Letters to the Editor – September 2018
Great Editorial
I am stunned by the Editorial titled A season of heartbreaks and generosity and could not stop till I finished reading the write-up. The Editor talks about sports and brings together Rotary and sports on one platform. The absence of arrogance in Roger Federer that she mentions, I also find it in the great donor D Ravishanker who donated ₹100 crore to the Foundation.
We can expect many more grand articles from her. Rotary News is informative and a classic magazine. Best wishes to the team.
P S Gokhale, RC Dombivali Midtown — D 3142
Retaining members is the key
The message from RI Director C Basker about retention of members was mind-blowing. But many Rotarians don’t understand their responsibility due to lack of love for any of the five avenues of service. Prior to induction of new members, their preferences, interest and availability of time for service have to be ascertained so that we get really service-minded people in Rotary. And get a line of promising leaders.
Dr N R U K Kartha, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
River Kopai: A nice story
I was delighted to see the article Honouring River Kopai. Having trekked five rivers and spent 30 years in studying rivers through the world, I try to make people aware about rivers and water bodies. Till date several papers and scientific journals were published on rivers, but this write-up had a different essence altogether. It has nicely documented our experience, emotions and the agonies of the people from various walks of life. The trekkers left their scheduled life and went on an 8-day trek to befriend a river and give her hope of a better future. Your write-up was like a feather in our crown as it brought contentment to all our members.
Prof Malay Mukhopadhyay Visva Bharati, Santiniketan
It was an honour to see the article on the River Kopai. I felt overwhelmed when my thoughts were captured so accurately in your writing. My philosophy on rivers, the difference in perception of man and woman and their attachment towards their river which I witnessed during the trek, were well-documented in the article. As a geographer this is rewarding for me.
Sanjukta Banik, research scholar, Visva Bharati
Great show by Rotary India
The article Top RI leaders commend India’s performance at the South Asia reception at Toronto Convention exemplifies the all-round achievements of Rotary India. World leaders saying so is a morale booster. India contributed $19.1 million last year and now D Ravishankar has given `100 crore!
R Murali Krishna, RC Berhampur — D 3262
Editors meet in Evanston
The quality of Rotary magazines has become superior as rightly observed by the then RI President Ian Riseley at the Rotary Editors’ meet in Evanston (July issue). The content of our India magazine now has a good mix of informative and innovative articles,
Piyush Doshi, RC Belur — D 3291
It was great to see the article Rotary Editors meet in Evanston with Rasheeda Bhagat representing India in our traditional dress. RC Ankleshwar ensuring that girl dropouts get back to school education shows once again the magic of Rotary working! Rotary clubs must set up vocational centres that offer courses like free computer training in Tally and other such programmes for unemployed youth.
The clubs must also take up community projects like medical services to remote villages. We look forward to reading more articles on vocational projects and community services by Rotary across India for other clubs to adopt the same.
Naveen Kumar Garg, RC Sunam — D 3090
₹100 crore donation inspires, motivates
Read every word of the article A single gift of ₹100 crore for TRF and mesmerised by the act of Ravishankar, his love for society and his approach to helping others. This is an eye-opener for those who take so much from society but do nothing in return. I’d like to meet and touch him to see if such people are real. My salute to him and the DG to motivate this person.
Kripal Singh, RC Durgapur Steel City — D 3240
It’s a wonderful, lion-hearted and exemplary gesture of D Ravishankar, President of RC Bangalore Orchards, to donate ₹100 crore to TRF. It is rare to find large-hearted donors. May their tribe increase and inspire more to donate.
Hemant Gogte, RC Ambarnath — D 3142
It was astonishing to read about the donation of ₹100 crore. His story is really wonderful as his explanation for giving away such a large sum: “society took the place of my father so I’m giving back this money.” The support he received from his family members is laudable.
Also, articles like A warm reunion by Jaishree, Trinidad, the land of humming birds, Honouring River Kopai by Rasheeda Bhagat are all worth reading. The centre page is magnificent with pictures of our DGs on the map of India. Congrats to the Editorial team for their dedicated service to Rotarians. We expect such good work in the coming years too.
M T Philip, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
Heartiest congratulations and hats off to D Ravishankar for his kindness and generosity in donating ₹100 crore.
Dr D K Solanki, RC Banpur Balugaon — D 3262
It is exhilarating to read about D Ravishankar’s donation of 100 crore to TRF. His profile is wonderful. Hats off to him and his family. He has indeed set a lofty precedent.
M N Maheswarappa, RC Davangere Vidyanagar — D 3160
As a regular reader of Rotary News, I congratulate you and your team for publishing a magazine with high-class articles, cover pages, Rotary projects and inspiring letters. Congratulations to D Ravishankar for donating ₹100 crore to TRF. May God bless him and his family!
Daniel Chittilappilly, RC Kaloor — D 3201
It was a pleasant shock to note that a single gift of ₹100 crore for TRF was made by D Ravishankar. My hearty congrats to him and his family. He now is the second largest contributor to TRF after the Gates Foundation.
N Jagatheesan, RC Eluru — D 3020
It’s really motivating and inspiring to read Ravishankar’s life story. I am sure many readers’ eyes must have turned moist. It reinforces faith in Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self and ability to do good. We all must work hard with integrity to see this faith remains intact.
Dr Satish Dhamankar, RC Belgaum — D 3170
Ravishankar is a truly humble and caring Rotarian who has brought fame to the deeds of Rotary all over the world. Not everybody can think and act the way he did. Posterity will remember him as a man who lived with divine thoughts and action. Rotary should be extremely proud of him.
Nandanan Varrier, RC Wadakkanchery Cochin — D 3201
Congrats to RIPN Sushil Gupta
Greetings from the holy place of Kwhaja Saheb Chisti Durgah and Lord Brahma’s abode, Ajmer. Congratulations to PRID Sushil Gupta who has been chosen as RI President Nominee for 2020–21. Thanks for sending the magazine regularly; I, a Rotarian for 46 years, find the content awesome, educative and inspirational, thanks to Editor Rasheeda Bhagat and her team.
Vishnu Agarwal, RC Ajmer — D 3053
