Clubs in Action (GML 2026–27, Issue 2)

One More Feather in the Cap of Haria Rotary Hospital, managed by Rotary Charitable Trust, a project of Rotary Club of Vapi.

The inauguration of the P. M. Desai (Valvada) Cancer Care Centre marks a significant milestone in bringing world-class cancer treatment closer to the people of South Gujarat.

After years of dedicated planning and construction that began in 2023, the dream project of PRIP Kalyan Banerjee for the people of Vapi became a reality with the inauguration of the hospital on 30th May 2026.

Designed as a comprehensive cancer treatment facility, the centre offers consultation clinics, chemotherapy services, advanced diagnostic support, and state-of-the-art radiotherapy infrastructure under one roof.

Every department has been thoughtfully planned to provide patients with seamless care while maintaining the highest standards of safety and precision. From Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy to rehabilitation and supportive services, the goal is to deliver safe treatment and a better quality of life for every patient.

Behind this advanced infrastructure is a committed team of specialists comprising medical physicists, radiation safety experts, radiotherapy technologists, and nursing professionals.

Their combined expertise ensures that every patient receives safe, precise, and compassionate care throughout their treatment journey.

The P. M. Desai (Valvada) Cancer Care Centre is more than a hospital—it is a beacon of hope for thousands of families across the region.

As Rotarians continue to serve communities through meaningful initiatives, this project stands as an enduring example of how vision, collaboration, and compassion can transform lives.

From Adopting a Single Bird to Celebrating the Rotary Bird Fest Every Year

What began as a simple act of compassion has today evolved into a unique environmental initiative that reflects Rotary's commitment to protecting nature and wildlife. On 16 July 2026, Rotary Clubs of Baroda city celebrated the Rotary Bird Fest at the historic Sayajirao Baug Zoo, Vadodara, where 11 Rotary Clubs of Vadodara came together to adopt different bird species housed in the zoo. In recognition of this collective effort, the zoo authorities designated the entire Pheasant Section as the "Rotary Bird Zone."

The adopted birds will receive continued support for their nutrition, healthcare and overall well-being, symbolising Rotary's dedication to environmental conservation, biodiversity and the protection of natural habitats.

The event was graced by District Governor Rtn. Nilesh Shah and the First Lady, whose presence inspired all participants. Also present were Mr. V. M. Rajput, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (North & South Zones), and Dr. Pratyush Patankar, Curator of Sayajirao Baug Zoo, who appreciated Rotary's sustained commitment towards wildlife conservation.

The journey of this initiative began four years ago when Rotary Club of Vadodara One, under the leadership of President Rtn. CA Nayan Kothari, adopted a single bird at Sayajirao Baug Zoo. That thoughtful gesture inspired other Rotary Clubs across Vadodara to join the cause, transforming an individual initiative into an annual city-wide movement. Except for a brief interruption last year due to administrative constraints, the Bird Adoption Drive has continued to grow in scale and impact.

The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from Rotary members, zoo officials and guests. Participants took an Environment Protection Pledge, toured the zoo, interacted with the adopted birds and reaffirmed their collective commitment to environmental sustainability and wildlife conservation.

With an annual footfall of nearly 10,00,000 visitors, Sayajirao Baug Zoo offers exceptional visibility to this initiative. The Rotary Bird Zone has therefore become much more than an environmental project—it is a powerful Public Image initiative, showcasing Rotary's commitment to service, conservation and community engagement before thousands of families, students and visitors throughout the year.

The Balvatika Literacy & Numeracy Workbook Distribution Project is a flagship educational initiative aimed at strengthening foundational learning among young children during their early years of schooling. The project focuses on developing essential literacy and numeracy skills, promoting joyful and activity-based learning, improving school readiness for Grade 1, supporting teachers with curriculum-aligned resources, encouraging parental involvement, reducing learning gaps and building confidence and independent learning habits among children.

The initiative is fully aligned with the Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN) goals envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission.

A key highlight of this project is that the workbooks were personally developed by Rtn. Shalini Bhalla, ensuring age-appropriate, engaging and curriculum-aligned content that supports classroom learning as well as joyful educational experiences.

During the implementation phase, literacy and numeracy workbooks were distributed to 4,200 students studying in 121 Government and Municipal Schools on 9 July 2026. To ensure effective utilisation of the learning materials, orientation programmes were conducted for more than 300 teachers, enabling them to integrate the workbooks into classroom teaching through activity-based and experiential learning methods.

