May 2021 0 @NewsRotary /RotaryNewsIndia 42 ` Ŷ ƟŽ ŝƉ ƌ Đƌ ďƐ ^Ƶ ů ƵĂ ŶŶ Ŷ  ͮ 11 e su s Is , 4 64 l. Vo

P_Wrapper_Front_Front_Inside_May 2021_6.indd 1 28-04-2021 11:42:15 espite the Covid pandemic Dchallenges the Rotary News Trust team is regularly bringing out and despatching the magazine on time every month. We are doing the best possible to ensure that all our subscribers get the magazine on time. But we continue to receive complaints that some of you are not receiving their copies.

Update your mailing The reasons could be: • Change in address, about which we address to receive are not aware. If you don’t receive your copy, please send us a mail Rotary News regularly immediately, attaching your latest address, and old one with correct pin code if you haven’t moved. Reach Subscription District numbers us at [email protected] in charge • Kindly remember that even if your latest details are with RI’s South 2982, 3020, 3054, 3090, Kalpana Asia office, we have no access to 3100, 3170, 3181, 3182, [email protected] that data. Repeated attempts to 3190, 3250, 3262 get that data have failed, because 2981, 3012, 3110, 3120, of RI’s privacy policy. So please Sasikala communicate with us directly. 3141, 3142, 3201, 3211, [email protected] • Please check with your postman 3212, 3261, 3291 or post office when you do not get your copy. 3000, 3030, 3060, 3070, Valli • Club officers, please regularly 3080, 3131, 3132, 3232, [email protected] update us when members leave or 3240 new members join. If you do not tell us when a member leaves, he/ Anuvarshini 3011, 3040, 3053, 3150, she continues to get the magazine, [email protected] 3160, 3202, 3231 without paying for it. And the new member who joins, will not get it, You can reach our Subscription chief Senthil Kumar on despite paying his subscription dues, [email protected] because the Rotary News Trust office has no information about the You can also call 044-42145666 or 9840078074, new member. ask for the subscription person in charge • Do also remember that subscribing The of your district, and lodge a complaint. to any one Rotary magazine — Rotarian (now titled Rotary), or But above all, make sure of the following: a regional magazine, is mandatory 1. You have paid your Rotary News dues to your club. for all Rotarians as stipulated by 2. The club has sent the dues to Rotary News Trust. RI in its Manual of Procedure. Not 3. Your name and full postal address, with the correct pincode, doing so can result in suspension of and preferably email and phone number, are given to us. the club. Inside

12 12 Cycling for humanitarian causes Young Rotarian Naresh Kumar cycled 8,646 km from Chennai to the Hamburg Convention. 20 20 Let’s make Rotary an organisation of choice that doesn’t need marketing In an interview to Rotary News, incoming RI Director A S Venkatesh shares his personal and Rotary journey.

32 Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation The Odyssey, 32 At the zone institute, RIPN Jennifer Jones held the audience spellbound with her gripping account of climbing Kilimanjaro’s peak.

36 Scaling up WASH projects Details of the upcoming WASH programmes planned by Rotarians in India.

38 Covid vaccination is important, but polio eradication is our DNA RIPE Shekhar Mehta and Rashi have a tete-a-tete with RID Kamal Sanghvi at the opening session of the International Assembly.

60 Creating your own ‘black gold’ at home 38 Learn to generate rich humus for your plants from your kitchen waste.

64 Geeta Dutt: the ballerina of song This inimitable singer gave Bollywood some of its most lilting songs during the late 1940s and 1950s.

70 Peace on earth, mercy too A peek into Australian entrepreneur Steve Killelea’s book that attempts to decipher the psyche behind why countries engage in war. 60

64 On the cover: Rtn Naresh Kumar, who cycled from Chennai to Hamburg, on one of his running events.

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 3

K_Inside _May 2021.indd 3 28-04-2021 11:41:41 AM LETTERS

Inspiring story on beautician training

lad to see the beautiful cover photo to know PDG Rekha Shetty initiated this Gof Project ‘Sundari’ sponsored by project. I was shocked that 11 million girls RID 3232, which will change the lives of may not return to school this year due to the 100 differently-abled, but energetic young pandemic. Muthukumaran’s article on the women. In her note, the Editor has vividly new Rotary models was interesting. described young leaders making a difference Nan Narayenen, RC Madurai in the world. RI directors have explained well West — D 3000 the importance of maternal and child care. Saddened to read that 11 million girls may he April issue is a compendium of stop going to school due to the pandemic. T educative articles. The cover page is in- Speeches made by Rotary leaders at IA spiring. RID 3232 has done a good job to 2021 are inspiring. Empowering women through train 100 girls to make them self-reliant. The Editor’s ornamental fish farming is interesting. Articles on note on influential youngsters is useful as are the articles Finland’s PM Samma Marin and Hindustani music’s on the Ganga river and the training of district leaders. vox populi Bhimsen Joshi are interesting. The 5Rs of Coverage of club projects gives inspiration to all of us. waste management is a useful article Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a legend of Indian music. Philip Mulapone M T, RC Trivandrum We are thankful for the article on him. Suburban — D 3211 Anujj Agarwal, RC Chandausi City Star — D 3100 et again Rasheeda and her team have given us an Yissue that ranks with the best. The LBW column he cover photo and project story say a lot about brought back memories of my school life. The editorial TRotary vision on women’s empowerment. RC highlighted the good work being done by a Cuban doctor Bhubaneswar Ekamra Kshetra has enhanced the live- which Rotaractors should read. The editor has a nose lihood of rural women through ornamental fishing. for news that brings us valuable information on so many RC Patiala Midtown offering training in stitching to subjects. Trustee Chair K R Ravindran’s call to clubs to underprivileged women deserves appreciation. partner with other organisations is welcome. Jaishree’s Naveen Ramesh Garg cover story on beauticians’ training is superb. It is good RC Sunam — D 3090

The April issue is interesting as usual; first woman RI President (Jennifer Rotary News has now become a mul- RI President Holger Knaack stressed Jones) who will be taking charge on tifaceted magazine. The March issue the need for Rotarians to expand their 2022–23. The article on the gear man offered diverse articles on the Zambia services to preserve the earth, while of Coimbatore is informative. Malaria project, opportunities for addressing the DGEs and DGNs at S Muniandi, RC Dindigul Indian pharma and avoidable deafness. IA 2021. Fort — D 3000 Soumitra Chakraborty R Srinivasan, RC Madurai RC Calcutta Innovation — D 3291 Midtown — D 3000 PRIP Rajendra Saboo’s reminiscences on polio were interesting. The photo I always look forward to Rotary RI President Holger Knaack has rightly of Rukhsar, the last polio victim, on News; Earlier I worked at Dugar said in his message that Rotaractors do the cover page (March’21) was appro- Tower in Chennai and later moved to good work which is more or less equal priate and nostalgic. RIPE Shekhar Bengaluru. By then Rasheeda Bhagat to that of Rotarians. I agree with the Mehta’s interview brought out some took over as Editor. The Hindu’s loss Editor that women were allowed into fascinating aspects of his personality. is Rotary’s gain. Rotary only in 1987, which is rather V G Deodhar Murali Krishnan, RC Bangalore late. However, we look forward to the RC Nasik — D 3030 Lakeside — D 3190

4 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Letters to the Editor - May 2021.indd 4 4/26/2021 12:06:10 PM LETTERS

Coimbatore’s ‘gear man’ selfless service is an inspiration to rendering service either by increas- The article on Coimbatore’s ‘gear all Rotarians. ing awareness or by making school man’ who did selfless service is Daniel Chittilappilly education free in all types of most welcome as it elucidates how RC Kaloor — D 3201 institutions. Like Project Positive some people have made service Health, girls’ education should be their business without expecting I appreciate the coverage given to an issue where TRF grant should anything in return. It is great that the milestone of 10 years of polio- be available avoiding gender Rotary News published an article on free India. I was touched to see the discrimination. Subramanian; it is indeed a feather photo of the late RI director Y P Das Arun Kumar Dash in your cap. Keep it up. in the group photo. He was a dedi- RC Baripada — RID 3262 Rm Muthukaruppan cated Rotarian and his contribution RC Sankarapuram — D 2982 to Rotary’s humanitarian projects We are glad that you gave space in is unforgettable. He had an impor- Rotary Plus for our Covid vaccina- RID Kamal Sanghvi has pre- tant role to play in India becoming tion camp. This will encourage our sented a number of statistics to polio-free. club members. Thank you. show the looming water crisis in Dr Suresh K Sablok, RC Nahan Manoj R Kumar India (March issue). He has rightly Sirmour Hills — D 3080 RC Agra — D 3110 said that while a very few people die of thirst, millions die from The March editorial (A leader par A novel way to collect preventable waterborne diseases. excellence) has rightly focused on TRF funds The five-year target of Rotary in the gender imbalance in Rotary. It As a club president, I share my water and sanitation projects is is appreciable that RIPN Jennifer experiment of TRF collection. commendable. Jones is aiming to correct the I first donated $1,000 to TRF. Dr Pon Muthaiyan imbalance. But gender inequity Then I requested my friends and RC Aduthurai — D 2981 exists not only in Rotary but every- other Rotarians for donations on where. No nation can progress by Whatsapp and Facebook, sharing Excellent March issue neglecting its women. information about TRF. I said I’d The March issue was well-designed Raj Kumar Kapoor accept $10 cheques too. As I started and informative. Congrats to RC RC Roopnagar — D 3080 getting cheques, I published their Howrah for donating a bicycle to names on Whatsapp groups. In one Rukhsar Khatoon, the last polio Give priority to month, I collected $3,000 as dona- victim in India, whose photo riding girls’ education tion. My aim is to collect $5,000 for the cycle was aptly put on the cover Although girls’ education is TRF in this pandemic time. page. Hats off to Coimbatore man, affected due to Covid, Rotari- Madhukar Doiphode Subramaniam for his contributions ans can bring about a change by RC Barsi — D 3132 to society. Thank you for a beautiful magazine. Shraddha P, RC Thane We welcome your feedback. Write to the Editor: [email protected]; [email protected]. Green City — D 3142 Mail your project details, along with hi-res photos, to [email protected] The March issue had a lot of inter- esting content. The Editor’s note Messages on your club/district projects, information and links on zoom meetings/ A leader par excellence was fantas- webinar should be sent only by e-mail to the Editor at [email protected] tic. Also, the report Celebrating 10 or [email protected] WHATSAPP MESSAGES years of polio-free India was mag- WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED. nificent. Goodies for Rukhsar by Click on Rotary News Plus in our website TRN was excellent. Jaishree’s report www.rotarynewsonline.org to read about more Rotary projects. on Coimbatore’s ‘gear man’ who did

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 5

Letters to the Editor - May 2021.indd 5 4/26/2021 12:06:10 PM President Speaks

Exchange programmes will emerge stronger

or years, Susanne and I hosted many Rotary me weeks to understand how a stranger could care Youth Exchange students in our home. This for me as deeply as these members of the Rotary Fprogramme was an entry point to Rotary family did. I am inspired by the lessons of humility I for me, and my heart is truly in it. When Rotary’s learned from all the amazing people I met. I came to exchange programmes were suspended because of understand a new culture and realised that the only Covid-19 to keep students and families safe, we felt things that separate us as people are our experiences sorry, especially for the participants, because those and, at times, our false assumptions. years cannot be repeated. Professionally, it gave me confidence in my own Because of the many uncertainties of the pan- abilities as an engineer. Seeing how other organi- demic, the Rotary Board has decided to suspend sations handled problems made me aware that the in-person exchanges through June 2022. As we look best person to solve the challenges in my country ahead with hope, we thank Youth Exchange officers, was me. Returning home from northern Germany, I host families, and other volunteers for their contri- declined a promotion, quit my job, and began build- butions in years past. We are hopeful that in-person ing a family business — a decision that previously I exchanges will be back next year. And because of would have never made, out of fear. Simukai the many uncertainties, we’re encouraging districts I am indebted to the Rotary family. I am not Matshalaga Rotaract to offer virtual exchanges as a way of connecting sure whether the friends, mentors, and families I left Club of students, families and volunteers. behind knew that they changed my life permanently. Harare I hope they now do. For those who are not able to participate in West Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary offers other opportu- New Generations Service Exchange changed Zimbabwe nities. New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) Simukai’s life. It can change yours, too. All Rotary is a Rotary programme that deserves wider recogni- members can experience something similar at any tion. It is an excellent opportunity for young people time: I encourage everyone to take a virtual journey ages 18 to 30 to participate in community service this month and visit meetings of other clubs online. as individuals or in a group and to gain internship You will see how different Rotary is around the world experience. Simukai Matshalaga, a Rotaractor from as you meet great people and make new friends. Zimbabwe, stayed with us in Ratzeburg during her Let us build upon these connections forged NGSE experience three years ago. online — and later, when the time is right, enjoy When I applied for the New Generations Service in-person exchanges with them through Rotary Exchange programme, I did not realise that I was Friendship Exchange, another excellent programme signing up for a life-changing experience. This pro- for Rotary members of all ages. gramme gave me that opportunity and much more. Our ability to meet in-person is limited now, but It taught me about the importance of failing fast, we know that Rotary Opens Opportunities, always. learning quicker, and being myself. Now is the time to get ready, so that when the pan- Some of my greatest experiences happened at demic is behind us, Rotary’s exchange programmes the dinner table. The warmth and kindness of every will come back stronger than before, serving a world home I lived in still resonate with me today. It took that is yearning to reconnect.

Holger Knaack President, Rotary International 6 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

President Message - May 2021.indd 6 4/7/2021 5:21:17 PM The Covid cauldron

he second, and much more devastating wave of the High Court judge would say: “Forget the common man on TCovid pandemic has brought India and its citizens the street, even if I were to ask for a bed today, it would not down to their knees. With over three lakh new cases being be available right now”. Worse still, people are dying for detected every single day, we have become untouchables in want of oxygen. In this context Apollo Hospitals Joint MD countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc. And Sangita Reddy’s tweet urging government to allow the tag as I write this edit on April 23, even UAE and Singapore of ‘ambulance’ to oxygen tankers, made abundant sense. have imposed restrictions on Indians. At long last, even But at the end of the day, a major chunk of the blame the judiciary came down heavily upon the administration; for this state of affairs across the country is our laxity in the Supreme Court describing the situation as “grim”, taking precautions, maintaining social distancing, wearing urged the government to come out with a national plan masks, and attending huge religious and other gatherings, as distressed citizens were moving various High Courts including political rallies, and that too without adequate for relief. The same morning, newspapers front-paged the protection. Forget the uneducated people, even the most picture of a desperate man seated under a tree, connected educated people have behaved irresponsibly. But the silver to an oxygen cylinder, outside a Delhi hospital, as he lining in the cloud is the enthusiastic manner in which waited for a bed. Stories from the crematoriums were Rotary, led by past RI director Ashok Mahajan, is assisting heart-breaking. the government in vaccinating people against Covid. And I just did not have enough courage to even open the the way Rotarians are using the Rotary network to help as spate of videos landing up in my inbox about desperate many people as they can to get speedy access to medical relatives crying for oxygen and some medical care outside care in an emergency. hospitals. Chennai’s premier hospitals had 10–15 ambu- Yes, some of those who have taken both the vaccine lances lined up outside their emergency rooms. Eminent shots have once again been infected, by a mutant or variant virologist and Rotarian Dr Jacob John, who was at the of the virus. But the good news is that after vaccination is forefront of the strategy to rid India of polio, was quoted completed, the mortality rate is greatly reduced, in case thus by the Hindu Business Line: “We not only did not of infection. In all the mayhem that we have seen, one anticipate the second wave, but also neglected our genomic politician who has given sane advice is the Delhi chief analysts. It is a pity that we have the wherewithal, the labs, minister Arvind Kejriwal. Through media advertisements the people and the expertise, but we just did not care, he has been appealing to Delhiites to behave responsibly because the number of cases were coming down.” Other and get vaccinated, cautioning them that this time around experts feared that things will get much worse before they the virus has been viciously attacking people below 45, get better. and so on. Of course, his attempt to live telecast a meeting We were once proud of our superior medical expertise of CMs chaired by PM Narendra Modi was inexcusable, and robust, sterling healthcare system manned by among and he got a deserved rap for it too from the PM. the best in the world, and proudly promoting medical tour- Such wise and measured counsel is needed from more ism. But this pandemic has stretched our health care sys- of our politicians instead of blame game. But we need to tem to its extreme limits. Did we ever imagine that a Delhi listen… and act.

Rasheeda Bhagat

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 7

P_Editors Note _May2021.indd 7 28-04-2021 11:42:23 Governors Council RI Dist 2981 DG R Balaji Babu RI Dist 2982 DG K S Venkatesan Message from RI Dist 3000 DG A L Chokkalingam RI Dist 3011 DG Sanjiv Rai Mehra RI Dist 3012 DG Alok Gupta RI Dist 3020 DG Muttavarapu Satish Babu RI Dist 3030 DG Shabbir Shakir One-to-One RI Dist 3040 DG Gajendra Singh Narang RI Dist 3053 DG Harish Kumar Gaur RI Dist 3054 DG Rajesh Agarwal ive years ago, the UN laid out a compelling RI Dist 3060 DG Prashant Harivallabh Jani Fvision for the future. The global goals present a RI Dist 3070 DG CA Davinder Singh framework for a cleaner, fairer, more inclusive world RI Dist 3080 DG Ramesh Bajaj for all. With the outbreak of Covid-19, momentum RI Dist 3090 DG Vijay Arora towards this vision has slowed considerably. The RI Dist 3100 DG Manish Sharda second wave of the pandemic has wreaked havoc and sent all aspects into a RI Dist 3110 DG Dinesh Chandra Shukla tailspin. And it has affected the younger age group. This has brought home the RI Dist 3120 DG Karunesh Kumar Srivastava RI Dist 3131 DG Rashmi Vinay Kulkarni point ‘Prevention is better than cure’. I urge all Rotarians, clubs and districts RI Dist 3132 DG Harish Motwani to restrain from holding in-person meetings. Follow the Covid safety protocol RI Dist 3141 DG Sunnil Mehra and help in the fight against this deadly virus. I commend Rotary clubs, districts RI Dist 3142 DG Dr Sandeep Kadam and Rotarians who have done tremendous service in spite of the challenges. RI Dist 3150 DG Nalla Venkata Hanmanth Reddy The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth. Empowered RI Dist 3160 DG B Chinnapa Reddy youth can be a great force to drive a nation towards success and prosperity. To RI Dist 3170 DG Sangram Vishnu Patil ensure a bright future for our country, we first need to strengthen and empower RI Dist 3181 DG M Ranganath Bhat RI Dist 3182 DG B Rajarama Bhat our youth. Today, India is one of the youngest nations in the world with more RI Dist 3190 DG B L Nagendra Prasad than 60 per cent of its population in the working age group. This is a big plus. RI Dist 3201 DG Jose Chacko Madhavassery Developing countries with large youth population have the potential for RI Dist 3202 DG Dr Hari Krishnan Nambiar tremendous growth, provided they invest in young people’s education, health RI Dist 3211 DG Dr Thomas Vavanikunnel and provide them with the right opportunities. Today’s youngsters are tomor- RI Dist 3212 DG P N B Murugadoss row’s innovators, builders and leaders. In Rotary we believe ‘Youth is like white RI Dist 3231 DG K Pandian paper; they reflect the impression you make on them’. Whether it is Rotaract, RI Dist 3232 DG S Muthupalaniappan RI Dist 3240 DG Subhasish Chatterjee Interact, RYLA or RYPEN, Rotary’s focus on youth is to help them discover RI Dist 3250 DG Rajan Gandotra and fulfill their potential. RI Dist 3261 DG Fakir Charan Mohanty Rotary wants the youth not to lower their goals to the level of their abilities RI Dist 3262 DG Saumya Rajan Mishra but instead to raise their abilities to the height of their goals. And so Rotary’s RI Dist 3291 DG Sudip Mukherjee work with youth involves building leadership skills, learning, unlearning and relearning about the responsibilities that each of them have to himself and to others, and to imbibe values that could last a lifetime. The actions Rotary takes Printed by P T Prabhakar at Rasi Graphics Pvt Ltd, today for youth will help shape their lives tomorrow. 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014, India, and published by P T Prabhakar on behalf We all are merely temporary custodians of our wealth and resources. The of Rotary News Trust from Dugar Towers, 3rd Flr, best use of wealth is to share it with those less fortunate. Baatne se Badhta 34, Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008. hain. All of us have sometime or other partaken the fruit from trees we did not Editor: Rasheeda Bhagat. plant. It is our time to give and we must plant trees and gardens whose fruits we may never eat, but which will benefit generations to come. This is our The views expressed by contributors are not responsibility; this is our opportunity. Laying a strong foundation for Interact, necessarily those of the Editor or Trustees of Rotaract, indeed all youth will be the perfect way to fulfill our theme ‘Rotary Rotary News Trust (RNT) or Rotary International (RI). No liability can be accepted for any loss opens opportunities’. Enjoy Rotary. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Young. arising from editorial or advertisement content. Contributions – original content – is welcome but the Editor reserves the right to edit for clarity or length. Content can be reproduced with permission and attributed to RNT. Dr Bharat Pandya RI Director, 2019–21

