Letters to the Editor – July 2018
Rotary in smaller cities
It gave me immense pleasure to read the coverage on the devoted and extraordinary efforts of RC Ratlam, D 3040, in the June issue. I joined this club in August, 1973 and it didn’t take me too long to convert from a member to a Rotarian, thanks to that committed group of Rotarians. The 22 years I spent as its member were some of the best years of my life. Fellowship and service made us better human beings. I was only 20 when I joined the club and consider myself blessed.
Since 1995, when I moved to Delhi and joined RC Delhi Midtown, I have always talked about my home club while addressing Rotarians on membership, service projects or public image. RC Ratlam is a great club and as its Past President (1983–84) and PDG (1993–94), I feel proud to see the club grow under the leadership of devoted Rotarians (particularly the father-son Anklesaria duo).
Thank you for this wonderful article — Small City, big projects — which goes to prove that Rotary in India is growing exponentially in smaller cities as they quietly go about serving the lesser privileged and helping Rotary enhance its public image. A true embodiment of Service above Self.
PDG Raman Bhatia, RC Delhi Midtown — D 3011
‘Wash’ is best
I agree with the views expressed in Wash or Wipe? by Ramesh Bhatia (March issue). It is scientifically proven that a wash is better than a wipe. Indians have been using the wash system for ages, but unfortunately, we are influenced by European culture. In many 5-star hotels in India one does not find the wash system in toilets, even though there are more Indian guests than foreigners.
As we are used to the wash system and don’t feel clean and comfortable without it, we have to do jugad, such as using mineral water bottles to help wash!
Priyadarshinee Kanoria, RI District — 3011
The May issue has well-balanced content that portrays the entire Rotary world and our humanitarian projects. Apart from that, the issue has carried excellent articles of general interest such as Dance of Life, An anti-ageing pill called exercise, and Over fairy chimneys in hot air balloons. Good coverage is being given to the top brass of Rotary, their visits and guidance to all Rotarians. Kudos to you and look forward to more such issues in the future.
Major D K Zarekar, RC Nashik-Ambad — D 3030
Right way to resuscitate heart
The account of the Samaritan project (Creating Good Samaritans) conducted by RC Cochin West, D 3201, VPS Lakeshore Hospital and the Kochi City Police was interesting. Training the children and youth for cardiopulmonary resuscitation is commendable. But in all suspected cardiac arrests, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not required and may interfere with proper chest compression. The three important steps are: call for help; continuous, proper chest compression — 100 per minute — after proper positioning of the victim till electric shock-giving AED (automated external defibrillator) arrives on the scene (the final step). Only in cardiorespiratory arrests from drowning or suffocation, mouth-to-mouth breathing is required.
In Mumbai, we are helping the Holy Family Hospital in its ‘I Care Project’ with a large number of AEDs and educating citizens about cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Kudos to RC Cochin West for the initiative.
Dr Akshay Mehta, RC of Bombay Airport — D 3141
RI President Ian Risley’s message was interesting but it is sad to note that 22 cases of polio were reported from two countries. The RI Director and Trustee Chair’s messages as well as the Editorial were thought provoking as also other articles including Chuck – The Complete Man by Rajendra K Saboo, Let’s not run behind numbers: RI Director and other detailed reports on Rotary activities were worth reading. Kudos to the Editorial team.
M T Philip, RC Trivandum Suburban — D 3211
The numbers game
Membership in Rotary is important and every July hectic activity starts in all Rotary clubs to install new office-bearers and induct new members.
But often in the indiscriminate push for new members, club officials forget the admission procedure laid down by RI. RI President Ian Riseley has sarcastically named this process as ‘membership robbery’ as related by RI Director C Basker, who has urged Rotary seniors “not to run behind numbers.” We need genuine Rotarians who care for humanity and club officers need to understand this.
Dr Sudam Basa, RC Bhubaneswar — D 3262
With reference to PRIP Keller being quoted in the Editor’s Note on honest reporting, often, Rotarians chairing events add an extra layer of cream to gain popularity. But under the Editorship of Rasheeda Bhagat, the Rotary News team cross-checks facts before publishing. While reporting the 4-Way Test Award to Sanjit Bunker Roy last year, I received several phone calls from them to verify the facts.
Piyush Doshi, RC Belur — D 3291
Young blood
I totally agree with RID C Basker when he says “Let’s not run behind numbers.” Membership growth to create impressive statistics has led to declining quality of Rotarians over the years. In my club, the 58-year-old RC Madras South, during the mid-1990s, eight new members were inducted on the day of the new President’s installation, without due diligence; seven quit by year-end. Failing to attract younger members our club went through a bad phase, and the average age hovered around 65, till we launched project Operation New Blood.
Carefully chosen new members in the 40–50 age group were inducted; they took to Rotary like a duck to water. Today the average age of our club is 45 and it is considered one of the most vibrant clubs in RID 3232.
R V Rajan, RC Madras South — D 3232
Journalism at its best
It is journalism at its best in Rotary News month after month. In April it was Renutai, in May Learning with dignity and the June issue has RIPE Barry Rassin on the cover, Gung-ho on India. The excellent photography and reporting on different topics and events make the magazine very readable. Two articles were really impressive, namely Chuck-The Complete Man and Small city big projects.
Soumitra Chakraborty, RC Tollygunge — D 3291
Rotary News under your editorship has become a powerful tool of communication, rich in content, with layout pleasing to the eyes. We now see statistics about other South Asian countries and I’d like to see more news from those districts to make the journal truly representative of Rotary in South Asia.
In the June issue, I was pleasantly surprised to see the review of the book Aurangzeb: The Man and the Myth by Audrey Truschke. Sandhya Rao has done justice to this scholarly work. My compliments to her. I love reading the regular column by TCA Srinivasa Raghavan and the last piece was no exception. Carry on the good work.
PDG Lalit Surjan — D 3261
Every month I eagerly wait for Rotary News. The Editorial, various articles, thought-provoking and inspiring stories, and pictorial presentations, all these make me wonder about the educational background of the magazine’s Editor, who pens well-worded Editorials and numerous articles on various Rotary activities that inspire us all. This makes me wonder if she has a PhD in journalism! She manages the Editorial team well; hats off to her and her team, specially Jaishree.
Deepak Agarwal, RC Siliguri Midtown — D 3240
Over time Rotary News has become a keenly awaited magazine, containing many interesting and useful articles and the June issue is another ‘piercing arrow’. Past RI President Charles C Keller has appreciated it for its plain speaking and honest reporting. It is highly commendable that our senior leaders call a spade a spade. In his message, RI Director C Basker remarks, “A celebration need not be ostentatious” which is advice to us to avoid wasteful expenditure. The interview with RIPE Barry Rassin is really appealing; he has such a down-to-earth approach. His monthly connect with club presidents will give a major fillip to membership and Foundation.
K K Dhir PDG — D 3070
