The success of an individual depends upon the direction he/she gives to his/her life. The success of an organization depends upon its ability to hold the members together till the goal is reached. The growth and development of a nation depend upon the vision it has for its citizens. A leader is the one who can give direction, who can keep an organization united and who provides a vision for peoples and nations.
It doesn’t matter if the leader shares a powerful vision, if the leader is not someone who people will follow , the vision will never be realized. As a leader, who you are makes a difference. The most important message you can share is yourself. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things . He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things “ says the former President of America Ronald Reagan .
Without trust there is a huge gap between the leader and the vision. Without trust people will stay off the bus. However if people trust the leader they will hop on the bus with the leader and help move the bus forward towards the
Andy Stanley said “ As a leader you can have all the rules you want but if you don’t invest in your people and develop a relationship with them they will rebel. This applies amazingly to children as well. It’s all about relationships.”
We usually associate leaders with authority. But those with authority need not be leaders. Authority comes to us in two ways. First, a person with authority should delegate it to us. Secondly, by the way we live our lives, we command authority. Real leaders belong to the latter category – they command respect, power and authority by the way they live their lives.
Those who rely on their physical strength, wealth, influence, and inheritance for their authority are not genuine leaders. The leaders who rely on such transitory things for their authority will do anything to increase their wealth, influence, etc. Hence, no wonder, we lack authentic leaders today.
The attributes of a genuine leader are: unwavering courage, self-control, keen sense of justice, clarity of vision, definiteness of decision, the habit of doing more than what you are expected to do , a pleasing personality, sympathy & understanding, and a willingness to assume full responsibility. Leaders make things happen. Defeats and difficulties do not discourage them. They have considerable amount of endurance and enthusiasm.
Wherever you are, be a leader. But, remember, if you haven’t learned to follow, you can’t lead.
Life gives us two options everyday: wait for things to happen, or make them happen. Those who wait for things to happen miss out a great deal because they hardly or never happen. The best option is to decide what you want and pursue it.
However long and complicated our endeavour might be, the first step we take really matters. If we prolong to take that first step, it only indicates our resistance to change and fear of failure. But remember that life rewards only risk takers. The individuals who have the will to achieve something big take charge of the things which they have to do . They know what they have to achieve and take steps by which they feel they can achieve it . They direct and bend the force of their life to the attainment of the goal. They are ready to take chance and do not expect fate to throw success in their lap nor they depend on other people to give it to them. They know what is required and regulatethe daily actions to attain it . They achieve success only because they are ready to take chance and put all what is needed to achieve it.
Instead of asking yourself what everyone else’s opinion is going to be and how your action will be perceived by others, ask yourself, ‘How do I want my life to be lived?’ Then proceed to take a small risk in the direction of that new action.
Life offers plenty of opportunities. The important thing in life is to shrug off the difficulties and mental dilemmas and keep moving forward to the goal. Leaping blindly into the unknown isn’t the most intelligent thing to do. But if we look logically at what we stand to gain, and take calculated risks based on that, we are truly bound to win. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all,” asserts Helen Keller.
If we allow risk to be a fear, then we are sure not to succeed. But, if we approach risk with proper planning, and a good attitude, then most times we can minimize the risk.
We cannot guarantee success, but we can guarantee failure merely by choosing not to try at all. Choosing to take a risk, however, small, can have far-reaching implications in the course of human life.
Successful people do not depend on their luck. They take due responsibility for their life and thus they take advantage of chances and make the most of their life. That’s why Virgil, the greatest of the Roman poets, wrote 2,000 years ago, “fortune sides with him who dares.”
Therefore , take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.
“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved”.
Life is for love. There is no higher purpose forlife than to love and be loved. Love gives us purpose and meaning to our life and it makes life worth living. The fact is that each of us is capable of loving and being loved.
Everyone craves to love and be loved. But do we love ourselves? The way we love ourselves, portrays who we are. If we don’t love ourselves, we won’t be able to love others and be loved in return. Find love within ourselves for everything we do, for who and what we are.
Some people would say that when you love someone, you’re supposed to fight for them until your very last breath. Some people would say that love is worth destroying yourself for, if it’s for the person you love. Some people would say that you could never love someone if you don’t love yourself first. Some people would say to never lose yourself in love, because you are worth so much more than that.
But despite what everyone would say, whether you end up being the good or the bad person in your story, at the end of the day, you have had enough courage to feel something most people are afraid to feel- love. Your feelings are valid and nobody in this world could ever take that away from you. Listen to your gut feeling because most of the time, it’s always right.
If other person is the cause of our love, we set ourselves up for some initial ecstasy followed by inevitable frustrations. Because, sometimes he/she will do things that make us feel loved, and sometimes he/she will do things that make us feel unloved. We need to find love within ourselves to love others. This teaches that our purpose of life is not to import love, but to express it. Instead of being love seekers, we become love finders. We do not await love, rather we generate it.
One simple truth about love is that we can’t make people stay in love. We can’t force them to love us. But we can be happy loving ourselves and accepting others as they are because love is in us. Love is a decision. Like in a garden, we need to tend to our love, pull away carefully the weeds that might take from our love the nourishment that it needs.
Ambition means nothing if you are not willing to be consistent with your actions and be persistent in operating at a high level. The average person quits after they are not immediately rewarded for their short-term efforts. A successful person ignores instant gratification and understands that success is a long-term effort. You must build up your efforts over time until they align together to accomplish your desired goal. This is why there are so few successful people and so many mediocre people who can only dream of success. Successful people undertake strategic actions and persist at them, while mediocre people lack the stamina and persistence to see things through.Thomas Alva Edison in his pursuit of inventing electric bulbs suffered many failures and disappointments before actually succeeded. Reflecting on the lesson he learned from those failures he famously remarked “ Our greatest weakness lies in giving up . The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time “ . “The habit of persistence is the habit of victory “ says Herbert Kaufman . One of the most striking characteristics of masters of resiliency is that they always view their failures as temporary and exhibit their indomitable spirit to succeed even in the face of seemingly hopeless situations in life .You can never become complacent on your journey towards success. Yes, you will face stumbling blocks but they cannot paralyze your actions. You must put extra efforts in converting those stumbling blocks in to stepping stones. You must learn to continue moving on despite the setbacks you have experienced. Steve Jobs was fired from his own company. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Despite these setbacks, both men went on to do extraordinary things in their professions. This is because they persisted. They never allowed the opinions of others to define how they operated. Their only objective was to prove themselves right, while proving wrong those who doubted their abilitiesVictory belongs to those who are ready for the grind. It is the feeble minded who easily give up . Great people are never defeated by the change of circumstances of life . They have the power of persistence that allows them to rise victoriously above the temporary losses and disappointments in life .Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not , nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not , unrewarded genius is almost a proverb . You may face many defeats , but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats which will make you know who you are , what you can rise from , how you can still come out of it .
As long as you trust in yourself no situation is hopeless. It is only when you lose trust in yourself that the situation becomes hopeless. It is the challenge of the impossible that gets life out of its ruts and leads you to your goal . Never ever allow any one or anything to get you down — no matter how difficult, hopeless and depressed the situation may become. It is the ability to tie a knot and hang on there for a bit longer when reaching the end of the rope that differentiates a winner from a loser.Your thoughts should be never ever give up and the formula for success is “ I will persist until I succeed “
“There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning and yearning”.
Everyone wishes to be liked and loved. We all want to appear attractive. Indeed, who does not desire to be admired, respected and considered important? Although many might like to believe that as long as one is happy and content with oneself, the opinion of others and their acceptance don’t matter much. But for a happy and fulfilling life it is important that the people around us treat us with love and concern. A pleasing personality is a prerequisite to experience all this many more from others.
There are times in which it may seem as if it’s almost impossible to ever be happy again. However, the impact of these difficult times does not have to be that severe. There are certain happy thoughts you can entertain that can quickly give you a much brighter perspective on life.