8 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_RI Direstors Message_Trustees list_May 21.indd 8 28-04-2021 11:42:45 Board of Permanent Trustees & RI Directors Executive Committee PRIP Rajendra K Saboo RI Dist 3080 PRIP Kalyan Banerjee RI Dist 3060 Investing in our RIPE Shekhar Mehta RI Dist 3291 PRID Panduranga Setty RI Dist 3190 youth is our future PRID Sushil Gupta RI Dist 3011 PRID Ashok Mahajan RI Dist 3141 A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring PRID P T Prabhakar RI Dist 3232 youth is the only foundation on which the future nation PRID Dr Manoj D Desai RI Dist 3060 can be built PRID C Basker RI Dist 3000 – Swami Vivekananda TRF Trustee Gulam A Vahanvaty RI Dist 3141 RID Dr Bharat Pandya RI Dist 3141 RID Kamal Sanghvi RI Dist 3250 May is the Youth Service Month in Rotary. Youth service was officially added RIDE A S Venkatesh RI Dist 3232 by RI as the fifth avenue of service in 2010 to recognise the positive change RIDE Dr Mahesh Kotbagi RI Dist 3131 implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activ- ities, involvement in the community, international service projects, and exchange Executive Committee Members (2020–21) programmes that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding. Rotary DG Sanjiv Rai Mehra RI Dist 3011 clubs should be committed to involving youth and young adults in their voca- Chair – Governors Council tional, community and international service projects, and provide programmes DG Sudip Mukherjee RI Dist 3291 and resources that support them. Secretary – Governors Council Youth service projects take many forms around the world. In every instance, DG Sangram Vishnu Patil RI Dist 3170 Rotarians have an opportunity to be role models and mentors for the young people Secretary – Executive Committee of their community. In Rotary, we are committed to encouraging young people DG Prashant Harivallabh Jani RI Dist 3060 to join our organisation and now Rotaract has also become a part of Rotary. Treasurer – Executive Committee As our youth grow to become adult leaders, it is hoped each will achieve that DG S Muthupalaniappan RI Dist 3232 same desire and spirit to serve future generations. It is the responsibility of each Member – Advisory Committee Rotarian to prepare the next generation by improving their life skills to ensure a better future, while recognising the diversity of their needs. ROTARY NEWS / Interact clubs give students opportunities to take initiatives, develop leader- ROTARY SAMACHAR ship and teamwork skills, community service ethics and international understand- Editor ing. Through Rotary Youth Exchange, we hope to create a more interconnected Rasheeda Bhagat and understanding world. RYLA helps young people learn new skills, build their confidence and have fun. New Generations Service Exchange is a short-term Senior Assistant Editor programme for university students and professionals below 30. Participants can Jaishree Padmanabhan design exchanges that combine their professional goals with a humanitarian project. The outbreak of Covid-19 may alter the way we observe Youth Service Month ROTARY NEWS / this year. But it need not dampen our enthusiasm and spirit. Young people are ROTARY SAMACHAR looking for ways to make a difference. Show them how Rotary equips them to ROTARY NEWS TRUST do so, especially in this time of crisis. Brainstorm sustainable service projects, 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, ways to increase giving to The Rotary Foundation and build awareness of Rotary 34 Marshalls Road, Egmore in your community. And watch your membership grow. Chennai 600 008, India. Take care and be safe. Phone : 044 42145666 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rotarynewsonline.org

Now share articles from Kamal Sanghvi rotarynewsonline.org on WhatsApp. RI Director, 2019–21

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 9

P_RI Direstors Message_Trustees list_May 21.indd 9 28-04-2021 11:42:46 Message from TRF Trustee Chair

Rotary members are writing the future

n the classic film Lawrence of Arabia, Peter So it is with The Rotary Foundation. We O’Toole plays T E Lawrence, the British have not yet emerged from the sandstorm of the Ischolar, military officer and author who helped Covid-19 pandemic and the economic fallout from Arab tribes in their struggle for independence it. We are still occupied by work to raise awareness, against the Ottoman Empire. deliver critical personal protective equipment, and Lawrence leads a group of Bedouin warriors provide support for frontline workers. through the desert for a surprise attack on the We do not know the day when, standing beside Ottoman port of Aqaba. As they reach the end of our polio eradication partners, we will announce the desert, they discover that a soldier, Gasim, has that for the second time in history, a disease has fallen off his camel during the night. But it is morn- been eradicated. We do know that, because we have ing, and the tribesmen led by Sherif Ali, played in worked steadfastly for years, the end of that story the movie by Omar Sharif, advise Lawrence that will be written soon. going back to find him would be futile, that Gasim And thanks to a $15.5 million contribution from would already be dead given the sandstorms and the Otto & Fran Walter Foundation, we are also the scorching heat. “Gasim’s time has come; it is adding a new chapter in the story of our expansion written,” one of the soldiers tells Lawrence. of the Rotary Peace Centers: Plans are underway to But Lawrence does go back and finds Gasim launch a new peace certificate centre in the Middle near death, staggering in the dunes. When they East or North Africa. return to camp, Ali offers Lawrence water. Before Rotary is engaged in so many noble efforts; taking a drink, Lawrence looks at him and says: it is an ongoing story that inspires me even more “Nothing is written.” than Lawrence of Arabia. We do not yet know the This unforgettable scene means more than just name of the baby whose life will be saved because a quotable movie line; it represents a way of look- of a maternal and child grant from Rotary, or the ing at the world. It is a challenge to fatalism — that name of the girl who will learn to read with our we must accept a certain outcome because of the support. When will those grants start, and will your way it has always been. No, Lawrence says, history district — or you — be directly involved? is not written, yet. Nothing is written. We write it.

K R Ravindran Foundation Trustee Chair

10 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Trustee Chair Message - May 2021.indd 10 4/26/2021 3:43:27 PM Girls’ day out Jaishree

otary Club of hold their little gifts brings Himalayan Ranges so much satisfaction to each R Mansa Devi, RID one of us,” says PDG T K 3080, has been spreading Ruby, a member of the club. smiles among hundreds of These children are children every year since drawn from orphanages 2018 with their project or slum colonies and Choti Khawaish (Little Rotaractors of RAC tastes). One hundred Chandigarh Himalayan children are taken on a (sponsored by the club) shopping spree every year are given charge of three and they are allowed to girls each to ensure safety. buy an item of their choice. They engage the children “It could be a dress, toy, and help them choose what footwear, art material or they want from the shop. anything. The radiance on This year the club their faces when they get to took 130 girls from an A Rotaractor helps a child choose a bag.

orphanage to the Elante doll”; while Amrita (12) Mall in Chandigarh. twisted and twirled in a They were split into pretty pink gown. Some of two batches across two them picked up bags, some days. Following a special others tried on footwear request from the club, the and few others were happy mall was opened early and to pick up cosmetics too. the children were treated Soon it was entertain- to breakfast at McDonalds ment time, and the girls and lunch at Burger King. were treated to a movie — “What is a given for Wonder Woman — at our children and ourself the mall. is luxury for these chil- It all began when club dren. But it was a joy president Gaurav Ghai to see them relish their visited an orphanage three pizzas, burgers and French years ago, recalls Ruby. fries. They were certainly His interaction with the delighted,” he smiles. children brought to light The Rotaractors had as their simple wishes which much fun accompanying “seemed a distant dream the girls on their shopping to them and we were sold tour. Little Manasvi, all to his idea.” Ghai sponsors RC Himalayan Ranges Mansa Devi president Gaurav of six, was delighted to a major portion of this Ghai with children. hug her “very own Barbie project. „

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 11

K_Girls’ day out.indd 11 28-04-2021 11:41:10 AM Cycling for humanitarian causes

Rasheeda Bhagatg

ranians will restore your faith in humanity; I believe every single person should visit Iran Iat least once in their lifetime. In India we say atithi devo bhava; there is a similar adage in Persian which translates to ‘Guests are jewels from god, so you have to take care of them.’” I listen fascinated to Naresh Kumar, all of 38, who has travelled across as many countries as his age, and who made waves at the Hamburg Convention by riding the 8,646km-distance from Chennai to Hamburg, traversing through 14 countries and two continents. He is a member of Rotary Club of Guindy, RID 3232. As he couldn’t get Pakistan visa, after being flagged off from Chennai, he had

In Nepal, a stranger asked me if I wanted drugs, alcohol, or girls. ‘I can bring her to your room.’ It was like he was trying to sell you some goods, but it was a human life.

12 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 12 28-04-2021 11:42:10 to fly, with his bicycle as luggage, ride first. He set off on Feb 27, from Mumbai to Oman, before 2019, and landed in Hamburg hitting the roads again. He has done in time for the convention, after I am more an extreme endurance this quite often; “while other peo- 74 days. From Oman he went to ple are waiting for their suitcases at Dubai, from where he took a ferry, athlete; running, and not cycling, airports, I am fixing my cycle, so “actually a container ship to go is my main sport. I ran 3,054km that I can hit the road straight from to Iran” and from Iran he cycled non-stop in New Zealand; the airport,” he says. to Turkey, entering Europe from That bicycle is a Tandem, Istanbul. I always push my limits to see which comes with two seats, and It is with starry eyes that what I am capable of. his present bike has been sponsored Naresh talks about Iran: “It took me by somebody from New Zealand, a some 18 days to cycle the 2,200km country close to his heart. But let’s across Iran. Of these I spent 15 get to his Hamburg Convention nights in random strangers’ homes.

When they see the second seat of the Tandem empty, and start talk- ing, the first thing they say is come home.” He uses Google translator on his phone to converse with people; in Iran it was English translated to Persian. “But thanks to the sanctions, my credit card or sim card did not work. I landed bang in the middle of the Navroz festivities and everything was closed. I didn’t know anyone, had no local cur- rency, and it started pouring. I was sitting at a bus stop asking people how to go to Tehran… it was like asking someone in Chennai how to go to Delhi! From where he was at that point, Tehran was 1,800km away!” A little boy, speaking broken English came from nowhere and invited him home, saying his family would love to meet him. He sat on the second seat, and they pedalled to his house. “I stayed with them for two days; they

The Iranian family who hosted Naresh Kumar pose with his Tandem cycle.

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 13 28-04-2021 11:42:15 Kindness all the way helped me get a local sim card, converted $50 into local currency and connected me to friends along the route to Tehran.”

Extreme endurance athlete When asked about how the idea of cycling to Hamburg came to him, Naresh says: “Actually I am more of an extreme endurance athlete; running, and not cycling, is my main sport. I ran a 3,054km along the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand

The Turkish man who hosted Naresh Kumar for a night.

as he ever had a bad or fondness, having travelled Hnegative experience, like through it on way to Hamburg. being mugged or robbed, I ask “I was on my way to Ankara Naresh Kumar. “Never, ever,” and it was minus(-)10 degrees, he says empathetically, adding, and it started snowing, I was “my bicycle doesn’t even have in the middle of nowhere in a lock and it is lying on the side the night, and next, it started of the road when I sleep in my raining and I was standing tent. Anybody can walk away under an abandoned building with it; but nobody ever has!” wondering how to reach the All that this Rotarian can nearest village, some 15km recall are happy moments, good away. A man came along in experiences and kind people. a jeep, saw the light on my Kids jumping on to his bike, bicycle, didn’t say anything, pedalling with him, and casually but communicated through inviting him to their homes for sign language about going to dinner and rest at night. Or his home for food and a bed. women in Iran putting together I followed him on my cycle a sumptuous meal for him, to his home, a modest single inviting their friends over, so room. He gave me some they can meet him, hear about Turkish food… cheese, bread, his cause and get involved too, olives etc, put some blankets on contributing whatever they can. a bench and made a bed for me. Turkey is another country The next morning, we shared a of which Naresh speaks with delicious breakfast!”

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 14 28-04-2021 11:42:19 right from the top to the bottom in Coming from a very humble which are longer than 50km. 2014, in the unsupported category. background in North Chennai… “I also ran in the US a 500km race For me it has always been about his mother never even went to in Tennessee. It took six days; pushing my limits, to see what I am school… against all expectations, unlike those who participated in capable of.” Naresh graduated as an engineer in this run in the supported category He adds that solo and unsup- 2004 and got a job in an IT firm. and could have a car following ported expeditions “force you to “It was like you have no time for them with their clothes, water and face the unknown. With grit and recreation; after three years he got food, he had to carry everything in determination, you end up digging an opportunity to go to the US. his backpack!” very deep within you and find Meanwhile in Chennai he would Though it didn’t carry any something that you never thought run marathons (42.2km). But prize money and Naresh admits existed. That is what brings out our in US, he got more serious and that he did all this “more for best when things seem impossible.” started running ultramarathons, the bragging rights”, there is a

The Mayor of Invercargill greets Naresh Kumar during his 3,300km run across New Zealand.

P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 15 28-04-2021 11:42:22 Rotary journey begins For the cause of rescuing girls All his adventures led to speaking and women from the brothels in I say my journey is fuelled by engagements; at one such event Thailand, Cambodia and parts of kindness and peanut butter. several Rotarians were present, Kolkata, he undertook the mission I eat a lot of peanut butter! and they invited him to address to ride a distance of 3,300km across Rotary clubs. The inevitable New Zealand. “Initially people invite to join Rotary followed and laughed at me saying who will join he joined RC Guindy in 2019. you. Well, 140 people did join me in serious underlying objective in While he takes up causes such that adventure and against my goal of these challenges he undertakes. as ending slavery and stopping raising NZ $20,000 (New Zealand) For the US ultramarathon, he was trafficking of girls and women we raised a total of $50,000!” running to raise money to build for sex, Rotary’s core objectives, He has of course quit a regular wells in Africa to provide clean such as eliminating polio, struck a job and does freelance work. Ask drinking water. chord with him. him where he finds the money to

People pose with Naresh Kumar and his bicycle in India.

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 16 28-04-2021 11:42:30 ‘Well, here we have a gentleman who has cycled 8,646km all the way from Hamburg experience India!” His girlfriend, who is very support- ive about his mission, also came for the convention and they met in Berlin and cycled to Hamburg. With a chuckle he recalls a black- tie event where he was invited…. “here was everybody in suits and I was wear- ing a tee shirt. I had only two pairs of clothes!” But the 74-day journey was not all smooth sailing. “I was going through temperatures which were from minus(-) 30 to 44 degrees Celsius. I got extremely sick in Prague, lost a lot of weight and was riding with a temperature of 104 degrees F.” Finally in Vienna, he was so sick that he couldn’t even get up and had to see a doctor. “Medical care is so expensive there and something I couldn’t afford. But I needed some medication. aresh Kumar’s adventures include He agreed, and before the ride, This doctor gave me an emergency Nriding across Australia, where he joined Rotary too. He started plan- appointment, prescribed medicine and participated in the Indian Pacific Wheel ning for the over 8,000km-ride from when I asked about his fees, gave me a Race, “representing both India and New November 2018, and “besides training tight hug and said: ‘Your expedition is as Zealand in this 5,800km-race from for the event, I had to also deal with the good as mine and I want you to succeed. Perth to Sydney”. It was during this bureaucracy, getting visas, for so many If you really want to pay me back, just ride in Australia that he got a call from countries, etc.” send me a picture of your safe arrival in a Chennai Rotarian called Rajamani, For him, the 30km-End Polio Now Germany. That will give me happiness.” who asked him that at the Hamburg cycle rally was a cakewalk. That event Not only was he spared a Convention, one of the major sessions finished at a stadium where there was 100–150-euro fee, the nurse too gave would be on ending polio. “As your a meeting and he was introduced by a him a hug, free medicines and intro- mission is to end slavery, why don’t woman. “She asked the participants: duced him to her friends, who donated you cycle from India to Hamburg and ‘How many of you got tired cycling 50 to 100 euros for his cause. “We we can promote your cause to “end 30km and so many people said, yes raised about `12–15 lakh for ending slavery now”.” it was a pretty hot day. And she said: crossborder slavery in India.”

travel so much and he laughs, back seat empty, out of curiosity kindness and peanut butter. I eat a “I don’t; that’s why I travel people pull up to ask whether my lot of peanut butter.” by bicycle, get a tiny bit of girlfriend left me or we had a fight Anyone can join him and they sponsorship where someone pays and then I tell them my story, do; couples travelling in a car stop, for my airfare. I carry a tent and the cause and invite them to take first the woman takes the rear sleeping bag on my bicycle and that seat and join the cause.” He seat on his cycle, the man follows never ever stay in hotels. My cycle always carries an extra helmet. in the car and then they switch is called Kindness and seeing the “I’d say my journey is fuelled by seats, while they hear Naresh’s

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 17 28-04-2021 11:42:38 check — which I always ensure as my parents get worried when they read about a bomb blast in I also ran in the US Iran when I am there — a 500km race in then you can worry! My Tennessee. It took six parents are the biggest supporters.” days, and I did that to raise money to build Human trafficking Once in Nepal, a man tried wells in Africa to provide to sell him a young girl clean drinking water. for sex. “On the street he just asked me what do you want; drugs, alcohol… I can also supply girls. fascinating story. “All I will bring her to your across New Zealand, not a hotel. It was like a stranger single day have I stayed in trying to sell you some a hotel; when I pitch a tent goods, but here he was on the side of the road for trying to sell a human life, the night, random strangers and so casually. Hence take me home and offer came my motivation to me a bed and hot food!” work against human traf- Also, he clarifies, “I run ficking. It is unbelievable, in sandals, and once broke but there are 40 million my foot while running people in bonded labour a 300km-marathon and and sex trafficking and continued running with a slavery around the world broken foot.” and 80 per cent of them In New Zealand, he are women and children became quite popular and who are the most vulnera- did a lot of public speak- ble,” he says. ing. At one such event, the Once he took up these MC was Jacinda Ardern’s causes, he decided to have partner, before she became two seats on his bike. prime minister, “and even “Riding one seat is easy; though I have never met her, she knows me and he has become my good friend.” I carry a lot of Indian His bike is fitted with a GPS and it is connected spices with me. There to his website. “It’s like is nothing like sharing Naresh Kumar Uber… you can track the approaching your traditional culture route. I tell my parents and the finish in the form of food. friends if the green dot is line after a moving, I am fine. If it 3,300km run in doesn’t move for 24 hours New Zealand. and there is no green

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 18 28-04-2021 11:42:44 it’ll be much lighter. Getting some- body to open his wallet is easy; after all, who doesn’t want to help prevent children getting raped? They will give some money. But I want them to also become advocates so I tell them I am very tired, I need your help. Can you join this cause, take a seat and ride with me, and no one says no!” So how long do they ride with him; “anywhere from 100m to 80km,” he says. About the future, once the Covid pandemic is behind us, Naresh, in collaboration with RAGAS, a Rotary action group against slavery, will undertake a 6,000km ride across the US. It is called Freedom Seat USA.

“I will first dip my wheel in the Pacific Ocean and then ride to the Atlantic Ocean.” It was supposed to start in April 2020; “my flight was on March 25, and the country shut down on March 23!” His dream for the future is to give back to society, “and to do that, you don’t need much. It cost me less than `1 lakh to go from Chennai to Hamburg.” He’s happy to share that everywhere people love and respect India. “I am never alone, and always surrounded by people. I carry a lot of Indian spices with me, and in some places, while they cook for me, I take over the kitchen and cook for them. I tell them all I need is any meat, mari- nated in yoghurt. There is nothing like sharing your traditional culture in the form of food.” So once in Spain, while a family was making Paella (a Spanish rice dish) for him, “I was cooking butter chicken! They loved it, we ate a good meal and I ended up staying five days with them!”

More at www.freedomseat.org https://www.freedomseat.org/film

Designed by Krishnapratheesh S

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P_Cycling for humanitarian causes.indd 19 28-04-2021 11:42:53 P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 20 28-04-2021 11:42:13 Let’s make Rotary RIDE A S Venkatesh and Vinita. an organisation of choice that doesn’t need marketing RIDE Venkatesh

Rasheeda Bhagat

P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 21 28-04-2021 11:42:17 ou want to hide under and you always need to challenge chose IIT Madras as I lived here.” the chair when RI yourself, so I give it a break for some The same choice was his for an IIM, Director Elect A S time, and start afresh.” after his B Tech (1985); he got offers Venkatesh says cas- Mulling over the kind of grey from all the three, but obviously ually about solving matter nestling inside his brain, while chose IIM Ahmedabad. YSudoku puzzles, his favourite pursuit comparing the time I take to solve Asked why a management course apart from playing bridge. When his even the ‘middle’ category, I keep a after a coveted IIT degree, Venkatesh wife Vinita says “he is doing Sudoku straight face. says, “I wanted to be an entrepreneur all the time”, he responds: “But after Born and brought up in Chennai, and not work for anybody. I saw a point, even the extremely difficult Venkatesh’s brilliance was evident myself not as a pure engineer but an ones you do in 2 or 2.5 minutes. when he applied for IIT admission entrepreneur, which required mana- Then how do you challenge yourself, and “could have chosen any IIT, but gerial skills. And I lacked finance and accounting skills, hence an MBA. But I returned from IIM Ahmedabad (1987) with more than an MBA! The reference is to Vinita, who is more vocal about why she fell head over heels in love with him. “He was tall, dark and handsome and brilliant to boot. I knew that my mother will love the tall, dark and handsome bit and my father would love that he is so intelligent and a class topper.” In less than 15 months they were married in 1988; “it was more like a child marriage, I was just 23,” he smiles. They have two daughters; the elder one Varsha did her computer science degree in the US and is now working for Netflix there. Varuna, the younger one, who pursued her higher education in the UK, is also a software professional and now works in Manchester, UK.

