Rotary came to India in 1919 with the formation of the Calcutta club just after 14 years after its founding in the United States of America. Thereafter it started growing all over in India mainly in big cities. It was in December 1948 that little after India’s independence the first Rotary Club was established in Sangli as Rotary Club of Sangli and it was sponsored by Rotary Club of Kolhapur. The charter was presented on the 4th February 1949 at the hands of the Late Rtn. Behram N. Karanjia, the then Governor of Rotary District 92. Late Rtn. K. A. Chougule became the Charter President and late Rtn. Rajabhau Desai the Charter Secretary. The number of charter members was just 14. Today the membership has grown to 93, a growth almost 7 times.
Our various successfully sponsored and commissioned projects in last 58 years like Remand Home, Chintamanrao College of Commerce, a School for the Deaf and Mute Children, Blood Bank, Eye Bank, Health Club, Community Hall, Swimming Pool, Jogging Track, Ushamohani Vikalang Punarvasan Kendra, Rotary Nagar – 40 Low Cost Shelters etc. prove that our club is one of the leading clubs of this region and we are proud of it. These various milestones themselves speak about our tremendous and successful achievements. Some of the major projects so far undertaken by our club and the activities are listed on “The Success Story of Rotary Club of Sangli.”
Rotary came to India in 1919 with the formation of the Calcutta club just after 14 years after its founding in the United States of America. Thereafter it started growing all over India, mainly in big cities. It was in December 1948 that little after India’s independence the first Rotary Club was established in Sangli as Rotary Club of Sangli and it was sponsored by Rotary Club of Kolhapur. The charter was presented on the 4th February 1949 at the hands of the Late Rtn. Behram N. Karanjia, the then Governor of Rotary District 92. Late Rtn. Keshavrao A. Chougule became the Charter President and late Rtn. Rajabhau Desai the Charter Secretary. The number of charter members was just 14. Today the membership has grown to 154, a growth almost 11 times.
Our various successfully sponsored and commissioned projects prove that our club is one of the leading clubs of this region and we are proud of it. These various milestones themselves speak about our tremendous and successful achievements.
This Rotary Year, on 30th December 2023, our club completed 75 years of its glorious existence and of community service
To commemorate this mile stone, it was decided to renovate the swimming pool which was commissioned by our club during 1983 and also to construct an administrative building comprising of a conference hall, administrative office, welcome lounge, modern shower and changing rooms etc. at the Rotary Complex. The project cost is around Rs. 1.25 Cr and this entire amount is donated by Rotarians of our club.
This new building was inaugurated on 20th June 2024 at the auspicious hands of our DG Rtn. Nasir Borsadwala and well-known industrialist and ex Rotarian Shri Vishwas Chitale of Chitale Group of Industries, Bhilawadi. Along with the Rotarian families of our club, many PDGs and Rotarians from nearby area were also present.
Our club, under the able leadership of our club president Rtn. CA Salil Limaye and his team, completed many community service projects during this platinum jubilee year 2023-24
Since it’s establishment in 1948, the club has been undertaking different projects with commitment and social responsibility to improve the quality of life for those who live in this community and to serve the public interest, which encourages and fosters high ethical standards in business and professions.
Some of the major projects so far undertaken by our club and the activities are listed below:
✪ Remand Home Project :1952
It was Late Rtn. Rajabhau Desai, a founder member of our club who came forward to show the neglected, homeless wandering children a ray of hope. Rotary Club of Sangli under the guidance of this devoted Rotarian, started Remand Home in 1952 in a small rented building and became the foster parents of this unfortunate lot and provide them the much-needed sympathy and love and guide them tenderly to the path that would lead them to happy, responsible and useful citizenship. Subsequently funds were collected by Rotarians and now it is sprawled over a plot of 2.5 acres and provides shelter to more than 200 boys and girls who are the victims of circumstances.
✪ Chintamanrao College of Commerce : 1960
Until late fifties, there was no provision for commerce education in Sangli, which had always been regarded as an important centre of education in South Maharashtra State and North Karnataka State. The then office bearers of the club and some other citizens of Sangli decided to commemorate the 71st birthday of the then Ex. Maharaja of Sangli His Highness Chintamanrao Patwardhan. The Rotarians of Sangli Club collected Rs. 1,11,000/- in 1960, a huge amount during those days and came forward with the proposal of starting the first Commerce College at Sangli and persuaded the Maharaja who contributed equal amount and the college came in to existence at Sangli through Deccan Education Society. The college was formally declared open by the then Vice President of India Late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on 12th September 1960 and was named as “Chintamanrao College of Commerce”. The college provides degree and post graduate courses and is treated as centre of excellence.
