BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB, OTTAPALAM

C.R.R. HALL, MANISSERY (P.O.), OTTAPALAM - 679 521, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, KERALATHCHARTER DATE : 16 APRIL 1985

OTTAPALAM

ROTARY NEWS

SPECIAL BULLETIN

Looking back, twenty five years and beyond to the scenic, Ottapalam was a sleepy town - there is not much of a change to it even now except a few new buildings. The local administration area has enlarged, so also the population exploded from approx. 40,000 to over 70,000. The vehicle population is brimming to breach Ottapalam.

We, Ottapalam residents, take pride of our Valluvanadan culture. Most of the villages in and around Ottapalam twenty five years and beyond were paddy cultivated, a scene that is gradually disappearing.

The most striking sight which many of us can remember nostalgically is - then Nila (Bharathapuzha) was a river not so dry in summer as now. Atleast there were snake lines of water flow. Nila is reaching the fate of a slow dry death.

Why all this story – well, you must know what was Ottapalam when the Rotary Club took birth here.

The Rotary movement which had then well rooted in India, however, didn’t have a Club here. Against this background a few elites planned to start a Rotary Club in Ottapalam in 1984/1985, and thus Rotary Club of Ottapalam was born- sponsored by Rotary Club of Palghat. It started with a modest number of 14 members; the founder President was a Pilot, Capt. P.S. Rajan. The Club was chartered on 16th April 1985 – club number 22653 in the present Rotary District 3201.

In the following years, the Club had many members from different walks of life under various classifications. The Club had, and continues to have, close contacts and brotherly relations with its neighbouring clubs. It had, every year under various Presidents and their teams of Office bearers, actively and successfully implemented all Rotary priority programs as well as its own “service above self” social, community, vocational and international service projects for the benefit of the community at large. A few noteworthy community service projects implemented over the last 26 years were:

• Constructed Bus waiting shelters.

• A developed cremation ground handed over to the Municipality.

OTTAPALAM ROTARY

SERVE THE BLINDTHAMASO MA JYOTHIRGAMAYA

ROTARY-NAB

COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

Rehabilitation

Kanniyampuram, Ottapalam, Palakkad Dt., Kerala

Travels

Contact for all types luxury & other vehicles Ph : 0466 2245929

09447996655

09447045929Bus

Mini Bus (19,27,33 seats)

Tempo Traveler (12,14 seats)

Qualis, Ambassador, Indica etc. Kani

• Two Rotary Ambulance Projects – in different years (both were Matching Grant Projects)• Mobile Freezer Unit (Thanks to Rotary Club of

Bandar Sun way, Malaysia)• Storage and running water supply at Polygardens,

a residential care-home cum school for mentally challenged (a Matching Grant project)

• Coir spinning unit at Helen Keller Institute for physically challenged.

• Magnetic therapy unit at Helen Keller Institute (Thanks to Grace Foundation, Canada)

• Furniture, teaching aids, kitchen equipments and transportation vehicle (Auto Riksha) for Medha Foundation (a school for mentally challenged children) under Rotary International Children Opportunity Grant.

• Adopted a school and provide every year uniforms, teaching and learning aids in this school as well as to a few other schools.

• Again, provided furniture, teaching aids and auto Riksha to Medha Foundation (Thanks to Grace foundation, Canada)

• Set up an old age home on the land of 1.5 acres donated by Mrs. Leela Raghunathan, in memory of her mother Rariamkandath Chinnammu Amma (This was our Rotary centennial project)

• In the Rotary year 2008-2009, we partnered with National Association for the Blind, for community based projects in Palakkad District. The Project is operated from our premises.

• Rotary “Friends of Flowers” garden.• Herbal garden.• Two Tailoring Schools (Third one being established)• Music and dance Schools (at this time, defunct)• Constructed and handed over two traffic islands to

Police Dept.• Ecological preservation at Civil Station• Regular free cataract surgeries in association with

Comtrust Eye Hospital and other Eye Hospitals.• Actively participating in Polio Plus (Polio eradication)

programs.• Innumerable free medical camps of cancer care, eye

care, Cataract surgeries, Jaypore foot, cardiac camps, and so on.

• Geriatric care thru allopathic and Ayurveda regular medical camps.

• Financial assistance to BPL families• Public awareness programs on public health.

• Vocational training programs and projects.• Educational cash assistance to the needy.....and so on.... There are many – the list will elongate.

In the early years, Rotary Meetings were held in a hall called Rotary. The venue was shifted to Hotel Aramana for a few years and then to IMA hall in Kanniampuram. With the donation of ten cents of land by Rtn. PHF Mrs. Nirmala Ram Mohan in memory of her late brother Chembolly Ravindran, a Trust was formed to build a Rotary Hall which was inaugurated on 10th April 2003. All functions and meetings are held in this hall now.

