Nirav Shah inducted as President for 2013-14
The First Meeting
In 1910, Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, at the Rotary Club of Chicago,very wisely said, “The Rotary vision is to harness the greatpower of friendship—to help todo the world’s work”. Rotary lays supreme importance on the value of friendship and its effectiveness in making our societies, cities and lives richer, and of greater value. The gathering that took place onJuly 6, 2013 was an installationmeeting, to celebrate the new Rotary Year and harness this spirit of friendship and to introduce histeam for the year 2013-14.
At the event, Nirav Shah took office at the hands of Immediate Past President Nowroze Vazifdar, formally beginning his term as the President of the Rotary Club of Bombay (2013-2014).Well attended by Rotarians, Rotaryannes, guests and well wishers of Nirav, the installation was a great success, where conversation flowed freely and ideas for the future year werediscussed and deliberated upon.The morning started with a fun activity of sorts, to engage Rotarians with the spirit of Rotary. The Squirrel who helped Lord Ram rescue Sita, as we all know, is an apt embodiment of the theory that if every human being does his or her part—evenin the smallest way possible— great mountains can be moved.
Taking this thought forward, the surprise activity brought togetherthe Rotarians, as they assembled squirrels out of cardboard cut-outs to build the Club’s ‘Squirrel Sena’, at the Ballroom of the Taj Mahal Palace. Rotarians and guestscame together to form the army of squirrels, symbolising their unity, involvement and desire to make a change within their capacities of Talent, Treasure and Time.
As the Rotarians busied themselves with this task, renowned painter Ravi Mandalik painted the squirrel story, like poetry on canvas, suitably depicting the significance and dynamism of every Rotarian’s contribution towards helping thesociety. As Marie Paul sang a mellifluous tune, Ravi created a masterpiece, stroke by stroke. The painting was later auctioned, at Rs 20 lakhs, with the proceeds going towards Bhavishya-Yaan.
President Nirav humbly thanked the many people who initiated him to Rotary and have been his guidinglight and pillars of encouragement and support, through the many years of relentless service he’s given to society through the Club.He also elaborately discussed the various projects that are underway and also introduced to the gathering the Office Bearers appointed by him. The force of dedicated individuals, with a burning desire tomake the world a better place, wereacknowledged and their role for the coming year was explained.As the various members ease into their new roles and begin to turn the wheels of change, what comes shining through is the stark sense ofresponsibility and immense passion for the Club’s vision that each of these Rotarians exemplify.
With DG Lata Subraidu addressing the gathering and asking for active participation in each of Rotary’s six Areas of Focus, greater light was shed on the Club’s ongoing projects and the hardworking team behind each moment of success was acknowedged. Her words workedtowards inspiring the gatheringand making sure that each and every Rotarian of the Club is fully immersed in activities tthat make better the lives of people.