the Edition # 1 • JULY 7, 2020

BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MADRAS

DIST 3232 • 2020-21

FUTURE
FORWARD
Post pandemic revival with a
Rotary
designated
month
focus on health, environment
and safe workplaces JULY 2020
New
leadership
Month
GLIMPSES T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 1

~ E X C H A N G E ~

Exchange of Charter between past Secy. Rtn. Sesha Sai and this year’s Secy. Rtn. Padmashish Prasad.

DGs Do A Drive-Thru! Dist. 9980 DG Tana Lowery hands over the District Governor chains in her
Rotary car - a Kia - to the "new kid on the block", Dylan Murray in the Rotary - a VW Beetle!
Source: Evsn Burrel - Courtesey: eFlash Rotary Kalamassery
EDITOR’S NOTE T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 2

THE YEAR OF Birthday

7th July – 13th July

SUPERHEROES!
07th July – Rtn Mahinder Jain
08th July – Rtn Anand Vurgese
10th July – Rtn Rajib Kumar Hota
11th July – Rtn PP Dr. B. Biswakumar
11th July – Rtn P Suresh
hen I started working on this 1st issue of our iconic Lighthouse weeks ago, I was
W bursting with ideas and being firmly supported by this year’s amazing
Superwomen Lighthouse team.
08th July – Ann. Parul Bhatt
(Rtn PP Satyan Bhatt)
10th July – Ann. Anita
And I wasn’t lacking in incredible content! In fact, our poor magazine designer’s (Rtn Jagdish Bhatia)
email inbox has been steadily overflowing with stories and information for days! 10th July – Ann. Dr Anila Mathan
A positive outlook for the future under President Kapil Chitale’s leadership is a focus (Rtn Anand Vurgese)
area in this issue of Lighthouse. Plus, we celebrate some incredible women in RCM, 11th July – Ann. Shameem
who are an inspiration to all of us and a force to reckon with – in fact, there’s an entire (Rtn M Fazal Mohamed)
section dedicated to these amazing women! We get to know our “greenest” Rotarians 11th July – Ann. Ruchita Saraogi
a little bit better (especially required, since their induction was during a “new normal” (Rtn Rahul Saraogi)
e-meeting!). We have a hearty chat with our First Woman President PP Indra
Subramanyam and an unforgettable conversation with our senior-most Rotarian PDG 14th July — 18th July
M. Natarajan (who’s young at heart, nonetheless!). 14th July – Rtn. P. Shankar Menon
All this and then some more for your reading pleasure this week. 14th July – Rtn. Dr. TS Chandrasekar
And I begin my own new Rotary year by sending out a silent thanks and a hug to one 18th July – Rtn. Akur Raman
of the finest human beings and Rotarians I’ve known: My father-in-law Rtn. C.N. Raghunandan
Ramdas. 16th July – Ann. Janaki
Let’s R.C.M. for RCM and let’s have a wonderful Rotary year ahead! (Rtn. PP. PN Mohan)
12th July – Ann. Mridula
(Rtn. VS Narasimhan)
18th July – Ann. Priya Reddy
(Rtn. Manu Reddy)

Wedding
07th July – Rtn Ravi Moorthy
Ann. Narayani
09th July – Rtn Subbiah Viswanathan
Ann. Jayamangalam
11th July – Rtn Prabha Srinivasan
Spouse: Satish Sridharan
12th July – Rtn Shakthi Girish
Spouse: Girish Ramdas
15th July – Rtn. Jagdish A. Bhatia
Ann. Anita
16th July – Rtn. Sanjay Rao Chaganti
When the indomitable CNR returned home from his surgery, just days before my Ann. Lata Murugan
induction to RCM,back in June 2015)

Announcement for the next week:

Sunday, July 19, 2020

CHARTER NITE & E-CELEBRATIONS Our RCM meetings are
back to the afternoon
There will not be a regular-Meeting next Tuesday.
slot of 1pm from the
More details will be provided on our official coming week,
WhatsApp group and by email. July 14 onwards.
MINUTES T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 3

