Joint Projects

It was the 14^th of December and members from all clubs rallied together at Racecourse at 5: 30 AM (In the morning :D), way past the time they were asked to come( 4:30 AM). Anyway, after all the members came, we left for the school in Chillaw. Half the bus was sleeping at 6:30 AM and the guys got their phones out to take some decent photos of the sleepyheads. I had brought sandwiches according to the plan, but I was betrayed by two of my fellow cluster members who said they would bring too. Anyway, the group enjoyed the sandwiches with some opting for another.

We finally reached the school at 9:30 and was greeted with milk rice and “Katta sambal”. The principal was overjoyed to see and so were the kids. The principal had previously asked some kids to come and help and as they saw us, they had a beaming smile over their face. The students rushed towards us and greeted us saying “Good Morning Aiya” and “Good Morning Aunty”. The female students hid with a shy smile.

After the very satisfying Milk rice, we decided to get to work. The Cluster representatives were allocated parts of the school to be in charge when painting. Each team had around 8 members with a mix of all clubs so that people would get to know each other mingle if needed. The members were decided at the discretion of the cluster reps and Hamdhan.

Buckets were brought by our “Baas” and so were paint brushes as asked. We, being amateurs at it, let the Baas mix the paint with water. According to him, we should put 2 liters of water with 1 liter of paint, so we did learn something new.

4 members from Rotaract Club of Chunnakam came soon afterward ready to play dirty. Buckets and Brushes were handed and they got to it without hesitation. This was the first time we, the other cluster representatives met the cluster representative from Chunnakam (Anojan) and was surprised when we saw the size of him( You can imagine a miniature hulk).

2 hours passed and we haven’t completed half of what we had planned to complete. The clubs reps met near the giant teak tree for a discussion.

Shenal says “Machan, my team has completed a lot, I’ve been coaching them on how to do it properly”

And Angelo follows by saying “Yeah same here” my guys needed a little push, but we are handling it”.

Then I say “ Well, our guys are really trying, the front wall was too dirty to paint so we had to clean and one coat isn’t enough we probably need to paint it thrice” and the guys say “Ok ok try to finish it quickly”

And Anuradha says “Ok so, the books will be arranged in the library later, we’ve started painting the walls, there’s a lot of dust but we will manage”.

Everybody goes back to their designated areas and start continuing until lunch.

Before lunch, I went and checked the walls and was surprised by the beauty of it. The guys had done an amazing job, and everybody wanted to perfect it. People were keen on painting every tiny part of the wall, without having and spots. They would paint and re-paint until they got it right. As I was passing the principal, I saw him look at the walls with pride and stared at the walls. The kids had brought their parents to show their new school and the parents blessed us with well wishes.

Then, at 1:30 we were called for lunch and everybody gathered at the classroom to enjoy food prepared by parents. The principal has assigned food for parents and one had brought “dhal curry” and one had a “fish ambul thiyal” and so on. The guys thoroughly enjoyed the meal with most opting for a re-serve. Then for dessert, we had pineapple slices and bananas and me being the fruit lover ate more fruits than the main meal.

After Lunch, we got back to the rest of the work. More people gathered at the gate wall to witness the beauty of it. It wasn’t complete but we felt the beauty it was going to be once it was completed. Then we got the problems. The paint was over and we needed more paint brushes and we needed more wire brushes. But luckily, there was a Hardware shop nearby and one of the parents had a bike. He and I rushed to the store and bought all the necessities and came back and distributed it to the guys.

In the evening we were able to cherish our childhood memories by having “Ice packets” which were bought at the boutique next to the school. The guys really loved, and it brought back some good school memories, although, for some of us, it was the first time.

Then at around 6pm, the work was almost over. The gate wall was over and so was the outer walls of one building. What was remaining was the re-painting the library and one more wall which the guys decided to do on another day.  We left at 6:30 after donating all the books. It took a good 5 minutes for 5 guys to get all the books to the library. The principal and kids couldn’t believe their eyes. We had to keep most of the books on the floor because there wasn’t enough space.

