Focus on India

Perhaps the most interested Inner Wheelers in this web site are the good people of India who have had massive problems over the past few weeks with that awful earthquake. Here is some of the activities this active area of the world have been involved in.

MEDICAL CAMP August 18th & 19th, 2000

Inner Wheel Clubs of Madras and Madras East in conjunction with Health First  an NGO - conducted a health camp to benefit the residents of the slums of Jagannathapuram and Mangalapuram. Over 800 people were examined. The 'patients' had cost free access to the expertise of doctors in various disciplincs diabetology, ophthalmology, dentistry ENT gynaecology, paediatric's and general medicine all under one roof. They were offered medical care and guidance with an offer of follow-up, depending on individual requirements.

The camp was inaugurated by Mr. J. Radhakrishan, Commissioner of Chennai Corporation, and the function was presided over by Mr. Chandramohan,  Dy. Commissioner (Health) of Chennai Corporation. The camp was supported by leading pharmaceutical and dental care companies, who provided the medicines.

Inner Wheel Club of Bombay West

Fancy Dress Competition was held at Amboli Balwadi to celebrate Independence Day. The theme for the competition was patriotism. Students dressed up in all their finery. Their costumes were well thought out, highly depictive and very colourful. Prizes were awarded for the best first three costumes, in two age-wise

categories, to encourage and motivate the children. The students' enthusiasm was evident from the painstaking effort they had put in to make the event a grand success, Gifts and snacks added to the delight of the children. Our club members mingled with the students and it was a pleasure to see the joy on the faces of the children. The celebrations reignited the spark of national fervour in all of us.

MEDICAL CAMP FOR THE 'WARKARIS' AT PANDHARPUR.

For the last 4 years our club organises medical camp for the Warkaris at Pandharpur This is our 5th year at this project on 7th July our 45 members including 2 doctor members set out early at 630 a.m. by Mini Bus which was converted into a sort of Medical Van filled with Medical boxes. We reached 'Malshiras' at 8.30 p.m. We started Medical Camp at 8.45 to 11.00p.m. and treated 300 Warkaris. On next day 8th July early in mornings after breakfast we set out at 7.30a.m. and set up camp at some place and treated 800 patients till 1.30 p.m. We gave medicines, dressed their wounds, and medically treated them as these Warkaris walk miles and miles to reach Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi. We camp at 3 different places en-route to Pandharpur. We treated 1100 patients and gave out medicines.

This was an unforgettable experience one sees lots and lots of simple people walking for miles together singing Lord Vithoba's praises just of reach Pandharpur. They go on walking unmindful of the rain or sun and only when physically they suffer they need the services of doctors.

'Divysprabha' the home for street girls at Vartak Nagar. We visited on 12 July and save them 30 Kg. Rice, 5 Kg. Turdal, 2 Kg. Mung, 2 Kg. Chawli, 2 Kg. Matki, 2 Kg. Ghana. They very happily sang songs, dance and recited poems.

Senior Citizen

The thought of growing old puts one in a depression. Growing old and having a healthy life with a happy family and grandchildren is different. But old age with bad health and in some cases no one to take care of concerns a lot of people in the society. People in this generation do not realise that they too one day will grow old and may not have a very healthy life. But they go and put their grandparents or parents in the old homes to he looked after by others. They feel they are a burden in this jet age and have no time for them.

It is here that the Inner Wheel dub of Bombay North steps in. It tries its best to comfort them, spend quality time with them provide their needs etc. We often go to the Shepards Widows Home and serve lunch with our hands and also buy things they make in their spare time, such as crochet laccs, doormats out of waste cloth etc. We take them out doors at times specially they enjoy going to St. Mary’s fair at Bandra. As an individual I would respect and give dignity to all senior citizens.

Shakera Quettawalla President

DISTRICT 323  INTER CLUB NAVARATHRI COMPETITION - September 23rd 2000

'Navarathri', which literally translates as nine nights is a festival that is celebrated in different ways all over India around this time of year. District ISO Shashi Shyamsundar organised an inter club competition on September 23rd. 15 IW Clubs from all over the city presented displays and tableaux depicting IW various aspects of the festival in different parts of the country The whole-day programme provided a great deal of friendship and. participative pleasure for members, Three judges, including Association President Kamala Ramakrishnan, judged the competition.

DISTRICT 323- PAEDIATRIC WARD AT CANCER HOSPITAL

A Continuous Project

In 1995, Inner Wheel members of District 323 'adopted' the paediatric ward at the Cancer hospital, and since then a rota of members has been drawn up so that some members visit the children and spend time with them every day of the Year As a Platinuin Jubilee project, we undertook the construction and maintenance of  “Recreation Room” for the children. The room has been equipped with games books craft materials a TV set and a number of other things to bring a little cheer into the children 5 days. The rest of the ward too has merited attention - fans, cots drapes and other amenities are provided from time to time on a need basis.

The roof of the ward now needs immediate attention is it has sprung a few leaks We have been collecting funds for its repair and reinforcement and hope to complete the job before the rains set in, thanks to 1 number of philanthropic donors Grateful thanks to members of the Inner Wheel Club of Saar Germany District 86 who hive sent us a generous remittance.

Fun in 'Prathyasa'

Sunshine and laughter flooded 'PRATIJYASA' a home for intellectually impaired children at Calicut, Kerula, INDIA when the Inner Wheel Club of Calicut Midhywi, (Dist 320) presented the children with a granite slide during Chairman Gomathy Viswanathan’s club visit. It was difficult to say  who enjoyed themselves more, the children who found sliding a wonderful new experience or the members who laughingly caught each child as he/she came whooshing down!