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

INSTALLATION CEREMONY
JULY 7, 2020
INSTALLATION MEETING OF THE NEW BOARD OF
RCM FOR THE YEAR 2020-21 AWARD RECIPIENT INSTITUTED BY
• Rtn. Kapil Chitale was installed as 92nd President of Best chairman Rtn. Dr. K. Rajan & M. Prabhat Kumar
RCM on 7th July, 2020, via a gala e-meeting held on the Rtn. Roopa Shetty
Zoom platform.
• MC Rtn. Sandhya Sridhar conducted the evening Best Avenue of service Rtn. Hemant Chordia Pratap Hansraj
proceedings effectively sequencing the Agenda, ably Best Green Rotarian Rtn. Ravi Bhatkal GM Jayapratap
assisted by Rtn. Shanno Ravi.
Best Camaraderie Rtn. Sharon Krishna Rau P. Sarathi
• After collaring the President, Rtn. Dr. Vijayabharathi
& Rtn. PB Prasad
Rangarajan called the meeting to order.
• President invited all present for the much-awaited Best Rotarian Rtn. Shanno Ravi A.V. Meyyappan Chettiar
evening meeting.
Outstanding contribution –
• The AV of the 4-Way Test was shown by outgoing
Community service Rtn. R. Ravishankar Ken hobbs
Secretary Rtn. Sesha Sai.
• The customary tradition of proposing the toast for Star Rotarian Rtn. Rajasekar Gorantla PP Gopal Ratnam
various dignitaries was followed. Best Rotarian couple Rtn. Indrani Krishnaier Rtn. Markand Desai
• MC Rtn. Sandhya Sridhar recognized PDGs, T-20
Presidents, District officials, IWC President Shoba Special recognition
Gupta. Rtn. Nimish C. Tolia – Outstanding Rotarian
• Outgoing Secy. Rtn. Sesha Sai presented the Secretary's
report with visuals which covered the complete Rtn. Biswajit Babu, Secy. Sesha Sai, Stalwart Rtns. AVM Balu, PDG JB Kamdar
itinerary of projects and events conducted in 2019-20.
He said that RCM has impacted around 2 lakh-people in
the society with the community service projects. animal, let me do it now. Let me not deter or neglect it
Everyone applauded the presentation which was crisp for I shall not pass this way again.
and clear. • She ended with the words: This year, we have
connected the world by our theme “HeHoHa”. My warm
Immediate PP. Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan's and heartfelt thanks to the members of RCM.
opening remarks
• PP. Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan briefed the Rtn. Kapil Chitale installed as President of RCM
attendees on the projects completed in 2019-20. The 2020-21
President covered the key projects carried out in our • Rtn. Kapil Chitale was installed as the 92nd President of
ongoing project sites – RCMBT, Rotary Nagar, Water & RCM, by IPP Dr. Vijayabharathi amidst applause.
Sanitation, School into Smiles, Selaiyur skill • His main slogan was to provide for “Life & Livelihood”.
development, Sembakkam Women Empowerment and • Rtn. Shakthi Girish introduced President Kapil
lake restoration. Chitale by speaking of his life and work both within and
• PP Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan based on her theme outside Rotary, complete with photographs and
Health, Hope, Happiness listed out the meaningful personal, heartfelt messages from fellow Rotarians.
work done in these categories: Many compliments poured in from T-20 Presidents,
• Health – Dialysis, Monogram, First Aid Training, Her District officials, RCM members and others.
Place Toilets • Secretary PB Prasad complimented President Kapil
• Hope – Perumbakkam school, TTC Project for the and said that the Pres. has the ability to handle any
Differently Abled, Wash In Schools, Education crisis & works with passion in whatever he does.
• Happiness – Varshini Illam Old Age Home, lakes • Rtn. Jacob Kurien gave a power-packed introduction of
restoration the new board members in his unique way.
• President was pleased to announce the Clubs Annual • Rtn. PP NK Gopinath felicitated President Kapil, who is
awards 2019 - 20 to members who have gone the extra the third 2nd-generation Rotarian to become President
mile: (See box, right-top) of RCM and also extended wishes to the new board.
• It was stated that mementos for these Rotarians par • President Rtn. Kapil Chitale took the podium,
excellence will be presented once the lockdown is over. welcomed all dignitaries and thanked them for gracing
• PP Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan referred to RID the occasion for the first “e-Installation” of RCM.
Kamal Sanghvi's quote “The 4-Way Test is our religion” • Our special invitees were Chief Guest PRIP Kalyan
and said that it is very apt for our Rotary movement, Banerjee, Guest of Honour DG S. Muthu Palaniappan
ending with a quote of her own: I shall pass thru this and T-20 Presidents AG Dr. Mahendran & other district
world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do; or officials and several PDGs.
any kindness that I can show to any human being/ • After acknowledging the great work done by IPP,
MINUTES
President Kapil expressed that every year, RCM has
been raising the bar and all this good work has to be
taken forward, despite the prevailing challenging
environment. President said the main focus this Rotary
year will be in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19
pandemic by ensuring the Safety of the Industrial
workforce and thereby the revival of Industry . Further,
