RUNNER - Volume: XVII No.33, Dated 2nd March, 2010

RI President: Rtn John Kelly
Dist Governor: Rtn Utpal Majumdar
President: Rtn Kuldip Singh Virdi
Secretary: Rtn Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
Editor: Rtn Pradip Kumar Pal.

Matching Grant Project English Teaching through Computers inaugurated:

Our Club, Rotary Club Calcutta South City organized a program at the Dr. Triguna Sen Hall in the Jadavpur University campus on 24th February 2010 to unveil their Matching Grant project of providing English language education through computers for underprivileged community at the Rotary Computer Centre in Kolkata. The Rotary Foundation supported project has also Rotary Clubs of El Sobrante, Hercules, Danville, Richmond, San Ramon Valley and Danville/Sycamore Valley from RI District 5160 as partners.

Club President Rtn Kuldip welcomed all and requested the Chief Guest District Governor Rtn Utpal Majumdar, Rtn John E Bernadine, President, RC El Sobrante, PP Ranjit Chakraborty, RC Danville/Sycamore Valley, PDG Debasish Mitra, DRFC, Dr. Ashit Kr Mitra, Chairman, Janhabi Sudha Trust and the Guest of Honour, Dr. Arun Kr Roy, Vice Chancellor, BESU to adorn the dais.

The host for the evening PDG Rtn Debasish Mitra requested the dignitaries to light the lamp of knowledge. This was followed by the formal welcome address of our Club President Kuldip. He stressed on the importance of the project for the underprivileged community without a proper access to English language education.
PDG Rtn Debasish Mitra elaborated the long standing relation of Rotary Club of Danville/ Sycamore Valley and RI District 3290/3291. Numerous grant projects in areas as eye care, micro credit, low cost shelter, health have been successfully completed. But according to him the Rotary Computer Centre (RCC) was the crowning glory of the close ties with the Club from RI District 5160. He mentioned the great role played by PP Ranjit Chakraborty in facilitating the projects and identified him as a pillar of the close ties. According PDG Debasish the current project shall be a great boon to that underprivileged population who are otherwise deprived of English language.

Rtn John E Bernardin, President, RC El Sobrante elaborated the project and explained how easy the software was to make the students understand the language. According to him it should take 12 hours for a student to understand and write essays, comprehensions. The software can keep track and assess of the progress of the students. The series of tests programmed in the software improves the reading and writing ability of students. Rtn John looked forward to his stay and experience in Kolkata.

Prof Ashit Kr Mitra, Chairman of the Janhabi Sudha Trust, which manages the Rotary Computer Centre, shared his experience on the success of the RCC. He spoke about setting 10 work stations and provide 10 hours of comprehensive training equaling almost 3 semesters. He felt that the software was simple and educative. Prof Ashit Mitra expected 400 students in the next 2 years. He gave an audio visual presentation at the end of his speech.

PP Ranjit Chakraborty, RC Danville/Sycamore Valley thanked RI District 3291 for the opportunity to partner the project. A dream in 1995 was turned into a reality with the support of PDG’s Amitava Mookerjee, Prabir Chakraborty, Debasish Mitra and Utpal Majumdar. He felt that this project of English language through computers was a true reflection of “Service above Self”. PP Chaktaborty was confident that this project shall bridge the gap of demand and supply of skilled people in view of the growing expansion of industries and business. He expressed hope that the project shall complement the growing need to learn English in West Bengal.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Arun Kr Roy, Vice Chancellor, BESU, spoke effusively about Rotary’s role in helping mankind. He felt that the learning process always gets better, and computers can only help in the process of learning language, spelling, pronunciation and interpretations. Computers are almost mandatory in every sphere of activity.

DG Rtn Utpal Majumdar and DGE Rtn Rajendra Khandelwal did the honours of presenting hand crafted “Uttariayas” (Scarves) to all the guests on the dais.

DGE Rtn Rajendra Khandelwal briefly thanked everyone who supported the project and wished the project support and success.

The Chief Guest DG Rtn Utpal Majumdar was the final speaker and he was of the opinion that this project shall bring smiles and dignity to the underprivileged. He also echoed similar sentiments as he said that computers are mandatory for all sections of the society.

The formal vote of thanks was offered by PP Sanjit Chatterjee. His special thanks were reserved for DRFC Rtn Debasish Mitra, DGSC Rtn Vishnu Dhandhania and DG Rtn Utpal Majumdar.

The entire program was very ably conducted by PDG Rtn Debasish Mitra, and as is his wont, interspersed his deliberation with quotes ranging from Michael Jackson, Henry Ford, John Lenon and many more. The program also witnessed the presence of a large number of young students, from our Interact Club at Khalsa High School and Khalsa English High School, District officials, Rotarians from neigh bouring clubs, educationists and guests.

