Looking Back, Moving Forward

Narrating an incident from a few years ago, Vijay Jatia took to the stage for the first time with his new title – President Jatia. Once, while travelling from Mangalore to Mumbai with his son Mudit, his son was stopped at the boarding gate. The official at the gate asked Mudit, “Are you a Jatia? Are you from Bissau?” Mudit was surprised by his questions and upon enquiry, discovered that the gentleman had studied in the school built by his family in Bissau. Having studied in Seth Shri Durgadat Jatia School, the guard was in that post only because of the Jatia family.

This incident is one that President Jatia often recalls, reminding himself that when one does good without any expectations, it is always fruitful. What better way to give back than the Rotary? President Jatia said that the incident changed him and so he declared, “From a spectator, I became a doer – an honour I shall strive to be worthy of.”

He then thanked IPP Ramesh Narayan for inspiring him and congratulated him for the work he did in the past year, President Jatia mused on a lesson he learnt from IPP Ramesh Narayan: “Individually, we are a drop, together, an ocean.”

Beginning to describe the grand plans President Jatia has for the Rotary, he spoke about fundraising events like Dil Se, Race for Humanity and a corporate Cricket Tournament.

Along with this, the club will be focusing on ongoing projects like the expansion of the medical centre at Cotton Green, by scaling up the current services and introducing new ones, starting primary sections in all five Bhavishya Yaan schools and adopting another one in Prabhadevi, and upgrade the Phiroze Ratanshah Vakil Eye Centre at Talwada amongst many others.

Moreover, under the leadership of President Jatia, the Rotary has taken on many new projects – an association with Paani Foundation, an NGO set up by the team of Satyamev Jayate and supported by renowned names like the Reliance Foundation, Bajaj family, Tata Trusts, and the Government of Maharashtra to combat drought in rural Maharashtra, a tie up with WOTR Foundation to provide safe drinking water to slums, hospitals, schools and the underprivileged in Marathwada and Jalna district. This total outlay for these two projects is around Rs. 10 Crores.

Additionally, the Rotary has tied up with the Masina Hospital to build a State of the Art Casualty and Emergency ward, attaining the platinum LEED certification at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya which will be spanned over 2 years, restoration of the Darbur hall at the Asiatic library  and digitisation of the books amongst many other initiatives will be taken on in this Rotary year.

Ending his address, President Jatia urged the Rotarians to bring in younger participation. He also introduced a collaboration with Reliance Hospitals through which members and their spouses can avail special discounts and privileges with the Rotary and Reliance co-branded card.

District Governor Shashikumar Sharma followed President Jatia and let the Rotarians know that this Rotary Club is incredibly close to his heart as his professional leader is a part of it. DG Sharma acknowledged the good work done by IPP Ramesh of consolidating the old projects and launching two new projects – Ananda Yaan and Bhavishya Yaan, remembering the motto of the year, “We are the warriors that we were waiting for.”

Then, titling President Jatia as the ‘Miracle President,’ DG Sharma ensured that the upcoming Rotary year will create history. “It is the names of people who imagine the impossible, [that are] engraved in history,” he said. Ending his speech, the District Governor asked the Rotarians to ponder, “What would I like to be remembered for?”

Next on stage was TRF Trustee, Gulamhusein A. Vahanvaty. Instead of listing the various accomplishments IPP Ramesh Narayan achieved, TRF Trustee Vahanvaty chose to speak about PP Narayan’s unique style of leadership – a gentle, soft, and fun approach that encourages every single member of the Club to give their best. Conveying his congratulations and best wishes to President Jatia, TRF Trustee Vahanvaty stated, “Vijay, I’ve known you very briefly but I have had the pleasure of working with you for the past few months, especially on Race for Humanity. And what I found in you is that you are very proactive, you are open to suggestions, you give valuable suggestions, and most importantly, you are a man of action. Everything decided has been acted upon.” Finally, he assured the Rotarians that the incoming Rotary year will be another outstanding one, with meaningful projects and funfilled fellowship.

Recognising the outstanding club and its 90 years of service, TRF Trustee Vahanvaty said, “Let us never minimise the power of the individual for it takes just one person to make all the difference.” He encouraged the Rotarians to set higher goals and wished them the best for the new year. In closing, he stated, “Together, let’s make Rotary the enabler of dreams for all people.”

The last speaker of the evening was RI Director Elect Dr. Pandya. He began with a story: Over 2600 years ago, Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu was walking one cold wintery morning and was startled to hear some loud crackling noises. He observed that the snow would fall on the branches and break them though they aimed to resist the snow. However, some branches would simply bend and snap back into position once the slow slid off of them. Here, he learnt that it is always important – and better – to be flexible and bend with the change rather than resist it. Otherwise, it could break your very being. “Today, if the Rotary Club of Bombay is strong after 90 years, it is because Rotarians have accepted change, but with continuity,” said RI Director Elect Dr. Pandya.

Appreciating the work that the Club has been doing, RI Director Elect Dr. Pandya said that Rotary Club of Bombay is a shining example of what a Rotary Club should be. He then recognised Past President Narayan, appreciating the work done in the year 2017 – 18.

Both, RI Director Elect Dr. Pandya and TRF Trustee Mr. Vanhanvaty concurred on the fact that RCB is on the best clubs in the world.

“Rotary has a very important role to play in the times that lie ahead,” concluded RI Director Elect Dr. Pandya. His inspiring monologue ended with an encouraging endnote asking the Rotarians to lead by example and enjoy their time at the Club.