Your “personality” is the mental, spiritual and physical traits that distinguish you from all others. It is the sum total of your personal characteristics and appearances that makes you a unique individual. The clothes you wear, the line in your face, the tone of your voice, the thoughts you have and the character shaped by those thoughts – all this forms part of your personality. Your personality can draw people to you; it can also drive people away from you.
Developing a pleasing personality starts with making an inventory of our habits, both good and bad. Habits, as such, are the most outward expressions of your personality. Now, if we are able to introspect and weed out those unhealthy attitudes and habits which are part of our personality, we would each be able to develop a truly pleasing personality.
Always remember, your personality can capture the heart of another, even as it mirrors your own!
“A good archer is not known by his arrows but by his aim”.
Most of us make excuses to defend our conduct and live with the wrong notion that making excuses is something that everybody does… Over the years we have cultivated the art of making excuses with creative ways to avoid doing something that needs tobedone. We think that with excuses we do not have to be accountable for our words and deeds. Is it too much to say that we are addicted to excuses?
When we make excuses and repeat them often enough, they become a belief. The belief then becomes a self- fulfilling habit and then failures are bound to happen.
Excuses set limits on our will and blocks the road to our purpose and passion. It is only when we accept responsibility, can we evaluate our actions and take corrective measures to find solutions to our problems.
We need to learn to eliminate the bad habit of making excuses and take responsibility for everything in our lives. In accepting responsibility, we are showing a willingness to develop our character and in doing so , our character will become stronger and as a consequence the quality of our life will be enhanced. Let’s remember that life is too short for us to entertain the negative habit of making excuses. If we want to achieve something in life, there is no doubt that we will find a way. If on the other hand we don’t want to do something, and scared of difficulties and challenges, we can always find an excuse. Therefore, don’t let excuses hold us back from developing our full potential. When the door is closed, why don’t we look through the open window?
People use excuses to rationalize their actions regarding their circumstances, their actions toward other people, and regarding certain events. However, excuses are often the primary reasons why people are unable to accomplish what they want out of life.
Because of this, one of the best habits you can build is to proactively make a commitment to stop making excuses. Stop excusing your failures or your procrastination and start taking the steps that are necessary to get what you want out of life.
Stop making excuses and dare tobe what you want to be .
Enjoy the victory of good over the evil. May you have a fun-filled and blissful Dusshera.
A British newspaper once asked its readers, “What is wrong with the world?” One of the letters it received was from the famous writer, G.K. Chesterton. His answer to the question was very short. It just said, “I am.” The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything. Are you ready to make a real difference in the world around you? Am I…?
The power to make a difference lies within each one of us. If our faith is strong and constant, our effort to make a difference will be more than we ever thought possible. All we need to do is to act as if our desires were already realities. To make a difference does not mean making a big splash or doing something that makes people yell “Wow!” Some people proudly call it ‘leaving a legacy’.
Making a difference is doing ordinary things differently. Are you willing to help a needy child overcome the obstacles of poverty through a sponsorship? Can you put aside your indifference as regards those underprivileged and approach the HIV/AIDs affected with a little more compassion? Do you have the goodwill to take people as they are, not as you would like them to be? Have you ever tried a little more to understand the thoughts and feelings of people around you?
Helping others and making a difference in the world is what will help to make the world a better place by improving people’s lives. One person at a time, one day at a time, and one project at a time, you can make a difference that will leave a lasting impact on the world. Rotary provides you hundreds of opportunities to do good in the world and make a difference.
Remember, to the world you may be just one person. Yet, to one person, you may be the world! Therefore, let your presence in the world be one that radiates love, peace and happiness and in turn let the world speak for you!
Government And Rotarians Building A Nation Together
Non-governmental organisations and service organisations such as Rotary had an image. They were seen as marginal to the society dominated by the Government in every country.
People believed that Government should and could discharge all major social tasks and that the role of the NGOs and service organisations, if any, was to supplement governmental programmes. This was the public image of Rotary years ago.
Today, we know better. Today, NGOs and Rotary are central to any society. People know that the ability of the government in developing countries to perform social tasks is limited. We have seen Rotary discharge bigger jobs and take care of specific needs.
When we talk about Government and Rotary building a nation we have to tread cautiously on the topic. Rotary does something very different from a business enterprise or government. Business supplies either goods or services. Government controls.
A business is discharged when the customer buys the product, pays for it and is satisfied. Government has discharged its function when its policies are effective.
Rotary neither supplies goods or service nor controls. So what does Rotary do? What is its product? Rotary’s product is a changed human being. Rotary’s product is a cured patient, a child that learns, a youngster who grows up into a self –respecting adult and a nation that has rid itself of diseases such as polio.
That is what Rotarians do to build a nation. A Rotarian is a person who searches for life’s ineffable questions and in doing so finds his way into the company of fellow seekers.
Rotarians come from every nation and from various races, social and economic levels. But they all hold similar ideals and beliefs. This belief is grounded by certain landmark tenants and virtues which is the 4 Way Test and have the motto Service Above Self which ultimately leads to the betterment of humanity. It is the duty of the Rotarian to assist in elevating the ethical and intellectual level of the community they serve.
When a government works with Rotary, it should understand that the partnership is solely for the purpose of doing good to the people and not for scoring any brownie points for electoral gains.
The E-learning programme in Maharashtra is a Government initiative and Rotary is actively participating in it. The polio eradication is an example of how the partnership saved millions of children worldwide. There are many such examples.
Governments, while working with Rotary, need to know that Rotary is a human change agent, a catalyst for peace and is made up of volunteers.
Rotary addresses the problems in the society. So does the Government. Rotary addresses the ‘bad’ news. Rotary is not the story. There is a space between man’s imagination and man’s attainment. Rotary can bridge this space by working with the government in more and more critical areas which will help the community.
“The world is full of angels, if you can’t find one , be one,”thus goes a popular saying. You are not born in this world just as a spectator to passively watch others living their lives to the full and thus contributing to make the world a beautiful place to live in . But you too are born to fulfil this same mission of making our world beautiful. You can achieve this goal by making the best use of all your innate gifts and talents.
We people like to say that we are civilised, but the truth couldn’t be further from that.Although we have made a lot of scientific and technological progress, we are still behaving in an inhumane way. We’re fighting with one another, we are harming the animals, and we are destroying the environment with our everyday actions.
The individuals who have left an indelible mark on human history are the persons who selflessly dedicated themselves to a noble cause so that the future generations would have a better life to live. The world today fondly remembers these individuals who have sacrificed their present to make our future more colourful.
People who live only for themselves and spend their life only for themselves are easily forgotten after their death. But those persons who sacrifice themselves and spend their life selflessly Serving others even after their death will continue to live in the memory of people because of their magnanimous deeds. It is said “one who picks fruit is forgotten quickly, but who plants trees is remembered enduringly.”
Life presents before golden opportunity to make this world a beautiful place by a kind deed , a warm smile , a tight hug , a genuine gesture of appreciation, mindfulness and unselfish love for unloved. Plant a tree , creat cleanliness by creating awareness, save a child from a Disease , adopt a child for his schooling and many more such act,
All this is possible if you identify the important things in life , and consciously commit yourself to them because what separates a great soul from an ordinary one is the ability to distinguish the important from the unimportant things in life . Rotary teaches us the philosophy of Service Above Self – before you live , love . Before you expire, Inspire . Let your love and action Be The Inspiration to all you touch so that they also go on spreading the message of Love and Service. Let’s all work together to Make the World a Beautiful Place .
Peace is not as illusive as believed. True, the path is riddled with obstructions and at some places there is no path at all and we have to create a path. Once on the path, you will find many roads going in different directions, but no matter which path you choose, you will ultimately reach your goal. Before you embark on the path to peace, you must first dare to believe in peace. If you believe in peace, you will live it daily. Your actions will speak loud and clear. Therefore, if you want peace, promote peace.
Firstly, be at peace, promulgate peace and spread peace. The greatest blessings the human heart can know is world peace and the world will never become better unless we ourselves become better and set an example before others.
