The event, ‘Lights on Rotaract — a fireside chat with RIPE Yinka Babalola’ put the spotlight on issues such as the smooth transition from being a Rotaractor to an active Rotarian, global grant projects for Rotaract clubs, and what ‘measurable impact’ Rotaractors can bring to Rotary across the world. The event was led by PDRR Karthik Kittu, past member, RI Rotaract-Interact Committee and past president of RC Bangalore Southwest.
Addressing around 30 Rotaractors from RIDs 3191 and 3192, on the sidelines of the two-day Joint PELS for incoming Rotary club presidents, Babalola said, “now you should take up GG projects, but ensure that you match the eligibility criteria and the TRF guidelines. If Rotaract clubs don’t meet these conditions, they can either combine with their sponsor or other Rotary clubs to qualify for the GG.” If Rotaractors can come up with “a good, sustainable and impactful project, the district governors can allocate DDFs (district funds) too,” he said.
When RSAMDIO general secretary Kiran S H S asked, “how to reposition Rotaract globally as an equal partner of Rotary,” he replied, “many Rotaractors are already in regional RI Boards, and their numbers will continue to increase in the coming years.” (RID 3192 DRR Janice Philip is assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator of Zone 7)
Welcoming Babalola, the first Rotaractor-turned-Rotary President Elect, PDRR Kittu, flagged off three issues needing clarity and direction from the RI leadership. First, Rotaractors have scale, energy and execution skills, “but we need a structured pathway for transition into Rotary.” Second, Rotaract is ready for TRF-giving, and collaborate with Rotary in all possible manner; and third, “we also want to implement our RI directors’ 1:2:3 formula to boost Rotary’s growth in India.”
Replying to the issues raised, Babalola said, “Rotarians are inspired by the Rotaract clubs. At the same time, Rotarians should act as mentors for a smooth transition of the youth in the Rotary world.” The grooming of future Rotarians starts very early from being an Interactor, then taking part in RYLAs, joining a Rotaract club, and then moving onto Rotary Youth Exchange etc. He urged the Rotaractors to access the Learning Centre on My Rotary portal for regular updates on the latest developments.
Mindset change
RI director K P Nagesh said, “we need a change of mindset from both Rotarians and Rotaractors to meet our Rotary objectives.” Rotaractors must work in tandem with their sponsoring clubs and Rotarians to build a strong Rotary world in the next five years, he said.
RID 3192 DGE Ravishankar Dakoju said India has the largest youth population in the world, “nearly 70 per cent of them are below 35. We are ready to partner with the Rotaract clubs, and get inspired by them.” DGE Anil Gupta, RID 3191, expressed his readiness to loosen the DDF purse for Rotaract projects, “if they are viable and sustainable meeting the district norms. We can together apply for a GG if a Rotaract project falls under the TRF framework.”
RIPE Babalola launched Yuva Udaan, a web-based App platform, for grooming young Rotaractors into Rotary leaders across RI districts in India. DRRs Karthik Chikmath (3191), Janice Philip (3192), DRREs Anirudh Kulkarni (3191), Sanjay R (3192), and PDRR Naveen Senna (3190) were present at the chat session with
the incoming President.
First AKS Rotaract clubs
For the Rotary year 2026–27, all Rotaract clubs across India will mobilise $125,000 for TRF-giving. “DGE Dakoju has assured that he will match it up with another $125,000, so that Indian Rotaract clubs will get AKS membership by the time of the 2027 RI Convention,” Kittu told Rotary News.
He has prepared a draft note titled, ‘How Rotaractors can become early contributors to TRF. Not by obligation, but by belief’ for circulation among Rotary clubs, GMLs and Rotary magazines across the world.