District 3142

Issue - 3 | September 2018 | RY 2018-19

Perfect

Rotary Club ofDombivli Central

On Page 0

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IMPA

CT FE

ATURE

Basic Education and Literacy

Evaluation

Patience

Skills

Perspective

Empowerment

Change

Enquiry

Communication

Governor’s Monthly Letter

GOVERNOR’S PUBLICATION TEAM -

DIST. GOVERNOR DR. ASHES GANGULY

DIST. SECY. (PUBLICATIONS) KAILASH JETHANI

EXEC. EDITOR - GML SHARATH AIL

SPOUSES’ CORNER - GML NANDITA GANGULY

DESIGN & CREATIVES SHIRISH SONGADKAR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR AMOL DHARME

GML CONTENT - ENGLISH KUMAR DESHPANDE

GML CONTENT - MARATHI SHIRISH DESHPANDE

GML CONTENT - HINDI PRAMOD MISHRA

ROTARY INTL. NEWS SRIJIT POOTHEN

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT AJAY JHALANI

All Editorial and Advertising matter should be submitted to

Rtn. Sharath Ail, GML Editor

by email to publicationsperfect@gmail.com

Printed by: Online Prints, Thane

Published by: Dist. Governor, RI Dist. 3142, Dr. Ashes Ganguly

All rights to accept publishing contributions in part or full rests with the Editorial Board.

Governor’s Monthly LetterPerfect

For Private Circulation Only

Dear friends in Rotary,

In the month of August 2018, the Art of Rhetoric lost two great masters. Over the same period in our history, both used their language with rapier sharpness to create political antipodes to the Congress Party in India.

One used the theatre of Parliament to reset the agenda of the nation, while the other used cinema to recalibrate the political aspirations of a state. The first led a party known for its upper-caste affiliations, the other led a party that questioned the very fundamentals of the caste system. One spoke the ‘Rashtrabhasha’ and the other spoke a language that challenged the imposition of Hindi as our national language.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, politician-statesman, former Prime Minister of India was also a noted poet. His published works include ‘Kaidi kavirai ki kundalian’, a collection of poems written when he was imprisoned during the 1975–77 emergency, and ‘Amar aag hai’. Regarding his poetry he wrote, "My poetry is a declaration of war, not an exordium to defeat. It is not the defeated soldier's drumbeat of despair, but the fighting warrior's will to win. It is not the dispirited voice of dejection but the stirring shout of victory."

M. Karunanidhi, through his writing and oratory skills rapidly rose to become a popular politician. He wrote historical and social (reformist) stories which propagated the socialist and rationalist ideals of the Dravidian movement to which he belonged. He served 5 terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

‘Kalaignar’ M.Karunandhi passed away on 7th August 2018.

9 days later, on 16th August 2018 Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee left for his heavenly abode.

On behalf of Rotarians of Dist. 3142, I salute these two intellectual giants who used the power of the written word to move an entire nation.

- Sharath Ail

Editor

From the Aisle Seat

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Dear Perfect Rotarians,

First and foremost, I convey to you my best wishes for Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival that brings together all communities of India in their devotion to their favourite deity, Ganesha.

As the cover of this issue depicts, Ganesha is a symbol of education and literacy, which are important focus areas of Rotary. Our work in these areas helps lift people from ignorance and poverty toward knowledge and prosperity.

In September we will be organising ‘Live to Win’, a seminar to take forward Literacy, Virtual Eye and WinS. There are many clubs in our district who are actively involved in these projects.

August was a successful Membership Month for our district as we have added almost 300 members since the start of the Rotary Year. Training and assimilation of new clubs is important. The district team has taken special efforts to train the leaders of those clubs that were formed after PETS last year. As we grow in numbers, we must take care to maintain the brand equity of Rotary.

PRerna- the Seminar on Public Relations held on 4th August 2018 was a huge success. I congratulate the District PR Team led by DPIC Milind Ballal, Convenor DS Neha, Lead Host club RC Thane Central and all the co-hosting clubs for the excellent organisation of the event.

