ASTEP or art on sale towards the eradication of polio is a joint venture between Rotary International and Dhoomimal Gallery towards the eradication of polio. The Canadian High Commission and His Excellency, Stewart Beck has also shown great support by hosting the event at his residence which is a great boost for the event. The preview is on at Dhoomimal Gallery, G-42 Connaught Circus New Delhi from 18th April-27th April, 2011 and the auction is at The Canada House on 28th April 2011 (Entry By Invitation Only). 

Rotary International is a voluntary organisation comprising 1.2 million members working in over 33,000 clubs across 168 countries. The dream of achieving a world free of polio is perhaps the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Rotary. Rotary contributes in diverse ways towards the Polio Eradication program, with financial contributions forming an important part of this support.  Rotary is the leading private-sector contributor, second only to the United States Government.  By end 2011 Rotary’s worldwide contribution towards Polio Eradication shall be more than US $ 650 million and in India, Rotary has contributed US $ 86.97 million till now. This charity art auction is one of the major initiatives taken towards this cause. In India, Rotary International’s India National Polio Plus Committee’s is working in close partnership with WHO, UNICEF and Govt. of India.

Canada has long been a supporter of global polio eradication programs through financial and policy efforts. In fact, in the 1950s, when the polio vaccine was being developed, Canada was one of three countries which participated in the Salk Vaccine Trial that demonstrated the efficacy of vaccinations in combating polio.  Tonight we will not only have the opportunity to appreciate great works of art from contemporary Indian masters,  but also, the satisfaction of knowing that our efforts, and our rupees, are going to a worthwhile cause – the polio eradication programs of Rotary International. Therefore, it is truly a pleasure to support this event, knowing that our time together will have such an important impact on the lives of thousands.

In terms of art collection we have not tried to consign works according to theme but the focus has been primarily on quality. This is as though collecting funds for polio eradication is the main objective we want people to in return get invaluable collectibles which they will enjoy a lifetime and will only appreciate with time, for much lower than market prices. The mix of works is an ideal mix in terms of masters like, Jamini Roy, F.N.Souza, Krishen Khanna, Anjolie Ela Menon, Satish Gujral onto senior contemporaries like Arpana Caur, A.P.Santhanaraj, Niren Sen Gupta, Jagadish Dey onto the best of the upcoming talent in the Indian art scene like Hemraj, Nidhi Agarwal, Satya Sai among others.