Latest news with #Rotary
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
A tribute to lifesavers
It wasn't just an evening of applause and accolades, it was a reunion of some of India's pioneering doctors. On Tuesday, as the country celebrated National Doctors' Day, Rotary International District 3234 organised a felicitation ceremony at the Anna Centenary Auditorium, Kotturpuram, honouring the legacy and life-saving excellence of a few doctors and medical institutions. The event marked the debut of Vinod Saraogi as the district governor for the Rotary year 2025-26. 'All 81 clubs and 3,200 rotarians in the district are united by one goal — to serve society. For me, beginning this journey with a tribute to doctors feels symbolic,' said Vinod. He shared his vision for the year ahead, announcing many projects which focus on preventive healthcare and education. 'We've planned 100 dialysis machines, 5,000 cervical cancer vaccines, and 10,000 cataract surgeries. We're launching a blood bank in Saidapet, cardio vans for rural outreach, and even mammogram machines. It's going to be a year of full action.' Ma Subramanian, Tamil Nadu's Minister for Health and Family Welfare, conferred the awards and praised the awardees for their service. 'The Tamil Nadu Government has been honouring doctors on National Doctor's Day since the 1980s. We used to present the award to 10 doctors every year which was later increased to 25 and this year, we awarded 50 doctors,' he said.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Healthy response to call for Maitland Hospital HealthStays
Rotary clubs have raised $2.5 million for prime land that will house people who attend Maitland Hospital to treat cancer and other health problems. The money, raised from Maitland's business community, will be used to buy land at Metford. The HealthStays project is planned on a site 750 metres from Maitland Hospital. Trevor Lynch, Maitland HealthStays committee chair, said the $2.5 million was raised at a meeting with the business community at Maitland Town Hall. "We gave them a copy of our business plan and obviously we invited the right people," said Mr Lynch, of Rotary. "It went better than we thought. It has really blown us away. I've always known the people in Maitland are very supportive of good causes." Mr Lynch said Rotary members "try to do good in the world". "The motto of Rotary is service above self," he said. He added that doing good deeds "gives people a real buzz". Mr Lynch said the next steps of the project would include raising a further $7 million for construction. The plan includes 20 guestrooms in stage one. In future, a further 16 rooms could be added in stage two. "We'll chase big corporates like the mining industry at Muswellbrook. The people in those communities will benefit from the project," he said. The rooms will be for patients and carers who live more than 100 kilometres from Maitland hospital and other medical providers nearby. Patients who live within 100 kilometres of the hospital but have trouble travelling will also be eligible. In 2023-24, more than 2200 admissions to Maitland hospital were patients from regional NSW. Additionally, 7600 patients were from Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast. Those eligible for the planned accommodation would receive subsidies from the NSW Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. The subsidy per room is $75 a night for the first seven nights and $120 a night beyond that. This would cover "all or most of their accommodation costs". Eligible people include outpatients who live too far from the hospital to commute, including those receiving cancer treatment. Mr Lynch said the project would seek government funding. "There's a lot of grants out there. We have somebody working with us on grant applications," he said. "If we can get some big corporate donations to start, we're pretty sure governments will come on board because we'll have co-funding." He said politicians had shown support for the project. "They all want it to happen. Now we need them to kick the can a bit," he said. Five Rotary clubs - East Maitland, Maitland, Maitland Sunrise, Greenhills-Maitland and Rutherford-Telarah - have been involved in the project. "All of those have made significant contributions," Mr Lynch said. "There's another seven Rotary clubs in outlying areas, who have also given cash. As well as getting the money for the land, we have about $250,000 in cash we've accumulated." Rotary clubs have raised $2.5 million for prime land that will house people who attend Maitland Hospital to treat cancer and other health problems. The money, raised from Maitland's business community, will be used to buy land at Metford. The HealthStays project is planned on a site 750 metres from Maitland Hospital. Trevor Lynch, Maitland HealthStays committee chair, said the $2.5 million was raised at a meeting with the business community at Maitland Town Hall. "We gave them a copy of our business plan and obviously we invited the right people," said Mr Lynch, of Rotary. "It went better than we thought. It has really