It is no secret that India has impressed the Rotary world in the last decade on several counts; growth in membership in an era where Rotary’s pioneering nations have seen a worrying drop in numbers. Also, from once a nation that constantly sought funds from The Rotary Foundation to do service projects, we have steadily become a ‘giving’ country, and emerged as the second highest giver to TRF in the last few years.
But at the recently concluded International Assembly in Orlando, where the incoming district governors undergo rigorous training, India truly emerged the superstar. First came the jaw-dropping announcement from RID 3192 DGE Ravishankar Dakoju that his wife Paola and he had decided to donate around 85 per cent of their wealth — an approximate $50 to 60 million — to The Rotary Foundation. Given the present exchange rate, the figure comes to a staggering ₹500 crore or so.
If we keep aside the numbers for a moment, it was really the humility with which Dakoju and Paola presented themselves at the podium, the sombre manner in which the man delivered the moving, brutally honest and simple speech that summed up his seven decades on the planet, that moved the assembled Rotarians and their spouses resulting in standing ovations… during and after the speech.
Many senior Rotarians commented that this is in all probability the single largest donation ever made to the Foundation. With one stroke the couple from Bengaluru reinforced in the minds and hearts of Rotarians faith in the power of TRF, through its million-plus army of Rotarians, to do good in the world. The gesture screamed, though in a muted and nuanced tone, that if you want to help your fellow human beings, and restore some of the lost glory of Mother Earth, TRF is the place.
But India’s triumph at Orlando didn’t halt with the Dakojus’ display of generosity. RI Director M Muruganandam, who is presently the chair of Rotary News Trust (2025–26), was named Rotary’s vice-president for the coming Rotary year (2026–27). He becomes only the fourth Indian to get this high office. B T Thakur (1946–47), Shapoor Billymoria (1949–50) and Nitish Laharry (1953–54) held this position while serving as RI directors. Laharry of course went on to become the first Indian RI President. Small wonder that his appointment was greeted with much joy by the euphoric Indians present in Orlando.
India’s moment at the IA was summed up neatly by past RI President K R Ravindran, who wrote in a forum for senior RI leaders: “It is impossible not to reflect on how prominently India featured in these last few days — through leadership, example, and values that resonate deeply with the spirit of Rotary. Ravishankar was, quite simply, the toast of the Assembly… his actions have redefined the scale of personal commitment to Rotary.” He hailed him for his “heart-moving eloquence, courage, conviction and generosity that very few human beings are capable of.” Ravindran added that Muruganandam’s appointment as VP “is a moment for us to celebrate a leader whose relentless pursuit of Rotary’s philosophy and ideals has propelled him to this responsibility.”
Rasheeda Bhagat