Rotary Club of Chandigarh . India . RI District 3080

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                                               History

Board of Directors

Club Facts

Club’s Roll of Honour

Past RI President
R.K. Saboo

Club’s Major Projects

Rotary International

R.I. District 3080
 

The history of Rotary Club of Chandigarh is closely entwined with the history of ‘the city beautiful’.  It has grown with the city, bringing into its folds some of the most dedicated service-minded individuals in pursuit of reaching out to the people in need, who have not only excelled in their respective professions but also contributed to the growth of Rotary.

It was in 1958 that 22 prominent citizens of the city decided to form a Rotary Club in the city.  Sponsored by Rotary Club of Patiala, the Rotary Club of Chandigarh held its first meeting in February 1958.

Rtn. Mr.Justice R.P.Khosla was elected founder President and Rtn.Dr. J.R.D.Ahuja, was the Founder Secretary.

Late Rtn. K.J.Khosla, the then member of Rotary Club of Patiala, was the Governor’s Special Representative, who helped organise the club.

Our Club received the Charter from Rotary International on 10th day of May 1958 from the then District Governor Fazil-i-Ahmed.

The Club is proud to have amongst them a highly devoted Rotarian in Raja Saboo, who brought glory, not only to the Club but to the country as well, bringing Chandigarh on the world map.
Raja headed the Rotary International in 1991-92 and had been the Chairman of the Rotary Foundation during 1996-97.

The information below highlights some of the major projects and activities of the Club through the years.
1958-59

President : Rtn. Justice R.P.Khosla
Secretary: Rtn. Dr. J.R.D.Ahuja

The club hosted the District Assembly on 26-27 April, 1958, even before the presentation of the Club’s Charter.

1959-60
President : Rtn. Justice R.P.Khosla
Secretary: Rtn.  J.S.Kalra

Intercity meeting held on 27th March, 1960.

1960-61
President : Rtn. Gurdial Singh Dhillon
Secretary: Rtn. P.C. Loomba

Weekly bulletin started.  Monetary aid to poor students.

1961-62
President : Rtn. Gurdial Singh Dhillon
Secretary: Rtn. P.C. Loomba

Funds raised for a Funeral Van.
District Conference hosted March 3-4, 1962

1962-63
President : Rtn. Dr. J.R.D. Ahuja
Secretary: Rtn. P.C. Loomba

Wounded soldiers of the China War and relatives given free rations and clothes.
Members attended Intercity meeting at Lahore presided over by the Pakistan President, Gen. Ayub Khan.

1963-64
President : Rtn. L.D. Kaushal
Secretary: Rtn. V.K. Verma

Funeral Van given to Red Cross.  Woollen jerseys distributed amongst the poor.

1964-65
President : Rtn. P.C. Loomba
Secretary: Rtn. R.P. Manocha

Interact Club and Book Bank started in Sector 16, Model Secondary High School.  Book Bank also started in Punjab Engineering College.

1965-66
President : Rtn.  V.K. Verma
Secretary: Rtn. Mahavir Gupta

District Conference held April 23-24, 1965.

1966-67
President : Rtn. Hira Lal Sibal
Secretary: Rtn. V.P. Gandhi

Scholarships to needy students.  Foreign students invited to Rotarian homes on festivals.

1967-68
President : Rtn. K.J. Khosla
Secretary: Rtn. V.P. Gandhi

An `At home’ for foreign students studying in Chandigarh was organised.  Diwali was celebrated with the foreign students.

1968-69
President : Rtn. Mahavir Gupta
Secretary: Rtn. C.P. Dhawan

Scholarships to poor students.

1969-70
President : Rtn. K.S. Kwatra
Secretary: Rtn. U.D. Pathak

25 foreign students from Portland, U.S.A. hosted in the homes of Club members for one month.
Donated Water Cooler to Saket Home.
Started weekly magazine `Chandigarh Rotarian.’

1970-71
President : Rtn. R.K. Saboo
Secretary: Rtn. S.M. Chadha

Membership rose from 46 to 72.  Community Welfare Centre started at Village Kajheri and 4 sewing machines donated.  Recreational equipment donated to start a Children’s Park at the Industrial Workers Colony, Sector 30-A. `Mukesh Nite’ and Raffle held to raise funds.

