Smt. Mary Anne Solomon, Rotarian from Philippines,

Shri M.C. Robin, Chairman, Rotary International District 3202,

Shri P.M. Sivasankaran, District Governor,

Rotary District 3202,

Shri K Vallabh Das, District Advisor,

Dr. E.K. Saghadhevan, Conference Advisor,

Shri S. Senguttuvan, Conference Secretary

Friends in Media,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,

I am very happy to inaugurate the Annual District Conference of Rotary District 3202, which comprises various districts of Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu.

The very fact that it covers the districts of Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram in Kerala and Erode, Tirupur, Ooty and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu points to the vastness of the geographical as well as service area of this Rotary District, which has over 5000 members. Therefore,
I felt it my duty to accept this invitation from the Rotary District which has been serving people of two States in a remarkable way.

As we all know, Rotary International, which is a world-wide organization of business persons and professionals, has been serving humanity since 1905. Thanks to the farsighted vision of its founders, the Rotary Movement has been successful in helping the poor and the sick, and in sharing friendship and fellowship. It has now grown into a global organization having more than thirty thousand clubs spread over nearly 200 countries.

Many of our learned men have pointed out that there is no better prayer to God than doing what little one can do to mitigate the suffering of others. The saying Maanav Seva is Madhav Seva is well known. I understand that the activities of Rotary International have always been in tune with this philosophy, which also relates to Gandhian principles. Besides, Rotary has a distinctive way of planning and carrying out projects with particular focus on the beneficiaries.

Social service becomes more meaningful and effective when it is in tune with national goals that aim to strengthen social welfare. I understand that this Rotary District has been focusing its activities to ensure peace in society through education and development. It is laudable that the Rotary District's focus of the Literacy and basic support programme is targeted towards Government schools, which are being presented with amenities ranging from Smart class-rooms to sanitary napkin vending machines. I am happy that this initiative is happening at a time when over 45,000 Government and Aided schools in Kerala are getting smart class-rooms.

Equally laudable is this District's initiatives in cleanliness and personal hygiene like Swatchch Bharat, Swatchch Vidyalay etc., which were being carried out on a national basis. However, I feel that along with such programmes, we should give thrust to e-literacy also. I am aware that Rotary India Literacy Mission has been emphasizing e-learning, as a support to the Digital India campaign launched by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. We need to strengthen such activities so that we would see Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu emerging as fully digitally empowered States in our country.

Since empowerment of women is essential for any developing country, our Government has several programmes and a National Mission for Women Empowerment. It is very thoughtful of Rotary to have included Maternity and childcare along with the Women empowerment programmes because, the health of a nation depends on the health of its children, which again is dependent on the health of the mothers.

You would be aware that by 2020, the average age in India is likely to be less than thirty, since over 50% of our population would be youth under 25 years. Therefore, targeting the age group of 14 to 18 for imparting leadership skills is also very essential and I request this Rotary District to take a lead in the area of upgrading the employability of our youth.

It is very well known that though Kerala has been a leader in literacy and primary education, there is an urgent need to improve the communication skills of our youth. The young graduates have acquired knowledge and received training in technology, but are lagging behind in communication and soft skills. This is why Government of India has embarked on the Skill India project, which is being carried out vigorously all over the country. Along with Skills, we could also think of encouraging at least one Start up venture in a year.

Rotary is famous for its efforts in Leadership training. Leadership does not confer authority on people; instead it but puts the weight of responsibility and the need for ethical behavior. A leader is responsible not just for his or her success but for the success of the people one leads. A training that focuses on ethics is essential in creating responsible citizens out of students, especially at a time when scientific developments are challenging the very fabric of our thinking and approach towards life. We need young leaders who would uphold values and ethical practices in every sphere of activity and therefore, this is a good beginning. I sincerely hope that all Rotary would expand its Leadership training sessions to more areas and encourage students to keep in mind their role as citizens who would give equal priority to fundamental duties along with fundamental rights.

To conclude, I would like to compliment the leadership of Rotary International District 3202 for organizing various socially useful programmes that make our nation a better place to live in. I sincerely hope that your efforts to bring peace through knowledge and development succeed by benefiting more people year after year.

Let me also express my appreciation for conducting this programme in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind