Rotary International District 3170 has begun the 2026-27 Rotary year under the leadership of District Governor Rtn. Dr. Lenny Da Costa, with a series of district-wide initiatives focusing on healthcare, education, environmental conservation and community development across Goa and parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Speaking at a press conference in Margao ahead of the start of the new Rotary year on July 1, Dr. Da Costa said the district aims to “touch one million lives” through service projects during the year.
Rotary International District 3170 comprises the entire state of Goa, northern Karnataka and southern Maharashtra, with nearly 150 Rotary clubs.
“We have gathered here because we wanted to inform that 1st of July of every year is a new Rotary year. It begins with 1st of July with every leadership change. And this year we have got Dr. Lenny Da Costa, who is the District Governor of Rotary International District 3170,” Rtn. Flory Gracias, District Secretary informed the press.
Dr. Da Costa becomes the first District Governor from Margao in nearly four decades.
Blood donation campaign
The first major initiative of the Rotary year is a district-wide blood donation campaign scheduled for July 1.
According to Dr. Da Costa, around 148 to 149 Rotary clubs across the district are expected to participate, with a target of collecting nearly 10,000 units of blood in a single day.
“So, the first project tomorrow being the first across the district… our aim is to collect about as close to 10,000 bottles as possible across all the 148, 149 clubs that we have,” he said.
In Goa, blood donation camps have been organised in Margao, Porvorim, Mapusa, Saligao, Ponda, Vasco, Curchorem and other locations.
Tree plantation drive
Rotary District 3170 will also undertake a large-scale tree plantation programme beginning July 12.
The district plans to plant approximately three lakh trees during the Rotary year across Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
In Goa alone, Rotary aims to plant around one lakh trees between July 12 and July 18.
“So, Goa we are targeting about a lakh trees. Hopefully we will be able to do that over one week. That is from the 12th of July right up to the 18th of July,” Dr. Da Costa said.
He said environmental conservation remains one of Rotary’s seven global areas of focus.
Dialysis centres planned
Another major healthcare initiative involves establishing small dialysis centres in underserved areas of the district.
Dr. Da Costa, who is a medical practitioner, said while Goa has adequate dialysis facilities, patients in several districts of Karnataka continue to travel long distances for treatment.
“When we go to other parts of our district, if I go to Bagalkot and Bijapur, patients have to travel all the way to either Belgaum or to Sangli… three hours of travelling to do a dialysis is very very hard for patients,” he said.
Rotary plans to establish stand-alone dialysis centres equipped with three dialysis units each under what it calls the “Healing Water Project.”
Education initiatives
The district also plans to expand science and digital education by setting up STEM laboratories and e-learning classrooms.
Dr. Da Costa said Rotary intends to establish STEM laboratories in around 100 schools across Goa and Maharashtra.
He noted that conventional STEM laboratories cost approximately ₹15 lakh each, but Rotary has developed a model costing under ₹5 lakh to enable wider implementation.
The organisation is also targeting the establishment of around 1,000 smart classrooms during the Rotary year.
Public defibrillator project
Among the key health initiatives announced is the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at railway stations, airports and public places.
Dr. Da Costa said Rotary has received permission from Konkan Railway and several airports to install the life-saving equipment.
“We went around and saw there is a huge need for public defibrillators… They are assisted manual devices that can help somebody to recover,” he said.
He added that permission has already been obtained for installations at Konkan Railway stations as well as airports in Kolhapur and Udgir, while approval is awaited for Goa International Airport at Dabolim. Manohar International Airport at Mopa already has AED facilities.
Rotary plans to invest approximately ₹1 crore in the project.
“Even if we save one life, all the investment in this would be worth it,” he said.
The programme also includes training members of the public, including railway staff and local vendors, in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of AEDs.
“So, if you put this AED on, let’s say, Konkan Railway Margao, even the tea vendor over there will be taught how to use that machine and how to first give CPR,” Dr. Da Costa said.
Hospital support
Dr. Da Costa said Rotary would continue supporting government hospitals by providing medical equipment where required.
He said the organisation has already contributed neonatal intensive care equipment to hospitals in Kolhapur, Hubballi, Dharwad and Belagavi and plans to continue similar assistance in Goa.
“We are also partnering with the government, with GMC, with Hospicio, South District Hospital to see what they require and see what we can give them,” he said.
Rotary’s role in polio eradication
During the interaction, Dr. Da Costa highlighted Rotary International’s contribution to global polio eradication efforts.
“The biggest achievement of Rotary has been eradication of polio,” he said.
He explained that Rotary began a pilot programme in the Philippines in 1988 before partnering with the World Health Organization and other international agencies.
“We still contribute every year anywhere between 250 to 400 million to fight this together with the Bill Gates Foundation,” he said.
Responding to a question on India’s current polio status, Dr. Da Costa said the disease had been eradicated from the country but surveillance and immunisation continue because cases still exist in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“Polio is eradicated in India completely. But we still do the National Immunization Day for polio… because just across our border, Pakistan and Afghanistan, polio still exists,” he said.
Local leadership
Asked whether having a District Governor from Goa benefits local clubs, Dr. Da Costa said it creates both opportunities and expectations.
“It is both, basically. It’s both,” he said.
He noted that Goa previously had a District Governor only once every few years and said local clubs benefit from having easier access to district leadership while also facing greater expectations during the Governor’s tenure.
Membership
On Rotary membership, Dr. Da Costa encouraged people interested in community service to consider joining the organisation.
“I think the only commitment is if you are keen on doing something to give back to society,” he said.
He said Rotary enables members to participate in projects locally and internationally through partnerships with clubs around the world.
Cancer care initiatives
Dr. Da Costa also referred to the upcoming Rotary Rain Run, stating that proceeds support cancer care initiatives.
He said funds raised by the Rotary Club of Porvorim help operate a mobile cancer detection unit equipped with a mammography machine and assist patients who cannot afford cancer treatment.
Rotary District 3170 said it will continue working with government departments, educational institutions, corporate CSR partners and local communities to implement projects across health, education, environment and community development during the 2026-27 Rotary year.
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