The Rotary International president-elect John Kenny committed at a Friday press conference in Pune that the Rotary-supported projects will receive all the requisite funds, with $200 having been earmarked for polio eradication by the year 2012.

Kenny said that thanks to the support extended by its 1.2 million members and 30,000 clubs in over 200 countries, Rotary has been undertaking international endeavors for Polio eradication since 1985. Elaborating, he said: “From 35 lakh cases in 45 countries in 1985, Polio is now confined to only 3 countries-India, Pakistan and Nigeria. Rotary will play an important role in tackling problems of literacy, water, sanitation, and education in times to come.”

Talking about the need of a “holistic” approach to wipe out polio, Kenny emphasized the importance of providing awareness about hygiene, cleanliness and health care to the people. Addressing a meeting of 500 Rotarians, Kenny said he would charter an Interact Club of Blind Students and provide for a science lab in Pune’s Rathi High School.

Ashok Mahajan, the Rotary International director drew attention to another Rotary project - the polio corrective surgery program, under which the polio corrective surgery committee has worked towards the treatment of polio cases in the last four years. Saying that such cases were becoming fewer by the day, Mahajan too reiterated the Rotary vow of eradication of polio from India.