A Rotaract rally knits communities
With the aim to forge unity among different communities, RAC Kankaria (Ahmedabad), RID 3055, is holding a 2km-rally for the last 14 years from Kankaria Lake, coursing through nearby colonies, and then ending at the starting point in a circle.
In the rally, around 50 Rotaractors and 20 Rotarians carry fire torches, along with placards and banners, “to drive home the message of unity in diversity among people of different faiths, castes, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds,” says Khush Narkhede, club secretary. The rally participants raise slogans calling for national unity to make India stronger in all fields by overcoming hurdles and challenges under Project Walk for Unity.
Over the last six years, Project Lighting the Homes has distributed 650 solar lamps to roadside, underprivileged and tribal families across the city. “We approach the NGOs, Rotarians, and pass on the message among our families to mobilise funds for procuring the solar lamps. This year for the sixth edition of Lighting the Homes, we had collected ₹22,000 and with that, we distributed 200 solar lanterns and lamps to the poor families,” explains Narkhede.
Around a dozen Rotaractors visited Nadabet, a border outpost 250km from Ahmedabad, and tied raakhi with 60 soldiers on Raksha Bandhan. “We distributed sweet boxes to 70 jawans and delivered handwritten Thank You letters to them as a token of gratitude for their tireless vigil in guarding our borders,” he says. Project Celebrating Courage is a tribute to Indian army men and “we will continue this two-year-old initiative in future too.”
Into its 50th year, and to mark its gold jubilee, the club members will be visiting 4–5 old age homes “where the elderly inmates will be served delicious food, engaged in fun games and receive essentials like monthly groceries and other donations from us,” says club president Dhatri Nagar. “We are still planning our golden jubilee events and projects, but we will certainly visit old age homes and spend time with elderly inmates.” Rotarians from their parent, RC Kankaria (Ahmedabad), help the Rotaractors in mobilising project funds through their Rotary contacts, “also they provide space and venues for free at posh properties owned by them for Rotaract projects.”
Narkhede (23) wants to continue in Rotaract till 30 years, “as it has boosted my self-confidence over the last four years. Before joining the youth movement of Rotary I was an introvert with low self-esteem. But now I can give a public speech in any event.”
After completing his BE (Mech) course in June this year, he is now employed as an executive at Bosch Rexroth, a major in factory automation. “The Rotaract life has groomed my personality which helped me to get this plum job,” he adds.
