Hyderabad|India|August'2010: Local Rotarians from over 100 Rotary clubs in Twin cities, Telangana districits, Guntur and Prakasam districts pledged a generous contribution of $500,000 to Rotary Foundation towards Polio plus programme. The Rotarians from the Rotary International Dist 3150 pledged the contribution towards Polio plus programme from their Annuty funds, Permanent funds and other donations from Rotarians and other donors. Dist Governor Rtn Rajya Lakshmi Vadlamani presented a symbolic cheque to Rtn Carl Wilhelm Stenhammer, former President, Rotary International and presently Chairman, Trustees of Rotary Foundation, for $500000 pledging the donations/contributions from the District 3150. Dist Governor Rtn Rajya Lakshmi Vadlamani presented a symbolic cheque to Rtn Stenhammer for $500000 pledging the donations/contributions from the District 3150.

Rtn. Stenhammer who is on a visit to India / Hyderabad, received the symbolic cheque at ‘Love My Foundation’ programme organized by Rotary International 3150, hosted by Rotary Club of Hyderabad East at Hotel Marriott, late evening on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion Rtn Stenhammer said, “Rotary International is the world’s biggest funding agency working on Polio eradication which brought down the polio cases from 350000 in 125 countries in 1998 to 125 cases in 4 countries in 2010 and Rotary International is confident of making a Polio Free world by 2012. India is certainly is one of the major beneficiary in Polio programme. However, India also has been steadily increasing its contribution to Rotary. In terms of increase in the number of Rotarians every year, India stands second in the world and in terms of contribution to Rotary Foundation, India stands third. We appreciate the generosity of RI dist 3150 in Andhra Pradesh.”

Speaking on the occasion Rtn Rajya Lakshmi Vadlamani, Dist Governor, RI dist 3150 appreciated the generous donations given by several Rotarians from almost all Clubs meeting the demand of the Bill Gates Challenge Fund and several school children who joined into the programme of Nenu Saitam (mee too) where in school children will be educated on Polio immunization and be motivated to raise funds for the same. Rtn Ashok Mahajan, Trustee of Rotary Foundation, who came as Special aide for the visting RI dignitary has also applauded the efforts being made by RI Dist 3150. Later all the major donors were recognized and felicitated.

Rotary International is the first Service organization in the world consisting of professionals, businessmen donating their time, talent, skills generously for doing good to the world. Rotary has presence in more than 206 countries and functions through over 37000 Rotary clubs with over 2.7 million Rotarians. Foundation of Rotary International develops and funds various humanitarian, educational, cultural programmes and projects. Flagship of those programmes is RI’s Global Polio Eradication programme started in 1985. This polio eradication programme through immunization for children is being successfully carried out with the help support of Local Government, WHO, UNICEF, and CDC of USA. Rotary’s contribution to Polio project would be around $1000 millions.

The ‘Love MY Foundation’ event is organized by Rotary Club of Hyderabad East, one of the active clubs in twin cities on the occasion of Rtn Wilhelm Stenhammer’s visit to Hyderabad.