Heralding a new dawn

The installation ceremony of Rotary Bangalore South-East, was held on Sunday at Karnataka State Cricket Association.The event started with a fellowshipand the meeting was called to order by the immediate past president Purushothama Adiga.

The ceremony kicked off with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries comprising Adiga, immediate past secretary Ramabhadran, district governor nominee HR Ananth and incoming president Hareesha Navada and incoming secretary, Parthasarathy.

The keynote speaker for the evening was environmentalist and film-maker Suresh Heblikar and the guests of honour were cricketer PS Vishwanath and artiste PD Satish Chandra. 

The event began with an invocation song.

Adiga then presented the welcome address and the success factors of 2013, some of which were Spell Star, a spelling competition that was held in different schools throughout the City, the chess tournament held at Bangalore Institute of Technology, the blood-donation camp, the pulse-polio eradication drive, donation of wheelchair to 15 beneficiaries and school kit donation to government schools.

After the recognition of the past district governors, PR Sunil was adjudged the best Rotarian.

The ceremony was conducted by installing the eleventh president with Ananth presenting him the pin. The incoming secretary, vice-president KB Gupta; the president-elect Sivamanikantan; joint secretary,Ravindra Kumar; treasurer Satish Prasad and sergeant at arms PR Holla were also installed.

This was followed by the installation ceremony of the directors of different departments and college of mentors and fund-raisers.

Suresh Heblikar addressed the gathering by lauding the club for their services and wished them the very best for the forthcoming year.

Twenty one new members were installed in the club and the different directors presented their annual plans. The guests of honour also addressed the gathering and each were presented with a plaque, after which HR Ananth addressed the club members.

The event commenced with the presentation of mementos to a few Rotarians and cutting of the charter night cake.

Hareesha said that the main focus for 2014 is to increase membership by 70 per cent and culminate the ambulance on air project.

“We will face huge challenges such as trying to involve the government, physical agencies, corporates, metro stations, and participation of citizens in this project. Our other area of focus is to increase membership and bring in sanitation in rural areas.”

Parthasarathy added that the club’s members are going to donate jute bags in malls to people to prevent the use of plastic. “We will also focus on literacy this year, whereby our aim is that by 2020 or ‘22, every child can read. We have partnered with Pratham books so that they can be donated. We are looking to develop vocational services and small and marginal enterprises.”

He added that he is optimistic this year as many youngsters have joined the club and are willing to work in community projects.