Rotaract brings collegians closer

Rotaract, a global organisation with a presence in over 100 countries is currently one of the most inspiring and unified movements worldwide for people below 30 years of age.

Through the support of its parent organisation Rotary (for people above 30years of age), it operates through community and college based clubs. 

Encompassing the local, national and international levels; its activities transform individuals to learn and grow via fellowship and service.

In Mumbai presently there are around 35 active college based rotaract clubs. Their members by no means can be labelled as average college kids.

Reaching Out
All around the year rotaractors balance academics with organising hundreds of events and activities. These fall into four categories of club service, international service, professional development, community welfare.

Working behind the scenes of massive college events on one hand while reaching out to the underprivileged on the other, is no easy job.

"The 150 of us organised around 495 events last year. These include the prom nite, an inter-college soccer tournament, days like the international youth day, the biggest inter-school personality contest and inter-school international culture theme day," says Garima Jain, student member, Rotaract Club of HR College.

At NM's rotaract club students organise an annual event called Rotofest. Last December, it witnessed footfalls of over 3000 and included the underprivileged sections too.

Apurva Chaudhary, student member of NM College shares, "We added a social touch to every event held over the two days, from encouraging discussions on social topics in contests to donating our registration collections to the NGO Akaknsha. We organised events like a marathon in support of child welfare and Super Kid to bring to stage talented children from the slums around our college."

While referring to the community service activities at HR College, Jain shares how the rotaractors celebrated their Christmas with the underprivileged, physically handicapped and the elderly at old age homes in the city.

"We had also organised a Dandiya night for the visually challenged last year. Guiding their hands to enable them to play and watching the smiles on their faces; is a moment imprinted in our hearts forever," reminisces Jain.

Realising that such activities are the heart of their club, the HR rotaractors are planning a cycling race called 'Pedal all the way' for underprivileged kids, at the end of which they will be gifted the cycles they rode.

While at Mithibai College, the rotaractors organised a rally against drinking and driving on December 26 from their college to Gateway of India. Making use of Facebook, they garnered support from college students across the city.

"Our awareness rally was a huge success in bringing together students for a social cause," says Rashi Agarwal, student member, Mithibai College Rotaract club.

"The rotaractors by mandate submit pictures and reports to document their events with the district. The district holds conferences to look at their projects and has an annual award function through Academy for Awarding Rotaract Achievements (ARRA) to motivate their efforts," says Harikrishnan Pillai, deputy district representative of Rotaract District 3140 (Mumbai).

Why Join?
"A rotaract club is like a mini B school. It has taught me to plan, organise, co-operate and execute hundreds of events and reach thousands of people," says Rashi who has been a member of Mithibai’s Rotaract club for the last four years.

Agarwal shares that these extra curricular activities have strengthened her resumé and given her a headstart with prospective employers." Good firms that come to our college for placements usually recruit students who have participated in the rotaract club actively," agrees Chaudhary.

What's more?
A rotaractor gets networking opportunities unlike any other college student. From connecting with student in schools who are a part of a similar Interactors movement, to spirited individuals across the multitude of Rotract's community based clubs on to the massive Rotary movement whose members are some of the most active citizens worldwide.

"Even when it comes to jobs, its is only natural that a Rotarian or a rotractor will recommend those students whom he can vouch for from the college based clubs," informs Pillai. With social networking websites the physical divide e between rotaractors worldwide has narrowed further.

Leadership training happens early in Rotaract. From director's training sessions and president elect training sessions to prospective leaders training sessions and inductions held for every new member taken in by each college's club. "Professional development happens at every stage. Today, I have the confidence to approach anyone, to talk about rotaract activities, to debate on topics that matter, to lead people," says Agarwal.

Every year, large scale events like Rotaract Entertainment
Destination (RED) create a community feeling amongst the rotaractors from zones across India. While Rotasia their annual event, unites rotaractors from countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan etc.

Model United Nations and celebrations of days like the World Responsible Youth Day bring rotaractors together to spread awareness to the masses. All these activities create a ripple effect of change and unity; from the grassroots to the world.