Vol.63, Issue 12 Annual Subscription Rs.480
June 2013
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Cultural Programmes at Rotary South Asia Summit 2013.
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WHAT’S INSIDE
30 11
26 13
11 President’s View 13 High Performance Delivered 20 Desire Devotion Discipline 26 Honouring Path Makers 30 Universal Vision, South Asian Network, Indian Ethos
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WHAT’S INSIDE
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42 42 Council Votes 50 Step Inside Get Cured 53 Swimming against the Tide 54 An Annual Affair 64 Dreams Delivered
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64 54
WHAT’S INSIDE
EDITORIAL BOARD TRF Trustee Ashok Mahajan RI Dist. 3140 RID Shekhar Mehta
RI Dist. 3291
RID Yash Pal Das
RI Dist. 3080
DG R. Badri Prasad
RI Dist. 3190
DG Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh RI Dist. 3260 DG Ramesh Aggarwal
RI Dist. 3010
PDG Vijay Jalan
RI Dist. 3140
PDG Jogesh Gambhir
RI Dist. 3250
PDG Shaju Peter
RI Dist. 3080
PDG Nayantara Palchoudhuri RI Dist. 3291 Rtn. T. K. Balakrishnan
RI Dist. 3230
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DG R. Badri Prasad
Chairman
DG Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh
Secretary
DG Ramesh Aggarwal
Treasurer
PDG Vijay Jalan PDG Jogesh Gambhir PDG Shaju Peter
83 72
PDG Nayantara Palchoudhuri
ROTARY NEWS ROTARY SAMACHAR Editor Rtn. T. K. Balakrishnan Assistant Editors Jaishree S. Selvi
66 70 66 The Auto Mobile 70 Protein-rich Diet 72 Fortune for All 83 Very Briefly
Send all correspondence and subscriptions to ROTARY NEWS TRUST 3rd Floor, Dugar Towers, 34 Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008, India. Phone : 044 42145666 Fax : 044 28528818 e-mail : rotarynews@rosaonline.org
It’s more important to be kind than clever
“O
ur knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness” — Charlie Chaplin, in The Great Dictator. To be kind to others we have to love them first. To love someone, we have to demonstrate it through actions and work. Especially, if it involves service to them. As Kahlil Gibran said, “Work is love made visible.” The small acts of kindness shown by Rotarians do not normally make headlines. What is it that makes it so hard to be kind? In every interaction with people, we have two choices. One choice leads to a dull interaction filled with formalities, politeness and ends in lack of connectivity. The other leads to love and connectivity between people. This is exactly what is needed to make a new member feel at home in the club within the first few meetings he or she attends. But strangely, some Rotarians tend to show off their cleverness and this leads to disconnect from the day one.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Every time people interact with newcomers they are giving the new members a bit of their intellect, intelligent points and the who, what, where, when and why of their existence. This can put off some people or just create an awe that will make them shrink into their shell. To retain members we should be giving them our heart and show them the real kindness within. The person should first see you as a kind person and be inspired by your presence and your true attention. Seeing you as a clever person does not lead anyone anywhere. John Quincy Adams, who was the sixth President of the United States of America said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This means it is more important to be kind than clever. In Rotary clubs, leaders have failed miserably in their positions due to arrogance. What makes a good leader? According to the article from YES! Magazine, it’s the gift of strengthening others. Also, “an empowering leader makes mistakes. If he doesn’t, he’s probably not experimenting enough. An empowering leader is also a good learner, an experienced and willing apologiser, someone who can make amends and move on.” Because every leader in Rotary is a human being they must never forget that it is more important to be kind than clever.
