
Tawa Rotary and the Tawa Business Group are excited to welcome our community to join with us to hear from Brad Olsen, one of New Zealand’s leading economic commentators, who will share his insights on this year’s Budget. When: Tuesday 31 May, 5.45pm Drinks available (cash/Eftpos); followed by Brad's presentation Where: Tawa Bowling Club, Grasslees Reserve, 13 Davies Street, Tawa Register attendance: pat.waite@outlook.com Brad Olsen is a Principal Economist and Director at Infometrics. Brad is passionate about using economics to make better informed decisions and can communicate complex and detailed trends in a simple, relatable, and useful manner. With extensive networks across New Zealand’s business, media, community, and social sectors, Brad often brings together a variety of views, data, and emerging trends to inform advice and analysis to key decision makers across New Zealand. Brad is a community leader and is New Zealand’s youngest Justice of the Peace. His work in the community has been recognised a number of times: he was named New Zealand’s Queen’s Young Leader in 2016, one of Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 25 to Watch in 2019, and Young Wellingtonian of the Year 2020. As a young person, Brad brings a different perspective to key opportunities and challenges that New Zealand faces and is keen to unlock more potential across businesses and communities. Emerging trends continue to accelerate the pace of change across the world and in New Zealand, and Brad focuses on understanding these trends as they evolve and highlighting way to enhance outcomes for local communities.
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Come and Hear! Insights on New Zealand’s Budget 2022 by Brad Olsen
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Laura Sommer
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2022-05-19 12:00:00Z |
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|  | Tawa Rotary assisted with putting up refreshed hanging baskets along the Main Road shopping area. The Main Road hanging flower baskets were established as a regular feature in the Tawa business centre in 2012. These days the project is managed through the Tawa Residents Association, with funding shared between Tawa Business Group Inc., Tawa Community Board occasional grants and personal donations. Labour is provided by Tawa Rotary. We are grateful to Anneke from Embrace Design for the current flowers. If you would like to assist this project or contribute funding, please contact Richard Herbert at herbert.r@xtra.co.nz. |  |
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Refreshed hanging baskets in Tawa
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Richard Herbert
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2022-05-06 12:00:00Z |
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 Having noted that dog owners often brought their own seating with them when exercising their dogs at the Taylor Park Dog Exercise Area, the Rotary Club of Tawa saw an opportunity for a community project. Last year we celebrated our 50th Anniversary of service in the Tawa community and, as part of this celebration, identified several community projects it could contribute to. Rectifying the lack of seating at the popular exercise area was one of them. In 2021, a proposal was put to the Wellington City Council for the installation of a Rotary-sponsored commemorative seat. The Council agreed to the proposal and, in March 2022, a park bench was positioned in a sunny, dry location overlooking the recreation area. In assessing Rotary’s proposal, Council staff recognised the lack of sufficient seating and, as a result, the Council has also installed two additional bench seats near the entrance. Tawa Rotary wishes to acknowledge the Wellington City Council’s support of the project, and it’s our hope that park users will now be able to spend more time relaxing while their dogs enjoy the freedom of being unleashed. |
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Comfort while your dog exercises at Taylor Park
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Ian Munro
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2022-03-20 11:00:00Z |
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| Maia Mariner spoke to Tawa Rotary on 15 Feb 2022 about her inspirational idea for Lazy Sneakers - a not for profit project to free up unused (lazy) sneakers to enable her peers to participate in sports. Maia was only 12 when she developed this idea. She noticed that some of her peers couldn't participate in sports because they didn't have the appropriate footwear. Her idea was to set up a sneaker bank to help her friends playing basketball. Lazy Sneakers was launched in 2018. Maia is now in Year 13. She talked about material hardship that she could see in her community - not all things are equal and material poverty is a huge problem that we need to find ways to address. Through this venture, she noted that the 'demand is really there'. What started as a simple concept has grown to now providing sneakers for children, student athletes, families and social services in New Zealand. Lazy Sneakers is also receiving international interest from Australia. With full support from her family, this project has extended to creating a movement. A network of young ambassadors has been established to help with managing demand and distribution. It's particularly important to show respect as conditions for distribution, so that recipients are treated well - no judgement for why they need sneakers. An early indication of success is that over 7500 pairs of sneakers had been collected and 5700 pairs distributed for free - numbers have since grown. By end 2023, the goal is to collect 10,000 sneakers for distribution. Current needs include more storage space for shoes and more marketing to recruit more young people to help with collection services across New Zealand. Lazy Sneakers has been established as a charitable trust. Maia has received numerous awards for Lazy Sneakers including an invitation from the Governor General in 2018 and recognition from the Prime Minister in 2020. Lazy Sneakers' motto is "motivate your sneakers. Be active in the world". [pictured: Maia Mariner, founder of Lazy Sneakers] |
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An inspiration! - Lazy Sneakers
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Laura Sommer
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2022-02-19 11:00:00Z |
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Community,not for profit,young New Zealanders |
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| In response to the recent request for help from Linden School, Tawa Rotary contacted Gaylene Hill, the Principal of the school and got an update on their needs. Thanks to the generosity of the Tawa/Linden community and Kiwi Community Assistance (KCA) they have received stationery and swimming togs see Stuff article), but still had a need for sunhats, especially with this current heatwave. Having obtained a small number to confirm they meet the needs of the school, Tawa Rotary will now continue to source more sunhats over the coming weeks. |
