Rotary puts Miles of Smiles on Faces of Orphanage Kids during 20th Annual Orphanage Olympics
Mangaluru: It was indeed a day out filled with fun and frolic for nearly 600 kids from 11 orphanage in and around Mangaluru, who had anxiously waited for this day to unleash their talents in sports at the 20th Rotary Annual Orphanage Olympics organized on Sunday, 25 November 2018 at the Canara High School Urva Premises, organized by Rotary Club of Mangaluru Central along with Rotaract Club of Mangaluru City. It was a daylong event of Sports And Cultural carnival organized as part of club’s community development project. It was an Eventful and fruitful day to remember and cherish, a day of Celebrations and Jubilation’s for these enthusiastic 600 children from the orphanages who crave for parental love and affection but unfortunately deprived. Leaving behind their pain, agony, ignoring their Grief and grievances they felt a sense of freedom, Relaxed, Freely mingled, Rejoiced, Played, Danced, with other orphanage school children and shared their memorable moments.
It was a platform provided to the Orphanage Children by Rotary and Rotaract club to showcase their hidden skills in sports and inborn Talents in the Cultural Events. All the guests, spectators could notice the enjoyment and smile on the faces of the lovely children. After a Colourful march past session, where the Chief Guest Dr Bhasker Shetty- Chairman & Managing Director of City Hospital and Nandavan Education Trust, along with Rtn PHF Kiran Prasad Rai-Assistant Governor RI Dist 3181 Zone II; Dr Devdas Rai -Chairman Organizing Committee; Rtn PP Santhosh Shet-President, Rotary Club Mangalore Central; Rtr G T Ganesh-President, Rotaract Club Mangalore City, among others took the salute from the children, who walked with zeal and enthusiasm. It was a day to cherish and relish in their lives.
The Olympics was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp and by releasing the balloons in the air. Dr. Bhaskar Shetty in his inaugural address lauded the community services rendered by the Rotary by providing a suitable platform and equal opportunity to the Orphan Children to showcase their skills and talents thereby eliminating social inequality. He advised that the voluntary service organizations should strive hard to eliminate the social inequality and backward feeling prevailing in the society.” Even after 71 years of Independence of India, it is sad to note that there are still lakhs of children who are poor and lack the basic facilities, love and care from the society. Even though India has emerged in many fields, but the poor children are neglected with no education. Education system should be upgraded and scrutinized y the concerned authorities These days we see many private education institutions being the source of degree market. We need to educate the less-privileged children, and make them enjoy the freedom and life like others. Great job by Rotary and Rotaract in bringing joy in the lives of these orphanage kids” added Dr Bhaskar Shetty.
Earlier, Chairman of the organizing committee Rtn. Dr. Devdas Rai revealed that this event is a part of their Community service, the aim and objective is to bring a smile on the faces of the lovely children at least for a day and a feeling that they are not lonely. He said that the Club has initiated this fun fare festival of sports and cultural events in the year 1996. “It is Club’s aim to provide platform for the enthusiastic children on this special day to display their hidden cultural talents and exhibit their sporting skills. It is a rare opportunity provided to them to come to the main stream. It is also a sense of freedom and a feeling of enjoyment and a memorable day for them in their life” said Dr Rai.
President of the Rotary Club Rtn. Santhosh Shet, welcomed, Asst. Governor zone II Rtn. Kiran Prasad Rai, Charter President Rtn. Premnath Kudva, President of Rotaract Club of Mangaluru City Rtn. Ganesh, Secretary Rtn. Sheldon Crasta were present during the inaugural ceremony. Secretary Rtn. Joel Lobo proposed the vote of thanks, while Rtn. K. M. Hegde compered the programme. In the Valedictory Function Rotary Dist. Governor Elect Rtn. Ranganath Bhat graced occasion as chief guest and distributed prizes and certificates to the winners and runners up and awarded Trophy to the team for their overall performance. Rtr G T Ganesh proposed the vote of thanks during valedictory function.
Orphanages participated in this Olympics were- Swami Shradhanand Sevashram; Ishwarananda Sevashram; St Joseph’s Prashanth Nivas; Bala Samarakshana Kendra; Abhaya Bala Mandira; Zeenath Baksh Yateemkhana; Bala Yesu Nilaya; De Mercede Orphanage; Bhagini Samaj-all from Mangaluru; and Aloysian Boys Home (Kotekar); and Stella Mary’s Convent-Kotekar. The sports event comprised of 100 mtrs Running Race, Frog Race, Sack Race, Lemon & Spoon Race, Book balancing Race and Tug of war as team event. There was also a cultural competition in the afternoon session.
