Letters to the Editor – August 2023

RI president calls for action

The July edition is superb. The RI president’s message emphasises on building peace within and spreading it freely and the Editor’s note gives a toast to new beginnings. RID ­Roychowdhury calls for changes to face future challenges. Glad to hear from Trustee chair Barry Rassin about $500 million being the TRF goal for this year, and vice-chair Bharat Pandya explains well about the joy of giving.

The articles Ethos into action, Full potential of Rotary’s talent pool in India... and A ‘hyper’, outspoken and no-nonsense RI director, based on interviews with the two RI directors are facts-packed and informative.

Other articles are also interesting and the photo feature, South Asia Dazzlers, is colourful. Paying homage to PRIP Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, PRIP Kalyan Banerjee has described his noble work and the Rotary world will remember his service forever. In Music and Melody the life story of O P Nayyar was interesting.

Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban – D 3211

In his maiden message, RI President McInally’s call to create hope in the world has delivered the right impact. He urges club leaders “to offer an excellent club experience to retain and attract more members and create a sense of belonging. I’m sure if club leaders take his words seriously and work on them, maybe in the next few years we may erase the tag that Rotary is a leaking bucket.

R Murali Krishna, RC Berhampur — D 3262

A toast for achievement

The Editor’s note was interesting. A change in leadership at all levels every year is the uniqueness of Rotary. Your advice at the beginning of the Rotary year will kindle the spark within and motivate new leaders in their quest to create hope in the world.

The incoming leaders participate in GETS, PETS and SETS, where they learn to serve. By identifying leaders, who even after their tenure evolve, impress and create an impact, and assisting them while serving to bring smiles on the faces of the less privileged, is an opportunity of a lifetime.

V R T Dorairaja, RC Tiruchirapalli — D 3000

The Editor’s note has enthusiastic words for the incoming Rotary leaders at all levels. Enthusiasm is the source of all prosperity. RI President McInally in his message, My call to action, asks everyone to give priority to mental health projects. When we treat everyone as our near and dear ones, we always enjoy good health. Thus by building peace within, we become capable of bringing peace in the world.

K M K Murthy, RC Secunderabad — D 3150

A propos to the LBW column It so happened… by T C A Srinivasa Raghavan. I’d like to share that I too went through the same predicament as a young post-graduate in ­Economics in the late 1970s. Like him, I too did not know what to do after ­completing my university education. As was the order of the day for thousands of young graduates at that time, I too appeared for civil services which was considered the next best thing to do and the best national pass time for unemployed graduates. The standard joke of that time was that the graders of the Economics paper of civil services were very economical with marks, forcing people like me to opt for other subjects.

Having flunked the exam, like the writer, I too tried my hand at Law but without success.

N Anthri Vedi, RC Hyderabad Mega City — D 3150

In her last message to Rotarians, outgoing President Jennifer Jones recalled the warm reception and greetings she had received from countless people across the world. She shared the impactful work being done by clubs in various parts of the globe, and the diverse countries she had visited.

S Muniandi, RC Dindigul Fort — D 3000

In his June message, outgoing TRF trustee chair Ian Riseley says it is in our hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, ­vulnerable and marginalised. He says, “Helping those in need is what defines Rotary and its Foundation.”

I wish the new trustee chair Barry Rassin success in making a difference through TRF. The message by RI President McInally and the Editor’s note were very interesting too.

Abhay Kishore Sandwar, RC Dhanbad Midtown — D 3250

The June cover story by the ­editor, For McInally, Rotary is about continuity, with beautiful pictures is interesting to read with great information about the new RI president. Also, another article Don’t shy away from big dreams by Rasheeda Bhagat inspires us to aim big and do impactful projects. McInally has rightly said that only acts of ­kindness can change the world in the article Only love can instil hope in the world. The feature on S D Burman, the magical, magnificent musician, is packed with information about this great music composer. Kudos to the editorial team.

S N Shanmugam, RC Panruti — D 2981