PANCHKULA—The next big thrust of Rotary in India will be total literacy, said Rotary International Director Dr Manoj Desai, who was in the city to address nearly 500 rotarians who gathered at Hotel Tulip for a brain storming session to formulate “Vision 2020” for their district 3080.
Dr. Manoj Desai, who is a spine surgeon by profession, said that Rotary in India under its Literacy Mission has rolled out its multi-pronged plan to ensure literacy for all. Rotary is constructing 10,000 toilet blocks (approx 40,000 toilets) in the girls schools across the country after surveys by local Rotary clubs, and plans to bring at least 1 lakh dropouts back to schools.
In order to bring amount effective change aligned to the vision of Prime Minister of India, Rotary’s aim is to setup e-learning centres in schools, train the teachers with newer skills, establish libraries and happy schools, provide safe and clean drinking water to the students, and ensuring proper toilet facilities in schools, especially for girls.
Just as we have eradicated polio from India through concerted efforts and active participation of Rotary, international health agencies, and the government by observing national immunization days, Rotary plans to launch the LIDs, the Literacy Initiative Days, to eradicate illiteracy.
David Hilton, who is the Governor of Rotary District 3080 for 2015-16 supervising the functioning of nearly 80 Rotary clubs spanning Chandigarh, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand, said that the objective of the session was to help the Rotary clubs develop strategic plans to tackle pressing humanitarian challenges and respond to the needs of their respective communities.
District Governor for next year 2016-17 Rtn. Mir Arif Ali and his wife Mahru from Pakistan were the special guests on this occasion.
Other prominent speakers at the meet hosted by Rotary Club Panchkula included past Rotary International Director Yash Pal Das, Past District Governors Prem Bhalla, JPS Sibia, Dr Gulshan Thakral, Madhukar Malhotra, Raman Aneja, amongst many other facilitators, informed Mohinder Nandwani, the chairman of the intercity.