Photos: Rotary Clubs Light Up the World to Eradicate Polio (PHOTOS)

By Swaty Sharma | Feb 20, 2012 05:43 AM EDT

Rotary clubs will once again illuminate landmarks and iconic structures around the world in view of the group's pledge to the 'End Polio Now' campaign.

Worldwide, fewer than 650 polio cases have been confirmed in 2011, less than half the 1,352 infections reported in 2010. 

Rotary is a global humanitarian organization with more than 1.2 million members in their 34,000 Rotary clubs spread over 200 countries.

Rotary members are men and women who belong to the business, professional and community leaders with a shared commitment to make the world a better place and one of their top priorities is the global eradication of polio.

This year's round of light displays takes on added significance due to the success Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have made in India, the Club said in a press release.

India, the epicenter of the crippling childhood disease, reached a historic milestone by marking a full year without recording a single new case. 

The other spearheading partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Let's take a look at some illuminated monuments around the world here.