Thank you all for joining me in felicitating RI President Nominee Sushil Gupta and his gracious lady Vinita Ji .
I have a fruitful association with Sushil Ji and understand his passion for service. He always used to tell the Rotarians whenever he talked to them, “I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to make change, but in yours.” Great motivational words which drew admirers far and wide.
This belief, this faith in the ability of each one of us to make a difference in our world through service in Rotary, has been the guiding principle of Sushilji and this is what has made him a world leader of Rotary for the year 2020-2021.
Why does his sphere of influence go beyond the borders of our country?
That is because people trust him. This trust which he has earned over the years will help him to help people, serve people, lead people and command attention and respect.
I have heard him say, “The hard work of Rotary begins not with Rotary International’s office in Evanston, or with few District leaders or with any one RI leader, but within each one of us.
”Sushilji will bring together the wisdom and insight of all the great RI leaders who have led the organisation till he assumes office and help every Rotarian to reveal their inner quality as a service minded person.
He will help Rotarians to live their own greatest dreams and discover the power that lies within them. He will make us change our outlook on life and understand that growth is possible only if we live inclusively with everyone around us.
Sushil Ji , we are so glad you will be guiding us and by working together we will strengthen our Rotary movement and make it a living entity that will develop volunteers all over the world to implement your programmes.
Knowing Rotarian Sushil Ji as a Director and TRF Trustee, I could understand that he cared about others in the community, about causes that were bigger than what an ordinary person can think and he believed that helping others to be stronger, helps everyone to develop our world faster and bring in an era of peace.
He believes that citizenship is about having a deep love for one’s community and willingness to be engaged for greater good.
He has always asked questions and encouraged every Rotarian to come back and share their ideas.
Dear Rotarians who have gathered here, you and I have two important things in common. RI President Nominee Sushil Gupta is asking us to strengthen the Rotary movement and The Rotary Foundation.
And we are both saying ‘Yes.”
We have work to do. The Rotary movement and The Rotary Foundation will be a product of our ideas together and we are going to do it and help our leader Sushilji to stand tall in the Rotary world. I am assuring him about our fundamental commitment to progress.
A lot of things have changed in the world and in Rotary also. But one important thing hasn’t. One voice can still change a room full of people. That one voice stirs us up for action every year and we take up new challenges with ease.
We come from different parts of the country to hear that one voice with reverence. That is our World leader and today from our own country we have that voice, our leader RI President Nominee Sushil Gupta and his voice will tell us what to fight for to make the world a better place and define our mission in the years to come.
Let us get ready to embark on an epic journey of service and success with RI President Nominee Sushil Gupta.
Berfore I sit down Nayantara joins me in making a small prayer for Sushil Ji and his gracious lady Vinita Ji —May the roads rise to meet you ,May the wind be always at your back ,May the Sunshine warm upon your face ,May the rain falls soft upon your Field, And until both of you complete your term as the President Rotary International,May God hold both of you in the palms of His hands ..