Thirty two Rotarians who have had a blast criss-crossing the rugged landscape of Nepal and Bhutan are soon going to venture out on a Rotary Car Rally covering the length and breadth of New Zealand.
Arriving from India on February 18, the contingent, including Anns and Annetts (wives of Rotarians are addressed as Anns) from 12 Rotary Clubs of Rotary International District 3131, India, hope to promote fellowship and friendship whilst creating awareness about the service organisation which has 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.
The purpose behind the rally is also to meet fellow Rotarians in New Zealand, learn about different service projects, attend Rotary meetings, participate in local community service projects and initiate joint projects.
Past District Governor (PDG), India, Dr Philly Karani, also a senior member of the Rotary Club of Somerville, has been co-ordinating the event with a dedicated committee of Rotarians who have been working out the logistics of car rally, led by PDG Subodh Joshi.
Rotarians from ages 21-73, who are professionals in different fields (including medicine, business, engineering, hospitality and education), will spend two weeks driving in branded cars with magnetic Rotary stickers that create awareness about the various worldwide Rotary projects.
Joshi says, “During the rally we will be promoting the core areas of Rotary that starts with `Rotary connects the world’ as well as focus on world peace, global warming and the worldwide campaign `End Polio Now’ that Rotary has been working on for the last 30 years.
“We’ve helped immunise more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than $1.8 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide.”
He says he looks forward to creating goodwill and getting to know local Rotarians starting with the host club, the Rotary Club of Somerville.
They have successfully completed two rallies in the past including 10,000km in 21 days covering India, and an 8000km rally across Nepal, Bhutan and touching Bangladesh, which has won them accolades.
Somerville Rotary will be welcoming the rally enthusiasts at the Howick Club on February 19; and have also arranged a special bbq at the Pakuranga Sailing Club on February 21 which will be attended by Rotary District Governor Garry Langford, assistant governors, district chairs and senior Rotarians from neighbouring clubs.
