PRESIDENT Rtn. Dr. N.V. Arulmozhi Varman HONORARY SECRETARY Rtn. Dr. R. Chandrasekhar IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rtn. A.S. Venkhat Ramani PRESIDENT ELECT Rtn. P N Mohan PRESIDENT NOMINEE Rtn. Ranjit Pratap Asst. SECRETARY / BULLETIN EDITOR Rtn. Mohan Raman DIRECTOR CLUB ADMINISTRATION Rtn. R. Rajenderan DIRECTOR YOUTH SERVICE Rtn. M Sesha Sai DIRECTOR PUBLIC IMAGE AND FUND RAISING Rtn. Harish K. Murthi DIRECTOR ROTARY FOUNDATION & INTERNATIONAL SERVICES Rtn. M. Balasubramaniam DIRECTOR SERVICE PROJECT 1 Rtn. R. Ravishankar DIRECTOR SERVICE PROJECT 2 Rtn. K.M. Vinod Kumar DIRECTOR VOCATIONAL SERVICE Rtn. S. Ravi TREASURER (CLUB FUNDS) Rtn. Hemant Chordia TREASURER (CHARITABLE TRUST) Rtn. Nimish C. Tolia TREASURER (SPECIAL PROJECTS) Rtn. Kishor Dandeker The Lighthouse Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras March 7, 2017 • 6 Pages 2016-2017 • Edition No.36 At President Rtn Dr Arumozhi Varmans home on 6/3/17 morning DG Nagoji & First Lady Ann Nandini, AG Dr Srinivasan & District Secy R Tamiselvam were also present during the morning session & breakfast invited by President Dr Arul. Rtns IPP.A S Venkhat Ramani, Ranjit Pratap & Ann Uma, Secy Dr R Chandrasekhar, Nimish C Tolia, R Rajenderan, Hemant Chordia, Harish K Murthi, S Ravi, AVM Balu, M Srinivasan, Pratap Kumar, M Sesha Sai, R Ravishankar, M Srinivasan joined the morning breakfast & discussions at President Dr Arul’s residence on 6th March 17. All enjoyed the reception & hospitality of First lady Uma & Pres Dr Arul. After the sumptuous breakfast,the team proceeded to visit our sembakkam/selaiyur projects. CLUB ASSEMBLY – 6/03/17, Tuesday at Abbotsbury, Hyatt Hotel Verification & Certification of Club Records @ 5.30 pm. District Governor’s Questionnaire, Club records/documents was verified by District Secretary Rtn R.Tamilselvam after discussing matters related to administration. District Secy inspected & certified them along with AG Dr P Srinivasan/DG Rtn Natarajan Nagoji. District team was very much impressed and appreciated the maintainence of the club records & the DG Questionnaire very neatly filled and presented. A copy of all clubs documents pertaining to the DG Questionnaire & Check-list were given to District Secy by Secy Dr R Chandrasekhar. The 2nd club Assembly was called to order by the President President Dr Arul @ 7 pm. Sgt-at-arms Rtn.M Srinivasan collared Pres Rtn Dr Arul. Directors and Chairmen of the various avenues, as well as, PDGs/Past Presidents were present for the meeting. DG. Nagoji with his team - Dist. Secy Rtn. R Tamilselvan & AG. Dr Srinivasan were present CLUB ASSEMBLY
DIRECToR PUBLIC IMAGE AND FUND RAISING Rtn. Harish K. Murthi
DIRECToR RoTARy FoUNDATIoN & INTERNATIoNAL SERVICES Rtn. M. Balasubramaniam
DIRECToR SERVICE PRoJECT 1 Rtn. R. Ravishankar
DIRECToR SERVICE PRoJECT 2 Rtn. K.M. Vinod Kumar
DIRECToR VoCATIoNAL SERVICE Rtn. S. Ravi
TREASURER (CLUB FUNDS) Rtn. Hemant Chordia
TREASURER (CHARITABLE TRUST) Rtn. Nimish C. Tolia
TREASURER (SPECIAL PRoJECTS) Rtn. Kishor Dandeker
The LighthouseBulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras
March 7, 2017 • 6 Pages
2016-2017 • Edition No.36
At President Rtn Dr Arumozhi Varmans home on 6/3/17 morning
DG Nagoji & First Lady Ann Nandini, AG Dr Srinivasan & District Secy R Tamiselvam were also present during the morning session & breakfast invited by President Dr Arul. Rtns IPP.A S Venkhat Ramani, Ranjit Pratap & Ann Uma, Secy Dr R Chandrasekhar, Nimish C Tolia, R Rajenderan, Hemant Chordia, Harish K Murthi, S Ravi, AVM Balu, M Srinivasan, Pratap Kumar, M Sesha Sai, R Ravishankar, M Srinivasan joined the morning breakfast & discussions at President Dr Arul’s residence on 6th March 17. All enjoyed the reception & hospitality of First lady Uma & Pres Dr Arul. After the sumptuous breakfast,the team
proceeded to visit our sembakkam/selaiyur projects.