Then near Kaduwela, Anuradha and Shenal agreed to honor the deal and decided to buy the guys some short eats. They bought rolls and patties for everyone from a Perera and Sons close by.

We finally reached Racecourse and the cluster team had to bid farewell with a heavy heart. It was the last time they would see each other for a long time. But we had to learn with only the fond memories.

For me, this cluster project had shown me how people are deep inside. Loyalty towards team members, perseverance, undying commitment and love to truly help ones in need.

Rtr. Hasitha Jayasuriya

Let’s have a look back at the rotaract year 2017-18 of both the Rotaract Club De Beyrouth from Lebanon & the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business from Sri Lanka. We are proud to announce them as our Twin Club and it was nice to work with them together.

Let’s discuss the similarities between us, Sri Lankans and our dear neighbours, Indians. Here are our top 10 picks! Thanks to our twin club, Rotaract Club of Bombay West, for helping us to make this bulletin.

Secluded from the rest of Indonesia, yet rich in its own culture and beauty, Bali is one of the few islands in the world that has more to offer than a few ludicrously expensive hotels and perfect beaches. The real beauty of the island lies in its history and its people. A cultural phenomenon in itself, Bali is a paradise for the avid wanderer who seeks all that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Art and Culture

The Arts and Culture of Bali are deeply bound to its long preserved religious rites of Hinduism, which remained the dominant religion in the Island despite the onset of Islam as the dominant religion in the region. One of the many ancient artistic features of Bali is its numerous, unique dances, which are nothing less than iconic in regards to its cultural significance. Balinese dances involve many ritualistic styles and forms that seek to express stories through traditional dance-drama. Often incorporating emphasized gestures of fingers, eyes and facial movements as well as remarkable costumes and striking body paint.

An equally significant aspect of Balinese culture is the beautiful art of Balinese Wayang, or in other words: Shadow Play. Perhaps the most famous show in Balinese theatre, in a Wayang performance, flat cut-out figures are silhouetted against a translucent, rice paper screen, lit by a coconut- husk lamp. Accompanied by a gamelan(traditional ensemble music) orchestra and occasional chanting or singing, these entertaining performances harken back hundreds of years, tapping into religious mythology or well-known Balinese sagas blended with historical facts. This whole show is managed with just one highly skilled puppet master, or dalang.

Community

 Bali possesses a strong communal system which sees to the betterment of each and every individual belonging to it. Even though tourism is the island’s largest contributor to its GDP, agriculture is still its biggest employer. Hence, the lifestyle of the Balinese community is mainly centered around agriculture, with the majority of people adhering to the Balinese concept of ‘Tri Hita Karana’: to keep a balance between human and environment, human and human and lastly, human and god.

The Balinese community is often organized in ‘Banjars’, whose purpose is to help each other in social activities such as weddings,  deaths, and refurbishment of temple etc. A Banjar often consists of about 150 families, who are all lead by Klian Banjar.

Landmarks and Geography

 Despite being barely 0.3% of the total area of Indonesia, Bali boasts a spectacular diversity in terms of its geography. From immaculate beaches to active volcanoes with a landmass surrounded by countless coral reefs, Bali is a place that is truly remarkable. The Island is an absolute paradise for those that seek adventure with countless landmarks strewn all over the island.

Perhaps the most significant of these is Mount Agung. Nearly twice the height of its neighbouring volcano Mount Batur, Mount  Agung stands at 3,031m tall, dominating its surrounding area and greatly influencing the rain patterns and the weather conditions of the region.  Balinese believe that Mt. Agung is a replica of Mt Meru, the central axis of the universe and the most important temple on Bali, Pura Besakih, is located high on the slopes of Gunung Agung.