Environment was another priority in making Chennai a
desired city of choice. While assuring support to the
district as RCM always has, Pres. Kapil also said that we
will engage with other Clubs in the District.
• Pres. Kapil also elaborated various points on the
pandemic's issues, including working in association
with the Govt., various industries and others to ensure
that businesses can be revived and made to run
smoothly while following all safety and precautionary
measures.
• He lauded the RI theme for Opening Doors of
Opportunities and said it was apt during this current
difficult global situation. He said that it was therefore
fitting that RCM will offer support with the theme for the
year: RCM – Respect, Collaborate, Motivate “To Make
The World A Better Place To Live In”.
• The theme and logo of 2020-21 was launched.
• The RCM song of the year We Are The Rotary was
launched, which was collectively done by Rtns. N.
Prakash, Shri Shakthi Girish, Sonika Jain and Secy. PB
Prasad.
• MC Rtn Sandhya informed that 25 co-Presidents & 45
District officials have attended the e-meeting and
acknowledged their presence periodically during the
meeting. Their presence was apart from the 267
attendees at the meeting.
Handing over of the Club Charter
• Outgoing Secy. Rtn Sesha Sai handed over the Club
Charter to the incoming Secretary Rtn. PB Prasad and
wished him a great Rotary year ahead. A photograph
was taken at the club secretariat to mark this occasion
Introduction of Chief Guest – PRIP Kalyan Banerjee
• PDG JB Kamdar introduced the Chief Guest PRIP
Kalyan Banerjee and said that he was an inspiration to
all in Rotary and a down-to-earth person. An AV on the
PRIP was shown illustrating his many
accomplishments.
• PRIP Kalyan Banerjee recognized all the PDGs and
recounted his unforgettable memories with them. He
said that he was always a friend of RCM, which
incidentally was also his favourite club. He was in full
praise of camaraderie and the enthusiasm of RCM,
which is unmatched.
• He congratulated IPP Dr. Vijayabharathi for an
outstanding year doing projects of an estimated Rs. 9.3
crores, including Rs. 1.3 crores for the much-needed
Covid-19 pandemic relief. He wished Pres. Kapil a great
year and wished him the best in following his late father
Rtn. Krish Chitale's footsteps to make RCM reach
greater heights.
• He urged Pres. Kapil to look at literacy projects, promote
e-learning and make India a literate country and
finished his talk giving his best wishes to all of RCM.
• Pres. Kapil assured him that we would definitely take up
literacy more keenly thanked for his warm words of
T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 4
encouragement.
• AG Dr. Mahendran introduced DG S. Muthu
Palaniappan in a unique way in his visual
presentation.
• DG S. Muthu Palaniappan said that IPP Dr.
Vijayabharathi's year was a great year of achievement,
as RCM has done Rs. 10 crore worth of projects.
• He appreciated Secy. Rtn. Sesha Sai for his excellent
presentation and said he was amazed to note that RCM
projects have impacted 2% of the population!
• The DG stated that RCM was always a good constant
contributor to TRF and a club of distinction, while
expressing his appreciation that our Club Rtn. PP Paul
Jacob, PP AS Venkhat Ramani. senior Rtn. AVM Balu,
PDG S. Krishnaswami and PDG JB Kamdar are all in
the district team.
• The DG expressed that Pres. Kapil's Covid-Safety
project is a unique one and will create a lot of impact in
the society.
• The DG said that this year, the District project
“Orange”, an eye care project, will be taken up to reach
2500 villages. This huge program will benefit 5 million
people at the estimated cost of Rs. 14 crores. He said that
with the support of District clubs this can be achieved
easily. This will be a game-changer for the eye care
industry and requested all T-20 presidents to take it
forward.
• He wished for RCM's deeper role in this wished Pres.
Kapil Chitale and his team a wonderful Rotary year.
Introduction of IWC – Ms Shoba Gupta
• Rtn. Sandhya Sridhar introduced IWC President Ms.
Shoba Gupta, who said that it was a memorable year of
IPP Dr. Vijayabharathi and the presentation of projects
was awesome.
• She said that IWC & RCM have always been close like
family and proceeded to give a donation of Rs 15,000 to
RCMBT.
• Ms. Shoba Gupta said that this year, their focus will be
on “nurturing nature”, providing reusable sanitary
pads and emphasizing self-reliance in women.
• Pres. Kapil said that RCM – IWC will do projects jointly.
Finale
• Secretary Rtn. PB Prasad announced that the next RCM
weekly meeting would be on the 14th July'20 at 1.15 pm –
getting back to the pre-lockdown time schedules.
• The speaker scheduled is Commander Abhilash Tomy,
Kirti Chakra Awardee and requested all to join in with
family and participate in the meeting, which would be
an e-meeting.
• Secy thanked everyone for making the evening warm,
enjoyable and memorable.
• The meeting was called to a close by playing the Indian
National Anthem.
RCM was pleased to donate Rs 50,000 to
Rotary India Literacy mission and war
widow of Havildar Palani Rs.50,000,who
died at Galwan in Ladakh
MINUTES T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 5