On the 18th & 19th of August, we enjoyed fantastic District Picnic at Hotel Deltin, Daman. I thank the host club RC Thane Uptown for making this picnic memorable with their warm hospitality

September will also see the 1st TRF Seminar, with PRIP Kalyan Banerjee as Chief Guest. I urge all clubs to contribute and meet their commitments.

I would also like to see clubs settling down on their Rainbow Thrust Area projects and Global Grant proposals.

The month that passed was not very fortunate for our brethren in Kerala, which was devastated by heavy rains and floods. The loss of homes, possessions and lives has dealt a body blow to ‘God’s own country’. Rotarians all over India are extending a hand of support in every possible way. This issue carries a separate report on our efforts to rebuild Kerala.

Let us never forget that the need for help will never diminish. Rotarians must be ever alert and always willing to help.

Have a Perfect Year.

Yours in Rotary,

DG Dr. Ashes Ganguly

2018-19 District Governor, Dist. 3142

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DG’S MESSAGE

ANADHIKA SAMRTI (perfect meeting in Sanskrit)

Writing is saying with ink. How many of us are aware that LITERACY is an important area of

rendering service in Rotary .Why is it important ?it is because if man needs to progress, he needs to be

literate ,

Education is our birth right, and we at all cost should give importance to it. Imagine the world without

a written script. We would be still sitting in the dark ages spending our time hunting and moving

around with the help of a spear and flint.

Now contrast the same with the modern period. we read, we grow; we grow we progress. Well this

shows how important education is. Our social reformers have fought against the traditions to give us

the kind of freedom in choosing the subjects we want to study.

But are we doing the same thing for our children/are we giving them freedom to study, take a break

and qualify what ever they want to do? Well we are that is what each one of us would tell, but then

does our children mean only our own blood? does it not include our extended sons, daughters

brothers and sisters……yes it includes. These are the children who we want to serve and give them an

opportunity to be independent.

This is where Rotary comes into focus. We can with the help of the mighty organisation select a school

and college and work wonders. Lets take a pledge to help out our lesser brethren. let’s start a library

for the students with the books we can ask our members to donate. Let’s take out time to entertain

primary school students by reading out stories from the Panchatantra and jataka tales. This would

serve lot of purposes. We can donate furnitues or sponsor a trip to some educational centre.

Hope all our wishes and desires are fulfilled by lord GANESHA the favourite hindu god Vakratunda

Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha……..

Thus then can we progress in the words of our national poet Rabindranath Tagore INTO THE

HEAVEN OF FREEDOM MY FATHER ,LET MY COUNTRY AWAKE ;WHERE KNOWLEDGE IS

FREE………….

HAPPY GANESH CHATURTHI TO ALL OF YOU ALL.

Your friend Nandita.

Be Blessed.

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FIRST LADY’S MESSAGE

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New AppointmentsKerala Flood Relief

District 3142 lead by Rotary Club of Thane Lake City, mobilized relief material worth about Rs.85 lacs covering

Woolen Blankets, Mats, Stainless Steel Utensils, Clothes for Men, Women and Children, Dry Rations, Water

Purification Solutions, complete School kit and other itemsand distributed to the most affected remote areas of

Wayanad District of Kerala. Rotarians of RCTLC were directly involved in distribution to the beneficiaries.

LEND A HAND

for

Kerala Relief & Rehabilitation

DONATE NOWthrough

Rotary District Welfare Trust

A/c No. 138302000019722

Federal Bank

Teen Petrol Pump, Thane Br.

