Visit of Swami Japananda

Visit of Swami Japananda to the Rotary Club of Oldham Metro on 15^th June 2018

The Rotary Club of Oldham Metro were pleased and honoured to welcome their guest and Honorary Member Swami Japananda to their meeting  on 15^th June 2018.

Swami came to speak about the work of the Swami Vivekenanda Integrated Rural Health Centre and its related project the Eye Hospital and Research Centre.

After  Dinner Swami introduced an informative documentary ‘Atmano Moksharltam – In Search Of Salvation’ covering his projects and work over recent years and up to the present 25^th anniversary. He  gave a very interesting and insightful talk highlighting the achievements of the programmes he has introduced serving a population of some 8 million souls.  With an emphasis on community health particularly in combating Leprosy, TB and Blindness, he noted how the programmes to date had treated around 3700 Leprosy Cases, 13,000 Cases of Tuberculosis and completed almost 25000 eye related operations. They have thereby reduced the incidence of Leprosy and Tuberculosis – the latter from 13% to 1.

 Because it is a charity and the monks do not draw a salary , eye operations which in the UK cost £2500 can be done for £25.

He explained that the Silver Jubilee project is a further development of the Eye Hospital – aiming to provide a second floor to the building which will allow more and better treatment for patients

The presentation was followed by an open session in which Swami heard the views of and answered questions from members.

In conclusion he generously acknowledged the support given over so many years by the Rotary  Club and noted how proud he is to be able to say that he is an honorary member of Oldham Metro wherever he goes. 

President Con Kelly gave a fulsome vote of thanks and advised that the club would again be supporting the latest project.