Rotary leaders from Zones 5 and 6 felicitated RI director nominees Basu Dev Golyan from RID 3292, Nepal, and Gurjeet Singh Sekhon, RID 3070, Punjab, at an event in Chennai. These two leaders will serve the RI Board during 2027–29. Golyan, who will represent Zones 5 and 6, is a member of RC Biratnagar, and was DG during 2011–12. Sekhon will be the RI director for Zones 4 and 7; and is a member of RC Amritsar Civil Lines.
Accepting the honour, RIDN Golyan described the felicitation as “not merely a personal honour, but a tribute to the spirit of Rotary.” Looking around the hall, he said, “I do not see different districts, languages or countries; I see only family — a family connected by compassion and united by values. Rotary has given us something far more precious than titles. It has given us friendship beyond borders; respect beyond positions and the opportunity to touch lives beyond imagination.”
Reflecting on his Rotary journey, he recalled beginning with small acts of service and learning from senior leaders. Over years he witnessed Rotary’s transformative impact through clean water projects, life-changing surgeries, healthcare initiatives and literacy programmes. He also remembered the support extended by Rotarians worldwide during Nepal’s devastating floods in 2008 and earthquake in 2015. “Positions come and go, but the tears of gratitude in the eyes of beneficiaries remain forever,” he said.
Rotary leaders are measured not by the number of followers they have, but by how many leaders they create.
— DGN Basu Dev Golyan
Emphasising leadership development, he noted that Rotary leaders are measured not by the number of followers they have, but by “how many leaders they create.” He called upon Rotarians to strengthen clubs, nurture youth, expand membership and support TRF, which he described as “the heartbeat of Rotary service.” Concluding, he said, “Rotary is not just an organisation; Rotary is an emotion, Rotary is relationship, Rotary is a way of life.”
RIDN Sekhon expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the Rotary leaders who shaped his journey. He credited PRID P T Prabhakar for mentoring him as district governor, PRID C Basker for giving him his first major assignment as assistant Rotary coordinator, and trustee A S Venkatesh for igniting his passion for training. Thanking RI directors M Muruganandam and K P Nagesh for their continued guidance, Sekhon said he looked forward to working with other Rotary leaders to make the organisation “stronger, more agile and a force to reckon with in the Rotary world.”
In his address, Director Muruganandam highlighted Rotary’s enduring strength despite wars, pandemics and global challenges. “Rotary is a leadership factory,” he said, explaining how thousands of leadership opportunities are created annually across clubs and districts. Stressing membership growth as a key priority, he called on Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 to contribute significantly towards Rotary’s goal of reaching the 1.25 million-mark by 2030.
RI director Nagesh congratulated the director nominees and described their appointments as “a significant milestone for Rotary in India and the region.” Praising Golyan’s humility, passion and dedication to service, he said that leading Zones 5 and 6 would be both an honour and a challenge, given the high standards and vibrant Rotary culture of the zones. He expressed confidence that Golyan would represent India, Nepal and Sri Lanka with distinction. Speaking about Sekhon, Nagesh lauded his commitment and leadership qualities, noting that he was well placed to guide Zones 4 and 7. Reiterating Rotary’s goal of reaching 1.25 million members by 2030, he said India was poised to become Rotary’s largest country and credited successive leaders for strengthening Rotary’s growth and influence.
Offering felicitations also on behalf of PRIDs Basker and Venkatesh, PRID P T Prabhakar shared warm personal memories of both the nominees. Describing Golyan as “a wonderful and fine human being,” he recalled his invaluable support during Rotary events and international travel. On Sekhon, he said, “He was one of the best district governors of 2014–15,” adding that his rise to the position of director nominee came as no surprise.
Programme convener PDG J B Kamdar congratulated both the nominees, and urged DGEs and DGNs present at the event to focus on “deeper impact, meaningful engagement and credibility. True Rotary leadership is about “being present, being heard and empowering others to serve. Let us create districts where collaboration matters more than competition, where inclusion is intentional and every project carries dignity for the people who care.” PDG R Srinivasan delivered the vote of thanks.
Hosted jointly by RI districts 3233 and 3234, the event brought together past, present and incoming governors from Zones 5 and 6.