Annual Report 2014-15

VLS ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15

Background:

The DISCON Vocational Loan Scholarship (VLS) Project, which has become the Flagship Project of Our Club, was started in the Rotary year 2010-11. It really took wings in 2012-13.

Thus we have been doing this project full-fledged for 3 years now.

Year 2014-15:

As in last 2 years, Rtn. Ravindra Ranade (RC Badlapur Industrial Area) was instrumental in getting news item about VLS published in a quite many newspapers. Due to his initiative, the project was also announced on Radio. This year too, Mr. Hemant Veera of Asiqui Shoes (with the help of Nilesh Chheda) graciously made their shop available as a Collection Centre for the application forms. Since it is located very near to Mulund Railway Station, it was very accessible and convenient for the students.

We received about 70 applications. from all over Mumbai, Thane and beyond.

The committee scrutinized the applications. 22 students were short-listed and called for a personal interview, along with their parents. 20 Students appeared for interview, which were held on 24^th August 2014, at SMPR School New Building. Open invitation was given to all the Club Members to attend these interviews. Many members participated in the process.

14 students were selected for receiving the scholarship. A list of these students was prepared and circulated among the Club Members. This year was the most challenging year so far, as the total funding requirement touched Rs.20 Lac. However, our members swiftly rose to the challenge within no time. Their response was generous and spontaneous.

The students were handed over the Scholarships, during the Official Club Visit (OCV) of our District Governor Ajay Gupta on 7^th October 2014.

A get together of all our VLS students was held on 21^st June 2015. It was attended by many of our members. As many students were completing their education and joining employment, 3 special presentations were organized for the benefit of these students. President Rajendra Dhulla, President Elect Deepak Lala and Sudhir Joshi gave these

The year 2014-15 saw the DISCON VLS project reaching new milestones.

· Funding during the year crossed Rs.20 Lac.

· Total funding crossed Rs.40 Lac

· Total number of students reached 47, with addition of 14 new students during 2014-15.

· 3 students completed their repayment. (Archana Karode, Dinesh Sawant and Jayesh Phadnis.)

· Total repayment received from the students crossed Rs.2 Lac.

· Number of Donors, who are not club members, reached 16, with their contribution reaching 4.5 Lac.

· Our Club got District Grant of $5,000/- (Rs.3,10,000/-) from The Rotary Foundation.

· Our student Babu Teli received Rs.50,000/- grant from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust

· Another student Shrutika Vernekar was first in the Girls among her class. For this she received an award of Rs.50,000/- from Atlas Copco. The company also offered her Job in their R & D, in Pune.