Rotaractors from Mithibai win “Yes, I am the Change” Awards

Rtr.Rajvi Mehta and Rtr.Tejas Mistry won two of the three Awards under the “Yes, I am the Change”  program of Yes Foundation for their short films on social change.  Along with a beautiful trophy, the winners were handed a cheque of Rs.100,000/- each at the Award Ceremony held before the Rotaract District Conference on Sunday, 24^th January, 2016 at K.C.College Auditorium, Mumbai.

YES! i am the CHANGE (YIAC) is the flagship program of YES FOUNDATION (promoted by Yes Bank). Launched in 2013, YES! i am the CHANGE is a nationwide mindset transformation program to drive the spirit of positive social change amongst the youth through the medium of films.

As part of YIAC 101-Hour Social Filmmaking Challenge, filmmakers and amateurs make short films of up to 3 minutes duration on social causes which form an open repository of invaluable communication resources for Not-for-Profits. Most importantly, the process of participation and exposure to various social causes leads to the inner transformation of the youth, builds association with causes and makes them agents of social change.

Program Objectives : 

·         Inner transformation of the youth through exposure to social causes resulting in youth engagement for inclusive social development

·         Inspire filmmakers to make films for social change

·         Facilitate creation of high quality, communication resources for use of Not-for-Profits

President Rtr.Tina Roy of Rotaract Club of Mithibai College reacted thus.. “Yes! I am the Change (YIAC)  was a Marvelous and Momentous Experience for The Rotaract Club of Mithibai College.  More than 1000 students participated for the spectacular challenge from District 3140 out of which 3 best Videos were given awards – and two of those Awards came in our lap.  We are very super-excited!!”

Rotary Club of Bombay West, the Sponsors of Rotaract Club of Mithibai College, feel proud on their achievements and on behalf of all the members of the Club convey our congratulations and best wishes for many more such accomplishments.

Dr.Sanjeev Mehta receives Rotary Vocational Excellence Award

Renowned Chest Physician, Dr.Sanjeev Mehta was conferred Rotary Vocational Excellence Award for the year 2015-16 by Rotary Club of Bombay West at its meeting held on Wednesday, 20th January, 2016 at Rotary Service Centre, Santacruz West, Mumbai.

Introducing him, Rtn.Ms.Rajul Doshi, Director - Vocational Services at Rotary Club of Bombay West said that Dr.Sanjeev Mehta was an internationally recognized chest physician with brilliant academics and affiliations with leading hospitals in Mumbai. He has leveraged his vast clinical experience to carry out a number of important field studies involving quality of air and its effect on lung function. It was one of his award winning studies that revealed that as many as 38% of otherwise healthy residents of Mumbai suffered from weak lungs.  As a Chair of Council of Global Governors, American College of Chest Physicians, a prestigious body with more than 18000 members worldwide, Dr.Mehta has created awareness on the imminent threat which the world faces due to respiratory ailments which is inching up to be the number one killer in years to come.

In his response speech, Dr.Sanjeev Mehta thanked the fellow members of the Club for bestowing upon him the prestigious Award and felt humbled to be in the elite list of the Rotary Vocational Excellence Awardees selected by the Club in the past.

School Students Pledge to Follow Traffic Rules

Students from various schools in the western suburbs took a pledge to follow the traffic rules and create awareness amongst their families, friends and neighbours on the dangers of not doing so at a Road Safety Seminar organized by Rotary Club of Bombay West in association with Giants International, Rotaract Club of N.M.College and Rotaract Club of Mithibai College at Rotary Service Centre, Santacruz West on Wednesday 20th January, 2016.

Sr.Police Inspector, Ms.Nashikkar of Mumbai Traffic Police exhorted the children to impress upon their parents and elders in the families to always follow the traffic rules - not because of the fines levied by the Police - but to save their own precious lives and precious lives of others on the road.  She went on to inform the young minds about the various types of road signs - particularly the mandatory ones - which everyone must follow at all times.  Majority of the road accidents happen due to human error and the resulting pain and suffering is life long.  Not only does the accident victim suffers, but also the entire family goes through difficult period due to the financial burden an accident can have on them.  Thus, it was better to be safe then sorry.

The students were shown several educative clips on road safety to bring home the message strongly along with a skit which made learning very interesting.

Rotary International President-elect John F. Germ announces his presidential theme 'Rotary Serving Humanity.'

Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.

Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.

“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.

Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.

After a historic year in which transmission of the wild poliovirus was stopped in Nigeria and all of Africa, Germ said we are closer than ever to ending polio.

“We are at a crossroads in Rotary,” he added. “We are looking ahead at a year that may one day be known as the greatest year in Rotary’s history: the year that sees the world’s last case of polio.”

Last year’s milestones leave just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus still circulates. Polio would be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

When that moment arrives, it’s “tremendously important” that Rotary is ready for it, said Germ. “We need to be sure that we are recognized for that success, and leverage that success into more partnerships, greater growth, and even more ambitious service in the decades to come.”

Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, encouraged attendees to return to their clubs and communities and spread the word about Rotary’s role in the fight for a polio-free world.

“People who want to do good will see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world. Every Rotary club needs to be ready to give them that opportunity,” Germ said.

Enhancing Rotary’s image isn’t the only way to boost membership. “We need clubs that are flexible, so our service will be more attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people.”

He added: “We need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward.”

Find more videos from the event
Download 2016-17 theme logo and materials
Follow the assembly on Facebook and Twitter using #IA2016
Download speech transcripts

By Ryan Hyland

Rotary News

18-Jan-2016

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