e-DOWNTOWNER August 2022 Issue

Social Synergy - Bulletin

RI Dist 3190 | Charter # 27417

Message from the Rotary International President Jennifer Jones Dear Rotarians, We’ve all taken our own path to become a member of Rotary. Some of you joined because your father was a Rotarian. Some of us signed up because an employer tapped us on the shoulder and asked us to attend a meeting. Others became members only after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it possible. Yet each of us entered through one mechanism — an invitation.

An invitation that unlocks our imaginations and allows us to know that everything and anything is possible. Each one of us has that same opportunity — the honor to extend an invitation. It is awe-inspiring to imagine how we can look out across our communities and identify our future leaders. It’s often tempting to attract people who are exactly RI Pres. Rtn. Jennifer Jones like us. It’s a special form of ingenuity to consider how people who are seemingly very different can, in fact, share our values and have some of those same talents, just waiting to be unleashed. It’s time for Rotary to take our next step in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across our organization. Embracing an experience where people feel included is more than just making our membership numbers more diverse. It’s about making our meetings and events places where we can speak openly and honestly with each other, where our members feel welcome and safe. This means removing barriers for entry and opening doors for inclusion. Our values remain our strength — and our commitment to excellence requires us to maintain high standards for our members as well. I believe we are all committed and determined to advancing DEI across Rotary. This is rooted in the deepest traditions of our organization, and it will ensure that we remain vibrant and relevant for decades to come. A few years ago, our Rotary Board set the ambitious goal of increasing the share of female members to 30 percent by 2023. We have less than a year to go, but I believe we can meet and exceed this target. We need Rotary leaders to rise from every continent, culture, and creed. We need young members and young thinkers to take on larger roles and responsibilities. We need to listen to new Rotary members just as keenly, and with as much respect, as those with many years of membership.

During our recent convention in Houston, we heard from astronauts about their journeys into space. We reflected upon a time in the 1960s when U.S. President John F. Kennedy urged the world to dream, with his declaration that we would “go to the moon [and do] other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Fully committing Rotary to DEI and meeting our ambitious membership targets may seem as unlikely as a moon shot. But I know that when people of action are committed to a big goal, we make it worth every ounce of our energy. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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8th July’22 – Installation of StarWalker’s Team- RY 2022-23 Installing the star studded Star Walkers Team, under the leadership of Rtn. Tejaswini Jaisimha in a glittering ceremony, DG Rtn. Jeetendra Aneja affirmed that Rotary is into serious business of Service and the friendship and fellowship are the foundation for doing good in the world. As we have done in the first century of our existence, we should continue to show in the next century that wherever there is a need, we act and act collectively for the larger good and for a better world.

DG Rtn. Jeetendra Aneja & Rtn. Sunanda

Calling upon Rotarians to take up one good idea and put all their energy and efforts to implement it which will make a lasting impact, he added that every cell of our body should think and work for implementing that idea successfully. RI President, Rtn. Jennifer Jones has given us a fabulous idea of Imagining Rotary. In essence, it is not for the leaders to give a path to Rotarians, she has called upon Rotarians to come out of the shell and dream what we can do for the Rotary, which can happen at every level – individual Rotarian, club, Dist and the international level. Rotary is an organization of leaders and it is an onus on every Rotarian to make it better and better. As Swami Vivekananda said, expansion is life and contraction is death.

July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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8th July’22 – Installation of StarWalker’s Team- RY 2022-23 Recounting the days of early 2000s when both DownTown and his home club were meeting at the same venue, he said DownTown was his 2nd home and fondly recalled his association with late PDG Rtn. Srikanth Chatrapathy, under whom he was the President and the guidance and support received from him. Congratulating the Change Makers team under the leadership of IPP Rtn. Biju Gangadharan on an impactful year, he added that the team did commendable work under tremendous odds. DownTown has been doing wonderful work over the past three decades and the Dialysis Centre is a shining example of long term projects for the good of the society.

