A Rotaract marathon earns goodwill in Coimbatore

A Rotaract marathon to create awareness about autism in Coimbatore saw over 500 participants including Rotarians, Rotaractors and the public across age groups running with enthusiasm in the early morning. “We charged ₹100 per head as registration fee and the marathon was inaugurated by ACP (traffic) Saravanan. The event was widely reported in the local media and dailies,” says K R Sanjula, president, RAC Coimbatore Texcity, RID 3201, which conducted the 10km-run with the support of its parent Rotary and other clubs in the city.

Each participant was given an event kit consisting of a t-shirt, certificate, paper bag and sweat band. While the men’s category had a 10km run, women/girls were allowed to complete 5km; and “the amount raised from the marathon will be used to buy groceries, clothes and other essentials for inmates at orphanages and special homes,” says Sanjula. Though chartered 25 years ago, the club was dysfunctional for around 2–3 years, and “we had it revived in 2019–20 with the help of our parent, RC Coimbatore Texcity.”

A five-year-old garbage dump that has become an eyesore and stink hill near Keeranatham Housing Society was cleared with the help of a JCB machine and a truck.

Over 400 patients were screened for general ailments at a two-day mega health camps under Project Nalam Anbudan (Wellness with love) held at a slum colony near Thudiyalur, a city neighbourhood, and at Sundarapuram village. “For elderly and vulnerable people, ortho and ECG tests were done, followed by consultations. Medicines were also given.”

Project Tex-nourish is a year-long initiative in which fresh fruits and nutrition packs are being given to 20 primary school students every day. “A team of Rotaractors visit a government school each day to distribute fruits and nutritious edibles,” says Sanjula. Recently, 10 senior citizens from Helping Heart, an old age home, were accompanied by eight Rotaractors to the scenic Ukkadam lake, near Sungam bypass road to Trichy, as a one-day picnic. “They were given refreshments, snacks and a tasty lunch during the picnic.”

Mega clean-up drive

A five-year-old garbage dump that has become an eyesore and stink hill near Keeranatham Housing Society was cleared with the help of a JCB machine and a truck. “We cleared around 3–4 tonnes of accumulated garbage at the site and around 300 families, who had to put up with bad odour for years, in that society thanked us for the clean-up initiative,” recalls Sanjula. On the response of its 30 members to the mandatory RI dues of $8 per Rotaractor, being a community-based club, she informs that they have sought the help of their parent Rotary “to overcome the dues problem. We are also keen to hold fundraisers for using part of the proceeds to help members who can’t pay RI dues with a token grant.”

Having joined Rotary five years ago, Sanjula, data analyst at an IT firm, wants to continue in Rotaract as long as possible. “Rotaract helped me to develop my professional and management skills too. In future, I may join my parent Rotary to become a Rotarian,” she adds.