I want to get involved by inspiring people and break gender barriers: Rotary International President Jennifer Jones In Pune
Pune, 22 July 2022: “Being the President of Rotary International, I hope I’ll be able to break many stereotypes involving women holding higher posts. I hope I am able to show the world that I can do better by getting involved to break gender barriers. I want to be an inspiration for younger women who can say ‘If she can do it, so can we,’ said Jennifer Jones, the first woman President elect of Rotary International for the year 2022-23 while speaking during a Press Conference organized by Rotary District 3131 held at J.W. Marriott in Pune today.
Jones, who is currently on a tour of India, is the first woman elected President of Rotary International in its 117-year history. Jones would be visiting only 5 Rotary Districts in India out of 39 with Rotary District 3131 being one of them.
Members of the club including DG Rotary District 3131 Dr. Anil Parmar, Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi, RI Director, A.S. Venkatesh, RI Director and Sangeeta Lalwani, Public image, Rotary District 3131 were present during the conference.
“The Rotary Club India has developed itself very well and its enthusiasm is admirable as it has transformed India from being a ‘Help Seeking Nation’ to ‘Help Giving Nation’. I am glad that I was able to learn a lot about the Club’s journey during this visit,” said Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada.
Under her, the theme for this year will be ‘Imagine Rotary’ and the focus will be on 7 key areas which will include Clean Water, Sanitization, Environment Conservation, Basic Education, Health Care, Women and Childcare and Ensuring Peace.
“I want people to dream big and harness their connections and the power of Rotary to turn those dreams into reality,” said Jones.
The Rotary District 3131 has also provided ‘Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Machine’ at Suryadutta Hospital, Shaniwarwada, to enable citizens from economically weaker sections to undergo radiotherapy treatment for cancer. The machine was inaugurated on Friday, by Jennifer Jones.
“For this, the Rotary has invested Rs 8 Crore and the hospital has invested Rs 4 Crore and about 1,200 patients will be able to receive treatment every month. The basic cost of the treatment is Rs 1,60,000, but at the hospital, this treatment will be made available free of cost to yellow and orange ration card holders. In this regard, a seven-year agreement has been signed between the Rotary Club and the hospital,” said Parmar.