1971-72
President : Rtn. Parampal Singh Mann
Secretary: Rtn. H.M. Monga

Completed School and Community Centre in Village Kajheri. During Indo-Pak war organized a Free Community Kitchen for relatives of Active Service Personnel visiting Chandigarh.  Rs. 12,000/- collected for Handicapped Children and distributed.

1972-73
President : Rtn. B.K. Mehan
Secretary: Rtn. H.M. Monga

Funds donated for Blind Rehabilitation Centre and Rotary Cancer Hospital at Delhi.

1973-74
President : Rtn. V.P. Gandhi
Secretary: Rtn. Lalit Mohan Suri

Rs. 1 lakh collected for Community Development Project at Sector 25, Labour Colony, for a School, Dispensary, Latrines and Balwari.  Scholarships for needy students.  District Conference hosted December 15-16, 1973.

1974-75
President : Rtn. Dr. C. Balakrishan
Secretary: Rtn. V. Seshadri

Intercity meeting held on 21-04-74.  Creche started in Labour Colony, Sector 25, Funds provided for artificial limbs and care of the blind.

1975-76
President : Rtn. C.P. Dhawan
Secretary: Rtn. J.R. Grover

A room added to Balwari in Sector 25.
Equipment for indoor games donated to children of Airman’s School.
Group Study Exchange Team from District 587, U.S.A. hosted.

1976-77
President : Rtn. Lalit Mohan Suri
Secretary: Rtn. V.S. Suri

Membership grows to 110.
Crech-cum-Health Centre and Primary School completed in Village Dhanas.  Family Planning Camps held in Village Kajheri and Modella Woollen Mills.  Blood Donation Camp in S.A.S. Nagar and Sector 17.
On the spot Painting Competition organised.
Rotary Club of Chandigarh Mid-Town sponsored.

1977-78
President : Rtn. J.R. Grover
Secretary: Rtn. Vinod Peshawaria

1000th meeting of the Club celebrated by an Intercity Meeting with Bapu Jagjiwan Ram as Chief Guest.
Rotary Primary School opened at Village Dhanas.
First Inter District Golf Tournament organised.
Eye Camp organised.
Bus to P.G.I. Blood Bank.
Rs. 11,000/- sent to Rotary Club of Machilkapattam in Andhra Pradesh for relief aid to cyclone victims.
T.V. Set donated to Saket home.

1978-79
President : Rtn. S.M. Chadha
Secretary: Rtn. V.P. Gandhi

Mobile van donated to the Blood Bank Society through the efforts of Rtn. R.K. Saboo and a Rotary District in Australia.
Scholarships for needy students.
Special project initiated for Leprosy patients in Chandigarh.

1979-80
President : Rtn.Vinod Peshawaria
Secretary: Rtn. J.R. Khanna

Exhibition “Magic World of Toys” organised to celebrate International Year of the Child.
Donated plastic bags to the Blood Bank at P.G.I. for Haemophillia patients on behalf of Rotary International, District 268.  Handed over Rotary.
Dispensary building at Dhanas Village.
Rotary God Fathers scheme started where 10 Rotarians adopted bright school children and paid for the school and uniform.
Celebrated 75th Anniversary of Rotary International.

1980-81
President : Rtn. B.M. Singh
Secretary: Rtn. D.S. Swani

Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) Camp organised.  Sweaters and uniforms provided to School children in Bapu Dham Colony.
Diabetes detection camp organised.
A herd of goats donated to Lepers Colony to promote self reliance.

1981-82
President : Rtn. U.D. Pathak
Secretary: Rtn. R.M. Suri

R.I. President E.M.C. Caffery and R.I. Secretary Herbert A. Pigman visited the Club.
Rtn. R.K. Saboo becomes a Director of Rotary International.
107 cycles donated as an incentive for Family Planning Operation.

1982-83
President : Rtn. J.R. Khanna
Secretary: Rtn. K.K. Seth

Construction of Rotary P.G.I. Serai started and Rs. 75,000/- presented to P.G.I. Director by R.I. President Hiroji Mukasa.
Seminar on `Dowry or Death’ inaugurated by Shri Vasant Sathe, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers.

2000 Subabul trees planted in schools.
Rs. 1.75 lacs raised for P.G.I. Serai and ground floor completed.  Toy Train worth Rs. 25,000/- presented to Chandigarh Administration through the efforts of Rtn. R.K. Saboo and Rotary Club of Embengin West Germany.  New Interact Club started in Sector 10 Government Model School.

