"LEAD ME TO LIGHT"

The successful leaders are those, who are prepared to change the planned course of action any number of times, in response to the changing needs.

President Ravee Dhotre of ROTARY CLUB OF POONA NORTH is an inimitable individual. He plans and executes things, which few can even dream.

It is customary to celebrate a Diwali Day in Rotary Club; in our country. So was a celebration planned, of some entertainment programme and dinner for members and their families etc.

A routine commonplace event.

Ravee was very charged when he noticed an appeal by Col. S. R. Yeri; CEO of Queen Mary Technical Institute, Kirkee, in the media, on Wednesday,18^th October,06.

“To light at least a lamp in the lives of the disabled soldiers in the institute.”

The institute is run, generally on; fees, collected donations from society, and occasional grants from government agencies. It is primarily to ameliorate the lot of soldiers who are disabled in action. Ravee jumped into action

“Why one light, we shall illuminate the whole place.”

That is Ravee in his elements.

Instantaneously Ravee contacted his other motivated and dedicated bunch of Club-members, R/Ann’s, Inner-wheel Club members, Rotaractors and hammered out a changed programme which involved entertaining the disabled soldiers at QMTI, inviting them for a dinner and above all, rekindling a bright ray of hope in their lives. About 20 odd disabled Jawans, most of them in wheel-chairs were offered a light-entertainment, which was cobbled up, by the President of Rotaractor Club of Poona North Side & his enthusiastic clutch of members, Mr. Karthik Sridhar the President with his members lighted up the entire surrounding of the hall with hundreds of candles. Inner Wheel Club of Poona North President, Mrs. Shailaja Bhandari and her Club members provided side-splitting entertainment through skits and funny anecdotes. The laughter of the audience was louder than the firecrackers around. Rotarian Ms Manjiri Mirashi compeered the programme and also narrated the purpose behind Dipotsav celebrations.

THOUGH HURT; I GROW.

Symbolically, in the insignia of the Institute is depicted, a broken branch of a large tree. The broken branch is being rejuvenated with the help of a prop.

There are a number of unique features which strike one, during the tour around the Institute. It is a sprawling compound and over 100 disabled, physically challenged soldiers are rebuilding their future in the place. So far over 12,000 have been rehabilitated through the Institute.

DISPEL THE DARKNESS.

In Upanishads, we have a very meaningful prayer to the Almighty:

“TAMASO MA JYOTIR GAMAY”.

“LEAD ME TO LIGHT; FROM THIS DARKNESS.”

A very symbolic one. Darkness implies; negativity, depravation, ignorance, and light suggests hope, optimism, prosperity, pure enlightenment etc.

The event on Wednesday, 18^th October,06, at the Institute, had all this and more, brought to the doorsteps of our disabled soldiers who have given their TODAY for your better tomorrow.

HOPE CAN LIGHT UP A LAMP.

It so happened that Late Dr. Sharat Desai a highly qualified Dermatologist (FRSM, LONDON) was minding his roaring practice, in Mumbai. A doting family man, attached to his family, and wife Kusum. Unfortunately KUSUM fell ill and her illness took a turn for the worse.

She was declared terminally ill. Dr. Sharat, the family head and loving husband, abandoned, his great medical practice and chose to settle in Pune for the comfort of his wife. He then took to Yoga, through his GURU, MOTABHAI. His wife did have some relief through the unrelenting efforts of Dr. Sharat and her hope in life was rejuvenated.

What used to be a GUNSHED was renovated. It is brought to its present glory, due to the unstinting efforts of a husband and wife team of architects.

LIKE FATHER--

Dr. Sharat Desai’s architect daughter and her husband, very meticulously and through a donation of Rs.24 lakhs from him reconstructed a decent Hall, styled KARGIL HALL. It was possible through the good offices of Lt.Gen. N. S. Chima, who actively supported these noble efforts by a family who spelt their name with HOPE in the middle.

The hall was inaugurated at the hands of a disabled soldier, on 22^nd July, 2000, who was injured in the KARGIL war. Hence, the name “Kargil Memorial Hall.”

There are a number of oil paintings, which adorn the walls of the Hall, by Late Bal Wad, depicting scenes from Kargil and 1971 wars. These are donated by Wads to the hall in memory of the late great artist, Mr. Wad.

There are a number of photographs of War heroes, of Kargil, and some action photographs of Kargil.

In order to maintain the sanctity of the Memorial, no food or beverages, are allowed in the Hall.

The Institute today provides vocational training to the disabled soldiers by imparting them technical skills in various trades like; machining, welding, carpentry, electrician, auto mechanic’s course and of late, information technology. Rotary International has lent a helping hand in establishing a computer laboratory in the Institute.

The intention of the Institute is to help the disabled to lead a near normal life without having to depend on someone’s charity. A life with a lot of self- respect which is instilled in the lives of the physically disabled soldiers. The soldiers do restart their lives at their native places back home and earn decent living. .

The present Administration is handled by Col. YERI (Retd.) and Lt. Col Y. D. Mane (Retd), who are serving to be the props, to the broken branch; to recommence the growth of a banyan tree.

The growing tree witnessed a warmth and A LOT OF LIGHT on Wednesday, 18^th October, 06.

Strength to their elbows.

By: M. S. RANADE,

mranade@vsnl.com

PUBLISHED IN TIMES OF INDIA, ON FRIDAY, 3RD NOVEMBER, 2006 PUNE WESTSIDE PLUS