RC Pune University starts WinS in a big way As Polio has been eliminated from the country and also in most of the world, Rotary is now shifting focus to other areas that have remained neglected in the past. Water and Sanitation is one of the focus areas of Rotary which has received added impetus due to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a pioneering step, Rotary has committed that it will construct 10000 toilets in the country, especially in schools. This gigantic task had to begin somewhere, and RC Pune University took the first step. Concentrating on village Kolawade, where the Club had helped construction of over 240 toilets for homes, RCPU provided entire finance and technical know-how to build 6 toilets in the village school. These toilets, 3 each for girls and boys are the starting point of District 3131’s plan to construct 2750 toilets in the District. An elegant program was arranged for handing over newly constructed toilets to the school. Highlight of the event was the presence of RIPE K R Ravindran who specially came from Sri Lanka to see the beginning of a huge campaign for sanitation. He was joined in at the program by Sakal News group’s Chief Mr. Pratap Pawar and former MP of the area Mr. Ashok Mohol. Rotary’s participation at the event was by a galaxy of stalwarts RID Manoj Desai, PDGs Vinay Kulkarni, Ullas Kolhatkar, Deepak Purohit, Vittal Rao, Deepak Shikarpur, DGE Subodh Joshi, DGN Prashant Deshmukh and DGND Abhay Gadgil. From RCPU there was big participation starting with PP Kshama Gangoli had done most of the coordination work for the project. President Dileep Paranjpye initiated the meeting while PE Deepa led the National Anthem. Enthusiastic presence of Secretary Sharang, PPs Jayant Hiremath, Shreedhar Bhelke, Vinay Rao, Ajit Gangoli, Pradip Patil, First Lady Shobhana as well as members Satish, Rohini, Meeta, Vishnu, Pallavi, Jayant & Kumudini Chaudhari, Anjali, Vidyanand, Devavrat demonstrated the commitment of RCPU to the project. Invitees present included our AG Sunil Vispute, AAG Chandrashekhar Desai, many District Officers, Presidents and members of other clubs. RIPE Ravi took keen interest in the design and construction of the toilets, and he praised District 3131’s work in glowing terms. Success of the program was also due to the cooperation of village Sarpanch Mr. Dattatreya Ubhe, former Sarpanch Mr. Ankush Ubhe, School Headmaster Mr. Daundkar. Design and construction work of the Saral Swachhalaya was carried out by Waichal brothers of Vruksha Landscapes. This project and event has received wide publicity in the press. It is expected that with newer ideas to reduce costs, Rotary may be able to construct toilets in a much bigger number than originally planned.