1984-85
President : Rtn. R.M. Suri
Secretary: Rtn. Partap SIngh

Rs. 2 lacs collected for the P.G.I. Serai which was completed and the keys handed over to Director P.G.I. to Director P.G.I. on 28.6.85.  A total of Rs. 46 lacs had been collected by the club.
Eye camp at Manimajra organised. District’s First President’s Elect Training Seminar held.

1985-86
President : Rtn. S.K. Lamba
Secretary: Rtn. D.S. Jaaj

A plot acquired in Sector 18 for Rotary Vocational Training Centre.  Braille typewriter donated to Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, $700 sent to District 417 in Mexico for earthquake relief.

1986-87
President : Rtn. Tosh Kasliwal
Secretary: Rtn. Madhukar Malhotra

Equipment and apparatus arranged for Speech and Hearing Aid Centre at Prayaas in Sector 11.
Rotary Village Corps started in Village Kansal.
Rotary Club of Chandigarh Central sponsored.

1987-88
President : Rtn. Partap Singh
Secretary: Rtn. Rattan Advani

Health Camp at Village Dhanas.  Rotary Village Corps expanded.  Funds collected for Polio Plus Programme.

1988-89
President : Rtn. K.K. Seth
Secretary: Rtn. K.K. Gupta

A unique scholarship was floated for World Peace & Understanding.  Our Club hosted Miss Christ, sponsored by R.C. LA.  JOLA, Los Angeles, USA under the scheme.  She took training from Rock Garden Creator,  Mr. Nek Chand for 3 months.
Construction of Rotary Vocational Taining Centre started, boundary wall completed and last installment of land paid. Many Medical Camps and one Blood Donation Camp were organised.  Best President award was conferred on Club.

1989-90
President : Rtn. Madhukar Malhotra
Secretary: Rtn. J.B. Bhasin

Rtn. R.K. Saboo nominated as President Rotary International for the year 1991-92.
Four lady members inducted. On the Spot Painting Competition on the theme “Blood Donation” where 1600 children participated. Sponsored Chandigarh Football League Matches. Rs. 45,000/- donated to Rotary Speech and Hearing Centre at Karuna Sadan in Sector 11.

1990-91
President : Rtn. K.K. Gupta
Secretary: Rtn. Ravi Pal Singh Mann

Health Camps held at Village Dhanas.  Distributed free medicines worth Rs. 10,000/- Rs. 360/- per month given to  a lady student in Patiala as aid.
In collaboration with Heart Beat International, U.S.A. free pacemakers provided for poor patients in P.G.I.

1991-92
President : Rtn. Abhilash Kapoor
Secretary: Rtn. S.N. Sharma

Rtn. R.K. Saboo becomes second Indian to be President of Rotary International.
Health Camps and Adult Literacy Classes held at Village Kaimbwala.  Rs. 7.5 lacs collected for R.V.T.C. Building.  Vocational Training Courses started for Electrical Repairs, Tailoring, Book Keeping and Health Assistants.

1992-93
President : Rtn. J.B. Bhasin
Secretary: Rtn. Dr. P.S. Chari

“Freedom 45” week celebrated with Rotaract Club on August 16-20.  New Interact Club started at Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. R.V.T.C. Building progresses and ground floor completed.
Chairs for the Auditorium.
New training courses started in Electronics repairs and Embroidery.

1993-94
President : Rtn. Dr. P.S. Chari
Secretary: Rtn. Harbhajan Singh

9 New Paul Harris Fellows made, US$9,500 collected for the Rotary Foundation.
Club awarded Balanced Achievements Award.
22 new members inducted.
Provided relief to flood victims in Ropar.

1994-95
President : Rtn. Ramesh G. Bhatia
Secretary: Rtn. Rtn. Kawal Bedi

Four day workshop on conservation of Art Objects and Materials held.  Intercity on Rotary Foundation hosted.  Record participation of 578 delegates.
Medical and Polio Camps organised.
Rotary information Library established.
Donation to earthquake victims in Japan.
Health Education and First Aid booklet published.
14 New Paul Harris Fellows.
Club’s main project of service welfare of Senior Citizens wins the Best Project shield.

1995-96
President : Rtn. Harbhajan Singh
Secretary: Rtn. Sunil Khera

Ist phase of RVTC building completed.
Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik Chartered, Medical and blood donation camps held.  Diwali celebrated with poor school children and with inmates of Blind Home.
60 Rotarians participated in the District Conference.
Membership rose to 112 from 98.
Club awarded Best President Award.
R.I. President’s Citation for the Club.
Participated in the 1st Round of Pulse Polio Immunisation adopted 30 Polio booths - highest by any Club in Chandigarh.

