Vivek Atray inducted into PRCI Hall of Fame

Public Relations Council of India (PRCI)  honoured Mr Vivek Atray, Chairman of PRCI Chandigarh Chapter at the 15th Global Communication Conclave which opened today at Goa. 

The Governor of Goa Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, presented the Hall of Fame Award to Vivek Atray. 

Delivering his inaugural address Governor Pillai said that PR professionals has significant role to play in protecting and advancing free flow of accurate information, which is essential for any democratic society., besides promoting best practices in use of information technology. 

Director Public Relations Panjab University Renuka Salwan, and PGI PRO Saryu are also attending the Global Communication Conclave. 

'An Inspiring Journey of Inderjit Kaur Sandhu released

Book on First Women VC of Panjabi University, Dr Inderjit Kaur Sandhu released

Chandigarh, 1^st September:

"A Festschrift for Inderjit Kaur Sandhu: An Inspiring Story" edited and compiled by senior journalist Roopinder Singh was launched here in a virtual session today on the 98^th birthday of Inderjit Kaur Sandhu.

Inderjit Kaur Sandhu had been a celebrated academician and the first women Vice Chancellor of Panjabi University and the first women Chairperson of the Staff Selection Commission, New Delhi.

Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh in his special message of greetings on her birthday, wrote that the book has weaved "a phulkari that is an enriching mosaic of vignettes of her life", and also made a mention that "not many know that she was among the first batch of Punjabi MA students and helped edit Giani Ji's famous 'Mera Pind'," to whom she was married. 

The editor of the book, senior journalist Roopinder Singh said," My mother had a long and distinguished career. As you know, she was Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala (1975 to 1977), and the first Chairperson of Staff Selection Commission, New Delhi (1980 to 1985). She was educated in Lahore and became the first woman Vice-Chancellor a university in northern India, representing the country in various international academic fora."

With a forward from Mrs Gursharan Kaur wife of the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, there are contributions in English and Punjabi.

Among the eminent people who have written in English are: Prof H S Gill, Prof Emeritus, Jawaharlal University; Dr Nikky Guninder Kaur Singh of Colby College, Maine, USA; Dr Ashok Vohra of Delhi University; the thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan. Archival material written by the publisher Ashok Chopra and humourist the late Suba Singh provides a snapshot of the times. Personal accounts of younger persons— authors Ranjit Powar and Aradhika Sharma, journalist Madhusudan Srinivas, administrator Radhey Pratap Singh and Deputy Advocate General Daldeep Singh, and Mrs Inderjit Kaur's grandchildren provide different kinds of perspectives.

The Punjabi section has articles by the author Dr Dalip Kaur Tiwana; the historian Dr Kirpal Singh, university administrator Tirath Singh, literary critic Dr Kuldip Singh Dhir and journalist Narinder Singh Sathi. Unfortunately, we have lost these eminent people since they wrote for the book.

The educationist Harcharan Kaur, former MP Tarlochan Singh, university administrator Dalip Singh Uppal and linguist Dr Bhupinder Singh Khaira bring out different aspects of the life of Mrs Inderjit Kaur. Also included in this section are archival articles by Rajinder Kaur and Balwinder Kaur.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and there are many pictures that portray the life of Inderjit Kaur. An Inspiring Journey, indeed.

She had been an inspiration and role model, and ahead of her time, as close associates, friends and family members including Prof Arvind, Vice Chancellor of Panjabi University, former VC Prof SS Boparai, theatre personality Neelam Mansingh, Nikki Gurinder Kaur, Nitya Ramakrishnan, senior journalist with NDTV Madhusudan Srinivas, and Ranjit Powar, shared their experience with her and the family 

Dr Deepak Jindal is CMA's President

Dr Deepak Jindal elected President of Chandigarh Management Association

Chandigarh, 29^th August:  At the AGM of Chandigarh Management Association held at the Rotary House today, Dr. Deepak Jindal, Advocate of Punjab and Haryana High Court was elected as the President for 2021-22.

The other Office bearers elected are Vice President Rajnish Mittal, General Secretary Manish Aggarwal Treasurer Ashok Verma, Joint Secretary Ashok Goyal, of Shreyans Industries Ropar. 

Other Executive Committee members include Abhishek Gupta, Anil Anand, Rajan Arora and Manav Bansal besides Gursimran Singh of Institute of Professional Banking as organizational member.

Speaking on the occasion President Dr Deepak Jindal assured the new executive shall further promote professional development of its members and introduce best management practices through workshops and training programmes.

CMA Past President Dr Prof Col P.K. Vasudeva was the returning officer who along with several other past presidents of CMA including Lalit Bajaj, Deepak Dhingra , Majiv Vohra and  immediate past president Uma Kant along with other members attended the AGM.

Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) is one of the oldest professional bodies in the city having been established in 1966 as an apex body of professional management and is affiliated to All India Management Association (AIMA).