Another equally remarkable site is the Pemuteran’s, Hidden Underwater Temple. Contrary to what one might think it is not a complete ruin infested by aquatic life. Deliberately constructed underwater as part of an environmental conservation programme, 10 massive statues and a four-meter-high temple entranceway was sunk 29 meters deep. Years later, marine life has made the temple its home, creating a man-made reef setting that is both impossibly magical and open for discovery.

Food

 A delicacy that is central to Indonesian culinary culture is satay, also spelled as sate. This is popular not only in Bali but also across Indonesia and the entirety of Southeast Asia and has many parallels in other nations, such as Turkish shish kebab or South African sosatie. Satay consists of skewers of meat flavored with spices, grilled or barbecued and then served with a number of accompaniments. The skewers themselves are usually made from the midrib of the coconut palm frond or from bamboo and the meat that is placed on them varies widely, although chicken, pork, and mutton are among the most common.

Another popular choice for visitors exploring Balinese cuisine is gado-gado. It is a widely variated dish that is served throughout Indonesia and can work as both the main event of a meal or as an accompanying side. It is found at stalls, from vendors and in restaurants and hotels and a dried mix is often found in shops, meaning that by simply adding water, it is now possible to try and make it for yourself. In essence, gado-gado is a vegetable salad covered with a peanut sauce. There are numerous regional variations, the most significant of which is whether or not the vegetables are cooked or raw; both versions are widely consumed.

Rtr. Putri Gyani Kadek Gyan
Rotaract Bali Ubud

The City

Tijuana is a Mexican city, located just across the border from San Diego, California, USA. It is the largest city in the state of Baja California and on the Baja California Peninsula. The border between Mexico and the United States in Tijuana is the busiest in the world, and is one of the largest. It is often called the “most crossed border in the world”. About 300,000 visitors cross by foot or car from the San Ysidro point of entry in the United States every day. Restaurants and taco stands, pharmacies, bars and dance clubs, and shops and stalls selling Mexican crafts and souvenirs are part of the draw for the city’s tourists, many located within walking distance of the border.

The climate is warm, but not too warm, making it the ideal place to go on vacation. Tijuana is set up perfectly for any visitor, whether they are visiting for a day, or a week!

Tijuana is a large manufacturing center, and in addition to tourism, it serves as a cornerstone of the city economy. In the past decade alone, Tijuana became the medical device manufacture capital of the North American continent.

The food scene

Tijuana has become a foodie destination in recent years. Whether it’s a food cart, a food hall or a fancy rooftop deck, the city’s culinary options are diverse, innovative and most of all delicious.

Many claim the Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana by Chef Cesar Cardini, and Caesar’s Restaurant Bar is where you can enjoy the original recipe, along with many other Mexican and international specialties. Or you can explore Tijuana’s emerging food scene at some of the newer, innovative restaurants serving Baja-Med Cuisine, a combination of the ingredients and flavors of Baja California with those of the Mediterranean and Asia.

Tijuana is known as Mexico’s go-to foodie city and is famous for its street tacos. Unofficially, Tijuana is the taco capital of the world. This is mainly because the border town is an immigrant hub for people of all over Mexico who bring their different cooking styles with them. With Sonora Tortillas, Sinaloa style seafood techniques, beef from Coahuila and Baja’s own prime seafood, it’s no wonder you’ll find everything from Carne Asada to Octopus Tacos in Tijuana that are unrivaled anywhere else in the country.

Architectural brilliance

Tijuana is famous for several eye-catching sights and monuments.

Centro Cultural Tijuana, the Tijuana Cultural Center is easily recognizable thanks to the distinctive spherical building. Nicknamed “La Bola” for its shape, the ball houses an IMAX theater. The cultural complex is also comprised of a theater and a cubic-shaped exhibit space, and the adjacent Museo de las Californias has a permanent exhibition detailing the history of the region from prehistoric times to the present day, and also hosts temporary exhibits on a variety of themes. There are a number of cultural events that take place in the cultural center’s esplanade year round, so it’s worth checking it out to see what’s on during your visit.