Venkatesh’s foray into Rotary is interesting; with no family member in Rotary, he knew nothing about it. But being in the construction business, he was dealing “all the time with workers, and there came a time I thought I might even forget how to speak English.” With an architect friend inviting him to join Rotary saying he would meet like-minded people, he joined RC Chennai

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P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 22 28-04-2021 11:42:17 At a glance

Religion: I believe in god; but haven’t watched a I may not go to a temple movie in a long time. for months together but I I have lost interest. am a strong believer. I like comedy. If you ask me to choose a movie, Food and favourite cui- I would choose a comedy. sine. Oh, I’m a big foodie. Again, language doesn’t My favourite cuisine is matter. of course Tamil cuisine, because that’s what I Reading: I like biogra- have grown up with. I eat phies… if you come to everything and love to my office you will find experiment, particularly biographies from across with local food wherever the world. I go. Favourite writer: I read Cooking: Not much. Lee Iacocca’s biography, Vinita is a very good and Akio Morita’s Made cook, but her skills are in Japan in the forma- not best utilised in the tive years of my career kitchen, though. (Vinita and they have left a deep adds: There was a period impression on me. long back when I was cooking every day. One Bridge: I am a serious day he sat me down and bridge player. At one said what are you doing. point, I represented Tamil You are out working the Nadu and was the pres- whole day, and in the ident of the Tamil Nadu Travel: Both of us love to Dream: Personal dream — evening when you are Bridge Association. travel to parts of Europe, simply to be happy and back home, all your time be it Greece, Switzerland healthy. The journey may is spent in the kitchen, or other European coun- be different but the desti- neither I nor the kids get tries. I like Asian countries nation is that! I am a man Venkatesh has never to see you. Please get a too. We must have trav- of few needs so money is cook!) pushed any of us into elled to 50 to 60 countries in no way a motivator — doing anything, but but we both love Europe. new life experiences are! Music: I like fast beat That’s my philosophy. music — it energises me. listening to him was Relaxing: I love to Coming to Rotary, our Whatever be the language inspiring and I felt play bridge and I enjoy region is doing great — it doesn’t matter… Indian, trekking. I am proud of our Rotary the pull to become Western, fusion, but with work, but there is huge a catchy rhythm. a Rotarian. Fitness: I work out on unharnessed potential most days, sometimes on for membership growth, Movies: I used to enjoy Vinita Venkatesh the treadmill at home, other which we’re not really movies once upon a time days walking or jogging. addressing.

P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 23 28-04-2021 11:42:19 can understand, appreciate and spot that talent and make them Venky speak contribute, we can get the best from everyone. Somebody’s skill may be different from mine, that doesn’t mean he is better or worse. We should use him for that skill. As a leader if I can open my eyes and recognise that everybody has some talent, then I can put her in my committee. Several of my committees have members who are much better than I in certain things and I am happy to have them. They are not competing but complement- ing my skills.

Increasing women’s membership: Again it goes back to the club. People don’t join RI, they join a club. When Vinita joined Rotary, she didn’t join my club. Why did I suggest another club? Because I felt she would be comfortable there as it had women members. The culture should be such that the Leadership: It’s a process of and channelised. Fortunately, that club members should be welcom- evolution… you handle responsi- is what is happening in Rotary. ing of women and make them feel bilities and as you discharge those comfortable. I encourage every responsibilities and get feedback Values that have shaped his life: governor to include women in com- from people on how you have I can say with full confidence, I mittees, give them leadership roles. performed, then comes the realisa- have never tolerated corruption in That will inspire other women to tion that you can contribute, your my business. And I am in a busi- join. Coming to all women’s clubs, contribution is good. An image is ness like construction! For this rea- which we see in India, it is better formed, even among your seniors, son I’ve turned down assignments than not having women members. that this is somebody who will and projects. I get good sleep at But that may not be the best way to work hard and deliver. night and enough business to keep go about getting more women into me going and happy. Is it all I can leadership positions, and for two Importance of training in do? No, I can do more. But do I reasons. It is still a single gender Rotary: Very important. All those want to do it? No I don’t, because club, and as bad as a man’s club. who are in Rotary are already very doing ethical business is something And it is a disservice to women successful in their own vocations I hold very close to my heart and themselves, because in a club of but very few know what to do in will not compromise on it. Another 40, only one woman can become a Rotary and how to do it. They have core life value is that I never look president in a year. But if the same the potential and skills to succeed, back and regret anything… I learn 40 women were in eight different provided they channelise those my lesson and just move on. clubs then five can aspire every year skills, and that is where training to be president first and then contest comes in. There is random talent all Recognising talent: I believe for governor’s post. That is how over the place; it has to be spotted, everybody has a talent. If one you generate women’s leadership.

P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 24 28-04-2021 11:42:21 and in the third year of my being was channelled to developing coun- president, I was a DGN,” he quips. tries like India to fund the End-Polio The highlights of his year as DG and other projects. “He’d urge: We should reach a stage where (2007–08) were the official visits ‘Don’t you think we should also give people choose Rotary and say I which he really enjoyed, getting to back, so others less fortunate than meet so many Rotarians, starting the us can benefit’, and that seemed to want to join it. We should be able 100th club in the district, and taking touch a chord.” to pull them into Rotary rather than its TRF contribution to the highest ever at $600,000. Till then, J B push Rotary into the community. Kamdar, the previous DG, had set a record of $500,000. “But honestly, I did not push anyone to contribute, though I spoke a lot about the work So as a spouse, did she resent Mambalam in 1998. Not in his the Foundation does. And the contri- Rotary taking away so much of his wildest dreams did he think he would butions came in.” time? “On the contrary, because I rise to this level in Rotary, he smiles. Giving the “perspective of one was very busy with my career (ship- But it took the newly-minted who sat in the audience at his Rotary ping), I never was at a loose end Rotarian a while to really engage meetings”, Vinita says Venky pre- when he was away. In fact, I was with Rotary, even though he had a sented a fresh perspective of giving proud and happy that my husband “cent per cent attendance, having to Rotary — that Rotarians of devel- been warned that without that I’d be oped countries had given money thrown out.” But by the second year to TRF year after year, not a single he was a part of some club commit- penny of which went to them, but tees and in the fourth year became the club president. From here to the DG’s post was quick too; “I remained a past president only for 30 months,

P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 25 28-04-2021 11:42:33 was involved in an organisation we felt I’d be more comfortable in a But, as Vinita intervenes to say, with such lofty goals.” Moreover, club with women members.” leadership qualities were always a inspired by his passion and involve- cornerstone of Venkatesh’s person- ment in Rotary, 10 years ago, when ality. He was school captain, in IIT she took a break in her career, Madras had fought an election to be “I also wanted to be part of the hostel affairs secretary and at IIM Rotary experience, as Rotary was When I ask Venkatesh he was the general secretary of the a constant topic at home and it when the idea of becoming an RI student union. Adds Venkatesh, on was inspiring to listen to Venky director came to him, he grins and his present position, “I believe the describing Rotary’s work. He has says: “I had never even planned to opportunity evolved through carrying never pushed any of us into doing become a club president in the first out the assignments that were given anything, but I felt the pull and place. In 2001, the president-elect to me over the years.” also wanted to be associated unfortunately had some business The incoming director has with Rotary.” challenges and pulled out after also made a mark in Rotary as a She joined a different club, RC attending PETS. My club members training leader at the International Chennai Towers — “because his said you will be the next president Assembly in 2016, an assignment club did not have any women, and and I didn’t object.” repeated, rather unusually, the next

With PRID D K Lee during his visit to Chennai in 2007 as RI President elect.

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P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 26 28-04-2021 11:42:34 year. “Prior to that I trained Rotary coordinators from across the world at Evanston. In 2017 RI President Ian With his daughter Riseley invited me to train the train- Varsha’s pet cat ers. That was a great opportunity.” Vodka.

On the priorities during his year as director, Venkatesh says, “We have to ensure that Rotary becomes an organisation of choice for people to join. Right now we are marketing it. We should reach a stage where people choose Rotary and aspire to

join it. We should be able well on projects, and are to pull them into Rotary among the best in the rather than push Rotary world for community Vinita’s role into the community.” projects. But we still A few things are need to do a lot of required for this. “The work on sustainable he has played a often, after I’ve come size of the projects we do membership growth. very important home after finishing an should be so impactful that Growth we have, but Srole both in my important programme, they are totally visible. Or we need to make it career and Rotary. I am floating because if we get a huge recog- sustainable.” His analysis In Rotary, a major everybody has said what nition, a Nobel prize for shows that “in a 7–8 year problem is that you a great job you’ve done. instance. I dream of the period we lose as many will never get true She won’t say anything day when anybody who members as we add. feedback for anything. then. wants to volunteer choose Had we not lost anybody Everybody, even if you A few hours later she to join Rotary.” we would have doubled mess up something will suggest what I could As far as zones 4, 5, in eight years. This is totally, will say you’ve have done differently. 6 and 7 are concerned, something we are not yet done a great job. But Apart from other things “in our region, we’re addressing. My priority for me, the way she she has played that very doing phenomenally will be to ensure every tells me when I mess important role. And up, is very important. she has been absolutely It is not just critique, supportive. Right but finding the right from 2010 I have been time to tell me. She missing from home Our region is doing phenomenally has the uncanny every Sunday because well on community projects, but ability to know the of Rotary and she has we still need to do a lot of work on exact time when I will never complained. But accept objective and then she is also busy and sustainable membership growth. critical feedback. Very travels a lot on work.

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P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 27 28-04-2021 11:42:41 example; as the corona pandemic she exhibited for the community at started, we were very anxious about the expense of her own safety and Vinita our daughters’ safety and whether comfort. These are the principles they they have enough provisions. In have imbibed from him. He is not a the UK, our daughter Varuna was preacher — never will he say do this speak going out every week to buy provi- or don’t do that but he has taught them sions and anxious about her safety, much more by his own example. I suggested that she buy a month’s So as a spouse how does she feel his whole emphasis on ethics, supply. She responded that if I do about his Rotary achievements? “Oh, Tabout which you were asking that I will be denying somebody I am infinitely more ambitious for Venkatesh, and the way Rotary has else who needs that particular item, him than he is… in both Rotary and influenced our lives… because of him because in the beginning of the beyond — because I truly believe that our entire family has been impacted pandemic there were shortages. he has what it takes. In Rotary, by the principles of Rotary. A small I was so taken aback by the concern I believe, posts or positions are oppor- tunities to serve and those opportuni- ties are god given. There are so many people who work so hard and aspire for so many things in life. But unless you have that one blessing from the Almighty, it doesn’t happen. We are very fortunate that he has reached this position and got the opportunity to serve, and he does his best.” So is he very hardworking? “He is very smart working. What any of us would take 10 hours to do, he has it done in one hour… so if he works for all the 10 hours, his productivity is much higher. And I don’t say it because I am his wife. I am of course incredibly proud of him, but you will hear this from everybody who he interacts with, including his parents.”

district realises what is happening on projects are done by the club; there are the membership retainment front and no two ways about it.” addresses the issue.” He was tall, dark and handsome A great votary of doing everything So why do people leave, I ask him. “the scientific way”, he says, “When and brilliant to boot. I knew “Because of inadequate orientation I was an RC for a three-year term when they are inducted. In a lighter my mother will love the tall, (2010–13), before (PRID) C Basker, vein, let me add that I’ve heard that dark and handsome bit and my my analysis showed the interesting fact when asked to join a club, some people that about 80–85 per cent of people who have asked, does it have a swimming father would love that he is so left Rotary had not even contributed a pool? So training at induction is very intelligent and a class topper. single dollar to TRF. “If one contributes important.” even $100, he has a sense of ownership Laying emphasis on strengthening Vinita Venkatesh and will bother to find out what has the clubs, he adds: “Everything hap- happened to his money, how it is being pens at the club. Members join a club, spent. He becomes a stakeholder. So

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P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 28 28-04-2021 11:42:44 I tell club presidents, make everybody contribute at least $100, and your mem- Vinita and RIDE Venkatesh with bership will sustain.” their daughters Varsha (left) His constant refrain is that this may and Varuna. be a voluntary body “but that does not mean it should be run amateurishly! A voluntary body can be professionally run. Professionalism is not only for our business, let us extend it to Rotary. All of us are capable and do it competently in our professions, but when we come to Rotary we switch off that button. My constant refrain is let’s apply our profes- sional skills to Rotary,” he says.

Physical meetings: I quiz him next on the exciting part of his year as DG being actually meeting

Vinita and RIDE people, an important hallmark of Rotary. Venkatesh at Does he miss it terribly during the the Taj Mahal, pandemic? “Yes, that is a big challenge Agra. and we all hope we will soon get back to it. It is a very important component of Rotary’s survival.” He believes that “Paul Harris found the best marketing formula. Human nature needs two things, one is to feel good about yourself which is what you get when he you do charity. The second is socialising. He founded an organisation which addresses both these needs. It is the best marketing formula which one can find and will never go out of fashion.” On busy professionals like him volunteering so much time for Rotary, Venkatesh says: “It is often said that somebody who is busy will have the time for everything. In fact as Bill Gates once said: ‘I’ll find the laziest man to do the job because he will find the quickest way to do it!’”

Pictures by Rasheeda Bhagat and K Viswanathan

Designed by Krishnapratheesh S

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P_Lets make Rotary an organisation_7.indd 29 28-04-2021 11:42:46 Doing good with TRF help An abandoned pond rejuvenated near Gwalior

Jaishree

wenty-five RID 3030. Gwalior with anti-social activities,” Work began after villages and Alcobrews extended said project coordina- taking requisite per- 25,000 hab- major support as part of tor Prabhat Bhargava, mission from the local T itants are the its CSR endeavour. an architect. The club administration and forest beneficiaries of a resur- “When we first saw conceived a global grant department. The pond rected pond in Kulaith, a it two years ago the project to rejuvenate the was desilted, excavation reserve forest 25km from waterbody was in such a waterbody. was carried out with Gwalior. The pond was pathetic condition — it brought to life by Rotary was filled with silt, and Club of Gwalior, RID the boundary walls were 3053, through a global broken. It simply was in grant project with TRF, no condition to gather RC Omaha, RID 5650, rainwater. The place was USA, and RC Nagpur, an abandoned site infested

A pillar with Rotary Wheel adorns the pond site. 30 ROTARY NEWS APRIL 2021

K_An abandoned pond rejuvenated near Gwalior.indd 30 28-04-2021 11:40:41 AM Above: DG Harish Kumar Gaur (second from R) visits the rejuvenated pond with the tractors and the excavated Even as the project club members. earth was used to build was nearing completion, the boundary walls and there was good rainfall bunds. The area sur- and the pond got filled rounding the pond was up significantly, said DG beautified with plants and Harish Kumar Gaur who a garden. A pillar with inaugurated the project Rotary Wheel now adorns two months ago. the garden. Over 200 sap- “The whole area has lings of 60 species have now become beautiful. been planted in the region. Now we find hundreds Around 10,000 fish were of birds visiting the area. also purchased and left to The water source will help breed in the pond. satiate the thirst of wild The restoration animals in the reserve for- exercise raised awareness est and also help villagers about water conservation irrigate their lands and among the villagers and maintain the cattle.” they are happy to be able The district has set up to grow more crops as 35 Covid care centres. RC abundant water is availa- Bhiwadi, his home club, ble now, said Bhargava. has recently established The pond can now store three Covid vaccine cen- 30,000 cubic metres of tres and is donating a TB water. Facilities have screening van to the gov- been made to direct the ernment next month. “This flow of excess water from year we have created 40 the pond to nearby canals Happy Schools with CSR during monsoon season. support,” Gaur added. „

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 31

K_An abandoned pond rejuvenated near Gwalior.indd 31 28-04-2021 11:40:42 AM The Odyssey Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation: Jennifer Jones

Rasheeda Bhagat

decade ago, I com- The Odyssey. It took their group five altitude and for me it was a journey pleted one of the days to reach the summit; “the first to the depths of positive thinking.” greatest achieve- day in lush forest, the second in a By the time her group arrived at the ments of my life. thick brush, the third in low scrub base camp, above 15,000ft, two of the My husband Nick and the fourth day was like landing team members were exhibiting mild to Aand I climbed nearly 20,000ft to on the moon… there were craters all medium signs of altitude sickness. “It reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro around and no sign of life.” begged the question: Should we really in Tanzania. It was part of a personal Keeping her virtual audience spell- be doing this?” challenge as well as a Rotary fund- bound through her gripping story, she The summit is attempted at mid- raiser,” said RIPN Jennifer Jones, added that climbing Kilimanjaro is night and takes between 6–7 hours. addressing the zone institute titled not a “technical climb like climbing This time is chosen because the Everest. The battle with Kili is the temperature drops to minus (-)20

RIPN Jennifer Jones holding a Rotary banner and her husband Nick Krayacich holding a copy of The Rotarian at the Gillman’s Point before reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

32 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation_Jennifer Jones_1.indd 32 28-04-2021 11:42:36 AM The last hour was the most

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difficult and required a lot of rock climbing. “And it was just as the sun was peeking above the horizon that we reached the top. The sky transi- tioned from a thick carpet of stars to degrees C, “freezing the ground so poleypoley) in Swahili, which means an orange tapestry of colour.” you can get better traction. Each ‘go slow’.” group attempting the climb is led by Altitude sickness is warded off a group of guides, and this is a cov- by staying well-hydrated and taking eted job because of the great tips they time to adjust to each level by going receive.” very slowly. She confessed that she Jones told the incoming governors had taken this expedition “a little too and DGNs that she was sharing this lightly and without full appreciation of story about climbing great heights with the dangers involved. I knew them but them because Rotary too provided the was most excited by the adventure and opportunity to reach various summits Making her story personal, was very eager to reach the top of the or leadership positions. “And when Jones added that as they set off that African continent.” we do that, shouldn’t we be shouting night with a torch on their heads, When it seemed to the team that about it from the top of every moun- “I was torn by whether to feel exhil- “we had been climbing forever”, their tain? I urge you to tell the stories in arated by the opportunity or terrified guide shared that they had done only a yours clubs and districts about what that something could go wrong.” quarter of the way to the top. “At this helped bring Rotary to life as a global Fortunately, only after reaching point our water, even though insulated, network of professional and business the ground level they’d learn that a was frozen. It took everything in my volunteers. Rotary is a brand that guide from another team had died being to stay focused and put one foot unites the world, we simply have to that night. And a 22-year-old English in front of the other, even while asking climb the mountain and shout just a man had suffered a cardiac arrest. myself why was I there. I had to dig little bit louder.” “While we climbed, our guides were really deep inside to stay positive.” A PR and communication specialist singing Christmas songs in Swahili She confessed that she was ready by profession, Jones said that the clubs and the rhythm of the music created to throw in the towel countless times. that have “good PR are the ones that a pace to our steps. The mantra of But to what end? There was no easy are growing. PR is the best tool for our the climb was polepole (pronounced way out. That last hour was the most membership, both for induction and

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 33

K_Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation_Jennifer Jones_1.indd 33 28-04-2021 11:42:37 AM retention. When we tell our stories in be taken to the next step and the way Rotary, like-minded people will want we have changed people’s lives has to join, and it helps if they know who to be shared.” we are and what we are doing. And a 7KHFOXEVWKDWKDYHJRRG sense of pride is created in our ranks. PR are the ones that are Telling your Rotary story is a great way to keep our members engaged.” JURZLQJ35LVWKHEHVWWRRO She said there was a time “when he added that a few years ago, IRURXUPHPEHUVKLSERWKIRU S we did service quietly; only from the while visiting Chicago she went to past decade it has been one of our key LQGXFWLRQDQGUHWHQWLRQ a shop looking for “a gratitude jour- strategies to tell our stories publicly nal, which was the trend then.” One so that likeminded people want to join wrote here all the positive things that us. Each and every one of us has an amazing Rotary moment. But it has to

3434 ROTARYRROROTOOTTARYARARYRY NEWSNENEWWSS MAYMAMAYAY 220210021022211

K_Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation_Jennifer Jones_1.indd 34 28-04-2021 11:42:39 AM happened to them; “I found my book, and told my brother, who was with me, that this was going to be my gratitude journal.” When she went to the check- out counter, the clerk wrapped it up with great care, even putting a pretty ribbon on it. He told her that he had overheard her, and requested: “I want you to make me your first entry in your gratitude journal.” Jones added that because of the Covid pandemic, both the world and Rotary had been “changed in ways nobody could have foreseen. Covid-19 has changed the way we meet, socialise

and even celebrate. With vaccination will forget what you said, people will beginning, and more challenging times forget what you did, but people will ahead, the world needs us more than never forget how you made them feel.” ever, so we need to remain connected.” They would do well to remember these The DGEs and DGNs had been given words while dealing with their district great leadership positions, which would members and their families. give them immense opportunities. Jones elaborated to the district lead- Quoting the great feminist writer ers how to share their personal Rotary Maya Angelou, she said: “People stories. “Paint it with your words, put forth the human face, making the emo- tional connection. Your lives are rich with content. And you can connect with Rotarians and beyond. Imagine if we There was a time when we did could engage our 1.2 million members VHUYLFHTXLHWO\RQO\IURPWKHSDVW as greatest storytellers. Everything we do as Rotarians affects our image and GHFDGHRQHRIRXUNH\VWUDWHJLHV brand. Telling our stories in a compel- KDVEHHQWRWHOORXUVWRULHV ling way affects the way our organisa- tion is perceived. So do go out and tell SXEOLFO\VRWKDWOLNHPLQGHG your stories.” SHRSOHZDQWWRMRLQXV Pictures courtesy: RIPN Jennifer Jones Designed by N Krishnamurthy

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 35

K_Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation_Jennifer Jones_1.indd 35 28-04-2021 11:42:40 AM on the continued GG requests, the projected shortfall to fund is $17.6 Scaling up million annually beginning 2021–22 Rotary year,” explained Vahanvaty and listed the Trustee decisions to address the financial pressure on WASH projects World Fund to be incorporated from July 1, 2021.

