The Polio Flame Car Rally reached here on Friday night. The event which was organised on behalf of Rotary International District 3230 was launched by Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah in Chennai on Wednesday. The objective was celebrating the eradication of polio in India and creating awareness of the need to completely eradicate the disease in the world.
It was flagged off by T. Harigopalan, Chairman of the Sunbeam Group of Schools at the school premises in Mettukulam near Katpadi. The rally under the banner, `My Flame, My Inspiration’, passed through Katpadi and Gandhinagar.
It reached Sai City Centre near the New Bus Stand here and was received by hundreds of members of the 11 Rotary Clubs of Vellore.
ISAK. Nazar, Governor, Rotary International District 3230 made an appeal to the Rotarians and the public to contribute to the Rotary Foundation in order to enable the latter to completely eradicate the disease in the world.
Mr. Nazar acknowledged the role played by Rotarian Dr. T. Jacob John, Emeritus Professor of Virology of the Christian Medical College who in1985 was instrumental in the Rotary International taking up the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme as an international project with the task of eradicating the disease throughout the world.
Video presentation
A video presentation made by the R.I. District 3230 at the venue of the rally pointed out that thanks to the sustained efforts of the Rotary Clubs throughout the world, polio has been eradicated in all countries except Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. The Rotary Foundation has spent Rs.28,000 crores on the Pulse Polio Programme. Much more funds are needed to complete the task of eradication of polio world-wide by eradicating the disease in the three countries where it still persisted. The Rotary Governor honoured Muthu Palaniappan, District Rotary Foundation Chairman, and the presidents of various Rotary Clubs in the R.I. District 3230 who were responsible for enabling India to achieve the `Zero Polio’ goal three years ago. He announced that the Rotary Club of Katpadi has donated Rs.1.50 lakhs and the Rotary Club of Vellore North Rs.1.35 lakhs to the Rotary Foundation for the Pulse Polio Programme.
D. Thirumaran, Regional Chairman, `My Flame, My Inspiration’, Vellore said that a sum of Rs.six lakhs was contributed by various Rotary Clubs to the foundation at the function. Mr. Nazar handed over the flame torch to Mr. Thirumaran. The car rally started from here and went up to Konavattam on the outskirts of Vellore, where Mr. Thirumaran handed over the flame to Bathi Khaleel, Regional Chairman, Ambur. The rally reached Yelagiri Hills after passing through Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Ambur and Vaniyambadi.
