Letters to the Editor – June 2021
Murdering polio workers
I was shocked to learn that three polio workers in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. were killed by extremists. Those workers were on duty to save children from the crippling disease, polio. We, Rotarians, pray to God to bless those departed brave souls. Though all of us are grief-stricken, we will never stop our efforts to eradicate polio from the world.
Ramakrishna K, RC Puttur — D 3181
The brutal killing of three PolioPlus volunteers in Afghanistan is really shocking. Afghanistan is rife with terrorism. We pray to the Almighty to shower his grace on the departed souls who sacrificed their lives on the altar of love for humanity.
Tomi Eapen, RC Alleppey – D 3211
Saving water is possible if we understand our basic requirement and the quantity needed in a day for bathing, washing etc. In foreign countries, there is no system of using a bucket of water to take a bath. In those countries, it is a shower bath only, and that saves water.
Govinddas Agrawal, RC Belur — D 3291
A good blend of Rotary subjects as well as diverse articles of human interest makes Rotary News a fascinating read. I laughed my heart out reading the story of the ox nodding its head vigorously when asked about the chances of the writer’s promotion! Sad that the jingle of the bells from the ox’s neck can’t be heard nowadays as they belong to a vanishing tribe.
Gopinath, RC Bangalore Indiranagar — D 3190
RI President Nominee Jennifer Jones aiming to usher in gender balance is admirable (Editorial, April issue). But giving examples of New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and Germany’s Angela Merkel as perfect leaders is not judicious. There are hardly 1–2 per cent women MPs and MLAs in our country. The reason is that the women themselves do not come out of their cocoon. There is a dearth of women in law-making, law enforcement, defence, jurisprudence and other government bodies. Women’s power should become the basis of a nation’s strength as they have proved their mettle in all fields but a patriarchal society doesn’t want women to be autonomous and capable. No nation can progress by neglecting half of its population. If there is an iota of truth in the saying, ‘Behind every successful man, there is a woman’, then they deserve a bigger role.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roopnagar — D 3080
The April cover story on the initiative taken by RID 3232 on training 100 young women under Project Sundari is highly commendable. As mentioned by RIPE Shekhar Mehta it’s very important that we Rotarians look at impactful projects. Some of the areas which need to be addressed include community empowerment, facilitating social and economic growth and creating women entrepreneurs.
Ram Bhatnagar, RC Thane Premium — D 3142
I liked the LBW article Perils of school-hopping, and share a similar experience. I am 70 and recently found a group for my former classmates.
I asked to be included and they asked me to give names of a few boys who were in my class, which I couldn’t remember. They were reluctant to take me in group. But when I pointed out that I can show a few school library books which I have not returned, they immediately made me a member of the group!
Satish Vyas, RC Bhavnagar — D 3060
The RI president’s thoughts on preserving our Earth and the environment are timely. The article Girls’day out reveals a great humanitarian gesture by RC Himalayan Ranges Mansa Devi reaching out to orphan girls. Also, RID 3232 training 100 young girls is praiseworthy. Another well-researched article was about River Ganga. All of us must ensure that the rivers and nullahs in our cities and towns are not polluted. In all, a balanced issue. Keep it up.
Vinayak Deodhar, RC Nasik — D 3030
Brilliant story on cross-country cyclist
The May cover photo with a rainbow in the backdrop offers a ‘ray of hope’ in this pandemic times. The smile on the face of the runner shows his steely determination, and the article shows this young man’s passion to cycle all the way through several countries. My blessings to him. Your editorial on The Covid Cauldron reflects the true state of affairs in our country, with almost every family losing a loved one. I feel that a total lockdown is the only resort.
Trustee Chair K R Ravindran asking us to use the MCH grant from Rotary by identifying and helping the needy is timely.
Jaishree’s Girls’ day out, is really touching. Articles such as Scaling up WASH projects, Sheela Nambiar’s This too shall pass, Sandhya Rao’s write-up on the book Peace in the Age of Chaos, and S R Madhu’s Music & Melody, along with the Go Green column, articles on the kitchen garden in Coimbatore, dialysis centre at Kottayam and the Indian Fellowship for Cycling make this issue remarkable.
RIDE Venkatesh’s sincerity and dedication to Rotary and carrying the team with him are well known. Thank you for sharing the details about Vinita Venkatesh; I loved their wedding photo.
Nan Narayenen, RC Madurai West — D 3000
The May cover photo is excellent and we, Rotarians, feel proud of Rtn Naresh Kumar who cycled from Chennai to Hamburg. His life story, travel and motto of travel are fascinating. Glad to know his cycle is named ‘kindness’.
The Editor’s note explains well the devastating effects of the second wave of the coronavirus. RI President Holger Knaack rightly stresses on the necessity of exchange programmes, while the RI directors call for sustaining youth service projects in the near future. Trustee Chair Ravindran gives a motivating message to all. Glad to read the interesting life story of RIDE A S Venkatesh and Vinita. The article Tell your Rotary stories to grow our organisation: Jennifer Jones with colourful photos is great.
Delighted to read RIPE Shekhar Mehta was conferred D Litt for his humanitarian deeds. Congratulations to all those who worked tirelessly for establishing the Rotary Dialysis Centre at Kottayam.
The write up on Geeta Dutt, the ballerina of song, is excellent. Photos are colourful and attractive. The May issue is superb.
Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
The May issue was energetic with the article on young Rotarian Naresh Kumar’s cycle expedition and RIPN Jennifer Jones talking about her climb up the Kilimanjaro. The messages of RIDs Bharat Pandya and Kamal Sanghvi were also inspiring. But the profile of RIDE A S Venkatesh was the cherry on the cake. His take on how we must make Rotary as the go-to organisation for all is thought-provoking.
G R Bhaskaran, RC Virudhunagar Elite — D 3212
RID Kamal Sanghvi has given a fitting message on investing in youth. Our programmes like RYLA, Youth Exchange, Model UN Assembly and other Rotaract, Interact events are good examples to prove to the world about our care and concern for the younger generation. We can be proud that we are helping the youth to nurture their talent to succeed in life. Your editorial on the Covid epidemic, RI president’s views on our various exchange programmes are interesting to read.
R Srinivasan, RC Madurai Midtown — D 3000
I was really happy to know about the project Chotisi Khwaish by RID 3080 as detailed in the article Girls’ day out. It’s wonderful to bring smiles on little angels of an orphanage by fulfilling their small dreams.
Udaysingh Rajput, RC Belgaum Midtown — D 3170
