EARLY YEARS (1963 to 1975)

1963-1964 - Soona Balsara

• Became the founder President of the Inner Wheel Club of Bombay under Dist 315 on July 1st 1963.
• It was the first club of our district and the 3rd in India.

1964-1965 - Purviz Banaji

• She helped frame the bye-laws of the National Council of Inner Wheel Clubs of India and Sri Lanka.
• She adopted the “Baby Ratan ” project.
• Became the founder District Chairman of Dist 315 in 1966.

Purviz Banaji

1965-1966 - Gulbanoo Premji

• She worked with the orthopedic hospital and continued with “ Save the children Fund ” project.
• She was the mother of Aziz Premji.

1966-1967 - Shreemati Kilachand

• A hostess with the mostest !! She held several meetings at her palatial bungalow.

1967-1968 - Silla Ardeshir

• Started the “ Sutharpakhadi Project ” near Sahar.
• She was instrumental in framing the bye-laws for the National Council and the Association.
• When Dist 315 split, she became the founder Dist Chairman of Dist 314 in 70-71.
• To her goes the credit of composing our Inner Wheel Prayer.
• She has been a regular helper at the Avedna hospice for several years advocating personalized service.

Silla Ardeshir

1968-1969 - Lily Jaysinghe

• Despite adversities on the home front, she led the Club well.

1969-1970 - Sheila Kumar

• Is remembered as a good President.
• She was the founder Secretary of our Club.

1970-1971 - Ida Fernandes

• Ida kept the Club flag flying high.

1971-1972 - Champa Mehta

• She added prestige to our Club as she was the wife of the then Governor.

1972-1973 - Kookie Kheshwala
1988-1989

• She took on the Presidentship twice and continued with the ongoing projects.

1973-1974 - Sushila Lakhanpal

• Was an outgoing and social personality.
• She spread the word about Inner Wheel and was a large donor.

1974-1975 - Shahsultana Currim

• Organized an extremely interesting visit to the kitchens of the TAJ.
• The Club received an award for collecting the largest number of stamps at the District Rally.

THE EARLY YEAR PROJECTS

1 Baby Ratan project - Ms Ratan Waghmare a girl born to parents suffering from leprosy was adopted by the District and educated in Pune.

2 Sutharpakhadi project - Water pipes were laid and a medical clinic established in the Sahar village. Children were taught in a make-shift arrangement.

3 Save the Children Fund - Postal stamps were collected and sent courtesy Air India to International Link clubs to collect funds for needy children.

The Save the Children Fund

Annual Report 1975-1976

4.Helping at the NGO Sneh Sadan.

5 Sponsoring leprosy detection at Ackworth Leprosy Hospital.

6 Creating a stamp-album to sell and raise funds.

7 The early years were personified more by doing personalized service and
frequent fellowships.

LATER YEARS (1975 to 2009)

1975-1976 - Banoo Cama
• She streamlined the Club systems. A separate Inner Wheel Charity Trust was formed.
• Also formed sub-committees for regular projects.
• She started the Incoming Chairman’s Training Institute and with Silla’s help drafted all rules for incoming presidents and other posts, official seating procedures and protocol to be followed.
• She went on to become the 3rd District Chairman from our Club in 77-78.
• In her term daily comic strips were pasted together to make an album in different languages and distributed among children.

Banoo Cama

Raksha Mehta
• She transferred to our Club from the IWC of Thane in 1975. She was District Chairman in 71-72 from her previous club.

• In 1976-77 she was elected Founder President of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India and Sri Lanka and held the 1st Association Conference in Bombay.

• The Byelaws for the new Association were framed by stalwarts Purviz Banaji, Silla Ardeshir and Raksha Mehta.

• Between 1978-91 she took an active part in her club. She became Secretary twice and Vice President to help new members.

• In 1991-92 she was appointed Conference Chairman of the 6th Association Triennial Conference which was held in Bombay

• In 1994 , the past IIWR formed the past IIWRs Forum to help provide guidance to the Association Council . She was appointed Convener and Secretary of the Forum.

• From 1992-97 she was Chairman of Inner Wheel Public Service Committee , Dist. 314. Under her leadership the Committee had constructed 30 public conveniences and 21 drinking water facilities at strategic places in the city and suburbs and has also started integrated rural development work in 40 villages in Panvel Taluka.

• In 1996 she was awarded the Most Active PDC Trophy.

• She became Chairman of Constitution and Credential Committee of Dist. 314 thrice.

