Bridging generations
The Rotaract Club of Delhi Genesis Midwest, RID 3011, celebrated its second charter day (Feb 1) with the elderly inmates of Silver Lining Old Age Home in Delhi. “We began our first community project at this home last year when we spent a day with the senior citizens, played games and shared some fun activities with them,” says club secretary Sanskriti Singh. The club came full circle when they came back to the old age home. “This time we joined them in singing some soulful retro melodies, and humming new tunes in unison.”
The day was filled with games, heartfelt conversations, and nostalgic stories. “We were awed by their resilience and the positive attitude they displayed, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges. Their stories deeply inspired us,” she adds. The club also celebrated Holi with the residents, bringing vibrant colours and festive cheer into their otherwise quiet routines.
The club recently hosted a carnival at the Dwarka International School which attracted over 1,000 visitors. A major highlight was Mahadan 10.0, a blood donation drive where 72 units of blood were collected. In addition, 17 people were screened for thalassaemia. A health camp, conducted in collaboration with the Max Hospital and Clove Dental Clinic, provided medical checkups for over 500 individuals, including eye and dental screening.
The carnival also featured Project Bloomora, aimed at promoting sustainable living. “We sourced seeds and saplings from nurseries and sold them at subsidised rates,” says Sanskriti. Various eco-friendly products were showcased, and workshops educated attendees about environmental conservation.
An innovative Virtual Reality experience transported participants to the Amazon rainforest, deep-sea scuba diving sites, and the icy stretches of the Antarctic Ocean. These immersive journeys highlighted how technology can be a powerful tool in raising awareness about climate change and sustainability.
The event garnered public support for the club’s flagship initiative, Shiksha ki Seedhi, which was begun last year. This three-tiered educational programme empowers 50 underprivileged children by equipping them with academic knowledge, life skills and basic resources.
At the Weekend School in Paschim Vihar, Rotaractors teach core subjects like English, Math and Science. The second tier, the Life Skill Development Programme, imparts training in communication, leadership, public speaking, financial literacy and digital skills through expert-led sessions. The third component, Kadam: Shiksha Ki Aur, provides students with recycled notebooks and stationery while educating them about environmental responsibility.
“Our goal is to reach 200 students by next year and expand the programme across New Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh,” says project coordinator Hitanshi Dhingra. To further strengthen their efforts, the club recently launched a Teaching Intern Programme, a 4–6 week structured internship offering training and certification for volunteer educators.
Funds for these initiatives are raised through member contributions and support from local sponsors.
