Club of Bombay DISTRICT 3141 THEBulletin of the Rotary Club of BombayGA | For privateTEW circulation only | www.rotaryclubofbombay.orgAY Volume No. 61 Issue No. 12, September 24, 2019

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends, Very warm greetings to each of you. Over two months have passed since I took over as President of our wonderful Club, and how time flies! I am delighted to see the great vigour and commitment with which many of our Committees are functioning. Ananda Yaan Committee, Bhavishya Yaan Committee, Child Welfare and the Water Committee need special mention for the work done by the teams in their areas of community services. Our afternoons at weekly meetings have been well spent with interesting speakers organised by the Programme Committee – the most recent one being our guest speaker on September 17th, GET WITH THE PROGRAMME! 2019, Mr. Madhav Nalapat, who shared his views on a very significant topic Professor of Geopolitics, Madhav Nalapat spoke to Rotarians yesterday about the ‘Geopolitics and US, China and India need to accept the shifting world order Power Shifts’ – having the audience enthralled – an afternoon well spent. MADHAV Nalapat, India’s first professor We have enjoyed the Pondicherry trip of geopolitics, is modest about the and the Parsi Nite celebrations thanks number of achievements that follow his to the great work by the Fellowship name. “He is the right person for this Committee. The Fund Raising Committee too has been making all talk – Geopolitics and US, China and efforts to raise funds for our projects, India power shifts. He understands the despite the difficult economic situation. world very well!” said Rtn. Manjeet in his At the District level, too, our Club is introduction. well represented and commendable work is being done by some of our Past Madhav said: “We are talking about the Presidents, particularly, PP Rtn. Sandip US and China, where does India come in Agarwala and PP Rtn. Ramesh Narayan. to the picture? This country is on track to the idea of government mechanism, its function, management, military, security, Introspecting and analysing the issues being the third biggest economy of the that need to be addressed – our Club’s world in terms of purchasing power. China etc. The collapse of the Soviet system membership needs to be increased is, of course, the biggest economy and the removed the only rival to the US system. with induction of more quality and USA is the second-biggest economy. These That rival system was effective, many committed members. We also need three are going to be big for a very long countries opted to go Communist; some to encourage and connect to our time. In that sense, it’s apt to talk about countries like India adopted the Soviet existing members to increase their the three of them.” model which, in my view, was regrettable. attendance at Club meetings and more We demolished the private sector in India so participation in our projects. And “In 1991-92, with the collapse of the in the ’50s when it was more robust than of course, the efforts for fund raising the private sector in Japan or South Korea. should be ongoing, by one and all. Soviet Union, there was talk of a unipolar world. When we talk of a unipolar world, So, the Soviet Union had an impact but it we mean a unipolar idea, too. Idea is collapsed.”