• In 2001 she was the Chairman of Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee of Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India and also the Chairman of the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Committee when the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Assn. took up projects for physical and social rehabilitation of 9 affected villages in Mundra Taluka, Kutch District and also projects for educational scholarship for earthquake affected students.

• She was Conference Chairman of the 11th Association Triennial Conference held in Mumbai.

• In 2007 she was awarded the Margaret Golding Award by IIW at the 11th Association Triennial Conference in Mumbai.

• In 2009 Rotary Club of Bombay bestowed on her the award for “Outstanding Social Service”.

• Since 1997 she is the Chairman of the Rural Projects Committee of Inner Wheel Dist. 314. She is the mainstay of our rural projects . Our past Association President Alaghu Annamalai felt everyone should emulate our rural project and declared it to be one of the best.

• Association President Nandini Bhargava (2009-10) echoed the sentiments of her predecessors , asserting that the rural projects at Wakdi were truly the jewel in the crown of Inner Wheel Dist. 314

Raksha Mehta

1976-1977 - Coomi Kharas
• Continued with the ongoing projects.

Coomi Kharas

1977-1978 - Late Shirin Petigara
• Organised a successful “card-drive” to collect funds for charity. For several months members were busy making cards, sewing and crocheting items for the sale.
• She became District chairman in 80-81 and introduced:
a) Care for the old and lonely
b) Promoted, prevention of nutritional blindness in children by giving 6
monthly concentrated doses of Vitamin A.

Shirin Petigara

1978- 1979 - Anita Parikh
• Continued with Sutharpakhadi as the main project.
• She organized sewing of over 6000 diapers and dresses and a 1000 blankets. Every new mother left the hospital with a set of clothes.
• A regular donor to our Club , she has since 2009 instituted an award for “Outstanding Social Service”.
• She served as Dist Editor in 79-80
• This year some members attended the IIW Convention in Brighton.

Anita Parikh

1979-1980 - Sooni Mehta
• In her term 40 kids from the backward class from a Marathi medium school in Pune were brought to Bombay for a weekend treat and put up at Girton High School.The girls were treated to camp-fires, sight-seeing and puppet- shows. This was done in coordination with the Inner Wheel Club of Pune.

1980-81 - Late Zarina Kajiji
• She was founder Vice President of IWC of North Bombay before she transferred to our Club in 1965
• She had a deft hand with handicrafts and represented our Club in several competitions.

Zarina Kajiji

Zarina's handiwork

1981-1982 - Kanta Anand
• Became District Chairman in 90-91
• As an AC member travelled to Indore and Khandwa
• Organised an Audiometer from Hongkong for Sion Hosp to check the hearing of new-borns.
• From her term the Presidents started maintaining a list of “Projects Done ”

Kanta Anand

1982-1983 - Late Mira Mehta
1999-2000
• Served as President for two terms. In the first term her pet project was to start a door-step school with a bus.
• In the 2nd term she supported the Make a Wish Foundation and helped fulfill the last wishes of terminally ill children.
• She was also District Chairman 88-89
• For several years our Club runs a clinic and immunization centre at the BDD Chawls. Mira goes every week and supervises the same.

Mira Mehta

1983-1984 - Lata Palekar
1991-1992
• An esteemed personality, she has served two terms as president.
• She graciously hosted all our VIP and International guests.
• Was trustee of the Charity Trust for almost 30yrs and managed the account as treasurer for 17 yrs.
• In her term the first toilet block was set up at Churchgate and was sponsored by LIC.
• She became Dist Chairman in the year 2001-2002. Her District Conference was held at the Hotel Oberoi and Amitabh Bachchan was honoured by the Club with the “Lifetime Achievement Award ”.In her term the Association celebrated its Silver Jubilee.
• As DC she introduced the Zonal system and in the District and established that transactions were conducted by cheque rather than cash.
• She started the concept of joint installations of Presidents at the Dist Assembly.

Lata Palekar

1984-1985 - Zarine Chothia
• For several years she organized a ‘mela” for 350 handicapped children at the grounds near her home.Now since 1984 over 2000 handicapped children from several institutions converge at the SRCC (Society for the Rehabilitation of Crippled Children) for a “MELA”.Our Club contributes towards the “Fun City” at this mela and we host a stall serving pizzas and pastries mostly catered by our members and some donors. This project of Zarine’s continues to give much joy and happiness.
• Her other special interest is the SEC Schools .Through her efforts our Club sponsors the inter-school swimming competition every year .
• Parakh Dharamsala is also one of the beneficiaries of her care and concern. She alleviates their loneliness by organizing fun-fellowships for them, assisted by our Club members.

