Celebrating the harvest festival of Onam is a traditional culture of the people of Kerala cutting across caste and creed. As part of this tradition all the 139 Rotary Clubs under Rotary District 3211 spread out the five revenue districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alapuzha and Kottayam had been celebrating the festival in a colorful manner as a gathering of family and friends. A good amount of money is also spent for the occasion.But shortly after mid-night on Wednesday the Governor of Rotary District 3211, Rtn. E.K. Luke has given a call to all the 139 clubs under his district to desist from celebrating Onam this year and instead channelize the money, time and energy used for organising the event for the relief of the flood hit victims of Kerala. Through the call the District Governor has conveyed the message that when nature grows savage and angry, Rotarians' should get generous and kind and that's a very admirable gesture. The call will definitely contribute towards complimenting the government level efforts to help the victims.Helping the flooded comes with an understanding that this is a marathon, not a sprint. They'll need you more in the weeks after.
Great decision DG Luke
Ignatius Pereira
(Rotary Club of Tangasseri)
Governor Luke's message;
Dear Rotarians
Kerala is facing its worst natural disaster and many have lost their lives, their homes and all in it have been washed away, many are stranded without help and hundreds have been shifted to Relief Camps once again.
As your District Governor I hereby cancel all the District and Zonal Onam celebrations and request all Clubs to also cancel Onam and other Celebrations.
Instead it will be appreciated if clubs could conduct Onasadhya in Relief camps or colonies to bring some cheer to those affected.
Let us concentrate our efforts and energies in providing relief and sustenance to the Flood affected in the different parts of our State.
We are in the process of starting a Rehabilitation Fund to channelize our resources and together provide Relief to our unfortunate brethren caught in this Calamity.
Yours in Rotar Service
Rtn EK Luke
District Governor
