Let’s Work Together To Make Rotary Unstoppable
HOPE IS VITAL FOR EACH ONE OF US. Rotary is the hope for millions and it has been so for the last century and more. To lead Rotary Club of Bombay – an iconic institution engaged in community service for close to a century – is intimidating for me. However, it also instills in me a deep sense of responsibility and privilege that as an RCB member I am joined to the unique and unprecedented Rotary movement.
As an organisation, Rotary has continuously improved its global relevance and it remains atop its expressed mandate.
This is unparalleled. The global network of Rotary spanning across 200 + countries and the proximity to the community
that its members, all volunteers, serve are its greatest strengths. This distinctive edge should allow Rotary to operate effectively even in an environment where institutional philanthropy is becoming the order of the day. The CSR
framework in India has made this more conducive.
TO UNLEASH THE ACTUAL POWER OF ROTARY, I BELIEVE THAT ROTARY CLUBS IN OUR AREAS, ROTARY DISTRICTS IN THE REGION AND EVEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHOULD FORGE A CLOSER OPERATING STYLE. Instead of an aggregation of autonomous Clubs, Rotary could leverage its network by increasing the number of Clubs and Districts that work together. This will result in greater impact and offer wider scale to the projects that are aligned to the seven avenues of service of Rotary.
My deliberations have made me realise the following in the context of our own Club :
RCB carries out community service projects through committees with clear objectives which makes the delivery focussed
but the outcome is unidimensional. It is akin to departments working as silos in a company.
I PROPOSE CROSSPOLLINATION OF ACTIVITIES ACROSS COMMITTEES. For instance, adult literacy for women is as relevant to the community served by Ananda Yaan as any other group of women that the Adult Literacy committee identifies elsewhere. Likewise, we must evaluate if a homeopathy desk could meet the needs of “Lighthouse” children or a de-addiction programme could be the new programme at Cotton Green Clinic. The list of embedding multiple activities in our existing community projects is encouraging.
‘Serving Others’ has no visible limit but we should measure the impact of our projects in a systematic manner.
I PROPOSE TO HAVE A “PROJECTS REVIEW COMMITTEE” WHOSE MEMBERS ARE NOT AFFILIATED TO ANY WORKING COMMITTEE. Not only should our Club projects offer the desired and predefined outcomes but we should also assess if some of our projects have met their objects, outlived their utility and if we have made communities empowered and selfsustainable. This will create a new bandwidth for us to either replicate our successful projects in new communities or, indeed, take up new challenges.
I WOULD LIKE TO END BY ENDORSING THAT ROTARIANS ARE CHANGE-MAKERS. ROTARY IS INDEED THE PLATFORM TO START A CHANGE, NURTURE A CHANGE, MAGNIFY A CHANGE AND MAKE THAT CHANGE PERMANENT. ROTARY IS A POWERFUL CIVIC SOCIETY ORGANISATION FUELLED BY THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS MANY OF OUR MEMBERS JOIN HANDS TO DO MORE. AND OUTDO NONE OTHER THAN OURSELVES. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THE ROTARY MOVEMENT AN UNSTOPPABLE ONE.
AT WORK AND PLAY
FAMILY MAN
The Bhatnagars – that’s what the family Whatsapp group is called -where any of the four members can post anything.
They are a very simple unit where the so-called head Vineet, as you may notice, is in clear minority. They have an
even simpler motto – always stay connected and together, physically or virtually, as the girls move on to follow their own dreams. They holiday together, binge watch TV shows, have family dinners to celebrate every birthday, anniversary and achievement, however big or small, as that’s their family time. But they are most relaxed when they shop together !
VINEET BHATNAGAR MANAGES THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF PHILLIPCAPITAL IN INDIA & UAE AS ITS MD & CEO.