Zarine Chothia

1985-1986 - Chandrakala Agarwalla
• The Shanti Avedna Hospice was her pet project and she made several donations to it.
• She transferred from our Club to Dhanbad , where she founded an Inner Wheel club and set up the Inner Wheel District 325 becoming its District Chairman.
• We are happy to welcome her in our midst again.

Chandrakala Agarwalla

1986-1987 - Ranjan Kaji
• Organized a hindi play to raise funds
• For the first time 4 Inner Wheel clubs went to Marve, conducted their individual meetings and then “picnic-ed ” together.
• Provided material for sewing to Cheetah and Shivaji Nagar Camps ladies.
• Donated playground equipment to a park.

Ranjan Kaji

1987-1988 - Nayana Aggarwal
• She favoured doing health projects.
• Organised a medical camp at Kherwadi for over 200 children
• Organized eye-check ups at Kanhayalal Municipal school with the help of Asha Reshamwala and Dr Sharmila Kazerouni.

Nayana Aggarwal

1989-1990 - Late Alice D’Souza
• Best remembered for sponsoring the Sports day at the Institute for Deaf and Mutes.The Club since 2009 has instituted a running trophy for the best sports person in her honour.

Alice D’Souza

1990-1991 - Naju Colah
• Continued with the Clubs on-going projects.

Naju Colah

1992-1993 - Jayshree Parekh
1998-1999
• Served two very successful terms as President.
• She constructed a Sulabh Sauchalya at Chowpatty, sponsored by Crompton Greaves.
• Organised drinking water facility for Kumble village sponsored by Jimmy Guzdar.
• Organised a battery bank for Central School for Deaf for uninterrupted supply of hearing aid.
• Held a family planning camp at Shanmukhananda Hall and invited the governor’s wife Ackamma Alexander to be the chief guest.

Jayshree Parekh

1993-1994 - Rekha Tanna
• Holds the record for introducing 23 new members.
• Renovated the clinic and immunization centre at Sah & Sanghi in the BDD chawls.
• Established drinking water fountains outside the Museum & Kamala Nehru Park.
• Organised the cleaning of Banganga and Prem nagar jhopad-pattis .
• Undertook the beautification of Kamala Nehru Park.

Rekha Tanna

1994-1995 - Mrinal Kher
• The year 1994 was declared by WHO as “Year of Oral Health”.
She organised a dental clinic at Rotary Village Corp, Kherwadi and donated a
dental-chair.
• Donated a kitchen-set to VOICE
• Had IIT Bombay research and design a hydraulic wheel- chair especially for the disabled children.

Mrinal Kher

1995-1996 - Malini Agarwalla
• Converted a dumping area into a playground at Narayan Dhabolkar Road with the help of neighbouring slum children( they were treated to snacks and taught cleanliness)
• Set up two Sulabh sauchalyas and drinking water facilities.
• Contributed to setting up the Community Hall at Wakadi.
• Provided a borewell in Sevansari village.
• There was a joint meeting of our club with the Rotary Club and Maneka Gandhi had addressed the meeting.

Malini Agarwalla

Late Meher Framjee
• In 1996 Meher transferred to our Club.
• She was the Founder Chairman of IW Dist 310/311 in Agra.
• She was a member of the National Council for over 2 yrs and hosted two meetings.
• She then became a representative of the IIW from 1972-74
• In 2001 she was awarded the Most Active PDC Trophy.
She is the Grande dame of our Club and equally involved in all our activities to
date.

Meher Framjee

1996-1997 - Radhika Kaji
• Has been the youngest president of our Club.
• Organised a special “coffee morning ” to raise funds for the handicapped, the proceeds of which were donated to Wadia Hosp.
• Took 150 children to have a picnic at the Governor’s Beach.
• Planted over 400 saplings.
• Installed 6 telephone booths for the handicapped to give them a permanent source of livlihood.
• Set up 3 sauchalyas at KEM Hospital , Mahim Station and outside the Taj.

Radhika Kaji

1997-1998 - Jyoti Doshi
2007-2008
• Has had a very illustrious career with the Inner Wheel.Besides serving two terms as president and one as District Chairman.
• She managed a record 100 projects in her first term.
• Held a fund raiser by the handicapped for 550 handicapped children at Nehru Centre and raised over 5 lacs.
• Planted a 1000 saplings at Solapur.
• From this year onwards our club stopped applying for the District Awards.
• In 2004-2005 she became the District Chairman. Her District Conference was held at the Taj President and Juhi Chawla was the chief guest.
• When in 2007 there was an unavailability of a President, she graciously stepped in to serve a second term in 2007-2008. Jyoti is the mainstay of our Inner wheel projects. She is a major donor, contributing every year to our projects
• She is also an authority on our constitution and guiding light to all incoming office-bearers.
• In her second term she sponsored the education of 181 children of Ashramshala
• Provided medical equipment to LMT Hospital
• Sponsored mass marriages of adivasi couples
• Sponsors the nurse for the milk-bank at LMT Hospital set up since 2004-05 by our club courtesy Ratanchand Foundation.
• She was ESO ( Extension Services Organiser ) at the District level for 2010-11.

