CLUB HISTORY
60 YEARS OF SERVICE – STILL GOING STRONG
The Provisional Rotary Club of Delhi North was born on 21st December 1963. Rtn. Faquir Chand was nominated the founder president of the club which started meeting at Maiden’s Hotel from 28th January 1964.
Rotary Club of Delhi North was admitted to the membership of Rotary International on 13th April 1964, the auspicious Baisakhi Day. The Charter Presentation Ceremony took place on 26th May 1964 under the distinguished presence of the then chief Commissioner of Delhi, Shri Dharam Vira I.C.S.
The Club has a long history of "Service Above Self” in every field over the years since inception. To recount a few: Presentation of books to poor and deserving students; Blood donation camps and contribution to the National Defence Fund during the 1965 War; Hosting of District Assembly and raising of funds for community projects.
In the year 1967-68 the Installation Ceremony was held with Hon’ble Shri Morarji Desai, then Deputy Prime Minister of India was the Chief Guest. Looking to the needs of T. B. Patients the club provided two pumping sets to T.B. Hospital, Mehrauli.
In the year 1968-69 the club for the first time made 200% contribution to Rotary Foundation. Rotaract and Inner Wheel Clubs of Delhi North were formed. Rotary Club of Delhi University was sponsored by ceding a part of our territory.
In the year 1970-71, UN Day was organised with the Ambassador of Japan as Chief Guest. The club retained the Shield for highest attendance percentage in the District.
During 1971-72, the then District 3010 started a Cancer Foundation Project and the club became its Institutional Member.
In the year 1972-73 A Rotary Educational Trust was formed which in the year 1974-75 gave funds for the construction of a Creche at T.B. Hospital. Rtn. Atam Prakash became the first Paul Harris Fellow of this club.
Under the Presidentship of Rtn. Dr. K.L. Sehgal in the year 1973-74 a Children’s Park was developed in a congested area of Old Delhi where many novel playing gadgets were put up for the entertainment of poor children of the society.
In the year 1974-75 the club won the Best Community Service Award from the District for organizing several community projects. A new club Delhi Central was formed.
Over the years Rotary Club of Delhi North achieved the distinction of saving the environment by planting trees; donation to the Missionaries for Charity; contributed to the building fund of National Heart Institute, which was being constructed by All India Heart Foundation; gifted a Mobile Dispensary Van for free distribution of Medicines in rural areas near Delhi; donations to the Cancer Foundation and seven members of our club became Life Members of this Foundation; was instrumental in sponsoring several Rotary Clubs and Rotaract and Interact Clubs; Reading Room and Toy Library for abandoned children; donation of funds and equipment to many hospitals, etc. Our club has hosted an Inter Club Inter District Fellowship Meet was held which was a great success.
Our Past President Rtn. M.L. Aggarwal was duly elected Rotary Governor of District 3010 for the year 1983-84 and he continues to motivate Rotarians by being one of the senior-most Past District Governors.
Rtn. Jitender Singh served as President of the Club in the year 1982-83. The most significant project was the donation of a mobile Cancer Detection Van costing Rupees One Lakh through the hands of the President of India Hon’ble Giani Zail Singh to the Director of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).
We hosted the DGN’s Meet at the FICCI Auditorium under the leadership of DG. M.L. Aggarwal which proved a great success. During the year seven Paul Harris Fellows and 14 Paul Harris Sustaining Members were enrolled.
Our club has the distinction of electing many members as District Governors. 11 Paul Harris Fellows were made. Club was host to foundation stone laying function of Rotary Blood Bank which was attended by RI President Jim Lacy & Home Minister L.K. Advani. Club was host to PEM-III & Seminar on Aids Awareness.
A new club Rotary Club of Delhi Capital was sponsored. The club got outstanding President & outstanding club award along with District Shield for Four Avenues of service. Rotary Dreams of the club were fullfilled.
In 1999-2000, President Rtn. Lalit Khanna kicked off with overnight club assembly at Manesar. Good and meaningful fellowships were accompanied by visit to Kargil War Heroes at Army Base Hospital, Scholarships to needy students and donation of Drinking Water and set of 25 chairs and tables for Teachers to revive Anglo Sanskrit School at Daryaganj. Liberal Donations for Blood Bank were made by PDG Rtn. M.L. Aggarwal, PDG Rtn. K.K. Gupta, PP Rtn. Mukesh Arneja and PDG. Rtn. A.P. Jain.
All the avenues of service resonated with our members and endowments, contributions and donations flowed in regularly.
The club went through anxious moments for some time in early 2000s, but found its bearings soon. The year will be remembered for good fellowship meetings, programmes, speakers & festival celebrations.
Vocational Excellence awards were given to 8 teachers of various schools. A new interact club of Anglo Sanskrit school was started by our Club. Club also sponsored 3 members for the GSE team to Belgium & England.
In the Rotary Year 2007-08. Club became a “100% Paul Harris Fellow Club”.
The club has won several awards: Governor’s Platinum Award for excellence in Rotary Service. Governor’s Appreciation Awards for co- hosting Presidential conference on Membership development, Intercity Samarpan and hosting the District Thanksgiving ceremony “Abhar”.
The Club was adjudged as Platinum Club of the District by the Governor. Presidents / Governors citation were awarded for Child Mortality. Dedicated Service and Support for Promoting the Rotary Foundation & Its Goal of World Peace & understanding. Dedicated Service and Support for Promoting International Goodwill, for promoting literacy projects, for organizing health check up camps, support to the cancer foundation and support for participation in sports & cultural programmes, etc.
Memorable Fellowships including festivals, Picnic & Movies were thoroughly enjoyed by members & their families. Holi, Diwali, Independence Day, Janamashtami, New Year, were celebrated with excellent fellowships. Involvement of spouses & families of Rotarians has been a regular feature all along.
The Rotary Year 2022-23 has been very special where we received the maximum awards from District 3012.
We successfully implemented and put into operation a Deep TMS Machine at “Rotary Delhi North CIMBS Centre for Mental Health”. The cost of the project was USD 1,50,000. This was made possible by receiving a Global Grant from Rotary International, Rotary Club of Birtamode Mid-Town, District 3292, Nepal and generous contributions from our club members.