The project went far beyond the distribution of educational materials. Teachers implemented the workbooks through play-based learning approaches that made learning enjoyable and meaningful for children. Parents were encouraged to participate actively in the learning process, strengthening the home-school partnership and reinforcing foundational learning outside the classroom. Regular monitoring and evaluation were also undertaken to assess student progress and continuously improve implementation.

Since 2023, the programme has received valuable support from corporate partners including Polycot, INOX and GACL. The project has also been graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries including the Chairman of the Shikshan Samiti, the local MLA, Rotary leadership and corporators from different areas, reflecting strong institutional and community support for advancing foundational education.

Living up to Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, Rotary Club of Surat joined hands with fellow Rotary clubs to organise a Joint Club Blood Donation Camp on 10 July 2026 in partnership with NJ Wellness Center, Udhna.

The camp witnessed an enthusiastic response from donors and Rotarians, resulting in the collection of 161 units of blood through the collective efforts of all participating clubs.

As part of its installation ceremony for 2026–27, Rotary Club of Surat West released the publication “Surat: Heritage | Harmony | Humanity”, a Peace Initiative designed to promote peace through awareness of Surat’s rich heritage, culture and shared values.

Rotary Club of Vadodara One celebrated Doctor's Day on 1 July 2026 with a meaningful health awareness programme at Adicura Hospital, Jetalpur Road, Vadodara.

On this occasion, Dr. Ankur Tiwari delivered an informative session on pancreas health and preventive care for an audience of around 50 participants. The session highlighted the importance of awareness, healthy lifestyle practices and early medical attention.

The programme was graced by Chief Guest CA Rtn. Nayan Kothari. Two patients of Dr. Tiwari also shared their inspiring survival stories, creating awareness about hope, timely treatment and medical resilience.

As part of the CA Day Celebration, the club organised a special speaker meet where Rtn. CA Nayan Kothari addressed participants on the importance of financial literacy for society.

Rotary Club of Vadodara One continued its commitment towards community healthcare through a dental care initiative for underprivileged children.

Initiated by Rtn. Devangi Trivedi, the project provided dental kits to 25 orphan girls at Sitare - House of Humanity, Akota, Vadodara on 7 July 2026.

The dental kits were generously donated by Rtn. Dr. Amish of Chandan Dental Clinic, supporting oral hygiene awareness and encouraging healthy dental care habits among children.

As part of Rotary's commitment towards promoting financial well-being, Rotary Club of Vadodara One organised the "Financial Literacy for Police Personnel" initiative on 4 July 2026.

The session was conducted by Rtn. CA Nayan Kothari, focusing on effective financial planning, savings habits and investment strategies to help police personnel achieve greater long-term financial security.

The programme was attended by 150 personnel from Vadodara Police, who gained valuable knowledge about prudent financial management, wealth creation and securing their financial future.

Rotary Club of Rajkot Prime organised a meaningful service initiative by distributing raincoats to traffic police personnel at Gomta, Gondal to support their safety and comfort during the monsoon season.

The project directly benefited 25 traffic police personnel, providing them with durable rain protection equipment while they continued their essential responsibility of maintaining road safety and public welfare during challenging weather conditions.

This thoughtful initiative reflected Rotary's commitment towards supporting frontline civic service workers. By equipping traffic police personnel with reusable raincoats, the project reduced their personal financial burden and ensured long-term protection across multiple monsoon seasons.

The sustainability aspect of the project lies in the long-term usability of the raincoats, which can be reused over several seasons. This practical solution helps minimise dependency on disposable protective gear while creating lasting value for the beneficiaries.

Beyond immediate assistance, the initiative created awareness among citizens about the importance of respecting and supporting those who work tirelessly to safeguard public welfare. It strengthened collaboration between Rotary and local authorities through a meaningful act of compassionate service.

In alignment with national educational reforms, Rotary Club of Dondaicha successfully organised a comprehensive Teacher Training Programme on the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) on 8 July 2026.

The training programme was organised at Sarangkheda with the objective of creating awareness among educators about the vision, objectives and effective implementation strategies of NEP in the education system.

The programme witnessed active participation of educators with 120 teachers attending the training session at Sarangkheda and another 108 teachers participating in Dondaicha.

The sessions were conducted by the Education Officer, Dhule District, who graced both programmes as the Chief Guest and guided teachers on effective approaches for adopting the principles of the New Education Policy.