TODAY’S SPEAKER: ZULFIQUAR MEMON ON THE EVOLUTION OF WHITE COLLAR President Preeti Mehta CRIME AND THE LEGAL PRACTICE. Service Above Self 02 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY “In media, the leader of the market “This would be a complete “Donald Trump has got it: the day China gets practically 50-60 per cent of total transformation of geopolitics and, becomes number one in GDP terms – advertising. The guy second gets about not unnaturally, people in the US are that is the day China is going to find it 20-35 per cent. The remaining 10 per very concerned about this, especially much easier to break American allies, cent is shared by everyone else. So it is President Trump. I would have been very control or logistics chains, and also very important to come first. You see happy if PM Modi would have chosen American’s financial chains. The Yen all these kids going to KFC, McDonald’s, one or two people from this group at is indeed going to start catching up to making a bee line for Hollywood movies, the PM’s office for key positions. I would the dollar. Thus, the trade war with the listening to American music, wearing like to see people who did something United States is part of the existential denim etc. But, I believe, America is without government support and struggle between two systems. We a quadri-continental country: it has without the exchequer funding them.” saw one with the US and Soviet Union elements of South American, African and in which the US won. That’s it! No Asian culture but some elites believe it challenger in the ring. The reality is, this is entirely European and other cultures has now become a formidable existential do not belong to America, which is not challenge for the US; a large part of US’s true. It is very important to be number economy is based on perception. It is like one in the world because that gives you a bank, consultancy and so many other tremendous soft power and financial service industries. Perception drives power.” reality and itself forms a reality. Once the US surrenders that position and the The US dollar, for example, is the Chinese take over, it will lead to change President Preeti thanks speaker Madhav in perception that will very severely currency used for world transaction. Nalapat for his talk It is much stronger because the US is impact the United States.” a top country. Now, another country recognised, early on, that if you are the “From the American point of view, when top country, you get enormous leverage the people told me about the trade on other countries. So after the short war in 2018, my prediction was that it period, during which Americans felt would last for generations. Then, I went that their system had won, today, a new to China in 2018 and there were reports system has come up in the 21st century that Trump wants the Chinese to buy that is challenging the America-led more soyabean, condos, hotel rooms etc. Rotarians Farhat Jamal, President Preeti system in the manner the Soviet Union Mehta, Jagdish Malkani and Manjeet On the American side, I was very clear challenged them, ’50s onwards. That is Kriplani with speaker Madhav Nalapat that it is going to be a fight to the finish. the Chinese system.” On Chinese side, when I asked about the trade war, they gave me a book to read: “Today, democracies across the world On Protracted War by Mao Zedong. In are choosing strong leaders because it, Chairman Mao wrote, ‘I want two sets they see the effect of an authoritarian of people to be completely eliminated structure on China, which can by from the leadership of our party; one: no means be called a democracy. the ones who do not believe that we are My theory is that China is growing going to win. Anybody who thinks we because of its authoritarian nature. are going to lose should be eliminated. The Chinese communist party has such Two: anybody who believes it is going tight control and that is why it has had Rotarians PP Nirav Shah, Gautam Doshi, to be easy to defeat the Japanese is as double digit growth. In other words, it Anand Parikh and Ashish Jalan dangerous to the party. It is going to be is authoritarianism that has promoted a very long, hard struggle but, make no Chinese growth. Voters are turning to mistake, our side is going to win.’ That strong leaders across the world, whether book was given to me by a very top in Turkey, Russia, the US or India. It is official in China as an illustration of what the China effect. Chinese companies they regarded as having been launched, are taken seriously because the country which is a fight to the finish where it’s is moving up the rankings. It is set to either China or the US.” become number one in any metric. When that happens, the demonstration “This battle will end once the US ensures effect in economics, politics and that China falls too far behind to catch geopolitics will become very profound.” Rtn. Nanik Rupani asks a question up in a generation. I think that is the FACT: Beginning in 1937, hostile articles were published in the Nazi press about Rotary, comparing Rotary with Freemasonry. The incompatibility between Nazism and the international humanitarian organization resulted in two decisions that jeopardised the existence of Rotary in Germany: in June 1937, the ministry of the interior forbade civil servants to be members of the Rotary; in July, the NSDAP’s party court declared the Party and Rotarian membership incompatible from January 1938.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY 03

Rotarians Pulin Shroff, Gautam Doshi, Akhil Sanghi and Rotarians are engrossed with guest speaker Madhav Nalapat’s Mohit Jain breakdown of the world’s changing geopolitical scenario intention of Trump, Peter Navarro break it. The only way to keep China out respond best to that; the stronger the (Assistant to the US President, and is by having an alliance with the Soviet government, the weaker the Indians. So, Director of Trade and Manufacturing Union and I am doing it because of I am hopeful for Modi 2.0. Policy). Today, we have two military that’.” blocs like we did in the past. One is led What is your view of the US-China by China and the other is led by the US. “Today, the PM and Amit Shah have said trade war? Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran that we have to take over the PoK which, I think it is a great opportunity for India. and some other countries are very much I think, is very important and for that Taiwanese companies want to relocate; part of the China military bloc.” you need a friendship with Afghanistan very few are coming in India because it and you need the US to keep China is difficult to do business here. There are “I would like to believe, that in our case off your back. Taking hold of PoK is a lot of red lines invisible to the naked we do not have a choice, we have to strategically important for us. Today’s eye. Crossing them has become jail-able. go to the US military bloc and have no Russia is not the Soviet Union of the It is scary to do anything. We need more place in a China-led military system. past. It was anti-US, anti-Russia, anti- public opinion. The Chinese have now started to Pakistan. Today’s Russia is the closest dominate the Eurasian landmass. The military ally of China and therefore a What is your take on Hong Kong Belt and Road system is a brilliant idea close military friend of America. Today’s protests? of President Xi Jinping. In my view, Mao America certainly doesn’t like Pakistan. I think China is acting smartly in terms unified China and the country became That is why we need an alliance with the of Hong Kong. In my view, the President bigger than every other emperor of US because it is today ready to transfer is giving a very long rope to Hong Kong China had managed before him. Then its entire defence platforms to us and and the people there are never going to there was Deng Xiaoping. Frankly, if you make us the most significant partners be free from China. To prove we believe go to China and ask them about Karl they have. For the simple reason that in one country, two systems, and two to Marx, they’d think he is some Hollywood ensuring China remains peaceful, create revolution among Chinese that star – that has happened to me.” ensuring control over the oceans, Chinese would say, if this is a democracy, ensuring control over space, cyberspace. I don’t want democracy. “In this kind of battle we have to take That is why, I say, geopolitics has shifted, sides. And, let us be honest, today’s let’s not be romantic about the past, let’s PoK is very important for India, but I Russia is not the Soviet Union of the be very hard-headed, let’s trade with don’t see a remote chance to venture past. Long time ago, there was a man China and have a security alliance with there because of the nuclear threats. called Durga Prasad Dhar – he worked the US.” There is no chance of any nuclear war out a military-style agreement with the with Pakistan because there are 46 sites Soviet Union. My grandfather got in to ROTARIANS ASK in Pakistan which are at the direct range a bit of argument with him then and Apart from allying, where are we of Indian Nuclear retaliation. We may asked why he had signed that pact with going? How would you advise us to suffer for 15 years but they will suffer for Russia. He said, ‘We will have to militarily improve ourselves? eternity. They are not going to risk their intervene in East Pakistan and takeover I had expectations of Modi 1.0 to homes to nuclear attack at the cost of that place to help the Bengalis. If we do bring a change in the colonial system their country. that, the Americans will make sure that of government. I strongly believe in China jumps on our back and try and minimum government and we can “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” - Seneca

