“True Peace: The Journey from Within to the World” DG Sridhar , fellow Rotarians, respected guests, and friends, Gratitude
It is a profound honor to stand before you today and speak on a topic that is both timeless and urgently relevant — peace. ROTARY THE FIRST SERVICE ORGANIZATION……
As members and well-wishers of Rotary, we often hear the word “peace” tied to our mission — “To advance World understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship and service.” But what does peace truly mean? And more importantly, how do we live it, cultivate it, and sustain it — in our own lives and in the world around us?
Today, I invite you on a journey, a journey that begins within ourselves and extends outward to the communities and nations we touch through Rotary’s work. Let us start by reflecting on what peace is not. Peace is not the absence of problems; it is not a life without conflict, struggle, or worry. Life, by its very nature, is unpredictable, and if peace were the absence of challenges, none of us would ever truly experience it. Peace is not a temporary silence between enemies, waiting for the next chance to strike. It is not quiet submission born from fear rather than respect. And it is certainly not the illusion of calm that comes from avoiding difficult conversations. These forms of peace are superficial, fragile, and temporary. They crumble the moment tension returns, and they are shadows of true peace.
Then what is true peace ? True peace is an inner condition — a state of mind and heart. It is the ability to remain calm amidst chaos, to stay composed when provoked, and to continue walking with dignity even when the world around us is unsettled. As the Dalai Lama wisely said, “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” This peace is not granted by circumstance; it is cultivated through intention and character. It is built by living a value-based life guided by principles rather than impulses. It is listening to your inner conscience, resisting the lure of quick fixes, practicing detachment from ego, outcomes, and rigid expectations . And , perhaps the most powerfully, accepting what cannot be changed. Those who have loved deeply, suffered silently, and given selflessly often carry this kind of peace — a peace is born not from comfort, but from strength of character. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”
Inner peace naturally leads to action in the world. In Rotary, that action is guided by our motto: “Service Above Self.” This phrase is more than words; it is a call to live with purpose. It is about doing good in the world, not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Every project, every initiative, every moment of service contributes to lasting peace and goodwill. We fight illiteracy, because ignorance breeds division. We provide clean water, because basic needs unmet lead to desperation. We empower women, improve health, create jobs, and invest in youth, because peace is not only about what we stop — it is about what we start. Through our Rotary Foundation, we support global grants, humanitarian projects, and peace initiatives that strengthen communities and equip leaders. The Foundation’s mission — to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace —through the improvement of health , support of education and alleviation of poverty , is directly tied to each one of us living “Service Above Self.”
RI President’s message this year, “Unite for Good,” reminds us that peace and progress are multiplied when we work together, across borders, cultures, and faiths. As Rotarians, we unite not for personal gain, but to do good where it is needed most. When people come together, fueled by a shared purpose, they achieve the extraordinary. Over the past century, we have witnessed the incredible impact of our collective efforts in eradicating polio, providing clean water, empowering youth, and bringing hope to communities worldwide. Yet as we step into every new Rotary year, we are reminded that our mission is far from complete. The world still faces challenges — divisions in communities, inequalities in opportunity, and an urgent need for kindness and cooperation. It is in these moments that “Unite for Good” becomes more than just words; it becomes a way of life. we are bound by a common goal — to make the world a better place. True unity is not just standing side by side; it is walking forward together, lifting one another as we go. History has shown us that unity multiplies impact. Think about our fight against polio: it was not one club, one district, or even one nation that eradicated 99% of this disease. It was the collective effort of Rotarians worldwide, working hand in hand with governments, healthcare professionals, and global organizations. That is the power of unity in action. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
So how do we unite for good? We begin by strengthening fellowship in our clubs. Let us make our clubs stronger by fostering inclusivity, listening to one another, and encouraging each other. When we are united as a club, we radiate that same energy into the world. We must also collaborate beyond boundaries — reaching out to local businesses, schools, community leaders, nonprofits, and government bodies. Let us pool our resources, ideas, and talents to amplify our impact. Every service project should be rooted in purpose. Whether it’s supporting education, eradicating hunger, or protecting the environment, let us ensure our work is sustainable, inclusive, and transformative. And we must be ambassadors of peace and kindness. Unity is not just about the big projects; it is also about the small acts that change lives. A smile, a word of encouragement, a helping hand — these simple gestures create ripples of goodwill far beyond what we can imagine. As Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Each one of us is here today because we believe in something greater than ourselves. We believe that we can make a difference. The true impact of our work is not measured by the number of meetings we attend or the projects we initiate; it is measured by the lives we touch, the hope we inspire, and the unity we foster. Unity is not a destination — it is a journey, a daily choice reflected in the way we serve, lead, and bring people together. As John F. Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” Imagine a world where everyone works together for good — fewer conflicts, more collaboration, and greater shared joy. That is the dream of Rotary.
Let us not wait for peace to descend from governments or leaders. Let us create peace ourselves, starting with our own hearts, extending to our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, and ultimately, to the world at large. Live by conscience, serve with compassion, accept with grace, and act with courage. As the Dalai Lama reminds us, “Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means.”
So my fellow Rotarians, let us carry peace within ourselves. Let us live “Service Above Self” in our actions, unite for good in all that we do, and remember that when humanity comes together, our small acts of service create monumental change. In closing, I leave you with a thought in our mother tongue:
“अंतरात्मा की शांति, समाज की शांति और दुनिया की शांति — यही है सच्ची शांति।”
(Inner peace, social peace, and world peace — this is true peace.)
Jai Hind. Jai Rotary.