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The project aims at providing clean
drinking water to 100 schools reconstructed under the
'Schools into Smiles' programme, to benefit 30,000 children
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The project is being implemented in
primary and panchayat schools on the initiative of Rotary
District 3230 Centenary Charitable Trust, Chennai
RI Dist 3230 Rotary Centenary Charitable
Trust, in partnership with Coca-Cola India, announced the
completion of the clean drinking water project - Elixir of Life
- in 20 primary and panchayat schools in and around Chennai.
The project aims at providing drinking
water in 100 schools, thereby touching the lives of more
than 30,000 children. Editor-in-chief of 'The Hindu', N Ram,
dedicated to the community the 20th project in a suburban
school in Chennai on August 24, 2007. Also present on the
occasion were R Rajaramakrishnan, trustee of Rotary
Centenary Charitable Trust, and John Ustas, CEO, Hindustan
Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd.
'Elixir of Life' is a convergence of the vision of the two
partners - R I Dist 3230 and Coca-Cola India - and is an
extension of the Rotary’s ‘Schools into Smiles’ project that
envisages betterment of the quality of lives of students.
Elixir of Life will enhance the quality of life of students
in these schools as unsafe water is the root cause for most
of the health hazards and fatal diseases affecting young
children, and in particular those from the underprivileged
sections in the country. These children are more susceptible
to water-borne diseases and the project will help realise
one of their distant dreams by making clean drinking water
available to them, said Rotarian P D G Benjamin Cherian.
The unique aspects of the Elixir of Life project include a
pioneering initiative to maintain the system for the next
three years. In addition, a comprehensive maintenance and
servicing protocol has been ensured for the success of the
project. This includes fortnightly inspection, cleaning of
raw and treated water tanks, rinsing and flushing of micron
filters, apart from emergency breakdown repair service.
Dedicating the 20th project at the Advent Christian Middle
School at Kanagam, N Ram complimented Coca-Cola India and
Rotary International for their efforts in trying to solve
some of the basic needs of underprivileged children of the
city and wished both the partners go a long way in
addressing social problems that warrant the urgent attention
of society.
Benjamin Cherian explained details of ‘Schools into Smiles’
project and Elixir of Life project and how the unique
initiative was accepted by Coca-Cola as part of its
corporate social responsibility (CSR). After successful
launching of the project in 100 schools, this concept will
be extended to more schools in other parts of the country
for which Coca-Cola has agreed in principle to support.
John Ustas, CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd,
said, “Learning from the benefits of Elixir of Life project,
Coca-Cola has initiated similar projects in other parts of
the country and plans to provide for clean drinking water to
children in 1,000 schools across the country by 2010. Elixir
or Life project will cover 100 schools in Chennai before the
next academic session to reach a total of about 30,000
students."
The concept of this unique initiative was mooted by Benjamin
Cherian with an ambitious plan to provide access to clean
drinking water for the underprivileged in Chennai and the
northern parts of Tamil Nadu covering the districts of
Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu.
Sharing his views on the occasion, Rotarian P D G R
Rajaramkrishnan said, "This is a replicable model shown to
society through a novel partnership between a corporate like
Coca-Cola and a non-profit organisation like Rotary
International."
When Rotary celebrated the 100th year during 2004-05, RI
District 3230 planned to execute a landmark project to
commemorate the centenary year. The team surveyed 1,200
schools in five northern districts of Tamil Nadu and
selected 100 schools that needed urgent attention.
Thereafter, these schools were adopted through different
Rotary Clubs which reconstructed the schools and added new
classrooms, compound walls, good toilet/water facilities,
besides providing noon meal kitchens, desks and benches.
The 'Schools into Smiles' project is being continued this
year adding infrastructure in more schools but, at the same
time, in order to improve the existing schools, which have
already been renovated, the Elixir of Life project has been
launched with the support of Coca-Cola India so that every
child gets access to potable water.
R Rangaraj
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