• The World Fund match for DDF Jaishree transfers for PolioPlus is reduced from 100 percent to 50 percent. The Gates Foundation match however will remain the same n the next five years the GoI is TRF Trustee Gulam Vahanvaty at 2:1. planning to build 100,000 check gave an overview of TRF’s impact • The World Fund match against Idams across India. And we have over the years and requested Rotarians DDF for GG is reduced from 100 committed to undertake 10 per cent to contribute generously to the Annual per cent to 80 per cent. of the work — 10,000 check dams Fund “so that we do not dip into our • Five percent of the current over six years. That is, 1,600 check World Fund reserves”. When Covid year Annual Fund SHARE dams a year. It is doable if all Rotary 19 struck the Foundation sanctioned contributions will be taken equally clubs come together. It will be 40 a large number of global and disaster check dams for each of the 40 dis- response grants. A substantial amount tricts. The cost will be equivalent was used from the World Fund and, to only two global grants when you together with the downward trend calculate at `300,000 a check dam. in Annual Fund (AF) contribution We have the experience and we can over several years, it was a tremen- do it.” dous pressure on the World Fund With these words RIPE Shekhar reserves. Mehta encouraged around 200 “The success of our GGs has delegates at a virtual WASH seminar been unmistakable but our AF has conceptualised by PDG Ramesh not kept pace.” From 868 grants Aggarwal, member, TRF WASH worth $47 million approved in Major Gifts Initiative Committee. 2013–14 the number increased to 1,350 In line with the government’s GGs worth $96 million in 2019–20. plan to provide tap water to every However AF contributions rose only house in the next three years. “we by five per cent. With respect to India, have agreed to take it to at least this is even more striking — the GG 1,000 villages or 50,000 houses,” he amount increased from $6.3 million added. Rejuvenation of water bodies, in 2013–14 to $28.4 million (almost providing rainwater harvesting 500 per cent) in 2019–20 whereas AF facilities and constructing public contribution is at the same level as in and household toilets are also part 2013–14. “A huge mismatch,” he said. of Rotary’s WASH plans. “Our In the first six months of this participation should be such that Rotary year TRF sanctioned 1,197 Rotary should be considered as one GGs for $87.5 million as against 634 of the foremost players for WASH grants worth $46.4 million for the projects across the country and same period in the previous year. “We the world,” said the incoming RI are in a position where we cannot fund president. all the GGs that we receive. Based

36 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_Scaling up WASH projects_3.indd 36 28-04-2021 11:42:57 from the World Fund and DDF to Sulabh has set up thousands of public Erica Gwynn, Manager, WASH fund operating expenses. toilets (Sulabh Shauchalayas) across Area of Focus - TRF, congratulated • Districts have to fully use rolled- the country. The ‘Sulabh drinking India’s progress in the WinS Target over DDF within five years. At water’ project converts arsenic- Challenge as compared to other par- the end of each Rotary year, DDF contaminated water into safe drinking ticipating countries — Honduras, held in excess of five years will be water, and his Duckweed-based Belize, Guatemala and Kenya. She applied at the district’s discretion technology for waste water treatment said that India did well in ushering or added to the World Fund. The is economic and environmental in behavioural change in communi- first effect of this decision will friendly, he said. ties. “Investing in not only things, commence from July 1, 2026. but also people through effecting behaviour change, improving their Bhindeshwar Pathak, founder of skills, enhancing their knowledge Our participation should be such that Sulabh International that promotes around water and sanitation services environmental sanitation and waste Rotary should be considered as one of and elevating their education through management, shared ideas to tackle the foremost players for WASH projects scholarship programmes, ensures sanitation issues in our country. He better sustainability of a project. explained about his ‘twin-pit-toilet’ across the country and the world. This is often forgotten when we do technology where human waste is Shekhar Mehta projects.” Sanitation and hygiene recycled into biogas and fertiliser. RI President Elect programmes has seen a boost world- “This solves the issues of open wide, as also irrigation-related pro- defecation and manual scavenging.” jects, “thanks to such projects being implemented in India,” she added. To achieve an impact strength- ening the environment around the system should be a priority. For better water resource management pollution and human activity around the precious resource should be addressed. “It will be like putting a bandage on the problem if you are thinking only about toilets and water treatment facilities,” Erica said. She stressed upon advocacy for the suc- cess and sustainability of any WASH system. “When you are planning a GG project or looking to engage larger partners like USAID, think about how you can leverage your relationship with the government and the communities that you work with because you will be that bridge to make a plan work.” Nicolas Osbert, WASH Chief, UNICEF India; Suresh Redhu, Senior Vice President Eureka Forbes and RID 3110 DGN Pawan Agarwal, MD — Naini Group, Kashipur engaged in a panel discus- sion. RISAO’s TRF Manager Sanjay Parmar delivered vote of thanks.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 37

P_Scaling up WASH projects_3.indd 37 28-04-2021 11:43:05 Tete-a-tete RIPE Shekhar

Covid vaccination is important, but polio eradication is our DNA

Rasheeda Bhagat

In an informal chat with RI Director Kamal Sanghvi at the opening session of the Inter- national Assembly in Delhi in January 2021, incoming RI President Shekhar Mehta said Rotarians will now have to focus both on Covid prevention and helping the government with vaccination, as well as continuing their efforts to rid the world of polio.

Excerpts: Now let me tell you about the we give, we stretch out our palm word ‘change’. A few months ago, at as it is depicted in the theme logo. Kamal Sanghvi: Please let us into a brainstorming session in Kolkata, And the globe denotes giving to the your thought process on how you where you were also there, (as well as entire world. Hence a palm and the came down to this theme: Serve the Editor!), somebody suggested that globe in the visual of the theme. to change lives? the word ‘change’ should be there… and at Evanston we agreed in 15 min- KS: How much of a role did Shekhar Mehta: The final deci- utes that the theme should be ‘Serve Rashi play in your main speech sion was fast but behind the to change lives’! at the IA? essence of this theme there is 30 years of work. It was no secret that KS: What is the significance of SM: Oh, she is my biggest critic in my theme there would be the the palm and the globe in your but she is a constructive critic and word ‘service’. Everybody knew theme logo? nothing escapes her eagle eye… she that. But then when I sat down with always tells me what is missing. the RI staff to discuss and finalise SM: In my opening speech at the This was one of the most important the theme, they told me that in the International Assembly, I men- speeches I would make in Rotary word ‘service’ there is no call to tioned Swami Vivekananda who so naturally there was a lot of back action. The solution was simple — has said that don’t always receive, and forth with Rashi. Normally I we changed it to ‘serve’. you have to also give. And when give dictation but this time I wrote

38 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Covid vaccination is important, but polio eradication is our DNA_1.indd 38 28-04-2021 11:40:52 AM the speech in long hand because club presidents. Because it is the KS: The advice, not a mandate, dictation was not working… and presidents who will take action at the last RI board meet was Rashi said let’s do it. on our talk and projects. And I’d that all the governors have at 30 like to meet as many presidents as per cent of women in different KS: The President-elect’s hand- possible. The only way to do that is posts in the clubs and the district. written speech will be auctioned at MD PETS. All efforts should be made to at an event later! In America, in the month of encourage women. Is this a step You are a great votary of multi- March (2021), you will be amazed in the right direction? district PETS. Why hold multi- to know that in 30 days I was district pets? supposed to be covering 24 cities, Rashi: I am not a great fan of addressing 9,000 presidents! Now reservation and when I hear about SM: Well, this was an American I am speaking to them online and all women’s clubs, without under- concept and till recently I didn’t have said there will be no taped mining the effort which brings think much of it. But if you give messages. I still want to speak to more women into Rotary of course, me a choice where to speak, I don’t each of them online, as right now I must say that we should have the like speaking at a district confer- that is the best way to connect. right balance of men and women. ence or assembly, but the one place Diversity also means that we get I love to speak is at a gathering of KS. Today the buzzword in the right balance, and not go for Rotary is diversity, equity and single gender clubs. inclusion of women in Rotary. I’d like to ask Rashi about her views KS: Shekhar, there are six on this and how will she influence women in your life... your Shekhar to include more women mother, two sisters, wife, daugh- If you give me a choice where in Rotary. ter and daughter-in-law. Who do to speak, I don’t like speaking you love the most? at a district conference or Rashi. Including women in Rotary when it happened was a fantastic SM: I love all the mothers in this assembly, but I love to speak at thing to happen in this organisa- group… my mother, my son’s a gathering of club presidents. tion. And Jennifer becoming an RI mother, my grandson’s and my President after Shekhar is a great nieces’ mother! step forward. I am certain that Shekhar will bring more women KS: Tell us a little about holding into Rotary as this is certainly one ‘Rotary days’ that you have been of his focus areas. advocating.

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 39

K_Covid vaccination is important, but polio eradication is our DNA_1.indd 39 28-04-2021 11:40:54 AM SM. In India I expect at least Rashi. Various moments, as he 1,000 Rotary days to be observed said, but one thing I enjoyed the during the coming Rotary year. most was when he was working for The idea behind it is that we do so Rotaractors for one year. much work that makes such a big Rashi is my biggest critic but difference in people’s lives. We are KS: If we consider rapid digi- she is a constructive critic very good at only talking among talisation, where do you think and nothing escapes her eagle ourselves; in our Whatsapp groups, Rotary will be in the next five on our FB pages, etc. But the out- years? eye… she always tells me what side world doesn’t know who we is missing. are or what we do. So Rotary days SM: Hybrid. Absolutely. Our lives will showcase what we do, take are going to be hybrid. There are up a few projects, invite at least such good things in the digital or 30 per cent of non-Rotarians, and virtual world that we certainly put up details about these on social don’t want to miss. But the charm media platforms. You can select of physical meetings remains.… your Rotary day… be it the world woh zoom pe milna bhi kya milna SM: I will invite guests on the heart day, world literacy day or just hei? (Appreciative applause from condition that I will invite you for decide on any day and do it. Just audience.) lunch or dinner but you will have imagine the kind of public image it to wash the dishes. will build up for Rotary. KS: Now that the world is bat- tling with the Covid pandemic, KS: Ok, on a serious note, KS: So, governors please take what will or should be Rotarians’ I know that you always plan well this message to your presidents. priority? in advance, at least 3–4 years. I would like to call them Rotary So what after the RI presidency? service days. Shekhar and Rashi, SM: Our new task is to tackle Covid what is the one fantastic moment but our battle with polio still con- SM: If I can break my mind’s in your journey of reaching the tinues and will continue till we rid shackles I would like to join poli- pinnacle of Rotary International? the entire world of polio. So what tics. In Rotary, we spend so much should we be talking about… Covid time and energy and are thrilled if SM: Too many moments to choose or polio? We have to do both. Covid we do a project worth `1 crore. In a favourite… our Rotary journey is the new necessity but polio is our government, the projects under- has given us so many outstanding DNA. Let us not take our eye off taken are so much bigger. The moments. polio at any time. And we are also amount is not important but the going to be involved in Covid vacci- number of people that the govern- nation; the government is definitely ment can reach is phenomenal. Pol- going to require help and support itics is nothing negative, service is from our organisation. Our Mem- a component of politics; I believe We are very good at talking ber of Parliament, Vivek Tankha honest and fair people should join is going to talk to the government politics. among ourselves; in Whatsapp offering Rotary’s help in the mas- groups and FB pages. But the sive vaccination drive that India will KS: Your favourite song? outside world doesn’t know have to undertake. (The IA hap- pened in Jan, 2021, and since then SM: They are different; mine is jhilmil what we do. So Rotary days Rotarians in India have been closely sitaro ka angan hoga, rimjhim barasta will showcase what we do. involved in Covid vaccination.) sawan hoga.

KS: In a lighter vein, when you Rashi: Rahe na rahe hum, mehka move to Evanston, who will do the karengey, bankey kali, bankey saba, cooking, cleaning and the dishes? baghe wafa mei. „

40 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Covid vaccination is important, but polio eradication is our DNA_1.indd 40 28-04-2021 11:40:54 AM RIPE Shekhar Mehta conferred D Litt

V Muthukumaran

outh have a role to play in the nation-building process Yas they are the trustees of posterity for the future, said RIPE Shekhar Mehta, after accepting the D Litt (honoris causa) presented by PDG Ashok Gupta, Chancellor of the deemed university India Interna- tional School, Jaipur. “It is the duty of every citizen to uplift the poor liv- ing without a toilet and other basic amenities in the country,” he said. Mehta was conferred the D Litt for his work in literacy. Recalling his past, he said till 35 he had led a luxurious life with all the comforts of a well-to-do family. “I got the first look at a different world in a village 50km from Kolkata, after I joined Rotary. Here men and buffaloes shared the same water for bathing, had From L: RIPE Shekhar Mehta, IIS Chancellor Ashok Gupta and no toilets in their mud homes, and a former UGC chairman Sukhadeo Thorat. school with single teacher functioned under a tree with charcoal smeared fully literate in just one year,” he said. colleges and English medium schools wall as blackboard.” In India, he said, Reiterating his vision to make India due to traditional bias, cultural factors people lived in two separate worlds — 100 per cent literate by 2025, Mehta and economic issues.” The GoI must one in which there is so much and in said that “challenges and difficult come out with special schemes and the other there is so little; there are tasks were stepping stones for suc- incentives to set right these histori- people talking of space and living in cessful people and as nation-builders, cal wrongs being meted out to Indian skyscrapers on one side; and in the you have to make India a strong, pow- women, he said. other, families live in hutments with- erful country.” While the country is Justice Shivraj V Patil, former SC out basic sanitation. “It is our respon- progressing towards its deserving sta- judge, who also received the D Litt, sibility to change the living conditions tus in the world, “you can speed up said the trinity of modern education — of the underprivileged by reaching out the work in this direction,” he told the knowledge, skills and human values — to them,” he said. graduates. is critical to make India a strong and Delivering the convocation address, happy country in the world. Adult illiteracy Prof Sukhadeo Thorat, former UGC Ashok Gupta, a past governor In the last Census (2011) India’s lit- chairman and emeritus professor, from RID 3054, recalled the Interna- eracy was just short of 75 per cent JNU, said while the gender gap in the tional College for Girls (ICG) started and at present, 20 per cent of adult enrolment ratio and access to higher in 1995 has become a centre for aca- population (18 crore) was illiterate. education has narrowed, “still many demic excellence in IIS which offers a “Each one of you should make literate girls from notified communities, back- wide range of progammes in science, at least 10 adult illiterates. If we can ward castes and Muslims do not have arts, social science, commerce and accomplish this, India will become access to professional courses, private management. „

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 41

K_RIPE Shekhar Mehta gets D Litt for literacy work.indd 41 28-04-2021 11:42:24 AM A Pune club takes up diverse projects for disabled Team Rotary News

doctor, but “after examin- ing her, we realised that her goal was not achiev- able.” She was given counselling by doctors, and Anita is now charged up to crack the UPSC and MPSC competitive exams with rigorous study, said Mehta. Anita will be enrolled in a coaching academy in Pune for preparations to take up the exams. Out of the estimated cost of `3 lakh covering tuition fees, hostel charges, books, travel and other incidentals over the next one year, her family will bear `50,000 and the rest eaching out to the Wagholi home also revenue for taking care of `2.5 lakh will be met by visually-impaired performs orchestra the expenses at the two well-wishers and club Ryouth, RC Poona shows at social and homes. The vocational donors. Downtown, RID 3131, religious events to centres (`77,000) were set up vocational centres augment resources for funded by the CSR arm Tricycles to at Luis Braille Apang the inmates. “We have of Triveni Pattern Glass, differently-abled Sanstha in Wagholi, a donated three sewing apart from contributions Physically-challenged suburb in Pune, which machines along with raw from club members Sudam Shinde from Yavat has 100 boys and girls, materials such as cloth, Aruna Rathi and Rama village, Daund taluk in and at Sai Guru Seva knitting wool, beads and Sivaram for this project. Pune district, was donated Sanstha in Narhe, a city frames, weaving plastic, a tricycle. “This gave a neighbourhood, that hosts jute and other tools for Prosthetic hand to good visibility to our club 20 girls. them to start producing aspiring girl and also enabled him to Both the institutions a variety of utility items Young Anita Shinde was start a small business,” sustain themselves by and sell through their fitted with a prosthetic said Mehta. Another producing handcrafted channels,” said Kirti hand (Ottobock Myo- tricycle was given to items like bags, candles, Mehta, club’s director. fascial) and was fully Janardhan More from caps, baskets and scarfs He was hopeful that trained in its effective Shaniwar Wada in Pune which are sold through the vocational centres use by the club. Earlier, and a third one sponsored market contacts. The would provide monthly she wanted to become a by Rtn Dipti Bhonsle was

42 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

A Pune club takes up diverse projects for disabled - May 2021.indd 42 4/26/2021 7:00:16 PM Wheelchair-bound Sagar Khaladkar with his students.

donated to Kailas Nivgune. “Now children are being coached by Sagar for the disabled and “this year that they are mobile, we will sup- Khaladkar who moves around on an under the leadership of president port the beneficiaries in identifying electric wheelchair donated by our Phiroze Masters we are continu- suitable vocation to make them club,” adds Mehta. ing with our tradition.” Chartered financially strong,” he added. Recently, the club donated an in 1986, the club is popular for Following recommendations ECG machine (`45,000) to the holding mega LN-4 hand fitment from Rtn Jitu Mehta and the club, Family Planning Association of camps in partnership with other the Pravin Masalewale Trust donated India, Pune, for scanning expect- Rotary clubs in India. “So far, a range of sports equipment to the ant mothers from lower strata of we have distributed around 4,000 Abhijitdada Kadam Sports Nursery society. LN-4 prosthetics at more than 50 which is being patronised by the The club has a long history artificial hand fitment camps,” slum children at Kothrud. “The of doing noteworthy projects he added.„

Reaching out to the needy

Team Rotary News

otary Club of Club president RPhagwara Mid- Surendra Pal Varma town, RID 3070, presented PPE kits to presented jackets to the the ESI Hospital to pro- inmates of an old age vide protection for the home and an orphanage doctors and care givers in Phagwara, a town from Covid. The club 20km from Kapurtala in members distributed the Punjab. The club is immunity booster juice providing provisions to and nutritious food, these institutions every masks and sanitisers to month since the start of the public and patients the year. at local hospitals.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 43

A Pune club takes up diverse projects for disabled - May 2021.indd 43 4/26/2021 7:00:16 PM RIPE Shekhar Mehta felicitated in Pokhara, Nepal

Team Rotary News

RIPE Shekhar Mehta and Rashi presenting a Rotary Journo Award to a journalist in the presence of PDG Kiran Lal Shrestha and DG Rajib Pokhrel.