CLUB ASSEMBLY – 6/03/17, Tuesday at Abbotsbury, Hyatt Hotel
Verification & Certification of Club Records @ 5.30 pm.
District Governor’s Questionnaire, Club records/documents was verified by District Secretary Rtn R.Tamilselvam after discussing matters related to administration. District Secy inspected & certified them along with AG Dr P Srinivasan/DG Rtn Natarajan Nagoji. District team was very much impressed and appreciated the maintainence of the club records & the DG Questionnaire very neatly filled and presented. A copy of all clubs documents pertaining to the DG Questionnaire & Check-list were given to District Secy by Secy Dr R Chandrasekhar.
The 2nd club Assembly was called to order by the President President Dr Arul @ 7 pm.
Sgt-at-arms Rtn.M Srinivasan collared Pres Rtn Dr Arul.
Directors and Chairmen of the various avenues, as well as, PDGs/Past Presidents were present for the meeting.
DG. Nagoji with his team - Dist. Secy Rtn. R Tamilselvan & AG. Dr Srinivasan were present
Club Assembly
The Lighthouse - Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras • March 7, 20172
for the meeting on the dais along with our President Dr Arul & Secretary Dr R Chandrasekhar.
The President welcomed the gathering and gave an overview of the activities in general and said that his flagship projects GoGreen& Pollution free Envirnoment by providing kitchen kits has taken-off extremely well.He added that sanitation being an unique project was successful by
changing the attitudes of the end-users.The respective Directors/Chairmen
under each avenue of service, gave a brief account of the activities done in their avenues during the past 8 months (July’16-Feb’17) with a help of a PPT.
After Directors report and, Chairmen’s presentation, the DG came out with his remarks. DG said that he was very much impressed and pleased right from the morning session and the amazing work done in our ongoing projects at Sembakkam/Selaiyur/Gummidipoondi/Rotary Nagar. DG had a very interesting interaction with all the beneficiaries in these places and encouraged them. DG appreciated RCM for the magnitude and variety of activities done every year and wished to continue these projects.
DG was very much happy to know the Semabkkam ladies interest to get trained in Tailoring & Computer and qualified to be on their own. Bringing in NGOs is a great move by RCM to run the projects. Special praise for maintaining the club records to Secy Dr R Chandrasekhar ably assisted by Sridhar of Club Secretariat.
DG Nagoji was very proud to say that RCM could make ODF in the villages which is an unique aspect doing for the community. Suggested RCM to start RCC in Gummidipoondi boys town.
Secy Rtn Dr R Chandrasekhar thanked the DG and his team for spending the whole day visiting our projects and DG sharing his advice/suggestions to the floor.
Secy invited all for Fellowship & Dinner.
The day our Governor came callingminutes7th MARCH 2017
The evening was very well devised by the MC’s Rtn Asha Mathen & Rtn Dr Sharon Krishna Rau
and welcomed all to the 35th Weekly Meeting of RCM.
This evening is indeed a momentous occasion capping an eventful year with the most relevant Club theme ‘Save Earth Now’.
The dignitaries on the dias : President Rtn Dr NV Arulmozhi Varman, District Governor Rtn Natarajan Nagoji, District
Secretary Rtn. R. Tamilselvam, Assitant Governor Rtn Dr. P. Srinivasan and Secretary Rtn Dr R Chandrasekhar.
Sgt-at-arms Rtn M Srinivasan collared President Rtn Dr Arulmozhi Varman and Dist Secy Rtn Tamilselvan collared DG Rtn Natarajan Nagoji.
President called the 35th Meeting of RCM to order.
The minutes of the Feb 28th meeting was duly confirmed.
The MC’s were ably assisted by Rtn PP NK Gopinath, recognized the District officials, Ever Serving Presidents, Secretaries, First Lady Ann. Nandini, First Lady Ann. Uma, visiting Rotarians, spouses, guests.
The traditional toast ceremony was completed by the dignitaries.
PDG’s graced the occasion: PDG S Krishnaswami, PDG R Ramakrishnan, PDG Krishnan V Chari, PDG Benjamin R
Cherian, PDG JB Kamdar, PDG AP Kanna and DGE R Srinivasan, DGN Babu Peram.
Secretary Rtn Dr R Chandrasekhar recapitulated the activities of RCM with an aid of a AV. Secy said that his report is actually a tribute paid to all the Directors/Chairmen in the six avenues of service. This presentation showcases the dedication/enthusiasm with which they have executed all the plans envisaged at the beginning of the rotary year, thus ensuring that the RCM Flag keeps flying high year after year.