Rotary Greetings!
My best wishes & heartiest felicitations to you, Rtn. Kapil
Chitale, for donning the mantle of leadership of your Club for the
Rotary year 2020-21.
I would like to congratulate Rotary Club of Madras for being
rooted to traditional values for the last 90-plus years.
Your land mark projects like the Boys Town in Gummidipoondi,
Vocational Training Centres at Selayur & Tambaram, Construction
of Perumbakkam Higher Secondary School, Lake Restoration
projects, Construction of toilets and other service projects serve
the community in a very big way.
No matter the path you took to Rotary, we all have one thing in
common: our value system stems from our belief in ‘Service Above
Self’.
Your Club has always been in the forefront and it is because of
this commitment to serving others that we collectively, are able to
confront some of the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges.
I look forward to the support of the members of Rotary Club of
Madras inall the programs and activities of the District that are
planned for the year.
I wish you, T20 President Rtn. Kapil Chitale and all the Rotarians
of Rotary Club of Madras an amazing Rotary year in 2020-21.

With best regards,

S. Muthu Palaniappan
District Governor 2020-21

THE REVIVAL SPACE

PHOTO FINISH T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 6

I N S TA L L AT I O N C E R E M O N Y • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0
PHOTO FINISH T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 7

I N S TA L L AT I O N C E R E M O N Y • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0
TRIBUTE T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0
DOFFING MY
HAT TO AN EDITOR
EXTRAORDINAIRE!
B iswajit, fondly “Bis", is a name
which is synonymous with
cartoons and caricatures and quiet
fun and a broad smile and oodles of
boyish charm.
Barely a few months into President
Vijaya’s year of Health Hope &
Happiness, the lockdown was
clamped on us as unnerving Corona
Devi descended and settled in all fury
and fervour, the world over.
Restrictions of every kind followed
and kept us all home-bound.
We resorted to things hitherto quite
unknown to us.
Tuesday e-meetings were suggested
and started by dynamic president
Vijaya and her creative and
innovative team, instead of our usual
weekly Tuesday Luncheon
Extravaganza.
The meetings were carefully and
cleverly curated and meticulously
moderated with new global speakers,
as location and travel were no longer
factors to deal with.
After trickles of tiny teething
troubles, we RCMers adjusted and
took to it like duck to water!
Smoothly logging in, sharp and
crisp at the appointed hour - and
clicking on and off the mute buttons
as if this has been the most
commonplace and normal event we
have been used to forever, from time
immemorial!
While the proceedings moved
seamlessly along, there was keen
eyed Bis, absorbing every detail in its
entirety, from his quiet unobtrusive
corner, not missing the slightest little
‘anything’.
And this, not merely for the topic of
The Talk / Discussion, the Speaker of
the day or even the panelists as each
meeting necessitated!
No quirk or even a twitch of the
speaker and perhaps some
interesting features (I mean the facial
and personality kind of features too)
of members were missed or went
unnoticed by the sharp eyed and
quick-witted Editor. In fact, it was all
8
being stowed away into the various
nooks, crannies and folds of his
Brilliant Big Brain to be effectively
reproduced and deftly depicted in the
following week’s Lighthouse…
…To be greeted with gasps of
amazement, guffaws and giggles,
cheers and applause all round!
Not only were these needed but
helped hugely to lighten and brighten
the dark, grey days of gloom and
doom and the fear and uncertainty
that we all were and still are passing
through.
The gentle smiles dissolved into
uproarious cheers and laughter when
those round googly eyes of his
skilfully sketched cartoon figures
stared back at us from the pages of the
Lighthouse.
The Ed's roving eyes missed
nothing! Not even a wisp of hair, a
new twist to the moustache or curly
lock went unregistered.
The polka dot, the dobby stripes and
Madras checks were perfectly
presented
Bis, with his understated, quiet
ways, has indeed been a rare
revelation!
In these testing, trying times when
all one wants to do is breeze through
'work-from-home' and complete the
"help"less home chores and rest one's