Achieving peace is no easy matter. You will fail at times but perseverance is the need of the time. It took over three decades to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It took years and hundreds of experiments to invent a light bulb. Many success stories have many failures at its base. The winners don’t give up. They win finally.
Peace also has many failure stories, but if we persist, if we persevere, if we doggedly pursue , peace will not be so elusive.
Peace results from like-minded aspirations. Every one wants peace. Why is it that we fail to achieve it? The reason is not far to seek. We want peace on ‘our terms.’ We want peace as we dictate. We do not want to listen to the other side. The best remedy, therefore, will be to ‘listen’ to the other side. This can be achieved by a person-to-person interaction. If we are ready for some give and take, the task would be simpler.
Rotary has many programmes under The Rotary Foundation and International Service that promote this inter-personal dialogue. Once people meet, talk, interact and sincerely wish for peace, the task would be easier. One of the most important trips a person ever takes is “to meet someone halfway.” If we don’t meet halfway, peace will be lost. If we are ready, there is a chance for Peace. Paul Harris had rightly said “the best attribute of Rotary is ‘toleration.’ We have to re-cultivate the art of toleration.
Let the Rotary Leadership give its whole-hearted contribution and enthusiastic support to every good idea or initiative towards anything that may help even in the smallest way, in fostering peace in this world full of conflicts.
To establish this feeling amongst Rotarians, the Club leadership must put extra efforts to (a) keep Rotary simple (b) put more Rotary in Rotarians (c) make Rotarians know each other better.
As the leaders of Rotary , as the respected members of the community , let Rotary spread the message of peace, of love, of co-existence, of harmony and of tolerance.
A wise oriental philosopher has said “when planning for a year plant rice; when planning for ten years plant trees; when planning for hundred years plant people” I may add plant Rotarians.
Rotarians are in a unique position of understanding others. Let us start the process of peace immediately . BE INSPIRATION AN. SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF PEACE …
While analyzing why the membership in Rotary has declined in many countries, one particular reason comes to my mind. The organisation still believes that membership is by invitation. Though this practice has been considerably watered down, it is still a barrier because elderly Rotary members do not invite youngsters below the age of 30 that easily to join their club.
Youngsters, especially professionals, who are battling it out for growth in their chosen career should have the necessary motivation to join Rotary and this can be provided only by those they consider their equals in thought.
Today, when the growth of Rotary is dependent more on young professionals, the membership development plan, must be like a modern human resources policy that can allow the youngsters to work and also serve the community in ways that are most suited for a locality.
Young people have to see themselves as part a club which can nurture their extra hours after work. We must speak to them without difficulty or barrier caused by our own impression that we are special.
There is no greatness about a person who has volunteered to join a service organisation. In fact, only those who are really very humble can claim to be service minded.
Once there is a sense of inclusion, awareness about the other person comes naturally. Awareness is life and life is awareness. There is no other way. It is only because of exclusion of certain people in our mind that we have excluded them from Rotary.
How to attract young minds to Rotary? Much has been said and debated for over 30 years and the results have been only marginal. Today’s young people, especially those who are working 16 to 18 hours a day in hi-tech areas, are becoming more exclusive characters and they find it difficult to mingle freely with others in the society.
When we say we need young professionals we assume that they are earning members who probably have a family of their own. Probably this will constitute about 10 percent of the youngsters in the age group of 25 to 35 and unless Rotary has something extraordinary for them, the idea of joining may not sink in. We are assuming that they can afford the costs involved and hence probably we are narrowing it down by another 2 percent.
Targeting such professionals who in their initial years of working do not mind hopping from one job to another and from one city or country to another, require a very high level of information to be fed to them about what they can hope to achieve by joining Rotary. To me the one reason that can appeal to such youngsters will be the need to make their community more literate or free from hunger and disease.
Now, in many advanced countries, the Government takes care of education and health care and there may be little or no role for these youngsters to play and hence one appeal may not attract all everywhere.
So what is the one appealing factor that can make such young professionals who can afford the costs involved with Rotary to join the movement? Among a few reasons such as peace in the world, I think that the prospect of developing as a leader of a group of people and guiding them for something more than what they can be, may be an appealing point.
Rotary is supposed to impart the culture of inclusiveness. This is not a new philosophy. It is about falling back to a way of life, ordinary but magnificent. This is the way to safeguard the future of Rotary and this can be done by attracting young professionals who are not bothered about the stifling procedures but about delivering measurable results for the community as leaders.
Self-satisfaction makes life worth living. We live in a world that encompasses a major share of the poor and downtrodden. Each person may have a different need in his/her life. While some yearn for success, some don’t have the most basic amenities such as a shelter or enough food to eat. But that’s not all, some people may be in need of mere affection, those who are longing to see smiles. We are lucky to be living a comfortable life. How good it will be if we try to bring smiles to those sad faces? Generosity is an easily doable exercise. We all must remember one thing that helping others is a blessing in disguise. Because when we help others to grow, we grow in the process too. It adds value and meaning to our lives.Through our willingness to help others we can learn to be happy rather than depressed.There are many famous personalities who have encouraged such a noble attempt and have done their bit for the poor and needy.we joined Rotary because we believed in the philosophy of Service to others . Rotary gives us hundreds of opportunities to help others . We accepted Service Above Self as our motto . We must exhibit this Motto through our actions. Its commonly said “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth “. It’s our responsibility to follow it and do all we can to help poor . “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Says Martin Luther King , Jr We are fortunate that we have plenty and we are doing well, it becomes our moral responsibility to help others to the best of our ability. Many a times I have seen People with lower incomes tend to give a greater percentage of their incomes to help others and show greater empathy and compassion – perhaps because they know they might face the same circumstances . “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” Is the Arabian Proverb .It’s time to BE THE INSPIRATION AND MAKE EVERY ONE HELP OTHERS .
‘A LIFE OF HAPPINESS, PEACE AND LOVE IS ALL WITHIN OUR GRASP‘
Ever since life began , human beings have been yearning for Peace . True Peace is much more than ancient “tranquility of order “. It is way of life — a life of Love , forgiveness, generosity, patience , kindnesses and so on .
“Peace is not made at the Conference table , or by treaties , but in the hearts of men” says Herbert Hoover . Peace is a personal responsibility and it is vain to seek it from outside sources , if not within oneself. Your pursuit of Peace depends on your personal liability with yourself and others .
Peace comes from living in the moment and looking for the good in others . Peacefulness comes from facing our fears and letting them go — trusting that things will turn out all right . Peacefulness is also a way of approaching conflict with others so no one is made wrong . Everyone wins because we then work to find a peaceful solution .
Peace is one of the deepest desire of every human person. This peace is not merely the absence of war It is the presence of Love . In our time , the concept of peace cannot be isolated from that of human rights , freedom and ecology.
To work for peace is to work for the transformation of personal and social reality and to make it more fraternal, more human and more just and to collaborate for the liberation of humans .
Peace does not come by itself, we have to prepare for peace and work for it , and this work at times invokes struggle.
Peace for all requires the personal contribution of each individual. To this end each individual is required to invest a part of his / her time , talent , and intelligence, in order to promote in oneself and in society attitudes and action that lead to peace .
To really change the world , we have to help people change the way they see things . Global betterment is a mental process, not one that requires huge sum of money or a high level of authority.
Change has to be psychological. So if we want to see real change , we have to stay persistent in educating humanity on how similar we all are than different. We need not strive to be change we want to see in the world , but also help all those around us see the world through commonalities of the heart so that they would want to change with us .
This is how humanity will evolve to become better . This is how we can change the world . The language of the heart is mankind ‘s main language.
Always remember – Non violence is only for the brave men and women of the world because it requires courage- Courage to love the beauty of life , courage to love beauty of humanity and courage to love beauty of the world .
SERVICE ABOVE SELF IS ROTARY’S MOTTO AND WORLD UNDERSTANDING ITS ULTIMATE GOAL
Service must be the first to peace, because peace grows within the heart. Peace thrives with service and understanding, according dignity to our fellowmen.
