From the United Nations’ earliest days, in the aftermath of World War II, the organization’s humanitarian mission has always dovetailed with Rotary’s efforts to administer aid and build peace. Scheduled to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York City on 12th November, the theme for this year’s Rotary Day is ‘Responsible Business, Resilient Societies’....
“Mr. Sudheendra Kulkarni has been often looked upon as a strategist, and as an advisor to none other than the former Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. In fact, there were numerous occasions when Atalji would lean to Sudheendra for his inputs on how delicate situations must emerge with a balanced view”, states Rtn Poonima...
A true nationalist, Shailesh Gandhi has been a champion of transparency and honesty in the country. A tireless proponent of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, he has dedicated hours and days on spreading the importance of this Act and educating people on filling an appeal in a manner that it is sure to be answered. Amongst his other achievements as the Commissioner, Central Information Commission (CIC), are that his was the first paperless government office in...
As a fellow Rotarian, Dr. Aashish Contractor needs no introduction. We are all aware (rather we ought to know!) that he heads the Rehab and Sports Medicine Dept. at Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, and that he is the Vice-Chairman of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, as well as the Certification...
“I’m going to have to cover a continent in a very brief period of time because that is what rural India is about! It is a continent within a sub-continent, and without exception,the most complex aspect of planet earth” began Mr. P. Sainath, former rural affairs editor of The Hindu, and winner of the Raymon Magsaysay Award for his passionate commitment as a journalist to restore the rural poor to India’s consciousness,moving the nation...
“Why does sustained economic growth or development require inequality to be lower than what it is?” started Dr. Ajit Ranade in casual yet fascinating manner. And as aptly introduced by PP Shailesh Haribhakti, Dr. Ranade did afford us with his immense knowledge of economics and practical insights on a subject that is critically important to the whole world as it is to India. He began by explaining the difference between poverty and inequality, which are most...
Eagerly awaited by most, last week’s talk by Dr. Raghuram Rajan was a packed house. Having come directly from his farewell at RBI, he was gracious to accept his first award (as the Citizen of Mumbai) post his tenure as the Governor, and spend a few hours with Rotarians before he returned to his much-loved teaching position at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. With...
As the Chairman of the Mumbai Port Trust and a bureaucrat who has had one of the most distinguished careers in public service, Sanjay Bhatia’s journey into the spiritual realm has been a rather testing one. However, his desire to seek the truth and to find the true purpose of his life, have helped him achieve all that he has today. In an autobiographical manner, this unassuming master explains how meditation changed his life, the...
Dr. Meeran Chadha Borwankar needs no introduction! As affirmed by Rtn Poornima Advani, who extended a warm welcome in the form an elaborate introduction, it certainly was a matter of great pride and privilege to have had a woman of such high caliber, honor and achievement in our midst and to be addressing us. As she...
Last meeting’s talk by Dr. Radhashyam Giridharadas, Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management at the George Washington University, noted management guru and a world authority in Authentic Leadership was one that got everyone in raptures. Going beyond the management jargon of business schools, he helped uncover the essence of the ‘whats’ and ‘whys’ to becoming an...
As the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Bombay for bestowing this honor upon me, and also for recognizing the relentless work put in by the organization in bringing about the use of space technology for the development and the progress of our country. Way...
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. Being a bit of a historian, I realized that anthropologist, Margaret Mead was right! Whether it is about changing the world for good or for evil, it requires only a small group of...