Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today inaugurated Rotary Ashray (Sarai Bhawan) near Cancer Hospital, IGMC here today, which has been constructed by Shimla Rotary Charitable Trust and Tulsi Ram Bhagirath Ram Memorial Charitable Trust Chandigarh for the cancer patients and their attendants. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that the Rotary Trust had done a commendable service in providing helping hand to the suffering humanity. He said that this Sarai has been constructed by spending an amount of Rs. 3.50 crore and has 13 rooms with double and triple occupancy beds and two dormitories with total ten beds. He said that this Sarai would be providing boarding and lodging facilities to about 50 people, besides parking in two floors for about 35 cars. He said the rooms would be made available to the patients and their attendants on the recommendation of IGMC Cancer Hospital. Chief Minister said that this Sarai would be run on no profit no loss basis and rooms would be made available for the needy on nominal rates. He also thanked the Rotary Club and other Organizations for their philanthropic contribution as this service would provide a much needed relief to the attendants of the cancer patients. Jai Ram Thakur said that the collective efforts of the Rotary Club, Tulsi Ram Bhagirath Ram Memorial Charitable Trust and SJVNL were proving beneficial for the patients and their attendants. Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that this facility would go a long way in providing a much needed relief to the attendants of the cancer patients. He said that Rotary Club was one of the most pioneer and famous club associated for helping the needy in the State. He said that book café would be developed in Shimla under the Smart City Project, which could have a separate sitting area for the senior citizens. Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Satya Kaundal thanked the Rotary Club for construction of this Sarai Bhawan as it would provide much needed help to the family members of the cancer patients. She said that SJVNL has also played a vital role during the time of corona pandemic. Director SJVNL and Chairperson SJVNL Foundation Geeta Kapoor said that CSR was one of the most important components of the SJVNL. She said that SJVNL has always come forward to help the people in distress and need. Chairman of this Project V.P. Kalta said that the vision of this project was laid in the year 2009 and it took long time to start and complete this ambitious project. He said that work of this project was delayed due to the corona pandemic. He said that the Rotary Club want to construct a Recreation Centre for the old people of Shimla town. Former Mayor, former MLA and Trustee of Tulsi Ram Bhagirath Ram Memorial Charitable Trust Adarsh Sood welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He said that this Sarai has been constructed to provide lodging and boarding facilities to the attendants of the cancer patients. He said the Rotary has made a contribution of Rs 1.60 lakh for construction of this Bhawan. Deputy Mayor Shailender Chauhan, President Rotary Club K.K. Khanna, District Governor Ajay Madan, Secretary Kamal Butail, Principal IGMC Dr. Surinder Singh, Medical Superintendent IGMC Dr. Janak Raj, Trustees of Tulsi Ram Bhagirath Memorial Trust were present on the occasion among others.
