Top Ranking Students from Tribal Villages honoured by Rotary

Top Ranking Students from Tribal Villages honoured by Rotary

Rotary Club of Bombay West awarded Merit Certificates and Cash Awards to about 150 top ranking students of  50 schools and colleges from tribal villages of Talasari and Dahanu in Palghar.  SUPA FARM ROTARY EXCELLENCE AWARDS ceremony was held at Com.Godavari Shamrao Parulekar College of Arts, Commerce & Science, Talasari where Shri Kalyan Banerjee, Past Rotary International President was the Chief Guest.

The Cash Awards of Rs.5000, Rs.3000 and Rs.2000 each to the top 3 rankers at board / university level examinations has been instituted by the Club from the donation of Rs.50 lacs received from Dr.Mohanbhai Patel, reputed industrialist, Ex-Sheriff of Mumbai and Past President of the Club. Addressing the gathering, Dr.Mohanbhai Patel talked what “Excellence” meant to him.  The phenomenal work done by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to unite India post-freedom from the Britishers was epitome of “Excellence” and so was the communication skills of Mahatma Gandhi who could effectively communicate with 40 crore Indians without the availability of present day technology-based tools.  Today, every child in India has equal opportunity to excel. The intention of the Supa Farm Rotary Excellence Awards was to recognize the potential amongst the tribal children and encourage them to have high ambitions in life.  By bringing Rotary to the doorstep of these villages, his objective was to encourage interactions of rural students with urban professionals and contribute towards their  development.

Speaking to the students, Shri Kalyan Banerjee, who is only the 3^rd Indian President  in 110 years’ history of Rotary International, said that people from Talasari have majorly contributed to the success of the industries in Vapi belt, including his own manufacturing unit set up since 1972.  He praised the intelligence levels of the local people and was sure that with the encouragement and support of philanthropists like Dr.Mohanbhai Patel, the students from these villages can realize  their dreams.

Earlier, Shri Shirish Rege, President of the Rotary Club of Bombay West welcomed the students, parents, teachers and the principals of the institutions to the awards function.  In his advise to the students, he urged students to follow the 11 vows  recommended by Gandhiji way back in 1915 which were relevant even today and would lead them to the path of success in their lives.

- Report by President Elect Rtn.Aslam S. Merchant