Auckland, July 3, 2018
The Rotary Club of Papatoetoe in South Auckland, honoured Barrister and Solicitor Raj Pardeep Singh with its prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship at its gala ‘Indian Diaspora and Fundraising Dinner’ held at Alexandra Park on June 2, 2018.
The Club also honoured him with the ‘Indian Diaspora Award’ for his services to the community.
Mr Singh, who is the Principal of the Papatoetoe-based Legal Associates was recognised by the members of the Rotary Club for his services to the community and for his continued commitment to offer free legal services at his ‘Saturday Weekend Legal Clinic.’
For two hours every Saturday (between 10 am and 12 pm), Mr Raj and his team provide legal advice to clients, helping them to seek clarifications on legal matters.
About Legal Associates Limited
Mr Singh established Legal Associates in September 2014 with his wife Ashima who also since become a Barrister. Together, they built a diverse and professional team of lawyers and support staff.
The firm reached a significant milestone of servicing 1000 clients in less than 18 months of establishment.
“The journey has been rewarding and giving back to the community has always been an important objective of Legal Associates,” Mr Singh said.
Winners of Awards
Legal Associates was the winner of the ‘Best Employer of Choice’ and ‘Best Medium-Sized Business’ Categories at the Tenth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2017 while Ashima was the winner of the ‘Best Businesswoman of the Year’ Category at the Ninth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards in 2016.
About Paul Harris Fellow
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$ 1000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
The Early Winners
Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa.
Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin.
They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion.
Honouring Others
Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honouring others.
Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honour of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25000th Paul Harris Fellow.
At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-Elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary Club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow.
The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980.
Entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including US President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, US Astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.
The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006.
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Photo Caption:
- Raj Pradeep Singh with his wife Ashima at the Rotary Dinner
- The Indian Diaspora Award
(Images from Facebook)