weary limbs and mind, binge-
watching or comfortably curling up
with a book, Monday evenings have
brought about a refreshing change.
We have all now resorted to the
restless rustle of seeking out the latest
issue of the Lighthouse in our mail
boxes…
What has he got this time? Who has
he caricatured? Every RCMer's
curiosity is piqued!
He has breathed so much freshness
into our much loved Lighthouse and
sky-rocketed the readership bar to
new highs.
Hurrah for the Editor Exemplaire!
WHISTLE PODU RCMers!
- Rtn. Indrani Krishnaier
Source: Rtn. Jayant Hemdev
SPOTLIGHT T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 9

Let’s make the world a

BETTER PLACE On a o t e
to live in
I t is a great privilege to be the 92nd President
of the Mother Club in District 3232.
pers o n a l n
IPP Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan had a
fantastic Rotary year and it makes me feel such
awe, because every President always raises the W e start this year with a mixed
bag of feelings and emotions.
We have come to realise the value of
bar in their year of service.
the Physical & Emotional connect
It will be a big challenge to take it forward
that we take so much for granted
and I am exhilarated at the opportunity to do
when we used to meet ever y
this with my wonderful team and fellow
Tuesday over a sumptuous lunch.
Rotarians.
While we tide over these trying
Due to this Covid pandemic, several of our
times within the safe con nes of our
ongoing projects will see the major rustle of
respective homes, we have to
activity only at the end of 2020.
remember that there are so many
Environment is a Rotary Foundation priority, which makes it fitting that
others who are still required to
this year we have various Covid & Environment initiatives projected and
expose themselves - to just get by!
planned. On that note, I am excited and grateful that as a positive beginning,
The involvement of preparing for
we have obtained the acceptance from Govt. medical resources and ready to
this Rotary year is really what has
go ahead with our first initiatives.
kept me preoccupied, to not realise
Furthermore, we have sketched out a plan to see that industries and
that most of us have been largely
establishments run their business normally, following vital guidance
isolated and thereby protected for
points, with close monitoring; because safety is the main factor.
over three -and-a-half months
We will continue to support the District & TRF, as we always done before already.
and tie-up with smaller Clubs and work mutually. Team 20-21 has ben working very
There’s a saying: "there are no rules of architecture for a castle in the hard to ensure we RCM’ers have yet
clouds”. another absorbing year. Only time
During these unprecedented times, we are all doing doing a crash course will tell what experiences we have in
on re-learning and re-thinking; but this unfortunate pandemic has opened store for us.
the first door of opportunity for RCM. I would request the involvement
RI President Holger Knaack has said that "Everything you do opens an of each and every member and their
opportunity for someone somewhere”. The RI Theme 2020-21 is "Rotary spouse to come together and
Opens Opportunities”, illustrated by the impactful 3-doors logo. participate in all our e-fellowships
With these strong tenets to carry us through this year, I believe that RCM and other efforts in fund raising. We
also opens the other two doors to provide LIFE & LIVELIHOOD. would welcome any suggestions to
RCM’s theme this year is literally, R.C.M. - Respect, Collaborate, Motivate. make these times more enjoyable in
The theme was born out of general apathy amongst many of us as humans, any manner possible. This will, and
in our interaction with each other as diverse people, and also because of the can only make it a more interesting
way we have been disregarding environment & natural resources that we year.
have (the pandemic and the face of it is a result of this apathy!). "THE MIND IS SAID TO BE THE
I believe strongly that we have to be respectful of its implications and CAUSE OF BONDAGE AND THE
mindful of its consequences - it's only we, as a society, will benefit by it, in CAUSE OF OUR LIBERATION - THE
turn. CHOICE IS REALLY OURS! “
Hence the logical transition from RESPECT to COLLABORATE and Let's enjoy this year in every way
MOTIVATE each other in making this part of the world "A Better Place for possible.
You & Me”.

