Rotary Club of Madras - Rotary India

About Us

The Rotary Club of Madras was inaugurated on 10th May 1929  (Club No C 0000 15860) and Chartered on 19th July 1929 (Charter no 3186), making it the first Rotary Club in South India & erstwhile Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Rotary Club of Madras is the third oldest Club in India, after Calcutta and Bombay.

Rtn. James Wheeler Davidson, from Calgary, Canada, is credited with the formation of Rotary Club of Madras, while Rtn. C.G. Armstrong, Chairman, Madras Port Trust, was the first President. Rtn. Morton Chance, of the Hotel Chain, was the first Secretary. Rtn. Rajah Sir M.A. Muthiah and Rtn. Mohd. Usman were the first Indian Members of the Rotary Club of Madras.

 

Over the years, leading luminaries from various businesses, professions & vacations have been Members of the Rotary Club of Madras. Guided by the theme, “Service above Self”, the Club is credited with pioneering work in the area of eradicating Red Measles and with the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, adopted by Rotary International.

The Community Service Projects of Rotary Club of Madras include:

  • Rotary Nagar, since 1947: Read more.
  • Rural – Urban partnership at Sembakkam, 30 kms from Chennai:
  • Boys Town at Gummudipoondi and Selaiyur
  • 3H Project for Rehabilitation of people already afflicted with Polio
  • Rebuilding the lives of fishermen & their families, after the devastating Tsunami hit Sulerikattukuppam, at a cost of Rs. 6.50 Crores near Mahabalipuram, during December 2004-06.
  • Periodic Medical Camps for less privileged sections of society
  • Scholarships to deserving students
  • Vocational training programmes at Boys Town.
  • Donation of medical equipment to hospitals
  • Old age home at VHS Centre, Taramani, Chennai.
  • Mid – day meals scheme to nourish students from weaker sections of the community
  • Thaneer Thaneer, a project to renovate temple tanks and recharge ground water.
  • CREATE project in Gummidipoondi, that includes a Primary Health Centre.
  • Creation of Open Defecation Free Villages in the Northern Suburbs of Chennai.

 

Today, the Club has 259 Members, who are distinguished citizens of Chennai and leaders in their chosen businesses/professions/vocations. Eighteen illustrious Members from the Club have risen to the post of Governor of District 3230. The first RI Director from India and District Governor of our District, was from our Club, in Rtn. PRID. F.E. James.

 

Secretariat:
Rotary Club Of Madras,
Rayala Towers 3,
First Floor, 158 Anna Salai,
Chennai 600002

Ph: 28591020 / 48563312 / 98403 66615