BY RAVI R PONANGI
Atlanta, GA: Rotary club of Emory Druid Hills (RCEDH) celebrated the 109th birth anniversary of Rotary International with a variety of events. Keeping with the mission of Rotary International to enhance literacy and foster education, Rotary club of Emory Druid Hills adopted Cary Reynolds elementary School, Doraville and supported the school by providing including providing science kits to students on engineering problem solving tasks. RCEDH participated in mentoring as well direct involvement in the project, bringing appreciation and respect from the community for the club.
The club also organized a grand fun filled gala night to celebrate the anniversary of Rotary International. The gala dinner was held on Saturday, March 01 at Ashiana Banquet hall. The day’s program started with a pledge of allegiance, rendition of both US and Indian national anthems followed by invocation dance. Past district Governor of Rotary International, PDG Barry Smith was the chief guest and key note speaker.
Smith gave a detailed account of Rotary’s success worldwide for the last hundred years.
‘Dreadful Fate’, a documentary movie addressing the issue of fluorosis in Andhra Pradesh (AP), India was screened. This is a story of land where excess fluoride in ground water has turned the fate of thousands of inhabitants making them totally crippled. Water is life but what if the same turned to poison.
Skeletal fluorosis, a condition that Dreadful Fate is based upon, is said to be a health effect of excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones leading to changes in bone structure thereby making them extremely weak and brittle. One of the sources is consumption of fluoride from drinking water. The documentary captivated the viewer with a simple, straightforward narrative supported by pertinent visuals by fluoride-laden water derived from deep bore wells. But the technology has changed and we can use reverse osmosis plant treatment to purify water.
An apt movie for a noteworthy cause surely stirred emotions in the audience who came forward to strengthen the efforts of the club at providing safe drinking water to the districts affected by water contamination in the area.
Mike Glanton, Georgia state house of Representative said that he has visited India and seen the work done by the club there. He commended the club members and the role of the Indian community in the economic development of Georgia.
PDG Barry Smith recognized four Paul Harris fellows and presented pins and certificates to Rotarians Chandler Sharma, past President Chittaranjan Jyotishi, Ravi Chander and Roger Williams.
Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, club President Ravi Chander informed the audience about various activities of the club and projects under taken not only here in USA but also in India since its inception in 2009. The club received many applauds for setting up reverse osmosis purified water plants in fluoride-affected areas of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. Ravi Chander is instrumental in the success of the RCEDH water projects that provide clean drinking water to thousands of families in India.
Bollywood dances presented by the students of Kala Vasudevan of Shrutilaya, Ashok Goyal and Shiv Institute of dance captivated audience.
Ritu Srivastava and Ashok Goyal were the emcees of the evening. Rtn. Susan Sweeney, secretary of the club proposed vote of thanks followed by delicious dinner.
As Rotary International celebrates its 109th year, many clubs worldwide celebrated in their own special way. First Rotary club was founded on February 23, 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris. Today there are more than 1.2 million men and women in 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries throughout the world united by the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”
