Our Club has been organising a very successful International Youth Exchange Program with the Rotary Club Nidda, Germany since 2011. Eleven Exchange Students, all girls, arrived from Germany on 8th October. They spent three weeks in Mumbai with their host families and departed on 28th October. They had some amazing experiences while they were here, which are better elaborated in a separate article. On 9th October, I visited Lala Lajpat Rai College and HR College when the Exchange Students were called there for a welcome meet. Both these colleges have been a part of the Exchange Program. On 12th October, Rotarians Gaurav Kapadia, Naren Mohatta and I visited the Kamla Mehta School for the Blind. The Exchange Students also came along and interacted with the students. More importantly, our Club has mobilised donations to the tune of R2.5 lacs for the school and the cheques were handed over that day. Later on, we visited Lala Lajpatrai College where the Rotaract Club had organised ‘Astitva-Ek Pehchaan’, a talent show for the differently abled. It was amazing to see children with physical challenges put up fantastic performances on stage with great confidence and aplomb. Rotaract Club of Lala Lajpatrai College also organised a RYLA for the physically challenged at NASEOH. Combining the energy of the youth with the need for assimilation of the physically challenged into the society can bring about great benefit for both. On 14th October, the Exchange Students were taken on a trip to Potkhal-Baste villages for a unique experience. Finally, we had a farewell evening for the students on 26th October where they were handed participation certificates.
The speaker on 4th October was Mr. Jyotivardhan Jaipuria who spoke to us about Asset Allocation and Markets and gave us an insight into investment planning and strategy. On 11th October, we hosted a welcome meet for the Exchange Students from Germany where they made a presentation about their country and spoke about themselves. 18th October was a very special and unique Diwali fellowship. Members and Annes came dressed in traditional clothing and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel’s ballroom was beautifully decorated. On 25th October, noted uro-oncological surgeon Dr. Anup Ramani spoke to us about Men’s Health and Robotic Surgery. It was an extremely informative talk given the fact that it becomes more relevant for men over 50, which most of us are.
November promises to be another interesting month with celebrations of our Charter Night when we enter our 50th year.
Pres Rtn Manoj Jalan
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