Sometimes chance meetings can lead to major initiatives. It was one such encounter that led to the much-feted Mithai Mission of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, RID 3080. My better-half Usha was travelling to the national capital on the Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express in 2016 when she met this dashing young army officer. The affable young man who wore a big smile struck a conversation with Usha. Intrigued, she inquired about the challenges faced by army personnel.

At the Rotary zone institute, two Rotary stalwarts in India, both past RI presidents — Rajendra Saboo and Kalyan Banerjee — were presented lifetime achievements awards.

If as Rotarians concerned about the escalating and relentless humanitarian crisis in Gaza you have been wondering why RI or The Rotary Foundation has not stepped in to provide any humanitarian aid in that conflict zone, as Rotary does during most conflict situations, you have your answer from the very interesting session titled Frankly Speaking at the zone institute in Bengaluru.

This is a club that has specialised in bringing to life and modernising government schools. In the last few years RC Delhi Imperial, RID 3012, has done three global grant projects to rejuvenate government schools in and around villages in the Gurugram and the Delhi NCR area.