Book Reveal of Tirelessly Yours authored by Kalyan Banerjee, Past President, Rotary International In Conversation with ARRFC & PDG Sandip Agarwalla
ARRFC & PDG Sandip Agarwalla:
Kalyan da, your book isn’t just a memoir, it is a roadmap of a life dedicated to service. Welcome, and thank you for sharing Tirelessly Yours. I will dive straight into the questions, with your permission.
First, the genesis of the book. You have seen Rotary from every possible angle, from a Club member to the world President. What was the spark or specific moment that made you realise these stories had to be captured in a book now? And what do you hope readers, both Rotarians and non-Rotarians, will take away from this book?
PRIP Kalyan Banerjee:
Truth to tell, it was my Club members who, one day… the Immediate Past President for example, decided that we should have a book and let the Club members put it in place. So he and a few other Rotarians got together.
They engaged a writer from Bangalore. I do not know how he managed it. The writer went around all over the place. He interviewed me a couple of times. He interviewed my friends, my family, my son and daughter, both of whom were abroad, business people, Rotarians and non-Rotarians. That is how the book came through.
It has a little bit about my childhood. I asked Ganesh, “Why are you writing about my childhood?” He said, “Just to show where you come from in the beginning.”
What is the takeaway? Perhaps that while working in a group, you can do the impossible. At Club level, you can achieve anything. At the international level too, you can achieve whatever you set out to do.
Two themes that highlight my Rotary journey come from Past Presidents: Imagine, and Make Dreams Real. Once you imagine, go ahead and make your dreams real.
Sandip Agarwalla:
Moving on to India’s role in global Rotary, during your presidency, you were a fierce advocate for India’s potential. How has the Indian identity within Rotary evolved from your early days to what you see in clubs today?
Kalyan Banerjee:
India has evolved unimaginably. Today, the USA may still have larger numbers or give more to The Rotary Foundation annually, but we are number two in the world in both membership and contributions.
The growth of members from India is absolutely amazing, maintained year after year. Sometimes I feel we need to control this growth a little, but I will not get into that.
I remember in my year as President we raised $300 million, the first time that happened. I think it will approach $500 million in the next couple of years. I can see the Trustee nodding his head.
Sandip Agarwalla:
Coming to the polio legacy, you played a pivotal role during the years when India finally became polio-free. Looking back at those Rotary days spent in that struggle, what is the one lesson in persistence you want the new generation of Rotarians to carry forward?
Kalyan Banerjee:
If it is PolioPlus you are talking about, remember, polio has not yet been eradicated from the world. It is still there, and sometimes increasing in certain places.
We must immunise the children of the world regularly and without fail. Pakistan and Afghanistan still face challenges. Nigeria too had polio until recently. They honoured PRIP Raja Saboo and me for taking special efforts in making Nigeria Polio-free.
Polio can return at any time. So we must remain vigilant. At the same time, Rotary continues to work in literacy, water management, healthcare, and peace initiatives across the world.
Sandip Agarwalla:
Leading 1.2 million Rotarians across diverse cultures must have presented unique challenges. What was your most difficult moment as RI President, and what did it teach you?
Kalyan Banerjee:
One of the most difficult tasks was persuading leaders in Pakistan and Afghanistan to prioritise immunisation. Meetings were difficult to secure and outcomes uncertain. For example, the then President of Pakistan told us to speak to the leader of the opposition party regarding immunisation. We waited for him till 2am at night and when he came, he said, we will immunise the kids, but what will you do about these Americans who are bombing our nation? We said that is on government level, but at least do something for the kids. He said okay, but nothing happened.
Perhaps the most dangerous experience was visiting President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan. Many advised against it. Even Rotary colleagues said I would have to go alone if I insisted. I travelled via Dubai. Security conditions were tense. I stayed in a guarded guest house, basic and heavily restricted.
On the third day, the army escorted me through Kabul, a war-torn city with shuttered shops and armed guards everywhere, through multiple security gates before I finally met President Karzai.
He welcomed me and promised support, though implementation remained uncertain.
Sandip Agarwalla:
That speaks to your dedication. Thank you Kalyan Da. Moving to local Club impact, having served in the Rotary Club of Vapi, how do you see the role of individual Clubs like ours in Mumbai in advancing Rotary’s global mission?
Kalyan Banerjee:
I have said this everywhere, the best Rotary Club in the world is the Rotary Club of Bombay. You have outstanding, committed members. Attendance is remarkable. Your support to The Rotary Foundation is among the highest globally.
Your projects, from housing to youth initiatives, show sustained commitment. Other Clubs can replicate this spirit at their own scale, according to their circumstances. The commitment, the engagement and the dedication is all that is required.
Sandip Agarwalla:
In closing, what advice would you give younger Rotarians who aspire to make a significant impact?
Kalyan Banerjee:
Young Rotarians are as capable as ever, but they think and act differently, and that must be understood. They should not feel compelled to start something entirely new every time. Instead, they should continue and strengthen what their Clubs have built.
Do something that lasts beyond your tenure. Dedicate your time and energy in a simple, sustained way. That is the best path forward.
Sandip Agarwalla:
Thank you, Kalyan Da. That was enriching and enlightening.
Kalyan Banerjee:
Just a word, may I personally thank the Rotary Club of Bombay, and thank you, Sandip, for taking the time to release this book. Our Club has long wanted this. One day I asked Sandip if we could do it somewhere in Bombay, and here we are.
Thank you, Sandip.