The Rotary Club of Kalimpong started the new Rotary year, which begins on the 1st of July every year, by an umbrella distribution programme to the coolies who labour in the town area. Each umbrella was emblazoned with the Rotary logo on four sides. The President Rtn Col PC Thapa, the community service director Past President Dr Sangay Zimba, Past Presidents Sharda Mukhia, Sanjogita Subba, Sanjay Bajla, Rtn AK Zimba and Sec Sheila Rai Fudong were present at the distribution site. President Col PC Thapa started the proceedings by welcoming everyone and giving a short talk about Rotary. He explained what Rotary was about, the impact it creates worldwide because of the selfless service provided by its members and why the coolies were being honoured today. He told the gathering that as a society we will be unable to function without the help of daily labourers who carry our gas cylinders and who unload the trucks carrying essential commodities etc. In recognition of these unsung heroes the Club had decided to gift each one with an umbrella to shield them from the vagaries of the monsoon. The Rotary banner with the theme ‘Serve to Change Lives’ could be seen as the umbrellas were distributed one by one to the coolies. Altogether 80 umbrellas were given out at the site. The remaining will be distributed when feasible. Masks were also handed out by the CSD Dr S Zimba to those who were not wearing them.
Distribution of Umbrellas