A novel idea when started, the centre has showcased the capabilities of Rotary, he said. He also underlined the need for inducting more members into Rotary as we have lost over 1500 members last year and DownTown being a three decades old club, the membership should reflect its contributions to the society. New members always bring new ideas, better project management skills and add strength to clubs in executing project apart from improved fellowship and bonding, he opined. Wishing the best for Rtn. Tejaswini Jaisimha and the Star Walkers Team, he assured all the support from the District. In a recorded message, GSR, PRID Rtn. Dr. Panduranga Setty said that it was always a pleasure to be at DownTown and he enjoyed every minute of his stay. DownTown has carried out many projects of great importance to the city of Bangalore and elsewhere, he added. Wishing a great year ahead for DownTown under the incoming team, he expressed his disappointment at not being able to attend the programme. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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8th July’22 – Installation of StarWalker’s Team- RY 2022-23 Expressing her gratitude to DownTowners for choosing her as the 33rd President, Rtn. Tejaswini Jaisimha reminisced on being welcomed into DownTown family as an Ann way back on 14 July 2000 when her husband late PP Rtn. Jaisimha was inducted as a DownTowner and added that she is a Rotarian today because of Jai and PP Rtn. Revathi Venkatraman. Adding that her first learning in Rotary was how Rotary serves humanity and later, Project BRACE, the Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative enabled her to Make a difference to the lives of many women. The journey in Rotary continued to be an inspiration and Rotary helped me to connect to the world. During the pandemic, I learnt that Rotary Opens Opportunities to serve more, serve to Change lives for a better world, she said. DG Rtn. Aneja inducted and welcomed Rtn. John Kolhhoff, Rtn. Chinnamma and Rtn. Dinesh Ramaswamy into Rotary fold and DownTown family. Releasing the Pledge Card for sponsoring free dialysis, he proved that he was a man of action by spontaneously contributing Rs.5000 for free dialysis. Asst. Governor, Rtn. Nagaraja released the special Installation Issue of e-DownTowner, edited by Rtn. Ram Gopalan. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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8th July’22 – Installation of StarWalker’s Team- RY 2022-23

Lighting of the traditional lamp and a dazzling Bharathanatyam performance to invoke the blessings of Lord Vigneshwara in the wellknown Kalakshetra Style by Ms. Ranjini, a BBA student of Christ College set the tempo for a memorable installation evening.

Rtn. Vinod Chandrashekar outlined the projects and programmes proposed during the year. Rtn. Usha Selvaraj gave a brief account of the projects undertaken by DownTown during the Change Makers year which included a whopping 65 projects with 11,148 beneficiaries involving an outlay of Rs.27.54 lakhs during the year. Rtn. Uma Gopalakrishnan introduced the DG and IPP Rtn. Biju Gangadharan welcomed the gathering. Rtn. Georgy introduced the StarWalker President, Rtn. Tejaswini Jaisimha and Rtn. Suresh Tota, as MC, was the star attraction of the evening with his inimical, peppy and humorous style, enthralling the Rotarians with his characteristic one-liners. Secretary, Rtn Muraleedharan proposed the Vote of Thanks. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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8th July’22 – Glimpses of the Installation of StarWalker’s Team

July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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1st July’22 - Eco Drive -Tree Planting at @ Police Public School, KSRP 4th Battalion

Continuing the tradition of launching a project on the first day of the new Rotary Year, DownTowners flagged off the Star Walkers Year auspiciously with a Tree Planting Programme at Police Public School, KSRP 4th Battalion, Koramangala. 140 fruit saplings were planted on the campus. DIGP Rtn. Ramakrishna Prasad, PPS Principal Madam Nanda, faculty and students of Police Public School supported the programme in a big way. Environment Chair, Rtn. Hariprasad was the architect behind the initiative and took the lead in organizing the programme and sponsoring the saplings. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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08th July’22: Blood donation Camp @ KSRP 4th Battalion, Koramangala

DownTowners organized the first blood donation camp of the year at KSRP 4th Battalion and received enthusiastic response. 27 units of blood was collected and the camp was facilitated by Red Cross. DIGP Rtn. Ramakrishna Prasad and Commandant Raghunath inaugurated the camp and donated blood on the occasion.

