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November is Rotary Foundation Month, a time to celebrate the generosity of Rotarians around the world who support this great humanitarian effort. If  Rotarians like you did not give so freely and selflessly, Arch Klumph’s Dream would not  become real.
 
The Rotary Foundation of R.I. began as the inspiration of just one man   has now become everyman’s dream. In 1917 R.I.President  Arch C. Klumph proposed an endowment with the purpose  of “doing good in the world ”He pursued his dream patiently and persistently. Indeed , who could have imagined  that the first contribution by the Rotary Club of Kansas City Missouri, U.S.A, the modest amount of US $ 26.50 would lead to one of the most successful humanitarian Foundation in the world !
 
When Arch Klumph created The Rotary Foundation  in 1928 , he said “ We should think of The Foundation as being not something of today or tomorrow, but think of it in terms of years and generations to come. Rotary is a movement of the centuries “
 
Since The Rotary Foundation was established , it has provided  millions  of dollars  of grants  to the projects in  the world where Rotary  Clubs provide  life-saving Matching Grant projects and life changing Group Study Exchange experiences. We can  pursue through The Rotary Foundation to  “Make dreams Real –by alleviating hunger, promoting education,children welfare, enhancing human development, eradicating Polio and promoting International Understanding.
 

This year  R.I.President Dong Kurn Lee  has given a clarion call  to “Make Dreams Real” for world’s children. He said that 30,000 children under the age of five die every day  from preventable diseases such as pneumonia, measles, and malaria etc This situation is associated in a deadly  combination with poor sanitation and malnutrition. Families   stricken  by extreme poverty are trapped in a cycle that only leads to more unnecessary deaths. This cycle is not interrupted because there is no access to proper education.This challenge can be met  with    our  herculeon  support to the  Foundation  & sumptuous  resources  derived  from it in the kind of grants.
 
The Foundation is supported by every Rotarian and friends around the world to sponsor a wide range of programs. Gifts to  the Rotary Foundation can be made in many ways. There are wide variety of giving options. It is thus every Rotarian’s responsibility to extend their support generously.
 
This year our  District Governor Dr.Pranesh  Jahagirdar  has  planned  a very tangible  scheme  to raise  our  humble way of  giving to  TRF .I urge every Club  and every Rotarian in our district to make their hearts noble and   make every effort to surpass the target set out  to raise our District  to step up in the rank of giving.
 
It  is worth to mention here that India  has climbed still higher in its contribution  to TRF  & reached to rank number three in Rotary world . We have  overtaken Korea  & only U.S.A. & Japan are ahead of us. Instead of slipping from the present ranking it becomes imperative that we have to surpass our contribution record, as Rotary World is focused upon us. I therefore hopefully believe  that  every fellow Rotarian from our prestigious District  will make continued and even enhanced efforts to reach higher levels in giving as well as program participation. The challenge  before us will stimulate us all to toil and succeed . We must realise  that  our reach is more widespread than imagined and demonstrate our love for the TRF in the true sense of our  responsibility and loyalty  .
 
The  Rotary Foundation  a “Charity of Choice”  is now more respected from all the corners in the world. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s challenging grant of $ 100 million ,Google Foundation’s contribution of 3.5 Million and generous support of Rtn Harshad Mehta of Mumbai worth  $ 2 million for Polio eradication   shows that Rotary has  the respect and support of major philanthropic organisation .Many more compassionate  and  helpful  personalities  are voluntarily  coming up to support our eminent body .Honorary Rotarian Smt. Rajashree Birla  and  District Governor of Dist;3130 Vinay Kulkarni & his spouse Rashmi were inducted as members of the Arch Klumph Society. On the occasion of distinction and honor bestowed on Smt. Rajshree Birla, she announced additional   contribution of US$ 1 million  in support of Rotary’s fight against Polio. Through the efforts of  our P.R.I.President Rajendra K.Saboo, the well known Mittal family in London, contributed US $ one  million  for Polio eradication programme. These supports  represent  a tremendous validation of Rotary’s  “brand  identity”
 
Rotary worldwide has worked very hard over the years to reach this point and it is rewarding to see our approach validated in such a significant way by the  above  supporters. Fight against Polio has achieved milestones and set benchmarks to raise   the bar in social service. It is required that every Rotarian, puts in their heart, their soul and their funds to make  our  dream real.
 
Every moment is a  changing moment and as   our organization is not a static organization , we need to continuously review our actions and efforts to match the changing world.   Changes  in the Rotary Foundation  known as “Future Vision Plan” will be trailed for three years commencing from 1st July 2009. This  allows Rotary districts to have greater option  in determining the spending of funds raised by our Foundation  .This Future Vision Plan and the new grant-making model will be implemented on a limited scale as a model and pilot phase basis  involving up to approximately 100  districts over the world. 
 
Rotary International’s  masterpiece is The Rotary Foundation.  It transforms our dreams into splendid realities. It is the most glaring expression of Rotarian’s generosity, a generosity that  not only brings benefits but also brings help and co-operation to solve the problems that affect mankind. The Rotary Foundation aims to achieve the best that mankind can possibly achieve. And “possible” is an understatement  because if each and everyone    of us is ready to walk an extra mile in our conviction just imagine the immense potential it holds, for  enabling the TRF in fulfilling our Dream of making this a happier planet.

PDG Raju M.Doshi.

DRFCC