- President Kapil Chitale

- Kash & Kapil
**To mark the happy occasion of the Installation of the new Board, the RCM Song
Of The Year was released and gift hampers sent to all RCMers.
WORDS FROM T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 10

THE HEART
Remembering
a WONDERFUL
Rotary year…
IPP Dr. Vijayabharathi Rangarajan
On taking the theme of the year to heart
When I started my Rotary year, I was passionate about the theme of
He-Ho-Ha – Health, Hope and Happiness. I was determined that we
would do everything in our power to bring strong, committed projects
in all three areas. So, have we done what we had set out to do? Rtn.
Sesha Sai has presented a detailed report card and it’s been wonderful
to accomplish so much that will help our communities. Because for me,
working from the heart is very, very important in everything I do.

On the highlights of the projects undertaken

Some of the work we’ve done have been welcomed and will continue.
Under “Health” came our First Aid Training Programme and Her
Place sanitation facilities for girls, under the auspices of DG
Chandramohan and Corporation Commissioner Prakash. In fact,
while we were doing this for the ladies, the Govt. requested us to also
provide facilities for men and we did that. Under “Hope” came our
school project of about Rs. 6.8 Crores, given to the local community;
and our other projects like the TTC project for the differently-abled and
touch-free Wash facilities in schools. Under “Happiness” came our
newly instituted old-age home Varshini Illam and our fantastic lake
restoration efforts, with heartfelt thanks and kudos to PP P.N. Mohan
for being the juggernaut in this area, because the critical need of the
hour is to care for our environment and replenish our water bodies and
hence, the natural resources around them.

On the COVID-19 crisis

Almost nothing has brought humankind to our knees in a 100 years,
like the COVID-19 pandemic. But times of crisis is when organizations
like the Rotary are desperately needed and I am so happy that RCM has
led from the front in helping our communities in any way we could.
Through individual benefactors and institutional grants and financial
support, we were able to constantly provide crores of rupees worth
testing and protection kits, medical support and more.

On my pillars of support
Apart from my wonderful Board and fellow Rotarians, there are two
stalwart Rotarians who have not only embodied the spirit of Rotary in
every way possible, but also have been passionate about service to
community, a powerful voice in our Club, at the Dist. and Rotary as a
whole. My special thanks to senior Rtns. AVM Balu and JB Kamdar.
They have always given me their strength and support, not just as
trainers but also as mentors and well-wishers. Thank you for standing
by me.
I would like to close with a saying that resonates with me: I shall pass
through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any
kindness I can show to any human being or animal, let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.**