Plaza Santa Cecilia is one of the oldest squares in Tijuana and is located on Calle Primera and Avenida Revolución. The modern iconic arch that represents the city of Tijuana and symbolizes the connection between Mexico and the United States, contrasts with the traditional arches behind the plaza’s stage. The patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia, gives this plaza its name. Mariachis and Mexican folk dance troupes are common sights at this location.

The Tijuana Mexico Temple is a temple (completed in 2015) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Tijuana, México.

The Tijuana Temple was built with a hacienda architectural style inspired by local designs. Finishes include a mixture of frosted gold, carved, and textured clear glass accented with green terracotta and carpets with Mexican and Spanish designs. The floors are made of carved stone and quarried in Europe and China, and the doors and handrails are mahogany with brass hardware.

The Cosmopolitan Tower is the smart building that complies with the highest sustainability certifications in all of the northwest. With this tower, Tijuana already has three sustainable buildings.

Home to a football miracle!

Tijuana is home to professional baseball, football, and basketball teams, which the locals follow fervently.

Baseball has been, for decades, the people’ favorite sport. The city has even brewed a number of Major League Baseball competitors such as Benjamin Gil, Esteban Loaiza and Oscar Robles.

The strong, cultural influence that the U.S. has over Tijuana has resulted in a consistent basketball activity and following. The city is home to two professional Basketball teams; Cosmos de Tijuana and Zonkeys de Tijuana.

Unlike the rest of the country, football wasn’t big in Tijuana as recently as the past decade. This changed in 2011, when the Club Tijuana, also known as Xolos, got promoted to the top professional league in Mexico. Only a year later, in 2012, the team won the league title, cementing its legend in the history of Mexican football forever.

Bullring by the Sea…

The Plaza Monumental de Tijuana, commonly known in English as Bullring by the Sea, is a 22,000 seater bullring located Tijuana. Apart bullfighting, It has also been the scene for great boxing matches, concerts, cultural, and sporting events that have benefited the Tijuana community greatly.

Opened in 1960, the Plaza Monumental de Tijuana is the second largest bullring in Mexico, and the only seaside bullring in the whole world.

Origin of a Grammy Award winner

Julieta Venegas is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and a producer who originated from Tijuana.She was nominated for Grammy awards four times and was able to win it in 2007.

Few of her notable works include the album Sí and singles “Andar Conmigo” and “Algo está cambiando” which were positioned at the top of Latin Billboard. And her worldwide hit “Me Voy” is Gold certified in Mexico.

Rtr. Fernanda Acre
Rotaract Tijuana

Steely skyscrapers, world-class museums and absurdly delicious food, Chicago is one of the most popular destinations in the world.

Known as the “Windy City”, Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan. In Frank Sinatra’s words, “… And each time I roam, Chicago is calling me home, Chicago is why I just grin like a clown – It’s my kind of town…”.

With over 2.7 million residents, it is the third most populous city in the world. It is also the second largest economic center of the country. Global companies like McDonald’s, Groupon, Boeing, Kraft Heinz, Accenture, and Hyatt are all based in Chicago.

The destruction caused by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 led to the largest building boom in the history of the nation. Today, Chicago’s skyline is among the worlds tallest and densest.

Architecture

Architecture is probably the most interesting feature of Chicago. From early days industrial structures to futuristic towers, the city and its powerful Chicago Architecture Foundation safeguard a unique heritage. Iconic architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, decorators like Tiffany, and visionary tycoons have shaped the city as we know it. A cruise on the Chicago River is a must to learn about the history of the city and its constant evolution towards the future.

Chicago boasts an array of iconic landmarks, including the Cloud Gate at the Millennium Park, Wrigley Field (home of Chicago Cubs, MLB team) and the Garfield Park Conservatory. But the one that literally stands tall of them all is the Willis Tower.