IFSC Code : FDRL0001383

DG Dr. Ashes with Presidents of co-hosting clubs

PRerna - Public Relations Seminar

Dignitaries lightning the traditional lamp

Chief Guest PDG Vinod Bansal’s address DG Dr. Ashes : Our Rotary commitment ARPIC PDG Dr. Ulhas : Moment of introspection

Forum Leader DPIC Milind Ballal’s address ‘Ganesh Vandana’ by Gayatri Apte

thDate : 4 August, 2018 Venue : Satkar Residency, Thane Host Club : RC Thane Central

Convenor DS Neha, Co-convenor PP Nita & Perfect President Sheetal with their appreciation awards

Panel discussion with TMC Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal & Loksatta Editor Girish Kuber :How an NGO should propagate its brand

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Skit on Public Image by Dist. PR Team & RC Thane Central

Convenor DS Neha : ‘Purpose of the Day’

Perfect2018-19 District Picnic

th thDate : 18 & 19 August, 2018 Venue : Hotel Deltin, Daman Host Club : RC Thane Uptown

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Perfect Installations

Inst. of Prez. Dr. Balu Uphade of RC Link Town Airoli on 22nd July 2018

Installation of Prez. Girish Lulla of RC Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden on 13th July 2018

Installation of Prez. Jayashree Solanki of RC Thane Horizon on 5th August 2018

Interact Club of Hiranandani Estate -

Voice Care Workshop for Teachers

President Sanjay Jain RC Thane Skyline

at the Interact Club installation

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CHALA NIRBHAY BANU YA

SPARSH

IMPACT FEATURE

Rotary Club of Dombivli Central

Individuals grow in years, Institutions in decades

efpeLes keÀceer efleLes Deecner

“Chala Nirbhay Banu Ya” is a unique project organized by RC Dombivli Central where Psychologist Bahlakar Sir conducts workshop for girl students in which he shares the knowledge of “Puberty …. A blessing to womanhood ….and not a curse”.

Watching news reports about kidnapped or abused children is especially terrifying if you are a parent of young children. Without over-explaining or instilling unnecessary fear in them, you can teach them that they have the authority to consent or reject any physical advances made towards them.

Successful design is not the achievement of perfection but the minimization of imperfection ...

Rotary Club of Dombivli Central rose like a phoenix during 2016-17 from the ashes of depleted membership & unfortunate circumstances during start of the year. It put its act together to become the first EREY Club for the year and also the first club to qualify for RI Presidential Citation. The club which was a minnow in the Rotary District 3142 and did not stand a chance in front of more effective & giant clubs was awarded the District Governor's Citation as the PLATINUM CLUB

It is said that optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope & confidence .

With the same level of optimism, faith, hope & confidence the club went on to host a district event i.e. SHANKHNAAD 3 (The 3rd Meet of Perfect Presidents of RY 2018-19), on 16th Sep. 2017 at Hotel Ramada, Mahape, Navi Mumbai . The event was lauded as one of classiest events and will be remembered for its impeccable planning & execution.

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SPIRITS is a month-long Inter-school Art, Cultural and Literacy competition, a flagship project of Rotary Club of New Bombay Seaside. This event provides school children an opportunity to sharpen their co-curricular skills.

This year, the 15th edition of SPIRITS 2018 which concluded on Sunday 19th August 2018 witnessed children participating in 22 events spread over 51 categories including Short Story Writing, Poem Writing, Essay Writing, Calligraphy, Collage Making, Quiz, Story Telling, Declamation, Poster Making, Origami, Group Singing, Classical & Non-classical dance, Photography etc. This year, 2 new events, Doodle Art and Solo Dance (Classical) received tremendous response.

The event saw a total of 2264 participants from more than 45 schools from all over Navi Mumbai. A total of 218 winners received their prizes. SBOA Public School Nerul were adjudged Overall champions, followed by Apeejay School Nerul at second place and New Horizon Public School Airoli at 3rd place.

Inner Wheel members & Rotaractors played key roles in ensuring smooth and successful organization of the events.

DG Dr Ashes Ganguly was Chief Guest for the concluding ceremony and Mrs. Sandra Shroff, Vice Chairman of UPL Limited, (Platinum Sponsor) was Guest of Honour. DS Kailash Jethani also graced the occasion.

DG Dr Ashes Ganguly, in his address, appealed to the children and their parents to consider application for Rotary’s RYE programme, which will give tremendous benefit to children.

