Latest news with #Rotarians
Borneo Post
10 minutes ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
49 Penampang students to receive prescription glasses
Rotarians, teachers and students of SMK Tansau. KOTA KINABALU (July 30): The Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera (RCKS) continues its commitment to community health in the new Rotary term with the Vision Care project, this time benefiting students of SMK Tansau in Penampang. Led by President Ken Chong, a team of eight Rotarians and four friends of Rotary visited the school to conduct eye screenings aimed at identifying students in need of corrective eyewear. Owing to time limitations, the team was unable to screen all 2,000 students at the school. Instead, they focused on 126 students from the B40 (low-income) group. Of these, 49 students were found to require spectacles. These students will be provided with prescription glasses free of charge as part of the club's outreach initiative. The screening activity received strong support from SMK Tansau's teachers and students, who assisted in facilitating the process. At the closing of the event, Chong expressed gratitude to the school for the opportunity to serve, noting the significant impact of free vision care on the students' well-being and academic performance. In response, school principal Dr Miller Yong thanked the club for selecting SMK Tansau as a beneficiary, and urged the students to make the most out of the free glasses. It was a meaningful and productive day for all involved. Participating Rotarians, besides the President, included Immediate Past President Dr Richard Gontusan, Assistant Governor and Past President Francis Ng, Past Presidents Abu Bakar Sheriff, Alice Kunjan and Christina Aluda, Rotarian Datin Yatie Agusyani and Rotarian Ivy Yew. The friends of Rotary who joined the effort were Kenny Tong, Dr Brinda Muthusamy and her son Vikram and daughter Sonya.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh's ‘slum-free' claim: The real clean-up begins now
Written by RK Saboo As Swachh Bharat Abhiyan powers into its ambitious second phase, Chandigarh basks in the glory of being India's first officially 'slum-free' city. But beyond the spotless roads and freshly scrubbed reputation, the real question lingers: has the city truly lifted its most vulnerable residents into lives of dignity, safety and opportunity? Slum removal, after all, should not be the end of the story. It must mark the start of a new chapter — one where displaced families are not just shifted out but moved up, with better housing, education and prospects. Equally overlooked are the city's street vendors, who form its bustling, beating heart. Cleanliness drives, fines and mandatory registrations may tick the bureaucratic boxes, but without inclusive policies and alternate spaces for vendors to earn their livelihood, the city risks sweeping away their means of survival. Launched in October 2014 by the Prime Minister, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan began as a government programme but soon morphed into a people's movement. Chandigarh's slum-free status shines as a rare success story — proof of what determined planning, political will and citizen participation can deliver. Yet for the mission to ring true, every displaced family must feel part of that success. The larger Swachh Bharat journey has seen India achieve near-universal ODF (open defecation free) coverage in rural areas, while urban India is now tasked with becoming garbage-free and scientifically waste-managed by 2026. GPS-enabled apps like Swachhata are tightening transparency, and cities like Indore continue to lead the cleanliness rankings, powered by civic pride and innovation. For me, the mission is deeply personal. It was at the 2014 Chennai Rotary Institute that I led a dedicated Swachh Bharat session, culminating in the Chennai Declaration — a pledge to champion hygiene, dignity and cleanliness. Back home in Chandigarh, our small steps — office cleanliness drives — sparked ripples. Neighbouring offices joined in, schools followed, and children were inspired by stories of Japanese classrooms where students clean their own spaces with pride. Soon, the movement spilled onto the streets. Rotarian Salil Chopra and a determined band of Rotarians and Rotaractors hit the lanes, markets and pavements, armed with brooms, slogans and a simple message: cleanliness is everyone's responsibility. Human chains and striking visuals drew the public in; change became visible. Now, as Chandigarh transitions from a structurally planned city to a socially conscious, green city, the challenge deepens. Are the slum dwellers who were uprooted now living better, healthier lives? The real test of a 'slum-free' city is not the absence of jhuggis, but the presence of dignity for its poorest citizens. Urban development is more than sweeping away shanties; it's about ensuring every rehabilitated family lives in safety and hope. If Chandigarh can answer that question honestly, it may well lead India toward the ultimate vision of a Swasth Bharat, Sundar Bharat and Saksham Bharat — a nation that is not just clean, but caring, modern and humane. (RK Saboo is a former Rotary International president and a long-time advocate of civic responsibility and social development.)
