Rotary Downtown’s ‘Stand And Walk’ Initiative Brings Mobility To Differently-Abled

The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Downtown, functioning under Rotary International District 3206, on Friday successfully organised the fifth edition of its flagship humanitarian initiative “Stand and Walk 2025”, reaffirming its sustained commitment to inclusive development and mobility support for differently-abled children, adults and sportspersons. The programme was conceptualised and led by Rtn. A. Godwin Maria Visuwasam, Project Chairman and Rotary District Membership Chair. Over the past five years, the initiative has consistently reached beneficiaries across Coimbatore and other regions, supporting more than 516 persons so far. Organisers said the project was driven by the belief that persons with disabilities deserve dignity, independence and visibility, and that sustained intervention is essential to ensure inclusive growth. As part of the event, calipers were distributed to over 100 differently-abled children, helping them take confident steps towards independent mobility. Beneficiaries included children with DNA-related and developmental disabilities, children on the autism spectrum in the age group of eight to 14 years, and differently-abled adults and sportspersons from various age groups who required mobility assistance.
District Governor of Rotary International District 3206, Rtn. Chella K. Raghavendra, attended the programme as Chief Guest and personally distributed calipers to the beneficiaries.
The event also featured recognition of excellence in para sports. The Indian Women’s Para Throwball Team, which won the gold medal at the South Asian Para Throwball Championship held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Indian Men’s Team, which secured the silver medal at the same championship, were felicitated. The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Downtown was the prime sponsor for both teams. Winners of the national-level IPCL Trophy Para Cricket Tournament, organised by the Rotaract Club Galaxy, were also honoured. The winning team, Rotary Downtown Mumbai, owned by Rtn. A. Godwin Maria Visuwasam and supported by the Coimbatore Downtown club, received special recognition. The IPCL magazine was released by the District Governor. Several Rotary dignitaries were present, including Rtn. M.D. K.K. Chugh, District Director; Rtn. M.P.H.F. V. Raja Mahendran, Assistant Rotary Governor; Rtn. M.P.H.F. M. Premkumar, Governor’s Group Representative; Rtn. P.H.F. C.R.V. Sreenath, President; Rtn. P.H.F. S. Vikram Kumar, Secretary; Rtn. P.H.F. Vignesh Mylsamy, Treasurer; Rtn. P.H.F. Sumit Kumar Prasad, Club Administration Chair; Rtn. P.H.F. Sathish, Community Service Chairman; and members of the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Downtown. The programme was held at the Grand Regent Hotel on Avinashi Road, Coimbatore.