In observance of International Girl Child Day, Rotary Clubs of Coimbatore distributed 250 bicycles to the girl students in 9th and 10th grades of various schools, under the theme “Rainbow”.
The distributed cycles were primarily sponsored by Shanthy Sekar, Managing Director, Soli Masala.
Guest Balakrishnan IPS, Commissioner of Police presided over the event in the presence of Rtn Rajmohan Nair, District Governor, RID 3201 and Rtn EK Sagadhevan, Past District Governor, RID 3203.
Meena Nair felicitated the guest Balakrishnan IPS, followed by the felicitation of the other dignitaries.
Following this, Rtn EK Sagadhevan addressed the students and their parents on the importance of empowering girl children and women and that rotary is striving towards it vigorously.
He did mention the other CSR activities carried out through rotary which includes medical aids, education, art and other such sectors. In connection to this event, he stated that about 1202 cycles have been distributed since June 2022 and that this is the final drive of this initiative.
He applauded this initiative of rotary club members and the interest of the guest Balakrishnan IPS to be a part of this significant day.
Commenting on today’s event, Rtn Rajmohan Nair, District Governor, appreciated the efforts taken through rotary in empowering the girl children. He added that these measures wouldn’t stop here but rather will go ahead with more innovative approaches. The ‘I’ in their Rainbow theme stands for inclusion and this initiative is a representation of it.
During this event, a copy of the book ‘Travel Tales of a Cop’, authored by Balakrishnan IPS was handed over to Rtn Rajmohan Nair, District Governor as a token of felicitation.
While taking over the event, Balakrishnan IPS emphasized the need for every girl child to be empowered. He added to the importance of this distribution of bicycles as a major contributor to mobility and communication. These two aspects are significant barriers for every needy family and addressing them is important. This initiative will bring greater change among the students by reducing their travel time to schools and them invest the obtained time in a productive manner.
In addition, he said, “It is important for every student to think creatively and strive for more innovation which is the global demand. Their academic knowledge should be supported with an equal amount of creativity. Girl children have plenty of opportunities these days and each of the students here must make use of those opportunities provided by the government or such social work activities.”
Talking from the police perspective, he stated that their team is working rigorously working towards the prevention of crimes against girl children. Many proactive measures have been initiated to monitor those crimes. In this relevance, he informed that the police have recognised the vulnerable categories and areas, wherein 100 streets from the run-down neighbourhoods have been identified for implementing their safety drive.
He mentioned that mentally & physically challenged kids, school dropouts and children with abusive or alcoholic parents are much more prone to be affected by these crimes. Hence many proactive measures have been implemented from their end to ensure the security and safety of such kids from becoming victims of any crime.
Rtn Aparna Sunku, President, Rotary Club of Coimbatore SmartCity briefed on the additional distribution of the notebooks, stationery and bio-sanitary napkin kit along with the distribution of the cycles. She highlighted that the distributed reusable sanitary napkins are manufactured using banana fibre lined with cotton which prevents infection and its utility extends for five years.
Alongside mentioned that this invention of bio napkins by Anju Bist, also known as ‘Pad Woman of India’, the Amritanandamayi institution is a revolutionary act in addressing the basic needs of the deprived society. Further taking this as a kick start they are set to distribute these napkins to a wider audience as well.
All the assistant governors, presidents of various rotary clubs and its members were present during this grandeur event.
Reported by Anushka Juliet