Jyoti Doshi

2000-2001 - Anjana Sonawala
• Organized a fund-raiser with a film-show.
• Established the leprosy ward for women at Shantivan.

Anjana Sonawala

2001-2002 - Indira Kotak
Hers was a very busy year.
• The “Association Silver Jubilee” function was in this period and our Club sponsored the event generously.
• Members visited Bhuj in the aftermath of the earthquake and help was given to 9 villages in Kutch, by inaugurating balwadis and health care centres.
• At Shantivan the triple benefit project was undertaken whereby women received insurance coverage.
• She was District Chairman for 2010-2011 In her tenure she propagated self-reliance for rural areas and with a personal contribution of Rs 30 lacs put up an Empowerment Centre at Shantivan for the benefit of over 40 villages.
• Provided 2 Bubble C Paps and various other medical equipment to Sion Hospital at a cost of 10 lacs.
• She sponsored the Dist Conference at the Taj Vivanta for over 500 members of her district.

Indira Kotak

2002-2003 - Arti Sanghi

She brought a lot of verve and zest to her term. Her enthusiasm evoked a warm
response from the members.
• The club contributed towards the Auditorium / Training Centre at Shantivan.
• Rain water harvesting was undertaken at Satchiwadi.
• Kamathipura municipal school was adopted for an year.
• A camp was held for immunizing over a 1000 children against Hepatitis -B
• Rehabilitation of 25 leprosy children was undertaken.

Arti Sanghi

2003-2004 - Kusum Patel

• The Panchayat Raj Training centre was inaugurated at Shantivan on 5 Feb,2004.
• With the collaboration of Rotary Club of Bombay the BDD school playground was inaugurated on 26 June 2004.
• Kusum is an avid donor of cows and providing fodder for them at Ashramshala. In the pipeline is sponsoring the construction of a gaushala.
• In her term she conducted a meeting at her farm in Badlapur.

Kusum Patel

2004-2005 - Gauri Jatia
• She was a great support to the then District Chairman Jyoti Doshi.
• Undertook the construction of a ladies dormitory and office at Ashramshala.
• Inaugurated a human milk-bank at KEM on 11 Jan 2005.
• Did a fund raiser at the Air India auditorium with a classical concert.
• Organized a programme “Day of Hope” where 400 handicapped children were treated to snacks and entertained with the help of Rotractors.
• Gauri is generous in offering her office premises to Zone 1 members for practice.

Gauri Jatia

2005-2006 - Komal Israni
She brought valuable experience when she transferred to our club from IWC of Bombay South.
• A unique scheme of micro-financing was started for the women around BDD chawls. It is a success story ably managed by Lata Palekar, Arti Sanghi and Komal Israni.
• Donated towards the “ Flood Relief Rehabilitation ”.
• Created a recreation room at the Ambedkar School.
• Organised a wonderful fellowship dinner for the entire club and their spouses.
• She is currently the treasurer of the Charity Trust.

Komal Israni

2006-2007 - Rashna Cooper

A true gem , she was a very good president.

• Rashna’s pet project is the Ambedkar School at the BDD chawls. She personifies personalized service. She puts in several hours a week teaching at the school.
• She was equally involved with the women doing vocational classes conducted by our Club. The ladies put up an impressive fashion show for the club members.
• She contributed towards a toilet for the staff at Ashramshala.
• Raised funds for 2 homes for “Habitat for Humanity ”.
• Undertook a water project for Kewale Municipal school.
• Every year she assists Zarine by coordinating with the members for catering at our stall at the Mela.
• The Triennial was held in Mumbai in her term. Raksha Mehta was the convener of the Triennial conference and being the parent-club, Rashna Cooper headed the flag-march.