Contact: Dr Deepak Jindal, President, CMA, 94172 93545

Caption: Newly elected President Dr Deepak Jindal (centre seated) with his team

Punjab Engineers threaten stir against Pay Commission recommendations

  

Punjab Engineers threaten stir against Pay Commission recommendations

The government should immediately revise the newly implemented pay scales, demands PEWS

 

Chandigarh, 15 July: The Punjabi Engineers Welfare Society (PEWS), a representative body of Engineers serving in all departments, corporations, authorities and boards of Punjab, has threatened strike and dharna on roads if the Punjab Government does not revise the just-notified recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

Addressing the media, President of the Society Er. Manmohan Singh and General Secretary Er. Rachpal Singh Butter stated that the state government has not only ignored the long-pending demand for additional allowances, but has rather degraded their status by reducing the scales and allowances.

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister Punjab, the Society has demanded grant of NPA to Engineers on the lines of NPA (Non Practicing Allowance) given to doctors or the engineers too should be allowed to practice privately during non-office hours.

Even the entry scale of Sub-Divisional Engineers, which was at level 18 at par with PCS executive and medical officers has been downgraded to Level 14 without any reason as per the recent recruitment advertisement through Punjab Public Service Commission, that has agitated the engineers.

Manmohan Singh, President of the PEWS stated that Engineers belong to a highly educated technical cadre and under no circumstances should their status, salary and facilities be compromised.

PEWS in its memorandum lamented reduction of allowance for Punjab's officers and employees in the Sixth Pay Commission, reducing HRA and other percentage-based allowances to 80 percent on basic salary which was 100 percent earlier, despite the increasing rate of inflation, which should be restored to 100 percent.

Punjab's engineers also demanded restoration of discontinuied city compensatory allowance and conveyance allowance.

The Society's reiterated its long pending demand for field allowance equivalent to 15 percent of the basic pay, since the engineers have to perform their duties in unfavourable conditions be it rain, scorching heat or thunderstorms.

The Engineers also demanded that the Chief Engineer must be accorded the status and facilities equal to that of the Secretary and , the Superintending Engineer to the Special Secretary of the Punjab Government and similarly, for the Engineers working at all levels.

PEWS said that it strongly endorses the demands of all the Junior Engineers which were being presented separately by the Council of Diploma Engineers, Punjab, and these demands are part of the demands of the Society.

The Engineers said, "The Engineers of all the Departments, Boards and Corporations of Punjab are united against the above decisions of the Sixth Pay Commission implemented by the Punjab Government and if their demands are not met, they will be forced to shut down the offices and come to the streets."

 

Contact:
President Er Manmohan Singh, M: 98767 00454
General Secretary Er. Rachpal Singh Butter, M: 98156 16647

CAPTION: Er Manmohan Singh, President, with General Secretary Er Rachpal Singh Butter, of Punjabi Engineers Welfare Society addressing the media at Press Club today. 

Ajay Madan is Rotary District Governor

PRESS RELEASE 

Ajay Madan of Kurukshetra is Rotary District Governor 

Rtn Ajay Madan of Kurukshetra is the new District Governor of Rotary International District 3080, which includes Chandigarh, and parts of  Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and UP. 

With 85 clubs and over 3500 Rotarians, the District 3080 has a long tradition of serving humanity with major projects like free heart surgeries, blood donation, medical missions to African countries, among others. 
This year, the District intends to bring 2000 new Rotarians to its folds as well as extend its youth wing Rotaractor. 
DG Ajay Madan plans to plant 15 lakh trees by 15th August in the entire District, collect over 1 lakh units of blood, promote literacy and provide 10,000 benches in schools which do not have the facility. 

A free vaccination drive to protect the girls reaching puberty against cervical cancer is also being launched in the Rotary District. 

Pledging organs, Covid vaccination campaign, and medical facilities in remote villages of Uttrakhand have already been launched. 

Today, the District 3080 tied up with HARTRON and launched a free computer education for the children who lost their parents to Covid19. 

Rtn Ajay Madan 
District Governor 2021-22
Rotary District 3080
M: 97287 00233

Fourth Indian Shekhar Mehta to lead Rotary International in 2021-22

Indian business leader and philanthropist takes office as Rotary International President for 2021-2022

 

Fourth Indian to lead the 116-year-old service organization

 

New Delhi, July 1, 2021: Shekhar Mehta, Chairman and founder of real estate company Skyline Group and member of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, today begins his one-year term as the Rotary International's 111^th president leading 1.2 million Rotary members globally.

 As president, Mehta will focus on empowering girls globally by providing access to education and resources that offer them leadership opportunities in the future.

 "Equality is a fundamental human right, and it's necessary for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world," said Mehta. "Still, girls and women worldwide face inequities in areas including health and education and experience significant violence and disproportionate poverty. Rotary encourages clubs and districts to prioritize projects that improve the health, well-being, education, and economic security of girls in their communities and around the world."

