Rotary has completed hundred years of service
and has created a glorious legacy, every
Rotarian should be proud of. As we stand
on the threshold of a new century, it will
be quite imperative to see how Rotary will
be in coming century. I am indeed very happy
and proud that we are going to write the
first chapter of this new century.
The legacy of the first century is behind
us. It has given us a strength and also
put much more responsibilities on our shoulders.
I always wonder how the next century will
be? What challenges it poses? What opportunities
it provides? Rotary has been founded on
two strong pillars and these are ‘human
acquaintance’ and ‘selfless
service to mankind’. Service above
self is not only one of ‘yearly themes’
or a ‘motto’ but it is a philosophy
or an attitude that will continue to be
unifying force to bring like minded people
together who join”Rotary” ,
However due to technological changes and
revolution in communication system club
functioning may undergo sea change. Cyber
clubs or clubs providing video conferencing
facilities may become common in the areas
particularly where people stay in remote
places or in adverse climatic conditions.
People from all the corners of the world
will be able to exchange their ideas and
views very easily and this will bring people
much closer providing enormous opportunity
to understand each other. On the other hand
due to change in work pattern and life styles,
people staying at distance and having different
work schedules will find it difficult to
assemble. Many new professions, unknown
today, will emerge bringing out a new range
of classifications in Rotary.
Depleting birth rate in advance countries
will pose a challenge for getting a new
members in ‘Right Age Group’.
Along with USA, India, China, Russia and
Brazil will become Economic powers during
2030-2050 India will have largest population
(more than China) with vast pool of professionally
qualified people. India will emerge as an
intellectual hub, providing knowledge based
services to the world. With distance education
methods using computer networking, spread
of education in rural areas and also within
women will accelerate the growth in professionally
qualified manpower. Thus pool of world class
professionals will be source of new Rotary
membership in India. While internationally
Rotary has to spread in erstwhile communist
countries, which are now open and have become
a part of the world community like China
and Russia. In new scenario India certainly
enjoys the advantage.
We only have to find out where these
future Indian Rotarians are to day?
They are in schools and colleges, in age
groups of ‘interactors’ and
‘Rotaractors’, I think it
is now high time to give our thrust to
“YOUTH” i.e.‘Interact’
and ‘Rotaract’ movement.
We must give priority to “Women
in Rotary” as this will
be the most effective force to do community
service and most important to teach the
“Service Above Self “ to New
Generation.
By doing so it is not difficult to achieve
10 pc sustained membership growth every
year in India to achieve highest Rotary
membership position in the world.
I dream a Rotary Global University promoted
by Rotary Foundation; which through distance
education system and e learning can bring
students from world over together to study
different subjects such as :
1. International Relations
2. Human Behavior
3. Facets of Excellence etc.
Thought leaders from various parts of
the world shall be associated with this
university.
Simultaneously no. of aged people in
all countries will grow significantly.
These old people may not be high earning
members of the society, but still they
shall be physically active. They will
have good experience and knowledge of
actual work and time to give for some
good cause. Rotary should strength on
the activity of ‘Senior Citizens’
clubs.
International Service –
Conflict Resolution :
‘Understanding’ and ‘Co-Existence’
are the basic qualities of Rotarians.
Globally spread Rotary Movement provides
excellent opportunity to be instrumental
in resolving ‘ International’
or ‘Cross Ethenic’ conflict
and Rotary can play a very important Role
in Conflict Resolution. Our District took
a lead in inviting Group of 65 Business
families most of whom were Rotarians from
Pakistan. Home hospitality was provided
to visitors. This created tremendous goodwill.
Health - Community Service :
After eradication of Polio, Rotary will
have to tackle menace caused by Aids and
this is going to be a long battle, more
than what we think to day. Of course more
advanced support and preventive medication
system will be available simultaneously.
Depression and mental stress related ailment
would become more and more common and
Rotary shall be able to provide very effective
platform to address this problem.
While due to further increase in food
production, problem of hunger is expected
to be over by 2030, unless it is artificially
imposed by some local groups.
Water and environment management will
be other crucial areas, where Rotary will
have to lead a global movement.
I think the basic solution for one and
many problems is only “LITERACY-LITERACY
and LITERACY” and we can not neglect
or run away from this.
The mission of next century of service
is to make Rotary with E- Communication,
easy flow of information with prompt solutions
, paperless District directory and GML’s
and use of power point presentations for
effective work and understanding .In short
we should use all latest technology and
save time, money, and of course paper.
It is really not possible to day what
world will ultimately look like after
hundred years, but I dream the basic values
of life like love and compassion
will certainly make it more beautiful
and we Rotarians have to discharge our
responsibility for making dream a reality.
Rtn Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi.
District Governor –05-06
RID 3130
