Letters to the Editor – October 2018 issue
Great content, high calibre
As a regular reader of Rotary News, I find the content worth reading and the magazine of high calibre. Shakti Sinha deserves kudos for the way he portrayed Atalji. RC Madurai Next Gen’s initiative in connecting employees with job seekers should be followed by elite clubs in big cities. The Gift of Life project facilitating heart surgery for children, undertaken by RC Greater Tezpur, is laudable as it cuts across borders, caste, creed and religion. Is your trainer fit for you by Sheela Nambiar is an eye-opener for fitness buffs. It is great to note that over 150 countries have brought out commemorative Rotary stamps. The support given to the people of Kerala during this difficult time is heart warming.
M T Philip, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
The Editor’s note and other articles describing various projects are marvellous. I am a regular reader of the magazine and at 85, I enjoy reading the entire content.
T M Venkataraman — D 3231
A request to RIPN Sushil Gupta
I humbly request RIPN-designate Sushil Gupta to increase Rotary’s humanitarian projects as human relations are going through testing times. Rotary can strengthen our bond of love, affection and mutual respect. I wish him all success.
Dr NRUK Kartha, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
Congrats to Sushil Gupta for being chosen as RIPN for 2020–21. When I interacted with him at a district conference, I found him sincere and dedicated to the community as well as Rotary.
As RI President Rassin calls for strong Rotary clubs to “do more good”, we need more new clubs with younger members to generate more enthusiasm. Articles like Eliminating measles and rubella from India are informative and inspirational. The coverage of club activities with photos in Club Matters is wonderful. Kudos to the Editorial team for coming out with a quality publication with colourful pages.
P R N Chandra Mouli, RC Berhampur Midtown — D 3262
Kudos to RC Chandausi for running a charitable eye hospital for 60 years. But I feel the hospital should not charge more than ₹1,000 from poor patients, as it has sufficient reserve funds. We are doing annually 200 IOL implants at ₹1,200 per patient.
Shivraj Bhargava, RC Agra Taj City — D 3110
The September issue has some interesting articles; From a Leo to a Rotarian (Meet your Governors) reminded me of my younger days, and how in 1976 we had formed the first Leo Club of Calcutta.
Piyush Doshi, RC Belur — D 3291
Membership retention is the key
To augment our membership, retention is the key. Any member leaving the club must be reported to a district committee and the reasons analysed. Often members leave due to differences with other members. Spouses joining Rotary should be given a 50 per cent concession.
Rakesh Bhatia, RC Belur — D 3291
Great message from RI Director
The message from RI Director C Basker (Aug issue) is an absorbing one. Retention of members is critical for a club’s growth.
A R Bhaskar Raj, RC Sivakasi Central — D 3212
Director C Baskar’s message where he quotes Robert Frost: “I have miles to go before I sleep”, is inspiring. As he says, a lot of work has to be done in community service to create more awareness about Rotary. The project of RC Hyderabad Gachibowli giving girl students bicycles and sewing machines to the needy is praiseworthy, as also the Happy School project of RC Gwalior Imperial, D 3053, ensuring toilet blocks to schools.
Naveen R Garg, RC Sunam — D 3090
RI Director C Basker has nicely expressed how he gave RI President Barry Rassin the great news of Rtn
D Ravishankar donating ₹100 crore to TRF. This brings great pride to every Indian.
S Mohan, RC Madurai West — D 3000
An innovative project
The article Water wheels make fetching water easy has impressed us. A nice, innovative and productive project led by Rtn Amrish Daftary has changed the life of rural people carrying water over long distances. Under your editorship, Rotary News is making giant strides.
Paramesh Dev Choudhury, RC Gauhati South — D 3240
A wonderful Convention article
Thanks for the article It’s Rotary everywhere in Toronto (Aug issue), written in a lucid style and providing a wonderful read. Even though I missed the convention this time, I enjoyed the walk with the writer to the breakout sessions, House of Friendship and the whole venue celebrating Rotary Friendship. It was a delight to view the colourful flag march of 178 countries and listen to the renowned speakers through the writer’s expression of words, which radiated the exotic fragrance of our great Convention.
