Letters to the Editor – April 2022

Paying ₹5 more is worth it

A price hike of ₹5 per copy of Rotary News, an esteemed magazine, from July, will be acceptable to all Rotarians, considering the cost involved and the rising cost of paper. RI President Shekhar Mehta in his message has dwelt rightly on empowering girls who have been affected badly by the pandemic. Editor’s note is a fitting tribute to Lata Mangeshkar whose soothing melodies comforted the distressed for many years.

RI Director Mahesh Kotbagi explains well the digitalisation in Rotary and its benefits. RI ­Director A S Venkatesh has focused on the benefits of hybrid meetings and the necessity for reducing club expenses in different ways. Trustee Chair John Germ explains the importance of water conservation in ­connection with World Water Day in March. Glad to note ­Houston 2022 convention arena has 500 parks and green spaces.

Delighted to read that in Pakistan no new cases of wild polio were reported over the last one year. Kudos to Trustee Aziz Memon, Pakistan’s PolioPlus chair, for the dedication and hard work.

The interview with RI President-elect ­Jennifer Jones is inspiring for Rotarians. Articles like An unforgettable ride in the North East, RC Madras Midtown turns 50 with a flourish, The nightingale falls silent, Rotary service projects inaugurated in Dhule, Joy of giving and ­Managing stress are all fact-packed and worth reading. Thanks to the editorial team for this interesting issue.

Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211

Feeling connected to each other is a basic human need. In the article The Connector, RIPE Jennifer Jones has rightly identified this need to help grow Rotary next year, by connecting with people. But her theme, ‘Imagine Rotary’ is not rightly coined, I feel, for the ­present occasion. Imagination prevents the perception of what is, as does comparison. The mind must put aside all imagination and speculation for the ‘real’ to be.

K M K Murthy, RC ­Secunderabad — D 3150

Thank you for a very beautifully ­written article on RCCs of ­Bengaluru from each one of us who directly or indirectly interacted with you. Sincere thanks to Jaishree for the long interview with the RCC presidents, which has translated into a very interesting article.

Paul Mundackal, RI District 3190

Nice magazine, well-compiled and presented. When I saw the cover and scrolled through the pages, I had the first impression that this magazine is either from Rotary International or from Rotary News Pakistan. An Indian success story on the corona pandemic is requested in the coming editions

Col Vasant Ballewar, RC Pune Camp — D 3131

Please go through our back issues. You will find scores of such success stories from India on the pandemic.

— Editor

A fitting tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar is not just a legend; Her voice has mesmerised millions over generations and her work is loved across borders. Her voice was like that of an angel…. a celestial being. There was a divine quality to her singing that made her a phenomenon. Nobody could believe a woman in her seventies could sing a tender love song, and sound like a 17-year-old. Lata had no equal. Over seven decades, she continued to reinvent herself to suit one generation after another and kept her ­audiences spellbound. She had other passions as well — cricket and photography. She was also a wildlife enthusiast. Her voice will remain with
us always.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roopnagar — D 3080

It is true that the demise of Lata Mangeshkar is a great loss to the Indian film industry and naturally, millions of her fans are in a state of shock. The editor rightly points out the great work done by Rotary volunteers during the Covid pandemic and they deserve a big salute from all of us.

Happy to know that Pakistan has crossed a major milestone of one year without a single wild poliovirus and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is allowing polio workers to go door-to-door for giving oral drops to children. RI President Mehta has appreciated our work in increasing Rotary’s membership. He wants Rotarians to think of innovative ways to empower girls when we are taking up big projects. All clubs must adhere to his instructions to empower women in our communities.

In the Feb issue, the editor has rightly focused on the need to scale-up the waterwheel project which will lessen the burden of rural women. Jaishree has highlighted the good work done by six Rotary clubs and three Inner Wheel clubs in RID 3141 by providing waterwheels to women, thereby reducing their daily hardship. The LBW column has vividly described the trauma of living in a polluted city like Delhi.

S Muniandi, RC Dindigul Fort — D 3000

Great articles to read

In recent years, the standard of Rotary News has improved a lot. Congrats to the editor and the team members for improving its content and quality.

The Editor’s note in the Feb issue and Jaishree’s article on waterwheel saving the drudgery of women, was excellent. Kudos to Rotarians and Inner Wheel clubs in Mumbai for doing this project.

RID Mahesh ­Kotbagi’s message on empowering girls was excellent.

Rasheeda’s ­articles Rourkela Rotarians extend the gift of hand and Cycling with a ­message were very interesting. RC ­Bharuch’s cyclothon to focus ­attention on health and fitness and the need to reduce our carbon imprint was excellent. My special appreciation for RC Puttur for ­training youth in life skills. ­Celebrating generosity by Muthukumaran and Kiran Zehra was written well.

Nice to read that RC Delhi Ananta has launched a ₹8.5-crore hospital ­project which will also take up skill training.

Daniel Chittilappilly, RC Kaloor — D 3201