Rotary Club of Bombay Hanging Garden - Rotary India

In 2001, the then president Rtn.Venkatesh Rao warned the members about the closure of the club as the membership was declining and attendance was so poor that it was difficult to invite good speakers. Then the incoming president Rtn Dr.Arvind Jhaveri, who became the second time president, brought in lots of good speakers and had wonderful fellowships.

The beginning of the revival was seen during 2003-04 as President Rtn Sanjay Shah increased the membership from 27 to 44, with many new young members being introduced to club. He concentrated on improving fellowships for the further revival of club. The club gain from strength to strength thereafter with President Rtn Vikash Aggarwal (2004-05) pinning record 17 new members on his installation day taking club strength 44 to 59. Our clubs yahoo group was launched on 5^th July 2004; this tremendously improved regular communication with the members. In fact it is currently one of important and fastest means of communication amongst the members. Jaipur Foot project was restarted in big way winning us trophy from District. Clubs Trust was formed and also full fledged cricket team was formed.

President Rtn Dr Devdatt Kapadia (2005-06) launched club’s as well as Dist 3140’s first E-zine called E Central Islander. This has not only helped President improve his communication with fellow members but also helped club in improving visibility of its projects in District. Rtn Devdatt launched Cataract Eye Surgery project in rural areas ofAkola. Our club becomes lead club for Jaipur foot. In order to identify with our place of meeting President Devdatt initiated name change process. Our club strength increased from 59 to 67. District Simplied Grant formalities were initiated.

President Rtn Ravi Shetty (2006-07) raised club to new highs by getting many awards viz. Gold Club for TRF contribution of $100 per capita, Silver Club for TRF contribution, Appreciation for membership growth (67-71), Presidential citation for Lead The Way. Club successfully hosted district event A to Z. Inner Wheel club was installed. Matching Grant of over Rs 13 lakh was received.

The name of the club changed to ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY HANGING GARDEN  wef 3rd August 2006. With the change in the club’s name the name of Ezine was also changed to E-Hanging Garden Times.

President Rtn Ameet Parikh (2007-08) carried the good work raising the club strength further from 71-78. All the 3 district thrust area projects were completed within first 2 weeks of the year and all the 4 Avenues of the Rotary were covered during the year. Jaipur foot project was launched in rural areas around Akola as we continued to be the lead club of the district. Equitable donation for project One member one child sponsor was introduced.

President Rtn. Shreeratan Chandak (2008-09) launched the official website of the club www.rcbhg.com on the installation day on 5^th July 2008. Jaipur foot project was continued in Rural area of Jalgaon, Maharastra benifiting 216 patients. Eye Cataract project, with 150 surgeries, was also successfully continued at Akola. Life saving medical Equipment for new born babies, was donated for NIC Unit at Ruxmani Hospital.  TRF seminar, a district event, was successfully organised by the club with over 300 delegates participating in the event. An international student Ms Carolina Maier from Germany was hosted by club members and Daughter of IPP Ameet Parikh, Ms Jhanvi Parikh visited France in the exchange programme. 

The year 2009-10 was the year of two presidents. By sheer coincidence, both were lady members and both being doctors. Dr. Amie Dharia was installed as the president but resigned after two months in office. Dr. Maya Kirpalani took over the reins after that, ably supported by Rtn. Mukhtar Raja as club secretary. She not only managed to strengthen the club but also managed to get "The Gold Club" award for our club. The club continued with Eye cataract project at Akola with 375 surgeries and also with Jaipur foot project. Shool uniform and Raincoat was donated to the children of our adopted J.S.S. school. Eight members of our club participated in the 6th World Rotary Cricket festival held at Durban, South Africa.

