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Dear Rotary Friends ,

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.

Ashok Mahajan

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.

“From a little spark may burst a flame.”

 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.

Be always someone worth imitating!

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)

Trustee , The Rotary Foundation (2009-13)

Keep Blooming…

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.

Get set to bloom in all kinds of situations!

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.

ASHOK MAHAJAN

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.”

ASHOK MAHAJAN

Smile , Serve , Sacrifice, Satisfy