Letters to the Editor – July 2021
Sound advice by Dr Ramasubramanian
The interview with Dr Ramasubramanian is informative as he advised us to have a balanced meal, sleep and exercise, avoid alcohol and smoking, and get vaccinated. Bharat and Shalan Savur in their article, Stability on a seesaw gave an insightful account of appreciating the “sight and sensitivity of what life is”. Their tips will help us to manage our lives better by thanking our blessings.
KMK Murthy, RC Secunderabad — D 3150
Dr V Ramasubramanian rightly advises us not to panic if infected with Covid, and stay calm at home for a week and take medication. He urges everyone to get vaccinated, stay healthy by taking balanced meals, getting good sleep, exercise and avoid smoking. I thank this member of RC Madras for his sane and sensible advice.
N Jagatheesan, RC Eluru — D 3020
The editor’s interview with Dr Ramasubramanian was absolutely delightful and informative with the right emphasis on being calm. His perception and views are of an experienced clinical physician. The importance on psychological counselling and support ring true. He rightly says, “Whether it is helping somebody to survive or to feel better… showing empathy is important, and getting a warm glow which only helping others can bring.” This is what Rotary is doing. This interview deserves a much wider circulation.
Dr Usha Desai, RC Deonar — D 3141
A pleasure to read Rotary News
I was thrilled to receive all the three issues of April, May and June and am thankful for your personal follow-up on this matter. The postman delivered them as we were sitting down for lunch. I lost hunger and started going through the April issue immediately, only to be admonished by my wife Meena, to “eat first and then read your beloved Rotary magazine.”
Rotary News is well-produced, right from the opening page and the letters are a testimony to the popularity of the magazine.
The well-written articles with accompanying pictures are informative. It is always a pleasure to read them, including the LBW column written with a literary flair by TCA Srinivasa Raghavan. My kudos to him. I only wish that the magazine reaches us in time every month.
Anil Latey, RC Poona Downtown — D 3131
A grim situation indeed
Your May editorial The Covid cauldron vividly portrayed a grim situation, and focused on the need for the government to take emergency measures to contain the second wave.
Rotarians are one with your clarion call to strengthen healthcare system to overcome the pandemic. You are spot on when you said politicians should relinquish the blame game and unite to bring relief to the people.
Arun Kumar Dash, RC Baripada — D 3262
The article Girl’s day out was impressive and inspires Rotarians to think of taking up such projects in their areas, and tell the local community that Rotary cares for them. We will take up one such project in the near future.
B A Prabushankar, RC Coimbatore Industrial City — D 3201
I liked the global grant project of RC Gwalior. I also read with interest the journey of a young Rotarian, Naresh Kumar from RC Guindy. His is a fascinating journey of 8,646 miles from Chennai to Hamburg, creating awareness about Rotary’s global work.
Dr Madhav Kashalikar, RC Sangli Midtown — D 3170
The editorial The Covid Cauldron described an inadequate healthcare system and how both the government and the public are equally responsible for the lapses in handling the second wave. The tragic life of Geeta Dutta was nicely penned by S R Madhu. I am keeping a copy of this tragic life story published in Rotary News for my record.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roopnagar — D 3080
Rotary Plus is a boon
Rotary News and Rotary News Plus are informative and have become family magazines. Congratulations to Editor Rasheeda Bhagat and her team.
Ashish Desai, RC Kankaria Ahmedabad — RID 3054
In these unprecedented times, Rotarians have done excellent service. Rotary News Plus has given good coverage, showcasing the club projects.
Moin Khan, RC Jamshedpur Midtown — D 3250
Condolences to RNT family
Glad to see a colourful photo of RIPE Shekhar Mehta and Rashi on the June issue cover. RI President Holger Knaack’s message is motivating and the Editor’s Note explains well the agonies of people who have lost their loved ones. The RI directors’ statement that the pandemic has shown that the only constant is change, and together we can do so much’ is meaningful. Foundation Trustee Chair urged us to go forward without fear. Dreaming big, bringing smiles by Rasheeda depicts Shekhar Mehta’s noble character. All other articles like the water projects done by RC Belthangady, life story of RIDE Mahesh Kotbagi, etc are excellent. Also, the advice by Dr Ramasubramanian in containing the second wave of Covid is an eye-opener. Photos are colourful too. Kudos to the editorial team for a superb edition.
Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
The sad demise of the close relatives of three of the RNT family members due to Covid, makes sad reading. We pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Never in a hundred years there has been such a pandemic, and it is heartening to note that Rotary clubs are providing relief in many forms to the affected. RC Madras donating logistic equipment and trucks worth ₹1.1 crore for Covid vaccination, RC Madurai Midtown running an electric crematorium that charges a nominal amount, RIPE Shekar Mehta’s quick decision to kick-off distribution of 50,000 oxygen concentrators and many other clubs hosting vaccination camps, are all noble projects.
Winston Churchill’s words, quoted by the Ravindran: “Let us go forward together” are so relevant during the present crisis. Rotary India Covid Task Force chairman Ashok Mahajan has rightly said, “Fighting Covid is our priority”.
R Srinivasan, RC Madurai Midtown — D 3000
The profile on Shekhar Mehta showcases his boundless energy and Rashi’s statement that he makes heart-to-heart connections is quite true. I wish his campaign Each one bring one achieves great success.
I felt extremely sad to read that the Covid had not spared the kin of the RNT team. I had the same feeling as your favourite writer Chimamanda Nagozi — “my anger scares me, my fear scares me, and somewhere in this shame, too- why am I enraged and so scared?” My compliments for the title of the editorial: “The trauma of long-distance mourning”.
RID Bharat Pandya rightly says where there is great love there are always miracles, RID Kamal Sanghvi appeals to Rotarians to adapt to the new normal of virtual world. Trustee Chair Ravindran sums up the achievement of the Foundation so far: “We’ve raised more than $282 million, putting us on the track to reach our $410 million fundraising goal.”
Nan Narayenen, RC Madurai West — D 3000
It is sad that the RNT family was not spared by the pandemic. The editorial rightly pointed out that most families had to bear loss due to coronavirus. As the death toll rose, so many young people living overseas were at a loss to understand the grave situation in India. My daughter-in-law, an only child, living in the US, lost her father due to Covid but could not visit India due to travel ban. So many family members were not allowed to cremate bodies of relatives. People can understand the pain of those living overseas, who had to grieve long distance.
T D Bhatia, RC Delhi Mayur Vihar — D 3012