Rashna Cooper

2008-2009 - Geeta Gogia

Her term saw large contributions from overseas.
From all the projects undertaken , the few closest to her heart were:
• A garage- sale conducted jointly with the Zone 1 clubs at YMCA premises. This involved a lot of personalized effort and fostered fellowship with the other clubs.The proceeds were jointly donated to NASEOH for corrective surgeries.
• Installation of 3 borewells at Umroli and Khanav villages sponsored by our German donors.
• Donation of a ventilator and anesthesia machine courtesy Ratanchand Foundation to the LMT Hospital. Also donated equipment to the neo-natal clinic.
• Providing for the visually impaired - software equipment, vocational training, cataract surgeries, structural repairs to old peoples home, education of 20 girls etc
• Donating homes worth $10,000 and members personally building a home for a lady-villager under the aegis of “ Women India Builds ”.
• The past presidents project for the year was to prepare a web-site of our club.
• In a break from the indoor meetings the Club members were taken on the under-construction Bandra -Worli -Sea -Link and given a conducted tour, taken a 100mt high in the lift and given a panoramic view. The District committee was also invited to this fellowship event which ended with a high tea.

Geeta Gogia

2009-2010 - Falguni Mehta

• A very accomplished person and daughter of our Past Association President, Raksha Mehta

• Her thrust area was rural development of villages in and around Panvel with emphasises on education of tribals, women empowerment, providing drinking water, sanitation and environment friendly projects.

• In the urban areas focus was on micro-finance to women and reaching out to the vulnerable sections of society.

• She was installed as President on 15th July, 2009, when The Club celebrated its 46 years of service

• The official web site of the Club www.innerwheelbombay.com was launched by District Chairman Vasudha Chandrachud.

• The Club has sponsored a record 300 students at Ashramshala this year.

• Set up a language laboratory ( Past Presidents Project) for communication skills and a spinning wheel centre at Ashramshala, Shantivan.

• Environment Project – Soil/Water Conservation, vermi compost at Bhanghar village.

• Provided drinking water to Shivkar, Koproli , Shivansai villages by installing bore-wells , pipelines and water tanks.

• Provided sanitation blocks to Shivansai village.

• For Pollution control distributed 30 Sarayee cookers and smokeless fuel in villages.

• Women Empowerment workshops at Balwantrai Mehta Centre(Rural) and Ambedkar School (Urban) .

• For physically challenged children organized Diwali, X-mas parties, a swimming gala, sports meet, “handicap” mela for 1000 children.

• Supported education of spastics and held art competition for “ Polio Free India” .

• Distributed 200 white canes to visually impaired and provided a computer to Helen Keller Institute for the Blind.

• Arranged ENT medical camp for 80 physically challenged children and Medical Camp for Blind Welfare Association .

• Donated calipers, walking aids to physically challenged children .

• She is on the District Committee as Editor for the term 2011-12.

Falguni Mehta

2010-2011 - Geeta Kapur

• Supported Tribal students under “Help A Child” programme at Ashramshala, Shantivan.

• Organised Christmas & Diwali parties, Swimming Gala, Sports meet, Handicapped Mela for 1000 Physically Challenged Children.

• Initiated Battery Bank for under privileged hearing impaired students at The Central Society for the Education of the Deaf.

• Constructed Rural Empowerment centre at Shantivan, Panvel

• Re-constructive surgery & medical treatment of Leprosy patients at Shantivan, Panvel.

• Life saving equipment for Neo Natals at Sion Hospital.

• Women Empowerment Workshops for Vocational Training at Balwant Rai Mehta Centre & Ambedkar School.

• Donated Sewing & Fall Beading Machines & Lift Irrigation Pumps at Ashramshala.

• Provided interest free Micro Finance Loans.

• Soil Water Conservation & Vermi Composting at Bhangar village.

• Borewells in Shiravli Thakurpada & Bakulwadi Villages.

Geeta Kapur

2011-2012 - Susmita Mitra

• The drinking water project, which was completed in Ambe village by constructing a bore well and getting the water connection in the village. The women were spared the distance, and could utilize that time for some other good work.

• Women Empowerment programme. Through Micro Credit scheme loans were given to the women who live in slums / chawls. This way we try to give control of their life by helping them to earn and get economic independence.

• Arranging the midday meal to the 525 tribal children in Ashramshala, Shantivan.

• The Sports Day of the Deaf & Dumb School in Mazgaon. It was heartening to see how these special children participating in march past and various sports events ,overcoming their disability.

• The musical programme, 'Nostalgia', arranged at the Parakh Dharamshala. The elders sang along, danced with so much joy, forgetting the drudgery of everyday.

• Organizing “Vrikshropan”. Honoring nature / environment by planting a sapling with full honor. Replicating the idea of Rabindranath Tagore.

• Arranging help the cancer patients with their treatment and prosthesis.

Susmita Mitra