Incoming directors felicitated

In Nagesh we have a winner — 1,725 new members, 52 new clubs, 160 Rotaract clubs and a contribution of $2.2 million to TRF — incredible,” said PRIP K R Ravindran, addressing a meet organised by RIDs 3191 and 3192 to felicitate incoming RI directors K P Nagesh and M Muruganandam in Bengaluru. He was recalling RIDE Nagesh’s record-­making feat as DG of RID 3190 in 2015–16. ­Ravindran was the RI president during that year when the district topped the world in membership and TRF-giving.

With a blend of wisdom and encouragement, Ravindran shared insight from his own journey, providing a roadmap for the new directors. “You are both capable of being great ambassadors for India on the RI Board and on behalf of the Board to the world. If you want to make this country proud, perform well there. Asia holds a crucial place in Rotary’s landscape, contributing 40 per cent of membership and half of the top districts in TRF-giving,” he said.

Recalling a conversation with his mentor PRIP Rajendra Saboo, ­Ravindran said, “When I was nominated as RI director, I was concerned about representing a small country. Raja told me, ‘You won’t be judged by where you came from. Your country will be judged by what you do on the Board.’ This is the responsibility you both now carry.”

Leading, he added, was different from being a leader. “A leader may hold the highest rank, but leading is when others follow willingly, not because they have to, but because they want to. You’ll face grey areas, and no matter which path you choose, you’ll draw criticism. Praise is fleeting; respect is lasting. Nobody cares about your convictions, history or credentials. What matters is what you do now.”

Learn to disagree in an agreeable manner, he said, relating a situation where as RI director, he had to impose a three-year ban on a district for RI appointments. Despite facing severe criticism, he maintained the importance of relationships, recounting how a conversation over lunch resolved the issue. “Sometimes you may have to take a tough stand on an issue, but it shouldn’t interfere with personal relationships,” he advised.

RI Director Raju ­Subramanian shared fond memories of working with Nagesh, highlighting his unwavering support as chair of the Bengaluru Rotary Institute. “There was never a ‘no’ from him. For all the requests we made during the event, his reply was always Ho jayega.” Recalling the sit-down South Indian style lunch at the institute, he said, “Trustee Bharat and I were concerned about that lunch and whether it would eat into the institute ­sessions. Nagesh convinced us otherwise and indeed it was a showstopper. At every hurdle that came our way during the planning of the event, he would say, ‘Don’t worry. We will sort it out.’ His words gave me and the team confidence.” He urged the two incoming leaders to uphold Rotary’s ethos and ethics and “always observe financial transparency and integrity. Only that will sustain the future of Rotary in our country.”

RID Anirudha Roychowdhury praised Nagesh for navigating complex challenges with exceptional results. “He will set high standards and drive the team to soar high,” he said. TRF ­Trustee Bharat Pandya, in a video message, encouraged the new directors to justify the great opportunity they had been given, and work for a better Rotary.

PRIP Shekhar Mehta, offering his felicitations to the incoming directors, said, “When people are happy that you are leading them, that is your goodwill and the dividend you have earned. The two of you make a potent combination representing us at the highest level. We expect great things to happen under your leadership.”

PRID C Basker recalled his association with Nagesh as DG when he was Rotary Coordinator for Zone 5. “Nagesh set himself goals which others thought impossible. He created a new membership strategy — divide to grow, and grow to divide,” which led to bifurcation of districts. He also praised the energy, resourcefulness and ambition of both the incoming directors. “Under their leadership we will see tremendous reforms which will make the Rotary world look at us,” he said. PRID Manoj Desai, who served as RI director during the time when Nagesh and ­Muruganandam were district governors, expressed pride in seeing them take on their new roles. PRID Mahesh Kotbagi urged the incoming directors to “prioritise regionalisation to allow us to grow more.”

In his address Muruganandam pledged his support to Nagesh and stressed the importance of member retention alongside growth. “Members who leave Rotary should be seen as a threat to Rotary’s public image.” He gave a peek into one of the ‘12-point’ programmes designed by the two incoming leaders — the 1:2:3 formula. “For every Rotarian inducted we must ensure we bring in 2 Rotaractors and 3 Interactors. We can then see our Rotary Wheel roll for the next 5–6 decades,” he said.

Nagesh, in his reponse, thanked the senior leaders, Rtn ­Jayakumar “who introduced Rotary to me 30 years ago” and his mentor PDG Yogananda who “moulded me as a good Rotarian. We are missing him. He will be in my heart forever.” He outlined his plans for membership growth and TRF giving. “As DG I planned 52 new clubs in 52 weeks. Now as director I aim to charter 365 clubs in a year and increase TRF contribution to $100 million, and double the current CSR contributions. We will build on the legacy of our senior leaders,” he said.