Giti Bujarbaruah, RC Gauhati South — D 3240
Skewed gender ratio
It was distressing to see only two women amongst 40 odd DGs in the centrespread picture mapping the present DGs. Rotary must do something to correct this skewed gender ratio. In our club we have two women poised to take over as club presidents in the next few years. We need a similar change at the district-level.
V G Deodhar, RC Nasik — D 3030
It is inspiring to read How to kick out a bad habit in the August issue. In step with this, can we stop providing liquor at district conferences, seminars and other Rotary events? Let us try this and see the impact on registration.
Srinath, RC Shimoga North — D 3182
A touching Editorial
The Editorial A season of heartbreaks and generosity in the August issue was insightful. RI President Barry Rassin’s message to start at home to build a strong organisation reminds us to follow Rotary principles, treating everybody with respect. RID Basker’s message was inspirational. I was touched by Ravishankar’s `100 crore donation to TRF. The August issue was a commendable one.
Om Prakash Modi, RC Raigarh Steel City — D 3261
Club CoL with RI Convention
Vision Quest in the April issue gave us a glimpse of what RI President Barry Rassin thinks and wants to do. He has hit the nail on the head when he says that CoL as it stands is one of the challenges in Rotary. A wait of five years to accomplish change is simply unacceptable in today’s fast paced world. A welcome change was made at the last CoL by separating ‘Resolutions’, to be taken up annually by video conferencing. CoL could be made an annual meeting, along with the RI Convention, as done earlier. The work load will come down if it meets annually to sort out things.
Limitation on the number of proposals/ enactments on a district or zone-wise basis and use of video conference and other technologies can result in a huge saving in cost and time.
PDG Rajkumar Vaiyapuri — D 3201
An inspiring donation
Congrats for the excellent coverage on the generosity of Rtn D Ravishankar who has donated ₹100 crore to TRF. Only once-in-a-lifetime we come across a family such as Ravishankar’s. May the Lord keep them healthy and happy.
Robert Franklin Rego, RC Bajpe — D 3181
As an elderly person, I don’t read magazines regularly, but the headline A single gift of ₹100 crore to TRF attracted me. I was so touched by Ravishankar’s views and philosophy that I circulated copies of this article among my children and grandchildren.
Trilochan Singh, RC Delhi — D 3011
The life story of D Ravishankar is astounding and its message is that giving is more important than receiving. He has rocked the Rotary world by his exemplary donation.
Arun Kumar Dash, RC Baripada — D 3262
Every Rotarian must salute
D Ravishankar for his gift of ₹100 crore to TRF and his simplicity. This will motivate many to donate substantially to the Foundation. Congrats for bringing out such a nice article on him. Meet Your Governors is interesting. The centrespread with pictures of newly-elected DGs on the map of India is an innovative and useful idea.
S Rangarajan, RC Tirunelveli Suburbs — D 3212
You have provided an 8-page coverage of D Ravishankar’s unparalleled contribution to the Foundation. He says, “I am only a co-worker and can’t lead leaders”; a great message for Rotarians. A Rotarian for 14 years, I salute this leader who has reached out to people in the Northeast and Pakistan.
K Devarajan, RC Coimbatore East — D 3201
Ravishankar’s story clean bowled me! It’s not just the ₹100 crore he donated, but his life theory is super inspiring. I wish him and his family the best.
Atul Bhide, RC Thane Hills — D 3142
An inspiring gesture by D Ravishankar was brought out in vivid details by a terrific story. The article makes us think: What drives a man to contribute so much; the lessons to learn; what more can the rest of us do.
Nilanjan Dey, RC Calcutta Bhowanipore — D 3291
Happy to read a very emotional and exceptional article on Ravishankar’s donation of ₹100 crore to TRF. I am sure with this, many more will come forward to emulate him.
G P Capt Deodhar, RC Nasik — D 3030
Ravishankar’s contribution is inspirational, and truly reflects the Rotary motto Service above Self. May God bless him and his family.
T N Nazimuddin, RC Tellichery — D 3202