otary clubs in to make Nepal 100 per machine ($95,000) of Bandipur to promote Nepal and Bhutan cent literate by 2030,” he to the Himalaya Eye tourism. Addressing the Runder RID 3292 said. All the 17 clubs from Hospital, Gharipatan. presidents-elect, Mehta have grown strong after Region-4 of RID 3292, This GG project was urged them to focus on bifurcation from Kolkata, Nepal, felicitated RIPE supported by RC Akita teamwork and reach out said RIPE Shekhar Mehta Shekhar Mehta and Rashi. North, RID 2540, Japan, to the needy. Service during his two-day visit RRFC Basudev which partnered with and membership growth to Pokhara, Nepal, in Golyan and over 175 RC Pokhara Midtown, should be their mantra, February. Rotarians including past the implementing club. he said. He expressed happi- governors were present The equipment helps in ness that he served as dis- at the programme. Event treating retinal disorder Awards for Nepal trict governor (1999–2000) chair Keshab Prasad in patients with diabetes journalists when Nepal clubs were Acharya gave the welcome and hypertension. Mehta presented Rotary part of RID 3290 before speech and IPDG Kiran He also handed over Journo Awards and Basu the district got divided into Lal Shrestha introduced 13 street lamps to the Rotary Vocational Awards 3291 and 3292. He urged RIPE Mehta to the Bandipur Rural Munic- to 16 media people and Rotarians to set big goals, gathering. ipality. This project was journalists who had and serve to change lives. Mehta handed over executed by RC Chitwan written or covered about “Rotarians must work hard an OCT angiography as part of beautification Rotary projects across the

44 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

RIPE Shekhar Mehta felicitated in Pokhara, Nepal - May 2021.indd 44 4/26/2021 6:11:13 PM seven provinces of this Himalayan country. In his address, he noted that Nepali journal- ists are working closely with Rotary for doing good in the world and “in the coming days media should continue to do so for the betterment of the needy.” It was during the tenure of PDG Tirtha Man Sakhya (2011–12), the Journo Awards were instituted to build a good rapport between RID 3292 and the media fraternity.Each award RIPE Mehta takes a look at the angiography equipment. carries a certificate of appreciation for enhanc- ing the public image of Vocational Awards for Arthik Karobar, a popular Awards (`10 lakh) Rotary and a cash prize good governance to Ajay daily. This award carries were sponsored by Rtn of Nepali `25,000. Babu Sibakoti, chief a cash prize of Nepali `5 Surendra Govinda Joshi Mehta also handed editor, Hamrakura.com lakh and a commendation and his spouse Badri over Basu Rotary and Prahlad Rijal from letter each. The Basu Laxmi.„

100 recipients receive RC Calcutta’s Endowment Awards

ne hundred people from var- that the endowment fund had a corpus earned from the corpus which aggre- Oious walks of life in Kolkata of `2.11 crore and the award money gated to `14.5 lakh. The applications were chosen this year to receive the was distributed from the income were vetted by Arun Kumar Dutta, endowment awards presented retired chief justice, Kolkata annually by RC Calcutta, RID High Court. 3291, through its welfare trust. PDG Prabhat Rohatgi who The recipients included children had initiated the scheme 29 from orphanages and econom- years ago with just two donors ically deprived families who said that he was happy that the want to pursue education, dif- corpus has grown to its present ferently-abled people, patients size facilitating its reach to more suffering from genetic illness, needy people. He committed a cash-strapped NGOs and chil- personal donation for the cre- dren with exceptional brilliance ation of another endowment in in education and arts. memory of his recently deceased DG Sudip Mukerjee distrib- brother Dilip Rohatgi who was uted the awards at the Rotary also the club’s past president. Sadan. The trust’s chairman A visually-challenged Club president Debashis Mitra Purnendhu Roychoudhury said beneficiary gets an award. delivered a vote of thanks.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 45

RIPE Shekhar Mehta felicitated in Pokhara, Nepal - May 2021.indd 45 4/26/2021 6:11:13 PM District Wise TRF Contributions as on March 2021 (in US Dollars) District Annual PolioPlus Endowment Other Total EREY Donors EREY Number Fund Fund Funds Contributions (in numbers) % India 2981 71,287 4,872 12,128 0 88,286 325 6.7 2982 35,987 16,949 20,770 47,517 121,224 109 3.6 3000 79,183 26,024 492 46,696 152,396 80 1.6 3011 143,087 15,050 65,653 230,754 454,543 121 3.3 3012 12,808 2,580 0 42,321 57,710 76 2.1 3020 162,230 65,862 66,514 42,726 337,331 280 6.9 3030 40,070 2,284 25,743 143,546 211,643 111 2.2 3040 36,356 344 0 6,700 43,399 46 2.2 3053 16,350 3,298 0 158,468 178,116 36 1.3 3054 74,242 3,512 0 372,519 450,273 265 4.4 3060 77,078 1,216 104,757 160,075 343,126 1319 30.3 3070 39,919 1,149 0 53,163 94,231 270 8.6 3080 54,493 13,100 0 (19,761) 47,832 175 5.3 3090 35,919 533 0 (736) 35,716 117 5.3 3100 58,319 252 0 14,770 73,341 192 8.5 3110 30,718 200 0 0 30,918 64 1.8 3120 14,261 1,769 0 8,913 24,944 114 3.4 3131 181,322 41,318 109,104 694,433 1,026,177 803 15.7 3132 22,263 2,643 5,000 6,451 36,356 51 1.5 3141 534,485 44,359 141,901 1,152,540 1,873,285 862 16.2 3142 223,575 33,184 451 50,370 307,580 781 24.4 3150 118,262 9,841 155,043 36,257 319,404 742 22.4 3160 28,904 8,893 16 0 37,813 66 2.6 3170 51,761 23,939 1,240 175,582 252,521 257 4.5 3181 71,508 6,289 0 7,050 84,846 309 9.2 3182 85,862 6,124 0 16,207 108,193 379 12.3 3190 165,216 77,133 52,035 219,520 513,904 811 16.2 3201 139,453 33,715 0 295,423 468,591 535 9.6 3202 51,769 23,252 8,468 54,957 138,446 155 2.9 3211 47,482 3,441 0 106,341 157,263 71 1.6 3212 29,320 51,362 14 140,733 221,428 54 1.3 3231 4,221 488 0 20,685 25,394 17 0.4 3232 71,328 39,771 6,500 1,056,130 1,173,729 178 3.1 3240 116,527 24,920 0 49,328 190,775 248 8.1 3250 43,217 4,439 7,195 52,911 107,761 337 9.1 3261 86,362 1,733 0 7,471 95,567 36 1.4 3262 97,918 3,151 2,542 0 103,610 143 4.0 3291 73,287 12,718 35,758 71,048 192,811 131 3.6 India Total 3,226,348 611,706 821,326 5,521,107 10,180,487 10,666 7.2 3220 Sri Lanka 162,988 21,022 26,000 46,781 256,792 250 13.1 3271 Pakistan 27,984 97,291 0 239,793 365,068 198 12.2 3272 Pakistan 67,497 15,539 0 1,168 84,204 412 24.6 3281 Bangladesh 188,652 10,451 31,000 290,777 520,880 431 6.1 3282 Bangladesh 62,340 6,234 0 8,270 76,844 121 3.0 3292 Nepal 269,151 9,867 0 225,591 504,610 1765 35.7 South Asia Total 4,004,961 772,110 878,326 6,333,488 11,988,885 13,843 8.2 Source: RI South Asia Office

TRF Details - May 2021.indd 46 4/26/2021 6:14:38 PM ADVT.

Message from Rotary India Literacy Mission Programme Director For children, books are similar to dreams and the most precisions gift one can give to child is the opportunity to dream. I congratulate all clubs of RID 2982 who are participating in the “PADHO BHARAT” Library Creation and Creating 428 libraries in Rural Government & Aided Schools in Tamilnadu. RILM is extremely happy to support the project with 24,000 books for donation. Under leadership of RID 2982 DG K S Venkatesan, DLCC A Venkateswara Gupta & Team together, we will create more such libraries in future. My special thanks to TEACH team. JHILAM ROY CHOWDHURY Programme Director, RILM.

P_Advt_TEACH.indd 47 28-04-2021 11:42:19 Delhi Rotarians form Indian Fellowship for Cycling to Serve

Kiran Zehra

nspired by the International events. It is all about fitness, fellow- cycling fellowship in Delhi. “They had Fellowship of Cycling Rotar- ship and aims to raise funds for good organised a great ride in line with pro- ians (FCS, that is, Fellowship causes,” says Narinder Kumar Lamba, moting Rotary’s public image as rec- for Cycling to Serve), RC Delhi club president. ommended by the fellowship,” he says Manthan, RID 3011, took the While the first rally felicitated and adds that FCS Germany organised Ilead in forming the Indian Interna- a cyclist Mahesh Kumar, who com- a couple of virtual rallies through an tional Fellowship of Cycling Rotari- pleted a 6,000km solo ride across India app. “First, we had Eschborn-Frank- ans and it has hosted two major events to promote peace, the second rally was furt Velotour, through which we raised in April this year. Last year when the a promotional event where members of €27,000 along with the grant from the club organised the Ride to End Polio the fellowship participated in a Cyclist Gates Foundation for End Polio; this in Delhi and raised $10,000, the then Reunion, an annual event conducted was followed by the climbing of the club president came up with a plan to by cycling enthusiasts in the national Pordoi Pass.” He praised the efforts of institutionalise the cycling activities in capital region. RID 3190 in organising a Cycling to this part of the Rotary world. “Fellow- Jean Luc Berger, president, Inter- Serve rally last July where the fellow- ship of Cycling Rotarians goes beyond national FCS, RID 1700, congratu- ship members helped 95 families by pedalling, grand flag-offs and closing lated Lamba on the formation of the distributing food and ration kits. “The

Some members of the Delhi NCR Fellowship for Cycling to Serve.

48 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Delhi Rotarians form Indian Fellowship for Cycling to Serve.indd 48 28-04-2021 11:41:03 AM A bicycle tour from Innsbruck to Rome organised by the Fellowship for Cycling to Serve, Austria.

fellowship is not just about grinding away with perspiration while crossing the finish line to the cheers of support- ers; the objective is to develop and promote worldwide friendship through cycling competitively and recreation- ally,” says James Morrison, vice-presi- dent, International FCS, RID 5340, US/ Canada. DG Sanjiv Rai Mehra, RID 3011, appreciated the idea of a cycling fel- lowship for Indian Rotarians and Rota- ractors. He named it the Delhi NCR Fellowship for Cycling to Serve. Inter- national FCS was formed 33 years ago by Rotarians in Belgium and France, says Lamba. With the support of local Rotary clubs and sponsors, a number of Rotary projects were implemented and millions of dollars were raised since its formation and through the Ride to End Polio. The Delhi NCR FCS plans to host an annual End Polio Now cycle rally on World Polio Day to create awareness and raise funds. People of all ages are discovering the health and mental ben- efits of cycling. “Health, fellowship and service are accomplished with pedalling by Rotar- RI General Secretary John Hewko ready for an End ians and Rotaractors. What better way Polio Now cycle rally. to stay in shape?” smiles Lamba. „

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 49

K_Delhi Rotarians form Indian Fellowship for Cycling to Serve.indd 49 28-04-2021 11:41:03 AM UK club provides RO water to schools

V Muthukumaran visit to a new facility being constructed by his company, AFlint Group, at Vadodara, Gujarat, by Rtn Russell Taylor, secre- tary, RC Sussex Vale, UK, RID 1145, in August 2013 turned out to be a manna from heaven for over 2,000 students and teachers at five government schools in and around the city. They now have custom-built RO filtration units providing them clean drinking water. Before taking up the RO installa- tion projects, Taylor’s club, in asso- ciation with RC Baroda Metro, RID 3060, provided 30 beds for children, who were sleeping on makeshift thin mats on rugged floor, at the Adarsh DG Pinky Patel (2018–19) along with RC Baroda Metro president Nivasi Shala V J Kanya School. Having Himanshu Rana (2nd row, left) and other club members. found a good partner club in Vadodara, he planned to install RO units in five from home had to drink the unsafe water and very rewarding to see the difference schools — Adarsh Kanya School, and were taken ill. This led to a steep fall they have made to children’s lives.” Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Prathmik in the school attendance,” he recalled. School headmasters were glad to Shala, Shree Patel Shivabhai Lallubhai report that the average attendance went Sarvajanik Vidyalaya, Samlaya, and two RO installations up by 20–25 per cent after RO installa- other schools in Dajipura and Desar vil- Over a period of seven years, Taylor tions, and touched almost 30 per cent in lages — which were hit hard by water and his point man Rtn Nitin Bhate took village schools. Taylor is all praise for contamination. Students dropped out as up the installations of RO units at these RC Baroda Metro for “their excellent there was no provision to supply clean five government schools in a methodical planning and project implementation.” drinking water in these institutions. manner. The sponsor, RC Sussex Vale, “It all started with a chat over a cup has invested `6 lakh (£6,500) that Sixth water project of coffee Taylor had with us. And the covered the entire design, installation, Now, RC Sussex Vale has agreed to Wheel was set rolling for humanitarian maintenance and filter replacements for sponsor a similar RO installation at K projects since then,” recalled Rtn Nitin three years, after which the Vadodara H Patel Janpad Vidyamandir School, Bhate from RC Vadodara One. club will bear the future maintenance Khakharia taluk, by joining hands with Practically all students had to carry expenses. “We did a detailed survey of RC Vadodara One. The project costing a water bottle from home because of the each school by talking with headmasters `1.82 lakh (£1,800) will provide clean bad quality of bore water at the school. and teachers. Each school had at least drinking water to around 220 students “As many students have to walk a long 250–300 students. We took pictures of and staff at this school. Technical distance to reach their schools, espe- the school premises and shared them details and costing which were worked cially those in villages, carrying a water with our global partner,” said Bhate. The out meticulously in the earlier success- bottle turned out be quite tedious for RO units have different capacities based ful projects would be followed with them,” said Taylor. While many simply on the needs of each school. Looking due diligence in this new RO project, stayed away from school, “those who back with satisfaction, Taylor said it was assured Manisha Bhatt, president, RC came without carrying a water bottle “fun to do such collaborative projects Vadodara One.„

50 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

UK-Vadodara clubs provide drinking water to schools - April 2021.indd 50 4/28/2021 7:13:14 PM Three polio workers shot dead in Afghanistan

rounds — were shot dead hear of the loss of three WHO Afghanistan provided while on their immuni- polio workers in Jalalabad, $1,000. Ishaq will join a sation rounds recently in Afghanistan today. As is group delivering the funds Jalalabad, Afghanistan. In our custom, we will provide to key known survivors in addition, an explosion took immediate payments to the the next few days. place at the entrance of the families to assist them in the “We have provided con- cold chain office in Nan- short term,” he said. dolences to the Polio Emer- garhar province. No one Afghanistan National gency Operations Center in was injured but there was Polioplus Committee Chair Jalalabad. These incidents damage to equipment. Mohammed Ishaq Niaz- show the importance of hree women polio RI PolioPlus Chair mand participated in meet- working with all parties to Tworkers — Nagina, Michael McGovern, in a ings with the health minister finish the job of eradicating a supervisor since 2012, statement issued from the and polio programme lead polio in the endemic coun- Basira, a volunteer since RI headquarters, expressed later in the day. Rotary tries. We all pray that there 2016 and Samina, a grief over the loss. “We and the Gates Foundation is no more loss of life,” said volunteer in the last few were deeply saddened to provided $1,500 each and McGovern.„ RIPE Shekar Mehta hands over 16 Happy Schools in Gorakhpur Team Rotary News

RIPE Shekhar Mehta handed over a refurbished P S Primary School in Sonbarsa, to the state education department on March 18 at Gorakhpur. RC Gorakhpur, RID 3120, has upgraded this and 15 other schools in the town through two global grants and CSR funding from Toyo Engineering India. With the club celebrating its platinum jubilee year, club president Arvind Vikram Chaudhary explained about the various milestone projects imple- mented by the club over the decades. In his briefing, project coor- RIPE Shekhar Mehta and Rashi with DG Karunesh dinator M P Kandoi said around Srivastava at a Happy School in Gorakhpur. 5,500 children would benefit from the Happy Schools projects. So Mehta noted that with e-learning mega health camp held in partnership far, 26 Happy Schools have been classes, the visual experience will ben- with the Max Hospital, Delhi. completed under global grants. DG efit students and added that after the DG Srivastava appreciated the Karunesh Kumar Srivastava, DGE eradication of polio, achieving 100 per club in taking efforts to increase Samar Raj Garg and PDG Anoop cent literacy in India is the next big membership even during the Agrawal were present at the event. task for Rotarians. He inaugurated a pandemic.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 51

RIPE Shekar Mehta hands over 16 Happy Schools in Gorakhpur - May 2021 - New.indd 51 4/26/2021 1:15:24 PM Let’s help our FLWL]HQV¿JKW&RYLG

Ashok Mahajan

n update by the World assisting in setting up vaccination vaccines have been given through Health Organisation centres. The Government of Haryana Rotary vaccination centres and camps shows over 144 million has invited Rotary India’s Covid Task across the state. ACovid cases till April 23, Force to help it in the mass vaccina- The Rajasthan government has and over three million deaths world- tion programme. I congratulate Zonal signed an MoU to work with Rotary wide. WHO is bothered, and we the Coordinator PDG T K Ruby (RID as its official partner. We are aiming Rotary fraternity must be bothered 3080) for arranging this partnership. to set up at least 1,500 vaccination too and ensure that leaders at the local The Tamil Nadu government has centres across Gujarat and in Uttar level take action to save millions of invited Rotary to assist in its Covid Pradesh all vaccination centres have people. vaccination drive. RC Madras, led by a selfie point installed by Rotary. Rotarians should ensure that president Kapil Chitale, will provide In Maharashtra oxygen concentra- shortcomings in the healthcare system two fully-insulated AC vans for trans- tion machines are provided in some should not kill people. In this hour porting vaccines. Doctor volunteers hospitals and more such machines of national and global emergency, will be made available at the centres will be made available. Rotary clubs Rotarians have to show that they care. and arrangements are being made to have put up information centres at Rotary cannot allow patients to sign store vaccines. various locations where people can their own death warrants due to lack Rotary clubs have set up over 50 know how to register and where to get of vaccines, oxygen, beds and other Covid vaccination centres in Kerala vaccinated. Senior citizens are pro- medical facilities. We cannot waste and each day at least one centre is vided special assistance. In Mumbai, time blaming the administration for being added to the tally. The vaccines following a request from the munic- fatal errors and not having a contin- and vaccinators are provided by the ipal corporation to maintain the cold gency plan in place for the second state government. SBI is equipping the chain at the centres, 10 medical refrig- wave. Our misplaced sense of pride centres with computers and operators, erators have been provided and more in containing the first wave probably and Rotary is providing infrastructure will be donated in next few days. made us complacent. and the facilities needed to run the Posters with messages from Rotary has to provide the emer- centres. Almost 50,000 free Covid Rotary leaders in support of vacci- gency help so that people will have nation are being spread by Rotarians a chance to survive. We Rotarians through social media. have shown that everything is possi- Every member of our team is ble. When we get rid of Covid with totally committed and we are fortu- Rotary has to provide our collective effort, we can celebrate nate to have committed district lead- the fact that this victory belongs col- the emergency help so ers who understand the seriousness lectively to all of us. that people will have a of the cause and are ready to support. Rotary in India is actively pro- chance to survive. moting Covid vaccination in various The writer is a past Rotary districts. Rotary clubs are zealously International director and chairman, organising vaccination camps and Rotary India’s Covid Task Force.