Peace is nourished by truth and principles, and it is strengthened when we overcome our differences to work together, finding common ground for a noble cause.
The Rotary Foundation’s mission is to bring peace and understanding into the world. I have thought long hours trying to figure out how Rotary can transform that dream into reality.
Peace is not just the absence of hostilities – it is also a quality of life. I believe that: A world half starving and half overfed will never be a world at peace.
A world half sick and half healthy will never be a world at peace.
A world half illiterate and half educated will never be a world at peace.
A world that condones drug abuse, senseless violence and un-punished crime will never be a world at peace
A world of prejudice, intolerance and distrust will never be a world at peace.
World understanding is all about touching the life of another person. It means we have to build a relationship.
If you are wondering why the world is full of turmoil and strife the reason is because of lack of understanding between people living in different countries.
The lack of political and personal will to build relationships between people is the root cause of tension we now see in the world.
In this time of frenetic lifestyle, Rotary’s initiatives for peace and world understanding could be the answer.
Rotary’s various programs seek to create love and understanding.
They are designed to bring harmony between nations.
Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities.
Fellows can earn either a master’s degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution.
Each year, up to 100 Rotary Peace Fellowships (50 master’s degree fellowships and 50 professional development certificate fellowships) are offered on a competitive basis at six Rotary Peace Centers, which operate in partnership with seven leading universities.
The fellows are chosen from countries and cultures around the globe based on their potential as leaders in government, business, education, media, and other professional areas.
Rotary Centers alumni have demonstrated their ability to further global understanding and peace in their work for United Nations agencies, the World Bank, European Parliament, the Organization of American States, and other non governmental organizations, along with national governments and international businesses.
Our world is facing a historic transition period.
Nations in the Middle East are facing serious challenges.
Relationship stress between South Asian nations is hampering the development of the region.
Hunger, poverty, disease, depression and conflicts have plagued African nations.
The Rotary movement is relevant in the context of these problems which could intensify greatly over the next several years if not attended to now.
‘Heal the world and Save the World’ is the mantra for Rotarians and likeminded people who wish to see a secure and safer future for their children and grandchildren.
If millions of people are motivated to actively participate in the peace movement, practice harmony in their daily life and learn to show love and concern for others around them, then peace will be within our grasp.
Rotary International’s program are capable of being adapted anywhere in the world. That is why a Rotarian says, “I have the power to make a difference. You have the power to make a difference in this world and bring a new era of peace and understanding.”
Rotarians are moulded to be inspiring teachers, soul leaders, service minded people and generous donors.
They can be termed as a wellness guru – all rolled into one, for the relentlessly pursue the object of the organization which is world understanding and Peace .
When Rotarians participate in programs such as Friendship Exchange and Service beyond Borders, they return with more than souvenirs. They bring back lasting friendships. They open up a global perspective about Rotary’s quest for peace.
Conflict endemic countries need special attention. When we say endemic it means that a significant number of cases of conflicts are constantly encountered in that area.
The setting up of Rotary Peace Centers aims to bring professionally qualified individuals who can work to defuse tensions and resolve issues that could lead to conflicts.
These centres are empowering people to communicate with persons who create situations that could lead to disharmony and disrupt normal life.
I can say that the course teaches people to learn ancient secret wisdom and practices that can rejuvenate the relationships between individuals.
The techniques for resolving a conflict are extremely simple, practical and profound. Studying and practicing in these centers has helped many scholars to help others and return from an age of mistrust to an age of trust and understanding.
Rotary’s message has travelled far and wide. When we work towards world understanding we promote positive energy flow in our system. The blockages and stress are removed and new energy and stamina flows inside us.
This vitality develops immunity from negative influences that can breed hatred in our hearts and minds. Talking and working for world understanding gives us the strength and clarity to serve humanity better.
How is peace propagated? Practicing love for others is the key to healing and transformation. This means asking the mind to always think about the welfare of others and to transform you and situations around you.
Rotary International through its arm The Rotary Foundation advises all Rotarians to go to the people directly. The programs of The Rotary Foundation encompass the entire humankind.
By participating whole heartedly in the programs you become an agent who is capable of bringing people and countries together.
It is said that the purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. When your mind is open you love all humanity. You begin to serve humanity. You bring world understanding and peace.
Whatever be our position, occupation or range of influence, all of us have the responsibility to be peace makers through our lived example and through explicit acts of peace.
As Richard Nixon rightly said, “Where peace is unknown, make it known – where peace is fragile, make it strong – where peace is temporary make it permanent” Remember first to be at peace, then , be a peace-maker.
I believe in what Frank B Kellogg said,” that in the end the abolition of war, the maintenance of world peace, the adjustment of International questions by pacific means will come through the force of public opinion, which controls nation and people.”
In conclusion I would just say that Rotary International and the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide salute the first Fifteen years of Rotary Peace Centers for International studies and almost in excess of 1100 alumni – peace builders. The success of this program and the work that the alumni do give us cause to hope that peace truly is possible.
Rotarians need to nurture more such people. Good smartens saw an opportunity to do so through The Rotary Foundation yesterday.
I am sure you will see the same opportunity today and the future generation will see it tomorrow.
By supporting the peace centers we have a historic opportunity to say “A Life of Happiness, Peace, and Love is all within our Grasp.” Let’s all live in peace .
Life is a tug of war between good and bad times, and ups and downs. Good times are enjoyed by all, but how about bad times? Can we live through bad times and emerge stronger?
When asked about the most important quality for a human being to master, the wise Roman scholar, Antonius Pracus answered, ‘equanimity.’ Equanimity is the liberating quality that allows us to keep our hearts and minds open and balanced, quiet and steady, in the midst of all changes. It is an inner state of total deflection from external negativity, misery and nuisances; it is a mental composure.
Equanimity enshrouds a positive attitude and healthy disposition and may be considered to be the emotion par excellence. Even when things don’t turn out the way we want them to, equanimity imbues the mind with a calm radiance. When faced with great current in the sea of life, a person with equanimity does not try to swim, but float. It is not a state of indifference but the total clarity of the present moment.
Equanimity is an art to be learned by conscious creation. Conscious creation is basically the act of creating your life by being mindful of your thoughts and feelings, and in so doing, controlling the experiences that are brought into your life.
‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ Let this prayer vibrate in your heart time and again!
Dear Rotary Leaders ,As the year progresses and the glow of satisfaction radiates your joy as you serve, it may be time to evaluate and re-evaluate your success stories. The need of the community not only changes from time to time but some urgent needs crop up and unless you measure the needs by the tape of your vision, you may miss a chance to gain the confidence and love of the community.My tailor knows my measurements and my likes and dislikes of the prevalent style. Once, when I approached him for a suit, he asked me to step into the cubicle for measurements.
“But you already have my measurements taken only two months ago,” I said. “I need your measurements every time you come for your clothes. In order to ensure a perfect fit, I need to check your measurements every time.”If we want a perfect fit in our service projects, we must take measurements of all the data every time we go to the community. If there is a change in the needs for service, we must modify our efforts and directions. A cry for help, if unheeded, will not only dent the confidence of the community towards Rotary, but you will miss the bus for strengthening your image and that is worse than non-action.
“Which is the most important part of your body,” asked the mother to her lovely daughter. The daughter tried different answers, but the mother was not satisfied. At last the daughter gave up and asked the mother to give the answer. The mother answered, “The most important body part is your shoulder.” The daughter asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?” The mother replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry.”
Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it. People will forget what you said … people will forget what you did … but people will never forget how you made them feel.
I urge you to be alive to the changing needs and changing measurement of service. Ensure a perfect fit.
“It is no use saying, we are doing our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary,” said Winston Churchill.Let’s BE THE INSPIRATION TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY.
Smt. Rajashree Birla is a person who fully fits the definition of the word ‘altruist’ as she is selflessly dedicated to the welfare of others in the community. Every action of hers highlights her concern for the development of people. She not only donates money, but also devotes her time and her professional expertise to empower men and women in the economically challenged sections of the society. Her willingness to do things that bring advantages to others and her concern for the well-being of the needy amazes me. She finds happiness in being generous and expects nothing in return.