Rtn. T. K. Balakrishnan JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 9
Readers Speak Good Change The news about ‘District Governor Nominee Selection Procedure in India,’ in March 2013 issue of Rotary News, is interesting to read. The election procedure replaces the previous one for some good reason known by most of us. I firmly believe that some of the bad practices are minimised though not completely eradicated. Anyway this is a good change. Rtn. K. Ramakrishna RC Sullia RI District 3180 Accolades and more... During Rotary’s ‘Magazine Month’ a Rotarian cannot ignore Rotary News. The magazine is so compact and informative which also keeps every Rotarian close to Rotary world. The contents relate to both Rotary as well as nonRotary which makes reading more interesting. Personally, I love reading the ‘Editorial.’ Congratulations. Rtn. Ranjit Kumar Das RC Cuttack RI District 3260 My Heartiest congratulations for your Editor’s Letter, ‘What did you do?’ in the May 2013 issue. The searching for the meaning of Rotary in this editorial is a way forward. If each Rotarian adhere to this dictum, Rotarians will certainly keep their head, heart and hand pure to
reach within to embrace humanity and serve with humility and to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world. Rtn. Dr. Swadesh Ranjan Chatterjee RC Durgapur RI District 3240
thank the author, Jaishree. She has given a vivid description of the century old church and the history of the saint. Rtn. Dr. J. Stanley Chandran RC Cuddalore RI District 2980
Hearty appreciations for bringing out an exciting April issue! Your Editorial on generosity has shown us a new meaning to the virtue. You have beautifully brought out that Rotarians can show the world how to effectively utilise their money by being generous in their giving to TRF. Rtn. Yaad K. Sugandha RC Rewari Main RI District 3010
The article, ‘Where Water is God’ in April 2013 issue of Rotary News is an appreciable one. Only after reading this article I came to know many interesting facts about the temple’s unique sculptures and architecture. I have actually treasured this issue in my library. Rtn. S. Edward Devanathan RC Courtallam Metro RI District 3212
About Movers The write up on RI Director Shekhar Mehta is a juicy feast to a discerning reader. Going through the presentation, the ‘Mover’ and ‘Shekhar’ in Mehta comes alive with gusto to demonstrate that, Rotary needs ‘doers’ like him. PDG J.V. Reddy RI District 3160 Knowing More I am a Catholic Christian and I have been to St. Teresa’s Church at Nungambakkam, Chennai, on several occasions but only after reading the article ‘A Century of Service’ I felt very proud for having been familiar with the church for over six decades. I congratulate and
Not Catchy In the March 2013 issue of Rotary News, the article, ‘Coming to make an Impact,’ wherein ‘They experience the thrill of catching their first Matching Grant partners,’ is mentioned. Here, the word ‘catching’ does not seem appropriate. International partners are in need of clubs who can deliver on their integrity and commitment to doing-good in the world. Networking during the course of the International Assembly with well planned projects could have international partners asking for more. Rtn. Nester Sequeira RC Panaji RI District 3170
The editor welcomes brief comments on the contents of the magazine, but reserves the right to edit submissions for style and length. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the RI leadership, nor do the editors take responsibility for errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers. Only letters that include a verifiable name, address and day and evening phone numbers can be considered for publication. Readers are our source of encouragement. Some of our esteemed patrons share their valuable feedback….
PRESIDENT’S VIEW
Dear Fellow Rotarians, A Rotary Convention is a powerful thing, and the first convention is an experience you never forget. My first was in Chicago, in 1980. That was the year I was President of the Rotary Club of Yashio. I thought we should learn more about Rotary, so I asked nine other members of my club to join me, and we travelled to Chicago together. We did not know what to expect from a Rotary Convention. What we found was more than any of us had imagined. That convention showed me Rotary, and changed me forever. It gave our club something to strive for. I came to that convention as a member of a Rotary club. I left it as a Rotarian. The feeling that entered my heart in Chicago is still there today. I am glad I will have the opportunity, as an RI President from Japan, to be part of the convention in Portugal. Portugal and Japan have a history together that began in the year 1542. This was the year that a Portuguese boat landed on a southern Japanese island. The Portuguese sailors did not plan to come to Japan. Strong winds blew their boat off course. But it was a happy accident, and the beginning of a peaceful and prosperous relationship. In 1993, Japan and Portugal celebrated 450 years of good relations. Portugal was the first European country visited by the Japanese, in the middle of the 16th century. And the long Portuguese presence in Japan has had a lasting effect on my country. The Portuguese found Japan by accident. But it is no accident that Lisbon has been chosen for this convention. Lisbon is a ‘Harbour for Peace.’ And peace is the theme of this convention, as it has been the theme between Japan and Portugal for nearly 500 years. As Rotarians, we work toward peace in many ways. We do it through humanitarian service. We do it through our belief in Service Above Self. And we work toward peace simply by being who we are. Every year, when we come together for a Rotary convention, we see, for a few days, the world as it could be. We see people of all colours and cultures come together. We work to build a better world. I hope you will join me, and your fellow Rotarians, as we celebrate this year of Peace Through Service together.
