On the eve of World Thalassaemia Day (8th May), Rotary International District 3291 is set to lead a powerful, multi-stakeholder movement aimed at accelerating India’s journey towards a Thalassaemia-Free future.
With a strong focus on awareness, prevention and collaboration, the day-long initiative reflects a unified call for measurable, on-ground action.
In a landmark public outreach effort, Rotary will collaborate with Indian Railways at Howrah Railway Station—one of the busiest transit hubs in the country—to engage thousands of commuters through targeted awareness campaigns, educational messaging and direct public interaction.
Adding youthful energy to the movement, students from MCKV Institute of Engineering will spearhead awareness programs, embodying the critical role of young India in driving behavioral change and informed health choices.
Several Rotary Clubs are organizing Car Rally, Walk, Blood Donation and more. A National Slogan contest was also conducted online on this occasion.
The day will culminate in a high-impact *Thalassaemia Summit* at the ICCR, bringing together leaders from Rotary, NGOs, community volunteers, marriage registrars and leading medical professionals.
This collective will deliberate, strategize, and chart a forward-looking, scalable roadmap for prevention and eradication.
A key highlight will be the adoption of a Unified Declaration of Intent, reaffirming a shared commitment to intensify screening, awareness, and policy advocacy across sectors.
The initiative also marks the culmination of extensive day-long service activities including blood donation drives, HPLC screening camps, patient support initiatives, and widespread awareness programs across institutions and communities.
Dr. Ramendu Homchadhuri, District Governor, Rotary District 3291 reiterated: “Thalassaemia is preventable, almost not curable. Awareness + Testing = Elimination.”
He said that the plan includes other thalassaemia endemic states in India as well as neighbouring Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
A joint SAARC Nations collaborative health-care initiative towards eradicating a genetic disorder much like how Polio was eradicated. He also informed that organizations/associations as Marriage Registrars, Headmasters/Teachers, Gynaecologists, Indian Railways, Metro Railways, Lions International and more have joined hands for the mission.”
Subhojit Roy, Rotary Public Image Chairman, informed that nearly 200 educational institutions have been given awareness sessions since July 2025 touching a few thousands of beneficiaries and many have voluntarily been screened for trait carrier awareness.
He also informed about a digital campaign #ThalassaemiafreeIndia for creating mass awareness.”
The Press Meet was also attended by Mr. Anirudha Roychowdhury, former Rotary International Director and Shaukat Hassan, PDG of Rotary, Bangladesh.
As Rotary District 3291 mobilizes its clubs and partners, this is not merely an observance—it is a defining moment of action, accountability, and collective resolve to ‘Walk the last mile towards a Thalassaemia-Free India’.
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