The US $12 million she gave to the polio eradication programme through The Rotary Foundation shows how much she values the lives of children all over theworld. I can say that her timely help did hasten the eradication of polio from India.
Aditya Birla Center for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, which she heads, is a social movement that uses evidence and reasoning to determine the most effective ways to address social problems. She encourages executives in the organisation to consider all causes and action and act in a way that achieves greatest positive impact.
The Birla family has a great past and their ethical standards are unmatched. No wonder then that Smt. Rajashree Birla, does not seek recognition or rewards for her enormous contributions. The act of doing good is her own reward and gives her enough happiness.
That is probably why people admire her more and more. Being an extremely humble person, she carries forward the traditional virtues of her illustrious family. The ethical doctrine of her family states that every member of the Birla family is morally obliged to benefit others. Their voluntary actions aim to enhance the welfare of the community.
Giving, doing good, being helpful and looking beyond oneself are the ways to create blissfulness from within. I realise that these are the secrets of Smt. Rajashree Birla’s ever- energetic approach to life.
Every time I meet Smt. Rajashree Birla she has something compelling to tell me about how her passion for community service helped her to find her purpose in life. She says, “I want to prove what is possible when we get past the stereotypes and labels about how to serve humanity. My mission is to inspire, empower and connect people to change their world. I believe in Mr. Aditya Birla’s vision that every generation has the opportunity to remake the world.”
When I see her community service work and her devotion to the country it reminds me what can happen when someone of her stature gets an opportunity to make a difference. I know that her ambitious work of changing the world is challenging but she is willing and ready to do it again and again. In her son Mr. Kumaramangalam Birla, I see the dedication in working hard to make changes in the community and usher in an era of economic progress. He reflects the values of his great parents and leads the way into the future – a great nation where everyone can hope to live in peace.
Every leader in Rotary or from the community around the world who has ever interacted with Smt. Rajashree Birla, agree that they have returned with a feeling that their potential to do good is limitless. As a leader of the Birla Foundation, Smt. Rajashree Birla believes that when the Foundation lifts up and supports newer causes, everyone benefits. For her it is not just a belief, it is an actionable truth. Her organisation works alongside Rotary and the community to solve important public problems in powerful and creative ways. Apart from the generous contribution to eradicate polio, Smt. Rajashree Birla has given about US$ Half a million for various projects carried out by Rotary clubs.
Whenever I have had the opportunity to meet her in her office, I see how she gives people hope and wants them to achieve bigger and greater things. She does not rest on the accomplishments of the past. I have always been re-energised to carry on my work in Rotary to create a change at home, in my community, in my country and around the world. I find that inspiration just by listening to her words of wisdom. I realise how diversity and inclusion are core to our calling and conduct in Rotary.
When I was able to announce to her that India has been declared a polio-free country and that Rotary had a part to play in that, all I could say was, “Rajashree Ji, please take a look at our story now. We couldn’t have told it without you. Thank you for being a part of it.”
Every time I walk into the hallowed portals of the Birla Empire in Mumbai, I return profoundly influenced by my experiences of their organisation which has a wonderful diversity, thriving culture and high ethical standards.
I hope to have more conversations with Smt. Rajashree Birla dedicated to collaborative oration in the months to come. I realise that every conversation is just a beginning of another new chapter in community service.
And, as always, thank you Rajashreeji for being a part of our Rotary community
Ashok Mahajan Past Rotary International Director, 2007-09 Past Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 2009-13
“ All successful people, men and women , are big dreamers . They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect , and then they work every day towards their distant vision, that goal or purpose “ Says Brian Tracy .The eagle flies at very high altitude and does it all alone . The eagle is not found among sparrows or any other smaller birds . No other bird goes to the height of the eagle. It never flies with other birds and never in flocks. If you ever wish to do something great in life , learn to be alone and when you are with people, share your time with people of same ambition and desires .
The eagle has a strong and unbelievable vision. This vision is so sharp to the extent that it can capture objects 5 kilometres from the air. No matter the obstacle, the eagle focuses on its prey and does not back out until the prey is captured. Stay focused and never allow dissenting views and voices to deter you from your vital goals in life .
The eagle never eats stale prey . Vultures can feed on dead animals but not eagle. The eagle is very choosy and special that it feeds on fresh prey only .Stale information will never do good to you. Update yourself regularly with fresh information from reliable sources .The eagle gets excited in the midst of storm. Other animals can run from adversity but not the eagle. How often do you allow opposition to discourage you ? Use Life storm to be better, wiser ,greater, wealthier and healthier. Challenges should be your stepping stone to your success and not to your destructionThe eagle tests before trusting. There is a saying that says “ Trust but verify “ . This principle is peculiar to the female eagle which subjects the male to mate with her . Test the commitment of people before you trust them with your time and resources.
The eagles prepare for training. The male and female eagles take the baby eagle to a mountain top at high altitude to prepare it for the challenge of flying at great heights . When the baby eagle is released, the free fall at first is frightening but the mother eagle soon come to the rescue and the process is repeated until baby eagle can fly alone at high altitude in the manner of the parents. Challenges of life are inevitable. It is a training period for higher responsibilities. The better you are at managing your battles in life , the wiser and more responsible you become . Preparation is vital for future success.
When eagle feels weak , and adopts to die It retires to a place far away in the dark . The eagle does this to shed old wings and grow new ones . Stress and fatigue is part of life . There is need to learn how to retire to a quiet place for periodic retreat and strategic thinking with planning. The freshness gained from such practice improves productivity and quality of life . It also prolongs life . Take time to refresh . It’s a indispensable tool for success and longevity. Eagles are full of life and are visionary but they find time to look back at their life and re energies themselves. So begin today to learn from the eagle’s way of life .
It has been said that the single most powerful thing one can do to destroy an organisation and promote disharmony is to create groups which hate each other. You can see such persons everywhere. “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn” said Ralph Waldo Emerson. Similarly one person, if left unchecked, can create many disruptive groups within an organisation.
Assume that in your organisation the Hitler who spread mental violence and groupism is dead. What is the guarantee that there will not be another Hitler who will emerge to take the destruction of the credibility of the movement to a higher level?
We have seen that the ‘Hitler-like’ people in any organisation were by themselves powerless. It is the others who empowered them. When such people assume leadership positions, they moved people around them through hatred.
If you want to move a group of people to do something unethical and you tell them, “Those people are the problem; so if we take care of them everything will be okay,” the group may be willing to go to any length to do horrible deeds. The more people are revved up with hatred, they quicker they act.
If you create an enemy for your followers, you can have them fighting and dying to please you. This is such a simple trick to which many noble organisations have fallen for again and again. It is happening even today in communities, corporate bodies and even service organisations are not spared.
When you create an enemy for your followers, even if it is an invisible enemy or someone they have never seen or known, people will go into fear and get a feeling that they should protect themselves or something their leader wants and these so-called peace-loving sensible people will do anything to disrupt peace and harmony without hesitation. This was the lesson taught by Hitler.
People forget such dictators, so the whole mistake is repeated again very soon. Those who stand by dictators who are the destroyers of high ideals are always well educated people – doctors, scientists, engineers, accountants and even management experts.
People who create groups and destroy the fabric of a nation or an organisation know that human intelligence can be easily hijacked by simply stirring an emotion. These people who create hate-groups know that it is easy to destroy whomsoever they want to oppose by planting certain ideas or some philosophy in the minds of their gullible followers.
The intention to do bad to others is present in many people. But many of them are powerless. Those who have dream of usurping all that is around them do not hesitate to grab every opportunity that comes their way or even create situations that will promote their greed. When they succeed in one single disruptive act, they get the confidence that they can indulge frequently in many more treacherous acts. The failure to curb such persons will ultimately lead to the total destruction of the organisation or the nation. This is what history has shown us again and again.