A heartwarming video from Nagesh’s family concluded the event, with his son, daughter and wife expressing their admiration and support. “Rotary has truly benefited our family and we are grateful. The architect of our house, the doctor for our dogs, the trustee of my college, the landlord of my office space and the auditor — everybody is a Rotarian. Pa, you are a great inspiration,” his son Tejus said. His daughter Nidhi added, “I am honoured to be his daughter. His wisdom has shaped me in countless ways.” His wife Uma expressed confidence in Nagesh’s ability to meet the new challenges ahead.

Felicitations at Trichy

Speaking at a meet in Trichy to felicitate RIDE Muruganandam, PRIP Ravindran said that leadership is all about courage to uphold the right, “staying true to one’s values and integrity instead of bowing to popular or majority opinions.” As RI director, “you will be running the business of Rotary, managing our zones in the ‘business’ of health, literacy, livelihoods, and doing miracles that change lives.” Focus on the task ahead, fly forward, don’t look back and let the past baggage come in the way, he urged the incoming directors ­Muruganandam and Nagesh.

Success is all about how you carry yourself in a highly responsible position. Every opportunity and position come with an obligation, responsibility and a duty to perform, Ravindran pointed out, and added, “apart from the milestones you have planned in membership, Foundation-giving and service projects, “encourage your governors, make clubs effective and productive, enhance value for members, impact communities, and bring down the administrative cost.” Citing his experience as RI Board’s treasurer, when the then RI president wanted him to collect funds from clubs to fund the visit of around 500 DGs to the RI convention, with which “I disagreed politely,” he told the RIDEs to “be prepared for hard decisions and challenges ahead” at the board deliberations.

RID Roychowdhury recalled his return flight journey from the US with Muruganandam a few years ago when he had a “long, intense chat with him.  I was so impressed by his thought process and felt that one day he would lead Rotary India, which has come true now.” ­Muruganandam would work silently, but efficiently, on many big-ticket projects as DG (2016–17), he said, and “as a Rotaractor he was active in the PolioPlus drive earning kudos from the district collector.”
A vocational centre set up by him during his Rotaract stint is still active, noted the RID.

RI director Subramanian said that the presence of Nagesh and ­Muruganandam in the RI Board from 2025–27 will showcase India’s resilience and leadership in taking Rotary forward to greater dimensions. Have big dreams, plans, goals, and rely on teamwork to excel, said PRIP ­Shekhar Mehta, adding, “I had goosebumps listening to their 10-point charter of action. These two leaders are capable of leaving a rich legacy behind as they are focused and not afraid of failure.” Recalling the eight Guinness Records that Muruganandam had set as governor, PRID Basker added a note of caution, saying that “we are becoming district-centric, rather than focusing on clubs which are the real pillars of Rotary.” RI directors must encourage and empower Rotary clubs in India to address issues of membership, he said.

The growth of RI districts and clubs in Tamil Nadu (Zone 5) is fantastic, thanks to multifaceted leaders like Muruganandam who excels in diverse enterprises, said PRID ­Kotbagi. Humility and the ability to burn midnight oil to achieve big are his hallmarks, said PRID Manoj Desai. TRF Trustee Bharat Pandya and PRID Kamal Sanghvi offered felicitations through video links.

In his speech RIDE Nagesh said, “we understand that our position comes with a lot of responsibility.” ­Expressing his gratitude to his parents, wife Sumathi and children, Muruganandam said he was influenced by three Rotarians in his formative years in Rotary — Samuel Christdoss, Rotary-Rotaract advisor; PDGs T Valliappan and
P S D Chandrasekaran. Having joined Rotary as a 16-year-old Rotaractor, he was the charter president of RC BHEL City Tiruchirapalli, one of the youngest governors of his time, and his mantra is ‘Say yes to Rotary’. His theme for his tenure as director is ‘Keep going’.

Urging the Rotarians to give importance to Rotaract, he said, “74 per cent Rotary clubs have not sponsored a Rotaract club, 79 per cent are doing nothing for Interact, and 80 per cent have not sponsored an RCC.” Muruganandam said a Rotary India Leadership Conclave will be held in Chennai in August 2025, and the zone institute will be held in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, PRID Basker, DG R Raja Govindasamy, IPDG R ­Anandtha Jothi, DGE J Karthik, DGN R ­Subramani and leaders from RIDs 2981, 2982, 3203, 3212 and 3233 greeted Muruganandam and Sumathi at a felicitation meet in Madurai which was hosted by his home club RC BHEL City Tiruchirapalli.