Sometimes, we need to wage war, to achieve peace. World peace is not just the absence of war. There can be peace across the world, only when there is no poverty, no hunger, no illiteracy and no disease.
Rotarians have been great warriors against disease. The Polio Eradication campaign started as a ripple in Philippines that gathered momentum across the oceans and became a juggernaut that could not be stopped. It harnessed the forces of the United Nations, W.H.O, national governments and corporates to eradicate a disease that had crippled millions of children over several generations.
My own experience as a spearhead of the Polio Eradication campaign is that we can never let our guard down. The End Polio campaign faced many challenges including resistance from the Muslim community to the use of the vaccine. Misconceptions abounded regarding the side effects. We co-opted religious leaders to form the Ulema Committee and convinced them to encourage their community to take the vaccine without fear. W.H.O accepts that this was a tipping point in the battle. Bill and Melinda Gates came on board with the $200 million challenge and Rotarians rose as one to meet the challenge. We crossed the finish line in 2012-13 and India was declared Polio-free on 27th March 2014 .
Today, Rotary can be justifiably proud to have almost eradicated Polio from the face of the earth. But … almost is not good enough. 99 % success can be 100% failure. The few cases that crop up in our neighboring nations can make the Polio virus bounce back and threaten the next generation. It is therefore important to remember that until the world is completely and permanently rid of Polio, we must keep Polio Eradication as our topmost priority.
It is often said that God gives burdens only to the strongestshoulders.
The Covid-19 pandemic was a huge blow to the entire world. Here was a modern-day enemy that attacked us from all sides without warning, with no concern for combatant or civilian casualties. Corona showed us that disease has no nationality, race, religion or socio-economic status.
Even as Rotarians reeled from the economic fallout and the threat to their own health, we stepped up to fight this new enemy. Rotary India’s Covid Task Force was established to support the Govt. of India in the vaccination drive. Immense contributions have been made by Rotary clubs across the country. Apart from actively promoting the use of the newly-arrived Covid vaccine, we provided refrigerated trucks for transporting the vaccine, augmented the capacity of CovidHospitals, and arranged oxygen concentrators. Rotary clubs also created call centres and information desks to help those affected by Covid. Thousands have been immunized at the free vaccination centres organized by Rotary clubs.
Once again, 99% can be 100 % failure. The disease is far from defeated. Our population suffers from 2 divergent problems. People live either in remote locations or inside densely crowded cities. Those in far-off places need to be vaccinated. Those in crowded places need to maintain sanitation and physical distancing.
As Chairman of Rotary India’s Covid Task Force and Member of Rotary International’s Covid Task Force, I appeal to all Rotarians to ensure that they, their family members, and their communities get fully vaccinated. Let us work hard to ensure that all Indians can walk free from this disease, forever.