It does not matter how wealthy the person is or what position he holds in the society. As long as they do not carry morality within themselves it does not matter how many scriptures they read or how much money they donate. They will always find ways to do the cruelest possible things.
A Rotarian’s search for meaning of life is perhaps the most fundamental search on the road of self-discovery which is the underlying truth of ‘Service Above Self.’ Every member of Rotary Club has to find his or her own answer if he/she wishes to continue to be in this wonderful Service Organisation.
It was this search that made the Rotarians in RI District 3141 to give a serious thought about healthcare in the community. We understood that non-communicable diseases which includes diabetes cause 55% of deaths in India in the age group of 30-69, which represents the economically productive segment of the population.
With over 60 million diabetes cases in India out of a population of 1.3 billion nearly one million deaths were attributed to diabetes directly or indirectly. It is frightening to note that the number of diabetes cases may rise to 109 million within a few years and this calls for rapid action by We the Rotarians.
The WHO has estimated that in India an estimated 7.8% of the population above 18 years of age has raised blood glucose level or are on treatment for diabetes. However over half of the population with diabetes is unaware about their disease.
To prevent untimely deaths due to diabetes our district pioneered diabetes control programme under the umbrella of Rotary and Smt Rajashree Birla immediately came forward to support the cause with substantial sum for this programme. It is gratifying to note that our district carried out hundreds of diabetes screening camps in last two years and over 100,000 people were screened. Thousands of people were diagnosed with diabetes and were referred to specialized care.
During 2018-19. DG Shashi Sharma proposes to carry forward this programme with the support of all the Rotary clubs in the district. Our Governor feels that the goal for this year must be to reach over 150,000 people and assist them with proper guidance if they have this disease. We will certainly approach Smt Rajashree Birla for her financial support, and as we know the kind of generosity she has will certainly provide , but every Rotary club in our district needs to contribute substantially to this program, In addition the groundwork for the camp must be handled by the Rotary clubs at selected locations with proper publicity and facility for people to assemble. The cost of screening which will include deploying medical professionals and equipments will be met by the district from the fund set up for this purpose. The project is being co-ordinated by Rtn. Dr. Indumati Gopinathan and her team will be able to give the Rotary clubs all the assistance in conducting the camps.
Detect Diabetes, Treat Diabetes – should be the major healthcare project of our district this year and in coming years for which your support in getting contributions will enable us to BE THE INSPIRATION.
Life gives us two options every day — wait for things to happen, or make them happen. Those who wait for things to happen miss out a great deal because they hardly or never happen. The best option is to decide what you want and pursue it.However long and complicated our endeavour might be, the first step we take really matters. If we prolong to take that first step, it only indicates our resistance to change and fear of failure. But remember, life rewards only risk takers.Life offers plenty of opportunities. The important thing in life is to shrug off the difficulties and mental dilemmas and keep moving forward to the goal. Leaping blindly into the unknown isn’t the most intelligent thing to do. But if we look logically at what we stand to gain and take calculated risks based on that, we are truly bound to win. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” asserts Helen Keller.Successful people do not depend on their luck. They take due responsibility for their life and thus they take advantage of chances and make the most of their life. That is why Virgil, the greatest of the Roman poets, wrote 2000 years ago, “Fortune sides with him who dares.”Rotary exhorts us not to lie anchored on the docks but be sailing in the sea. Ships are not meant to be resting in the harbour but to keep moving in the sea. Rotarians don’t want things to happen — they make things happen.Whilst in the mid sea, you may encounter storms, heavy weather and even a tsunami. Rotary is geared to meet the challenges and make a new route, where the existing route is not navigable.Many Rotary Leaders at the club or the District level are content with doing what their predecessors have done. They follow the path laid by previous leaders — and there is nothing wrong in doing so — but an innovative Leader dreams of innovative service ideas and creates a new path for others to follow. The needs of the community may change, so should our actions.As we embark upon a new idea, don’t be afraid of failures. Failure is a step towards success. Thomas Alva Edison failed many times in his attempt and he remained cheerful and said “I now know what NOT to do to succeed.”As Rotary Leaders in Club or District you must strive to be a pathfinder and chart new routes of service. The community is your best guide to show you where you are needed. It is up to you to fulfill the needs. The community needs food to nourish their body, education to nourish their minds and freedom to nourish their spirits. Let Rotary provide compassion and hope for their dreams to be realised.
Have you ever observed that it only takes a spark to light a fire, and soon all those around are warmed up in its flame? If so, how much good you can do to the other by living a significant life!
A life of significance requires nothing external. You can be significant with or without material landmarks. A life of significance is far more concerned with what you give to others, than what you gather for yourself. People may forget what you say and do to them. But they will never forget how you made them feel. Your true significance calls for an answer: “Am I making a difference in the lives of others?”
Great people have influenced others in every area of life throughout centuries. For instance, Henry David Thoreau was the impetus for Gandhi’s and Martin Luther King Jr’s civil disobedience, which ultimately changed the world. Socrates taught Plato who taught Aristotle, who collectively remain the greatest philosophical trio in the history.
Remember that it only takes a spark in you that can inspire many to face the challenging world with enthusiasm, hope and courage. Make a conscious effort to inspire the people around you. If your words and actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become better persons, you are not less than any great and significant people in the history.
‘I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’ Let this be your motto in life.
May your life–spark be tiny glimpses of a larger flame!
Teachers have a significant role in the formation of students as mature human beings . They instill in them sound values ; offer piece of advice; show sympathetic understanding: stimulate their minds to think , to reason and to dream. They have tremendous power to make or break a child’s life .The second President of India S Radhakrishnan once said “ a good teacher must know how to arouse the interest of the pupil in the field of which he is responsible; he must himself be a master in the field and be in touch with the latest developments in his subject ; he must himself be a fellow traveller in the exciting pursuit of knowledge “Teaching is a vocation which demands dedication and commitment. Unfortunately, traditional teacher -student relationships has suffered a setback due to monetary considerations. As the result , some teachers do not rarely do exhibit a genuine interest and concern for the pupil’s progress.One who chooses the vocation to be a teacher has to respond with dedication and zeal that teaching demands . A teacher is to supplement his/her teaching with new insights to arouse the students ‘ interest. Above all , an ideal teacher is a glowing lamp that dispels the shadow of ignorance. He/she can find the greatest reward of this vocation in the students ‘ appreciation and love , and the joy they bring thersof .LETS CELEBRATE THE TEACHERS DAY ON 5 TH SEPTEMBER, THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST TEACHER MOTHER INDIA HAS SEEN -DR S- RADHAKRISHNAN.
Ashok Mahajan Director, Rotary International 2007-09 Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2009-13 Member, International Polio Plus Committee 2009-13 Chair RI Membership Development and Retention Committee 2012-13 Smile, Serve, Sacrifice, Satisfy
If Rotary has survived for more than 100 years, survived two world wars, survived major threats to Peace, survived depressions and survived competition it is because of one single factor — people need Rotary. People rely on Rotary. People have faith in Rotary.May be we could do much more, may be we could be a stronger force, may be we could grow phenomenally, may be we could be global but the fact remains that for an organisation not only to survive but also to grow numerically and geographically, we need the support of the community in which we exist.This does not mean that we have been totally accepted, totally believed in, totally admired. No! We have a long way to go but we are on the right direction. What we need is a little more speed, a little more volume, a little more recognition and a little more community partnership in service. What we want, we can achieve through more effective public relations.Public relations is not merely wearing a Rotary lapel pin in public, in fact not too many do this. Public relations is not a few photographs in newspapers or a write up of your club’s activities.We have some success in this field. Public relation is recognition by the community and cooperation by the community to fight problems with greater vigour, with greater success and with greater sense of involvement. The visibility of Rotary in the community is vital. The visibility of Rotary in conquering major problems of immunisation , health, environment, drug abuse, AIDS and many others is essential.But, then, an individual club is unable to fight these problems. It has only local problems to fight. Rotary’s involvement in local spheres of service is therefore equally vital . Infact I believe that this is more vital. The role of a Rotary club in promoting Public Relations is intimately linked with its effort to serve the needs of the local community in addition to contributing its mite to serve the needs of the global community. What is needed, therefore, is an enthusiastic and informed membership.Rotary is also judged by its individual members. A Rotarian who is known in the community as a ‘good’ man or woman, a Rotarian who is considered by the community to be reliable, honest and dependable will bring glory not only to himself or herself but also to Rotary. And these good, reliable, honest and dependable Rotarians should communicate with the community and tell them that they are Rotarians, that Rotary has many more of these ‘good’ people whose primary concern is the need of the community.We may need professionals to promote public relations but what we need more are Rotarians who individually and collectively project to the community that they care, they are available, they are concerned and they are trying to help.Of course we need professionals to do the things right but we need Rotarians to do the right things first. On that depends our credibility in the community that Rotary SharesFacebookTwitterWhatsAppShare
When it comes to look for inspiration and guidance, you do have a few role models whom you can think of. But have you ever realized that you are also a model for those around you? What kind of model are you being?