SPIRITS 2018

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New AppointmentsRotary Youth Exchange

The first event of Rotary Year 2018-2019 was organized by the RYE Team 2019-19 of District 3142. It was a trek to Karnala Fort and Bird Sanctuary on August 12, 2018 with Inbound long term RYE students, outbound students and Rotex. The group was a mix of many nationalities like Spain, Brazil, France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, etc. The Trek was led by Rtn. Seema Agarwal, Rtn. Usha Murali and Rtn. Rajendra Shinde.

The bus left around 6 am from Thane and picked up the rest of the group in Kharghar and Vashi. We had breakfast on the way at Panvel where the children tried out Maharashtrian breakfast dishes like poha, kothimbir wadi, sheera, missal pav and upma. After a round of refreshing ‘masala chai’, we reached the Bird Sanctuary. We took small breaks so everyone could climb comfortably and together in a group.

On the way, we shared a little wildlife and historical knowledge with the children. When we reached the top, the children took many photographs. After some rest, we started the climb downward. We adopted the buddy system of two-three children so everyone could help each other climb down the slippery slope. We reached the base at 2.30 pm. We had lunch at the small hotel in Karnala Bird Sanctuary that was run by the local mahila mandal. The children enjoyed chicken gravy cooked in turmeric, moong and aloo sabzi along with chapati and bhakari. Their favourite however, was papad. The children ate their meals with their hands instead of spoons. After one more round of everyone’s favourite chai, we headed back to the city dropping the children off Navi Mumbai and Thane.

Avenue Chair Resham Thanekar Avenue Co-Chair Rajendra Shinde

Forthcoming District Events - 19th Sep to 31st Oct

OCTOBER 2018

10th to 18th October Dist. Dandiya Celebrations with JITO, ThaneThu, 11 OCV: Ambernath East Fri, 12 OCV: Navi Mumbai Bayside Sat, 13 OCV: Thane Uptown Sun, 21 OCV: Millenium City Navi Mumbai Thu, 25 OCV: Kalyan Fri, 26 OCV: Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden Wed, 31 OCV: Badlapur Industrial Area

SEPTEMBER 2018

21st, Fri OCV - Thane Central 22nd, Sat OCV - Thane Urbania26th, Wed OCV - Navi Mumbai Industrial Area28th, Fri OCV - Thane Premium29th, 30th Avenues & Thrust Areas Projects Awareness Day

Guest of Honour

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New AppointmentsThrust Area - Save Nature

RC Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden distributed 200 fabric bags under Project Save Enviro - No Plastic.

RC Dombivli Downtown conducted an E-Waste Collection Drive in Dombivli and Kalyan area along with the Kalyan Shunya Kachra Team. They collected over 750 kgs of E-waste from Regency Estate club house, KAMA office CETP office, Don Bosco Schools and Holy Angel School .

RC Thane New City distributed paper bags made by Aanchal Vocational Training Centre, for storing ‘Nirmalya’ during Ganpati festival.

RC Dombivli Downtown

RC Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden

RC Thane New City

RC Dombivli Downtown

Rtn. Sunil Sharma, Rotary Club of Thane Hills

It was a lazy Sunday morning and these stress-free Sundays have an uncanny ability to ignite voracious appetites. The kids and I zeroed in on buttered toast for breakfast. A quick visit to the local grocer and we were all set with our packets of fresh bread, jam and butter. I was a bit amused to see that even after the recent plastic ban imposed by the state government, bread still comes packed in plastic sheets, probably less than 50 microns thick.

Well, after a heavy breakfast, the real predicament now was of disposal of the waste plastic package. Our housing society has strictly forbidden throwing plastic waste in the dustbins. The housekeeping won't collect it and would certainly not miss the opportunity to report us to the municipal corporation for flouting the ban. A monetary fine by our society is an additional disincentive. As it is, I am at loggerheads with some of the committee members who think they are trustees of the whole building, my flat included.

I must confess that for a moment, I considered slipping it into my neighbour’s dustbin. My neighbour who happens to be a committee member, could probably manage the problem more efficiently than me. But better sense prevailed.

I could easily have flicked it out the window, had it not been for the constant hammering of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan , which has made my conscience resist any such unbecoming impulse.

