PRIP Mat Caparas’ high praise for Rotary in India & Rotary News

Excerpts from a letter written by Past President Mat Caparas to a few senior Rotary leaders in India on
Oct 4, 2018.

First, congratulations to Sushil (Gupta), whose nomination is now official. I need not tell you how pleased I am to have a governor of my year called to the presidency. I am even more pleased that your current activity is actual service to people near at hand who need it, and show visually the benefit it brings. I hope such all-embracing service will get much impetus and success in your year as Rotarians strive for world peace through friendly service to others.

I also want to join in the expression of great thanks and admiration for the couple Ravi Shankar and Paola Dakoju for their magnificent gift of $14.7 million to our Foundation. Some may wonder who persuaded them to give away such a big amount. What surely influenced the couple’s decision was what they saw Rotary and Rotarians do — acts of kindness with heartwarming results that they found fully deserving of what help they could give. Their generosity was won by the admirable state of Rotary in the country to which its premier leaders — you guys — have brought it. Congratulations!

But I suggest proper recognition be given also to Rotary News, which gave Rotary work the transparency and honesty that our marvellous donors appreciated. The magazine has continually improved in these last three years with the new Editor, who deserves much praise. As an organ of our organisation, Rotary News may have already become better than our official magazine, The Rotarian.

Mat Caparas

Past RI President (1986–87) Philippines