Living by example is the best way to inspire others. Mahatma Gandhi , the father of our nation, rightly said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” It is only by becoming the messenger as well as being the message, your role as a model become effective.
There is a South Indian legend about a holy man who became known all over India as a famous preacher. He showed kindness to all who came to him. Thousands of pilgrims came to learn from him. Everyone who visited him went back inspired. Yet this great preacher had never in his life been able to utter even one word, for he had been born dumb. The example he set by his actions was the only sermon he could preach.
People prefer to watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. “Action speaks louder than words,” goes an ancient proverb. No matter how convincingly you may try always to speak in an impressive way, yet you can be a failure if your actions do not correspond with your words.
When you live to make a difference in the life of others, your life focuses on intentional living. It is only by being conscious of your purpose in life you can set an example to the people who look up to you.
Rotary believes that when we uplift and support people, especially those in dire need of assistance, everyone benefits. But it is not just a belief; it’s what we seek to do every day.
Our Rotarian brothers and sisters in Kerala are working alongside their communities to rehabilitate lakhs of people who were left to fend for themselves after the deluge that struck the beautiful State. These Rotarians and other volunteers are striving day and night to solve important problems the public is facing right now in creative and powerful ways.
Most of the Rotarians have had hands-on training on how to solve problems relating to relief and rehabilitation due to their long association with Rotary and handling many projects. Our powerful network is capable of equipping the volunteers to face any challenge, especially when it comes to saving children, women, men and aged people.
The floodgates of goodwill have opened. But what is required now is the flow of more money to protect the lives of hapless people in Kerala. The trickle of donations which is coming in for the past few day to our District Welfare Fund is an indication that you are willing and ready to help, but that should be transformed into flood of donations to do some meaningful work on ground.
Ground reports which we are receiving through various channels show that houses of the poor need to be repaired or reconstructed with basic facility immediately. When the children go back to schools, we have to have some safe shelter there to impart education to them.
An ordinary mundane life goes from womb to tomb. But a Rotarian’s life is a life of awareness. We Rotarians are normal people, but what we do is not. When we can save millions of children across the globe from polio, saving our own countrymen in our own beautiful Kerala is not difficult. Your immediate generous contribution will make things happen. You can and You should.
It is said that some people are born great; some achieve greatness, while others have greatness thrust upon them.
I would say all human beings are born great, in their own ways. They have the power of thought; they have conceptual language; the power of transcendence is unique to humans; they have the ability to relate to their creator; creativity is another distinctive mark of human beings.
Greatness should be a distinguishing mark in the lives of humans and in greatness should they die.
It sounds paradoxical that human beings must journey from the greatness of birth to the greatness of achievement. Greatness is never a destination but a process. The moment they stop growing, they die. This process of growth and death is again unique to human beings.
The journey begins when people use their unique powers creatively. The power of thought should be used to distinguish between good and bad, permanent and transitory, life-affirming and life-negating. The end of this process should find people choosing for life that which is good, permanent and life-affirming. The power of transcendence should benefit us to go beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary, from pessimism to optimism, from narrow-mindedness to broadmindedness.
The power of creativity is meant to find ways and means to love and serve one another. And finally, be rightly related with God who is the source of all greatness.
SHOW COMMITMENTDear Friends ,Rotary’s quest for meaningful service is propelled by a great desire to be really relevant. There may be pitfalls, obstructions , limitations and even stumbling blocks but the real thing is not necessarily conquering the problems but fighting the problems earnestly. The continued efforts,in spite of difficulties we may face , gives the community an occasion to appreciate Rotary and give Rotarians a vigour to overcome the difficulties. The path to service may not be smooth. It may even be rough or at times there may not be any path and we have to create a path . When Rotary shows compassion it demonstrates our religion—the religion of service — and service without compassion is not compatible with Rotary.Why is it , then it is so difficult to involve more Rotarians in our service activities? Why is that only a small percentage of Rotarians are really involved in Service?When a new Rotarian enters the portals of Rotary. This Rotarian must be aware of what is expected. If we seriously inform the new entrants that being helpful physically and financially is our expectation. The new Rotarian would be resonably ready to serve . The catch perhaps is : Do we involve them in new service projects? Do we inform them of our sphere of activities? Do we put some responsibility on their shoulder? Do we tell them that we need them ? Want them ? Appreciate them ? Welcome them ? If the answer is “NO” the fault is now clear to us . If the answer is “YES” we have chosen a right person to join our brigade.Service does not come easy . It requires some sacrifices , some commitments,some efforts, some inconveniences . You cannot say “NO” to all requests for service. You need to wake up and face facts that the club depends on you to serve the needy . Once you wake up , the club will not allow you to sleep peacefully for long periods . Rotary demands your involvement. Rotary deserves your commitment.
Since its inception 113 years ago, the Rotary movement has survived two world wars and many other upheavals. Its charitable arm, The Rotary Foundation has celebrated its Centennial Year in 2017. The enduring values of Commitment, Enthusiasm, and Dedication to a Cause have been the hallmark of its existence. This potent potion percolates to the most basic unit of Rotary, i.e the Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians all over the world.It is a mathematical truth that any quantity when divided, falls in value. However, two aspects of humanity i.e Peace and Happiness, when divided actually increase exponentially in content and value.Many philanthropist , individuals and organisations look up to Rotary as a reliable partner to ensure that their contributions actually reach the needy. Time and again, Rotary, with its 1.2 million army of volunteers around the world, has proved to be the most credible organisation for this purpose.In India, the Doyenne of Benevolence, Smt. Rajashree Birla has been at the forefront to ensure that the good work that Rotary does, leaves behind a better world for generations to come. She has contributed over US $ 12 Million for the eradication of Polio apart from contributions for other worthy causes. Social equality and meaningful charity being omnipresent in the Birla DNA, Smt. Rajashree Birla is very quick to assess the relevance of an Initiative and willingly offers assistance for the same. Her unstinted support for Eradication of Polio ensures that a healthy and youthful India is ready to shoulder the responsibility of building the India of tomorrow..In the year 2012, the consecration ceremony of a unique Project, Triumph Blood Bank & Thalassemia Day Care Centre was the beginning of my association with the Rotary Club of Thane Hills, and this Project in particular. By delivering the project within the span of one Rotary year, and then running the project for the past 6 years, then Club President Ravi Iyer and his team have demonstrated that the very same potent mix of commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to a cause, runs through their veins.Having followed the progress of this project and its social Impact, I can vouch that Rotary Club of Thane Hills are rendering, Service above Self in the truest sense. They deserve all support to ensure that the this facility continues to serve Thalassemic children and the Community in general. Being privy to the trials and tribulations faced by the project, I have been doing my bit for this noble endeavour by arranging financial support.It was nice of Smt. Rajashree Birla to accept my request to visit this facility in 2015 and spent some very poignant moments with the Children undergoing transfusions at the facility. The experience must have certainly struck a chord in her heart. When I forwarded a request for financial assistance for this project, she came through with a generous contribution of about Rs. 50.00 lacs. and since then has been every year financially supporting the project.
