From the President’s Desk
Legacy. Trust. Purpose. Service.
A year where we come together not just to do more, but to do better. To serve not just with effort, but with
purpose. And to ensure that everything we do leaves behind something meaningful.
Thank You!
As I begin this journey, my first words are simply: thank you.
Thank you for the trust you have placed in me by giving me the opportunity to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Bombay. It is an honour, but more importantly, it is a responsibility that I accept with humility.
This is no ordinary Club. It has shaped lives, built enduring institutions and quietly transformed communities for nearly a century. As I step into this role, I do so with deep respect for the legacy entrusted to me.
A Journey Shaped by Rotary
Rotary has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother devoted herself to social service and was an active member of the Inner Wheel Club of Bombay. My father, Past President Rajnikant Reshamwala, dedicated many years to Rotary, particularly through Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW).
As a youngster, I accompanied him to meetings and projects, helping wherever I could. I may not have fully understood Rotary then, but I remember the warmth, fellowship and quiet dedication of members who gave their time without expecting recognition. Those experiences shaped my understanding of service. My own journey began in 1989 with the Rotaract Club of H.R. College. Like many Rotaractors, I joined for the friendships but stayed because of the service. My first project with the Rotary Club of Bombay was Bhavishya Yaan, where I saw children discover confidence and ambition. It reinforced one simple truth: Rotary does not merely help people, it changes lives.
A Theme with Purpose
Our theme this year, Where Service Becomes a Legacy, reflects exactly what I hope we will achieve together. The torch in our logo represents leadership passed from one generation to the next. The hands symbolise fellowship, trust and partnership, while the laurel leaves represent growth, sustainability and honour. Together, they remind us that everything we undertake should leave a lasting impact.
Building on Strong Foundation
The Rotary Club of Bombay has always been known not simply for activity, but for meaningful impact. Projects such as Talwada, Cotton Green, Bhavishya Yaan, Ananda Yaan, Cancer Aid, Adult Literacy, IT Innovation, Dialysis Centres and the Integrated Village Development Project have transformed lives for decades. Rather than launching numerous new initiatives, my focus will be on strengthening these established programmes. As the saying goes, it is far better to dig one deep well than ten shallow ones.
Projects That Continue to Transform Lives
At Talwada, we are expanding both education and healthcare through improved facilities at Taparia College and a new state-of-the-art medical centre. Our Cotton Green Clinic, PRVEC Eye Centre and dialysis initiatives will continue providing quality, affordable healthcare to thousands.
Bhavishya Yaan enters an exciting new phase with the inauguration of the Abhyudaya School at Worli and the launch of Bhavishya Yaan 2.0, enabling us to reach many more municipal school students.
The Integrated Village Development
Project remains especially close to my heart. By bringing solar electrification, water conservation, livelihood opportunities and sustainable infrastructure to remote villages, it creates self-reliant communities. This year, we will expand IVDP to fifteen new villages as we continue our journey towards one hundred villages by our Centenary Year.
We also hope to establish a fourth Ananda Yaan Centre in South Mumbai, extending companionship and meaningful engagement to more senior citizens.
Healthcare will remain one of our highest priorities. Alongside our ongoing paediatric heart, cancer and neurosurgery initiatives, we are working towards launching a programme with Wadia Hospital to support corrective surgeries for children born with club foot. Every child deserves the opportunity to walk confidently towards their future.
Fundraising with Purpose
Service begins with compassion, but it succeeds through resources, planning and execution. Every contribution we receive represents far more than financial support. It represents trust. This year, I hope to formally recognise donors who contribute directly to our Club’s projects alongside those who support The Rotary Foundation. Their partnership makes our work possible, and it deserves to be celebrated. Strengthening Fellowship Just as important as service is inclusion. Our senior members built the foundation on which our Club stands today. Their experience and wisdom remain invaluable, and I hope to welcome many of them back into our regular meetings and activities. Alongside service, fellowship remains central to Club life. We have an exciting calendar of trips, cultural evenings and social gatherings planned because strong friendships strengthen our ability to serve.
With Gratitude
As I begin this journey, I remember my mother with great affection and thank my father for inspiring my Rotary path. I remain grateful to Sudesh Aunty and Ramesh Uncle, my sister Manali, my close friends, fellow Rotarians and Rakhee’s family for their constant encouragement.
Above all, I thank my wife, Rakhee, whose guidance and unwavering support have made this journey possible, and my daughter, Anushka, who keeps me grounded in today’s digital world.
Our Year Together
I do not see this as my year.
I see it as our year.
A year in which we strengthen what already exists, build on the remarkable work of those who came before us, and leave behind something that continues to make a difference. Because that is what the Rotary Club of Bombay has always stood for.
Not just service. Service that becomes a legacy.