private and government schools, besides launching a ‘Rishtey’ project to take care of senior citizens, he added.
RI past president RK Saboo recalled how Rotary Club of Chandigarh began its journey by donating a mortuary van in 1961, and how the club had given to the city two Chief Justices of India and six Supreme Court judges.
Describing Rotary Club of Chandigarh as an iconic club of RI District 3080, its District Governor Rtn Arun Mongia mentioned that the club had won for two years consecutively the award of best club in the district.
Listing out various achievements of RI District 3080 and ambitious future plans, he said this year targets for scholarships to needy students, blood donations, eye check-ups for students, etc had been enhanced. He sought the support of all Rotary clubs in the district to achieve these targets.
Sharing that 200 more members had been enlisted in various Rotary clubs in the district, he said a target has been set to achieve member strength of 5,000 in the district. This year the endeavour is to collect US $ 1 million as members’ contribution towards the Rotary Foundation, out of which US $ 300,000 has already been committed, he added.
Led by Anil Chadda, the Rotary Club Chandigarh’s board of directors for 2023-24 are Vice President Praveen Aggarwal, President-elect Jatinder Kapur, Secretary Col. Alok Batra, Treasurer Pawan Kumar Pahwa, Joint Secretary Dr. Aman Bhatia, Director Club Service Baldev Garg, Director Vocational Service Sartaj Lamba, Director Community Service Teena Avninder Virk, Director International Service Aman Agarwal, Director Special Projects Abha Joshi Sharma, Sergeant-at-Arms Shuchita Luthra and Editor past President AP Singh.
Assisting the Board will be RI past president Rajendra K Saboo, past district governors Madhukar Malhotra and Praveen Chander Goyal and immediate past president Vinod Kapoor.
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