The Silver Jubilee year (2010-11) was led by President Rtn. Vikrant Shah. The year was of many firsts. For the first time, the club organised a grand fundraiser, raising over Rs 36 lakhs. The club hosted the first ever RYLA at Kolad. The first ever PR exercise was conducted with BEST bus carrying the club banner for one whole month.  First ever Mega Literacy project worth Rs 17.50 Lakhs was carried out in association with Pratham's Read India. More than 350 eye cataract surgeries were performed and 375 jaipur foots were donated at a camp in Akola. Rs 2.72 lakhs were donated to Shartul Gurukul school for special children at Ghatkopar for making rubber flooring in play area and anti skid flooring in lobby area.  TB tetection project was carried out. Our club's cricket team ended as runners up in the annual district tournament. Our club bought a team named hanging Garden Gladiator's, which won the Extra Innings IPL style cricket tournament. The club won 6 district awards including 3 trophies - Badr Maskati trophy for care of eyes, Kishore Jobalia trophy for maximum Jaipur foot, Madhukar Deodhar Trophy for best bulletin and 3 certificates - Certificate for Best Community Service, Certificate for Significant contribution for welfare of children & Certificate for "soul of Rotary"

President Rtn. Ravi Punjabi started the Year 2011-12 by distributing T-shirt with RI logo and club name which gave identity and visiblity to the club. The club conducted first ever musical RYPEN at Aryan School, where children were enriched about musical instruments and were encouraged to take up music as hobby as well as profession. The flagship profect of the club namely Eye Cataract surgeries and Jaipur foot were carried out at Akola and Sangli recpectivelybenifiiting over 600 patients totally. The year also saw unique fellowship in sun down master chef and standup comedy show "history of India" by vir Das. Our cricket team participated in 7th World Rotary cricket festival at Daman. Our cricket team also managed to reach semi finals in district tournament. We also had one of the largest contingent of 13 members who participated in district Badminton and TT tournament with one of our team reaching semi finals in Mens doubles.

President Rtn. Pradeep Shah (2012-13) had the distinction of becoming the first Major Donor from our club contributing $ 10,000 to TRF. Our Club also became an EREY club. The highlight of the year was “Project Re-cycle” initiated by our club where over 60 Rotary clubs and Inner wheel clubs from our district participated, donating over 2500 cycles to girl child in rural areas of Maharashtra. The first Interact club was formed called the Interact club of GreenLawns High School. The Jaipur foot camp was organized in Palitana benefitting over 500 beneficiaries. Over 350 Eye cataract surgeries were done at Akola. The year had interesting fellowships like Blue Label party, Kite flying festival celebrated at Ahmedabad, Rotary Idol,  amongst others.

President Rtn. Gautam Dalal  (2013-14) launched the mobile roster " Roster on Wheel". A record number of 21 new members were inducted during the year. Our club successfully organised a district event PETS. The Jaipur foot camp was held at Dakor which saw a record of 1365 beneficiaries. 350 eye cataract surgeries were done at Akola. Our club built one low cost house under district thrust area "Chatrachaya". Our club along with other South Mumbai Rotary clubs opened a new 11 room St. Jude center at Lower Parel. 150 hearing aids were distributed to children of Bombay school of mute and deaf. The year saw interesting felllowships like Bollywood theme Diwali Party, Treasure hunt, stand up comedy show, kasya kavi, two night picnic at Mahbleshwar amongst other. Our cricket team reached the finals and ended runners up after topping the table at league stage. The club shifted its official meeting venue from Malabar Hill club to Giants Hall above orient club.

President Rtn. Amrish Daftary (2014-15) created history by undertaking 58 projects worth Rs 1,17,50,000. A new Dialysis centre was set up at Motiben Dalvi Hospital, 50 Houses were built for tribals in Karjat District, 603Cataract surgeries were done at Akola, Jaipur foot camp was held at Jalgaon, 3 Annapoorna days were celebrated feeding 5100 people. A district grant project Xcess world was done where 31 talking laptos were donated to St. Xaviers centre for visually challanged. An X-ray machine was donated to K.J.Somaiya hospital. Huge PR excercise was undertaken where 4 huge hoardings were put up showcasing club's projects. Large number of celebrities were invited as Guest speakers. Famous actress Juhi Chawla became honarary member of our club. First ever CSR donataion was received from Microsoft corp. The district website recognised our club as the TOP PERFORMING club in above 70 members category.

Our Club is today one of the most vibrant clubs in the district where the presidents over past several years has been raising bar year after year thus pushing the clubs to new highs every year.