 The Willis Tower

The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower is the most remarkable landmarks in the city of Chicago. Completed in 1973, it held the position of the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years.

The building was commissioned by Sears, Roebuck & Co, to be used as their headquarters and took three years and used enough concrete to make an eight-lane, five-mile-long highway. The last beam put in place was commemorated by the signatures of 12,000 construction workers, Sears employees, and Chicagoans. The Willis Tower’s observation deck – known as the Skydeck – is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

On a clear day the states of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan can be seen from the Skydeck, but the most spectacular attraction at the Skydeck is ‘The Ledge’, a glass balcony extending 4.3 ft where you can look straight down at the city 413 meters below you.

Sports

Chicago is the home to some of the most famous professional sports teams in the world. The most notable of them all are the Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bulls are six times NBA (National Basketball Association) champions, having earned this feat between 1991 and 1998 with two three-peats (three consecutive championships). All six championship teams were led by Hall of Famers Michael “MJ” Jordan, Scottie “Pip” Pippen and coach Phil “Zen Master” Jackson.

Many experts and analysts consider the 1996 Bulls to be one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Their success in the 90s helped popularizing the NBA worldwide.

The Chicago Bears are considered as one of the benchmark teams in the NFL (National Football League) having crowned as champions for 9 times that include a Super Bowl title (1985).

The 1985 Chicago Bears are the unquestioned greatest team of the Super Bowl era. A defense that was nothing short of legendary and an underrated offense that actually finished second in the league in total points. The star studded Bears roster that won the Super Bowl XX included Walter ‘Sweetness’ Payton (Halfback) and Jim ‘Darth Vader’ McMahon (Quarterback), William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry and Richard ‘The Sack Man’ Dent along with the coach Mike ‘Iron Mike’ Ditka.

Chicagoans

Chicago is home to some of the most iconic personals in the US history including,

Paul Harris – Rotary International Founder

Barack Obama – US President

Oprah Winfrey – TV Person and Entrepreneur

Walt Disney – Entrepreneur

Ernest Hemingway – Novelist

Robin Williams – Actor

Harrison Ford – Actor

Frank Lloyd Wright – Architect

Steve Carell – Actor

Tina Fey – Actress

and… Al Capone

Another icon is Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Kate Hudson, a singer, actress, and spokesperson rose to prominence through reality television series American Idol, where she finished at seventh.  Hudson made her film debut in Dreamgirls, for which she gained worldwide acclaim and garnered an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Her debut album Jennifer Hudson, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. The record was nominated for four Grammy Awards and exceeded a million sales worldwide. A well-known philanthropist Hudson has supported numerous charities and causes throughout her career which garnered her a Nat King Cole award in 2018.

Food

Chicago boasts fantastic restaurants and pubs like 3-Michelin star Alinea, regularly ranked second best restaurant in America, and Au Cheval, best burger in America. Chicago is also famous for delicious inventions like the Brownie.

The legend about the creation of brownies is linked to the luxurious Palmer House Hotel. In 1893 Palmer’s wife and prominent Chicago socialite asked a pastry chef for a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. She requested a cake-like confection smaller than a piece of cake that could be enjoyed more casually than classic desserts. The result was the Palmer House Brownie with walnuts and an apricot glaze.

Deep Dish Pizza

Deep Dish Pizza is one of the many iconic foods in Chicago. Chicago-style deep dish pizza is baked in a deep dish cake pan which gives its characteristically high edge, leaving ample room for generous thick layers of cheese and tomato sauce. Unlike its regular, thin counterpart Deep Dish pizza is eaten with a fork and a knife due to its creamy consistency and it’s often hard crust.

Culture

Chicago constantly offers live performances at the Lyric Opera, through Broadway in Chicago, and outdoors at Millenium Park. The Windy City is also famous for the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the infamous Art Institute of Chicago.

