Time matters. Just as wine tastes better with age, the glory of a District rises steadily with the passage of years. It was on July 1st 1992 that Inner Wheel District 302 came into existence with the bifurcation of District 315. The coastal stretch of Andhra Pradesh from Srikakulam through Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari and Krishna is the realm of District 302.

The bifurcation happened at a very opportune moment for District 302. Vijayawada had occupied centre stage in 1988-89 when the 5th Triennnial Conference was held there under the auspices of Association President Mythri Grandhi from IWC of Vijayawada. The national event still fresh in the minds of members gave the fledgling District the necessary boost and confidence to stand firmly on its feet. The first few years 1992-93 to 1996-97 were committed to organizing the District. The District was divided into four zones,
each under a representative for easy and efficient administration. District directory and souvenir, Chairman’s newsletters were published.

The Past District Chairmen were made advisors and counselors to guide the club leaders in elections and in various projects. Helping the old and infirm, mentally and physically challenged, street children and children in correction homes, mother and child care, blood donation and family planning, free health check up camps, tree plantation and preservation of our heritage, vocational training and youth activities were the prime projects. The decade spanning 1997-98 to 2006-07 was the period of steadfast growth. The focus was on Membership Development and a number of new clubs cropped up.

Awareness campaigns on Polio Plus, HIV-AIDS, Rain Water Harvesting, Breast Feeding, Prevention of Pollution and Global Warming were carried out on a mega scale. Major civic improvement programs and construction projects were carried out. Significant contribution was made to the Rotary Polio Eradication Fund and a District Corpus Fund for Girl Child Education was started. During 1998-99 and 2005-06, the 2nd Association Council Meetings were hosted by our District.

The last decade 2007-08 to 2017-18 has demonstrated the potential of District 302 at the national level. To begin with, the election process was streamlined. Balloting reached the 100% mark. The 2nd Association E.C. Meet was hosted in 2008-09.

The year 2012-13 is of paramount importance in the history of District 302:

• PDC Sarita Lunani from IWC of Eluru having completed
her tenure as Association Secretary, became the Association
President and National Representative
• Hosted the Installation function of the Association President
Sarita Lunani
• Hosted the 1st Association Executive Committee Meeting
• Hosted the 1st Association Council Meeting
• Hosted the momentous 13th Triennial Conference at Hyderabad
In 2015-16, Orientation Program for the E.C. of all the East Zone Districts was organized. The District has celebrated its Silver Jubilee in the year 2016-2017. The 2nd Association Council Meeting was hosted in the year 2017-18. The South Zone Districts Meet was organized in 2018-2019.

Sarita Lunani has been serving as IIW Treasurer for the years 2021-2022 & 2022-23 bringing pride and recognition to District 302.

Major contributions have been made towards construction of Radiation room at cancer hospital and IW guest rooms and toilets. The income generated from the Corpus Fund is awarded to clubs for meritorious effort in the field of Girl Education. A fresh Corpus Fund for Learning Disability has also been set up. National level projects ‘Asha Kiran’ and ‘Happy Schools’ have gained momentum. 80 Happy Schools were inaugurated in the year 2017-2018, a brilliant national record. Bringing our District to international focus was PAP Sarita Lunani who prepared the blue print that led India to win the bid to host the first ever IIW Convention in the year 2021 at the destination city of Jaipur!

The ambiance is cheerful. A bright future for District 302 in the years to come is assured by a thriving membership of over 1,065 members in more than 34 clubs, the advantageous advancement in technology and communication, the zeal of the younger generation, and the support of the elder order.

Compiled by
PDC Y. Manjula Ramakrishna