blown us away. I've always known the people in Maitland are very supportive of good causes." Mr Lynch said Rotary members "try to do good in the world". "The motto of Rotary is service above self," he said. He added that doing good deeds "gives people a real buzz". Mr Lynch said the next steps of the project would include raising a further $7 million for construction. The plan includes 20 guestrooms in stage one. In future, a further 16 rooms could be added in stage two. "We'll chase big corporates like the mining industry at Muswellbrook. The people in those communities will benefit from the project," he said. The rooms will be for patients and carers who live more than 100 kilometres from Maitland hospital and other medical providers nearby. Patients who live within 100 kilometres of the hospital but have trouble travelling will also be eligible. In 2023-24, more than 2200 admissions to Maitland hospital were patients from regional NSW. Additionally, 7600 patients were from Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast. Those eligible for the planned accommodation would receive subsidies from the NSW Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. The subsidy per room is $75 a night for the first seven nights and $120 a night beyond that. This would cover "all or most of their accommodation costs". Eligible people include outpatients who live too far from the hospital to commute, including those receiving cancer treatment. Mr Lynch said the project would seek government funding. "There's a lot of grants out there. We have somebody working with us on grant applications," he said. "If we can get some big corporate donations to start, we're pretty sure governments will come on board because we'll have co-funding." He said politicians had shown support for the project. "They all want it to happen. Now we need them to kick the can a bit," he said. Five Rotary clubs - East Maitland, Maitland, Maitland Sunrise, Greenhills-Maitland and Rutherford-Telarah - have been involved in the project. "All of those have made significant contributions," Mr Lynch said. "There's another seven Rotary clubs in outlying areas, who have also given cash. As well as getting the money for the land, we have about $250,000 in cash we've accumulated." Rotary clubs have raised $2.5 million for prime land that will house people who attend Maitland Hospital to treat cancer and other health problems. The money, raised from Maitland's business community, will be used to buy land at Metford. The HealthStays project is planned on a site 750 metres from Maitland Hospital. Trevor Lynch, Maitland HealthStays committee chair, said the $2.5 million was raised at a meeting with the business community at Maitland Town Hall. "We gave them a copy of our business plan and obviously we invited the right people," said Mr Lynch, of Rotary. "It went better than we thought. It has really blown us away. I've always known the people in Maitland are very supportive of good causes." Mr Lynch said Rotary members "try to do good in the world". "The motto of Rotary is service above self," he said. He added that doing good deeds "gives people a real buzz". Mr Lynch said the next steps of the project would include raising a further $7 million for construction. The plan includes 20 guestrooms in stage one. In future, a further 16 rooms could be added in stage two. "We'll chase big corporates like the mining industry at Muswellbrook. The people in those communities will benefit from the project," he said. The rooms will be for patients and carers who live more than 100 kilometres from Maitland hospital and other medical providers nearby. Patients who live within 100 kilometres of the hospital but have trouble travelling will also be eligible. In 2023-24, more than 2200 admissions to Maitland hospital were patients from regional NSW. Additionally, 7600 patients were from Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast. Those eligible for the planned accommodation would receive subsidies from the NSW Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. The subsidy per room is $75 a night for the first seven nights and $120 a night beyond that. This would cover "all or most of their accommodation costs". Eligible people include outpatients who live too far from the hospital to commute, including those receiving cancer treatment. Mr Lynch said the project would seek government funding. "There's a lot of grants out there. We have somebody working with us on grant applications," he said. "If we can get some big corporate donations to start, we're pretty sure governments will come on board because we'll have co-funding." He said politicians had shown support for the project. "They all want it to happen. Now we need them to kick the can a bit," he said. Five Rotary clubs - East Maitland, Maitland, Maitland Sunrise, Greenhills-Maitland and Rutherford-Telarah - have been involved in the project. "All of those have made significant contributions," Mr Lynch said. "There's another seven Rotary clubs in outlying areas, who have also given cash. As well as getting the money for the