 In the last year, Mehta has been actively involved in strengthening Rotary's response to COVID-19 in India. Under his guidance, Rotary clubs across India are working with local governments and authorities to boost the vaccination roll out and delivery along with providing infrastructural support to hospitals and COVID-19 care facilities. Rotary is also playing a critical role in mobilising relief work across communities most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

 Mehta has previously spearheaded PAN India initiatives to provide underserved communities with access to clean water and sanitation, healthcare and basic education. He has also led efforts to support communities in disaster recovery in collaboration with the Government of India.

Mehta's 'Saving Little Hearts' initiative, has so far provided over 2500 life-saving heart surgeries to children from disadvantaged families suffering from congenital heart defects across South Asia. He also has been actively supporting the TEACH program that aims at helping India attain 100% literacy by 2027 and had earlier played a pivotal role in recovery efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

 "Over the last 100 years, Rotary has grown from just one to 4000 clubs with 1.75 lakh Rotary members in India, and 36,000 clubs with 1.2 million members worldwide. Just in 2019-20, The Rotary Foundation in India supported global grant projects worth 28.4 million USD. Moving forward, Rotary will aim to actively support the central government in achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals across Rotary's areas of focus," he added.

 As president, Mehta will oversee Rotary's top priority of ending polio worldwide. Alongside its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has achieved a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases since spearheading the initiative more than 30 years ago. Since then, Rotary members have contributed $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Today, just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

 Since 1995, Rotary has worked with the Indian government to institute national immunization days each year to immunize 172 million children under five years of age. India has remained polio-free for last seven years.

 

*****

 

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. We connect 1.2 million members from more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

 

 For any media queries, please contact:

Jyoti Rai - Jyoti.Rai@rotary.org

Silky Chandwani - Silky.Chandwani@genesis-bcw.com

 

 

Rotary announces Big Service Projects in Northern India

World President of Rotary Shekhar Mehta to visit Kurukshetra on 10^th July

Kurukshetra, 27 May:  Rotary International District 3080 announced the plantation of 15 lakh trees in the District, informed the Kurukshetra born business person, Rtn Ajay Madan, who takes over as District Governor on 1^st July.

Ajay Madan, addressing over 500 Rotary leaders here today at the virtual Rotary District Training Assembly informed that nearly 3,500 Rotarians in the District and the new leaders are all geared to "Serve to Change Lives", which is the Rotary International theme.

He informed that this year the fourth Indian in Rotary's 116^th years of service,  Rtn Shekhar Mehta from Kolkata, who would take up the leadership of 1.2 million Rotarians of the world.

Carrying the dream project of incoming Rotary's world leader Shekhar Mehta to increase the global membership from existence to 1.2 million Rotarians to 1.3 million Rotarians.

In our District 3080 which comprises of Chandigarh, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Utrakhand and UP, with nearly 86 Rotary Clubs, Ajay Madan said that nearly 2000 new Rotarians would be brought into the fold of Rotary to make a difference in the lives of the people.

Rotary is known worldwide for eradicating polio in the world, the new year starting 1^st July, the District intends to plant 15 lakh trees during July itself, collect nearly 1 lakh units of blood through regular blood donation camps, provide 10,000 benches in the schools, and much more.

Ajay Madan also announced that it would be a unique honour for the Rotarians that the world President of Rotary International Shekhar Mehta would be arriving in Kurukshetra to formally install the District Governor and Team for 2021-22.

Rotary District shall be signing an MoU with HARTRON on 1^st July forproviding free computer training and arrange their employment who lost their parents in Covid19. 

Ajay Madan informed that Organ Donation campaign will be launched to register maximum number of people besides vaccination of teenaged girls against cervical cancer, besides continuing vaccination drive against Covid19. 

Rotary Club Shimla and Mussoorie would be installed to recycle plastic bottles on both the Malls.

Disaster Management would be undertaken. A warehouse in District 3080 would be setup in Chandigarh to help the needy during disaster management.

All trucks and tractors shall be fitted with reflectors to avoid road accidents during the year, Ajay Madan informed.

Member of Parliament PDG Vivek Tankha, said that under Rotary's medical mission, Rahat, medical camps for the underprivileged shall be organised pan India starting with the first one at Leh on 1^st July.    

The Rotary District Training Assembly was addressed by former world President of Rotary International Rajendra K Saboo, Member of Parliament Past District Governor Rtn Vivek Tankha, and Rotary International Director 2021-23 Dr Mahesh Kotbaghi, PDG Deepak Aggarwal, District Trainer PDG Manmohan Singh, PDG T.K. Ruby, PDG Jitendra Dhingra, and senior Rotarians including PDG Madhukar Malhotra, PDg Praveen Aggarwal, PP Rtn CJ Singh, PP Rtn AP Singh, among others conducted the training for the incoming club leaders.