1996-97
President : Rtn.  Maj. T.A.S. Bedi
Secretary: Rtn.  Praveen Chander Goyal

Saved the life of a poor young boy Lakha Ram by collecting  and spending over Rs. 2,00,000/- for his heart
    operation.
Introduced and commenced Computer Centre at RVTC to impart training at subsidized rates to poor  students.
Designed and introduced new Presidential Collar.
Celebrated 2000th Meeting on 23rd November, 1996.
Rotary Anns started independent Innerwheel Club.
Immunized a record number of over 79,000 children on two NIDs.
Successfully hosted District Assembly.
Inducted 19 new members making the club as the largest Rotary Club in District 3080.
Awarded certificates of appreciation from RI President in all avenues of services.
Club was adjudged as number one club in the District for percapita contribution to Rotary Foundation.
Secretary, Rtn. Praveen C.Goyal was adjudged the Best Secretary of the District.
Past RI President Raja Saboo appointed as Chairman of the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.
Sponsored a new Interactor Club having membership of over 1000 which is the largest Interactor Club in the world.

1997-98
President : Rtn.  Sunil Khera
Secretary: Rtn. Sumeet Gupta

Hosted District Assembly, and  special Intercity on the visit of R.I. President.
Hosted the Reunion 1991-1992, comprising of 40 PDGs from all over the world.
Immunised children on two NIDs.
Set up Rotary Mini Family Welfare Centre at Bapu Dham Colony  inaugurated by  the Advisor U.T. Administration.
Won the Trophy for PulsePolio and R.I. Presidents Citation.

1998-99
President : Rtn.  Ms. Kawal Bedi
Secretary: Rtn. Charanjit Singh

  The Club received innumerable awards and recognitions for its overall achievements in every sphere of service activities from the District, while the President and the Club were adjudged the Best in the District 3080.

1999-2000
President : Rtn. Darshan Mehandru
Secretary: Rtn. Vijay Wadhawan

The Club hosted the District Conference.
Mrs. Usha Saboo, & IPP Kawal Bedi, received the Awards of Excellence at the District Assembly, besides host of other awards for the Best Club, Best Bulletin, Maximum contribution to The Rotary Foundation.

2000-01
President : Rtn.  Praveen Chander Goyal
Secretary: Rtn. Manmohan Singh

The club has initiated matching grant Rs.3.5 crore project to The Rotary Foundation for a Rs.3 crore Rotary BBS Blood Resource Centre in Chandigarh, which has received nod from TRF.
Another matching grant project is in pipeline for providing a Rotary Mobile Dental Van to the city administration. 
The Club has immunised more than 30,000 children against Hepatitis-B in 3 months period October - December 2000
Has organised two Rotary Community Corps in a slum on the outskirts of the city.  One of them is an all-women RCC for whom various vocational workshops are being held.
Many new vocational training programmes have been introduced at the Rotary Vocational Training Centre.
More than 11,000 and 14,000 children were immunised respectively at the two polio immunisation days observed in the country.  In the second National Immunisation Day, an 11-member team of Rotarians and their spouses from Wisconsin, USA joined at the polio booths.
Organising a massive artificial limbs project for the needy in collaboration with the UK Rotarians under the Jaipur Limbs Project.

2001-02
President: Rtn. Anil Khanna
Secretary:
Rtn,. A.S. Kalsi

2002-03
President: Rtn. Atma Ram Singh
Secretary: Rtn.

Visit of RI President Bhichai Ratakul.  The Club hosted the Joint Intercity to Welcome the RI President.
Initiated Rs.4 crore Blood Resource Centre in collaboration with Blood Bank Society of Chandigarh.

2003-04
President: Rtn. Vijay Wadhawan
Secretary: Rtn. Paramjit Singh

Our member, Rtn. Kawal Bedi, the first women from D-3080 takes over as District Governor.
Constructed Rotary Peace monument in collaboration with State Bank of India at a cost of Rs.5 Lakh at Sukhna Lake. RI President Jonathan B. Majiyagbe visited Chandigarh and unveiled the monument at a glittering function at the lake on 12th December 2003 and handed over the same to HE Governor of Panjab Justice O.P. Verma.