January 13, 2006

January 13, 2006

Friday, and it hardly seems like I have been here more than a day…

Since I am here as a Rotarian, returning to India on my fifth journey here, there are a number of activities in which I am planning to participate. One of these is the annual Rotary District Conference, where many of the 4,500 Rotarians from throughout the district gather for the purpose of fellowship and being brought current with Rotary’s efforts and initiatives throughout the world. Each year, the president of Rotary International chooses a motto for the year, to set the tone for the organization. This year’s theme is SERVICE ABOVE SELF – where President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar has chosen to return to one of the basics of Rotary – to SERVE. The District Conference officially begins this afternoon, but yesterday, I attended the Annual Rotary District Cricket Match, where teams from the District compete in a most spirited match, followed by a buffet luncheon “picnic”. This year, the team from Ghaziabad won the match and the team members were recognized for their efforts through the presentation of trophies. On hand for the awards ceremony was Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, from the Philippines. “Joc Joc” is a member of the Rotary International Board of Directors, and he and his wife, Anne Marie Carol are here to represent President Carl-Wilhelm at the conference. He will address the attendees of the conference several times throughout the weekend and I look forward to hearing his message.

Following the cricket match and the “picnic”, a dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Ravi Dayal and I traveled to visit a number of projects and potential projects in which I and a number of Rotarians from the U.S. and U.K. have participated in the past. Probably the most moving of these locations is the Amar Jyoti Research and Rehabilitation Centre, located on the outskirts of Delhi. Two years ago, when I had the privilege of leading a team of some forty Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to India for the purpose of participating in the National Immunization Day against polio, we took time one day to visit Amar Jyoti and were very impressed with the work going on there. The concept was developed by its founder about twenty-five years ago – that of creating an environment where children with physical challenges and those without are brought together for educational purposes. The mission statement follows: “Amar Jyoti is a voluntary organization rendering rehabilitative services through integrated education, medical care and vocational training…”

There are currently some 600 children with and without disability, studying together in equal number. In addition to basic education, the children also participate in integrated sports and cultural programs, as well as vocational disciplines, including computer training, carpentry, cooking, tailoring, weaving, textile design, and beauty culture. Students also help to produce a number of marketable items, available to the general public. To say that Amar Jyoti is an inspiration to all who visit is an understatement. To see children in wheelchairs or on crutches playing cricket or performing dance programs brings one to the realization that each of us is not only given talents, but also the opportunity to share those talents with others. What we choose to do with those talents is what makes unique. Multiple opportunities await at Amar Jyoti, not only for the students and staff, but more importantly for those of us who have the resources to make a significant contribution of time, talent and treasure, if we are only willing to share.

Tomorrow, I hope to visit a leper colony to determine whether or not future projects are available to Rotarians to contribute not only funds, but also physical labor.