04 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY ROTARIAN GOES MEDIEVAL RCB VISITS THE HISTORIC TOWN OF ASCHERSLEBEN IN GERMANY

By Christopher Bluemel

Aschersleben is a smaller town in Eastern Germany of 30,000 or so inhabitants. It would not be surprising if most readers have not yet heard about the place. It Chris Blue, RCB, handing is not exactly the centre of over our RCB flag to PP of RC the world but it has a lot of Aschersleben history to offer and makes for silver jubilee and enjoys an a good understanding of how excellent reputation much the Germany of today actually across the Aschersleben came about. city limits. With some 50 members, RC Aschersleben Around 500 AD, the big in its District 1810 has a very migration of Germanic active Club life: right from people in Europe came to an many note-worthy social end. Many of them settled projects to speakers and in the eastern side of the fellowship. Harz Mountains (somewhere in the middle of Germany). I am thankful especially Their main leader was known to Rtn. (Dr.) Hans-Matthias as Ascger. Christianity had Vorbrodt for inviting me and made it across Europe in For 25 years, Aschersleben form RC Aschersleben. all Rotarian friends of the RC those days. Many turned into has also been home to Rotary Aschersleben that made the God-fearing people. In fact, and has another interesting Today, the RC Aschersleben evening a truly memorable so God-fearing were they that story: has already celebrated its one. in order to do nothing wrong, In the old GDR times (1949 to the self-proclaimed chosen 1989), there was no Rotary in ones placed themselves East Germany. ideally right next to God. After the wall came down Ascger was no different and in 1989, there was again thus added to his name in an increasing interest in a Godly fashion: “Ascegeres Rotary and carrying on that lebe!” (Asceger may live legacy (which pre-World War forever!). Over the centuries II already existed and was and many people moving in very much a culture) The and out, dialects coming and RC Leipzig for instance was going, the name has changed formed in the same year as a little, but essentially still our RC Bombay: in 1929!) exists in its old form from It was a Governor in West 1600 years ago. Today, Germany who encouraged a that same place is called: partnership between the West Chris Blue, RCB, handing over the RC Aschersleben flag to German Club of RC Peine to Aschersleben President Preeti Mehta Quick question: What is the first question of the Rotary Four Way Test? SMS your answer to 8291925423

