Letters to the Editor – May 2025
Informative, all-encompassing magazine
I am at a loss of words to convey my compliments to Editor Rasheeda Bhagat and her team for coming out with a beautiful issue each month, with a striking new look, featuring informative articles that speak volumes about the service done by Rotarians across the globe.
In the March issue, the Editor’s Note (Time for self-introspection) and the article about Kolkata Rotarians’ efforts to prevent cervical cancer in girls and women, are excellent. I humbly request you to continue publishing such informative and well-researched articles in future editions as well.
To welcome, accommodate and absorb foreign students and running peace centres are something only Rotary can do. This is evident from the report that Rotary is educating over 40,000 students from over 80 countries cutting across colour, culture and nationalities. While our scriptures preach Atithi Devo Bhava, our governments form peace commissions now and then, but nothing much beyond that.
Rotarians are ready to accept any challenge as is evident from projects such as the one on cervical cancer in Kolkata where Rotarians are making available costly vaccination to women and girls. God bless them.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, RC Roop Nagar — D 3080
I’ve been a regular and avid reader of Rotary News which has emerged as a reliable and credible source of information under your guidance and stewardship for Rotary activities and projects across the world. My hearty congratulations to you and your team.
The panoramic verdant view of a hamlet in Jawadhu hills on the cover comes as a refreshing change. RI president’s call for reinvigorating engagement by following simple but far-reaching and sustainable measures needs serious attention. The editorial touched a sensitive topic of illegal migrants who take the risk at the cost of their lives. This is where Rotary can play a constructive role in reskilling and finding a suitable placement for some of the unfortunate returnees who face social stigma in their immediate environs.
As we observe environment as the focus area, let us hope that Rotary’s new strategic partnership with UN Environment Programme brings about more durable and constructive projects into implementation.
Two suggestions. Grammatically, Director Speak is wrong. The correct is Director speaks. Two, the magazine is wrapped in a gum-smelling brown cover; could you please switch over to a better outer cover either in paper or a plastic wrapper of 120 microns as per rules.
N Anthri Vedi, RC Hyderabad Mega City — D 3150
A great story on Jawadhu tribals
I was delighted to see the scenic picture of nature’s beauty in the Jawadhu Hills, a tribal hamlet in Tamil Nadu, on the cover page of the April issue. It was interesting to read the ways and means through which Chennai Rotarians assist the tribals and the millet story is a nice spin-off.
Thanks for letting us know that the name of Rotary India Literacy Mission has been changed to India Literacy Mission as decided by the RI Board. In her message, RI President Stephanie Urchick explains the need to help others by citing a food distribution project of RC Windsor-Roseland, Ontario. The Editor’s Note is an eye-opener as she has nicely depicted the hardship and humiliation faced by illegal immigrants in the US, with graphic details of their travails.
RID Raju Subramanian has focused on the importance of growing Rotary membership and strengthening TRF to touch lives around us.
I was happy to read about the Istanbul Peace Conference with the theme Healing in a divided world and TRF chair Mark Maloney’s focus on stewardship of environmental projects are interesting nuggets. All other articles and columns, with their accompanying pictures, are informative and well-written.
An open cupboard to clothe women and children gives a novel idea as it is a great gesture which can be followed by other clubs too. Club matters are descriptive and photos are good. As a whole, the April issue is superb and kudos to the editorial team.
Philip Mulappone M T, RC Trivandrum Suburban — D 3211
The cover story on a Rotary service project at the Jawadhu Hills on the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu has turned the spotlight on the plight of remote tribals; and the write-up on the Istanbul Peace Conference has dwelt on peacebuilding. All other articles in this issue are also interesting to read.
The fate of illegal immigrants to the US as pointed out by editor Rasheeda Bhagat in her April editorial is very unfortunate. It is up to the Indian government to provide opportunities to our fellow citizens to earn a decent income in our motherland. RID Subramanian has requested clubs to grow their membership and strengthen TRF through their generosity. TRF chair Mark Maloney has asked clubs to explore environmental project ideas.
K M K Murthy, RC Secunderabad — D 3150
With reference to the April editorial, the illegal migrants to the US are mostly from Punjab and Gujarat, and most of them do not belong to the underprivileged classes. They pay the ‘so-called agents’ huge sums of money up to even `1 crore for this misadventure. This is absolutely driven by greed and I do not think they deserve any sympathy from us.
S Ramachandra Prasad, RC Coimbatore Metropolis — D 3201
Our heartfelt thanks to Rotary News for the wonderful coverage of the Jawadhu Hills tribals in the April issue. Spanning more than 10 pages, the article captured every aspect of the work in great detail and offered readers an insightful account.
While our gratitude goes to Rtn Saiseshan for beautifully explaining the details which capture the entire project, our thanks should also go to the editorial and design team for writing the article and presenting it so well. The design and layout were truly commendable.
Sundaram Seshadri, RC Chennai Akshaya — D 3233
We all felt very bad on the tragedy of illegal Indian immigrants as they were deported in an inhuman manner. Can Rotary make children of ordinary Indian families extraordinarily stable so that they need not travel to any other country for earning? Our PM Modi during his US visit said about the fascinating economic growth in India. But I don’t know if any Indians settled in the US returned to motherland?
P N Parikh, RC Bharuch — D 3060
Praise for Rotary News from PRIP John Germ
Judy and I have just read the March issue of Rotary News. We have always found Rotary News to be factual and informative. The March issue was especially so with great articles on (RIPE) Mario (de Camargo) and (RIPN) Sangkoo (Yun).
We also found the tribute to PRIP Bill Boyd extremely well done. Bill was a true gentleman and a friend who impacted many lives around the world. One of his latest accomplishments was leading the committee in the selection of the Peace Center in Turkey. He will be missed.
Past RI President John Germ