Our Heartiest Thank you to:
Rtn John E. Bernardin.
President, R. C. of El Sobrante, RI Dist 5160
PP Rtn Ranjit Chakravorti,
R.C. of Danville/Sycamore Valley, RI Dist 5160
Prof Ash it Kumar Mira, Chairman Jana Soda Trust
Mr. Sub ash Ch Mukherjee, Rotary Computer Centre
Dr Arun Kumar Roy, Vice Chancellor, BESU
Authorities of Dr Triguna Sen Auditorium, JU Campus.
Our senior fellow Rotarians, PDGs, AGs, ZRs, neighbouring club leaders

Incoming District Event:
District Holi Meet (Basantotsav 2010) will be held At Wet –O-Wild Water Park at Nicco Park on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 from 6.30 P.M. onwards.
It is hosted by Rotary Club of Central Gardens and others.
A spectacular Cultural show, lip-smacking variety of Snacks and sumptuous Dinner against a Registration Fee of Rs 300/- per District Holi Meet (Basantotsav 2010) will be held at Wet –O-Wild Water Park at Nicco Park on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 from 6.30 P.M. onwards.

Fellowship on pay and enjoy basis. Registration Cards may be procured either from the DG’s office or The AG (Administration) from 1st to 5th March, 2010. Kindly insure top collect your Registration Cards on the dates mentioned above.So that you do not miss this colourful programme, as there will no spot Registration on the day of occasion.

Heart to Heart Surgery:
We have submitted along with our sponsorship amount cheque, a third case for Heart Treatment at DG’s office for 16 Year old girl child Ms Sandipika Kumari Forwarded by President Rtn Kuldip

Birthday Greetings:
2nd March: Rtn Subhash Agarwal.

Wedding Anniversary:
3rd March: Rtn Subhash Agarwal with Anne Mira.
7th March: Rtn Dr Rabindra Nath Dutta with Anne Sunanda.

Minutes of the 762nd Regular Weekly Club Meeting held on 23rd February, 2010
At the Metropole at 174, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-26 at 7 P.M.
.
President, Rtn Kuldip Singh Virdi:

• Called 762nd Regular club meeting to order.
• National Anthem was sung by all present and led by Rtn Debasish Maitra.
• welcomed guest of the evening President Rtn John E Bernardin from R.C. EL Sobrante and PP Rtn Ranjit Chakraborti, R.C. Danville/Sycamore Valley (Both from RI Dist 5160) and Prof Ashit Kumar Mitra, Chairman, Janhabi Sudha Trust and Mr Subhash Ch Mokherjee from Rotary Computer Centre. Flower bouquets were presented to them.They held a meeting earlier in the afternoon to discuss the managerial aspects of the project with our President Rtn KLuldip, CP Rtn Sanjit and Secretary Rtn Sanjay at Rotary Computer Centre at 14F, Galiff Street, Shyambazar.
• Informed members about the valuable guidance and help received from the very first day of the English Teaching through Computer, Matching Grant Project from our friend PP Rtn Ranjit and President Rtn John. Each and every member of our club is greatly indebted to them for their tireless efforts for building the frame work of this Project.
  

Mr. Subhash Ch. Mokherjee, from Janhabi Trust was also felicitated.
When requested PP Rtn Ranjit addressed the members and recalled is association with various Rotary Clubs of our district 3291 and the projects he initiated and executed jointly with them. He also high lighted the project and its usefulness for the community at large.
When requested President Rtn John also appreciated the hospitality and affection rendered by our club leaders on his arrival at Kolkata airport yesterday.

• Prof Mitra informed about the working of the project and its requirements. He felt happy as being associate partner of the project.
• Very suitable vote of thanks was extended by PP Rtn Sanjit.
• Minutes of the last regular meeting held on 16th instant at The Metropole were confirmed.
• requested all members to keep themselves free for 24th instant inaugural programme at Dr Triguna Sen Auditorium at Jadavpur University Campus at 5 P.M.
• Invitation Card for which has already been sent to all.requested club Secretary Rtn Sanjay to conduct regular club meeting:
  

Rtn Sanjay Kumar Kanodia, Club Secretary:

• announced the Birthday and Wedding Anniversary greetings to members and their family members.
• announced that next regular club meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 3rd March at The Metropole at 6.30 P.M .
• requested members to pay their half yearly club dues
  

After announcing the club statistics, President terminated the meeting.

105th Anniversary of Rotary celebrated:
A sumptuous cake was cut by our guest Rtn John to celebrate the 105th birthday of our Rotary International.

Club Statistics
Total Members: 28
Members and
Guests: 19