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| Rtn Nandu Joshi, DG Dr R M Bhatt, Vashi Club President, Dr Jacob, Ramchandra Bhoyar, and Madhav Mahashabde. |
When
I joined Rotary, I was at the beginning of my profession. So the culture of
Rotary in which I was groomed was reflecting in my professional activities as
well. The declaration of professional ethical conduct, the four way test also
helped cementing foundation of professional development. The rotary was like a
catalyst for my profession. On professional side, as a Convener of Study Circle, and then as a Chairman of Navi Mumbai Branch of WIRC, my rotary experience definitely
gave me an edge.
GSR (Governors Special Representative) Ramachandra
Bhoyar was a very dynamic Rotarian from New Bombay (Vashi) Club, who was instrumental in formation of this
club. I always used to wonder, where he
derives his energy from. He was like a
live wire. In difficult situations also,
he would help us in steering the club to right direction.
DG in
first year was Dr R.M. Bhat. He was a huge source of knowledge and inspiration. He wasd an excellent orator. It was always a feast, to listen to him.
Dhananjay Hiwase was also a dedicated Rotarian who was a live example of ‘Service above self’. He would do anything and everything for
rotary, and that too with smiling face.
Dr.
Jacob, being with management institute, was more experienced to handle the club matters. A Japanese team of Rotary International, visited
our site of 'polio plus' activity. They
inspected our records of census of children 'under five'. Please note that NMMC was not in picture then
(in 1990). So it was club’s job to carry out survey of 'under five' children and
administer polio doses to them. The RI
team was highly impressed by the way our
records were maintained, and the way we carried our polio project, in the very first year. The major role played in this, was obviously, of Dhananjay Hiwase, who never boasted for it.
The
year 1992-93 was my presidential year. I fully enjoyed it. The District Governor then, Kishore Jobalia, was also a Chartered Accountant. He was a very hard task master, and very ruthless
about punctuality. In District
conference, he used to sit with buzzer in his hand. If a speaker exceeded his time, DG would hint
him to wind up. If a speaker failed to take clue, then DG would start pressing
buzzer near other microphone, till the speaker leaves the podium. Another memory of DG is about his
precision. His GML (Governors Monthly
Letter) would always carry a small line in fine print on the last page: “This
newsletter does not contain any printing error.
If anyone finds any error, treat it as having planted there, to satisfy even those persons.” He was also the first DG to have planned a ‘Inspirational
Training workshop’ for all President
Elects. It was 3 day work shop at Matheran - Hill station. We, all President Elects from the district, were fully energized to
take charge.
It’s always a team work, in Rotary. I was lucky to have in my tenure, Dr
Dattajirao (DY) as club secretary. We had absolutely wonderful time. We worked on many projects. One project involved donation of a tricycle to differently abled student. I remember
a picture of Manoj (a student of Brahmanand Pratishthan) with his tricycle, which was donated by our club. This picture had featured in ‘The
Rotarian’, the RI magazine in 1992-93. To have 16 Paul Harris
Sustaining Members, was one achievement of that year. Our club, for the first time, got Presidential Citation Award for balanced
activities in that year. One more event;
a picnic to Kihim Beach, was a turning point in club fellowship. Attending Rotary Conferences was also very satisfying experiance.
Fellowship
is one very important gift of Rotary. We enjoyed the picnics, fire side meetings. The beauty of fellowship was, it’s along with
Service to society and involving everybody of the family. I remember, once we were playing antakshari while travelling to Harihareshwar. Rtn. Sitapathy
started singing a famous Marathi song ‘dehachi tijori.. bhaktichach theva.’
with all three stanzas in proper tune.
Being surprised, I asked him how come he knows it completely. He said, such songs are equally famous in
Tamil also. He showed me a printed book of songs. I asked him what is that as, I could not read.
He said these are all famous Marathi songs printed in tamil ! Sithapathy, was one more such Rotarian whom
the club will never forget. His contribution was immense. Fellowship really cuts all barriers, and
instantly connect everybody.
Being Chartered Accountant, I am required to
share my views on Union Budget, year
after year. I thoroughly enjoy this, and
attempt to deliver to the best of my ability. I consider myself as privileged to
do so. The second job which was consistently assigned
to me for many years, was to be a ‘Returning Officer’. For conduct of club election, I happily carried
this task. I take it, as the trust or
faith of all Rotarians in me, due to fellowship.
With galaxy of presidents and talented
Rotarians including all Doctors ( Dr. Shirish, Dr.Surekha, Dr.Dulera, Dr. Bhushan, et al- forgive me, if I miss anybody) are real assets of the club. The club has evolved
over a period of time and has become more and more dynamic. Each president
dedicated his time, skill, and attention and has taken club to greater heights and has raised the bar still higher than before. I think, this is very healthy sign for our club.
I have full satisfaction about my association
with Rotary, and wish our club to scale still greater heights in days to come.
I wish best luck to Silver Jubilee President Rtn Devidas Buchake. I am indeed greatful to all Rotarians, and
would express my feelings towards them in following lines…
“ Ehsaan mere dilpe tumhara
hai dosto, ye dil tumhare pyrka mara hai dosto..”
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