I lodged the waste plastic sheet carefully in my trouser pocket and smuggled it to my car parked in the basement. Throwing the stuff in the municipal dump one kilometre away from my residence, seemed to be a safer option.

As I drove through the pouring rain I could make out some workers unloading garbage. I slowly took the plastic sheet in my hand and positioned myself strategically to lower the glass window and rid myself of the encumbrance. But horror of horrors! My eyes suddenly fell upon a blue-jacketed Sergeant on the prowl for gullible, unsuspecting souls like me. I squirmed back in my seat, my ‘contraband’ easing back into my pocket as the Sergeant looking at me piercingly through the car window. His stern gaze was enough to send me into a sharp U-turn and head back home. 

As I sighed in relief, " Jaan bachi so laakhon paaye , laut ke buddhu ghar ko aaye!” my cell-phone rang. It was my wife Babita:

" Helloji …aate waqt ek packet bread laana! Aaaj aapka favourite cheese sandwich bana rahi hoon! Bhoolna nahi!” I screamed in my mind (yes, I can pull off that feat. You see, I am more of a thinker and less of a speaker, especially when it comes to dealing with my wife).

The grocer was more than happy to sell me a packet of bread again. I sheepishly asked "Bhaiya, yeh plastic packing return loge na? Badi mushkil ho rahi hai!” 

He frowned at me, deeming my question unworthy of a reply and turned to more important customers. Unable to muster the courage to repeat the question, I settled my bill in silence. 

When I get the time, I think I will write to Britannia.

KALEIDOSCOPE

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When Man disposes ...

Thrust Area - Art & Culture

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RC Thane Angels RC Thane Angels

RC Ambarnath

RC Dombivli Downtown & Dombivli Central

RC Dombivli Downtown & Dombivli Central

RC Dombivli Downtown & Dombivli CentralRC Dombivli Downtown & Dombivli Central

RC Dombivli Industrial Area

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Perfect Clubs at Work

RC Ambarnath North Polio Immunization

RC Hiranandani Estate Female Hygeine Awarness Session RC Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden Blood Donation Drive

RC Ambarnath SSC - HSC student felicitation RC Vithalwadi Independence Day Celebration

RC Navi Mumbai Garima Blood Donation Drive RC Navi Mumbai Garima Tree Plantation Drive

RC Ambarnath North Polio Immunization

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New Appointments Organ Donation Awareness

Today technology is at its peak in all fields, and health care is no exception. Average life expectancy has gone up and there are solutions for various life-threatening conditions. Replacing failed organs with healthy organs from living or recently brain-dead person has proved to be a perfect remedy for extension and ease of life. As we cannot manufacture human organs, every patient is dependent on the ultimate philanthropy by a fellow human being.

In India more than 5 lakh patients are waiting for various organs at a given time. On an average, only 15000 kidneys, 1000 livers and 25000 corneas are available per year. Most kidneys and livers come from living donors who are blood relatives of the patients. India reports the highest number of road accidents. In any tertiary care centre there are 5 - 10 brain- dead patients at any given time. Cadaver organ donation is the only remedy. In India cadaver donations are as low as 0.80/ million population. Greater awareness is the only solution for this apathy.

A living person can donate one kidney, part of the liver, bone marrow and whole blood & components. In case of death by natural causes (Cardiac death), the cornea, skin, bones or whole body can be donated to medical colleges for teaching anatomy.

The most suitable is organ donation from brain-dead persons. When a patient of head injury, or stroke or brain tumour suffers brain death and is kept on ventilator – more than 9 important organs and other tissues can be donated. This is the group where much more mass awareness and sensitization is required.

You can pledge organs during your life time. Close relatives and friends should be informed about this wish. A donor card must be maintained. Social media status updates will further this good cause.

There are two options: ’Opt in ‘ and ‘opt out . The former means that relatives of the brain-dead person has to give consent for organ donation. ‘Opt out’ means that unless relatives refuse organ donation of a brain-dead person, the organs are essentially harvested. In many countries people are asked to pledge organs during issuing of driving licence and this is mentioned on the licence also. Majority of road accident victims die of head injury and subsequent brain death.