52 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Let’s help our citizens fight Covid.indd 52 29-04-2021 06:49:37 Project Orange to roll-out 200 hybrid vision centres Team Rotary News

roject Orange of RID 3232 aims at Pcombating avoida- ble blindness by setting up 200 hybrid vision centres (HVC) covering 2,500 villages and one crore beneficiaries in the initial phase. “We will be giving spectacles to 25 lakh beneficiaries and perform surgeries on five lakh patients,” said M Nachiappan, associate project chairman, adding that the overall cost for DG S Muthupalaniappan inaugurating a vision centre. the first set of 200 vision centres will be `25 crore. specialised eyecare is not Giving a perspec- will have mobile vision So far, seven global possible. tive of the eyecare in the care units (MVCUs) and an grants worth $1.6 million “Our objective is to country, he said that India Advanced MVCU catering were approved to set up reach out to at least one requires at least 20,000 to around 60,000 people. 104 vision centres with crore beneficiaries within vision centres as against Eight HVCs along the participation of 32 the first year through 200 the present availability with eight MVCUs and clubs across five districts. Orange HVCs. The cost of 1,000-plus centres. In one AMVCU form one RID 3232 is in partnership is just `22 a person,” said India, 8.8 million peo- HVC cluster to render with eight eye hospitals DG S Muthupalaniappan. ple are blind, and 80 per primary eyecare to the including L V Prasad Eye Each HVC will have cent of their blindness is rural, semi-urban and slum Institute, Sankara Eye an optometrist and an curable. “But only 10 per communities. “Patients in Hospital and Aravind ophthalmic assistant, who cent have access to proper need of further treatment Eyecare System, and eight will be supported by eye eyecare. Each HVC cluster or surgery will be directed foreign clubs for imple- specialists at the base hos- will cater to a population to the secondary care cen- menting Project Orange. pitals, said Nachiappan. of around 500,000.” tre,” said Nachiappan. RID The district recently “The assistant will visit 3232 has made promo- inaugurated 10 HVCs on rural areas to screen Hybrid clusters tional films to propagate the outskirts of Chennai people for refractive errors Each HVC will have a Project Orange in commu- and six more HVCs and other eye ailments.” range of equipment to treat nities. “We have designed will soon be set up at During the first phase of eye diseases in consul- strategies to grow expo- places near Chennai the roll-out, the project has tation with the telemedi- nentially in the coming such as Mahabalipuram, given employment to 700 cine ophthalmologist from years towards combating Vyasarpadi, Uthukkottai rural people, while 1,500 the secondary care centre avoidable blindness in and Padappai where were benefitted indirectly. (base hospital). An HVC India,” he said. „

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 53

K_Project Orange to roll-out 200 hybrid vision centres.indd 53 28-04-2021 11:42:07 AM Roots and tubers mela Team Rotary News ringing ’forgotten food’ back to Bthe plate and giving a stimulus to its consumption so as to ensure nutritional security besides helping farmers — this was the aim when RC Mysore West, RID 3181, organised a two-day ‘Roots and Tubers Mela’ in Mysuru recently. The event, partnered with Sahaja Samruddha that promotes sustainable agriculture, had farmers from across the state showcasing varieties of tubers and roots “most of which look alike but Rotarians at the exhibition. have different nutritional elements,” says club secretary Dinesh Kumar D adding, ‘’certain tubers and roots can chemical fertilisers and pesticides. K. Elephant foot yam, fresho yam, be a source of food security at the They are beneficial to the farmers lesser yam to name a few may sound household level and our intention is to as the input cost is next to negligible familiar but there are a hundred whose promote their cultivation in the back- while ensuring food security, he said. names are as exotic as their shape and yard so as to ensure adequate nutrition The event saw over 15,000 visitors size, he adds. for the local populace.” and more than `12 lakh turnover. There are scores of varieties like Mysore Maharaj Yaduveer RC Mysore West president Dr purple yam which is used in ice creams Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar inau- Ragavendra Prasad, PDGs Joseph and cakes, though many varieties gurated the mela. Tubers and roots has Mathew, R Krishna and G K have not yet been documented, says many benefits as they can sustain in Balakrishna were present during the Krishanaprasad of Sahaja Samruddha, water-stressed regions, did not require inaugural.„ Melody on the banks of the Yamuna

February morning air Bridge in Delhi was filled a jugalbandi presented by city”, says club president Aon the banks of River with mellifluous music. Siddharth Banerjee on the Narinder Kumar Lamba. Yamuna near the ITO Over 250 people enjoyed Siddha Veena and Ustad The jugalbandi was Fateh Ali Khan, grandson the first of a series of of Ustad Bismillah Khan, events planned by the on the Shehnai. club for the campaign. The event — Ragas for “We have got together a Yamuna — was organised legal team to file a case by RC Delhi Manthan, with the National Green RID 3011, along with an Tribunal to pass an order NGO Bhatium, “to create to discharge only treated awareness and impress effluents into the Yamuna, upon the who’s who of and another team to Delhi the urgency to clean reclaim the land on the and rejuvenate the Yamuna river bank and clean it,” flowing through the says Lamba.„

54 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Roots and tubers mela + Melody on the banks of the Yamuna.indd 54 4/28/2021 10:53:15 AM International Assembly 2021 Let Rotaractors blossom in Rotary clubs: Barry Rassin

Team Rotary News

otaractors and must be looked into, so Rotarians are both that it could figure out R constantly learn- how to make room for ing from each other when Rotaractors, and other they work together which voices, to be included is great and for Rotary as in the decision-making an organisation, there is processes. still much to learn about Rotaractors bring how best to support Rota- energy that some of the ractors on a broader scale, Rotary clubs have lost said PRIP Barry Rassin in along the way, but they an interactive session with can only bring that energy PDRR Nishita Pednekar, when they feel welcomed. RID 3170, at the virtual “That’s the task at hand International Assembly. He for Rotarians: welcoming added that RI has changed younger members.” many policies and proce- To a question from dures to “enable Rotaract Rassin on attracting new clubs and Rotaractors members including Rota- to function in the same ractors, Nishita said, “the manner as Rotary.” best way to attract new But the challenge is members is through social to change the culture of media, so whether you’re Rotary clubs to be more a Rotarian or a Rotaractor, accepting of young profes- I would say that you need sionals. “We must listen a strong social media pres- to their aspirations more, ence and a clear voice.” PRIP Barry Rassin with PDRR Nishita Pednekar. and how they believe Every initiative must be clubs should operate and shared on social media as members stay. It’s all contributions, learn by include them in all of our it would build awareness about teamwork, and doing, and get valuable committees,” he added and of Rotary’s impact and listening to each other’s experience.” pointed out that Rotarac- expand its reach, she said. opinions and ideas.” With lot of creative tors have enthusiasm, are Once new members Agreeing with Nishita’s energy, Rotaractors are comfortable with today’s join, they can bring in suggestions, Rassin called willing to take risks and world. “They have an new ideas and energy. upon Rotary clubs to rise to meet a challenge, amazing sense of creativ- But the key element, said work together to “make said Nishita. “We really ity, and a strong desire to Nishita, is how well the us more relevant to young want to make an impact. make our world a better existing members bond professionals. The way Logistically, we are place. We need all these with them and inculcate to do that is by includ- prompt, and we make assets in Rotary.” He said the morals of Rotaract. ing them on leadership sure to deliver what’s RI’s governance structures “That’s what makes new teams so they can make promised,” she added.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 55

Let Rotaractors blossom in Rotary clubs Barry Rassin - May 2021.indd 55 4/26/2021 5:15:04 PM Rotary Dialysis Centre, Kottayam, a boon for the poor V Muthukumaran

miling faces and mutual greetings Samong Rotarians created a joi de vivre at the venue as DG Dr Thomas Vavanikunnel inaugurated the Rotary Dialysis Centre with two machines and an RO plant at the Mercy Hospi- tal in Thalayolaparambu, a town in Kottayam district. RC Kottayam North, RID 3211, com- pleted its maiden dialysis project through a global grant worth `32 lakh. L to R: AG V J John, club secretary K M Scaria, club president Joseph K J, DG Dr The project was Thomas Vavanikunnel and club president-elect Jojo Alexander at the inauguration completed with support of dialysis centre at the Mercy Hospital. from RC Lakewood, Washington, US, RID 5020, and club members the Mercy Hospital, the scale. Recalling those valve replacement. “Our contributing `7.5 lakh balance (`13 lakh) went days, Joseph said, “we grant will take care of her as their share. “We also for the installations at the built a toilet block at a post-operative treatment donated two dialysis SH Medical Centre. The government high school, and medical expenses,” machines and cots at the one at the Mercy Hospital staged a number of he said. Sacred Heart Medical will do 550 free dialysis demos on best hygiene Ten pulse oximeters Centre as part of this for needy patients. practices in schools and worth `20,000 were project. They already Under the Save also installed a couple of donated to the district have 10 machines and Kidney, Save Life Project, handwash stations. It was corona cell, Covid First our new units will the club along with the a PR success as people Line Treatment Centre. supplement their facil- Muthoot M George took note of us.” “We provided television ities. We have signed Foundation extended free With total membership sets for two poor students an MoU with them for dialysis to 20 patients at a at 49, the club has so far to attend online classes.” sponsoring 440 dialysis cost of ` 2.34 lakh. done eight small-scale The club still takes care to needy patients every Chartered in 1981, community projects this of the maintenance of year,” said club president the club lifted its public year at an overall cost of a rest room it set up for Joseph K J. While `18 image four years ago `4 lakh. The club gave both genders in 1988 at lakh was spent on setting when it implemented ` 37,500 to a needy patient a private bus terminus in up the dialysis centre at WinS projects on a big who had undergone heart Kottayam.„

56 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Rotary Dialysis Centre, Kottayam, a boon for the poor - May 2021.indd 56 4/26/2021 6:05:07 PM From RI South Asia Office desk

ontributions from donors in zCurrent year requests for Donor status cannot be bestowed India are received by Rotary re-classes will be accepted and on an individual based on support CFoundation (India) on behalf processed if received within 60 from another donor or donors or of TRF. calendar days of the gift receipt a “matched” contribution, either date and within the same Rotary in part or full, by a district, other z Contributions can be made year. entity or corporate. through cheque/bank draft and z Requests for transactions involv- z In case of a contribution made by mailed to RI South Asia Office. ing the prior year re-classing a family-controlled company or z Contributions can also be done (correction) of contributions a family trust, it may officially online through Rotary web- from any Rotary Foundation provide in writing that the actual site: www.rotary.org by using fund, project or programme to credit be given to the owner or credit/debit card or net banking any other fund, project or pro- trustee of the trust. option. gramme cannot be accepted and z Only contribution by a spouse z All contribution to RF (I) is processed following the close of can be linked to an individu- eligible for 50 per cent deduc- that fiscal year. al’s Major Donor recognition. tion under section 80G of IT Merging of contribution from Act, 1961. Major Donor recognitions lineal descendants or ascendants z Individuals are recognised as (grandparents/parents/siblings/ TRF guidelines for re-classing Major Donors based on their children etc) do not count for contribution personal contributions. Major Major Donor recognition.„ 2021 Convention Convene before the convention

xperienced Rotary International Convention attendees Eknow that it’s important to arrive early because even before the convention gets underway there’s always plenty to do. Preconvention events offer a lot of great informa- tion as well as opportunities to connect with other Rotary members. With the 2021 convention transformed into a virtual event, travel logistics are no longer a factor, and these preconvention gatherings are open to all. This is a great year to participate in everything that comes before the main event. Rotaract Preconvention: This event offers the chance to increase your understanding of Rotaract, to learn from and share tips and ideas with other participants, and virtually network with Rotaractors and Rotarians from around the world. inspirational speakers, practical breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help you start or expand an Rotary Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention: This intercountry committee relationship in order to foster good- virtual event will provide you an opportunity to network will and peace around the world. with Rotary members and volunteers involved in Rotary The 2021 convention will be held June 12–16; all Youth Exchange. You’ll also gain vital knowledge that will preconvention events will take place June 10–11. help you improve your local programme or get one started. Intercountry Committees Preconvention: This event, Learn more about the virtual convention and called Opening Opportunities for Peace, will feature preconvention at convention.rotary.org.

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 57

RISAOffice - May 2021.indd 57 4/26/2021 3:40:37 PM 58 years of community service at Gudur Team Rotary News RC Gudur, RID 3160, recently distributed large umbrellas to street vendors in Gudur town, Nellore district, to protect them from the harsh sun or mild rain. The brightly coloured umbrellas on the market area will enhance Rotary’s public image, says club secretary Sridhar Reddy Bandi. The club, chartered in 1963, boasts of having constructed two cremato- riums, a clock tower and a Rotary Hall in Gudur. students,” he recalls. The over to the government The Rotary Nagar at “We established the first Dvurru Ramanamma Wom- now, he adds. The Rotary Puritipalem, a flood-prone college in the town in 1965 en’s College constructed by Helpage project launched locality, has 30 concrete with generous contribu- the club in 1981 provides in 2005 by Alluru Adisesha houses constructed with tion from club member quality education to 2,000 Reddy to support aged des- matching grant support Sannapareddy Krishna young women. Both col- titute people with monthly initiated by PDG D Bhaskar Reddy. Today it has 1,000 leges have been handed groceries is still active. Reddy.„ A blood donation camp at Hanumangarh

RC Hanumangarh Central, RID doctors and medical staff of the health officer (CMHO), and 3090, joined hands with RAC Life Line Blood Bank in the Prof Suman Chawla, social Hanumangarh, to conduct a blood town extending their service at worker, appreciated Rotary donation camp at the Rotary the camp. for organising the blood camp Bhawan. A total of 83 units of Chief guests Dr Jyoti which filled an emergency need blood was collected, with the Dhingra, block chief medical and of critical patients. Amar Nayak who holds the Guinness Record for donating blood 86 times was one of the donors at this camp. Club president Kapuary Lal Garg and secretary Hemant Goyal were present. Covid protocols were followed by Rotarians and the donors. Project chair Jitesh Goyal gave the vote of thanks.„

58 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

58 years of community service at Gudur - May 2021.indd 58 4/26/2021 11:24:28 AM A vacant plot turns into kitchen garden in Coimbatore

V Muthukumaran

five-cent vacant land has the legal formalities in December of club president, with the rest of the been converted into a veg- last year. Initially, the club had to Rotarians. A etable garden at Vadavalli, contend with the clearing of wild On a higher scale, such a veg- a city neighbourhood, by RC parthenium weeds and building etable garden will cost `1.5 lakh, Coimbatore Midtown, RID 3201, debris which posed a major chal- “but it can be much less if we have with the landowner’s consent. “The lenge. C Srinivasan, an expert in a good piece of vacant land without fresh produce after harvest will be solid and liquid resource manage- any debris or garbage dumps on it,” sold to the local residents at a reason- ment from Vellore, guided the Rotar- says Hema. The club is planning to able cost,” says S Badrinath, mem- ians in the project implementation. install a drip irrigation system at the ber, club’s Communication Services. “First, he helped to plant 100 vari- project site soon to water the plants. Project Kitchen Garden will be eties of greens and lettuce on this After summer, the club will be supplying vegetables grown through plot. With inputs from other experts, replicating the kitchen garden in organic farming, provide employ- we planted other vegetables such as other empty plots at Vadavalli and ment opportunities and promote the brinjals and tomatoes. We made it income from such organic farming concept of greenery in vacant plots into a community effort with every- will be ploughed back for the benefit in Coimbatore. “Within a short time, one from the locality pitching in of the community, she adds. the project has become popular with by offering inputs such as organic “We are glad that the land is put many clubs visiting our site,” he says. manure and water,” explains Hema, to beneficial use until its owner con- Club president S Palaniappan, spouse of Rtn Jitendra Khona. She structs a building. Otherwise, it will secretary Hari Bhaskar and other initiated the idea of kitchen garden turn out to be a haven for anti-socials members were involved in the pro- six months ago and it was later on or a breeding ground for poisonous ject which was started after fulfilling taken up by Priya Palaniappan, wife creatures,” says Badrinath.„

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 59

A vacant plot turns into kitchen garden in Coimbatore - May 2021.indd 59 4/26/2021 6:59:16 PM Creating your own ‘black gold’ at home

Preeti Mehra

t doesn’t matter if you live plants in your balcony, terrace garden, your balcony, terrace or a corner of on the seventh floor of a high outdoor lawn, or vegetable patch, all the garden. rise or in a ground floor house that is needed is a little effort. Through this simple act you will with a garden. The person with It is called composting or decom- divert almost 30 per cent of your a green thumb and love for posing organic waste into simpler household waste away from garbage Inature will always manage to conjure organic and inorganic compounds. heaps and landfills. It is well-known up green spots which sprout seasonal To get started keep a separate ‘wet’ that when organic matter is dumped flowers, herbs and even vegetables. waste bin in your kitchen and instruct in a landfill there is not enough air to And if you are inclined to nourish your everyone to dispose vegetable peels, decompose it quickly, hence harmful plants with healthy nutrients generated used tea leaves, ground coffee and methane gas is produced as the waste from your kitchen waste rather than waste food in it. The waste must then breaks down. This adds to global harmful fertilisers, it is not difficult. be collected and regularly emptied into warming which is responsible for cli- To generate rich humus for the potted a composter bin which can be kept in mate change.

60 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_Go Green_Creating your own ‘black gold’ at home.indd 60 28-04-2021 11:41:21 AM In contrast, when you compost, the microscopic organisms which help the process of decomposing aerate the soil. They also break down the organic material put in, nourishes the plant, and keep away plant dis- eases. By composting not only are you performing a green deed, but the ‘black gold’, as the humus generated is called, adds nutrients to your green shoots and helps retain soil moisture, giving you the best manure possible for your plants. But what is the mix that goes into a healthy compost? Composting requires material rich in nitrogen (green) and carbon (brown) and the right mix of both is what gives the best results. reduces the effort required in building ing process. Some compost bins Nitrogen-based matter includes food one at home. Amazon has some 15 automatically carry out this task. leftovers, leafy vegetables, and clipped options, and some come with compost grass from mowing. These provide raw maker mix and jaggery to speed up With the microbes working, you material for making enzymes and help the decomposing. They cost between are on the way to harvest your black microorganisms multiply. The com- `1,000–3,000. gold. But how do you know when the post gets its body from carbon-rich It is best to read reviews of each manure is ready? Experts say all that material like dried leaves, eggshells, of the options, look at the waste your needs to be done is to dig your hand ground coffee, tea leaves, saw dust, kitchen generates, consider your into the manure. If it is warm inside, brown paper bags or wood-derived budget, and then order the one that its done. Others recommended using cutlery, ice cream sticks etc. They pro- suits you best. The composter bins a compost thermometer. In a compost vide the food for the microorganisms. come with detailed instructions on pile that is working well the tempera- It is best to use one-third green and how to set them up, what goes in at tures are between 140 to 160°F and can two-thirds brown in the mix. what time, and when the manure is go up to a “cooking” 170°F. So far so good. But how does one ready to use. It usually takes between Compost also needs the right go about composting? The easiest four to six weeks for the waste to be amount of air and moisture (40–60 per way is to invest in a few composting converted to compost. cent) to mature. In a dry bin dampness bins. These can be rotated to ensure There are several tips that will help can be enhanced by adding fresh wet a steady flow of manure. Buying you master the process of making com- waste, conversely dry waste can reduce specialised bins is convenient since it post. Here are a few of them: excess moisture. But these nuances * It is advisable to chop or cut what generally come through experience. you put in the compost bin as it Often, residential complexes speeds up decomposition. organise collective composting in Through the simple act of * Try to avoid adding pesticide larger bins or pits. That makes things treated material into the composter. easier as a system is created. But for composting you will divert * Collect substantial quantities of those who want to compost at home, almost 30 per cent of your waste so that it packs the composter the proof of the pudding is in the household waste away from bin. This increases the heat inside end-product. It smells, looks, and feels and speeds up decomposition. like rich dark soil that deserves the epi- garbage heaps and landfills. * Keep the bin in the sun for a while thet ‘black gold’. to activate the microbes. * Stir and turn the mix occasionally The writer is a senior journalist to air it and speed up the compost- who writes on environmental issues.

