Cleanliness and food donation drives
Every Ram Navami, the Bhavnath temple located near Girnar Hill in Junagadh, Gujarat, sees a throng of devotees for the celebration of Parikrama, a pilgrimage involving walking around the mountain, starting at the Dudheshwar Temple at Bhavnath Taleti and following a 36km route. “This Hindu tradition is celebrated with great fervour. It is a time of devotion but also, unfortunately, of litter. The aftermath of the annual Girnar Parikrama leaves the forest trail scattered with plastic wrappers, food containers, and other waste,” says Sanju Ahuja, president of RAC Junagadh, RID 3060.
It was this recurring sight that made Akshat Dhanesha, a member of RC Junagadh, to take action. With a small team, he began regular clean-up drives in the area. Soon, RAC Junagadh joined the effort. Their first participation happened during Ram Navami when they decided to celebrate the festival with a clean-up instead of a traditional event.
“We didn’t think twice. When we saw the condition of the route, we knew we had to do something,” says Ahuja and adds that “Now, twice a month, our members trek up and down that route, clearing the litter left behind. It is physically tiring but mentally satisfying.”
The initiative aligns with the broader clean-up efforts led by the Forest Department and Junagadh Municipal Corporation, but the Rotaractors’ regular involvement helps maintain momentum even after the major drives conclude.
Alongside these environmental efforts, the club also runs Project Shivaya, a weekly food donation drive aimed at reaching underserved areas in and around Junagadh. Every Monday, club members distribute homemade meals like khichdi, patties, lassi, or lemon juice to those in need.
“We’ve kept it simple,” says Nevil Vithlani, a club member. “We collect ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 every week — mostly from within our club. A lot of the time, someone donates to celebrate a birthday or a personal milestone or in memory of a loved one.”
With 145 members, explains Ahuja, “our club has strong internal participation. We hardly step out to ask for funds. Around 20 members contribute regularly to fund the drive. Food preparation is handled by club member Jai Krishna Vudhudev, who runs a catering business. If the number of beneficiaries exceeds 70, other Rotaractors step in to help with logistics and distribution”
During the June 2023 floods, when parts of Junagadh were badly hit, the club continued the food drive without pause. Over 200 people received meal packets that week. “Service doesn’t stop when it rains or floods,” Ahuja says.
Though both projects are run consistently, the club avoids publicity. “We only take beneficiary photos for our own records,” says Ahuja. “We’re not doing this for the credit. We do it because it is needed.”