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY 05 BACK TO SCHOOL ADOPT A BOOK AT the meeting minds around the on September 3rd, world through 2019, Rtn. Sheila digitisation. Bulchandani’s granddaughter Books may be Samira appealed adopted to to the audience to commemorate an Adopt-A-Book at occasion, celebrate the Asiatic Library. a milestone, or The initiative honour a great was started by achievement, while BHAVISHYA Yaan students crayons, stationery and our Club’s Urban supporting the participated in a back-to- tiffin boxes. It was a fun Heritage Committee four years mission of the Asiatic Society. school drive conducted by and interactive two-hour ago. The process is simple: Rotaractors of HR College session as the super 1. Choose a book of your choice. on September 14, 2019 excited students went back Samira explained that a shortage (or you can request the ASM staff at N.M. Joshi Municipal with gifts and a smile on of funds at the Asiatic resulted to pick the ones in dire need) School. their face. in the inability to restore and 2. Fill in the form provided preserve old manuscripts 3. Pay Rs. 7,000/ book. Students from standards We thank our Rotaract and books. As a result, the 4 to 7 answered questions Committee, Rotaract club preservation of our heritage is You can either approach the on various subjects of HR College and all the at stake. library directly or through the such as Maths, English, Rotaractors who gave their Urban Heritage Committee or Science and Geography time and gifts for this Donations allow the Asiatic online (the link will emailed to in exchange for goodies. drive. A special thanks to Library to continue to build you by the office on request). They earned points for Rotaractor Saniya Jain for their collection, preserve it for every correct answer leading the drive. future generations, and make Every donation counts, no in exchange for books, materials available to curious matter how small it is.

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06 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY BIRTHDAY WISHES! THEY say that you are only as good as your support system. And here at the Rotary Club of Bombay we are blessed to have staff who are not only hard- working and diligent but also supportive and as passionate about bringing about change as we are.

Here are Rashmi and Karuna celebrating their birthday with the Office Bearers. They are both always present at our weekly meetings and other events and ensure a smooth process is maintained while never losing their smiles. Rashmi and Karuna celebrating their birthday with President Preeti Mehta

Dear all, *MODEL UNITED NATIONS FOR ROTARIANS IS HERE!* November 9 & 10, 2019 at the Bombay Stock Exchange!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: - *Rotarians* to be allotted countries! - All participants to wear the *national dress of the country they represent*! - *Consulates* to be invited! - *Exchange Students* to participate! - *2 Resolutions* to be debated over 2 days with an Emergency session and a Crisis situation! - *Training* for participants on September 29 & October 26! A Rotary Club can send any number of teams of 2 (Rotarian/Spouse/Family)! Investment (per participant): - All meals for 2 days at the Bombay Stock Exchange! -Training program & Kit! - Complimentary gift! - Entertainment! - Prizes for Best Speaker, Debator, Team and National Dress! Only @ Rs. 1999 per person! Please email / call / whatsapp Rtn. Satyan Israni to participate. Contact Details: [email protected] / 9821220255 Statistics of the meeting held on September 17, 2019 Members: 93, Rotarian Partners: 00, Visiting Rotarians: 04, Guests: 04, Rotaractors: 06, Total = 107, Service Box Collection = Rs. 1250

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY 07 EYE CARE CENTRE TURNS 41 PHIROZE Ratanshah Vakil Eye Centre (PRVEC) is located NUMBER OF at Talwada near Charoti, PATIENTS Maharashtra 150 Kms from TREATED FROM Mumbai on NH 8. 1979 TO 2018 PP Rtn. (Dr.) Rahim Muljiani OPD : 4,52,833 who is the founder of the Spectacles distributed : centre, first visited Talwada 47,350 on August 28, 1978. Operations performed : 31,631 Indoor Patients : 4213 Intraocular lens : 13,874 YAG : 1817 Keratoplasty : 45 On this day, 51 patients corpus in honour of his late Green Laser : 143 visited Dr. Muljiani. father. Thus, the Centre was renamed Hasanali Tobaccowala Per year around 15,000 The centre was formally Eye Centre (HTEC). patients visit the centre declared open on February 8, in OPD and around 800 1981. Last year, Dr. Thrirty Talati cataract / other surgeries donated a generous 4 crores are performed. It was called “Rotary Eye in memory of her friend, Centre” till Rtn. Akhtarali Rtn. Phiroze Ratanshah. The All Services Rendered Tobaccowala generously centre was renamed Phiroze to Patients at PRVEC are donated Rs 50 lakhs in Ratanshah Vakil Eye Centre FREE OF CHARGE. November 2002, towards the (PRVEC). ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY 2019-2020 NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: ACTOR TRUSTEES 2019-2020 PP Rtn. (Dr.) Rahim Muljiani PP Rtn. Arvind Jolly BOMAN Irani is an Indian theatre PP Rtn. (Dr.) Adi Dastur PP Rtn. Arun Sanghi and film actor, voice artist and photographer of Irani descent, who OFFICE BEARERS 2019-2020 works in films. President Rtn. Preeti Mehta Immediate Past President Rtn. Vijay Kumar Jatia After making his film debut with President-Elect Rtn. Framroze Mehta the 2003 anthology horror film President-Nominee Rtn. Shernaz Vakil Darna Mana Hai, Irani had his first Honorary Secretary Rtn. Manish Reshamwala commercial success with the 2003 Hon. Jt. Secretary Rtn. Satyan Israni comedy Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. He subsequently starred in several highly Hon. Treasurer Rtn. Jagdish Malkani successful productions including SPECIAL DIRECTOR PP RTN. SHAILESH HARIBHAKTI Main Hoon Na (2004), Veer-Zaara DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE PE RTN. FRAMROZE MEHTA (2004), No Entry (2005), Don (2006), Munna Bhai (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), Classifications, Membership & PP Rtn. Nowroze Vazifdar (2007), Dostana (2008), Don 2 (2011), 2 (2012), Information Housefull (2010), Cocktail (2012), Happy New Year (2014), PK (2014), Fellowship & Assimilation Rtn. Ashok Jatia Jolly LLB (2013), Bhoothnath Returns Dilwale (2015), Sanju (2018) and Total Animal Welfare Rtn. Priyasri Patodia (2014), (2016) and Dhamaal (2019). DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. MEHUL SAMPAT Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Social media, Website & Bulletin Rtn. Rhea Bhumgara (2018). His performance in 3 Idiots won him the Filmfare Award for Best Sergeant-at-Arms Rtn. Hoshang Nazir Irani’s highest-grossing releases came Supporting Actor. Interact Rtn. Jaymin Jhaveri with several films that rank among Rotaract Rtn. Zeenia Master the highest-grossing Indian films Boman will speak about his DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. RAM GANDHI of all time, including Lage Raho journey from struggle to stardom. Programme Rtn. Farhat Jamal Public Awards Rtn. Suresh Kotak Young At Heart Rtn. Ramesh Mehta Forthcoming events ROTARIAN BIRTHDAYS DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. PETER BORN Water Resources & Sanitation Rtn. Abhinav Aggarwal OCTOBER 15: Urban Heritage Rtn. Natasha Treasurywala Environment Rtn. Madhusudan Daga

DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. HIRANMAY BISWAS

SEPTEMBER 24 SEPTEMBER 24 Wellness expert Sports Rtn. Sanjiv Saran Mehra Rtn. Dilip Rtn. Jamshyd Mickey Mehta. Yoga Rtn. Sitaram Shah Dalal Vazifdar Vocational Training Rtn. Varsha Daiya OCTOBER 22: Night Study Centre Rtn. Jamshyd Vazifdar DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. PRADEEP GUPTA Attendance Rtn. Bipin Kapadia SEPTEMBER 26 SEPTEMBER 26 In-Camera Rtn. Zinia Lawyer Rtn. Rajesh PP Rtn. (Dr.) Zerxis Writer, publisher DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. (DR.) ASHOK KIRPALANI Shah Umrigar and activist Urvashi Butalia. Talwada Projects PP Rtn. (Dr.) Rahim Muljiani Phiroze R. Vakil Eye Centre (PRVEC) Rtn. Homi Katgara Ajit Deshpande Medical Centre OCTOBER 29: MD & CEO of Rtn. Tara Deshpande (ADMC) KKR, Sanjay Nayar, on private Cancer Aid Rtn. (Dr.) Ian Pinto SEPTEMBER 29 SEPTEMBER 29 equity giants like RCB – Medical Centre Rtn. Manoj Patodia Rtn. Rajashree Rtn. Rohit KKR and their DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. VINEET BHATNAGAR Birla Dhoot crucial role in India’s economy. Fund-Raising Rtn. Pradeep Chinai The Rotary Foundation & ROTARIAN PARTNER BIRTHDAYS PP Rtn. Pradeep Saxena Global Grant SEPTEMBER 25 Gender Equality Rtn. Arin Master Rtn. Ptn. Blossom Pinto Printed and Published by President Preeti SEPTEMBER 26 Mehta for Rotary Club of Bombay, contact@ Skill Development Rtn. S. V. Prasad rotaryclubofbombay.org; Editorial Content, Design Rtn. Ptn. Rekha Jalan & Layout by The Narrators, thewriteassociates@ DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE RTN. MEERA ALREJA gmail.com; Printed at Indigo Press, indigopress@ Literacy / Bhavishya Yaan Rtn. Jamshed Vakharia SEPTEMBER 27 gmail.com Rtn. Ptn. Anita Parikh Regd No. MCS/091/2015-17; R.N.I NO. 14015/60. WP P Child Welfare Rtn. Rajesh Shah License No. MR/TECH/WPP-89/South 2015 Anand Yaan / Elder Care Rtn. Alok Sekhsaria Scholarships Rtn. Roda Billimoria