Developing Leaders - For now and for the future

Joyce R. Gaufin
President-Elect, American Public Health Association

On July 29 we had Joyce R. Gaufin as our guest speaker. She talked on the importance of nurturing leaders for tomorrow. Quoting a 1989 report she said, “today, the need for leadership is too important to leave its emergence to chance.” She added that the next generation is ready to be a leader now, at a very young age. “The challenge is that they have the right mentors and coaches.”

She also emphasized on the importance of relationships, which, she said, is most fundamental of all human needs. To become a good leader, you have to learn to reach out to those who do not think and feel the same way as you do. “Good relationships help build trust, a very important ingredient for effective leadership,” she said.

Good leaders nurture their passion. “Only a small group of thoughtful and passionate people can change the world,” she added.

Leaders must also have vision as a good vision takes us forward. She gave the example of Walt Disney who went bankrupt several times before his idea of Disneyland actually fructified.

Ms Gaufin also emphasized on developing critical thinking abilities and having an open mind.

Leaders also have to be tough. “Leadership is not for the timid,” she added. And, one needs to keep it in mind that leadership is a journey and not destination.

Ms Joyce R. Gaufin was introduced by PP Man Mohan Singh Kohli. Rtn Ranjit Powar presented her a memento. The vote of thanks was proposed by PE Prof Paramjit Singh.

Club News - July 22

Congratulations

Rtn Anuraag Chopra, along with Col (Retd) K.J.S. Sandhu, has won the Indian final of the Audi Quattro Cup, held at the Kemer Golf and Country Club in Istanbul. They stood first among 13 pairs by scoring 42 points. The first-place finish has given them access to participate in the world final of the tournament, to be organised in Los Angles from 7 to 12 October, 2013. We wish Rtn Anuraag and his team-mate all the best for success in the world final.



Organ Talks Educational Workshop
The Department of Anatomy, PGIMER, organised the I.J. Dewan Memorial Educational Workshop, titled "Organs Talk: Time to take prevention" on 23-24 July. We sponsored 500 Verka Lassi tetra-packs that were distributed among children from various schools who visited the workshop over two days.

At the inauguration of the Workshop on 23 July, our Club was represented by R'Ann Harkiran Mejie, R'Ann Alpna Khanna and Rtn Desh Deepak Khanna.

The children and visitors were educated on effects of pollution, smoking, drinking, not wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler and wrong eating habits by showing them actual organs, both of a healthy person and diseased. It was a novel idea which definitely left a huge impact on youngsters and motivated them to not only desist from indulging in vices but also educate others against it.

Pune-Leh Polio Awareness Rally Flag-off

On 26 July, PRIP R.K. Saboo flagged-off the Chandigarh-Manali leg of the Pune-Leh Polio Awareness Rally from RVTC, Chandigarh. The team comprised of Rtn Pradeep Mulay & Rtn Anju Mulay (RC Pune Pashan), Mr Abhey Karmarker & Mrs Anuradha Karmarker.

PRIP Saboo, while wishing them safe journey, gave them each a gift hamper from our Club, along with our Club flag. Our Club members present  were: Rtn Desh Deepak Khanna, Rtn Surinder P. Kaur, Rtn Sukhjit S. Gill, PP Arvind Mehan, Rtn Mona Khattar and Rtn G.S. Chawla.

Investiture Ceremony - AKSIPS-41 Interact Club

The Investiture Ceremony of the Interact Club of AKSIPS-41 Smart School was organized on 25 July. The 2013-14 office-bearers were decorated by President Hassan Mejie and Secretary Desh Deepak Khanna. Following members attended the ceremony: PP Neena Singh, Rtn P.S. Matharoo, Rtn Mona Khattar, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Rtn A.P. Singh and PP Darshan Mehandru.

The outgoing President of the club, Shruti, showcased the achievements of the club in the year gone by through a power point presentation. Their activities included distribution of stationery items to poor school children, celebration of May Day and the Earth Day, holding of health check up camp for the needy and initiating literacy drives.

President Hassan Singh Mejie, in his address, urged the Interactors to carry on the torch of benevolence and keep it lighted forever.

The newly inducted members of the Interact Club are: Amninder Kaur (President), Geetansh (Vice President), Kritika, Lavisha, Ashima and Prajwal (Directors),  Apoorav (Secretary), Daksh (Joint Secretary), Mehak (Treasurer), Japneet (Sergeant-at Arms).

Investiture Ceremony - DPS Interact Club

The Investiture ceremony to install the 2013-14 team of DPS Interact School was held on 24 July.
The students of DPS presented an impressive dance and music show as part of the ceremony. From our Club following attended: President Hassan Mejie, Rtn Desh Deepak Khanna, Rtn Sukhjit S. Gill, PP Baldev Aggarwal, Rtn P.S. Matharoo, PP Parveen Goyal, Rtn Mona Khattar, PP Vijay Wadhawan, Rtn A.P. Singh  PP Darshan Mehandru and PP Man Mohan Singh Kohli.

The new office-bearers of the DPS Interact Club are: Rhea Jaspal (President), Sasaki Negi (Vice President), Shaira Kansal (Secretary), Jannat Brar (Joint Secretary) Ekta Chahal (Treasurer), Tanya Singh (Sergeant at Arms), Aastha Anand, Inayat Grewal, Aditya Dhingra & Rakshit Sharma (Directors).

Rest in Peace: Rtn Hari Mohan Monga and R’Ann Sangeeta Monga

On 19 July 2013, we lost a very old and dedicated member, Rtn Hari Mohan Monga, and his wife, R’Ann Sangeeta Monga, in a car accident near Sonipat.

The planned July 22 weekly meeting was cancelled and was converted to a condolence meeting to pay our respect and homage to the departed souls.

PRIP R.K. Saboo expressed his anguish over the way fate took away the two noble souls from us.

PRIP Saboo said that he had the privilege of being associated with Rtn Hari Mohan since the 1960s when they first came together to form the Industries Association in Chandigarh.

“He was a very ardent worker and his commitment to Rotary never diminished in all these years,” said PRIP Saboo.

Due to personal problems Rtn Monga had not been very active for last few years. But he was always there to help whenever his services were required. Despite the fact that he had lately shifted to Gurgaon, he continued to remain member of our Club. In fact, before leaving for Gurgaon on the fateful day, he had visited RVTC to pay his dues. “I will now see you next year,” he told Labh Singh. Sadly, that was not to be.

Raja Saboo praised him for never indulging in politics or groupism and remembered him as a very friendly and jovial person and a remarkable human being. “This Club is deeply grieved to loose a friend and member like Monga,” he said.

Paying his tribute to Rtn Monga and R’Ann Sangeeta, PP Maj B.M. Singh recalled his over 40 years of association with both. “He was very friendly and always smiling,” he said.

PP Maj B.M. Singh also recalled the lovely snacks that R’Ann Sangeeta Monga used to serve at the fellowships. “She would never say no whenever we asked her to prepare snacks for the fellowship,” he said. “We have lost a wonderful couple,” he added.

A one minute silence was observed in memory of the departed souls.

Rest in peace Rtn Hari Mohan Monga and R’Ann Sangeeta Monga.