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Sunhats for Linden School students
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Laura Sommer
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2022-02-06 11:00:00Z |
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Community,Tawa,education |
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| The money was raised through a Christmas Raffle, that was strongly supported by the Tawa Community and takes the total raised to $392,000 of the $400,000 Rotary is providing for the fit-out of the 2 Whanau rooms in the new Children’s Hospital. See more Pictured from left: Adrienne Murray, Tawa Rotary fundraising lead - Elizabeth Sutton and Tawa Rotary president, Karyn Meade. |
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Donation to Children's Hospital
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Karyn Meade
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2022-02-06 11:00:00Z |
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Community,Tawa,fundraiser |
| Get your Christmas gifts wrapped at Outlet City, Tawa! Tawa Rotary is wrapping gifts from 10am to 2pm on weekends, and the week before Christmas. For a gold coin donation - all proceeds go to the new Childrens Hospital, Wellington. Look forward to seeing you there! |
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Get your gifts wrapped - great cause!
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Laura Sommer
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2021-12-05 11:00:00Z |
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Community,fundraiser |
The Return of our Unknown Warrior
| | Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson KNZM, OBE, AFC, spoke at Tawa Rotary on 28 September 2021 on the return of our unknown warrior to New Zealand. Then Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark asked Sir Bruce as Chief of Defence Staff to take charge of a significant mission to find and bring home one of our New Zealand soldiers who had fought in World War 1. His story was very moving and gave us an indepth understanding of the journey. On Armistice Day (11 November) 2004 the body of an unidentified New Zealand soldier was laid to rest in a tomb in front of the National War Memorial in Wellington. He had been one of some 9,000 New Zealand soldiers who were buried in unknown graves overseas. His body had been excavated from Caterpillar Valley Cemetery on the Somme (in northern France) and brought to Wellington. After an all-night vigil at Parliament, the Unknown Warrior was given a full military procession through the streets of Wellington before an estimated crowd of 100,000. The body was then interred in a tomb designed by New Zealand artist Kingsley Baird, which featured greenstone crosses representing the Southern Cross. [ https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/34145/the-unknown-warrior] Joining with us to Sir Bruce at the Tawa Rotary meeting were Inner Wheel Tawa, Tawa Lions, Tawa RSA, honorary Rotarians, and Rotarians' partners. A real pleasure to see all. |
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The Return of our Unknown Warrior
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Laura Sommer
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2021-10-02 11:00:00Z |
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Community,Tawa |
Charity Ball for community milk bank
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| This fundraiser is for a community milk bank - by Tawa and Plimmerton Rotary and Fine Cuisine. A new date is proposed to hold the Charity Ball on Friday 15 October 2021 at 7.30pm. Venue: Boat Shed, Wellington. The event timing is subject to COVID-19 alert level 1, and if more than 100 guests are permitted. Featuring Wellington Band, the Jive Bombers.
Tickets $45 per person. Book a table of ten and get two free tickets. |
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Charity Ball for community milk bank
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Laura Sommer
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2021-09-18 12:00:00Z |
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Community |
Facemasks donated to Tawa College
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| Tawa College Principal, Murray Lucas was grateful for the 200 masks donated for the students. These disposable masks are to address an immediate need in the interim. Pictured from the left are Tawa Rotary President Karyn Meade, Murray Lucas and Rotarian, Elizabeth Sutton[15 Sept 2021] Rotary has kicked off a big campaign to donate masks for students. More than 2000 masks were donated to Porirua College students during the week. |
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Facemasks donated to Tawa College
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Laura Sommer
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2021-09-18 12:00:00Z |
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Community,Tawa |
Apply Now! - Rotary Youth Leadership
| Applications are sought in September 2021 to register for the Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) Programme 2022. We are looking for applicants - worthy young emerging leaders from our Tawa community, 18 to 24 years old. All the details are on the RYLA 9940 website (www.ryla9940.co.nz). As a first step, apply to register your interest online at https://www.ryla9940.co.nz/apply-now |
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Apply Now! - Rotary Youth Leadership
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Laura Sommer
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2021-09-04 12:00:00Z |
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Building Hope Fundraising Lunch
Come along - Building Hope Fundraising Lunch on 31 August! |
| Due to COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions, we regret to advise that this event has been cancelled. This lunch is to raise funds to assist the prevention of youth suicide in our community. Great feature speakers are Sir Graham Henry, Preston Lyons and Jason Pine, MC. Tues 31 August 2021 (midday to 2.30pm) - t Venue: Porirua Club, 1 Lodge Place, Porirua $85 per person. Cash bar available. Pay Tawa Rotary Club account: 02-0552-0015577-00. |
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Building Hope Fundraising Lunch
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Laura Sommer
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2021-08-21 12:00:00Z |
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Nominations sought for Tawa Rotary Pride in Work Awards 2021