✪ The Nitish Lahiri Irrigation Project at Taradgaon, Dist. Satara, State. Maharashtra : 1962
Two of the members of Rotary Club of Sangli, the Chafalkar brothers, who hail from the village of Taradgaon, became painfully aware of the widespread suffering and hardship caused to their fellowmen at their village and decided to do something to relieve their plight. They realized the bad economy of the vast majority of the poor peasants whose plots of lands are situated in the scanty rainfall belt of Maharashtra. The Rotarian brothers thought of a plan to lift the water flowing through river Neera with a cooperative lift irrigation project. This was adopted by Rotary Club of Sangli as an extension of work of community service and development in the true tradition and spirit of the Rotary ideas. The project received the Service Above Self award from Rotary International. A cement pipe factory was specially set up by Rotarians to serve the purpose of irrigation.
✪ Deep X-Ray Unit at Civil Hospital Sangli : 1970
The Club donated more than Rs. 10,000/- to the Indian Cancer Society District Branch Sangli to install Cobalt therapy Deep X-ray Unit in the Civil Hospital, for the first time in Sangli, more than 50 years ago.
✪ Rambhau Bhide Deaf and Mute School at Miraj : 1972
To crown the activities of our club, our club sponsored a school for the Deaf and Mute children at Miraj. The Deaf and Mute children are first examined by expert and then they are given admission to this school for treatment and training. It is one of the model schools in south Maharashtra.
✪ Dr. Shirgaonkar Blood Bank : 1974
A bunch of enthusiastic and optimistic Rotarians and Red Cross workers launched a joint project of Blood Bank in 1974. Paid or professional donors are never entertained. The initial small project has taken firm deep roots and has grown into a full-fledged, well-equipped blood bank that works 24 hours a day. The bank has acquired a well-equipped bus to collect blood at blood donation camps, even from small places in and around Sangli. The blood bank is under the strict vigilance of state and central drug controller and is in fact considered as a model blood bank in this part of Maharashtra state.
✪ Mrs. Tarabai Paranjpe Eye Bank Trust and Research Foundation : 1975
Rotary Club of Sangli, under the noble leadership of one of the Past Presidents late Rtn. Dr. Y. M. Paranjpe has sponsored and promoted this Eye Bank and this bank has the unique distinction of being recognised as one of the first eye banks in private capacity by Government of Maharashtra State. This eye bank is working since 1971 in Sangli City.
✪ Rambhau Bhide Swimming Pool at the Rotary Complex : 1983
The Rotary Club of Sangli completed 25 years of fruitful existence in 1974. A Rotary Silver Jubilee Trust was formed and decided to have our own multipurpose Rotary Complex consisting of a Community Hall, Sports facilities, Garden and a Swimming Pool. The Sangli Municipality appreciating the need for such a complex for the city and having great faith in us, very generously gave an area of 3.5 acres near the Civil Hospital. Today the Swimming Pool complex with a modern filtration plant is a landmark and great asset to the city of Sangli. Training of youngsters and regular swimming competitions are now usual features. The surrounding area boasts of about 1500 trees, different species of trees and plants. The total cost of the entire complex is more than Rs. 75,00,000/-
✪ Crematorium at Kawathe Ekand : 1986
Kawathe Ekand is a nearby small village where we have sponsored a R.V.C. About 55 years ago the villagers of that place had expressed the need of a Crematorium and our club members decided to help them have one. With the guidance and sponsorship of Rotary Club of Sangli the crematorium was completed and handed over to the villagers. Rtn. Bhide with the help of “Shivasadan”, contributed a sizeable amount. It is model crematorium for villagers as this saves a lot of wood.
✪ Dr. M. A. Paranjpe Health Club at The Rotary Complex : 1991
The Rotarians of our club realised the need for a modern Health Club and took a decision to have one in the Rotary Complex. One of our Rotarian Rtn. Uday Paranjpe donated a handsome sum and the remaining was contributed by our Rotarians. This Health Club has many modern equipment and it is recognised as one of the leading health clubs in this area.
✪ Yoga Hall at The Rotary Complex : 1983
A small hall was constructed in the Rotary Complex where Yoga Education used to be imparted and Yoga therapy clinics were regularly organised. The same hall was also being used by a school for the Deaf and Dumb Children, basically mentally retarded children and also for other educational purposes by needy people. Yoga training is still being offered by us in our campus.
✪ Community Hall at The Rotary Complex : 1994
The Rotarians of our club donated Rs. 5,000/- each and within a years’ time a community hall was constructed. The hall was completed in 1994. Our weekly meetings are conducted here. The total project cost was Rs. 6,50,000/-
✪ Rtn. Kantibhai Shah Rotary Lawns : 1996
It was suggested by the members that the open space adjacent to the Meeting Hall be developed. After discussing various possibilities, it was decided that the open space be developed in to a Lawn which could be rented out for variety of functions and money can be generated which can be used to support the other Silver Jubilee projects. Late Rtn. Mahesh Shah came forward and generously donated Rs. 5,00,000/- for this project. Now this open space is converted in to a beautiful lush green lawn.
