Good evening everyone.
Our respected Installation Officer DGE Rtn. Vinod Kumar, distinguished Rotarians, dignitaries, guests, friends, and members of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Kalyan.
A very warm Namaskara.
Standing before you today as the President of this wonderful club is a moment of immense gratitude and humility. I accept this responsibility with great respect, knowing that I am only a custodian of a legacy built over nearly 22 years by many committed Rotarians who believed in Service Above Self.
Before I speak about the year ahead, I would like to express my heartfelt Dhanyavaad to the people who have made this journey possible.
First and foremost, my deepest gratitude goes to my better half, Rtn. Hemalatha, and our wonderful children, Khushi Varshini and Sai Shikhar. They have never complained about the evenings, weekends, and countless hours I spend in community service. In fact, they have empowered me to contribute to society. Without their love and support, I simply could not do what I do.
I also owe everything to my parents, who raised me with the joy of giving. My late mother, in particular, always stood at the forefront whenever someone was in need. She believed that even if we had little, there was always enough to share. That value continues to guide me every day.
I am equally grateful to my siblings, their families, and my relatives who constantly encourage and motivate me.
I would also like to acknowledge someone very special—my mother-in-law. Today, we often hear that misunderstandings between couples are sometimes influenced by families on either side. I consider myself truly fortunate. My mother-in-law is immensely proud of what Hemalatha and I do together. She not only encourages us but also quietly contributes to several of our service initiatives. My sister-in-law, Deepthi, is another constant source of encouragement who celebrates every small contribution we make.
Behind every act of service is an ecosystem that enables it. Employment gives us the opportunity to earn, and that, in turn, enables us to give back. I sincerely thank my current employer, Freshworks, my previous employers, and all my clients who have trusted me with consulting assignments in the field of digital accessibility. Their support has indirectly strengthened my ability to serve society.
My Rotary journey began only in 2023, thanks to my neighbour, Sandeep Jayakannavar, who invited me to join a project distributing LED lights to tribal families. That single invitation changed my life. During that project, I met Rotarians like Rtn. Lakshmi Naveen, Rtn. Manjula, and many others. I did not know then that I was taking my first step into a lifelong journey of service and friendship.
I also wish to pay my respects to Dr. Lochana Ashok Kumar, Rtn. Vani Prakash, and our beloved Late Rtn. Usha Manohar, who envisioned and founded the Rotary Club of Bangalore Kalyan over two decades ago. Because of their vision, we have the privilege of serving through this remarkable institution today.
One thing I have learnt about Rotary is that every meeting is a learning opportunity. Every Rotarian I meet teaches me something new. Every conversation inspires me to become a better human being.
There were moments when I questioned whether I should continue in Rotary. But whenever those thoughts came, Rotary somehow introduced me to another inspiring individual. People like Rtn. Regina, Rtn. Mukesh, PP Rtn. Sunil Telkar, Rtn. C. S. Bhat, Rtn. Krishna, IPP Rtn. Jyothi Manjunath, and many others renewed my faith through their dedication and commitment.
Beyond our club, leaders such as DG AKS Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju, PDG Suresh Hari, PDG Ravi Vadlamani, IPDG Prof. Elizabeth Cherian, Rtn. Vijay Tadimalla, PDG S. Nagendra, and many more continue to inspire me. Every interaction with them increases my respect for Rotary leadership.
One valuable lesson I learnt from PDG Suresh Hari is to respect the time of the audience. Time is the only resource we can never replenish. We shall strive to honour that principle—not only during special events such as this, but also in every weekly meeting, every board meeting, and hopefully in our personal lives as well.
Friends,
It is a privilege to serve as President of this prestigious club.
My vision for this Dhanyavaad Year is simple:
To enhance the credibility of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Kalyan, empower every member to lead projects that are close to their heart, and ensure those projects align with the values of Rotary.
We shall continue the wonderful legacy created by our senior members.
Our Vocational Awards honouring unsung heroes will continue.
Our Autism initiatives will grow further under the capable leadership of our dedicated Autism Mitra team.
Our environmental initiatives will continue with renewed energy.
Our Blood Bank initiative will remain one of our flagship service projects.
In addition, I am delighted to share that we are working towards launching the RBK Vocational and Skill Development Centre, dedicated to the loving memory of Late Rtn. Usha Manohar. We hope this initiative will empower many lives in the years to come.
I am fortunate that every Avenue of Service in our club has experienced Rotarians willing to mentor us. With their guidance and the enthusiasm of our Board, I am confident we will have a memorable year.
Member engagement will be one of our priorities.
We plan to conduct two speaker meetings every month—one showcasing the expertise within our own membership and another featuring speakers from other Rotary clubs or professions. We look forward to partnering with neighbouring clubs for joint meetings and collaborative projects.
Every month, we will also host a family fellowship to strengthen friendships beyond our meetings. Every quarter, we hope to organise outings where members and their families can spend quality time together. Rotary is not just about service—it is equally about lifelong friendships.
Our plans are fully aligned with Rotary International President’s vision of “Create Lasting Impact” and our District Governor’s inspiring theme of “Dhanyavaad.”
We are committed to supporting our District Governor’s flagship initiatives:
- Tree Plantation,
- Water for the Voiceless,
- Educating Tribal Communities.
Our Board and members are actively discussing how we can meaningfully contribute to each of these initiatives.
I am also proud that our club continues to contribute to District leadership.
Congratulations to Rtn. John Daniel, serving as District Secretary for the District Conference, and IPP Rtn. Jyothi Manjunath, serving as Assistant Governor for Zone A. I am confident they will continue bringing great distinction to our club.
Opportunity to be the President of this prestigious club is a privilege and this role and club is exist because of Rotary and Rotary Foundation. To acknowledge our respect to Rotary, both my wife and I have decided a small gesture and transferred INR 23,000 this morning to the Rotary Foundation towards annual fund share.
I am equally delighted that DGE Rtn. Vinod Kumar has already begun planning for the Rotary Year 2027–28. We hope our work this year lays a strong foundation that seamlessly aligns with his vision and contributes to continuity in service.
Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge everyone who worked behind the scenes to make today’s installation possible.
People often say it takes a village to raise a child. I believe it also takes a village to organise a Rotary installation.
My heartfelt thanks to all our senior members, mentors, Board members, volunteers, families, and every person who contributed, whether visibly or quietly.
Allow me to make two special mentions.
The first is Rtn. Girish Chander Yellapragada. Can you imagine someone who joined our club only a couple of weeks ago taking on such a significant role in organising this event? Thank you, Girish, for your extraordinary commitment.
The second is Rtn. Rashmi Basavaraj from the Rotary Club of Bangalore E-Sakhi. Despite her busy schedule, she generously helped us procure thoughtful gifts that will serve our club throughout the year. Thank you, Rashmi, for your kindness and friendship.
Finally, I thank every member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Kalyan for placing your trust in me.
Leadership is never about one person. It is about a team united by a shared purpose.
Together, let us strengthen friendships.
Together, let us serve with compassion.
Together, let us build trust.
Together, let us create lasting impact.
And together, let us truly make this a memorable Dhanyavaad Year.
Thank you.
Jai Hind.
Service Above Self.
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