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| Nominations are sought before 20 September 2021 for the Tawa Rotary Pride in Work Awards. The Tawa Rotary PRIDE IN WORK AWARDS, organised in conjunction with the Tawa Business Group, gives Tawa businesses and organisations the opportunity to publicly acknowledge employees who are outstanding performers in the workplace. Let’s celebrate your employees’ achievements! The Tawa Rotary PRIDE IN WORK AWARDS, organised in conjunction with the Tawa Business Group, gives Tawa businesses and organisations the opportunity to publicly acknowledge employees who are outstanding performers in the workplace. |
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Nominations sought for Tawa Rotary Pride in Work Awards 2021
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Pat Waite
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2021-08-02 12:00:00Z |
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Community,Tawa,business |
Stuff the Trailer for Tawa Foodbank
 A successful community project, Stuff the Trailer, has been held on 31 July for the Tawa Foodbank. Many thanks to all for your participation in making today's Stuff the Trailer another successful community project for Rotary and our joint partners in this venture being Tawa Inner Wheel, One Agency and the Tawa Salvation Army foodbank. The day was even more blessed by the wonderful weather and no wind. Sarah Opie conveyed her grateful thanks for our help in replenishment of their food bank shelves, in readiness for the 2nd half of the year, as a result of the Saturday’s effort.
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Stuff the Trailer for Tawa Foodbank
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Laura Sommer
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2021-08-02 12:00:00Z |
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Tawa Rotary - Duties Description
Judith Gray, our Club Services Director, has helpfully provided a description of the tasks for each of the duties that you may from time to time be rostered for. This document may by downloaded here. Please arrange a substitute if unable to attend or you have to leave early, and ALSO please let Judith know. Important for catering: please register guest attendance and apologies for non-attendance on MONDAY BEFORE MIDDAY to: tawa.rotaryapologies@gmail.com.
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Tawa Rotary - Duties Description
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Judith Gray
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2018-04-14 12:00:00Z |
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Tawa Rotary’s 2018 Book Fair - Preliminary Announcement

In 13 weeks you’ll be able to restock your reading pile. The date for the Book Fair has been pencilled in for the two weekends of July 14/15 and 21/22. “Why the picture of Sparky, New World Tawa’s all-electric delivery van?” you might ask. Because we’ve already had requests to pick up large collections of donated books and we’re grateful for the loan of the Sparky to allow us to do this.
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Tawa Rotary’s 2018 Book Fair - Preliminary Announcement
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Ian Munro
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2018-04-13 12:00:00Z |
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Tawa Community Service Award - Judith Havill
Posted on Apr 13, 2018
We offer congratulations to Tawa Rotary member Judith Havill, who was recently nominated for a Tawa Community Service Award. Judith was presented with her Award certificate at the meeting of the Tawa Community Board held on the 12th April, by Board chair Richard Herbert. See more for the citation details ...
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Tawa Community Service Award -Judith Havill
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Richard Herbert
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2018-04-12 12:00:00Z |
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Nominations sought - Tawa Young Employee Award
Posted by Don Rushworth

Tawa Rotary in association with the Tawa Community Board are launching new Vocational initiative for 2018: The Tawa Young Employee award. Details regarding the criteria for eligibility may be found at the following URL: http://www.tawalink.com/tcca_rotaryaward.html and this page also provides a link to the downloadable nomination form that can be completed by the nominee’s employer.
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Nominations sought -Tawa Young Employee Award
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Don Rushworth
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2018-04-09 12:00:00Z |
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Rotary's highest honour to Pat Waite
Our congratulations to Tawa Rotarian and Past District Governor Pat Waite on receiving Rotary's highest honour - the Service Above Self Award - presented by Rotary International President Ian Riseley on 6 March 2018. Outstanding news and very well deserved recognition of the significant time and talents that Pat has shared to help others. Photo credit - Svendsen Photography; from left, Melva Waite, Pat Waite and Ian Riseley.
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Rotary's highest honour to Pat Waite
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Laura Sommer
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2018-03-09 11:00:00Z |
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Helping people with disabilities make their own music
 Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school.
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Helping people with disabilities make their own music
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2015-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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Finding Safe Haven
 For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen. After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.
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Finding Safe Haven
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2015-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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Saving lives in Ghana
 What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way. A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.
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Saving lives in Ghana
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2015-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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India celebrates three years without polio
 Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free." The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.
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India celebrates three years without polio
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2014-02-26 00:00:00Z |
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