63rd Anniversary Celebrations – A Grand Success

On April 26^th Rotary Club of Bombay West celebrated its 63^rd Anniversary at Vile Parle  Medical Association Hall, Juhu, Mumbai. Our Club was chartered on 22^nd 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!