14th July’22: Visit to Toyota Eco Park A team of DownTowners visited the Toyota Eco Park, a Knowledge Centre established by Toyota Kirloskar Motors at Bidadi on the outskirts of Bangalore in a sprawling 25 acre campus. The Park follows best practices in environmental preservation and works with the Government to create environmental awareness and protection among the young minds of government schools in and around Bidadi, Channapatna and Ramanagara. They conduct 3-Day classes for students from 6th to 10th standard on environmental preservation and protection as part of the school curriculum. They have also established a Technical Training Institute wherein 10th pass students from economically weaker sections are trained and suitable candidates are absorbed. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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16th July’22: Eco Drive - Tree Planting A mega tree planting drive was conducted by DownTown in association with Rotary Mandya, Rotary Bharathinagar Central, Rotary Maddur, IW Mandya, Negilayogi Trust and Toyota Kirloskar Eco Park at Madarahalli Govt School, Maddur and K.M. Doddi Bus Stand, Maddur Taluk, Mandya Dist. Hon’ble Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mr. D.C. Thammanna was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the tree planting programme. Imagine Rotary stickers were also distributed on the occasion as Rotary Public Image project.

July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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22nd July’22 : Rotary Action Groups Joint Meeting of 27 Clubs of Dist 3190 Under the astute stewardship of DownTowner, PP Rtn. Raghu Allam, the Dist. Rotary Action Groups Chair, DownTown organized an awareness programme on Rotary Action Groups under the aegis of Dist. International Service Team, with 27 clubs participating. The Dist. International Service Directors, Rtn. Rashmi Tanksali and Rtn. Shankar Sastry gave an insightful overview of the International Service Avenue, the projects planned for the year under the Cultural Exchange Programmes, International Days, International Projects, Rotary Action Groups and 0 International Nights Committees at the District. Seven ICCs and 8-Sister club relations with Belarus, Indonesia, Ghana, Nigeria, Israel, Philippines and Czech Republic are planned. It is also proposed to register 300 delegates from Dist 3190 to the Melbourne International Convention. DGN Rtn. Sathish Madhavan congratulated Downtown for taking the lead in organizing the programme to educate Rotarians on the immense possibilities of serving the community through RAGs and also dwelt at length on how RAGs work. PP Rtn. Raghu Allam gave a detailed introduction into the concept of Rotary Action Groups and an overview of the activities of RAGs. RAGs were started as recently as 2000 and have made significant contributions, he said. RAGs have been formed keeping in mind the myriad vocations of Rotarians & their passion for a cause. Speaking on the occasion, PDG Rtn. Bhansali stated that RAGs are not only for Rotarians but for the entire Rotary family and outsiders as well who are passionate to serve the society in the larger context and looking outside their immediate vicinity for a larger impact. July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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22nd July’22 : Presentation of Laptop

Thanks to the support of Rtn. Kamal Charan of Rotary DownTown who presented a laptop to Ms. Shayaree, a PUC student to continue her studies.

25th July’22 : Rocketry, Special Movie Screening With the 75th Independence Day Celebrations round the corner, DownTown joined hands with Lit Skills – Learning India LLC to organize a special movie screening of Rocketry on the life of celebrated and legendary Space Scientist Padma Bhushan S. Nambi Narayanan for over 175 students of Police Public School from 7th to 10th standard. The critically acclaimed and inspirational movie is directed by R. Madhavan. The screening was held at Cinemetropolis, Royal Meenakshi Mall, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. The enthusiastic children thoroughly enjoyed the movie and were in awe of the achievements of Nambi Narayanan..

Padma Bhushan Awardee S. Nambi Narayanan with President Ram Nath Kovind July-2022 Activities

Rocketry Movie Screening

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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29th July’22: Hospital Visit

With an objective of familiarizing DownTowners to our signature project, a Hospital Visit was organized to the Rotary Bangalore DownTown – PD Hinduja Haemo Dialysis Centre at Sampangirama Nagar. Dr. Chandrashekar, Director of PD Hinduja Charitable Hospital took DownTowners around the Dialysis centre and explained in detail the procedure, selection of beneficiaries and the entire process. A Pediatrician by qualification is in charge of the Charitable Hospital for the last 24 years and the Dialysis Centre since 2003. An acclaimed expert and administrator has published many research papers and worked on ICMR and UNICEF projects. Recounting the tentative steps taken by the PD Hinduja Charitable Trust for establishing the Dialysis Centre way back in 2003, he was of the opinion that but for the solid support from DownTown, realization of the dream of starting the centre would have been very difficult. Informing that the centre provides the best of dialysis and health care, and has received the prestigious NABH accreditation , he added that the centre crossed one lakh dialysis in February 2022. DownTown presented a Cheque for Rs.2.50 lakhs towards one-free-dialysis-a-day to Dr. Bajaj.

July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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Key Dates in August 2022

July-2022 Activities

We meet every Friday at 7.00 pm

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