The secretarys report card of the club activities has proved once again that RCM has created ripples & reverberations with a host of such innovative projects, interesting speakers, heart warming fellowships/firesides – all marked by flawless execution.
Major Donor Rtn Harbinder Singh Rattha was recognized and the pins/medallion were presented by DG Nagoji & President. On behalf of Rtn PS Jagdish,
The Lighthouse - Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras • March 7, 20173Rtn S Ravi collected the Major Donor pins/medallion.
RCM Pres Rtn Dr Arulmozhi Varman & PP Rtn Vivek Harinarain, CEO, Tennex (A Skill development NGO) signed a MOU in the presence of DG Nagoji amidst applause.
NGO / other organization were outsourced by RCM, who are better equipped to run skilling courses at a higher level to give better outcome to our students in both education/employment in our projects.RCM has already ropped in Unnati for the soft skills at our Selaiyur project.
Rtn PP Vivek said that today is the start of which could be a trailblazer by Rotary becoming one of the most leading skill training and employable providers in India. The target for this one scheme alone is a budget of 12,000 crores to
train 1 crore people and the overall skill training for 200 million people in 10 to 15 years may be around 4 lac crore.He requested DG Nagoji and other future leaders to take it forward.
Ms Jill Allen from Junipero Serra California, USA thanked RCM for the generous donation of $1000 which was used for building a toilet cum shower facility for the homeless people in the
region of Salinas, California.President appreciated and
acknowledged PDG JB Kamdar for receiving the meritorious Award from RI for his outstanding service to the TRF (only very few have been recognized by RI). PDG JB Kamdars Literacy Summit stands the best conducted program of its kind.
President presented a special memento to DG for his presence for Water & Sanitation Project at Periyapuliyur on 3rd March’17 when PRIP K R Ravi Ravindran inaugurated the same.
President gave his contribution of $ 2600 to DG for TRF amidst applause.
President announced that RCM will present the For the Sake of Honour to Shri K Parasaran, Former Attorney General on 4th April and 22nd April will have very special famous personality addressing our club.
Secretary Rtn Dr R Chandrasekhar thanked all for making this evening a memorable one and requested ladies to take a rose kept at the reception to mark the Womens day.
Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the Success…..thank all those behind the success of the years activities.
The program ended by playing the National Anthem.
The Lighthouse - Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras • March 7, 20174
President Dr Arul summarized the activities carried this year – to be
proud of.• The theme GoGreen – Save Earth Now
is a small might to get rid of pollution which can be done from our homes. GoGreen is aimed at our Rotarians by putting a kitchen garden on the terrace/balcony and this was done as the first phase.
• The second phase kits for composting the kitchen garbage waste to recycle which will reduce a fair amount of pollution.
• The next will be segregation of plastics at homes, where a contact number will be given and by paying a small amount they will collect the plastics. This will be introduced in also our Interact schools
• RCM believe in continuity. Presidents/Board may change every year but our continuity in carrying out the projects is maintained. RCM has reached a milestone in sanitation. Last year a little over 200 toilets were built
and this year we have built 176 in the same periyapulliyur and 205 in Paiyanur village in the process. So for one Rotary Club to extend the ODF status to two panchayats is a record on a All India level.
• To bring behavioral change in the villagers to use toilets, Nalandana, an NGO goes into the society, meets people, conducts streetwalks, home visits, street plays for better understanding of the usage of toilets
• The same empathy & effectiveness is being brought into our skilling developments in our projects by exams / certificates and then employment
in line with Govt standards. For this purpose RCM has tied up with Unnati/Tennex
• PHC Gummidipoondi medical centre was inaugurated this year, monitored by Equitas
• 175 students and 12 qualified teachers are in our Rotary Nagar vocational centre currently. Women trained in tailoring were offered jobs in a factory which will send buses to pickup and drop daily and also microfinance facility to be on their own. Scholarships and jobs/ were provided for the deserving
• Two large wells in RCMBT Gummidipoondi will cater water for 8 villages
• Record collections in the fund raisers – dandiya & golf
• A water treatment plant will be installed in Gummidipoondi
• A proposed school at Perambakkam at the cost of 4 to 6 crores
• Thank all the Directors/Chairmen for making the above possible.
AG Dr Srinivasan introduced DG Rtn Nagoji by reading out his profile and
his accomplishments this year in Dist 3230• After paying tribute to our stalwarts
PP’s & PDG’s for their exemplary service, DG Natarajan Nagoji was in full praise for Pres Dr Arul for his very fruitful year done with passion & dedication. DG applauded Dr Aruls 563 free eye surgeries and conducting many medical camps.
