The Rotary Club of Calcutta, a beacon of service since 1919 and Asia’s oldest Rotary club, proudly announces the successful organization of its signature initiative—the Annual Children’s Treat. For 99 consecutive years, this mega service project has brought smiles to over 1500 underprivileged students, including children with autism and special abilities, offering them a day of fun, learning, and memorable experiences. For almost 3 decades, this project venue has been Nicco Park.
On a sunny Sunday in December, children are warmly welcomed and transported from their respective schools / NGOs to Nicco Park with buses provided by leading institutions such as DPS Ruby Park, South Point, MP Birla, DPS Howrah, and Asian International School. Each child receives a nutritious food packet, including juice, ensuring they are energized for the day ahead.
The event commences with an inauguration ceremony, graced this year by Lt. Commander Renu Damdurg of the Eastern Naval Command, after which the children are given unlimited access to Nicco Park’s rides. A balanced lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options follows, and the day continues with engaging activities such as a magic show and self-defence training led by the Taekwondo Association of Bengal.
A creative highlight of the event is the school project display competition, where students present innovative and artistic prototypes on relevant themes such as environmental sustainability. These projects showcase the talent and creativity of young minds, making the event both entertaining and educational.
The day concludes with students being given a Goody Bag which consists of Food products sponsored by different Corporates and then safely escorted back to their schools, ensuring a seamless and joyous experience for all.
Shri Subrata De, President of the Rotary Club of Calcutta, reflected on the club’s century-old legacy, saying, “The Annual Children’s Treat is a testament to our mission of community service. From landmark projects like the Howrah Blood Centre and the Dialysis Centre at Behala Balananda Hospital to distributing computers to over 20 schools and operating vocational training centers, our commitment to uplifting lives remains unwavering.”
Chairman Shri Abhijit Kolay, who has been instrumental in organizing the Annual Children’s Treat for decades, added, “This initiative has been a treasured tradition for almost a century. As we near the 100th anniversary of this project, we are committed to enhancing its impact and bringing joy to students from government and underprivileged schools. We deeply appreciate the Nicco Park authorities for providing the children with a day of happiness at subsidized rates. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Shri L. N. Bangur for his generous support. My gratitude also goes out to the generous contributions of the members of Rotary Club of Calcutta.”
The Rotary Club of Calcutta extends heartfelt gratitude to its service partners, including Bengal Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Nestle, Thacker’s Dairy, Bisk Farm (Aparna Group), PepsiCo, Anmol Biscuits and Pampar Overseas Foods whose kind contributions have been vital to the success of this initiative.
The Annual Children’s Treat exemplifies the Rotary Club of Calcutta’s enduring dedication to nurturing young minds, fostering inclusivity, and creating a brighter future for the community.