✪ First Trade Fair of Sangli : 1997
The club had organised a Trade Fair in January 1997, wherein 140 participants had displayed their products ranging from Computers to Cutting Tools, Music Systems to Kitchenware, Saris to Trousers, Tractors to Two Wheelers, News Media to Finance Facilities, Solar Batteries to Solar Heaters, and much more. This fair received a stupendous response from nearly 1.5 Lac people from all walks of life.
✪ Jogging Track : 1999
The general awareness about health and fitness amongst the Rotarians of our club made us think of laying down a Jogging Track in the Rotary Complex. The family members of our Past President Rtn. Dr. P. G. Purohit generously donated Rs. 1,25,000/- and as usual the remaining amount came from the contributions from Silver Jubilee Trust and Rotarians. The track is being renovated right now.
✪ Ushamohani Vikalang Punarvasan Kendra : 2001
In the year 2000-01, Rtn. Mohanichandra Desai came forward with an idea of establishing a permanent centre for “Jaipur Foot”. He donated a sum of Rs. 2,50,000/-, the remaining contributions came from Rotarians and Rotary Silver Jubilee Trust and this centre was established at the Rotary Complex during May 2001. All the required machinery for making the Jaipur Foot in house is installed. At present we are offering “Jaipur Foot” free of cost to the needy patients.
✪ Low-Cost Shelters : 2002
To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our club during 1998-99, a project under Matching Grant was undertaken to construct 40 Low-Cost Shelters for the Poor People. The project cost is around Rs. 25,00,000/-. The money required for this project has been contributed by Rotarians of our club and at the same time generous donations also have come from Rotary clubs of Singapore, Kuching Central, Raffles City, Novi, Nairobi and Rotary Foundation. The project site at village “Sawali” opposite Latthe Polytechnic at Kupwad MIDC.
✪ Water ATM : 2016
Clean drinking water has always been a problem in many parts of Sangli. With generous donations from the Babasaheb Chitale Memorial Trust of Bhilawadi Miraj Ceramica, and contributions from Rotarians of our club, the water ATM facility has been offered to the needy people living around this rotary complex. We charge Rupees 5 for 20 liters of clean drinking water.
✪ Late Kalawati Chintaman Patwardhan Skin Bank : 2018
Rotary Club of Sangli with the help of Skin Bank at National Burn Center, Airoli, established much needed Rotary Skin bank, Sangli, on 16 September 2018. Skin which after death turns to ashes or soil due to burial can give life to a person by breaking the superstition and donating it. There are only 8 such skin banks in India and is the 4th skin bank in Maharashtra. Many burn patients have been saved due to this skin bank. Due to our skin bank, the awareness and importance of skin donation after death has tremendously increased in and around Sonali.
✪ Matching Grant Project – Solar lights in Jalihal
We have provided solar light systems to the needy farmers from Jalihal village with the help of Matching Grant from a Rotary Club from Sweden. The project cost is around Rs. 40,00,000/- Our club also has provided drinking water filters to the need from this area.
In addition, many small matching grant projects of providing computers to schools, drinking water facility, rain water harvesting, cataract surgeries (IOL), middle ear surgeries etc. have been completed by our club in past
✪ Global Grant Projects
Happy Schools Total 11 nos. : 2016-17, Neonatal ICU at Vivekanand Hospital : 2017-19
Rotary Skin Bank : 2018-19, Upgradation of Educational Facilities at Bhilawadi Shikshan Sanstha : 2019-20, Covid Hospital Equipment : 2021-22
✪ Current global grant project of HPV vaccination : 2022-23-24
With the help of the Rotary Foundation and Rotary Club of Omaha Marni. Awareness camps were conducted at various girls’ schools for HPV vaccination for preventing cervical cancer. At present, every day we are vaccinating 30 girls and this project will continue till we reach a figure of 1,000. The total cost of the project is around rupees 31 lakhs.
✪ Along with so many community service projects, our club also has given 3 district leaders. PDG Rtn. Sanat Kumar Arwade during 1987-88, late PDG Rtn. Dr. Kishore Magdum during 2005-06, and PDG Rtn. CA Ravikiran Kulkarni during 2018-19.
In addition to these monumental projects, the club has been undertaking various programmes like Drug Abuse and Its Prevention, Aids Awareness, Polio Eradication, Medical Check Up Camps, Swimming Competitions, Rotary Shree Body Building Competitions, Career Guidance Programmes, Personality Development Programmes for The Youth, Programmes Directed to Environment Protection, Computer Education, Programmes Directed to Rehabilitation of The Disabled etc. annually. On the top of it all we enjoy excellent fellowship with Rotary family members.