I read with admiration the article The Game Changer featuring RI President Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola. His journey from a Rotaractor to the current post is both inspiring and transformational, reflecting Rotary’s spirit of leadership development, service and perseverance. That he raised $80,000 for TRF through a simple text message campaign demonstrates that leadership is not about power, but purpose, connection and credibility.
His humility is deeply moving;
“I am called a game changer, but the ideas that changed the game were not mine.” His message for 2026–27, Together We Create Lasting Impact, is not just a slogan, but a philosophy that reminds you that sustainable change is possible through unity, collaboration and shared commitment. As the second RI President from Africa, he also symbolises Rotary’s growing global inclusiveness and diversity in leadership. His powerful words — “Don’t be afraid to fail; be afraid not to
try” — will continue to inspire Rotarians to act boldly, serve fearlessly, and lead with compassion.
D Mohan
RC Salem Mid-Town — D 2982
I read the article on Dr T S Chhabra (99) who is marching towards his golden century filled with relentless service in the army. A member of RC Nilgiris, his service is praiseworthy. Every Rotarian should note his thought-provoking words.
RI director M Muruganandam being appointed RI Vice President is a proud moment for every Rotarian of RID 3000. Starting as a Rotaractor, he has come so far with his dedicated spirit, and is a role model for all, especially youngsters.
S Mohan, RC Madurai
West — RID 3000
I am a voracious reader of your wonderful magazine, beautifully designed and loaded with knowledge covering all aspects of life. The editor’s powerful writing touches our hearts.
I eagerly look forward for the postman to deliver Rotary News.
My compliments for the unique cover picture of two pigeons, conveying love, peace and positivity. Today the world faces many conflicts and more can erupt. Rotary plays the role of creating a peaceful environment by setting up peace centres teaching how to build trust and reduce conflict.
Raj Kumar Kapoor
RC Roop Nagar — D 3080
The magnanimous donation of `500 crore by DGE Ravishankar Dakoju and his wife Paola is amazing. What a gesture, and indeed a world record in TRF-giving which should inspire all Rotarians to enhance their contribution to TRF. May god bless their family.
Robert Franklin Rego
RC Bajpe — D 3181
The article on heart attack by Dr Gita Mathai is a timely one as more and more young people are affected by chest pain due to a stressful lifestyle. She has clearly explained who are all vulnerable to heart attack, its symptoms, preventive measures, and the exercises to prevent such attacks which will be useful to the readers. I benefitted from it; more such articles are welcome.
Sivaperumal Subramani
RC Walajapet — D 3231
I liked the article by Rasheeda Bhagat titled A leadership journey like no other… in the Jan issue. One para in the address of Capt Raghu Raman from the Indian Army was heart-wrenching. It was about the letters our soldiers get; while some can bring smiles, others have to be held back, because the soldier’s morale must never be broken. Suppose a soldier’s daughter has died; the commanding officer will not inform him. But just imagine the burden he has to carry. Reading this, I closed my eyes for a moment… It was like watching a movie, a pain that tore through my heart. Now this is quality of writing that truly touched the soul. Thank you.
Suresh Menon
RC Parur — D 3205
In his column, Muruganandam says that while making a commitment to a noble cause is an expression of humanity, keeping it despite challenges and obstacles is an expression of something higher. Citing Ayn Rand, a reputed philosopher and novelist who said “the question is not who is going to let me, but who is going to stop,” he says self-confidence and leadership are critical in achieving all goals.
Niranjan Kar
RC Bhubaneswar — D 3262
Pune Peace Centre,
a great moment
I concur with your views in the editorial titled Pune’s Peace Centre offers hope; it is indeed a splendid moment for Indian Rotarians. The selection of such a peace centre is historical and the presence of RI President and trustee chair in the event is setting a precedent in itself. Symbiosis University has proved its importance as rightly pointed out in your article.
The future scholars of this centre will hopefully play a pivotal role as ambassadors of peace carrying the message of a land where a great apostle of peace and nonviolence, Mahatma Gandhi, was born.
Arun Kumar Dash
RC Baripada — D 3262
A Rotary Peace Center being inaugurated at Pune’s Symbiosis International University is a divine gift. I feel blessed to have passed out of Symbiosis, with a BCom and Masters in Computers in 1998–2002. I can’t wait to pay a visit to this new peace centre and bathe in its glory. I will make special efforts to take Rotarians to this centre from RID 3170.
Kudos to all the team members who made this Peace Center a reality. Such a wonderful article with apt pictures in the Rotary News, that summed up in detail the grand inaugural. Cheers to Rotary and Symbiosis.
Satyajeet Morey, RC Dharwad Heritage — D 3170
The inauguration of the Rotary Peace Center in Pune is a welcome step in the context of geopolitical tensions and conflicts we are witnessing now. The content of the March issue was unputdownable. The RI President’s message focused on the importance of data and explained how it can be used to deliver measurable change. It is gratifying to note that TRF has invested more than $230 million in supporting thousands of water related initiatives since 2013. The anecdote from Erica Gwynn provides a first-hand account of the changes from sustained efforts.
N Anthri Vedi, RC Hyderabad
Mega City — D 3150
The cover picture depicting the need for instilling peace is a timely one given the current global conflict. Also, the cover story on India getting a Rotary Peace Center is a happy news for us all. The message from RI President Arezzo, and RI director Muruganandam’s call to keep commitments are excellent. The feature on entrepreneurship RYLA by Rasheeda Bhagat with detailed interviews of Rotaractors is very inspiring to read. All other articles are interesting to go through.
G Kannan
RC Dindigul West — D 3000
An irreparable loss
With the sudden demise of PDG V R Muthu (RID 3212), we have lost a dynamic Rotary leader. His projects were outstanding — Yadhumaanaval (for female students), Kalam (youth career development), Focus (public speaking skills), Punch (leadership skills), and Premkumar (leadership development).
He was a shrewd business man (Idhayam Group) but at the same time, never failed to focus his attention on community service and youth development. His memories will remain evergreen. His strong leadership qualities with a humanitarian approach to life and philosophical views will continue to guide us.
As a fellow Rotarian closely associated with him in RID 3000 and RID 3191 for over 40 years, I mourn his loss; may his soul rest in eternal peace and his memory serve as a guiding force for all of us.
R Srinivasan, RC Bangalore
J P Nagar — D 3191