Dear Rotary Leaders
Take That Call
This month marks over one year of challenge we are facing from Covid 19 virus. This has brought Rotary volunteers to the fore like never before. In the months that followed from March 2020, Rotarians attracted the attention of the nation and the world, inspiring hundreds of people to take to serving the people in whatever manner they could.
When we look back today, more than the Covid 19 virus, the community was faced with debating the question “ Life or Livelihood “. Life comes first, but to sustain that life every day, thousands of people needed a livelihood to earn something to buy food. But ordinary people from disparate backgrounds came together to narrow the gap between the ideals of life and lived reality. They gave the hope that life must go on and good times will come.
Rotary clubs have been doing diversified projects during these times and there is no telling what the next idea would be and from where it will come. Helping in vaccination drive, giving oxygen concentrators, oxygen plants, getting wards ready in hospitals to take in more patients and arranging meals are few of the activities Rotarians are doing. Understanding the need of day was hospitalization and more importantly the need for correct news about where beds are available, Rotarians, Anns and Rotaractors from various clubs in Nagpur city have set up a Covid control room and helpline to give information about the bed availability and allotment process to the public. This is perhaps the best example of Government-Rotary-Citizen’s partnership and the call centre works 4 shifts 24×7. In Bangalore the Rotary War Room set up by the Rotarians with 250 volunteers answers over 2,000 calls a day and the telephones have not stopped ringing.
I would encourage all Rotary clubs, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas to get together, talk to the local administration and set up such call centres, give wide publicity to the phone numbers and answer every call. Hear the call of the people desperately wanting help. Give them the proper guidance of where to go for hospitalization immediately and serve to change their lives. This unique call centre idea of Rotarians can be replicated in many towns and cities.
Rooted in our organisation’s mission to inspire, empower and connect people to change their world, Rotary must be seen to touch the lives of people who need help now. The relentless attack of the virus can be stopped by your efforts and people can get a new lease of life once they know that their cries for help will be heard.
Take that call. Be the answer to their hopes that they can live to see another day.