Inauguration of Web series ‘Say No- Bolo Na’ 1st Aug. 20

Rotary Club of Pune Metro has embarked upon an year long program in association with the District 3131 ‘Prevention of Addiction Committee’.

Our program consists of a series of online presentations and virtual interactions and is named ‘Say NO’, ‘Bolo NA’. This web series will have strongly committed speakers including Dr. Anand Nadkarni, Ms Mukta Puntambekar, Padmashri Dr. Abhay Bang and many more stalwarts of the field.

The Web Series was inaugurated on 1st August 2020 by District Governor Rtn. Rashmi Kulkarni, at an on-line program attended by nearly 100 participants that included club members, District officers and Rotarians from other clubs.

RCPuneMetro’s program was presided over by President Makarand Phadke. In his opening remarks he said that RCP Metro is proud to take up such an important project in its Silver Jubilee year. Our own PP Dr. Madhavi Mehendale, who is the District Chairperson for the program gave an overview of the District’s plans in this field. She said that although it is difficult to assess the impact of efforts made for de-addiction, the work is so important that it must be given in depth attention. A message from PRIP Kalyan Bannerjee was read out, in which he lauded the District and Club’s concern for youth. Kalyan Da is leading Rotary’s efforts in the field of de-addiction worldwide, and his words hold tremendous value for anyone working in this field.

Keynote speech at the inaugural session was delivered by PDG Dr. Deepak Purohit. He highlighted the need for ‘Prevention’, which is more effective than trying to cure the addicted persons, and shared details of work being done by Rotary at the National level.

PDG Deepak also unveiled the Logo for NADI (Narcotics, Alcohol, Drugs and Internet) de-addiction program. PDG Deepak has extensive knowledge and deep insights about the subject, which were evident when he shared national statistics on addictions and their ill effects. He described in detail the effects of such addictions, and demonstrated using pictures that effects of Internet addiction on the brain are very similar to those of substance abuse. In physical terms they show up as ‘Internet Dependence’ with a disconnection from the real world. PDG Deepak also announced that a new website www.rotaryadictionprevention.in where nationwide information on the topic can be shared.

Our District’s Brand ambassador for the year long program of ‘Prevention of Addiction’ is Kaustubh Radkar. He is the only Indian to have completed the ‘Ironman’ Triathalon contest 25 times. Although he was not able to attend today’s program, he sent a video clip highlighting the importance of physical and mental fitness as an effective way for protection from addictions.

Chief Guest DG Rashmi expressed her happiness about RCPuneMetro having taken up a project on de-addiction., and promised all help from the District for this cause. She emphasized the need for Rotary to be involved in such work, especially for the young generation. She said that internet and mobile addiction is taking hold among the youngsters, and we have to lead them to the right path by our own examples.

IT Systems for today’s session were managed by Rtn. Rajan Erande and a Vote of Thanks was proposed by SP Director Vandana Joglekar.
The entire proceeding was skillfully anchored by Rtn. Shilpa Choudhary who is the RCPuneMetro’s Convener for the project.
​​​​​​- Rtn. Dileep Paranjpye

Watch Inauguration video

Rotary Club of Pune Metro Logo

Rotarian Surekha Deshpande

President 2023-24

(M) 9823019069
Email: president.rcpm@gmail.com

 

Rotarian Prerana Joshi

Secretary 2023-24

(M) 9158998136
Email: prerana.joshi@gmail.com