We should have fun and enjoy the fact that we are creating magic. While we’re changing people’s lives, we’re also enriching our own

After her family threw out Zainab Patel onto the streets, “I begged and even had to sell my body to make ends meet.” That was the toughest phase of this transgender activist’s life in Mumbai, she said, addressing a plenary session at the Kochi Institute. Despite adversity, Zainab completed a Management course at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and now holds an MBA in Human Resources, and has acquired over a decade’s experience working in a UN body. Here, “interactions with people, and seeing all the good, bad and ugly motivated me to start the NGO, ­Saksham Trust,” she said.

RID 3170 DRR Nikhil Chindak has been instrumental in bagging a CSR grant of Rs.25 lakh from Ayu Foundation, the CSR wing of Vijaykant Food and Dairy in Belgaum. “The funds will be used to provide cervical cancer vaccines to 1,000 young girls in schools,” says Chindak, a member of RAC ­Belgaum South. “We had decided on the project last year before beginning my term as DRR and the costs worked out to Rs.20-25 lakh for 1,000 vaccines,” he adds. Serum Institute will provide the vaccines for the project.

On the eve of the Zone Institute, nine Rotarians were inducted into the prestigious Arch Klumph Society. Thanking the inductees for their generosity, RI President Stephanie Urchick said, “Individuals like you, with your vision and generosity, keep the Foundation strong. You enable the incredible work—the magic—that Rotary creates across the globe.”

Presenting Rotary’s five-year financial forecast at the Kochi Institute, RI treasurer and director Rhonda Beth Stubbs informs that revenues are higher than expenses until fiscal 2026 (2025–26), and from fiscal 2027 “our expenses will become higher than our revenues” starting with a $4 million deficit budget. “We are projecting a balanced budget in fiscals 2025, ’26, and deficits from FY 2027 through fiscal 2029.”

We Rotarians are excellent tenants of this planet as we truly live up to the motto Service above Self. Together, let us continue to be the architects of hope, champions of compassion and pioneers of change. Through thoughtful planning and steadfast commitment, we will not only serve to change lives but create a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come,” said PRIP Shekhar Mehta, addressing the Kochi Rotary Institute.

India is well-positioned to take on the leadership role in ushering in global peace as “the world is witnessing an unprecedented upheaval with

A strong culture and corporate values lay the foundation for leadership excellence which must be sustained through collaborations and continued success, said Puneet Chhatwal, MD, The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), at a session titled ‘Look beyond yourself’ at the Kochi Institute.

The Kochi Institute will go down in the Rotary annals of India as a “complete ­Institute”, in that it had a mix of everything to satisfy the needs and taste of the participants — from some outstanding speakers to humanitarian projects, great food and entertainment.

At the Kochi Zone Institute, RIDE K P Nagesh, as convenor of the next Institute, invited delegates to Delhi

At the Kochi Institute, three past RI Presidents were recognised for their contributions to Rotary.