President Preeti Signs Off!

The Rotary Club of Bombay added one more first, among its many firsts this year, with a virtual Shukriya Night to congratulate Smart Year President Preeti Mehta for an amazing, heart-touching and successful Rotary year.

Our own Rotarians, Tara Deshpande and Aditya Somani, were the charming hosts for the Shukriya Night and entertained and regaled the guests with their banter and jokes. It was no less than an award show, thus, with all the props and mimics and so much fun.

Preeti said: “The Rotary year 2019-2020 has come to an end and before I hand over the mantle to PE Rtn. Framroze Mehta, I would like to recall the events gone by and thank each one of you who have contributed to the success of this year. Today, as I demit office as President of a wonderfully amazing and iconic club at the end of a satisfying year, I feel deeply humbled. I must admit that initially I was somewhat skeptical about certain aspects mainly fundraising. I soon learnt that my worries were unfounded.”

Preeti took the opportunity to thank her ‘Think Tank’ consisting of PP Rtn. Ramesh Narayan, Rtn. Pradip Chinai, Rtn. Ashok Jatia and Rtn. Ptn. Gautam, and also several other members from time to time, for help with planning, their guidance and assistance.

She said: “I have had a demanding, challenging, but a very memorable year with moments I will always cherish. I consider myself blessed and I am indebted to the Almighty and this year too was no exception.”

“There were instances and situations that I shared with some of you, when I simply left everything to the Almighty to make things happen.”

Preeti gave credit to the blessings and guidance of her elders, especially her mother with whom she used to share her Club activities. And, despite being confined to the bed for years, her mother gave her valuable inputs and always supported Preeti. “I am thankful to my family and friends for the continuous encouragement and support.”

“Forgive me if I sound like it’s Oscars or IIFA, but I would like to take this one last opportunity as the President to express my gratitude to each one of you. PP Rtn. Ajay Kanoria, thanks to you that I became a member of this esteemed Club or, rather, “The Institution”. I would also like to thank all the Past Presidents who had the confidence to give me this once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve as the President of RCB. I shall be proud to join this esteemed circle of my peers from the stroke of midnight.”

Preeti expressed a special gratitude to PE Framroze, “I especially thank PE Rtn. Framroze Mehta who was always there to help out with every situation. He even took it upon himself to religiously help me on our office steps, when I was recovering from the fracture which I suffered before the Pre-PETS training at Mahabaleshwar. I wish him all the very best for the coming year, I am sure he will take RCB to greater heights.”

Preeti thanked and acknowledged all the teams, Trustees, Past Presidents, Directors, members, as well as, all the office staff for making the year successful, lovely and colourful even in these Covid times. Preeti expressed special gratitude to Bimal Mehta who so willingly and graciously made available the hosting rights and access to his zoom account for the weekly meetings. “He literally provided a roof over our head for our meetings,” said Preeti.

The virtual celebration was graced by the presence of DG Harjit Singh Talwar, who has always managed to make his way to everyone’s hearts with his words and shayaris. DG Harjit acknowledged the contributions to TRF with the special mention of PP Rtn. Nirav Shah. He quoted statistics of the projects done during the year and, applauded the work of RCB.

“I would also like to congratulate District Governor Nominee Designate Sandeep Agarwalla and Rtn. Ptn. Malini. It has taken 43 years to have a governor from Rotary Club of Bombay and I, personally, and the district, of course, are looking forward to 2023, which will be one of the brightest years for Rotary District 3141.” The DG praised the fundraiser ‘Chhoti si Asha’ on 28th June, and the PR that was managed so well.

Praising Preeti, the DG said, “You have led from the front! You have given exemplary leadership to the Club, led with distinction, charisma and thought!”

He used his shayari to pay these compliments:

Din beet jaaenge suhani yaad bann kar,
Baatein reh jaaengi kahani bann kar.
Magar dost hamesha rehegne dil ke kareeb,
Kabhi hothon ki muskaan, kabhi aankhon ki nami bann kar.

