Get the Rotary funda right!
In a maiden initiative to familiarise both school and college students with Rotary and its global activities, RAC Velalar College of Engineering and Technology, RID 3203, in Erode district of Tamil Nadu conducted a one-day interactive session that saw Rotaractors giving inspirational talks for 100 participants under Project Empowered.
During the first half for college-goers, “we spoke on how Rotaract improves their personal and professional lives, hones their leadership skills and helps in building a network of like-minded people for climbing the ladder of success,” says club president T Abiram. In the second half, school students were exposed to the ideals of Rotary, and “how they can charter Interact clubs in their schools for an exciting journey in the path of service.”
Around 10 Rotaractors visited Tex Valley, a garment factory at Sathyamangalam near Erode, to take part in a cultural programme to mark Friendship Day. “We tied friendship bands on the wrist of 150 participants, mostly company staff and youth, thus giving a boost to the public image of our Rotaract club,” says Abiram. An orientation session was held at the Velalar Vidyalaya Matric HS School, Erode, before they inaugurated an Interact club with 110 charter members. While Abiram introduced the students to Rotary and Rotaract through a presentation, Rtr Manoj Kumar spoke on the links between Interact, Rotaract and Rotary clubs. He motivated the students to become active Interactors for a successful and enjoyable life. “Around 20 Rotaractors attended the orientation session and clarified the doubts of Interactors.”
The college Rotaractors contributed to the Wayanad Relief Mission, a district Rotaract project. “We mobilised through our network and donated rice bags (25kg), clothes (five carton boxes), biscuits and instant food items which were delivered to the landslide victims in Kerala as part of our district project,” explains Abiram.
Rotaractors joined hands for a flash mob at the Erode bus stand in which they staged an impromptu dance to create awareness on the need to follow traffic rules. “We educated the commuters on various traffic signals, urged them to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers, avoid drunken driving, overspeeding, and using cellphone during commute,” says Abiram. “The traffic awareness event was held jointly with our parent, RC Erode Thindal, and 50 Rotaractors took part in the flash mob.”
Rapport with parent Rotary
During their monthly meet with Rotarians, “we discuss our upcoming service projects, and they offer us some useful suggestions and guide us about the ways and means to execute our programmes.” Their parent Rotary also refers corporates and donors for sponsoring Rotaract projects.
The college management too chips in with part-funding of their Rotaract activities and events, says Abiram. Studying third year BE (triple E), he says, “I enjoy every bit of my Rotaract life as it taught me leadership, self-development and made me to acquire skills in different domains.” He wants to become a Rotarian “only after I get settled in a good job that takes care of my financial needs for a secured life,” he smiles.
