Rotaractors redefine a community in Delhi
RAC Delhi Genesis Midwest, RID 3011, is trying to live by the mantra that “change doesn’t always need a podium or a protest. Sometimes, it walks gently through a garden, sits beside an elder, or simply helps someone write a better CV,” says Vansh Saini, club president.
The club kickstarted the year with Project Raah-e-Itihas, a heritage walk that meandered through Delhi’s Lodhi Garden and later, the ancient ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort. “We didn’t just admire domes and tombs. We listened to forgotten stories, exchanged interpretations, and reconnected with our city. It is easy to live in Delhi and never know Delhi,” said Saini, who led the walk. “This was about reclaiming our connection with where we come from.”
The Genesis Youth Conclave ’25, held in February at the Satyawati College, featured a Pitch Tank for green startups, a Model UN on the refugee crisis, a Youth Parliament addressing workplace safety and reservation policies, and even a simulated IPL auction for cricket strategists. Plastic-free operations and a spotlight on sustainable enterprises earned the conclave its badge as an Eco Action Event. “More than being intellectual, we wanted it to be responsible. You can’t change the world if you’re trashing it,” says Sanskriti Singh, one of the organising members.
On the eve of Republic Day, club members spent time with the children of Palna, a home for orphaned and abandoned kids. Named Sangam the project was a day of storytelling, art, and handmade flags “waved by tiny, ink-stained fingers of the children from the home. We brought stories of India’s freedom to life and then watched these children enthusiastically paint the Indian flag,” says Sanskriti.
Rotaractors spent the club’s Charter Day at Silver Lining Old Age Home, carrying musical instruments and a cake to spend an afternoon “of old songs, shared memories, and tears of joy. We didn’t go there to teach or perform,” club member Hitanshi Dhingra recalls. “We went to listen. And they gave us their stories like gifts.”
In March, Project Aarohan brought the colours of Holi to the same old age home. “We went back there this time with organic gulal (colour powder), staged classical performances, and laughter shared over gujiyas (deep-fried dumpling or pastry) and folk tales,” says Hitanshi.
The Rotary Skill Development Centre in Pusa became a launchpad for over 150 young minds when the club decided to host sessions on business communication, LinkedIn building, personal branding, and CV writing. Over 75 per cent of the participants updated their LinkedIn profiles during the programme. Phase 2 and 3 of the initiative focused on leadership and advanced career strategy.
With AI and analytics dominating job markets, Project Empower U, a hands-on workshop on data literacy, trained students on Excel tricks to interpreting datasets. “Participants left with knowledge and confidence. This was like a flashlight in the dark. Many of us have degrees but no idea how to navigate digital workspaces,” says Saini and adds that “programmes like these are the need of the hour.”
The Eco-Trail Adventure began with a scavenger hunt, not for treasure, but for litter. Rotaractors cleared the B2 Park in Paschim Vihar, planted saplings, and engaged with local vendors to discuss plastic alternatives.
As part of Project HPV Hustle, the club first organised a session at Dwarka International School, where doctors from AIIMS Hospital explained what the HPV vaccine is and why it’s important for preventing cervical cancer. This session, held under Project Break the Taboo, encouraged open and honest conversations about women’s health between students, parents and teachers, helping to clear myths and reduce fear or embarrassment around the topic. In the second phase the club worked with Apollo Hospitals to organise a vaccination drive that helped over 120 girls get vaccinated against HPV.
At the same time, another project called Harmony Within 2.0 focused on mental health for schoolchildren. The club invited a psychologist to talk to over 50 students about issues like stress, anxiety, peer pressure, and how social media affects them. There were also fun activities like games, dancing, and a drawing contest on the theme.
