Rotaract must take up global grant projects
Expressing his happiness in spending time with Rotaractors across South Asia, RI director Anirudha Roychowdhury advised the youth brigade of Rotary to “live and enjoy every moment of Rotaract, and avoid controversy that will bring disrepute to your RI district.” Delivering his speech at the 10th installation of new president at SEARIC MDIO — South East Asia Rotaract Information Centre Multi District Information Organisation — titled Prarambh (start), in Guwahati, he said that he would like to join hands with “Rotaractors in doing some impactful service projects.”
Rotaract is a parallel body of Rotary where youngsters as club members are creating an impact in society, he noted. “After the #Elevate Rotaract initiative, Rotaractors can apply for global grants for their clubs and they should make full use of this new opportunity,” Roychowdhury said. He appreciated DG Nilesh Agarwal and DRR Parna Deb Roy for hosting the RID 3240’s first ever multidistrict Rotaract event since its formation over 33 years ago.
After the #Elevate Rotaract initiative, Rotaractors can apply for global grants for their clubs and they should make full use of this new opportunity,
– Anirudha Roychowdhury, RI Director
The outgoing SEARIC president Rahul Rajgadia, RID 3250, put on the ceremonial collar to new chief (2023–24) Abhishek Goyal, RID 3030, with a loud round of applause from 200 Rotaractors including 20–25 delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and a representative from the US. The SEARIC council members were also inducted, along with the launch of a website and Rotaract directory for this nodal agency for Rotaractors in Southeast Asia. DG Agarwal, PDGs N N Dutta, Prabhat Kedia, Arijit Endow, Chandu Agarwal, RID 3240; and PDG Vommina Sathish Babu, RID 3160, gave their felicitation speeches. Assamese actor Kopil Bora gave an inspiring talk to the delegates which also had 48 DRR designates from India and abroad.
In her speech, DRR Parna thanked both the outgoing and new SEARIC president for giving an opportunity for Rotaract District 3240 to host the installation event. “We are honoured and excited to have RI director Anirudha Roychowdhury as it is very difficult to get such a tall Rotary leader as chief guest for a Rotaract event in this region,” she said. During the awards ceremony in the morning, 45 DRRs were presented with the Ultimate Rotaract Awards, which was followed by the installation in the evening.
A Rotaractor at RAC Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh, Parna is also a member of Rotary Club of Greater Tezpur. She is a charter member of RAC Guwahati East and has been in Rotaract for four years. “We will be launching a menstrual hygiene project across RID 3240 in which around 10,000 sanitary pads will be distributed and children, both boys and girls, in villages, schools and other institutions in the age group of 8–18 years will be educated on best hygiene practices,” she says.
The menstrual project, slated for launch in either November or February, will attempt at the Global Book of Records, says Parna who is working as accounts manager at Genpact in Kolkata. She is a club mentor and also learning facilitator for her Rotaract club in Arunachal Pradesh. There are 26 clubs with a total 900-plus Rotaractors in RID 3240.
