Minutes of Meeting |
Honouring real-life heroes
Braving last Saturday’s heavy downpour and flooded streets, RCPC members gathered to recognize the contributions of those who have worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society.
Foremost amongst the honourees was Rtn. Dr. Nitin Desai, chairman and managing director of Desai Brothers Ltd., Pune, whose business interests range from manufacturing food products to finance and investments, hospitality and renewable energy. As chairman of the Poona Blind Men’s Association and Pune’s H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, Rtn. Nitin has spearheaded a number of eye care projects, including RCPC’s cataract surgery project.
Rtn. Nitin’s contributions to The Rotary Foundation over the last 13 years have earned him the coveted Arch Klumph Society Level T3 — Foundation Circle recognition for his company. In March 2024, he made a CSR contribution of Rs 3 crores for RCPC’s Mega Eye Care project. Speaking to RCPC members, he briefly outlined the outstanding charitable work being done at H.V. Desai Eye Hospital — founded by his grandfather — for eye surgeries. He said that busloads of villagers from neighbouring towns and villages are brought to the hospital, where they are given a thorough eye check-up, provided free meals and accommodation, undergo cataract surgery and are monitored for a day before being transported back to their homes. This happens almost on a daily basis and gives the gift of sight to thousands of needy patients.
Vocational Awards were presented to “Real-Life Heroes”, people who have dedicated their lives to serving humanity and helping the needy. The winners included Ashok and Archana Deshmane, who provide shelter to the children of underprivileged farmers and to those affected by farmer suicides in Maharashtra. Starting with 18 children in 2015, the couple now provide food, education and shelter to 180 children. Operating without government grants or funding, they have devoted their time and efforts to empowering the youth of our country.
The next awardee was Mrs Pournima Gadiya, founder of the Disha Institute and the Disha Mahila Vikas Sahakari Sewa Society, which focus on a number of social issues, especially those affecting women and children. For 32 years, Pournima has been deeply committed to social welfare projects and community development. Starting off as a small organization working for women and children’s welfare, the institute, with its focus on children’s education and rehabilitation and women’s empowerment, now tends to more than 200 underprivileged children. The institute organizes eye care and dental check-up camps and women are encouraged to be self-sufficient and are given training in tailoring and for working at beauty parlors.
Vocational Awards were also presented to Priya Kapadia and Sangeeta Saxena, founders of Deeds for Needs. As the name suggests, this NGO helps those in need, focusing on the elderly, children and underprivileged communities. Since its founding in 2017, Deeds for Needs has undertaken the renovation of schools and old-age homes and has provided medical aid as and when needed. Starting with the refurbishment of a Marathi-medium school in Pune, they have continued their mission to improve the lives of the needy. Schools have had dilapidated and non-functioning toilets repaired, computer labs, laptops and e-learning kits have been provided, and homes for the elderly have been renovated and the residents have been given comfortable beds, lockers to store their belongings, and clean toilets.
For all the honorees, it was well-deserved recognition of their selfless efforts to create hope in the world.
President’s Announcements
Rtn. PP Ramesh Kumar More and Rtn. Ashish Goyal were recognized for their generous donations
Celebrations
Birthday greetings were offered to Rtn. President Ajay Chitnis and R’Ann Jyotsna Arora.
We wished happy anniversary to Rtn. Pradeep and R’Ann Manjiri Supnekar, and Rtn. Subhash and R’Ann Pratibha Devi. |