R.Girish, National President, and Kiran Vadlamani, Advisor, National Fund Raising Committee of Round Table India (RTI) were visiting the Boston area to create awareness and fundraise for their community service program – Freedom through Education.

RTI is an organization of young achievers driven by aims and objects of community service, self development, fellowship and fostering international relations. RTI is an active member of the world wide organization of World Council of Service Clubs and Round Table International. From a small beginning in 1957 at Chennai, Round Table India has grown to 150 Tables. Round Table India has a National & Regional leadership with a pan India reach in 75 cities and towns.

This unique movement works through “Tables” comprising of a maximum of 20-25 members. The profile of the 2500 members include professionals & businessmen with diverse backgrounds and talents. Members commit their time and talent to community service in the spirit of fellowship. Since its inception, Round Table India has worked on several community service projects, including “Operation Thirst” that dug over 500 borewells, Aids Awarenes that promoted a publicity campaign on the killer disease and Project Smile which provided Dental Hygiene Awareness and Dental Care to over 300,000 children in one year.

Believing in the maxim that social and economic freedom can only result through education, RTI has launched - Freedom through education – with a mission to educate one million children by 2008. In 2002 the Constitution of India was amended to make free and compulsory education to the children of 6-14 years age group, a fundamental right. Building schools to meet this requirement is not an easy task. Most of the current government schools lack basic amenities like toilets, permanent roofs, healthy ventilation and water facilities.

Recognizing the fact that that a conducive environment nurtures learning RTI has taken up the challenge to transform the infrastructure facilities for primary education in India by building new schools, renovating existing ones and providing additional facilities such as toilet blocks and water facilities.

Members understand that their lofty goal cannot be accomplished in isolation. They have established partnerships with donors, NGOs and Government. Girish and Kiran Vadalamani stated the purpose. “Our mission to is to seek partnership with donors and charity organizations who are interested in education” said Girish. “The pan Indian reach of RTI enables partners a choice of geographical area to work in terms of a village/town/city/ district, State or the Country as a whole. Thus we can assure a donor a choice of places that may have some special interest to them. Round Table India will contribute proportionately and ensure proper deployment of the funds and timely execution of the project,” said Vadalamani.

“We invite everyone to participate in our program “ Freedom through Education” Participation can be at an overall level or more specifically in any chosen geography or an area of infrastructure. We would like to assure everyone that all administrative expenses of Round Table India are borne by its members. Every Dollar / Rupee that you contribute goes into the Service projects of RTI. Also every Dollar / Rupee that you contribute is doubled by the Tables / Clubs in Round Table India for the Service projects” said Vadlamani.

To learn more about RTI and to contribute please check out their website at www.freedomthrougheducation.org.

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