He has more than 30 years of professional experience in Banking, Financial services, and Technology. He is also an active participant in numerous domestic, global conferences and delivers presentations on financial markets. In his
professional capacity he has served as the Governing Council member, Derivatives segment of BSE, Member of Derivatives Executive Committee of NSE, Member of Risk steering Committee of SEBI, Member of MCX Advisory Committee on “Gold and Member of Best Practices of FIA (Futures Industry Association), Asia Chapter.
Prior to PhillipCapital, Vineet was the MD of MF Global- Sify Securities. He was the key member who set up the
operations for REFCO in India in 1999 which played a significant role in making local derivatives popular. Between 1990 and 1999 he was associated with Prime Securities as an Investment Banker and HSBC in Retail Banking and Trade
Finance division.
In 1990, Vineet completed his PGDBM from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from Maulana Azad College of Technology (M.A.C.T), Bhopal.
JONES MAKES HISTORY AS RI’S
JENNIFER E. JONES IS FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF MEDIA STREET PRODUCTIONS INC., AN AWARD-WINNING MEDIA COMPANY IN WINDSOR, CANADA. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognised for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
As the first woman to be elected president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realise growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”
Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary Advisory Group.
She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts. She also led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon in 2020, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000 people.
Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.
PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES 2022-23
Diversity is one of Rotary’s longstanding core values and greatest strengths. Jones knows there is more to be done to ensure that Rotary’s culture exemplifies our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Rotary, with input and guidance from the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI, resulting in a greater focus on celebrating every individual’s contributions, advancing equity, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive culture.
During the 2022-23 year, Jones encourages each of us to do our part to ensure Rotary is a welcoming and inclusive community by:
- Learning more about DEI in Rotary, including understanding definitions and how to celebrate and respect our differences.
- Determining why DEI matters to our club and community and how using DEI principles can help our club grow and become stronger.
- Raising awareness of DEI, including creating a DEI committee in your club that reflects the demographics of your community.
- Taking action on DEI in our club and community for instance educating yourself about underrepresented groups in your community in order to become a more knowledgeable and effective advocate for DEI.
Jones will also continue RI President Shekhar Mehta’s Girls Empowerment initiative, recognizing that empowered girls become empowered women.
FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT
Jennifer Jones
President, Rotary International 2022-23
Dear Vineet Bhatnagar,
I congratulate you on your installation to the office of club President at Rotary Club of Bombay, Maharashtra, India.
The upcoming year promises to be one of the most joyful and rewarding years of your life.
As Club and district leaders, you have such an important role to play. You can do so much to help create Club experiences that are welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable for each and every member – and you can extend that same warmth and belonging to every participant who wishes to engage with our clubs.
If we serve our members, we serve our communities. And if we provide comfort and care for our members, they will truly come to understand the power of Rotary.
We all feel the impact that Rotary service and Rotary values have on us… now it’s our opportunity to share that feeling with others. This is a year to Imagine Rotary by envisioning a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing we can make a difference. We don’t imagine yesterday, we imagine tomorrow.
We imagine a world without polio, with clean water for everyone. We imagine a world free of disease and where every child learns to read. We imagine kindness, hope, love, and peace.
It is honor to work beside you as we guide our fellow Rotary members to another successful year. I am relying on you as we commit ourselves to Imagine Rotary.
Warmest regards.
WISHES FOR PRESIDENT VINEET
Shekhar Mehta
President, 2021-22
Rotary International
Dear President Vineet,
Congratulations on taking over the mantle of leadership of Rotary Club of Bombay which is one of the finest clubs in Asia because of its service activities.
Each of your past presidents has set a benchmark of excellence. Yet, as you lead your Club in this year, set higher goals, cross new milestones, specially when the dynamic District Governor Sandeep Agarwalla is from your own Club, I am sure you will take your Club to great heights with the sheer dint of your merit, sincerity and humility.
You are privileged as a President, as you have the unique opportunity of leading your Club. For more than 117 years, Rotarians around the world have believed in Served Above Self to bring smiles on faces of millions of people. I am sure, as you lead your Club, you will serve the community, the city and its people and leave your footprints in the sands of time in this wonderful Journey of Service.