Organ donation after death is legal in India by an act of law passed in 1994. Organ donation is considered totally voluntary and an act of charity. Monetary benefits to donor or family are totally prohibited. The whole process is monitored by Zonal Transplant Coordination committee which maintains the waiting list of patients irrespective of economical, social,religious and political status. There is high level of transparency.

Awareness about cadaver organ donation is the real need of the hour. DG Dr.Ashes is leading from the front for this good cause also. We about 3000 + Rotarians , their family members, our partners in service and well wishers in our District 3142 , can easily meet the target of 10000 pledges in this Rotary year.

RC of Hiranandani Estate along with Thane branch of IMA, the biggest medical body had organized a seminar on the Organ Donation Awareness. District 3142 DG Ashes Ganguly was the Chief Guest and Thane IMA President Dr. Dinkar Desai was the Guest of Honour. The seminar was arranged by Rtn Dr. Alpa Modi who is Avenue Co- Chair, Medical for District 3142. The seminar was well attended by nearly 90 people.

Please visit ztccmumbai.org for getting online pledge form & card. Dr. Madhav Baitule

Avenue Chair – Medical 1

Organ Donation Seminar hosted by RC Hiranandani Estate DG Dr. Ashes pledging Organ Donation with Dr. Madhav Baitule

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Rotary International News

Rotary partners with Mediators Beyond Borders to bring local solutions for lasting peace -

Preventing conflicts from escalating into violent crises is 60 times more cost effective than intervening after violence erupts, according to the Carnegie Corporation of New York. A recent partnership between the membership service organization Rotary & Mediators Beyond Borders International  (MBBI) aims to bring community-based solutions to prevent conflict in more communities.

This new, partnership will enable Rotary members to train with MBBI to sharpen their mediation, dialogue and other conflict transformation skills. Rotary’s 1.2 million members, located in over 200 countries and regions, will help MBBI expand its network of trained mediators – potentially transforming conflict in communities not previously reached.

“We are honored to partner with Rotary and thereby enhance our ability to build a 'peace able' world through 'service above self, ’” said Prabha Sankaranarayan, CEO of MBBI. 

A challenge to clean the world's rivers -

In 2009, Salvador Rico stood in the waters of the Russian River in Northern California with other members of the Rotary Club of South Ukiah. They were there for a river cleanup, during which they removed toilets, refrigerators, car parts, and garbage. That event led to an ambitious initiative called Cleaning the Rivers of the World.

After participating in the Russian River cleanup, Rico’s thoughts turned to the Ameca River, which flows past his father’s farm in western Mexico. 

Rico also thought of another river, the Lerma, which runs near his old elementary school. 

That project eventually expanded to become Cleaning the Rivers of the World, which has challenged Rotary clubs across the globe to clean up a river. The initiative has been adopted by the Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group as part of the Annual World Water Day Challenge, as well as by the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group. Rotarians have organized cleanup projects in Colombia, India, Nigeria, Peru, Turkey, and Venezuela, as well as in other parts of Mexico and the United States.  

DS Srijit Poothen, Rotary Club of Dombivli City

Sushil Kumar Gupta selected to be 2020-21 Rotary president -

Sushil Kumar Gupta, of the Rotary Club of Delhi Midwest, Delhi, India, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2020-21. He will be declared the president-nominee on 1 October if no challenging candidates have been suggested.

Sushil has been a Rotarian since 1977 and has served Rotary as district governor, training leader, and resource group adviser, and as a member, vice chair, or chair of several committees.

He has also received the coveted Padma Shri Award, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, conferred by the President of India for distinguished service to tourism and social work.

Sushil has also received the Distinguished Service Award from The Rotary Foundation for his support of its humanitarian and educational programs. He and his wife, Vinita, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and members of the Arch Klumph Society.

Sushil is chair and managing director of Asian Hotels (West) Ltd., and owner of Hyatt Regency Mumbai and JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity. He has served as president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India and on the board of directors of Tourism Finance Corporation of India Ltd.

SAJBY THELAKE