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 61

K_Go Green_Creating your own ‘black gold’ at home.indd 61 28-04-2021 11:41:21 AM ϱϯϰ

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P_Membership Details - May 2021.indd 62 28-04-2021 11:42:37 ϲϯϵ

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P_Membership Details - May 2021.indd 63 28-04-2021 11:42:41 Geeta Dutt the ballerina of song

S R Madhudhu

ust mention her name, and music lovers get misty-eyed. Geeta Dutt had an exquisite, Jalmost ethereal voice, and gave Bollywood music some of its most radiant gems during the late 1940s and 1950s. Hers was a short but resplendent life and career, which ended tragically in 1972 when she was only 41. Her voice defied analysis and inspired adoration. It could artic- ulate melancholy with scorching intensity, with a faint tremor that heightened its impact. It could project mirth or playfulness with an infectious sprightliness. O P Nayyar described her voice as a “natural miracle”. She was referred to as a skylark, a ballerina of song. No playback singer could convey feelings better than Geeta Dutt, said music historian Ganesh Anantharaman. Manna Dey said that Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle had imitators, but none could imitate Geeta Dutt. Film music critic Raju Bharatan said

64 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 64 28-04-2021 11:42:37 Geeta did not sing, she glided into a song. Geeta sang some 1,200 songs — mostly in Hindi, but also in Bengali and Gujarati — of which at least 50 were superlative. She was the No 1 singer for two years from 1947 after the song Mera sundar sapna beet gaya in the film Do Bhai became a sensation. Never had the searing pain of lost love been conveyed so memorably, so magically, as in this song — which 16-year-old From L: Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt and Meena Kapoor. Geeta rendered for S D Burman in a voice of intoxicating sweetness. The beginnings of feeling Geeta imparted to them All of India was captivated. Disc Geeta Roy Chowdhury was born enthralled listeners. Ghungat ke sales of the song shattered records. in 1930 into a rich zamindar’s pat khol has acquired iconic status, The song mesmerises even today. family in Faridpur, now a part but Mat jaa mat jaa jogi, Main to Geeta was dethroned as of Bangladesh. In 1942, when giridhar ke ghar jaoon and Aeri No 1 by Lata Mangeshkar after she was 12, her parents moved main to prem diwani were also the phenomenal success of to Bombay because the Quit devotional stunners. Mahal, Barsaat and Andaz in India movement had become an She was inundated with offers 1949. But it is said that the one anti-landlord movement. It was a and sang for many composers. singer Lata feared till the late steep downturn in fortunes for the (Khayalon mein kisike in the 1950 1950s was Geeta. once-prosperous family. Bawre Nain for composer Roshan, The family lived in a modest a duet with Mukesh, was a beauty.) flat in Dadar. Geeta was fond of But she got branded as the voice singing and humming. Music com- of bhajans and melancholia. poser Hanuman Prasad overheard However, S D Burman engineered her once, and was entranced. He her image makeover through the engaged Geeta to sing a couple of 1951 Baazi, directed by Guru Dutt, lines in a chorus song in the movie where she sang the saucy, jazzy, Bhakta Prahlad (1946). mischievously seductive Tadbeer Geeta caught the attention se bigdi huyi taqdeer bana de. It of S D Burman, and her talent was filmed on Geeta Bali teasing blossomed under his direction. Dev Anand. Both the Geetas She sang six songs in the 1947 Do Bhai. Mera sundar sapna, filmed on Kamini Kaushal, immortalised the film and conferred instant stardom on the singer. It is said that the one Geeta scored another resound- ing triumph with her sublime singer Lata feared till the Meera bhajans in the 1950 Jogan, late 1950s was Geeta. a Dilip Kumar-Nargis starrer, in which she sang 12 songs. Nargis’s serene beauty, the melody of the songs and the religiosity and depth

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 65

P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 65 28-04-2021 11:42:42 excelled. Dev Anand says many and the soulful Dil hai deewana. beauty Shakila — arguably the fans saw the film just for this song, The film bombed, but these songs most popular night club song and left the cinema hall after the won high praise. Geeta did O P in Bollywood history. Equally song was over! a great favour by recommending infectious were Yeh lo mein This song was special for his name to Guru Dutt for his film haari piya, Hoon main abhi another reason. Aspiring director Baaz (1953). Once again, Geeta jawan, and Ja ja ja ja bewafa. Guru Dutt met her during a record- excelled but the film flopped. But y In Mr & Mrs 55 (starring the ing of the song, and fell head Nayyar then delivered brilliantly beauteous Madhubala and Guru over heels in love with the dusky, for Guru Dutt with three musical Dutt) every song was a delight. doe-eyed, long-haired beauty. blockbusters. His forte was feisty, There was the effervescent Guru’s family too was charmed spunky, sprightly songs of hope group song led by Geeta — by her humility and affectionate and optimism. And Geeta gave Thandi hawa kaali ghata aa hi disposition. She would drop in at them life and voice. gayi jhoom ke. (Raju Bharatan their house, play the harmonium or remarked that Geeta herself was sing songs. Geeta’s family was less y She scintillated in Aar Paar thandi hawa and khali ghata enthusiastic about the romance, (1954) with Babuji dheere rolled into one.) There were one reason being that Geeta was chalna filmed on Arabian two breezy Geeta-Rafi duets, the family’s breadwinner. But eventually, Geeta and Guru got married in 1953 in a fairytale Geeta being decked up wedding in Bengali style, and the by her friends Geeta Bali lovely bride, clad in a red Banaras and Smriti Biswas. sari, stole all hearts. The super- stars of Bollywood music took part: Lata, Rafi, Kishore, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mahmood. And all of them sang!

The O P Nayyar connection If S D Burman introduced Geeta to the limelight, O P Nayyar made it seem that she belonged there. She sang four solos in Nayyar’s first film Aasman (1952) including the splendid Dekho jaadubhare more nain

The superstars of Bollywood music — Lata, Rafi, Kishore, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mahmood — took part in Geeta and Guru Dutt’s wedding. And all of them sang!

66 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 66 28-04-2021 11:42:58 a spell-binding crescendo. She also sang the flirtatious Jaane kya tune hi filmed on Waheeda, and a melo- dious romantic duet with Rafi — Hum aapki aankhonme. Geeta had demonstrated awesome versatility through a single movie.

The troubled years When Geeta married Guru Dutt in 1953, her career was on song, while Guru was a struggling direc- tor. Reports that he had married Geeta for money enraged Guru; he told Geeta to stop singing for other banners. She was devastated, this Geeta with Lata Mangeshkar and Smriti Biswas at her wedding. was like depriving her of oxygen. She took to singing on the sly for and the achingly beautiful 1957 saw Guru Dutt release other composers, and when Guru yearning-for-the-lover song the brooding Pyaasa, about the discovered this, he exploded. Dark Preetam aan milo. exploitation of a poet by society. It clouds began to hover over what y In CID, Nayyar gave Bolly- turned out to be a landmark movie. was once a fairy-tale marriage, wood the sizzling Geeta-Rafi S D Burman’s music was a tour de despite three children whom both duet Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan force. One of the standout songs parents doted on. (which was much loved and was Geeta Dutt’s bhajan Aaj sajan Waheeda Rahman entered recreated in university cam- tohe ang laga lo, which reflected Guru Dutt’s life in 1956 with the puses); a second feisty duet both eroticism and bhakti — film CID, and the stories of his by the same pair (Aankhon hi something Geeta’s musical genius infatuation for her pained Geeta. aankhon mein ishara ho gaya), managed splendidly. The song She had almost surrendered her and the effervescent Geeta’s began on a low octave and rose to career for her husband, and she romantic hit Jaata kahan hai deewane. Under Nayyar, the singer of sweet melancholy was becoming the epitome of insouciance!

Geeta sparkled in some songs outside the Guru Dutt banner as well. Examples: the 1954 Na ye chand hoga in Shart for Hemant Kumar, which was drenched gently in love; and the 1956 Bhai Bhai song Ae dil mujhe bata de, which exemplified the exhilaration of teenage love, for Madan Mohan. The peerless Lata sang eight songs in Bhai Bhai and Geeta just one — Geeta with Lata Mangeshkar but it’s Geeta’s song that made the and Raj Kapoor. best impact!

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P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 67 28-04-2021 11:43:05 Geeta and Guru Dutt on their wedding day.

couldn’t bear the idea of losing sung so many chartbusters for him. the husband to another woman. She phoned him one day and asked Geeta took to the bottle to drown “What wrong have I done, that you her sorrow. never send for me?” Another night, To placate Geeta, Guru offered she called and asked “Do you rec- to make a film with her as heroine. ognise this voice?” O P felt guilty She was delighted, but Gauri got but had no satisfactory answer. abandoned after some heated quar- Years later, after Asha left O P, the rels between the couple, reportedly over Waheeda Rahman. In 1957, S D Burman had a rift with his singing mainstay Lata. He would have liked to replace her with Geeta Dutt for all his songs, but she wanted to return home every day by 5pm, before Guru came back from the studio. This was unacceptable to a hard task- master like S D, and he opted for Asha Bhosle. So did O P Nayyar for other reasons, and Geeta lost the support of her two stoutest benefactors. Other composers too in the next few years found that engaging Geeta was a hassle and stopped trying. Geeta found most hurtful the rejection by Nayyar, perhaps because she had launched his career, also because she had

68 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 68 28-04-2021 11:43:12 composer confessed that he had been unfair to Geeta. But in the 1958 Howrah Bridge, a musical blockbuster, Nayyar gave Geeta one song, a cabaret number on Helen — Mera naam chin chinchu. This jaunty boisterous song outdid in popu- larity the three Asha solos of the film — including, incredibly, the wonderfully choreographed Ayiye mehrbaan, a signature song of both Madhubala and Asha Bhosle. Amidst the turmoil at home, Guru Dutt made Kagaz Ke Phool in 1969, with Waheeda as heroine. Ironically, Geeta sang the timeless Waqt ne kiya in this film, about two tormented souls in love, During a recording session with Mohammed Rafi and seeking a fulfilment that was music composer O P Nayyar (centre). far off (music by S D Burman). Geeta’s pain-wracked voice and He rebounded within eight generally believed — after an restrained emotion made it a heart- months, however, with the film overdose of sleeping pills. Geeta wrenching song of despair. Lyricist Chaudhvin ka Chand (1970). was shattered and inconsolable. Kaifi Azmi, cinematographer V K The family’s finances improved She tried to support her family Murthy and director Guru Dutt but the Dutt couple’s estrange- through live shows, but couldn’t also poured their hearts and their ment grew, particularly because give up drinking. genius into the song. Result: a Geeta was given just one song in In 1971, Geeta demonstrated work of immortality that’s a must- Chaudhvin ka Chand. her incandescent talent for the study exercise for all students of But Geeta sang two emotion- last time through the movie cinema. Waqt ne kiya figures in ally scorching solos in Sahib, Anubhav for which her brother every listing of great Bollywood Bibi aur Ghulam (1962), the Kanu Roy composed the music. songs. next Guru Dutt venture, thanks Meri jaan mujhe jaan na kaho, Unfortunately, the film to composer Hemant Kumar. He filmed on Tanuja romancing bombed, and Guru Dutt ran into insisted that Geeta would be the Sanjeev Kumar, hypnotises one heavy debt. voice of heroine Meena Kumari. and all even today with “the voice How poignantly did Geeta that defies description”. portray Meena’s angst through In 1972, Geeta departed. the songs Na jao saiyan chudi ke Alcohol took its toll, and she died baiyan and Koi door se awaaz de of cirrhosis of the liver. But she Geeta’s pain-wracked voice chale aao! had perhaps lost her will to live. and restrained emotion made Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam is Mera sundar sapna beet gaya today revered as a classic, and was one of Geeta’s iconic songs. the song Waqt ne kiya a heart- has won several awards, but it Tragically, the song was her own wrenching song of despair. was a commercial failure on epitaph. release. Guru was distraught. And Waheeda decided to withdraw The author is a senior journalist from Guru’s life. In 1964, Guru and a member of the Rotary committed suicide — or so it is Club of Madras South.

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P_Music and Melody_Geeta Dutt – the ballerina of song_2.indd 69 28-04-2021 11:43:16 absence of violence, Positive Peace ‘represents the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain Wordsworld peaceful societies’. The concept is built on a framework of well- functioning governments, equitable distribution of resources, free flow Peace on earth, of information, good relations with neighbours, high levels of human capital, acceptance of the rights of mercy too others, low levels of corruption, and a sound business environment. The book draws attention to Sandhya Rao commonly held perceptions, such as the relationship between terrorism and religion, notions of progress, Why do we engage in war? Is it because what constitutes political leadership, very often political leaders don’t know ideas of identity, and so on. In what else to do? one instance, Killelea talks about a project that envisaged providing electricity to a village in Myanmar, in the hopes of making it easier for he origins of Steve Killelea’s Institute for Economics and Peace children to study, women to work at interest in peace — and (IEP) in 2008, in Sydney, Australia. home, farmers to water their fields. Twar — can be attributed to As he writes in the introduction to However, the local community a family foundation that worked the book, ‘…understanding what preferred to light up their pagoda. with the very poor. This afforded creates peace is very different from For them, ‘…respect for Buddha and him opportunities to visit places understanding the causes of violence, his teachings was the best form of ravaged by conflict and interact or even how to stop it’. The IEP merit rather than short-term material with those affected. Along the way, looked at new ways of thinking. The gains’. Such experiences led to the he became an inventive and suc- GPI threw up rich data. realisation that it was important cessful businessman. In his book, That’s how the idea of ‘Positive to work with existing values of a Peace in the Age of Chaos, he refers Peace’ emerged. In contrast to society instead of imposing external to a question that, metaphorically Negative Peace which is basically the values on them. As he writes, speaking, changed his life: ‘Which ‘Diversity is a much-celebrated are the most peaceful countries and phrase today, but often means what can be learnt from them to help accepting a narrow set of Western those countries that are not?’ The progressive values.’ He and his realisation that there were no simple team decided that the ethnocentric answers here led to the launch of attitude had to go. the Global Peace Index (GPI) in Then again, take the issue of 2007, by which countries are ranked immigration. Drawing attention according to their levels of peace- to the nationalist backlash in 2015 fulness. Research into one thing when Germany took in about one led to further studying other things, million refugees, he points out leading to fundamental insights that this constituted only one per about peace, people, conflicts and cent of the German population, their causes. whereas ‘Australia has successfully Knowledge backed by resources absorbed the equivalent of 1% of its prompted Killelea to set up the population in immigrants every year

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P_Wordsworld_Peace on earth, mercy too.indd 70 28-04-2021 11:42:58 create rules to regulate behaviour and, providing individuals stay within these rules, they will be free from persecution and protected from violence. Studies from anthropology have also found that there are a number of traits that societies share in common. Research has covered 60 societies. Five of these common themes from this research are: love of family, a concept of shared community iden- tity, a sense of justice, some form of ownership rights, and a respect for authority. In many ways, we can see how these traits underpin our desire for the past 50 years’. Debunking Peace is an emotional subject for peace. the connection between religion and which finds expression in terms terrorism, Killelea quotes from the of loss or longing. What are some In the book, you draw attention to IEP’s 2014 report that ‘…religion fundamental causes for this? the fact that we generally perceive is rarely the key factor in conflict, Peace has both an internal and peace in terms of the absence although it did play a part in about external element to it. The internal of violence, conflict, aggression. 60% of conflicts. Other factors, element is expressed through all Please elaborate. such as corruption, state-sponsored major religions where it is a central The problem with peace is that it terror against its citizens, growing theme in all. If we look at psychol- is generally seen as the absence of grievances, economic inequality and ogy, again the aim is to improve our something, rather than an active political instability, are much more inner peace. Whatever the reason this thriving state. This is mainly because closely correlated with conflict. On internal drive to be free of afflictive the negative emotions associated the positive side, religion can play emotions is built deeply into our with fear or loss are more immediate, a constructive role in improving psyche. therefore most of the energy goes social cohesion’. There is also the external into stopping the causes of these Incidentally, the first largescale perspective on peace and in many emotions. The problem is further Positive Peace workshop was run ways, it is governed by our internal compounded by our binary way of with Rotary International. Killelea sense of feelings of security, justice looking at things, such as war or recalls how at the start of the work- and family. A peaceful environ- peace; either you are in it or not. shop, someone said, ‘Isn’t war just ment gives the best opportunity for This doesn’t help for a more nuanced a natural state, and besides, if you our progeny to grow up and thrive. understanding of peace. are on the winning side, isn’t there Therefore, often the structures of One of my more profound lots to be gained from it?’ Killelea society, especially in democracies, realisations is that when we say we responded by asking the man how but also other forms of government, are studying peace we are generally many of his family he would will- studying conflict, and that what is ingly see killed for a slice of power. needed to stop conflict is different When he asked who wanted to live than what is needed to create resil- in these conditions, not one hand ient societies that do not fall into vio- went up. The first largescale Positive lence and can absorb shocks. These Steve Killelea elaborated on Peace workshop was run latter qualities are known as Positive some of the findings and themes Peace and that is what Peace in the with Rotary International. of the book in an email interview. Age of Chaos explores. But what Here it is; a few questions have been is more profound is that the same edited for length. qualities that create highly peaceful

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P_Wordsworld_Peace on earth, mercy too.indd 71 28-04-2021 11:42:58 societies also create many of the Certainly, group identity is other things that we value, such as important. Immigration, if it is of better economic performance, better sufficient numbers, can be seen as a performance on ecological measures, challenge to the group identity and better measures of happiness and can create push back. However, there well-being, and better measures of are many factors that come into play. inclusion. Therefore, Positive Peace In many western countries working can be seen as creating the optimal conditions and wages are falling. environment for human potential This creates an environment where to flourish. This positions Positive an influx of people means more com- Peace as central for development. petition for jobs and wages, creating In fact, countries that are improving a backlash. in Positive Peace when compared Generally, immigration is to countries that are deteriorating viewed more favourably than have nearly three times higher GDP asylum-seekers, therefore setting growth per annum. up procedures so that refugees are Steve Killelea brought in as immigrants will lessen Why are we so fearful of immi- some of these tensions. But for many grants, particularly in the West? western countries birth rates are One of the aspects of Positive Are we afraid that what happened falling and without immigration their Peace is that it is systemic. In other to the American Indians and Abo- GDP will shrink. I can’t imagine a words, societies operate as systems rigines and Jarawas and millions politician going to an election saying and in many ways, this is very of indigenous peoples will happen that GDP will only shrink by one different from the current view of to ‘us’? percent this year. But this brings up a how societies operate, which can Human emotions run deep and are bigger point about GDP growth being be expressed as cause and effect. In often in conflict. Most religions are the measure of human progress. systems theory, societies are seen filled with stories of the battle within Immigration in the west is unlikely to as being path dependent where the over conflicting emotions. Most stop anytime in the near future. relationships and flows within the humans feel both love and hate, and society determine future events. We often towards the same individual. Despite advances in technology have found in workshops on Positive Reducing complex phenomena to that have made us more connected, Peace that when using a systems simple narratives can be dangerous. we are getting increasingly intol- approach, groups that have been in erant. How can we get past such conflict come together and can get attitudes? to common solutions because when The Internet generally has been a big looking at a problem the aim is to positive for society. We now have think forward rather than backwards. Peace is generally seen as the access to information we could have Thinking backwards often results in absence of something, rather than never dreamed of having even 20 recriminations. years ago; however, there are some an active thriving state. This is downsides. Misinformation and echo Is there a way of maintaining a mainly because the negative emo- chambers are certainly issues, as is sense of continuity with regards hate speech. to positive systems that keep the tions associated with fear or loss I would argue that to move past peace? Or will this have to be rein- are more immediate, therefore intolerance we need to become vented every time? most of the energy goes into stop- more focused on what we have in Systems are self-perpetuating — common. The more we focus on once they are moving in a particu- ping the causes of these emotions. differences the more likely we are to lar direction the processes tend to accentuate differences to the point become self-reinforcing. This is what where we only see people with dif- is called virtuous or vicious cycles. ferent views as dangerous. As already mentioned, systems are

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P_Wordsworld_Peace on earth, mercy too.indd 72 28-04-2021 11:42:59 path dependent, therefore the aim is Is dismantling the military a will be more wars. International bod- to nudge the system with multiple solution to building more peaceful ies do help, such as the UN, OSCE interventions from many directions. societies? and others, but many of these bodies The Positive Peace framework We do not live in a peaceful world are out of date and need reinvigorat- provides the blueprint for how to do and it is unlikely to be truly peaceful ing. The UN Security Council would this. What needs to be done will vary anytime soon, therefore we do need be a good start. from society to society as they are the military. The bigger question is Violence comes at a huge cost. unique and on their own unique path. what is the right size for the military The cost of violence to the global Although systems are different and how should it be used. One of economy was $14 trillion in 2020; there are common approaches and the key questions is when is military this is over 10 percent of global GDP some systems are more similar than action justified. For example, most and these figures are conservative. others. The Positive Peace frame- people would agree UN-sanctioned A 10 percent reduction in violence work provides an approach for peacekeeping operations are justi- would be equivalent to adding three analysing a system and developing fied. If a country is attacked what new countries to the world the size of appropriate nudges or interventions level of response is deemed appropri- Ireland, Switzerland and Denmark. to kick-start these virtuous cycles. ate. This is another difficult question Another way of looking at this is to answer. Also, what is the correct that all overseas developmental aid The world appears to be going size for the military. In many ways (ODA) in 2020 was equivalent to through a crisis of leadership. this can be a subjective figure based roughly one percent of the global Yes, there’s one Jacinda Ardern, on how free the population of the economic impact of violence. and there was one Angela Merkel. country is from fear. As I write in Peace in the Age of What makes for a good leader? If we look back on the last 20 Chaos, the desire to live in a safe, From my perspective good lead- years, most of the major global sustainable and prosperous world is ership is simple. Leaders need to conflicts could have been avoided. universal. I believe it is achievable be highly skilled in whatever they Iraq, Syria or Libya, for instance. if we use a more expansive under- are managing; they must also be The aim was to overthrow ruthless standing of the concept of peace. It is compassionate. Often when look- tyrants, but what was left in their a peace that is practical, one that rec- ing at political leadership we want place was chaos that caused more ognises threats and believes a level someone who is tough, who can cut human suffering than what preceded of military action is needed. One of through the issues to be effective, but the wars. The issue here was not the the important qualities of Positive without well-developed compassion military but the political leadership Peace is that it creates societies that the decisions are more likely to be that couldn’t secure peaceful transi- are more resilient. In other words, self-centered or even dangerous. tions, therefore future wars need to better capable of adapting to their However, compassionate people be approached with extreme caution. changing environments. This is espe- without appropriate knowledge tend cially needed in the 21st century as to be ineffective. Therefore, for good Do we ever stand a chance of the planet’s ecosystems are stretched leadership, both the head and the achieving peace? by the sheer number of people inhab- heart need to be combined. Often, we Peace is a relative concept – it only iting it, pandemics, such as Covid- just look at the head. stands in comparison to something 19, or because of the technological else. However, we can measure changes reshaping work and the way the current level of peace globally people interact. or within a country. If we set the Positive Peace, when combined target of creating a world that is 10 with systems thinking, provides a For good leadership, both per cent more peaceful then that is new and exciting theory of change. the head and the heart well within the bounds of what most It’s a new way to conceptualise people would consider possible. To how societies function and a new need to be combined. do this would mean tackling many of approach to solving our most the world’s major conflicts and not intractable problems. start any new conflicts. But given the The columnist is a children’s state of international rivalries, there writer and senior journalist.

