World Polio Day was celebrated at Elliot’s beach with a message to end polio in the country, on Oct.24, by Rotary International District 3232. An awareness programme was conducted for the public on the occasion, on the disease, which primarily affects children.
World Polio Day is celebrated throughout the world on Oct.24 to commemorate the birthday of Jonas Salk, who invented the vaccine for polio in 1955.
India has been certified Polio free by the Regional Polio Certification Commission on the 27th March 2014. Rotary has hugely contributed to this effort from 1986, donating more than $2.1 billion, with the support of the government of India and the state governments. The first vaccination program was done in Tamilnadu – Chennai and Coimbatore in 1986, through the efforts of Rotary Club of Madras.
This year, Rotary International District 3232, held several programmes on Polio throughout the day, across the city. The final program was held at Elliot’s beach. Councillor of Ward 174, M.Radhika, was guest of honour for the event, which was presided by Rotary District Governor RTN A.K.S.Raviraman, District team under the District Chairman PHF RTN Mohan Raman and his team, RTN Harisharan, PHF RTN.M.Krishnamurthy (RC of Madras Besant Nagar) and Vanaja Krishnamurthy.
Live band (by Monk and band) entertained the public for about two hours at the busy Besant Nagar, Elliot’s beach.
