A MONTH OF GIVING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs December was a month filled with the spirit of giving, both within our club and in the wider community. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and compassion demonstrated by each and every member. We had incredible projects, activities and fellowships during this month.
We kicked off with a beautiful artistic journey into Surrealism organised by the Heritage, Art & Culture Committee. Then we had a lovely walkthrough of wildlife photography with the renowned Bittu Sahgal, organised by Pooja Bajaj, Director of the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, in conjunction with our Animal Welfare Committee. This was followed by the inauguration of DRX machines at the Tata Actrec Digital Radiography Center. This was a global grant project with the Rotary Club of Mumbai Royales.
While all this was happening, the Animal Welfare Committee was successful in arranging funds to sponsor the life-saving surgery and post-operative care of Bolly, a dog who had been suffering from a large tumour in his belly. In addition, we had the Annual General Meeting of our club and trust on 10th December, 2024, wherein we adopted the annual accounts for the year 2023-24. Kudos to IPP Manoj Patodia for a stupendous year. At the AGM, we also had the election of Team 2025-26 under the leadership of PE Bimal Mehta. My best wishes to him and his team. I am sure they will perform fabulously and take our club to even greater heights.
The Heritage, Art and Culture Committee went into full overdrive in December with two more wonderful and very well-attended events – the Art Deco and Food Walk at Matunga and the walkthrough with dinner at the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue. Such hidden wonders teeming with rich history exist in our beloved city, and this wonderful committee is giving us the experience of uncovering these hidden gems one by one.
Our Program Committee and Public Awards Committee organised relevant and topical speaker meetings, including a fireside chat with leading lights on the Redevelopment Madness in Mumbai, as well as the felicitation of Ashish Dhawan (the brain behind Ashoka University) with the PV Gandhi Award for Excellence in Public Life.
During December, our community service projects like the Talwada Medical Centres, Cotton Green Medical Centre, Bhavishya Yaan, Ananda Yaan and Lighthouse steadfastly carried on working with their usual fervour. Not only do we work hard, we also party hard! And that’s exactly what we did at our rocking Christmas Sundowner amidst the breathtaking settings of the US Club. It was a very well-attended fellowship and an evening to remember.
These are just a few examples of the impactful work we accomplished together in December. Our collective efforts are making a real difference in the lives of others, and I am truly honoured to serve as your President.
As we bid farewell to 2024, I extend my warmest wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year. May the coming year bring you and your loved ones a lot of happiness, good health and continuing success.
I am excited about the second half of the Rotary year and the many opportunities we have to continue serving our community. Let us work together with renewed energy, fervour and enthusiasm to make a lasting positive impact.
With sincere gratitude,
Satyan Israni
President