On April 26th Rotary Club of Bombay West
celebrated its 63rd Anniversary at Vile Parle Medical Association Hall, Juhu, Mumbai. Our
Club was chartered on 22nd April, 1954 by Rotary International and
was sponsored by Rotary Club of Bombay when they were celebrating their silver
jubilee.
The gala celebrations began with an entertaining music
program by Sargam Musicals – a troupe of talented physically challenged
artists founded by Lakshya Art Foundation, an NGO established by a group of
people who strongly believe in the need to support communities and families of physically challenged people including children , women , student and
old people who are suffering from some kind of physical disability. Sargam
Musical recognizes the musical talent of the physically challenged people and
helps them master their talent. They have many artists who are talented singers
as well as dancers. The Foundation has been organizing shows at various places
like at Corporate firms and offices, NGOs like Rotary District 3141 at Mumbai
also at Old Age Homes, Blind home and Mother Teresa Missionaries. They also
arrange Art shows at various places in Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur.
The evening also saw conferring Vocational
Appreciation Awards on Ms.Divya Nair, Principal, Rotary’s KDN Shruti School for
Hearing Impaired, Rtn.Dr.Vinod Shah and Rtn.Shrikant Sathe for their
exceptional lifelong contribution to their respective vocations. Ms.Vasavi Dave, the incoming Principal of
Rotary KDN Shruti School was also felicitated.
Introducing
Ms.Divya Nair, PP Rtn.Anil Ganu said that Ms.Nair joined the School in 1981 as
a Teacher and in 2013 was promoted as a Principal of the School. During her 36 years of illustrious career with Shruti, she implemented
several creative and innovative measures to improve the learning environment
and enhance the overall experience of the students and parents. Her
Professional recognition includes an award-winning Paper on Innovative Teaching
Practices at the All India Competition of NCERT, New Delhi in 2007. A Citation
Plaque was presented to her by President Aslam Merchant in presence of her
husband and family members, PP Rtn.Ramesh Oza and Rtn.Naresh Merchant.
Rtn.
Prakash Trivedi introduced our very own member Rtn. Dr. Vinod Shah, Chairman
Emeritus, Chembond Chemicals Limited. Dr. Vinod Shah is a Chemical Engineering from
UDCT, Mumbai, MSE in Chemical Engineering from University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor USA and Ph.D Chemical Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit,
USA. He gave up his cushy well-paying job and turned an entrepreneur at a very
early age. He set up Chembond Chemicals - first amongst the pioneers in
establishing metal pre-treatment and water treatment chemicals in India. A member of our Club since 1975, he has
chaired various committees including Prevention of Drug Addiction, Vocational
Awards, Youth Service and Environment.
The family is running a Children’s centre at Tarapur for the benefit of
tribal children. President Aslam invited
PDG Rtn.Ajay Gupta to handover the Citation Plaque to him in presence of his
family members and PP Arvind Shah.
Rtn.
Rajul Doshi introduced our own member Rtn. Shrikant Sathe– Architect. Rtn.Shrikant Sathe began architectural training as an apprentice at Master, Sathe
and Bhuta and later joined the firm and worked under Architect G.M.Bhuta and
later formed his individual firm Sathe& Associates. Some of the iconic
buildings designed by Shrikant Sathe include New India Assurance Building at
Santacruz, Vulcan Insurance Building at Churchgate, Indian Dyestuff Industries
at Kalyan, Education & Media Research Centre, Pune, Reserve Bank of India,
Patna, New Sharrock Textile Mills, Nadiad, and Reserve Bank Staff Quarters at
Patna.Shrikant Sathe life, philosophy and works has been beautifully recorded
in a coffee table book published in 2016 titled Through The Decades – The Architecture of Shrikant Sathe which will serve as a guide to the young
professionals from the field.Shrikant Sathe has been a member of our Club since
July 1962. The Citation Plaque to
Rtn.Sathe was handed over by our Assistant Governor Rtn.R.R.Singh in presence
of his family members.
PP
Rtn. Rajendra Ruia with support of PP Rtn, Ashok Deorah, PP Rtn. Mohan Joshi,
PP. Rtn. Shirish Rege, Rtn. Hima Dalal, Rtn. Rajul Doshi and President Aslam Merchant
successfully carried out the fund raising for Sanitation At Schools global
grants project.
The
final act of the day was cake cutting ceremony by all the Past Presidents of
the Club to mark the occasion which was followed by a happy hours and sumptuous
dinner.
The
grand event was superbly compeered by Secretary Dr.Usha Jayachandran and Dr.
Kamal D’Mello. Dr.Manoj Patel and
Dr.Bhavna Patel were instrumental in arranging the venue, catering and sponsors
for the event. Rtn.Arjun Hardasani
sponsored the Happy Hours. Vice
President Dr.Anand Gupta proposed a hearty vote of thanks.
Charter Nite Celebrations were enjoyed by one and all. Some of the
feedback about the event - Assistant Governor
R.R.Singh says "Excellent Charter
Night Programme. Am impressed with the
generosity of the members who made large commitments for funding Global Grant
Project." PP Rtn. Saroj Rao says "Very well
structured programme, well planned and well executed". PP Anil Ganu said
"Both Usha and Kamal did a fantastic well-coordinated job as MCs."!!
PP Rtn. Ramesh Oza- “ Wonderful Charter Nite Celebrations”!! Rtn.Rajul Doshi
summed up beautifully – “Great & Unique Celebrations”. Similar responses from many of our members! A
huge applause for RCBW!! Cheers!
