Service Above Self 2019-2020
Dear SMART President PREETI,
I take this opportunity to congratulate, compliment and commend you for the exemplary leadership you have provided to RC Bombay in SMART year 2019-20. You are leading the club with distinction, charisma and aplomb and have raised the bar, setting new benchmarks for your successors to emulate.
RC Bombay is the PRIDE of Dist-3141and has left an indelible mark in the community with 9 decades of selfless service, with dedication and commitment, through the various Impactful and Iconic projects, programs and initiatives in the field of health care, safe drinking water, vocational training, education – Bhavishya Yaan, Talwada medical centre, Jal Jiwan–Water ATM’s, Masina hospital upgradation, Paediatric heart surgeries, Disaster relief, … to name a few.
With your pleasing personality, charming manner, humble attitude, friendly nature and zest for excellence, you have taken your club to new heights of glory in the SMART year. I would like to dedicate the following lines to you –
Kabhi mahek banke gulon se udte hain hum,
kabhi dhuen ki tarah parvato se udte hain hum
Ye kaichiyan hume udne se khak rokengi,
kyunki paron se nahin hoslon se udte hain hum
As we bask in the glory of the enriching and rewarding year gone by, let us cherish and treasure the fond memories, while rededicating ourselves to the ideals of Rotary.
“Din beet jayenge suhaani yaad bankar,
Baaten reh jayengi ek kahani bankar,
Par dost to hamesha rahenge dil ke kareeb,
Kabhi hothon ki muskaan, to kabhi aankhon ki namee bankar”
With best wishes,
Harjit and Romi
Preeti Mehta. Leading with the heart.
So what makes for a good Rotary year?
Some good work by the wonderful projects our Club has.
A great fundraiser show. Lots of money raised in the year.
A focus on a somewhat neglected old rural medical welfare project of our own Club.
A heightened profile for our Club in the media.
Appreciation for our work in the District.
Some wonderful fellowship (can’t forget that can we).
Well, Preeti’s year ticks all these boxes in style.
I could end my article here and everyone could rise and applaud. Because that’s what a good year is all about, right?
Wrong.
To me a leader of an NGO is someone who, apart from the obvious traits, is filled with compassion. And chooses to lead from the heart.
I knew it would be a good year when Preeti said that instead of all the standard gifts the Club presents to the birthday boys and girls (our members), she opted to use this money and the occasion to feed hungry street children. That’s leading with the heart.
When she inaugurated the rural integrated development project at Gumbadpada, which incidentally I rank as a truly transformational project (no tokenism) she was surrounded by ladies from another village (Warghadpada) who were pleading with her to replicate this work in their village. She announced right there with a firm voice, that she would indeed do it.That’s compassion.
And she went after the funding, and the implementation and the work is actually completed, in the middle of the lockdown.
Her genuine caring showed in the interest she took in the activities of the tiny tots at the Lighthouse Project and the Elders at Ananda Yaan.
The Covid crisis gave her the opportunity to delegate wisely, another strong leadership trait.
And finally, let me place this on the record. She never once asked me to publicize herself or her work.
And still if anyone has compiled it, there was a lot of media attention. As I always say, do good work without expectation. Money and fame will court you.
President Preeti, take a bow.
You made me feel proud to be a Rotarian.
Ramesh Narayan
I have known Preeti for a few years now and have always admired her professionalism and quick turn-around time for any assignment. Running a Rotary Club of our size and calibre brings its own share of challenges, but Preeti handled them with aplomb and equanimity. Her support was always unflinching and that gave me great confidence. Indeed, it was her goading and the tremendous backing provided by the Board of Directors which resulted in the happy outcome of me becoming a District Governor Nominee for 22-23 for the first time in 42 years from our Club. The outpouring of love and affection which followed from our Club members was truly overwhelming. I am really grateful for all of this and look forward to your continued encouragement.
The year passed by quickly with four village adoption projects being her showpiece, executed with speed and elan. The COVID19 crisis disrupted the working of all our lives and Rotary Clubs all over the world suffered the same fate. Seeing opportunity in adversity, Preeti stepped up her game and is ending the year with a flourish. More than Rs 5 crore was raised for many COVID19 related projects and that really thrust our Club in the limelight. The culmination is a climax – Chhoti Si Asha – a mega fundraising and public image exercise probably never ever seen before in the Rotary world – yes I mean globally and its entire 110 year history. It is to be shown live on Colors TV on 28th June. The partnership with Wizcraft was magically crafted by Preeti herself making it a world class production and which promises to rocket Rotary into another orbit, both within India and the Indian diaspora overseas.
I have been fortunate to have enjoyed the friendship of both Preeti and Gautam, who has provided Preeti rock solid support and always been the silent admirer egging her on. To this affable couple, I offer my salutations and congratulations for a tremendous year – filled with fun, fellowship, service, eminent speakers and meaningful activities. Good luck and be proud of your achievements!
PP Rtn. Sandip Agarwalla
Preeti, our calm and cool President, has led from the front. From the very get go, at the off-site meet at our in-house ‘adda’, Rhythm Lonavala, both Preeti and Ashok Jatia’s hospitality ensured that this would be a fruitful journey for us all.
At Preeti’s installation, DG Harjit poured forth his shayaries and her uncle and mentor, M. L. Bhakta, had such wonderful things to say; while Preeti set out her lofty but achievable goals for the year.
During the year we were introduced to a very unique and fulfilling project, where solar power was harnessed to supply electricity and water to villages in rural Maharashtra. And her soft spot for children, be it their education or nutrition, is so obvious as she spent time on her 60th birthday with the kids of Project Lighthouse.
Always ready for a jaunty fellowship, Preeti and Gautam (always with his dry humour) took us through the wonders of Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram, where we danced and sang and discovered Munna’s hidden drummer boy talent.
Club fellowships with record breaking attendance, assimilation and scintillating in-camera evenings saw many, both young and old, having the time of their lives.
Most importantly, Preeti was always around to lend a helping hand to each and every one of us, when we needed it the most. I take with me many of life’s lessons that Preeti has so easily mastered and I look forward to be leaning on her expertise and experience as I shortly step into her shoes.
PE Rtn. Framroze Mehta