FFebruaryebruary 20212021 @@NewsRotaryNewsRotary //RotaryNewsIndiaRotaryNewsIndia 420 ` ͮŶŶƵĂů^ƵďƐĐƌŝƉƟŽŶ Vol.64, Issue 8 Vol.64, P_Wrapper_Front_Front_Inside_February 2021_6_1_web.indd 1 03-02-2021 11:57:16 Serve to Change Lives Shekhar Mehta’s Presidential theme P_Wrapper_Front_Front_Inside_February 2021_6_1_web.indd 2 03-02-2021 11:57:13 Inside 10 10 Time to upscale our performance RIPE Shekhar Mehta urges incoming district governors to think big, addressing The Odyssey, the 14 virtual Rotary institute. 14 Let us embrace the digital age RI President Holger Knaack tells DGEs that Rotarians should make increasing use of technological tools in his convocation address at GETS. 20 Pandemics offer hope too Trustee chair K R Ravindran explains how TRF 20 responded quickly to help communities during the pandemic. 22 Crucial public healthcare lessons from the Covid pandemic WHO chief scientist Sowmya Swaminathan highlights the need to invest in public health to prevent and control diseases. 24 Our diversity allows us to be so brilliant & shine brightly RIPN Jennifer Jones stresses on the mantra of unity, equity and diversity at two virtual meets held by Synergy Alliance and RC Madras. 22 51 All clubs should get PAN and be KYC compliant RIDs Bharat Pandya and Kamal Sanghvi urge Rotary clubs in India to comply with GoI’s new rules for the voluntary sector. 64 Ravishankar, sitarist nonpareil Read about the life and work of the legendary sitarist. 70 Of shikaras and heaven on earth 24 A nostalgic journey to the all-time favourite TV serial, Gul Gulshan Gulfam, made into a book with the same title. On the cover: A dance by Mansi Karani and troupe as part of Odyssey, the virtual Rotary institute. 64 Picture by Vivek Advani FEBRUARY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 3 LETTERS An excellent editorial on the pandemic s I opened the Jan issue of We have also become more tech- Athe magazine, right from the nology savvy. We reached out to Inside page, down to the LBW col- our friends and relatives through umn by TCA Srinivasa Raghavan, video calls/WhatsApp and worked titled Absence of strong views… from home using internet. one human character that struck We developed a more inclusive me is flexibility. social perspective as we came to- Rasheeda’s words in the editori- gether to help each other, espe- al: “If this virus has taught us some cially the underprivileged families lessons and helped us become bet- during tough times. ter human beings...” is my hope Hope these virtual meets will Above all, the pandemic helped too. Let us pray we all learn the be part of all major district events, to heal the environment around us. right lessons from this pandemic. not for free of course, but with We gained a cleaner environment Happy new year to you and your a nominal payment and open as we stayed put in our homes team at the Chennai office. to Rotarians from not only the and nature got back some of its Nan Narayenen respective districts but all around pristine beauty. We also learnt the RC Madurai West — D 3000 the world. importance of preserving our en- R Murali, RC Coimbatore vironment. ice to read your January ed- West — D 3201 Raj Kumar Kapoor Nitorial. One thing is for sure RC Roopnagar — D 3080 that this pandemic is a boon for he Editor has elaborated upon Rotary as we in different parts of Tthe post-corona world in a nice ongrats to Editor Rasheeda for the world would not have had a manner under the headline What Ca well-compiled Jan issue. All chance of knowing each other and this pandemic has taught us. She articles are interesting to read. A connecting with so many people has written it with both substance season of Hope and Opportunity and knowing them face-to-face. If and sensitivity. This pandemic has by RID Dr Bharat Pandya is excel- not personally, but surely virtually, brought about drastic changes in lent as it highlights the issues and we have seen our counterparts in our lifestyle and daily routine as we problems faced by masses across most parts of the world. spent quality time with our families. the world during the pandemic. Salute to better and the community women in Mysuru have Kudos to RC Bombay Rtn Chakravarthi a better place to live in.” become entrepreneurs. Mahakali Heights for their for donating his Rtn Bikkina Chakravarthi Congrats to the club. meaningful donations to son’s organs has donated the organs of S Muniandi, RC tribal girls. trategic planning is a his brain-dead son Srikanth, Dindigul Fort — D 3000 Dr Pon Muthaiyan Smust to achieve suc- thus giving a new lease of RC Aduthurai — D 2981 cess in all areas of life life to four persons. Hats- he cover photo of the including Rotary, as was off to this family. It is note- TJan issue was excel- Features on nicely said by RI President worthy that RC Mysuru is lent. The photos in the Afghanistan, Holger Knaack. RI director running tailoring and beau- article When pictures speak Mohammed Rafi Bharat Pandya has rightly tician courses for the last 17 are lively. Hats-off to Rtn s soon as the post- put it by stating “let us years charging a minimum Bikkina Chakravarthi for Aman delivered the Jan build ourselves better so of `1,000 per head. So donating organs of his issue, I hurriedly opened that we can make our clubs far, 1,500 underprivileged deceased son Srikanth. it to have a quick glance. 