Presidentship is your humble opportunity to serve hands on as well as to motivate others to serve well. Imagine Rotary to make the most of this opportunity of serving the community to Change Lives.
Kalyan Banerjee
Chair, The Rotary Foundation, 2016-17
President, Rotary International, 2011-12
It’s a joy to note that District 3141 enters
its 93rd year and that DG Sandip Agarwalla will be leading our District in this special year.
Having had the privilege of seeing Rotary clubs in many countries and in all climes, I think RC Bombay is my top favourite club. It has everything: really outstanding members, all achievers, they meet in a very prominent place at a suitable time. They have a regular bulletin of outstanding quality and the quality of their all-round service, is unparalleled.
This, I have told to many clubs on many occasions: if you want to know what a model Rotary Club should be like, visit and learn from the Rotary Club of Bombay.
To President Vineet Bhatnagar and his Club, I offer my compliments for the work done and offer my best wishes for the work to be yet done.
Rajendra K Saboo
President, 1991-92
Rotary International
I extend my greetings
to Rotary Club of Bombay on the beginning of its 93rd year of existence. The history of Rotary Club of Bombay is rich.
My family member Sunita Mandelia has been active member of your Club for three-four years. I have tremendous regard for this Club which has a unique place in India, Asia and the Rotary world.
I thank you, Vineet Bhatnagar, President 2022-23 of Rotary Club of Bombay for your invitation to write a message, it is a privilege. Please accept my personal mantra to all the club members that they should be proud but also humble, working with sincerity and giving action to Service Above Self, bringing new vision with “Imagine Rotary”.
Dr. Bharat Pandya
TRF Trustee, 2022-26
RI Director, 2019-21
Dear President Vineet,
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Rotary Club of Bombay started its journey 92 years back and has, over the years, touched lives, spread happiness, and made a difference to thousands. I am happy to compliment RC of Bombay on entering its 93rd year of Rotary service.
I have witnessed the great body of good work done by the Club, the many ongoing, meaningful, and landmark projects – Bhavishya Yaan, Talwada Medical Center, and many others. RCB has been at the forefront of serving its community for 92 years. I salute the Rotarians of RC of Bombay for the good work they do. I compliment the Club leadership – past present and future – for its forward-looking and visionary ways.
As a new era of Rotary service dawns, I am sure that the Club will continue to reach greater heights as you all Imagine Rotary and lead the way to an exciting future.
The Club is privileged to have Rtn. Sandip Agarwalla lead D3141 as Governor in 2022-23. It’s a momentous occasion for the Club. My best wishes to DG Sandip and Rtn. Ptn. Malini Agarwalla.
There is much work to be done and you are the Rotarians who can do it. I urge RCB Rotarians to focus on membership growth, retention, carry out need-based, meaningful service projects and support The Rotary Foundation.
Congratulations to you on assuming leadership of this premier Club. Madhavi joins me in conveying our best wishes to you and all the Rotarians and Rotary family of RC of Bombay. Enjoy Rotary Enjoy Yourself.
DG Sandip Agarwalla
& First Lady Malini Agarwalla
Dear President Vineet,
As you stand at the cusp of the beginning of your year as President, circumstances could not have been more favourably aligned.
After a tough past two years, the worst of the COVID crisis is now hopefully behind us. Members of our Club and the community are raring to get in to action. People want to step out, attend meetings, fellowships, and projects.
The Rotary Club of Bombay, an iconic institution (which I too have the good fortune of belonging to), is one of the most dynamic and active clubs in the entire Rotary world, not just in India. The year for you will be full of learning and support will come in from all quarters, even the most unexpected sources.
I have seen your diligence, clear thinking, vision, sense of purpose and commitment in the past few months we have been working together. Our Club needs a new sense of direction and professionalism, which you are perfectly suited to impart. The Club is poised to scale unprecedented heights under your leadership.