While in the home front Rotary Ottapalam served the community with “service above self” passion, we had developed excellent international service and relations over the years. The Rotary year 2006-07 witnessed a spurt in the international service activities. In April 2007 a team of 19 members visited Singapore and Malaysia on the invitation of Rotary Clubs of Bandar Sunway and Damansara on Rotary Family Friendship Exchange. A sister club agreement was signed during this visit with the Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway.

Year 2007-08 was marked with a remarkable addition of 14 PHFs making a total of 20 Paul Harris Fellows

Under the Leadership of successive Presidents and their committed members, Ottapalam Club has been bagging innumerable Rotary Awards year after year. The services of Ottapalam Rotary has been recognized and applauded by the community and the Club and its members enjoy the goodwill of the community. Many of its Members have been nominated to District level positions. Many head and /or assist social, community, and cultural activities in their areas.

The Rotary movement and the Ottapalam Club are thankful to all donors and well wishers who have been closely associated with us to do the humanitarian activities of the club. 2009-2010 was our Silver Jubilee Year which we befittingly celebrated. The project "Roshini" - installation of a High Mast Lamp in the heart of Ottapalam Town is in progress. Another project - Community Based Rehabilitation - thru a Rotary Matching Grant in association with Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway, Malaysia and Rotary International is in progress.

Let us look forward to an enhanced level of community/social activities during the years to come; and of course, look forward to the continued assistance from Rotary friends.

January 15, 2011

Rtn. MPHF E. PrabhurajanPast PresidentRotary Club of Ottapalam

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

PISHARODY'SPISHARODY'SCaterers, Tour Organisers &

Event Managers

P.O. Kavalapara, ShoranurPh : 0466 2226695, 2226670,

Mob: 9847347911, 9447383333, 9745991166

National Association for the Blind, India is the largest non profit voluntary organisation established in 1952 has, about six decades of experience, pioneered 'cradle to grave' services for the visually challenged persons – be it socio-economic rehabilitation of children, youngsters and aging, prevention programmes, education, vocational training, empowerment, advocacy and many more such activities across the Country. We have at present 96 branches across the Country covering 24 States of India. National Association for the Blind Kerala, the Kerala State Branch has been promoting comprehensive services for the persons with disabilities of the State of Kerala through community-based rehabilitation, integrated education, prevention, vocational training, human resource development, advocacy and other innovative means. Our objective is 'total development and equal rights' for the persons with disabilities. At present we are directly working in Five Districts of Kerala, Trivandrum, Alleppey, Ernakulam, Palakkad & Waynad and through networking with other agencies in the remaining 09 Districts of Kerala. Sensitisation of the Government and Non Government agencies is an important task we have taken to bridge the gap between the 'givers' and the persons with disabilities. Every activity of ours is implemented along with the Government machinery to ensure sustainability even after our withdrawal. We are motivating the persons with disabilities, training their community members to carry forward the activities and making the persons with disabilities self reliant in their needs and requirements. At present we are supporting about 22,000 persons with disabilities from Kerala State. Our activities are

NOTE ON NAB1. Prevention Programmes :

2. Education :

3 Rehabilitation:

4. Training :

5. Advocacy :

6. Employment :

Organising Camps,Correctional Surgeries, Conducting Awareness Classes, etc...

Organising sensitization programmes for theEducational Administrators, General Teachers, Resource Teachers, Parents, etc. Distributing special equipment to the needy children.

. At grassroot level with the support of Panchayat, Anganwady Workers, ASHA Workers, ADS/CDS workers, Health Workers, etc.

Conducting Training, Awareness &Sensitisation programme for the Government, NonGovernment agencies, Persons with disabilities, their family members, community components, etc.

To promote self help groups for persons with disabilities to advocate for their rights. Sensitise the govern-ment machinery, community members of persons with disabili-ties in helping the persons with disabilities to avail their rights and privilages.

Promote self employment and openemploy-ment for the persons with disabilities to make them earning members of their family.

The vision of National Association for the Blind is to work towards an environment where each and every person with disability of this Country becomes self reliant and leads a life of dignity.

Inauguration of CBR Project by Past Dist. Governor PHF Venugopal C. Govind

Guests from Denmark who helped Ajay Vijay Fund

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

Lakshmi Towers, First Floor, CBE Road Sulthanpet, Palakkad - 1, Kerala.

Off : 0491 3202151, 2548097, 2548098, Fax : 0491 2548099

E mail : sunrisett@gmail.com Website : www.sunrisett.com

360°TRAVEL

SOLUTIONS

FROM THE

PROGESSIONALS

Services :

TICKETING (DOMESTIC &INTERNATIONAL)

VISA SERVICES (VFS)

HOLIDAYS (INBOUND & OUTBOUND)

