In a declaration, John Kenny, Rotary International president-elect said, “Rotary has committed 200 million dollars to polio eradication in the next three years and we hope to see the world free of polio by 2012.”

Kenny, who was in Pune for two-days, made this announcement during a press meeting on Friday.

Kenny also said that all projects backed by Rotary in the zone will never be short of funds and Rotary has committed $200 million to polio annihilation within the next 3 years and wish a polio free world by 2012.

He added that the support of its 1.2 million members and 30,000 clubs in over 200 nations, Rotary has been heading the global effort of abolition of Polio since 1985.

"From 35 lakh cases in 45 countries in 1985, polio is now confined to only three countries India, Pakistan and Nigeria. I feel Rotary will play an important role in tackling the problems of literacy, water, sanitation and education in the times to come," Kenny further said.

Ashok Mahajan, director, Rotary International said that Rotary club is keenly devoted to annihilate polio from India.

“Till last year, Rotary had spent around 90 million dollars on polio eradication in our country. In the next one year, it will spend over 50 per cent of its budget for polio eradication in India,” he said.

Kenny also said that a holistic approach is needed to eradicate this deadly disease. The approach comprises bringing hygiene, sanitation and health care to the people.

Kenny also spoke to a gathering of 500 Rotarians in the city on Friday, and chartered an interact club of blind students and dedicated a science laboratory to Rathi High School.

Vilas Jagtap, Rotary district governor, said it was a significant time for the 84 Rotary Clubs of Pune and Raigad, as this is the second time that a president-elect has visited Pune region during the last 30 years.

Mahajan noted that the minority community has been specifically included in the polio eradication programme.