President’s Message
Dear Friends,
IndIAA Awards were presented on August 26th, with glitz and glamour. IAA Rotary Campaign for Good for Elders Award, presented by District Governor Harjit Talwar and yours truly, is relevant to us Rotarians. This campaign is a testimony that when ‘Good meets Good’, it creates the best of the best. An issue which we need to be conscious of and find ways and means to resolve – “Care for Our Elders”. Our heartfelt gratitude to PP Rtn. Ramesh Narayan and IAA for joining hands with Rotary and becoming part of Rotary’s mission to create a society with opportunities and benefits for ALL.
Our much-awaited fund-raiser on August 27th – “Sonu Nigam –Live in Concert” at NCPA, as Rtn. Tara Deshpande pointed out, was unique in some aspects: Sonu Nigam was performing in Mumbai for the first time after 2008 and the first time ever at NCPA. Sonu Nigam had the audience enthralled, mesmerised, excited, shouting and in non-stop rapture for over two hours. NCPA was packed and the show was a sellout. The publicity and buzz the show generated for RCB was worth all those anxious moments. Cool and experienced heads prevailed. The RCB team made it all look simple; it was their hard work, commitment and never-say-die and always positive attitude that stole the show. Take a bow, the entire team – you simply are magnificent. Will not mention names, we all know who these amazing people are. Let’s applaud their terrific work.
Life is made of ups and downs. On August 28th, very early in the day, I lost my dear mother – it’s a vacuum that can never be filled. Loss of one’s mother is a deep sorrow for any child, which the heart knows. My mother Niranjana’s goodness, caring, concern (especially for the underprivileged) and her wisdom will live on – ‘a legacy of love and giving’ that will always be with our family. My family joins me in thanking all of you, my friends, for your care, support condolences and being there for us.
Those 24 hours of my life were an experience with a happy high and then immediately sorrow and grief. It reminded me that nothing is permanent or static and it’s only the good that we do to help others that is fulfilling and gratifying – ‘Service above Self’.
Preeti Mehta
President