The Downstown Chronicle

The ROTARY CLUB OF OOTACAMUND under the able Presidentship of B.R.BHIRMAN, has been instrumental in implementing a number of people oriented programs over the year 2008 – 2009. Among notable programs mention must be made of

*CREMATORIUM : An agreement was signed between the Municipality and the Rotary Club of Ootacamund during the month of June 2009, authorising the latter to maintain the crematorium that has been built at Minik Shola, Fernhill. The municipality has built the crematorium at its own cost, whuich is estimated at Rs. 1 crore. The crematorium, to be run on gas, will be functional in the month of March 2010.

*ROTARY VIVEKANANDA SCHOOL : situated at Theetukal, on the outskirts of Ooty, is maintained by the Rotary Club of Ootacamund. It imparts education free of cost to 150 students. Tailoring and computer classes are conducted free of cost. Functioning from the year 1978 onwards the school has six teachers. While the government bears the salaries for three of them, the RCO bears that of the other three. In this regard it should be mentioned that Mr.Muthuswamy of Rotary, Metal Town, Tirupur, has donated Rs.65000, for the purpose of supplying uniforms free of cost to the students.

* FREE HOUSES FOR THE POOR : was another achievement of the club wherein 3 free houses have been built for the poorest of the poor- two at VC Colony, Butfire, and one near Sterling Resorts. The cost of each house is estimated at 1 lakh rupees. Construction of more houses are in the offing.

*FREE COLLEGE SEATS: The philanthrophist PARK RAVI( Proprietor,Park Institutions, Coimbatore), was magnanimous enough to set aside free seats for two needy students in his colleges. One in the Enginering and the other in the Polytechnics and Engineering College. This gesture on Mr.Ravi's part was applauded. Mr. Ravi is at present the District Governor Nominee – Rotary 3202, (2011 – 12) – Tirupur.

            *FLOOD RELIEF : an important program initiated by Mr. Bhirman was with a view to rehabilitate landslide victims of November 2009. The RCO and the Rotary Club of Tirupur donated material worth Rs. 4 lakhs                        towards relief for those affected.