Mahatma Gandhi and Rotary

As we remember Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday, I remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who wrote: "Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk."

Indeed, 'we may ignore Gandhi at our own risk'. His message of non-violence, ethics, peace, and service are well known and these are some of the issues that are so close to our heart in Rotary.

Gandhi knew Rotary, and had met many Rotarians and also spoken at some of the Rotary programs. Gandhi wrote an article, "My 7 points for a new world order", which appeared in the February 1942 issue of The Rotarian magazine. That article was included in The Rotarian Reader, published in 1986, which contains the most precious articles published in Rotarian magazines during the first 75 years of its publication (1911-1986). Gandhi's picture appeared on the Cover Page of the book.

And there is a remarkable similarity in the ways that Rotary's 4 Way Test and Gandhi's Satyagraha were conceived and applied; as well as between Rotary's Motto of Service Above Self and Gandhi's Mission in life of Helping the Helpless.

Let's continue to 'Make Dreams Real' for the humanity at large, for the world we live in, and for our children...in true Gandhian way...in true Rotary way.

Turning Tears into Smiles

Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo has written a moving recount of his visit to the flood affected areas in Bihar, which has been published on page 11 of The Tribune. The extent of damage that it has caused to over 3 million people who have been rendered homeless and without any means of subsistence cannot be imagined. Yet the real work starts now.
You can read this article on The Tribune's online edition too. Just click here.

Gift of Knowledge Project revisited

President S K Duggal, Rtn. K K Gupta and Rtn. A P Singh visited the YTTS Centre at Mauli Jagran to interact with the children and their parents on Saturday 13th September 2008.
The teachers and the office bearers of partner organisation YTTS were also present on the occasion. Parents were complimented on their resolve to get their children better education and take advantage of the project by improving on their performance in studies.
President S K Duggal distributed hygiene kits to all the children. A talk on health and maintaining good hygiene was delivered by Dr. Ms. Chhaya after the meeting. It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the children although they face compelling circumstances at homes.
There are two batches of children benefitting from this project, one at YTTS, Mauli Jagran and the other at Hans Raj Public School, Panchkula.
This project was started to provide additional coaching to the bright but poor students from class 9 so that they score good marks and are able to get into good professional colleges after plus two. It is heartening to see that most of the students taking advantage of this project are girls.
We are grateful to Rtn. K K Gupta for religiously working for the success of the project.