Letters to the Editor – May 2020

Rotary’s water projects

The cover photo in the March issue has women performing a traditional dance with serial lamps on their heads. One can’t help but praise their skills in balancing their overhead load with perfect poise and a smile.

In his message, RID Bharat Pandya has rightly said “water and sanitation go hand-in-hand and together they are the key to progress”, because if water is life, sanitation is a way of life.

Rotary has taken up the gigantic task of providing clean water and intensified conservation efforts by spending crores of rupees under its various projects benefitting thousands of people across India. The construction of check dams in the Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan is one of the humongous tasks for which RI is joining hands with the government. Check dams were constructed in semi-hilly areas to check soil erosion during floods in the monsoon and thus land in the lower areas is saved, and more water is available for irrigating farmland. Hats off to Rotary for contributing to the success of Swachh Bharat and the Jal Shakti Mission of GOI as mentioned in the article Clean water and sanitation, a  priority for Rotary.

RI President Maloney has said: “We need to grow Rotary by getting men and women of diverse backgrounds, who are willing not only to join us but also to serve.” Bravo, ­Rotarians go ahead with the mission and “Connect the world” to spread brotherhood, equality and peace all around.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roopnagar — RID 3080

Nicely-compiled magazine

As a new member, it is delightful and inspirational to find that Rotary News is compiled in such a professional manner and my appreciation for providing a colourful account of Rotary India Centennial Summit in Kolkata which showcased both service projects and cultural events. The article on President Elect Holger Knaack offered great insight into priorities that all Rotarians have to follow in the coming years. The article Rotarians must always wear their pin: RIDN underlined the need to project ourselves to our communities. Membership Summary and Rotary at a glance are presented in such an orderly manner so that Rotarians can get an update.

Several articles were nicely compiled and the message of RID Bharat Pandya was a perfect example of inspiration which ignites the minds of Rotarians to dedicate themselves more to the needs of society. It is heartening to know that the Kolkata Summit has initiated service projects worth $300 million and as RIPN Shekhar Mehta states, India’s membership is a silver lining in the annals of the Rotary movement and is a clarion call to further strengthen our duties to the communities we live in. The focus areas such as health, WASH and TRF contributions have been the great assets for Rotary India. PRIP Rajendra Saboo has groomed several Rotary leaders in India over the decades with passion and each member has to imbibe such virtues in their early years of their Rotary journey.

Dr Jayasekharan V P, RC Payyanur — RID 3202

Rotary and Rotaract greetings to RIDN Venkatesh for his valuable suggestions in the article Rotarians must wear their pin always: RIDN. We appreciate his services to society.

G Sankar Ganesh, RC Srivilliputtur Green City — RID 3212

Rotarians in India celebrate every event in a grand manner and the Kolkata Summit is one such example when it comes to Rotary conclaves in the country. The theme dance Hindustan meri jaan touched everybody’s heart with its traditional message of unity and cultural ethos. My Rotarian friends comprising 21 members from RID 3262 enjoyed many such moments at the Centennial Summit.

The editorial has turned the spotlight on the contributions of Indian Rotarians, whether it is TRF giving or service projects. Today Rotary clubs in India are much ahead of others in pursuit of humanitarian services. Your editorial reflects the spirit of Rotary in India.

Arun Kumar Dash, RC Baripada — RID 3262

RIPE Knaack’s interesting insights

The interview with RIPE Holger Knaack under the headline “Business casual” was very interesting. He has thrown light on the need to induct both young and old members in Rotary. He is all for retaining the older members as they are good value to our organisation. He says, “There is no wrong age to become a Rotarian whether 18 or 80 years.” There is no perfect size for a Rotary club, he says and has asked us not to put ceiling on the number of members in a Rotary club. He welcomes retirees to Rotary because they have skills, time and passion to contribute. However, young people should be inducted considering the future of Rotary.

This is encouraging for senior Rotarians like me who have been in Rotary for over 25 years utilising every opportunity to serve Rotary and community. We only request our services should not go unutilised in clubs and districts as it would benefit Rotary.

Ramaswamy N P, RC Rasipuram — RID 2982

It is interesting reading about MHM in the article Starting a dialogue on Menstruation. I am a President-elect and MHM is one of the projects I wish to promote and create awareness among the public. I am happy that I’ve got some new knowledge and ideas about MHM projects.

Betty Mutebi, RC Lukaya, Uganda and Tanzania — RID 9211

All the Rotary Hero awardees at the Kolkata Centennial Summit are known for their outstanding contributions towards society and despite all odds, these people went ahead with their service. I know Adhik Kadam, his work in settling the life of Kashmiri girls is valuable and noble work. I wish all of them a great success in future.

Prashant Padmakar Bhalerao, Non-Rotarian