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P_Wordsworld_Peace on earth, mercy too.indd 73 28-04-2021 11:42:59 On the racks

The Arctic Fury Author : Greer Macallister Publisher : Sourcebooks Landmark Pages : 408; `2,120 Laddie goes to War: Durga Nivas - Biography of Indian Pilots in WWI a building n 1853 Virginia Reeve Author : Somnath Sapru Author : RV Rajan Iis summoned to Boston Publisher : Vij Books India Publisher : Creative Workshop by Lady Jane Franklin who Pages : 340; `1,250 Pages : 152; `290 wants her to lead a group of 12 women to the Arctic. Lady uring the first two years of ased on the author’s experience Franklin expects the women to Dthe war the Royal Flying Bof living in a chawl in Mumbai find her lost husband Sir John Corps that had been set up as for the first 26 years of his life this Franklin, his expedition party part of the British Army suffered book will take the readers into the and two missing ships. Virginia heavy casualties on the Western tiny one-room kholis of Durga has experience as a guide Front in Europe. The British Nivas, a fictional chawl in Matunga, leading travellers to Oregon government was especially look- Mumbai. The chawl is home to a but this is a different journey ing for volunteers for the flying potpourri of people from different into one of the world’s harshest service. This book is a story of parts of India, who lived in close environments. Each of the five Indians who volunteered in proximity, sharing joys and sorrows; women in the group is picked World War I for flying services like one big joint family. Conversa- for their individual skills; a real in the Royal Flying Corps. Four tions by the common toilets, where mixture of ages, personalities of them flew combat planes in the people stood in a queue holding and backgrounds. The story is Royal Flying Corps in France, an empty paint and Dalda tins in about how this diverse group of Belgium and Italy during the their hands, the rumble of trains women get along and undertake war, at a time when Indians were playing like background music in this hazardous trip. The story considered unfit to operate a the complex’s courtyard, fights has an alternating timeline — screwdriver or drive a car. The between children escalating into it goes between the journey volunteers including a technician, fights between the respective sets of to the Arctic and eighteen all from affluent families had no parents; this book brings alive the months later in Boston where need to volunteer, but they did so life of nine families who lived on Virginia is on trial, accused and were accepted, trained and the first floor of Durga Nivas from of kidnapping and murdering sent into battle. the 1940s into the 21st century. socialite Caprice Collins.

Compiled by Kiran Zehra

74 ROTARYROTARY NEWSNEWS MAY 20212021

P_On the Racks_May21.indd 74 28-04-2021 11:42:42 Doing good with TRF help C Spic Nagar, RID 3212, on its 47th year of charter, has RC Spic Nagar Rvarious ongoing service pro- jects, with major focus on providing provides comprehensive healthcare healthcare. More than 100 children are liv- Team Rotary News ing a healthy life thanks to the annual paediatric heart camps being con- ducted by the club since the past five years. The club, in association with the Tuticorin Public Welfare Centre, organises cardiac screening camp for infants and young children and spon- sors corrective surgeries for needy patients at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. “We take care of the entire cost including travel, accommodation, food and hospitalisation,” says the club’s past president Radhakrishnan. Its artificial limb and mobility aid distribution camps have benefitted at least 300 physically-challenged peo- ple in the last five years. The limbs are manufactured and provided at An artificial limb being given to a beneficiary. subsidised cost by Rotary Coimbatore Midtown Artificial Limb Centre. this initiative. The beneficiaries are RC Melawati, Malaysia, RID 3300. Technicians from the centre visit the identified by the Tuticorin District A M Foundation, Chennai; SPIC and camp and take measurements from Rehabilitation Centre for the dif- Greenstar Fertilisers partnered with beneficiaries for artificial limbs, and ferently-abled and the Paralympic the club. SPIC’s wholetime director provide support in fitting the limbs Association. S R Ramakrishnan and COO E Balu and training the users to walk. Each This year the camp was organ- presided over the camp which bene- year the club spends `5 lakh for ised with global grant support from fitted around 80 people. The club, in association with the Aravind Eye Hospitals, organises eye camps, sponsors cataract surgeries and distributes prescription specta- cles for the underprivileged every year. General medical camps and blood donation camps twice a year are its other long-running healthcare programmes. “Schoolchildren look forward to our science exhibition every year. We have been organising it for sev- eral years and 400 students partici- pate,” says club president Mutharasu. The club has been hosting an annual RYLA for the past six years. It has a participation of at least 50 girls from A paediatric heart screening camp in progress. 10 colleges. „

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K_RC Spic Nagar provides comprehensive healthcare.indd 75 28-04-2021 11:42:18 AM Health This too shall pass

Sheela Nambiar

e all know change is inevita- buying a new car, changing the furni- to be shocked and traumatised when ble. There is a Japanese term ture in your home or even cancelling a it occurs. This does not mean you’re WI’m very fond of, it’s called subscription to a magazine/journal, any always waiting with bated breath for the Wabi-Sabi. It simply means, nothing is change can bring about a variety of emo- other shoe to drop, which can be stress- permanent, nothing is perfect, and noth- tions that can either move you forward ful in itself. It means you have a healthy ing is finished. or keep you petrified with doubt. acceptance of situations as they unfold. Keeping that in mind, how do we Change exposes our fears. Espe- cope with change in the best possible cially our fear of lack of control. We all Learn from change: There is much to manner to grow rather than get paralysed want to feel a sense of control over our be learnt as we move along in life. We by anxiety? How can we use change to lives, but the truth is, there isn’t much we can learn from it. Hone new skills, get a our advantage? can do to have control over. When we different perspective and make the best Everyone has experienced some understand this and be more accepting of it. Our brains are constantly rewiring degree of change, especially over this of change, we will find it easier to adapt as we think or do things differently. This last year with the pandemic. There have and roll with the tides. ability of the brain, called neuroplasti- been losses and stress to contend with. city, can help us adapt better. Change can be exciting, or it can be Attitudes that help daunting, sometimes devastating. From Accept change graciously: Change Focus on the positive but be aware major life changes like a change/loss of is an essential part of life. Welcome of the negative: Every situation has job, marriage, divorce, moving home change: If you learn to internalise that both negatives and positives. While we or a pandemic to smaller changes like change is inevitable you are less likely need to be clear on the negative aspects

K_Health_This too shall pass.indd 76 28-04-2021 11:41:31 AM of the changed situation (perhaps the * I can’t do it on my own new home you’ve moved into is fur- * I feel so sorry for myself ther from your workplace), one needs * Life is unfair. Learn and grow and if it is a to focus on the positive (it’s in a better GL൶FXOWWLPH\RXDUHJRLQJ neighbourhood and closer to school for Have a growth mindset your children). Carol Dweck, a professor of psychol- WKURXJKUHPHPEHUWKDWWKLV ogy at Stanford, talks about the ‘growth WRRVKDOOSDVV Grow with change: There is always mindset’ in her book, Mindset: the new an opportunity for growth. If you seek psychology of success. In it she states out these opportunities, there will be “In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt growth. For instance, the end of a is just the starting point for develop- z Connect socially: Stay connected marriage or relationship, while dev- ment. This growth mindset is based with authentic relationships. Get- astating, may be an opportunity to on the belief that your basic qualities ting support from close family/ explore your own individuality, get a are things you can cultivate through friends is essential in times of new job, study more or move to a new your efforts.” change. This would mean putting city. It may be an opportunity for self- A growth mindset is essential when in the effort to stay connected. exploration which was possibly stifled faced with change. When you have a Research has shown that strong in a dysfunctional relationship. fixed mindset instead you tend to avoid social support reduces stress. challenges, give up easily, see effort as z Get enough sleep: It is common to Know that humans can be enor- futile, tend to ignore feedback if nega- lose sleep when anxious or troubled. mously resilient: Resilience, the abil- tive and feel threatened by the success Loss of sleep can also compromise ity to bounce back, withstand setback/ of others. thinking, make you depressed and change and be even better than before cause overeating. Stay mindful: It’s is a skill. Some people seem adept at Self-care during change easy to become overwhelmed and it while others tend to tailspin easily z Continue (or develop) practices mindless during times of perceived when faced with challenges. Resil- that ground you: Practices like reg- stress. Practices like mindfulness ience however can be a learned skill. ular exercise should be continued meditation help enormously in this Have confidence in yourself that you through periods of change. It may regard. can cope with whatever change that be just an hour walk, but the fact z Stay lighthearted: Sometimes it’s comes your way. that you are able to continue with a good to be able to laugh at a situa- practice that you were used to, and tion and see the humour in it. This Thoughts that resist change you have control over, will ground obviously depends on the situation * This wonderful situation will never you during times of change. If exer- (you wouldn’t want to be humorous change cise is not something you practised at a funeral for instance), but very * My life will always stay this way regularly, this may even be a time often, when we look at the lighter * All this is ‘mine’ and mine alone to start. We all know exercise side of life and don’t take ourselves * This is all I know and all I’m will- improves mood. A positive frame too seriously, it gets easier to handle ing to know of mind will help enormously in what comes along. * I’m too old to change shifting times Change can be enormously chal- * I can’t think differently z Eat healthy: You may have a ten- lenging and gratifying depending on * I’ve put all my eggs in this one dency to binge eat or eat junk food your perspective. The ability to adapt basket. If I lose it, it’s the end of when anxious. Eating healthy, and grow instils a sense of confidence everything nutritious food at times like this will in us. Learn and grow and if it is a * It’s too difficult also keep you feeling good and the difficult time you are going through, * I’m too comfortable in this situation. mental faculties sharp. Brain fog remember that ‘this too shall pass’. I cannot be comfortable in any other is common when you overload on * I cannot and will not do refined carbs. Gaining weight is The author is a lifestyle anything else inevitable if you indulge often or medicine physician. * I feel incapable of learning eat mindlessly. All of this only adds [email protected] new skills to the discomfort of change. www.drsheelanambiar.com

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 77

K_Health_This too shall pass.indd 77 28-04-2021 11:41:33 AM CLUB HOP

RC Manora Pattukkottai — RID 2981 RC Nasik Grapecity — RID 3030

Safety net partitions Club president M S were fitted in Selvaraj pre- around 200 sented certif- autorickshaws icates to the as protec- second batch tion against of trainees the spread of who completed coronavirus. DG a three-month Shabbir Shakir course at the club’s participated in the tailoring centre. distribution drive.

RC Salem — RID 2982 RC Alwar Shourya — RID 3053

An IFT equipment Sanitation materials worth `35,000 was such as phenyl, donated to the toilet cleaning physiotherapy solutions, hand- unit of the wash liquid and Ramakrishna sanitisers and Mission Dis- sanitiser stand pensary, Salem, were donated to in the presence the Rajkiya Uchh of club president Prathmik Vidyalaya at G Kamaraj. Chouki Sheikh Sarai.

RC Panchshila Park — RID 3011 RC Mandvi — RID 3054

Twenty-five dustbins Club president were installed at Aniel Sahni the windfarm handed over a beach and at the platelets sepa- Topansar lake ration equip- site by the club ment to the in partnership Rotary Blood with the Nature Bank, Delhi. Secure Society.

78 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Club HOP - May 2021.indd 78 4/26/2021 1:32:21 PM CLUB HOP

RC Surat Round Town — RID 3060 RC Chandausi City Star — RID 3100

A walkathon was organ- ised, in association with the Max Handwash Hospital, on stations were World Peace donated to three Day. Apart schools under a from Rotarians, district project around 500 and a handwash people took part demo was held for in the event inaugu- students. rated by SP (Sambhal) Chakreshwar Raj.

RC Dharamshala — RID 3070 RC Agra Taj City — RID 3110

A mega medical camp was held in partnership The club members with the Malhotra participated with Nursing Home the local health and Smriti department to Sanstha. adminisiter Around 200 polio drops to women were 80 children in screened for four slum colonies ailments. An on an NID. awareness session on cervical cancer was held.

RC Shahabad Markanda — RID 3080 RC Ballia — RID 3120

A health check-up Around 100 camp was held blankets were at the Sidharth distributed to Hospital which needy people at benefitted the the bus stand, elderly and the railway station, sick in the town. hospital and other places.

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 79

Club HOP - May 2021.indd 79 4/26/2021 1:32:22 PM CLUB HOP

RC Solapur — RID 3132 RC Kushalnagar — RID 3181

A Rotary Cycle The club, along with the Bank Project was JSS Dental College, inaugurated on distributed white Women’s Day. canes and radios The first five to visually- cycles were impaired per- handed over to sons. DSP H M B M Pulli Kanya Shailendra was Prashala. the chief guest at the event held at the Rotary Hall.

RC Chandanagar RC Puram — RID 3150 RC Shimoga — RID 3182

A peace walk was A Rotary mammog- conducted to mark raphy centre in the 116th year of memory of Rtn Rotary at the Dr B Ventaka BHEL sta- Rao was inau- dium. The club gurated through members cre- a GG project ated awareness (`78.77 lakh) about Rotary and with RCs Fort its activities among Collins-Breakfast and the public. Fort Collins After Work.

RC Vishrambag — RID 3170 RC Cochin Beachside — RID 3201

Covid care equipment worth `7.75 lakh The club organ- were handed over ised a menstrual to the govern- hygiene aware- ment district ness session at hospital, Aluva. the Pasaydan The project School, Sangli, was funded by and distributed Aspinwall as sanitary napkins part of their CSR to the students. initiative.

80 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

Club HOP - May 2021.indd 80 4/26/2021 1:32:23 PM CLUB HOP

RC Tirunelveli Town — RID 3212 RC Rourkela Riverside — RID 3261

Bedsheets were given to visually-impaired Jackets were given to women at an old conservancy staff age home in at the Chhend the presence of colony in the club president city. Around M Ramasamy 100 blankets and IMPA, local were distributed chapter, president at an orphanage- T Sivasubramanian. cum-school.

RC Pernambut — RID 3231 RC Baripada Heritage — RID 3262

IPP Jaweed Khan handed Around 70 students were over road barricades screened for dental to the local police diseases at an oral station during hygiene camp at the Road Safety the Bireswarpur Awareness Government programme High School at the Green in Mayurbhanj. Valley School. It was followed Rtn Aliyar Ameen by an awareness Ahmed gave helmets session. to bikers.

RC Patna Kankarbagh — RID 3250 RC Calcutta Universe — RID 3291

The club hosted cyclist The club sponsored Mahesh Kumar cataract surgery during his halt in for 55 patients at the city. He was the Netra Nidan on a solo mis- Eye Hospital. sion (6,000km Past president in 30 days) to Dr Rakesh promote ‘clean, Kumar performed green and literate the surgeries. India’.

Compiled by V Muthukumaran

MAY 2021 ROTARY NEWS 81

Club HOP - May 2021.indd 81 4/26/2021 1:32:24 PM All the troubles worth it to see our grandson

TCA Srinivasa Raghavan

ast month, after a very long If you are travelling economy there’s took an Uber taxi to Lausanne where time, we got lucky. We no place to sit while you wait, except my son lives. It’s about 80km from travelled to Switzerland in the holding areas at the gate. Those Geneva. It came as a small shock to Lto see our grandson who open only an hour before the flight. see that the Swiss highways, unlike in was born last year in July. My son is The restaurants are the only option but other west European countries, are not doing research at a university there. how do you spend four hours there? So lit. It was pitch dark all the way. We But because the Swiss were not issu- if you are travelling west via Dubai, be quarantined voluntarily for three days ing any visas we were unable to go. warned. For older people the experi- in an Airbnb flat. That was not much Then suddenly in January this year ence is unpleasant. I believe Frankfurt fun because we were so anxious to see they decided that if a child had been airport also makes you walk a long our grandson. born, grandparents and siblings could distance. But after such a long flight we visit. It was a special purpose visa, But Geneva was the opposite, at didn’t want to take any chances. valid for six months. We applied least where walking is concerned. It’s Before we moved to my son’s flat we when all the detailed documentation a small airport, only a little bigger than took a corona test. It is quite expen- was complete. It included the baby’s Kolkata or Chennai. But unlike on sive but nothing compared to the cost birth certificate and other proofs. The previous occasions when we landed, of the RTPCR test we had to take 72 visa came in a week. And we finally there was no aerobridge this time. It hours before returning — a shocking took the Emirates flight from Delhi was very cold as well. We were loaded `12,000 per person. In the UK, I was to Geneva in early March. Earlier we on to buses and with no regard for dis- told, they charge 250 pounds per per- used to take Swiss Air but it’s not fly- tancing. Later we found that very few son! It being Easter weekend, all test- ing to and from Delhi these days. people wore masks except when inside ing centres in Lausanne were booked. The Emirates routing was via an enclosed space like a shop or train. So we had to travel 30km by train to Dubai naturally and so here’s the Our flight landed after dark and we a nearby village. That added another first warning. Although the flight `6,000 to the cost which came to half was superb — despite the masks and the price of one ticket to Geneva and face shields throughout the flight— back. On our way back, before board- in Dubai the airport experience was ing for Delhi in Dubai we, along with the opposite. The separation of west- In Dubai we were told we several other passengers, were told bound flights from others is such that we needed four and not two copies needed four and not two you have to walk for between 35–50 of the self-declaration form on Air minutes to get to the gate of your con- copies of the self-declaration Suvidha. Two extra copies cost us 60 ` necting flight. It took us 43 minutes form on Air Suvidha. Two dirhams at 21/dirham or a little over and 3,978 steps on the way out. The `1,200! Clearly, everyone is scalping same thing happened on the way back. extra copies cost us 60 travellers. Fortunately, on both occasions, we had dirhams - `1,200! But you know what? Our grandson a lot of time — two hours outbound made it all worth it. Who cares about and four inbound. But you know what? a little money? „

82 ROTARY NEWS MAY 2021

K_LBW_All the troubles worth it to see our grandson.indd 82 28-04-2021 11:41:48 AM The language of In Brief whistling

Kongthong, a village 65km from UAE’s female astronaut Shillong in Meghalaya, has a special language of whistles. The UAE has named the next two For centuries, the village has astronauts in its next space programme, nurtured the whistling code, including the country’s first female called Jingrwai Iawbei where a astronaut, Noura al-Matroushi. She mother chooses a whistle tune for her newborn. As the child and her male counterpart Mohammed becomes man, the tune becomes his identity. The elders in Al-Mulla were shortlisted from among the community are hoping that with the help of a UNESCO 4,000 applicants in the UAE. Noura (28) is an engineer at heritage tag and a school they will be able keep the whistling Abu Dhabi’s National Petroleum Construction Company and tradition going. Meghalaya has long been trying to get Al-Mulla (33) is a pilot with the Dubai police. Both of them the whistling nomenclature system on UNESCO’s list of will undergo training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Recently Sanbor Houston, Texas. In February the country put a satellite Amal Shullai, South Shillong MLA, wrote to the Intangible (Arabic for Hope) in orbit around Mars and hopes to launch an Cultural Heritage of Humanity Centre seeking the heritage unmanned spacecraft to the moon by 2024. It also has plans to tag for Meghalaya’s oral tradition that has just 700 surviving build a human colony on Mars by 2117. practitioners now.

Big donation for Bihar, A dairy builds an oxygen unit in 72 hours Jharkhand healthcare Banas Dairy in Banaskantha district, sector North Gujarat, set up an oxygen plant in 72 hours flat to help its district medical Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia, college tide over severe shortage of an Indian-American couple oxygen. The management decided from Texas, US, donated `1 to become atma-nirbhar when the crore ($150,000) for ramping up dairy-supported Banas Medical College and Research Institute healthcare facilities in Bihar and Jharkhand through the Bihar in Palanpur ran short of oxygen for 125 Covid patients, and Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA). The managed to get some cylinders after much struggle. The new donation will be used for healthcare infrastructure in the rural plant has a capacity to daily generate 680 kg of medical grade areas of the two states through the Pravasi Alumni Nisshulk oxygen with a purity of 93-96 per cent and that can serve (PRAN) — an initiative by like-minded Indian-American 35-40 patients a day. The dairy plans to set up two more plants physicians who are working to provide healthcare to the in the district so that the medical team can focus on the core underprivileged in Bihar and Jharkhand. work rather than waste its energy on hunting for oxygen.

An app for diabetes consultation During these scary times everybody wants to of RC Madras Central. Once the appointment is booked, a avoid going to doctors’ clinics or hospitals, for hospital representative asks the patient to keep ready the latest fear of getting the Covid infection. While many blood sugar reports, the medicines/insulin taken, etc and the routine check-ups can be postponed, diabetics next day the doctor is connected to the patient through a video can’t afford to do so. “With this in view, we have call. “This way there is no unnecessary travel or commute, come out with an app named ‘diahome’, which you can download which is risky, and the patient’s diabetes management is also on your phone, and book an online appointment with either me monitored,” says the diabetologist. The hospital also organises or any of our diabetologists,” says Dr A Ramachandran, chief of blood tests at home, and delivery of medicines. (more info on A Ramachandran Hospitals, Chennai. A Rotarian, he is a member [email protected]).

Compiled by Kiran Zehra; Designed by Krishnapratheesh S

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