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rotarians, Inner Wheel members walk to help eradicate polio
The Rotarians and Inner Wheel Club members who take part in the 'Walk to End Polio 2025' awareness campaign. KOTA KINABALU (July 27): In a powerful show of unity and purpose, the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, together with fellow Rotary Clubs across Kota Kinabalu, successfully launched the 'Walk to End Polio 2025' awareness campaign on Sunday morning at Anjung Selera, Tanjung Lipat, Likas. A total of 110 participants from nine Rotary Clubs — including RC KK Pearl, RC Likas Bay, RC Kota Kinabalu, RC Tanjung Aru, RC South, RC Sutera, RC Luyang, RC Penampang and RC Mandarin — along with members from the Inner Wheel Club — joined forces in a symbolic walk to raise awareness about the global fight to eradicate polio. This impactful event is part of the 'End Polio Now' global campaign led by Rotary International, which strives to eradicate polio, a highly contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and even death. The campaign focuses on raising public awareness about the dangers of polio, advocating for sustained vaccination efforts, and securing funding to ensure polio is eliminated once and for all. 'This is more than just a walk — it's a commitment,' said Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, president of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl. 'Every step we take today represents hope for a child to grow up healthy and polio-free. We are proud to lead this initiative in Sabah and to stand in solidarity with our global Rotary family. Polio is preventable — and together, we can end it once and for all.' She added, 'This initiative under our District Governor's leadership reminds us that Rotary's strength lies in consistent, collective action. From Sabah to Singapore to Sarawak to Johor to Melaka to Brunei, we are walking with purpose for a polio-free world.' This initiative is part of a broader program under Rotary District 3310, spearheaded by District Governor Dr Shahul Hameed. Every week, one Rotary Club in District 3310 organizes a 'Walk to End Polio,' engaging Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, families, and friends in support of the campaign. In Sabah, Rotary clubs have committed to holding the walk every fourth week of the month, demonstrating strong regional commitment. Objective: To raise sustained awareness and action for the eradication of polio. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, and during that time has made remarkable progress, helping to reduce polio cases by over 99.9%. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has mobilized billions of dollars, volunteers worldwide, and policy support in the fight to eliminate this crippling disease. To achieve a polio-free world, the final step is crucial: We must stop transmission of the virus in the two remaining endemic countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary continues to lead the global call to action — through advocacy, funding, volunteerism, and strategic partnerships — to ensure no child anywhere suffers from polio ever again.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Villupattu expert Bharathi Thirumagan honoured
The Rotary Club of Chennai Green City recently conferred the 'Vocational Excellence Award' on Kalaimamani Bharathi Thirumagan, renowned Villupattu exponent at its installation ceremony. A press release said Vinod Saraogi, district governor of Rotary International District 3235, was the chief guest at the function. Ms. Thirumagan hailed the services rendered by the Rotarians, it added.
South Wales Argus
23-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Crickhowell Rotary Club welcomes Hywel as new president
Hywel Bevan was installed at an event at The Bear Hotel in the town. Mr Bevan is well-known in the community and has been a member of the club since 2013. Outgoing president David Haycock wished his successor every success in leading the club into the future and thanked fellow Rotarians for their commitment to club and community in the past year. One of the community causes the club supported in the last year was in collaboration with the Llangattock Community Education Trust jointly funding The Redwood Recording Studio in Crickhowell High School. Mr Haycock said there were many positive benefits of being member of the club and was pleased with the continuing level of support for the club in Crickhowell.