Through this initiative, Rotary Club of Dondaicha contributed towards strengthening teacher capabilities and supporting the successful implementation of educational reforms at the grassroots level.

The programme highlighted Rotary's commitment towards education, knowledge sharing and empowering educators who play a vital role in shaping future generations.

Rotary Club of Borsad Suncity organised a special Doctors Day Celebration in Borsad city on 1 July 2026 as part of its Vocational Service initiative.

The programme was organised to recognise and appreciate the valuable contribution of doctors towards society and acknowledge their dedication, compassion and commitment to saving lives.

During the celebration, five doctors were felicitated by the Club President and Secretary in the presence of Rotary Club members. The event expressed Rotary's gratitude towards medical professionals for their continuous service to the community.

This initiative reflected Rotary's commitment towards recognising professionals who contribute selflessly towards community well-being and strengthening the spirit of Vocational Service.

Rotary Club of Surendranagar successfully organised a Two-Day Everyday Science Teacher Training Programme with the objective of promoting scientific thinking, creativity and activity-based learning among educators.

The training was conducted by renowned educator Mr. Vishal Bhatt, who demonstrated simple science concepts through hands-on experiments, interactive discussions and real-life examples. His engaging sessions encouraged teachers to make classroom learning more practical, enjoyable and student-centred.

Teachers actively participated throughout the programme and gained innovative teaching techniques along with a deeper understanding of integrating everyday science concepts effectively into classroom instruction.

Rtn. Sharmila Jain, District 3060 Literacy Chair, visited the training on both days, interacted with participating teachers, appreciated their enthusiasm and presented certificates to all participants, motivating them to continue adopting innovative teaching practices.

Rotary Club of Surendranagar marked the beginning of the Rotary Year 2026–27 with the divine blessings of Lord Shri Satyanarayan by organising a Shri Satyanarayan Katha for Rotarians and their families on 4 July 2026.

The spiritual gathering brought members and families together in an atmosphere filled with devotion, prayers, fellowship and the true spirit of Rotary. It provided an opportunity to seek blessings and strengthen relationships as members began another year of dedicated service.

Following the Katha, Mahaprasad was served to all attendees. The celebration concluded with an enthusiastic Garba performance where Rotarians and their family members participated together, creating a joyful and memorable evening.

The fellowship programme was generously sponsored by Rtn. Rashminbhai Mehta and Rtn. Bhavna Mehta, whose support made this auspicious beginning even more special.

As part of its commitment towards environmental sustainability, Rotary Club of Surendranagar organised a Tree Plantation Drive on 4 July 2026. Despite rainy weather conditions, around 50 saplings were planted to promote environmental awareness and contribute towards a greener future.

The drive was led by President Rtn. Harshad Mehta and Secretary Rtn. Dipal Mehta, with enthusiastic participation from club members and their families, making the initiative a true example of teamwork and community service.

Rotary Club of Surendranagar expressed heartfelt gratitude to Rtn. Soham Gadani, Khayati Gadani and the entire Gadani family for providing the beautiful venue, excellent arrangements and warm hospitality.

Special appreciation was given to Rtn. Soham Gadani for taking responsibility for the care and maintenance of the planted trees, ensuring long-term sustainability of the initiative.

Rotary Club of Bhavnagar Vibrant organised its First Fellowship Event – "Two Hearts, One Journey", creating an evening filled with laughter, joy and memorable moments for members and their spouses.

The event was organised at Ira Orchid, where 40 members and spouses gathered together to celebrate the spirit of friendship, fellowship and togetherness that forms the foundation of the Rotary family.

The evening featured engaging and entertaining couple games thoughtfully conducted by Rtn. Jiten Shah. His creativity, enthusiasm and energetic participation added immense fun and excitement to the celebration.

The fellowship programme provided members and their partners an opportunity to connect beyond service activities, strengthen relationships and create beautiful memories together.

The event marked a wonderful beginning to the Rotary Year, fostering friendship, unity and deeper connections among members and their families.

Rotary Club of Surat welcomed the Rotary Year 2026–27 with the installation of President Harshad Kinkhabwala and the new Board of Directors on 21 June 2026, celebrating continuity, leadership and the beginning of another year of meaningful service.

The grand ceremony was conducted by District Governor Rtn. Nilesh Shah in the presence of Chief Guest PRID Rtn. Kamal Sanghvi, First Lady Shruti Shah, senior district leaders, past district governors, club presidents, Rotarians and distinguished guests.