4 ROTARY NEWS FEBRUARY 2021 Letters to the Editor - February 2021.indd 4 1/28/2021 12:08:04 PM LETTERS articles. Wish the RNT team a happy new year. Appreciation from a non-Rotarian Darshan Singh Baid The article on mammography RC Kharar — D 3080 congratulate you for bringing equipment by the editor shows I out Rotary News in an excel- that many hands with one mind lent manner. he feature on Afghanistan turns can make wonders and consistent I received the January issue the spotlight on the prevailing efforts lead to big achievements. T recently and liked your editorial, socio-economic conditions in that Another piece on a grief-stricken the overall content, and especial- war-ravaged country. Women have borne Rotarian couple is heartrending. ly the article Afghanistan: more the brunt of cruelty under the Taliban RC Rasipuram donates cows to questions than answers. rule. This brutal regime never gave transform lives of rural women by Please include us as a special importance to the education of children. V Muthukumaran is truly inspiring and guest in your mailing list to re- We are looking forward to the second also presents a novel project idea. S R ceive the magazine. Wish you a part of this feature on Afghanistan. Madhu has nicely penned the incom- R Vasudevan, RC Kumbakonam wonderful 2021 ahead. parable qualities of singer Mohammad Dr Srikanta K Panigrahi Central — D 2981 Rafi and the magic of his voice. Best director general, Indian wishes to the editorial team. Institution of Sustainable Chennai flower sellers: Shraddha V Pai, RC Thane Development (IISD) Will Rotary come forward? Green City — D 3142 he cover story on Chennai’s flower he article on Mohammad Rafi Tsellers in the Dec issue is really issue after sometime. It is better to Tby S R Madhu was mesmerising heart touching as it made us realise that give training to such women in mak- with its beautiful lay-out, lovely anec- in the Covid pandemic many people ing agarbattis from the flowers and dotes and pictures that brought back are still suffering financially as well sell them at good rates. the memories of my college days. as mentally. Rotary clubs must take the initia- A nostalgic reading for me. You have portrayed the real-life tive in training the flower sellers, get Thank you, the writer and the situation of these women, but the fea- them work, finance their vocation and editorial team for giving us such a ture should have come out with steps market their produce to support their beautiful new year gift! Rotarians need to take for bringing livelihood. Further, Rotary agarbattis Guru Dutt, RC Dombivli relief to such people suffering due can be marketed which will improve East — D 3142 to the pandemic. So that we can take these women’s financial condition measures to improve their financial and also enhance the public image condition in these difficult times. of Rotary. I feel all will read the article, Rajesh S Pardeshi The cover, quality of content, print appreciate it and forget about this RC Ahmednagar Central — D 3132 and pictures are superb for which the credit goes to Editor Rasheeda Bhagat We welcome your feedback. Write to the Editor: and her team. [email protected]; [email protected]. I explored the pages and wanted Mail your project details, along with hi-res photos, to read many articles in detail. And to [email protected] the last page (inside cover) made me to pause with a couple of snippets Messages on your club/district projects, information and links on zoom meetings/ titled Heart in a bag and Scientists webinar should be sent only by e-mail to the Editor at [email protected] discover new organ in throat. This or [email protected] WHATSAPP MESSAGES forced me to go through that column WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED. instantly. The features on Afghanistan Click on Rotary News Plus in our website and Mohammad Rafi, among others, www.rotarynewsonline.org to read about more Rotary projects. quenched my thirst for reading good FEBRUARY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 5 Letters to the Editor - February 2021.indd 5 1/28/2021 12:08:04 PM President Speaks Peacebuilding: Rotary’s action speaks larger then words reaching around 400 extended family and com- n Rotary, Feb 23 is our anniversary, and February munity members.