Founded in 1879, it is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 million guests annually. Its collection includes iconic works such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, and Grant Wood’s American Gothic. Its permanent collection of nearly 300,000 works of art is augmented by more than 30 yearly special exhibitions. The Art Institute of Chicago has been crowned #1 Museum in the World by TripAdvisor.

Hidden gems like the Driehaus Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art add to the colorful museum offering of the Windy City.

Rotaract In Chicago

The Rotaract Club of Chicago was established in 1992 and has served in over 30 international projects, local service projects, and raised over $75,000. Our volunteer numbers have grown year after year, representing up to 10 nationalities.

The Rotaract Club of Chicago is endorsed and supported by ROTARY/One, the first service club in the world.

Rotaract Club of Chicago

Mumbai, is the commercial capital of India. Formally known as Bombay, the city is the capital of the state of Maharashtra and houses important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India, the SEBI and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and multinational corporations.

Home for migrants from all over India, Mumbai has a large polyglot population like any other metropolitan city of India. Sixteen major languages of India are also spoken in Mumbai, with the most common being Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English.

Here are the top picks for a popular tourist attraction, food and personality from Mumbai, chosen exclusively by Rotaract Club of Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden.

Gateway of India – गेटवे ऑफ़ इन्डिया

Gateway of India, a.k.a Taj Mahal of Mumbai, was built in 20th century by the British Empire. The structure was designed by Scottish architect George Wittet, combining the elements  of the Roman triumphal arch and Indo-Saracenic architecture. It is also considered to be a point of convergence for Hindu and Muslim styles, with traces of its Muslim origins apparent in its structure and distinct interweaving latticework reminiscent of early Hindu architecture. It’s located at the outskirts of South Mumbai where it is considered a symbolic monument which represents the city itself.  This tourist attraction of the city serves entrance to India through waterways and overlooks Arabian Sea.

Gateway has now given visitors an easy access to various other tourist attractions through ferries that carry passengers to places such as  Alibaug, Mandwa, Elphanta Caves, etc. Gateway is almost 26ft high and can host almost 2000-2500 people each day.

Dal Pakwan – दाल पकवान

Dal Pakwan, arguably the most famous Sindhi breakfast and a delicacy of Ulhasnagar. Its remarkable flavour has made it a dish not only loved by Sindhi but almost everyone who stays in the vicinity.

The dish is comprised of two main elements: The Pakwan, a deep fried, crisp, flour-based flat bread, and the Dal which is basically cooked with fine Bengal gram and mixed with chutney, green chillies and finely chopped raw onions. The illustrious flavour of the Dal Pakwan comes from the combination of all the above ingredients. Individually the Pakwan and the Dal may appear hugely underwhelming, but the perfect bite of Dal Pakwan apparently involves the coming together of the indulgent crunch of the pakwan, the soothing wholesomeness of the dal, the fiery tang of the chutney, and the pungent kick of the raw onions – a contrast of textures, flavours, and colours.

Sachin Tendulkar – सचिन तेंदुलकर

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, has been one of the most complete batsmen the world has ever seen. Born 24 April 1973 in Mumbai, Tendulkar was just 16 years old when made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989.

There were no apparent weaknesses in Tendulkar’s game. He could score all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, could tune his technique to suit every condition, temper his game to suit every situation, and made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions.

Maiden Test century of 119 not out against England in 1990, a 141 against Australia in the 1998 Champions League Quarter Final are just a couple of his most memorable performances by the prolific run maker, who was often nicknamed as the “Little Master” or the “Master Blaster” by not just Indians, but cricket lovers all over the world.

In 2010, at the age of 36, Tendulkar become the first cricketer to score a double century (200 not out against South Africa) in One Day International (ODI) cricket. His 114 against Bangladesh in 2012 made him the only player to score 100 International centuries (all formats combined).