land, we have about $250,000 in cash we've accumulated." Rotary clubs have raised $2.5 million for prime land that will house people who attend Maitland Hospital to treat cancer and other health problems. The money, raised from Maitland's business community, will be used to buy land at Metford. The HealthStays project is planned on a site 750 metres from Maitland Hospital. Trevor Lynch, Maitland HealthStays committee chair, said the $2.5 million was raised at a meeting with the business community at Maitland Town Hall. "We gave them a copy of our business plan and obviously we invited the right people," said Mr Lynch, of Rotary. "It went better than we thought. It has really blown us away. I've always known the people in Maitland are very supportive of good causes." Mr Lynch said Rotary members "try to do good in the world". "The motto of Rotary is service above self," he said. He added that doing good deeds "gives people a real buzz". Mr Lynch said the next steps of the project would include raising a further $7 million for construction. The plan includes 20 guestrooms in stage one. In future, a further 16 rooms could be added in stage two. "We'll chase big corporates like the mining industry at Muswellbrook. The people in those communities will benefit from the project," he said. The rooms will be for patients and carers who live more than 100 kilometres from Maitland hospital and other medical providers nearby. Patients who live within 100 kilometres of the hospital but have trouble travelling will also be eligible. In 2023-24, more than 2200 admissions to Maitland hospital were patients from regional NSW. Additionally, 7600 patients were from Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast. Those eligible for the planned accommodation would receive subsidies from the NSW Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. The subsidy per room is $75 a night for the first seven nights and $120 a night beyond that. This would cover "all or most of their accommodation costs". Eligible people include outpatients who live too far from the hospital to commute, including those receiving cancer treatment. Mr Lynch said the project would seek government funding. "There's a lot of grants out there. We have somebody working with us on grant applications," he said. "If we can get some big corporate donations to start, we're pretty sure governments will come on board because we'll have co-funding." He said politicians had shown support for the project. "They all want it to happen. Now we need them to kick the can a bit," he said. Five Rotary clubs - East Maitland, Maitland, Maitland Sunrise, Greenhills-Maitland and Rutherford-Telarah - have been involved in the project. "All of those have made significant contributions," Mr Lynch said. "There's another seven Rotary clubs in outlying areas, who have also given cash. As well as getting the money for the land, we have about $250,000 in cash we've accumulated."
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Window Into Humanity: World Press Photo Exhibition Opens This Month In Auckland
Presenting the 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographs, the exhibition will display a selection of powerful images by 42 international photographers. It offers a rare opportunity to step away from our screens and engage with the stories … The prestigious annual World Press Photo Exhibition opens this month, bringing the past year's most captivating and thought-provoking photojournalism and documentary photography from around the globe to Auckland, from 26 July – 24 August at 131 Queen Street. Presenting the 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographs, the exhibition will display a selection of powerful images by 42 international photographers. It offers a rare opportunity to step away from our screens and engage with the stories behind the headlines. 2025 marks 70 years of World Press Photo. To celebrate, this year will also include a special anniversary exhibition in addition to the 2025 contest winning photographs. Curated by Cristina de Middel and titled What Have We Done? Unpacking Seven Decades of Photojournalism Through the World Press Photo Archive, the exhibition will feature images pulled from the World Press Photo archives. It invites audiences to rethink not just how photojournalism has evolved but how we, as viewers and citizens, should be learning to read images with a sharper and more critical eye. A media preview of the exhibition will be held on Friday 25 July between 2 – 4pm, with Nelson-based 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographer Tatsiana Chypsana, and travelling curator Martha Echevarria available for interview. If you wish to attend, please contact ali@ An exclusive public preview and panel discussion is available on Thursday 24 July, 6pm. Tickets are available via Eventfinda. Viewers will get to take in the exhibition ahead of the opening, and hear from a World Press Photo curator, judge, and winning photographer, talking about the importance of press freedom and how photography helps tell the stories the world needs to hear. In addition, you'll get an exclusive look at additional images from photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava's long term project Te Uruwera – The Living Ancestor of Tūhoe People, which are not in the main exhibition. The Rotary Club of Auckland is proud to bring the World Press Photo Exhibition to Auckland, with all proceeds from the event going towards Rotary youth charities and disability charity PHAB.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Civic body scraps ₹1.86 crore sapling tender following flak
