Strive for that extra mile to achieve goals
As the Rotary year 2021–22 comes to a close and as district governors and club presidents strive to meet last mile demands and promises, I am reminded of Dylan Thomas’s famous refrain: “Do not go gently into that good night.” In a manner of speaking, it is about one’s last innings and an exhortation to go out in a blaze of glory. It is akin to scoring a century in one’s last Test match. For the record, Greg Chappell, Azharuddin and Alistair Cook are some of the few who have done it.
June 30 is also when President Shekhar Mehta’s term ends and so will my four-year term as TRF trustee. As I write this, we have less than six weeks to go before the curtain comes down on this year. It is my earnest belief that everyone will strive for that extra mile to deliver on the Foundation targets. I promise that I, too, will walk that extra mile.
We have been through tough times together, pandemic and otherwise, and it appears that we are out of the tunnel and into the light. Working together has helped and we have achieved much through teamwork. But we cannot rest on our laurels. For the past few years India has been second in worldwide TRF contributions. However, last year South Korea pipped us to the second spot. Can we regain it this year? I believe that we can if we reach our all-India target of $30 million. And that, my friends, is my humble request: Let’s do that extra bit for our Foundation.
It has been a pleasure addressing you through the pages of this magazine but it is now time to say goodbye. However, goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather be upbeat because every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
With my best wishes and regards,
Gulam A Vahanvaty
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation
