Rotary International is the pioneer voluntary service organization providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations, and helping to build goodwill and peace in the world. Formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris of USA, Rotary has earned acclaim for nurturing ideals of service to mankind through the medium of diverse community projects, at international, national, regional, district and town levels. There are over 1.2 million Rotarians in 33000 clubs in 165 countries and 35 geographical regions worldwide.

Scrupulously adhering to its motto, "service above self', Rotary strives to bring togeher people of all races, religious faiths, and political beliefs.

Rotary International is involved in multifarious activities such as eradication of polio, community service projects in different parts of the world, rehabilitation and total health care, rainwater harvesting and many more socially relevant projects.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a 'not for profit' corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian programmes. It is supported totally by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

In 1988, Rotary International embarked upon a very ambitious programme to eradicate polio from the face of the earth by the year 2005. As the leading key non-government partner in this programme along with national governments, WHO, UNICEF and CDC, Rotary has not only provided major funding over US$ 600 million for the polio eradication initiatives but has also mobilized volunteers to help carry out mass immunization campaign. It is all because of the cooperation and co-ordination between various international and national agencies towards polio eradication initiatives that the number of polio endemic countries has come down from 125 to 6 and more than four million children have benefitted.

Rotary came to India in 1919 and formed its first club in Kolkata. It has been aiming to serve the needy and underprivileged sections of the society. Rotary is spread all over India with more than 1 lakh members in 2500 clubs. It is also dedicated towards eradication of polio in India.

Rotary began to address the pressing global issues of environmental degradation with the formation of the Preserve Planet Earth Programme in 1990. It also focussed on issues concerning the problems of illiteracy & drug abuse and welfare of the elderly and the children.

The Department of Posts. is happy to issue a commemorative stamp on Rotary International in its centennial year.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India