Sakuji Tanaka President, Rotary International
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High Performance Delivered T
he Trustee of The Rotary Foundation and Past RI confidence that they can attain their goal. Their stubborn Director Ashok Mahajan, RI Directors Y.P. Das and consistency in pursuing their vision and a determined perShekhar Mehta will complete their term in office on June sistence in thought and action put India on top of the global 30, 2013. They served Rotary along with Rtn. Kalyan Rotary map on many fronts. They had an emotional comBanerjee when he was the RI President. The ‘formidable mitment to the importance of what they were doing and four’ as they were called during 2011–2012, served Rotary to the people with whom they were doing it. The election admirably and made India proud. pilot programme for India, though introduced with a heavy RI Directors Y.P. Das, Shekhar Mehta and TRF Trusheart, did bring about a semblance of sobriety in the way tee Ashok Mahajan, who will be completing their terms elections were held. as RI Director and Trustee of The Rotary Foundation Going along with them, Rotarians learnt an important respectively, have led interesting, passionate and meanlesson. They understood that first they must seek what ingful lives. They were driven by the desire to prove it is that they were aiming at, and then look out for the themselves. road by which they can reach it quickly. The leadership Rotarians in India and other parts of the world who qualities of RI Directors Y.P. Das, Shekhar Mehta and TRF have moved with them, recall the various sparkling qualiTrustee Ashok Mahajan brought the Rotarians who were ties in each one of them. They trusted in something ... wandering aimlessly, following the noise and discordant their guts, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach never let them down and it has made all the difference in their lives. Rotarians recollect how a chance encounter, a stray conversation or an article they read about these men, stayed on with them. These stalwarts of Rotary say, “Go out and do more, learn more, experience more and create a life which is like a work of art.” These leaders learnt by observation, experimentation and application of mind. They grew, excelled and when they occupied the high positions in Rotary they delivered the results with their high performance. Talking about undertaking mega projects they say, “If you have an interL to R: RI Director Shekhar Mehta, TRF Trustee Ashok Mahajan, esting idea, a good project, just follow RI Director Y.P. Das. through with it. Don’t be scared. Never once think that this will not work.” In their words, “If you cries of people who were calling them in different directions, on the right path. District leaders were happy to find start seeing service to humanity as the core of what you have to do in Rotary, then the way you conduct the affairs these experienced guides who had explored the region towards which Rotary was advancing. When the District of your club will change.” The spectacular growth in contributions to TRF, the Governors achieved their goals at the end of the year, they were able to understand that their personal excellence has substantial increase in membership and eradication of polio in India happened during the years 2007 to 2013 generated a degree of happiness and success that they had when these leaders were occupying important positions. only dreamt of. RI Directors Y.P. Das and Shekhar Mehta and TRF The South Asia Summit in Hyderabad proved that a conTrustee Ashok Mahajan have proved that for delivering vention for Rotarians in this region can bring together high performance, you don’t need to be rich. It is all in over 5,000 Rotarians. All these leaders had one quality in common — a clear your head, your heart and your hands. conception of what should be done, a vivid vision and a Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan set of goals powerfully imagined. They also had the strong
JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 13
District Wise Contribution Totals to The Rotary Foundation as on April 30, 2013 (in US Dollars)
District Number
APF
2980
1,46,524
PolioPlus*
Other Restricted
Permanent Fund
28,585
0
8,959
Total Contributions
Bookmark Rotary
India 1,84,068
3000
11,830
200
3,000
0
15,030
3010
5,93,159
71,459
8,655
40,300
7,13,573
3020
55,275
42,619
887
204
98,985
3030
7,357
1,225
9,772
10,000
28,354
3040
15,656
3,015
13,594
0
32,265
3050
53,121
0
2,533
0
55,654
3060
60,045
8,851
18,515
33,772
1,21,183
3070
37,525
1,652
6,267
0
45,444
3080
58,408
39,735
28,076
1,852
1,28,071
3090
2,395
2,500
0
0
4,895
3100
34,985
800
2,104
0
37,889
3110
49,832
2,215
0
0
52,047
3120
26,845
1,000
1,177
0
29,022
3131
1,78,395
1,46,048
45,100
1,253
3,70,796
3132
68,065
1,334
5,804
0
75,203
3140
6,04,061
1,49,408
61,373
33,248
8,48,090
3150
63,346
71,621
75,015
26,785
2,36,767
3160
28,880
37
400
0
29,317
3170
38,906
2,547
10,394
1,100
52,947
3180
1,50,631
420
13,898
1,109
1,66,058
3190
2,09,340
1,000
58,692
25,926
2,94,958
3201
2,50,285
1,19,246
41,885
58,188
4,69,604
3202
23,929
364
2,000
1,000
27,293
3211
1,16,888
2,500
13,252
2,000
1,34,640
3212
44,181
18,571
0
0
62,752
3230
3,73,769
13,013
20,466
2,16,191
6,23,439
3240
71,345
8,304
2,000
0
81,649
3250
29,411
32,171
0
7,037
68,619
3260
58,978
720
102
12,029
71,829
3291
61,178
1,065
77,012
500
1,39,755
5,21,973
4,81,453
53,00,456
30,004
10,039
1,94,484
16,923
0
23,062
3,100
3,000
36,539
19,284
25,306
6,28,213
11,800
0
92,937
India India Total
185
75
35,24,730
7,72,300
1,47,411
7,030
260
www.rotary.org/socialnetworks
More Online Resources books www.rotary.org/rotarian
www.rotary.org/rotaryminute
Rotary Images www.rotary.org/rotaryimages
Sri Lanka 3220
Rotary Social Media
Pakistan 3271
3,645
2,494
Pakistan & Afghanistan 3272
29,240
1,199
3280
5,83,623
0
3292
81,137
0
www.rotary.org/newsletters
Bangladesh Nepal South Asia Total World Total
43,69,786
7,83,023
6,03,084
5,19,798
62,75,691
8,31,30,540
2,14,70,858
1,13,40,039
1,79,48,658
13,38,90,095
* Excludes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rotary eNewsletters
Source: RI South Asia Office
Thoughts from within Dear Rotary Leaders, Greetings! Below is a quote from Denis Waitley: “Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.”