In response to mounting criticism from city councillors, mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and residents, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has scrapped its controversial ₹ 1.86 crore tender floated for purchasing saplings for a citywide plantation campaign. The civic body has instead adopted a cost-effective approach by engaging private banks, Rotary clubs and corporate firms to contribute under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The move comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Chandigarh administration to plant 5 lakh trees, with 1.5 lakh to be planted by the municipal corporation, as part of efforts to boost the city's green cover. (HT File) The move comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Chandigarh administration to plant 5 lakh trees, with 1.5 lakh to be planted by the municipal corporation, as part of efforts to boost the city's green cover. In June, the MC issued a ₹ 1.86 crore tender to procure saplings—specifically those over six feet tall—for this campaign. However, the proposal drew backlash during the recent general house meeting, where councillors questioned the need for such a high-budget tender amid the civic body's financial crunch. They pointed out that the MC already maintains its nurseries and could also acquire plants from the UT forest department. 'We are struggling to maintain roads and pay staff salaries. There is no need for such expensive purchases when cheaper alternatives exist,' councillors said during the general house meeting on Monday. Faced with the backlash, the MC withdrew the tender and instead shifted to a sponsorship model similar to the one used during this year's rose festival, where ₹ 60 lakh was raised from around 15 sponsors in exchange for advertising space. Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said the MC has already secured ₹ 1.25 crore in support and is continuing to seek more funding from CSR partners. 'The tender was initially floated to purchase saplings with a height of over six feet. The saplings with such height are not available in MC's nurseries. But, after discussion, we decided to carry out the plantation drive with logistical and financial help from institutional partners. Various banks, clubs and corporate firms have come forward as a part of its 'corporate social responsibility (CSR)' initiative. We have already secured support of ₹ 1.25 crore and we are trying to arrange more fundings', said municipal commissioner Amit Kumar, during the house meeting on Monday. The plantation drive, set to begin this week, aims to plant 1.5 lakh trees without any direct spending from the MC. Areas such as the Dadumajra dumping ground are already being targeted under ongoing drives. To ensure better results, this year's campaign will include a digital monitoring system. Each sapling will be geotagged, allowing real-time tracking of its location and growth, helping ensure proper maintenance and survival. As per Chandigarh administration officials, at present, the city's sapling survival rate ranges between 50% and 60%. Over the past seven years, the city's green cover has increased by 9%.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Rotary District 3233 honours doctors on National Doctors' Day
Dr R Sriram, emergency medicine consultant, Dr TS Selvavinayagam, director of public health, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Dr Mohan Rajan, senior consultant ophthalmologist, were given the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. Mohan Rajan said, 'Rotary is a leading light for all of us professionals. And the targets set by them are important because when you feel the competition, you will start introspecting and do better than the others.' Additionally, Dr R Prem Sekar, paediatric interventional cardiologist, and Dr Vasumathy Vedantham, senior consultant ophthalmologist, were given the 'Distinguished Medical Service Award', and Dr Karthik Balaji, founder of Zoriox Innovation Labs, was given the 'Young Achiever Award'. The event also saw the launch of a website — showcasing the activities of Community Service Health (CSH) — and Rotarians' Privilege Health Card, for the benefit of Rotarians and their families. 'This card connects the Rotarians with a network of reputed hospitals where they can enjoy discounted rates and privilege access. More hospitals are getting added to this initiative,' explained Dr S Ramesh Babu, director, Community Service Health. A few other initiatives were also announced for targeted beneficiaries.