The installation ceremony featured the presentation of the Club's Annual Report, showcasing achievements, Rotary Foundation initiatives and Global Grant accomplishments.

The programme also included the ceremonial collar exchange, swearing-in of the new leadership team, induction of new members and the release of the Club's Membership Directory along with the official bulletin "Sudarshan".

Outgoing President Kundan Shah and his team were felicitated for their outstanding year of service, which included successful implementation of impactful community projects and execution of four Global Grant initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, DG Rtn. Nilesh Shah highlighted the importance of strengthening Rotaract and Interact Clubs, promoting fellowship as a pathway for sustainable membership growth and encouraging greater participation in the International Youth Exchange Programme.

PRID Rtn. Kamal Sanghvi inspired members to work towards peace, encourage women's leadership, strengthen support for The Rotary Foundation and continue pursuing excellence in service.

The ceremony concluded with an audio-visual presentation showcasing the Club's achievements, announcements of upcoming programmes and a vote of thanks, marking the beginning of another year dedicated to Rotary's mission of Service Above Self.

Rotary Club of Vadodara Heritage celebrated the beginning of a new Rotary year with a vibrant Installation Ceremony held on 27 June 2026 at The Fern Ecotel, Akota, Vadodara.

The ceremony was beautifully conducted in the presence of Installing Officer PDG Rtn. Dr. Gulshan Thakral along with several distinguished guests including Rtn. Chetan Dedhia, AG Rtn. Jot Singh, DS Rtn. Bakulbhai Prajapati, PP Rashmi Thakral and MSP Chair Rtn. Chandresh Makhija.

The event marked a special milestone with the induction of six new members into the Rotary family, including two Honorary Members and three Active Members, strengthening the club's commitment towards growth and service.

Adding creativity and excitement to the celebration, the club organised a unique cricket-themed installation ceremony. The energetic theme, engaging activities and creative presentation made the event enjoyable and memorable for all attendees.

The fellowship atmosphere was enhanced by delicious food, excellent arrangements and warm hospitality, creating an evening filled with friendship, celebration and Rotary spirit.

Under the guidance of District 3060 MSP for Basic Education & Literacy, Rotary Club of Rajkot Midtown successfully completed Project Suvidha at Hariom Vidyalaya Girls High School on 2 July 2026.

The initiative was undertaken with the objective of providing safe, comfortable and dignified seating facilities for students by repairing old and damaged school benches.

Initiated by Banuben Dhakan, Dr. Jatinbhai Modi and Jitubhai Tamboli, the project successfully repaired 100 school benches over a period of three months.

The repaired benches have directly benefited around 600 girl students, creating a more comfortable and positive classroom environment while supporting their educational journey.

The project received generous support from donors Tamboli Family and Shah Family, whose contribution helped transform this vision into a meaningful educational support initiative.

Through Project Suvidha, Rotary Club of Rajkot Midtown has demonstrated that restoring existing resources can create a sustainable and lasting impact while improving the learning experience of young students.

Living the true spirit of "Service Above Self", Rotary Couple Rtn. Rashmikant Thaker and Spouse Sejal undertook a meaningful educational initiative to support children of single parents at Dr. N.G. Shah Public High School, Waghodia.

Recognising the importance of basic educational resources, the couple personally reached out to deserving students and distributed notebooks to nearly 120 students, helping them meet their academic requirements and continue their education with greater confidence.

The initiative not only provided essential learning materials but also motivated students to remain focused on their studies. The gesture reflected Rotary's commitment towards Basic Education & Literacy and demonstrated how thoughtful actions can create meaningful change in young lives.

The active participation of students, school staff and Rotary members made the event engaging and inspiring, strengthening the connection between Rotary and the community.

Rotary Club of Vadodara Banyan City continues to demonstrate that even simple acts of kindness can empower young learners and create lasting positive change in society.

As part of its flagship "Swasthya Suraksha Project", Rotary Club of Baroda continued its commitment towards supporting TB patients by organising a Nutrition Kit Distribution Programme on 10 July 2026 at Rotary Hall Club.

Under this initiative, 100 nutrition kits were distributed to TB patients to support their nutritional requirements during treatment and recovery.

During the programme, Dr. Rashendu Patel from Vadodara Municipal Corporation guided patients about the importance of maintaining proper nutrition along with regular medication for effective TB care and recovery.

The initiative received valuable support through CSR funding from various partners including United Way of Baroda, strengthening Rotary's efforts towards community healthcare.