PRESIDENT’S MONTHLY MUSINGS
November proved to be a month of dynamic engagement and impactful service for the Rotary Club of Bombay. A diverse array of events, from insightful speaker sessions to community-oriented service projects, showcased the club’s commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, promoting wellness and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. The month kicked off with a thoughtprovoking session by Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who delved into the intricacies of the US elections and their potential implications for India.
This was followed by a wellness-focused talk by Dr. Natasha Bijlani Khubchandani on effective stressbusting strategies. The highlight of the month was a captivating address by renowned columnist, global thought leader and author Fareed Zakaria, who shared his insightful perspectives on geopolitics, the US election results and India’s role as a global player. This meeting had the largest attendance of the year thus far at 188, even surpassing the 186 attendees we had for Orry! RCB honoured the exceptional achievements of Paralympic Gold Medallist Harvinder Singh in archery with the prestigious Rotary Club of Bombay Arvind Jolly Award for Excellence in Sports.
This recognition underscores the club’s dedication to celebrating sporting excellence and inspiring future generations. November also saw a series of engaging fellowship events which brought members together, fostering camaraderie and cultural exchange. Be it a Table Tennis Fellowship, an exclusive walk through the Mumbai Gallery at the CSMVS curated by Rtn. Nandini Sampat or a Bowling Fellowship, the club offered diverse opportunities for members to connect and explore.
A fascinating talk by Professor Almut Hintze on Zoroastrianism further enriched the cultural tapestry of the club. The Assimilation Committee also made significant strides, organising a wellattended assimilation event hosted by Rtn. Vineet and Rtn. Ptn. Rinku Suchanti at their beautiful home, in which there was a lot of bonding between old and new members of our club. RCB’s commitment to service was evident in the numerous impactful projects undertaken during November which included: The Scholarship Committee launching a pilot Mentorship Program to guide and support Bhavishya Yaan alumni in their career aspirations.
Installation of water purification systems across Mumbai at schools and colleges in Mulund, Powai, Goregaon and at the Malabar Hill Post office, courtesy the efforts of young Arsham Hirani, son of Rtn. Akil and his partner Berryl Hirani. Arsham identified the lack of potable drinking water, collected funds and got in touch with us seeking assistance. Our Water Resources Committee led by Rtn. Siddharth Bhimrajka identified a supplier of water purification systems, who coincidentally happened to be our own member Rtn. Anand Parikh. PDG Sandip Agarwalla identified the beneficiaries and the project came to life.
Sailing Towards Brighter Futures: In partnership with the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, we provided a unique sailing experience to Bhavishya Yaan alumni, inspiring dreams and aspirations. There was also a major moment of pride for all of us when our Rotary Club Bombay Charities Trust No. 3 became the first Rotary trust in the country to achieve a Crisil grading.
We have been graded ‘VO 2A’, which signifies High Financial Proficiency and Strong Delivery Capability. This is going to be a game changer for us moving forward, as we will be looked at more favourably by all our donors and stakeholders. Through these initiatives, RCB continues to make a lasting impact on the comm community, embodying the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self ’.
The Rotary year continues with gusto as we move into the last month of the calendar year and we look forward to many more meaningful projects and fellowships! Yours in Rotary President Satyan Israni.