90 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Here’s to 90 more!
For over a century, the Rotary movement has bridged cultures and connected continents to fight and make a difference to numerous causes such as illiteracy, poverty, promoting clean water and sanitation, education, learning, fighting diseases and championing peace.
As part of this large and widespread global family of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, our Club (Rotary Club of Bombay – RCB) takes great pride in having, over the last nine decades, made very meaningful and effective connections with our ‘not so privileged’.
As we celebrate the completion of our 90th year, we renew our pledge to devote our services, through ‘Time, Talent and Treasure’ (each of which is equally and immensely important), to reach out to create a lasting change and a positive impact in society.
President Preeti Mehta is of the view that the true measure of service is the impact that it makes, not only in the short term, but in the long one.
Our Club takes pride, with humility, in having reached out to the community at large through various projects an programmes in all these years.
Our rural outreach projects at Talwada including the Phiroze Ratanshah Vakil Eye Centre and the adjoining Ajit Deshpande Medical Centre, as well as the Anusuya Devi Taparia Junior College are a few examples of continuing sustainable solutions and of community service.
About President Preeti Mehta
• Preeti was a student of J. B. Petit School for Girls and thereafter graduated in Arts from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
• She has been, since 1991, a Partner of M/s. Kanga & Co., a leading firm of Advocates and Solicitors in Mumbai and is now a Senior Partner.
• Preeti qualified as an Advocate from Government Law College and then as a Solicitor, from both India and England.
• She trained with the law firm of M/s. Mulla Mulla Craigie Blunt & Caroe, in which her father late Mr. D. M. Popat was a Senior Partner.
• Preeti has been practicing law for over 30 years. She has vast experience representing domestic, foreign and multinational clients, in corporate law, foreign investment & collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, private equity investments, banking, franchising and hospitality.
• For many years, she has been recognised as one the Leading Lawyers in India for Mergers and Acquisitions and Franchising, by “Who’s Who International”. She has also been recognised as a Leading Lawyer for Corporate and M&A by “Chambers & Partners”. She has featured in India Business Law Journal’s A-List of Top 100 lawyers in India several times.
• Preeti serves as an independent director on the boards of multiple companies.
• She is reputed to be a workaholic, and is also known for her sharpness and diplomacy.
• Apart from being a committed Rotarian since 2004, Preeti enjoys travelling to different destinations and reading fiction.
• She has been married to Gautam T. Mehta since 1991. He is an Advocate practicing as Counsel and is also an Arbitrator.
We also, with equal humility, take immense pride in our other projects – Anand Yaan, Bhavishya Yaan, Cancer Aid, Child Welfare, Cotton Green Medical Centre, Environment, Jal Jeevan, Night Study Centre, the conservation of Urban Heritage, Vocational Training and Women’s Empowerment, each of which addresses a need of the hour and will continue to do so.
“However, there now is a need for Consolidation, Improvement, Enhancement and Synergizing.
It is time to objectively assess and add more value to each of these, with the aim to have a greater outreach and transform the lives of our fellow people,” says President Preeti.
Through vocational guidance and mentoring, we have and will continue to handhold and support our Bhavishya Yaan children even after their schooling. Initiatives such as developing water resources for drinking water, farm and off-farm livelihood intervention, medical care, improvement in educational infrastructure are needed in Talwada and the villages surrounding it. These and similar other opportunities can be explored and worked upon in relation to our existing projects.
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”, President Preeti takes great joy in balancing her very active professional life with being a dedicated Rotarian. She is an Advocate and Solicitor, is amongst the Senior Partners at M/s. Kanga & Co. and further ranks amongst India’s top lawyers. Simultaneously, since joining Rotary in 2004, she has made it her aim to “give back to society” in true Rotary spirit.
President Preeti’s Rotary journey started when she got involved with the Bhavishya Yaan programme. Since then, there has been no looking back. Besides having made wonderful friends, she enjoys every moment of Rotary, be it project-related work or fellowship. Her message to young and new Rotarians as well as to those who, for one reason or another, are not so active presently is: “There is no greater joy than bringing a smile to someone… Get involved actively”.
Recalling the experiences of her early days in Rotary, she passionately urges all senior Rotarian members to take that little extra effort in assimilating new members into our wonderful world of Rotary. As Rotarians, they are our future; it is a badge of pride and honour.
President Preeti also recalls RI President Mark Maloney’s words: “Through Rotary, we connect to the incredible diversity of humanity on a truly unique footing, forging deep and lasting ties in pursuit of a common goal.”
She adds: “We have seen this connection in our Club’s many diverse projects. Let’s forge ahead with vigour, leaving no stone unturned in our service to humanity. Let’s put that bright sunshine smile on the face of every person whose life we touch as Rotarians. Let’s give them hope. Let them know that there are those who do care and will reach out to them.”
At the end of each day we must be able to ask ourselves, “What have we given today?”
“LET’S RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS.”
If one carefully observes a little bird, one may find how, with discernment, precision and persistence, it collects material to build its nest. It fortifies the same with ease and thereafter puts it to appropriate use. Dedicated, skillful, affectionate and protective are a few more qualities expressed through this labour of love. Preeti truly reflects all these qualities.