What binds a group of 80 people, from diverse professional backgrounds, together is the desire to serve the underprivileged and Round Table India (RTI) provided them a right platform.
Meet the young and vibrant teammates of RTI, called ‘tablers’, who have discovered a new meaning in their lives by hosting community-based projects like building of schools and classrooms, conducting drawing competitions for specially-abled children and blood donation camps, health awareness drive and free surgeries, among others.
Inspired by the Round Table International, the UK, the local chapter was established in 1983. With a network of 80 tablers and four tables in the district, most of the charity works have been taken up, planned and executed with the funds raised by the tablers. “We pool a part of our income for our projects. Thankfully, there is no dearth of funds so far,” clarifies Perla Naveen, a tabler who is into wealth management business.
For the past seven years, the local team has constructed around 15 schools across the district. “We don’t stop ourselves with the construction of the schools. We visit the premises, spend time with children and take up motivational classes. More than contributing funds, investing our time plays a crucial part,” says Umesh, another tabler.
Each project involves meticulous planning where the tablers take turns to lead the team. “It feels nice to be a leader. However, leading a matured team needs refined skills. You need to convince people, bring them on board and execute things efficiently without letting any of them down,” explains Riaz Khan, chairman of RTI, who heads 19 tables.
For most tablers, RTI has become an extended family bringing them closer. With events like building a brand new school in Vizianagaram for visually-challenged children, donating benches to the schools built by RTI, free cleft-lip and palate surgeries lined up next, the group stays in touch over WhatsApp and Facebook.