I am sure her helping hand has helped Rotary Club of Thane Hills continue to serve the community and greatly enhance Rotary’s image in Society.
Ashok Mahajan Director , Rotary International (2007-09)
Have you ever observed a weed that grows in the corner of your courtyard? You may smash or chop it off, or even pull it out, but to your surprise, a few days later it is back. The reason is that the weed adapts to wherever it is. Unlike us, human beings, it blooms without reference to the myriad other possibilities.
Too often we get caught up in thinking that ‘we’d be happier if we…’ and the list of ‘ifs’ goes on. Our perception of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence keeps us dissatisfied with life, and this in turn makes our life miserable. Life is worthwhile and meaningful only when we like a rose, bloom in the given situation without lamenting the past or standing on carefully to try to foresee the unknown future.
We know that diverse situations whether at home or in the world around, invariably present us with conflicting demands and at times generate turmoil beyond our level of endurance. What we need is to develop the ability to see beyond ‘this too shall pass’ and try to remedy some of those situations. Once we wither, even a better situation cannot revive us. As someone put it so beautifully, “Cross the river, even if it’s stormy on this side. Do not keep crying or cursing. The river will flow away. Life will go on and you will be left behind.”
We need to be at our best wherever we are, and not just where we want to be. Remember, each of us blooms in our sweet time and the soil of our choice nurtures our growth.
Human beings consciously or unconsciously project the kind of personality and attitude they possess. What they project are essentially two: the thoughts that they externally express and the inner feelings they experience within . The thoughts externally conveyed and the inner feelings of a person need not always be complimentary.
A student can pretend to be quite confident for the examinations while the inner feelings within may just be the opposite. A thief can plead innocence of a theft which he/she committed. And practice has made several persons to be very convincing in their external expression of thoughts while cleverly hiding the feelings within. A person of integrity is one whose thoughts and feelings are not different.
Sincerity in what we speak or do in our lives is a great personal value which has its influence on the society. Persons of integrity and sincerity find acceptance and command respect. But, it would not be an exaggeration to say that persons of integrity are rare today. Honesty and sincerity do not have much market value today. In fact, persons of honesty and uprightness fail to thrive in today’s world.
The remedy begins when one is courageous enough to see the truth about oneself. One should be willing to admit one’s failures rather than finding justification for one’s bad behaviour. Secondly, one’s life should be rooted in values. Thirdly, sincerity can be practiced by obeying the dictates of one’s conscience. Finally, remember that we cannot hide our actual self for too long because people perceive both parts of our communication- what the thinking part says and our inner feelings.
The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of revenge. In spite of the fact that vengeance solves no social problems, men continue to follow its disastrous lead. No one can overcome evil with evil.
We proclaim our devotion to democracy, talk passionately about peace but secretly prepare for confrontation and retaliation. Man imposes a death sentence on innocent lives in the name of God.
One of the great tragedies of life is that modern men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. On the one hand we proudly proclaim sublime and noble principles, while on the other, we practice the very opposite. Our lives are characterized by high blood pressure of creeds and an anaemia of deeds!
An eye for an eye will leave us all blind. We refuse to understand that only love and friendship can conquer hate.
Those who crucified Jesus of Nazareth were not bad men but rather blind men. Those who silenced Gandhiji were intoxicated with false religiosity. Those who revolted against Copernicus or Darwin were ignorant.
Until we open ourselves to the reality around us and respond in love, the demon of hate and destruction will continue to haunt us.
Real love and friendship are rare and exquisite qualities. Love is the most durable power and friendship the most elusive of all relationships.
The time is ripe for us, the respectable sons and daughters of India, whose place their faith in a universal God, to widen their horizons by exploring new avenues of friendship. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Sikhs should, together, hand in hand, form a secure wing of love and friendship to guard against the great demon of blind faith that will otherwise disintegrate our motherland.
District Governor Rtn. Sashi Sharma understands the needs of Rotarians. His desire to have an evolved Rotary movement in India has made him request me, whom he considers as a‘thought leader,’ to write about my journey in Rotary. While accepting his request, I humbly script a period of my life in Rotary, where I think I have been able to influence the destiny of a large fraction of humanity.
When India was on the threshold of getting freedom in 1947, I was born in July in a family known for the richness of its culture. Today my father, Shri. Mulkraj Mahajan and my mother Shrimathi Rajrani, are guiding me from their heavenly abode and it was because of them I acquired the skills I have now.
When I joined the Rotary Club of Mulund in 1973, I saw people around me in the club embracing the religion of positivism. As the President of the club in 1982, I began to look at tomorrow from where I was standing during those days. I noticed that in Rotary a paradigm shift is taking place as it moved into a multipolar organisation.
As the District Governor in 1993, I realised that the future of Rotary was in the hands of this generation. Adding over 700 members with 20 new clubs and raising US $2,58,000 for TRF and almost US $160,000 towards the rehabilitation work in Latur Earthquake that year was satisfying. Being a year of achievements in every sphere of Rotary, it was joyful to see our District Conference being telecast in local TV channels and BBC also gave coverage for seven minutes.
As the Director of RotaryInternational during 2007-2009, I was able to motivate every district in India about membership development and membership increased to over 1,10,000. What is that one important skill that Rotarians should have if they have to attract others into the fold? They must have the skill to stir up the humanity within people. So if stirring up humanity is the technique that will increase membership in Rotary, then you can’t do it to a crowd. You have to do it one at a time and it is a continuing process.
Rotary in India changed largely because of the explosion of high quality information the members got through our Regional Magazine, Rotary News, which came under my wings to guide.The magazine soared very high and captured the attention of every single Rotary Leader worldwide. I must appreciate the efforts of the then Editor who made this possible.
The magazine, which was earlier underutilized by the members, rose in stature and the paid subscription increased tremendously.The magazine’s leadership position vis-a-vis the other regional magazines was maintained till 2013. The magazine did the work of taking India to the world. The interviews with nearly all the top Rotary leaders worldwide, which were taken by me, was published in the magazine and even in the remotest part of India, the Rotary member was able to know about their leaders, their thoughts, philosophies and how Rotary functioned.
As a member of the India National PolioPlus Committee for over ten years I was able to promote the polio eradication programme in Maharashtra. Being a Co-ordinator for the Polio Eradication Private Sector Initiative, I was fortunate to contact Shrimathi Rajashree Birla and make a presentation. Shrimathi Birla immediately began supporting our cause and ever since I was elected R I Director has been supporting every year with a donation of US $ One million. My idea of forming the Muslim Ulema Committee helped in eradicating polio from India earlier than expected and was recognised as a great initiative by the Government.
My tenure as The Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2009 to 2013 was exciting. TRF contributions in India became transparent to every Rotarian as the district contribution statistics were published monthly. The contributions to The Rotary Foundation in India rose beyond US $ 14 million for the first time.
We cannot have a plan to develop Rotary when the members in the club are bystanders. Rotary has to again become member-centric and ethics must take the centre stage once again if we have to regain the confidence of the public.
Is a Rotarian, who has delivered more than what was expected out of him, become electable to higher leadership positions unless there is a group wishing for it? I found that for such a person, the priorities are many and not just positions.
My early steps in Rotary and my journey thereafter were supported fully by my wife Nayantara, my son Nikhil and daughter Namrata . My brothers and their family stood firmly by my side to take up and work for any challenging project that came up in Rotary.
In my journey in Rotary so far, there are many things I learnt. In the words of Albert Einstein, which I have slightly modified, “Many of the things you thought you can count on, don’t count and many of the things you thought you need not count really count.” It is said that ‘the best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them,’ and in this journey I have always had trustworthy people around me for which I am eternally grateful to God.
Undoubtedly, Rotary is an organisation with people of many talents. It is one of the world’s most respected and admired institution that serves the community in innumerable ways. I am an eternal optimist and a passionate believer in Rotary’s ideals so my journey continues and I must end by saying, “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”
