MAGICAL MOMENT: CENTURY ON THE FIRST BALL
CHATRACHAYA… a unique project designed by PLAYING 11 TEAM under the able guidance of District Governor Rtn. Shital Shah was inaugurated at the hands of RID PDG Raju Subramaniam at the District Learning Assembly on Sunday, 19th May 2024.
The idea behind implementing the CHATRACHAYA project was to provide temporary shelter to street or roadside vendors or hawkers and for the goods that they sale. These hawkers often run their small businesses by sitting on the ground or with hand carts. Most of the time these vendors do not have any shelter or protection from scorching sunlight or a shield from rain.
Considering the need for such street vendors, the Rotary District 3131 team decided to address the important community problem specifically for people coming from weaker sections. As a solution, it was decided to donate the big-size umbrella (about 6 feet in diameter) to street vendors.
Rotary District 3131 decided to start the Rotary Year 2024-25 with the CHATRACHAYA project. 2425 umbrellas were donated. The Playing 11 team of RID 3131 under the guidance of District Director Rtn. Ajay Wagh took charge of planning this meaningful project. Rtn. Dr. Jignesh Pandya, provided a pivotal support in creating creative design and finalising the vendor for umbrellas.
Considering the importance of this project, QUICK HEAL, a renowned cyber security software company decided to provide major financial support for the project. Rotary Club of Bibwewadi, Rotary Club of Pune East and Rotary District 3131 came forward with additional financial contributions for the project. With all the financial support the umbrellas were made available for clubs at a subsidised price.
The donation of 2425 umbrellas was a big task. This task turned easy just because of the huge response by almost 100+ clubs from RID 3131. The project became the biggest synergy project in RID 3131 with the synergy of 100+ clubs in a single project at the beginning of the new Rotary Year 2024-25.
The distribution process of 2425 umbrellas was successfully handled by the District Economic and Community Development Team under the able guidance of District Director Rtn. Vijay Kalbhor. With 10 collection centres across the District, all umbrellas were distributed and handed over to respective clubs in time.
The umbrellas donated to 2425 beneficiaries were installed in urban and rural parts of Maharashtra's revenue districts, namely Pune and Raigad. The CHATRACHAYA project was a huge Rotary Public Image Activity rendered by a huge number of clubs from RID 3131. The District Public Image Team under the guidance of District Director Rtn. Prasad Ganpule provided big support to the District team by reaching out to the clubs and motivating them to get engaged in this worthwhile project.
All the clubs through their respective club members got associated with this impactful project and carried out the distribution of the umbrellas by handing over the same to the beneficiaries. It was a Joyful moment for the club members to experience the satisfaction on the faces of the beneficiaries. By distribution of huge quantity of umbrellas across the district spanning 100 plus kilometres already started creating a big impact in society.
The entire project turned out to be a great success because of the excellent teamwork shown by Playing 11 team, Economic and community Development team and Public Image team. Here needs a special mention of Rtn. Manoj Agarwal, Dist. Secretary and Rtn. Shriniwas Kendale, Mentor from Playing 11 team, Rtn. Manasi Shah President, RC Bibwewadi and Rtn. Abhay Joshi President, RC Pune East for their untiring efforts in planning process of this worthwhile project.
Rtn. Prasad Ganpule
District Director Public Image (2024-25)