• DG commended the good work done in all our ongoing projects be it Rotary Nagar, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Boys Town Gummidipoondi and the 400 toliets built at two panchayats making them ODF.
• Dr Aruls Go Green project providing kitchen garden kit to members is
a great initiative to grow organic vegetables at home and the plastic/garbage recycling plan shows how passionate in taking it forward and making the environment pollution free
• Rotary is about serving the humanity continuously and quoted that ‘Leaders may change but Leadership does not change in Rotary ‘which is always the motive of Rotary. DG admired Pres Dr Arul’s objective that Projects must impact the humanity and the community.• DG pointed out that
Selaiyur has got huge space but RCM has to work on bringing students for the Vocational training, emphazing the value on a long term basis which will make them specialized and get a decent job with reasonable salary.
• DG appreciated Rtns. S Ravi, Dr Anuradha Ganesan, R Ravishankar, Shesha Sai, AVM Balu and others for their commitment.
• DG suggested President to start a RCC with the help of students at Boys Town
• DG requested members to contribute $100 each to mark the centennial year for the TRF.
• DG narrated thought-provoking moral stories and ended by saying ‘The Good that you do comes back to you’, kudos to RCM for keeping the image of Rotary high.
• Enjoy Rotary... Serve Humanity.
seamless continuity
The Good that you do comes back to you
The Lighthouse - Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras • March 7, 20175DG Rtn. Natarajan Nagoji’s Visit to RCm Projects
ROTARy NAGAR
selAIyuR
sembAKKAm -WOmeN’s emPOWeRmeNT
EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY: Rtn. Asst. Secretary, Rotary Club of Madras, ‘Rayala Towers’, 2nd Mezzanine Floor, 158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 2, Ph: 28591020.Contact the editor at: [email protected]. Design: www.studiodescience.com
Visit: www.rotarymadras.in Contact club secretariat at: [email protected]
The Lighthouse - Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Madras • March 7, 20176
Birthday16th March – Rtn PP Ravi Katari17th March – Rtn Jawahar Vadivelu17th March – Rtn GSK Masud19th March – Rtn TV Sai Srujan20th March – Rtn Raghunath Narayanan17th March – Ann.Jyothsna (Rtn Srinivas Garapati)19th March – Ann.Aarthi (Rtn Shravan Shankar)
Rtn. Sandhya Sridhar, Rtn. R. Ravishankar, Rtn. Hiren B. Shah, P.S. Sridharan
As part of the annual official visit of the Rotary Dist 3230 Governor to Rotary Club of Madras, DG.
Natarajan Nagoji visited our Sembakkam and Selaiyur in the forenoon of Mondqy 6 th March.
The Governor accompanied by Asst Gov Dr Srinivasan and escorted by our Pres Arul & Sec Chandru reached on the dot at 9.30 am at Sembakkam. This team of dignitaries was received by CS 2 Director Vinod joined by Chair Person Jayashree. Our RCM office team of Sridhar and Venkatesh were part of the
group.The Gov inspected the Digital Literacy
centre and the Tailoring centre run by us as part if our Women’s Empowerment Initiative. It was impressed on the Governor that this was one of our most succesful projects with about 250 women passing out every year for the last four years.Some of the students have got prime employment in govt. and elsewhere and many opt for self employment.
It was a phenomenal interaction with the current batches of both the digital literacy and tailoring courses. The women highlighted to the governor the tremendous increase in their own self esteem and the respect of their families.There were more than mnwy examples of women payng utility bills digitally,one
being affectionately nicknamed “ techie grandma” by her grand daughter in USA, and the high level of detail in the dresses many of them made.The interaction was remarkably well anchored by Jayshree who did not for a moment suggest what the students should say. It was spontaneous and a good reward by itself to the team lead by Jayshree.
After about 45 minutes the entire team moved to Selaiyur where the Governor and others were received in the traditional way with shawl and bouquet and Chairman K N Raja being on th spot
to welcome the team. The facilities of the campus was shown and interaction arranged with current batch of Unnati course students and our direct trainees. The Governor was highly appreciative of our plans and efforts to utilise fully and effectively the infrastructure and facilities at this campus by colloborating and inviting specialist skilling agencies
to partner us. The MOUs signed were highlighted tothe Gov and also the fact that all the programmes will PMKY aporoved courses with agencis using the govt scheme funds. We explained to him that we are upgrading the facility as a 4 star rated skill development.
The visit came to an end with discussions and sharing of thoughts by he Gov and others over Coffee at Selayur.
Our team appreciates greatly the over four hours of time the Gov gave to this visit.
- Rtn. Vinod Kumar Director - Community Services
Report on DG visit to sembakkam and selaiyur Centres on 6.3.2017
