Date:10/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/10/stories/2007031019260500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rotarians' contribution to fight against polio lauded

Staff Reporter

Governor Barnala inaugurates Blaze '07

ROTARY MEET: Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala flanked by (left) Rotary International Director Antony F. de St. Dalmas and R I 3230 District Governor J.B. Kamdar, at the conference in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: Shaju John

CHENNAI : Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on Friday paid tributes to the Rotary international movement for its services.

Inaugurating `Blaze `07', a district conference of the Rotary International District 3230 here, he said the Rotary was an international movement with the spirit of altruism, dedicated and sincere service to the people and the society. The hallmark of its service is its contribution towards the eradication of polio, he said. Referring to the problem of drug addiction, which may have been caused by mental stress and strain resulting from overwork, the Governor said that the Rotary should tie up with corporates to conduct meditation and yoga camps for the youth.

Rotary International Director Antony F.de St. Dalmas said, "The fundamental principle of Rotary's service is the motivation and dissemination of information." J.B. Kamdar, District Governor, said that some of the focus areas of work in Chennai were completion of 25 bus shelters, upgrading 50 schools, and handing over of 50 mobile ironing carts.

The Rotary will spend Rs. 1 crore in the next three months for completing the projects. At the end of the Rotary year on June 30, the Rotary District 3230 would have spent Rs. 4.5 crores directly and through the Rotary Foundation contributions for community welfare activities undertaken by 96 clubs of District 3230.

Rotarian W. Anand and N. Ramanathan also spoke.