DG Harjit then surprised every one by inviting the person who had stood by Preeti like a pillar, her partner Gautam, to share a few thoughts. He said, “At the beginning of the year, just before Preeti took office as President, a lot of people asked me, ‘are you ready?’ I said to myself, ‘ready for what? My wife is becoming the President of the Rotary Club of Bombay.’ Then, I started to wonder what was I supposed to do as the husband of the President of the Rotary Club of Bombay. Along came Bomi Framroze (husband of PP Sonya Mehta), the first ‘Don’ of our Rotary Club of Bombay with this piece of advice: ‘Take care of the house’. Then I thought let me find out for myself. I struck upon a novel idea, as I remembered Queen Elizabeth of England and Prince Phillip. I watched a lot of video clips, and I got my answer .. “four steps behind … not one step in front … not by the side, AND NEVER argue with the President … remember the mantra of “Yes, Your Majesty!”. The greatest joy for Gautam in this past one amazing year was to meet so many wonderful people. While ending his brief talk, Gautam said “Rotary Club of Bombay … you are amazing. No other Club can match you, both in terms of fellowship, as well as, the way you manage service – so professionally, so conscientiously, with such passion and commitment … it’s clock-work, it’s unique”.

PP Ramesh Narayan shared a rather different perspective of the year and Preeti’s contributions. “We are so obsessed with the big things that we overlook the small things. The RCB, in honour of the day that you are born, gives a square meal to a poor child for a month. This is the true meaning of ‘Happy’ Birthday and all of the members were honoured through the year on account of this idea, by President Preeti. This is the hallmark of a leader who leads with heart.” PP Rtn. Ramesh Narayan remembered how Preeti celebrated her 60th birthday with the Lighthouse kids in the slums instead of hosting any party or get together for family and friends. He continued to recall and said “From the squalid streets and slums of Mumbai, let’s move to the heartland of Bharat where Preeti was inaugurating a very meaningful Integrated Rural Development Project at Gumbadpada, giving livelihood, solar power, water for irrigation, safe drinking water. She was mobbed by the women of the neighbouring village of Warghadpada, who pleaded for the same scheme to be implemented for them. Preeti responded firmly ‘We will do it’ and she went all out to raise money for it and the Project is almost completed even during the lock-down.” Past President Ramesh went on to say that “This year has been unique in a sense. Everyone asked us to look inwards and see the wonderful work our own RCB has been doing for 40-50 years and even more than that. Preeti has actually walked the talk and shown us how to do it, like the wonderful fund-raiser, for the improvement of our own ADMC.”

“I am also happy to report that this year the main line media, newspapers, radio, etc went out to amplify our efforts in a rather large way. But Preeti never once told me to amplify anything in the media. Lastly, behind every great gal there is a great guy – Gautam you are superb, you have been so so supportive. So, stay blessed Preeti and I thank you for the great year” PP Ramesh finished.

President Preeti announced the Club Awards recognising Committees and individual Rotarians for their exemplary work.

Coming to the successful fund-raiser Chhoti Si Asha, PP Rtn. Sandip Agarwalla said, “The Clubs around India who were involved with “Chhoti Si Asha’ together with our Club raised approximately Rs. 15 crores for the various causes we had espoused. The show was an unprecedented success not only in terms of fundraising but more importantly, I would like to believe, that this is probably the largest audience Rotary has witnessed anywhere in the world to see a show which was all about Rotary. Both our Club’s as well as the works done by Rotary India were shown with voice-overs given by prominent stars and artists and these are ours to use, even in future.” The viewership figure for this show, on June 28th, was almost between 5-6 million viewers. It had been viewed internationally. “Chhoti Si Asha is here to stay and we will continue to gather funds and publicity both to increase membership and increase attention to Rotary as being the most preferred CSR partners for projects and also for various fundraising aspects,” PP Sandip said.

With the first pioneering virtual Shukriya night, the Rotarians found a way to meet and connect together. PN Rtn. Shernaz Vakil gave the vote of thanks for this year acknowledging everyone, as Preeti’s year drew to a close. “Preeti, in your measured and patient way, you have met every challenge this year has thrown up with a clear vision of the way forward. Your ability to delegate and still stay in charge is commendable. In your quiet and determined way, you achieved the service needs our Club is known for and empowered the team to do their best.”

Rotarians & Guests Attend Shukriya Night

A Big Round Of Applause For Everyone Who Showed True Rotary Spirit By Dressing Up For The Meeting