PASSPORT

TRAVEL INSURANCE

HOTAL, EURAIL &

CRUISE BOOKING

AN UNFORTUNATE FAMILY

Smt. Damayanti, Koonathara, Vaniyamkulam, Ottappalam, a 60 year of old widow, is fighting against all odds to survive in this world with her 5 children, trying to overcome the disability, poverty, debt and what else, she does not know. Her eldest son Vasudevan, 40 years old with cardiac and other health related problems is running a petty shop in front of her house. He is the only bread earner of the family comprising of 10 persons. Vasudevan is married and father of three children, one of them, a boy 6 years old is suffering from paralysis. Her second son Devadas, 37 years old is paralyzed on one side of the body and is living on the mercy of other family members. Recently NAB, through the support of Vaniyamkulam Grama Panchayat, distributed a motorized three wheeler to Devadas, which helped him in mobility. He is helping Vasudevan to buy the materials required for his shop. Damayanti’s three daughters are Subadra, Jayalalitha and Vasantha; Subadra and Jayalalitha are orthopedically handicapped and Jayalitha is a dwarf. Vasantha has been adopted by a convent and is living with their support. Jayalalitha and Vasudevan's son have another problem; that their bones are growing from all parts of the body.

Damanyanti pledged her land and building to a bank for the treatment of the children and at present they are facing revenue recovery of Rs.3,50,000 from the bank. Unless they settle this amount very soon the entire family will be homeless. We had discussed the matter with the concerned bank and delayed the process of recovery. If any philanthropist come forward and provide financial support we can delay the recovery process for some more time.

Subhadra learned tailoring during the course of time. If she has a motorized sewing machine, her daily expense can be met. Today we are providing her a sewing machine.

We request all kind-hearted people to look into the matter and support this family of 10 persons whom are suffering from poverty, disability and debt.

Many such cases are there, but this is seen by the team and taken a special interest to include in our Rotary activities.

Donation, if any, can be sent to the President Rotary Club of Ottapalam “W C S Project” by bank drafts/cheques

FUTURE OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIESOF ROTARY / NAB CBR PROJECT

1. Income Generation Projects for Persons with Disabilities

2. Distribution of Aids and Appliances

3. Awareness Programmes to Govt/Non Govt agencies on Rights & Privileges of Persons with Disabilities.

4. Sensitisation & Awareness to Persons with Disabilities and their Community.

5. Vocational Training with Jana Shiksha Sansthan

6. Computer Education for Persons with Disabilities

7. Advocacy Activities

8. Braille Orientation Programmes for Educational Administrators, General Teachers, Volunteers & Parents.

9. Promoting Education of Children with Disabilities in General Schools.

10. Sight restoration Programmes.

Rtn. PP. MPHF Ambalakat Ram MohanChairman, CBR Project

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

AQUA Tours and Travels3/114, Pulikkillam Road, Kakkanad (West), Cochin - 682 030, Kerala, India

Tel : +91 484 2422579, Mobile : +91 094447327989

Email: arkmenon@hotmail.com

www.healthourskerala.com

PHOTO GALLERY

Ajay Vijay (Hydrocephalus victims) Braille kits to visually Impaired

Goats for mentally challenged 3 wheeler to physically challenged

Sewing Machine to Physically Challenged Well wishers from Denmark

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

Opp. SDA SCHOOL, MANISSERY,

OTTAPALAM - 679 521

Ph : 0466 2010763, Mob : 9946889171

PHOTO GALLERY

Incense making by Visually impaired Braille Training

Help to Physically Challenged

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

MODELING PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO RESTORING

PHOTO LAMINATION

LCD PROJECTION

CCTV PROJECTION

SPOT MIXING

LINEAR & NON LINEAR EDITING

DOCUMENTRY

ROTARY OTTAPALAM

ROTARIANS INVOLVED IN CBR PROJECT

District Governor Rtn. Major Donor G. Viswanathan

Rtn. PHF G. Pradeep (President 2010- 2011)

Rtn. M.G. Koman (President 2009-2010)

Rtn. PHF Adv. E.P. Ramachandran (President 2008 - 2009)

Rtn PHF Dr. K. Gopikumar(Chairman CRR Trust)

Rtn PHF T.N. Kutty(Secretary CRR Trust)

Rtn. MPHF AmbalakatRam Mohan

Chairman, CBR Project

Rtn. PHF Col. C. GangadharanCo-Ordinator NAB - Rotary

Rtn. MPHF Madhusudhan. RDirector Vocational Service

Rtn. MPHF C.P. BaijuDirector Community Service

Rtn. MPHF E. PrabhurajanMG Contact # 1

Rtn PHF V.A. BaluMG Contact # 2

Rtn. PHF Pramod Secretary

Rtn. PHF P.K. PeethambaranBulletin Editor

NAB OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN CBR PROJECT

THE OBJECT OF THE ROTARY

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster :

FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society ;

THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

THE FOUR-WAY TEST Of the things we think, say or do

1) Is it the TRUTH ?

2) Is it FAIR to all concerned ?

3) Will it build GOODWILL and

BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned ?

Mobile : 9447727405K. Pramodkumar(Proprietor)

Mr. Baby Cherian Working President

Rtn. Josey Joseph Hon. General Secretary

Mr. Manoj KurianCEO

Mr. ShibuDevelopment Officer

Premrajan, Sunil, Gargi, Sukanya (NAB Field Staff)

ROTARY OTTAPALAM