Pune Rotaract distributes 1,000 school kits
In a mega distribution of school kits to less privileged children, Project Daan Utsav, a flagship initiative of RAC Pune City Fortune, RID 3131, has reached out to over 1,000 students (Class 1–4) across 30 zilla parishad schools in Maharashtra. “We raised the project cost of ₹2 lakh through crowdfunding and then procured school kits, each having a school bag, water bottle, two notebooks, drawing/sketching book, crayon box, pencil pouch and an eraser,” says Omkar Patil, club president (2024–25).
When it was done for the first time in 2023–24, they distributed the school kits to 50 children of zilla parishad schools. To forge bonding with the communities and do impactful projects, “we have coined a club theme in a tagline Sanghe Shakti (unity is strength). I can proudly say that we are the only Rotaract club in RID 3131 with such a unifying theme that binds Rotaractors with the people, and this will boost our public image in our neighbourhoods,” he explains.
During Raksha Bandhan (Aug 2024), around 150 Rotaractors tied raakhi (sibling thread) on the wrist of 10 LGBTQ members under Project Krutharath Bandhan (showing compassion). “Through tying raakhi, we want to assure the transgenders that they are part of the society, and nothing impedes their progress in life. Our Rotaractors bonded well with the LGBTQ people.” Over the last two years, they celebrated Raksha Bandhan with policemen and conservancy workers of the municipal corporation.
Eye check-up camp was held in partnership with the ASG Hospital, Pune, for around 100 Rotaractors and their families with a team of doctors screening the patients, and giving consultations. In the new Rotary year (2025–26), Shilpa Toshniwal, president of their parent, RC Pune Fortune, has assured “support and mentoring for us to do some impactful projects in the coming months,” says Patil.
He has taken charge as Rotaract district officer of RID 3131, thus joining the leadership team of DRR Dwijesh Nashikkar in the new Rotary year. “I have taken up the idea of making our club project, Daan Utsav, a district programme this year with the new DRR, and very soon, we will be expanding the school kit distribution across many schools in Maharashtra,” says Patil. He says the school kit project was much appreciated by DRR Drishti Singh (2024–25) and PDRR Siddesh Gaikwad, and “now it is my responsibility to take this initiative forward by expanding to as much rural schools as possible.”
The four-year-old Rotaract club has 40 members drawn mostly from engineering and other professional backgrounds. Patil, a civil engineer and a Rotaractor for two years, wants to join his parent Rotary club next year, and “I will straightaway do some impactful service for the communities,” he smiles.