RI DIRECTOR 2011–13
It seems like only yesterday I commenced my term to serve on the Board of Rotary International. It has been my most educative and rewarding experience. I have learnt much more than what I could contribute during my one year as a Director Elect and two years on the Board. It has been time well spent. Manju and I enjoyed every minute of it. Through this column I wish to convey my grateful thanks to my fellow Rotarians for providing me this wonderful opportunity. In all of my actions and thoughts I have always kept the interest of the organisation before everything else. The months of April and May have seen several activities such as the Council on Legislation in April and the South Asia Summit in May. The 2013 Council addressed 199 proposed enactments and resolutions on membership, administrative and financial issues etc. All the changes in our legislation will be incorporated in the 2013 Manual of Procedure effective July 1, 2013. The South Asia Summit was a resounding success wherein 5,400 Rotarians registered from the South Asian nations of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and India. Rotary International President Nominee Gary Huang and Corinna were the chief guests for the event. The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid Wilkinson graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Many Rotarians from India have registered for the Rotary International Convention in June this year. If you are attending the RI Convention in Lisbon do not forget to register and attend the South Asia Reception on Monday, June 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Corinthia Hotel. For further details, please contact PDG Ravi Vadlamani. The last Board Meeting for the year 2012–13 will be held in June at Lisbon at which the incoming Director P.T. Prabhakar will be handed over the baton to serve as the Director from India. He has prepared well and has a very forward looking vision for Rotary in India. We all look forward to his leadership in the coming years. Best wishes,
Y.P. Das Director Rotary International (2011–13) JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 15
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DirecTalk Dear Fellow Rotarians, This is the last time I am writing to you through this column “Directalk.” Each one of you made these last two years most memorable for Rashi and me. The journey as a member of the Board of Directors of RI was satisfying. We were enriched by the friends we made around the world; by listening to the best minds and exchanging thoughts. I remember the first visit to the hallowed 18th floor at the Rotary World Headquarters in Evanston; the learning experience at the first Board Meeting and the exuberance of getting to serve on the Board with Rotary International President, Kalyan Banerjee. Meetings with the Presidents of many countries, interactions with the Chief Minister of West Bengal and other States, discussions with Nobel Laureates, Aung San Suu Kyi, Muhammad Yunus and with Bill Gates are unforgettable. The opportunity of hosting Rotary Institutes at Kolkata and Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, gave me the satisfaction of a lifetime. The success of the Literacy Conference in Kathmandu showed how Rotarians across the borders can work together. Convening the Rotary South Asia Summit 2013 was the magnum opus that came in two years of my service. Taking Rotary to Bhutan and Maldives; continuing with the heart surgeries to its ultimate goal of 2,500; planting million trees; taking the Shelter Kits project to a stage where it is ready to cater to any disaster within 36 hours; setting up five Eye Hospitals and working in the areas of water and sanitation were fulfilling. I thank all the Rotarians for everything they did for me, my family whose support was led by my wife Rashi and my club, RC Calcutta Mahanagar. I thank the staff of RI, RISAO and Rotary News. They could not be better. To my Man Friday—Indu, my secretary and all others at my office — a big thank you. Our special thanks to PRIP Raja Saboo and Ushaji, Kalyanda and Binotadi, President Sakuji and all Board members. The fun times I had interacting with Trustee Ashok Mahajan, the camaraderie with Director Yash and Manju, PRIDs Sushil Gupta, Sudarshanji, O.P. Vaish, Pandu, Ravindran and Vanathy, P.T. Prabhakar and Nalini has laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship. My younger brother Kamal and his wife Sonal did all that we wished of them. Each of these people along with so many others made our journey so beautiful. Time flies and how. Was it not the other day that we were planning, thinking, discussing, setting goals and getting into action till the action itself became a state of frenzy? However, soon the roller coaster travels will reduce and sleeping hours will become saner. But our zeal to serve humanity will increase. Rashi and I are enriched by your friendship and will remain ever so grateful to you for making our journey of service so purposeful and meaningful. “Mausam aayenge jaayenge, hum tumko na bhool paayenge…” With best wishes,
Shekhar Mehta Director Rotary International (2011–13) JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 17
RI President Nominee
GARY HUANG
at Rotary News Trust Office RI Presidentnominee Gary Huang and his spouse Corinna visited the office of the Rotary News Trust on May 2, 2013. He appreciated the quality of the magazine. He said, “Thumbs up to Rotary” and asked the staff members to flash the sign along with him.