At the time of his retirement, Tendulkar had scored 18,426 ODI runs that include 49 centuries at an average of 44.83 in just 463 matches. His even more formidable Test cricket record includes 15,921 runs with 51 centuries at an average of 53.78 in just 200 matches.

Some of his career honors include,

1997 – Wisden Cricketer of the Year

2003 – Player of the tournament in 2003 Cricket World Cup

2004, 2007, 2010 – ICC World ODI XI

2009, 2010, 2011 – ICC World Test XI

2010 – ICC Award-Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for Cricketer of the Year

Rotaract Club of Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden

Shanghai is the bustling, international, commercial hub of China located on the Southern China Sea in eastern China.

•        The name “Shanghai” roughly translates to “above the sea,” a fitting name for the city that is located along the Yangtze river and on the Southern China Sea.
•        Shanghai’s massive population nears 25 million people! (Sri Lanka has only 22 million).
•        Following the economic reforms of the early 1990s the city has burgeoned to become one of Asia’s major financial centers.
•        Due to the influence of multinational corporations, Shanghai has a foreign population of 255,000.
•        Shanghai’s notable skyline includes the “Shanghai Tower,’ a 128-story mega tall skyscraper that is the second tallest building in the world and holds the world records for highest observation deck and fastest elevator.

•        Shanghai has an active Rotaract presence with 4 different Rotaract clubs: NYU Shanghai Rotaract, social-entrepreneurship-focused Fresh Start Rotaract, Chinese language Rotaract West, and English language Rotaract Club of Shanghai.

Want to learn more? Check this video out!

 Yao Ming – 姚明

Yao Ming is arguably the finest Asian Basketball player ever. During his 9 years at the NBA with the Houston Rockets Ming was selected 8 times to star in the NBA All-stars game.

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson.

Some of his most notable achievements include,

• NBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2016
• 8× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• 5× All-NBA Team:
• Second Team: 2007, 2009
• Third Team: 2004, 2006, 2008
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2003
• NBA Rookie All-Star Game: 2004
• Gold medal winner with Team China at the 2001, 2003, 2005 FIBA Asian Championship
• MVP of the 2001, 2003, 2005 FIBA Asian Championship
• All-Tournament Team, FIBA World Championship: 2002
• Chinese Basketball Association Champion: 2001–02
• Rebounding leader in CBA in 2001–02
• 2003 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
• 2003 Laureus Newcomer of the Year

Yuyuan Gardens – 豫园

The Yuyuan Gardens are extensive traditional Chinese gardens first built in 1559. It was first built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father, the minister Pan En, in his old age.

In the 400 years of existence, Yuyuan Garden had undergone many changes. During the late Ming Dynasty, it became very dilapidated with the decline of Pan’s family. In 1760, some rich merchants bought it and spent more than 20 years reconstructing the buildings. During the Opium War of the 19th century, it was severely damaged. The garden you see today is the result of a five year restoration project which began in 1956. It was open to the public in September, 1961.

 Xiaolongbao – 小笼包

Xiaolongbao is a classic Shanghaiese dumpling.  Xiaolongbao, sometimes known as soup dumplings, are small dumplings with a thin skin and a juicy pork filling.

It is traditionally prepared in xiaolong, small bamboo steaming baskets,which give them their name.

Rotaract Club of Shanghai

One of the largest eye donation campaigns in the world, was conducted in connection with the World Sight Day on Thursday, October 13 2016 through a very innovative program called the World Blind Walk organized in 55 locations across five countries by Project Vision.

Often are we thankful that we are given such a blessed life where we can see and hear everything around. When I spoke to the visually challenged they were full of positivity and interest. They engage in small home based businesses or vending at a local market. This clearly showed me that they never let their disability stop them from achieving their goals. Taking part in the Blind Walk, I could not keep my eyes closed and walk for even 10 seconds, but I was determined not to remove the blindfold, thus we all walked together, hand in hand. It was a truly moving experience.