Page 19 - Rotary 3201 GML March 2022

My Journey in Rotary!

A Urgent call in 1958 from a family friend was were suffering from an acute heart problem (hole in
the start of My journey as a Rotarian. Was inducted the heart), hence could not take part in sports and in
at the age of 19 as a member of the Rotary Club of fact the Doctors had given only few years more. Rotary
Coimbatore. Initially was hesitant being awe struck to Connects through Rotary connections were able to
be in the midst of the top citizens of the city like Sri G contact the leading Cardiologist of Vellore Hospital
K Devarajulu, Sri R Venketaswamy, Sri G D Naidu, Sri Dr John who immediately agreed to do the surgeries
M.S Jaganathan, Sri Sundram Pillai etc. and others but free for Rotary. Within 2 weeks the kids were back to
with their guidance and motivation learnt the ropes Coimbatore able to play and lead a normal life. Such
of Rotary. In 1970 was Secretary along with President moments only make me thank the Almighty for my
Dr. Subbian, the VC of Bharathiar University. It was in being a Rotarian.
that year that the 1st Inner Wheel was Chartered with
Ann Amirtham Vardaraj as President and Ann Shobha
Gokuldas as Secretary. As their first major project
the 1st Eye Camp was held at President Hall with the
assistance of Dr Venkatasamy, founder of Arvind Eye
Hospital, Madurai.

In 1972 formed scope for one more Rotary club
after Rotary West was formed. Rotary Coimbatore
Midtown was formed as the 3rd Club in Coimbatore
with Rtn. Jagatheesan as Charter President and myself
as Charter Secretary along with 20 members. The
lack of a proper place to conduct our meetings and
programs led President Jagatheesan to create SRP
Rotary Coimbatore Midtown Hall, at Devanga High Many such incidents led to huge projects - 5 acre
School which even after so many decades still stands a
symbol of Rotary in the middle of the city. of land at Saravanampatti donated by Rtn. Nataraj
to Sankara Eye Society to start Sankara Eye Hospital
In life many times big things happen through which today have spread their branches to many cities
coincidences. During K L Vardaraj’s term a bus shelter in India and are doing yeoman service in eye care to
was built at Neelambur on Avinashi road as the people millions of people. I remember that we were the 1st to
had to stand without any cover while waiting for the
bus. This further led to building the 1st School block with promote the habit of donating eyes to Sankara Hospital
proper toilets. Again during a visit to the School on their and are still recognized as the 1st Donor Family. In fact
sports day, we observed 2 Children, a young boy and when the eyes of my Aunt were given to a young 8 year
girl standing by the side with a keen look in their eyes girl who had lost her eyesight when she was one and in
to participate in the sports activities. On inquiring with the public function when the young girl expressed her
the Head Master, we came to know that the siblings gratitude to Rotary and Sankara Eye society .“Since she
saw her Parents for the First time” .Dr. Ramani said “2
Rotary is lucky to have three generations of the dry eyes have made 1500 eyes wet” (750 audience).
Raichura Family in their fold - from Father Late Another incident was as Chairman for a Camp
Gokuldas, then three Brothers - Suresh, PDG organized for corrective surgery for polio affected kids
Prathap, Charter Member of Rotary Texcity Arun were budgeted for 100 surgeries but performed 215
and now Ajay Suresh Raichura. Suresh Gokuldas because all visitors donated without asking surgeries
has been an active Round Tabler and was the All were done by Dr. Vygas Vardu from Andhra Pradesh
India Secretary in 1976. Keen Golfer, has played and during the Valedictory function Chief Guest Mrs
all over the World and was the first to be awarded Varadraj just removed her gold Bangles and donated
a Flying License from the Coimbatore Flying Club. them on coming to know that there was a short fall in
the budget for this project.

OUR LOVELY PLANET MARCH 2022 19