“I have seen your diligence, clear thinking, vision, sense of purpose and commitment in the past few months we have been working together.”
As Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” I urge you to lean on the strengths of our fellow members. No one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.
A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
Malini and I stand together every inch of the way with Rangita and you. Together, let us create a shining beacon which will forever be the guiding light for both our Club and District 3141 for years to come.
That, my friend Vineet, will be our greatest service to humanity and mankind.
I wish you both the greatest of success, good luck, and Godspeed in all that you do.
“Together, let us create a shining beacon which will forever be the guiding light for both our Club and District 3141 for years to come.”
RID Rtn. Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi
Rotary International Director, 2021-23
Dear Rtn. Vineet Bhatnagar, President 22-23
At the outset, let me congratulate you and your Club members for taking your Club to greater heights with an outstanding performance.
One of the oldest Clubs in the Rotary world is Rotary Club of Bombay, popularly known as RCB. It is a great and proud moment for all of us as they celebrate 92 historic Rotary years and enter the 93rd year! It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm of this ‘young’ Club executing innovative Community Service programmes and projects serving humanity at their best!
Heartiest congratulations and best wishes for a further journey of changing lives and inspiring Rotarians across the world! On behalf of Rotary International, let me extend best wishes for your upcoming year 2022-23. I must appreciate the achievements of a Club such as yours which is thriving in excellence in the seven areas of focus of Rotary International. Yes, we are proud to have our own ShekharDa as Rotary President this year who has indeed motivated Rotarians at a global level and made them spread their wings for bigger and better projects to serve community.
Rotarians are enjoying doing humanitarian works and changing lives across the globe. His appeal of “Each one bring one initiative” for increasing membership of our own organisation has, indeed, succeeded in strengthening Rotary International with more and more members across the Globe.
Our work on literacy and specially TEACH have reached deeper into the remote parts of our country and soon the country will witness the outstanding result of the same. Empowering girls is now a major programme.
As we move on to the next Rotary year, which will be led by Rotary International PE Jennifer Jones who has initiated the theme – “Imagine Rotary!” – And I quote her message – “Imagine a world that’s becoming more aligned with the values of Rotary. Reaching out to people of every gender, age, nationality, belief, language or economic status. Let us diversify our friendship like never before.”
I trust your Club shall work on these ideals, goals and fine-tune your journey that aligns with the Rotary International’s dream plans, strengthened by the inputs of each Rotarian of your Club. I wish many more would join you in the journey as new enthusiastic members that shall strengthen not only your Club (of Rotary club of Bombay) but Rotary International, too.
My best wishes to your Club for the upcoming Rotary year of 2022-23, a journey of a brilliant 365 days of hardcore service to humanity.
Let us “Imagine Rotary”
Ashok Mahajan
Director, Rotary international, 2007-09
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 2009-13
You are celebrating the 93rd year of service to take forward the work of your Club during the year 2022-2023 with renewed enthusiasm.
Rotary is committed to inspiring and empowering people to take that first step towards connecting with others who also want to make a difference. Connection is between heart and heart, as Swami Vivekananda explained. With whom should we connect? Yes, we must have a connection with any person on this earth, but for the purpose of doing good in
this world through Rotary, we must be connected to other Rotarians. Imagine what your Club can do when you are connected.
Wish President Vineet Bhatnagar and DG Sandip Agarwalla a great year of service.
Gulam Vahanvaty
TRF Trustee, 2019-22
Dear Vineet,
Let me offer you my congratulations on accepting the responsibility of leading our very prestigious Club in 2022-23.
2022-23 will also be unique in that DG Sandip Agarwalla is also from our very own Club. This makes for a special partnership that will ensure synergy between Club and District and that much needed service is provided to the community.
Please count on me for any assistance that you may need.
With best wishes and regards to you and First Lady Rangita.