18 ROTARY NEWS JUNE 2013
RI President-nominee Gary Huang and his spouse Corinna.
RI President-nominee Gary Huang signing the visitors book.
RI President-nominee Gary Huang says, “Thumbs up to Rotary.”
JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 19
ROTARY ACTS
20 ROTARY NEWS JUNE 2013
P
ast RI President Rajendra K. Saboo knows very well that when it comes to service, it is all in the delivery. We live in words from morning till night. Many talk about service to humanity and in their run of searching for purpose and purposefulness, they lose all purpose of being in a service organisation. But not PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo and his dedicated team of volunteers who go from one place to another delivering what they believe is life enhancing experience to those who have only hoped for a better life. “When we realise the futility of words, then we should know that our life is going deeper. We have started living,” wrote His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Service becomes very shallow if we base it on words. Anything that is profound in life, deep or meaningful, cannot be expressed in words. You have to act. Real service has no words, you have to be there just doing it. PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo’s presence at a medical project site speaks what he is. People who volunteer to be there with him feel that something does happen inside them, something does get kindled. Then it catches on to everyone. When it comes to service beyond borders, when it comes to looking beyond yourself, to be in a harsh environment to serve people there, PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo is truly considered as the teacher. It is said in our scriptures: “Vandeham Sacchi Danandam Bhedatitam Jagadgurum Nityam Purnam Nirakaram Nirgunam Svatmasarva Samsthitam Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya Mrtyorma Amirtangamaya OM Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi” “I bow down to the Universal Teacher Who is Absolute Truth, Pure Consciousness and Bliss Who is beyond all differences Who is ever-full, without attributes, formless Who is all pervading and ever centred in the Self Lead us from unreality to reality Lead us from darkness to light Lead us from death to immortality OM Peace Peace Peace” PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo has reached out to thousands of people worldwide through his medical missions, personal interactions and humanitarian initiatives. He has brought
PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo (second from left) and RI President Sakuji Tanaka (third from left) with the mission doctors. Facing page: Doctors performing surgery. to the masses living in underdeveloped areas, the benefit of medical treatment. The city of Udhampur, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, RI District 3070, was the recent addition to the medical mission project that PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo and his wife Usha Saboo put together. RI President Sakuji Tanaka who saw the magnitude of the service project said, “My theme is Peace through Service. But looking at the wonderful work these doctors are doing here, I think it is apt to say Peace through Medical Missions.” What else can he say when he sees that 32,400 patients are screened and 1,726 surgeries including 312 major surgeries are performed by a team of people led by DGs Ravindra Salunke, District 3132, Upkar Singh Sethi, District 3070, Dr. Girish Gune, District 3131 and Manmohan Singh, District 3080. The team had four general surgeons, four ophthalmologists, three orthopaedic surgeons, two ENT surgeons, three dental surgeons, three gynaecologists, four anaesthesiologists, one urologist and one plastic surgeon. All these doctors are Rotarians and they came from the participating RI Districts comprising of 3070, 3080, 3131, 3132 and 3250. Rotary Club of Hsin Ying East, District 3470, Taiwan, The Rotary Foundation and the Ministry of Health, Government of India and the Ministry of Health, Government of Jammu and Kashmir supported the project of this scale. A team of cardiologists and oncologists had come from Chandigarh to identify patients who needed advanced treatment. The Rotary Eye Hospital, the district government’s Civil Hospital and a private nursing home were the venues JUNE 2013
ROTARY NEWS 21