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The Department of Posts has brought out a Special Postage Stamp of five rupees denomination to mark the completion of 100 years of Rotary International since its formation by Paul P. Harris of USA. Rotary has, all these years, earned acclaim for nurturing ideals of service to mankind through the medium of diverse community projects at all levels – be it international, national or regional/district levels. Presently Rotary International has 1.2 million members in its 33000 clubs spread across the globe in 165 countries and 35 geographical regions. In India Rotary’s presence roots back to 1919 when it formed its first club in Calcutta. Rotary is spread all over India with more than one lakh members in 2500 clubs.
With “Service above self” as its motto, Rotary strives to bring together people of all races, religious faiths and political beliefs. Rotary International is involved in multifarious activities such as eradication of polio, community service projects in different parts of the world, rehabilitation and total health care, rainwater harvesting and many more socially relevant projects. In 1988, Rotary International embarked upon a very ambitious programme to eradicate polio from the face of the earth by the year 2005. As the leading key non-government partner in this programme along with national governments, WHO, UNICEF and CDC, Rotary has not only provided major funding over US$ 600 million for the polio eradication initiatives but has also mobilised volunteers to help carry out mass immunization campaign. Because of these tiring efforts of the Rotary the number of polio-prone countries has come down to 6 from 125 thereby benefiting more than four million children.
RM/AMA- 230205 Rotary International Stamp
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