Letters to the Editor – June 2025

I loved the article on solar energy lighting up lives written by Rasheeda Bhagat.

Especially, since over 25 per cent of our population lives in villages and remote areas where it is not possible to provide electricity from the grid. Lata Desai, director, Community Services, RC Bombay Juhu Beach, has done excellent work to skill the students and provide solar lamps to help them study. More students and schools in remote areas which face erratic power supply or power shortage should be given such lights and help should be sought from corporates for this task.

T D Bhatia, RC Delhi, Mayur Vihar — D 3012

An impactful story on Satara dam

I just received the ­e-version of the May issue, and was delighted to see the extensive and impactful coverage of the Satara water dam project implemented by our club.

Your thoughtful storytelling and visual presentation have beautifully captured the essence and impact of this initiative. The article will not only bring well-deserved attention to the community’s transformation but will also reinforce the power of Rotary’s service in action.

Thank you for highlighting this effort in such a meaningful way. On behalf of our club president and members, I extend my gratitude to you, Jaishree and Team Rotary News for showcasing our work.

Uday Dharmadhikari, RC Pune Central — D 3131

The Editor’s Note titled “Your words/behaviour define you,” citing an incident of employer-employee relationship signifies the principle of empowering people in an organisation by giving due recognition and appreciation at the workplace.

One of the best ways to get people to achieve excellence is to inspire and encourage them whenever possible. This kind of approach builds loyalty and results in retaining people for long. The views expressed in the editorial are relevant for Rotarians, as all of us are leaders in our professions. Respect is the foundation on which people’s trust and loyalty are built in any organisation.

I thank ­Muthukumaran and the editorial team for the good coverage (Madurai Interact raises ₹6L) on the innovative fundraising project implemented by the Interact Club of Lakshmi School, Madurai, in service of the community. Through this article you have ­motivated the Interactors and prompted them to undertake more projects every year.

R Srinivasan, RC Bangalore J P Nagar — D 3191

I could not turn the pages of the May issue as my eyes halted at the editorial which is unique and thought-provoking on a sensitive matter that everyone needs to practise as part of daily routine.

We are all humans, big or small, employer or employee, manager or subordinate, and the primary etiquette is to be humans first and foremost.

One’s personality can be judged not from physical health or wealth but from how and what one speaks as aptly said by the editor, “Your words/behaviour define you.”

Do good to others, help the poor, needy and ill, as Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self. A life of humility and selflessness will enable us to see the divinity in every person and live in harmony with others.

In short, happiness is all about living in harmony with oneself and others.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roop Nagar – D 3080

Importance of DEI

DEI is indeed important. Many of the ills, ­including lack of ­ownership, inadequate team work, poor attendance in club meetings, lack of mutual respect etc can be addressed by practising DEI.

I have done a lot of research on DEI’s usefulness, but did not get an opportunity to practise it in Rotary. Having served as a consultant for Total Quality Management,
I am confident that DEI can be implemented in our clubs. Apart from regular takeaways like improvement in effectiveness and efficiency, DEI can also contribute to transformational leadership, reduction of complaints, bringing down micro aggression, improvement in mutual confidence and collaboration, better retention, attracting young blood to Rotary, better mindset for service etc.

Incidentally, I am a rocket scientist who worked for former President Abdul Kalam, and father of Indian space programme Vikram Sarabhai while serving at VSSC/ ISRO as GM.

N R U K Kartha, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211

Rotary News can attract new members

Two of my friends happened to browse through the April issue of Rotary News when they visited my house as I was not there at that time. When I returned, they enquired about Rotary and as they were from ­Tirupattur, they were ­interested in the cover story on Jawadhu Hills tribals.

Further, they asked me about the procedure to become Rotarians, the club fee and related matters. It struck me then that what we in Rotary clubs are doing to grow membership is being done in a nice manner by Rotary News. It is an effective tool in attracting new members. If you can set aside one or two pages for poems, short stories of interest to non-Rotarians, we can attract more members.

S Mohankumar, RC Pallikonda — D 3231

On the issue of RI banning the use of the term ‘Rotary India’, it is unfortunate that senior people in Rotary resort to manipulation and ­dishonesty. RI should expel them; they are black spots on Rotary. Nobody is above the organisation.

Nathmal Nevatia, RC Calcutta Mayfair — D 3291