**The above quote has been variously attributed to John Galsworthy,

Stephen Grellet, William Penn and others
BEING PRESIDENT
PDG M. NATARAJAN (PHF)
PDG M. Natarajan (PHF)
He is 96 years old.
He has served Rotary for 51
years!
President of RCM - 1983 - 84
District Governor - 1989 - 90
Today he is the senior-most &
eldest Rotarian of the Rotary Club
of Madras.
It was such a pleasure talking to
PDG M. Natarajan; pity it had to be
on the phone, given that we live just
a few blocks away! A real trip down
memory lane…
He described IT so vividly, the
Club that it was, our RCM, when he
joined in 1969. Lunches at Hotel
Connemara were Re.1 - Rs. 3;
dinners for functions like
Presidential Installations & DG
visits were sit-down affairs costing
a princely sum of Rs 10!
He spoke of the profile of
members at that time, each a
distinguished personality in his
field.
He became President of RCM in
1983 with V. S. Dhandapani as his
Secretary and the year before his
tenure had none other than late
Rtn. Krish Chitale, father to our
92th President Kapil Chitale.
He gave me a background of the
way the two of them, along with N.
Kumar of India Cements (a
member of our club at the time) ran
from pillar to post to get the red-
measles vaccine, on Air India cargo
flights.
He spoke of the lorries arranged
to transport these vaccines in cold
storage and stock them all at Kings
Institute. It was like reading the
Timeless Legacy again!
This went on, to the first seeds
sown by them to start the Pulse
Polio vaccine drive. He said that his
& Rtn. Krish Chitale's roles in the
global drive of Polio eradication
can be likened to the first seeds of
the Aalamaram (Banyan tree).
Today it is the largest program
ever undertaken by Rotary
International, and to have been
amongst the initial core team gives
him the greatest satisfaction, he
said.
It's with amazing clarity that he
remembered other fellow doctors
like Dr. Venkatasubramanium &
T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 11
Dr. Rangarajan who were involved
in the whole Immunisation Drive,
convincing offices and
communities!
He remembered countless stories
of punctuality, discipline, starting
board meetings at sharp 7 pm even
if only 1 or 2 office bearers were
there…
He also mentioned the story
narrated in the timeless legacy
about how H. V. Dr Hande (Health
Minister then and also his student)
came late for the meeting as
speaker for the day, with 10
minutes to closing time!
Members were around 75 - 80
around those times, so if one wasn't
seen on premises physically, Rtn.
R. P. Sarathy would immediately
call and check!
He felt saddened that this kind of
connect was missing in today's
large membership base of over 250
Rotarians. He also spoke of the
galaxy of Past-District Governors of
the Club, and particularly V.
Chidambaram, who was the
immediate PDG, from the same
Club. He also highlighted how even
then, fellowship was the bedrock of
the Rotary movement (and I was
delighted to let him know, it
continues to be so!).
At the back: Rtn. V. Chidambaram
It was so heartening to hear him
At the front: Rtn. Bhoja Shetty
say: I will continue to be a Rotarian In the centre:
till the very end! Rtn. Krish Chitale installing Dr. M. Natarajan
He still meets patients online and
plans to write a booklet on RCM
when he joined.
I love the passion he has and I am
sure you all join me in wishing him
good health & happiness.
We ended our chat with him
sending some words of wisdom for
our new President Kapil Chitale: I
wish you the very best in
maintaining the grandness &
prestige of this Club; and ensure
that all of us, especially the new
Rotarians, know and appreciate the
role RCM had in sowing the seeds of
the Polio movement, Rotary
International's largest programme
till date.
PS: PDG Natarajan was also the
person who proposed my husband Ravi
and me to the membership of RCM!
- Rtn. Shanno Ravi
 12

T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0

PAST
PEARLS
FROM
THE
MEMORIES
Rtn. Indra
Subramanyam
Why Rotary?
Very simple. My Husband, brother,
cousins… were all Rotarians. We are a
family of Rotarians. Besides, from a Round
Table background to Rotary was a natural
transition.
Are you also the first woman in the
family to be a Rotarian?
Yes, I am!
How do you feel being part of a
predominantly male organisation?
This is a very good question, Rani. As a
sportsperson I have interacted with a lot of
men, in the medical field there are more men
than women. In Narada Gana Sabha – I am
the only woman Executive Committee
member. So is the case with Mylapore
Academy – again, I am the only woman
Director. I was quite active in the Consumer
Protection Forum – there again, I was one
among only two women. For me gender is
never a consideration and has not come in
the way of what I like to do. As far as Rotary
is concerned, what I relate to most is the
wavelength. I am happy to see that there is a
lot more gender equality in the next
generation.
You are the queen of diagnostics. Tell us
about the best part of this journey.
Getting the accreditation from USA – 15
years ago; it was lot of intelligent hard work.
We were the first in South India to get
accreditation and were the first and only
full-fledged lab in South India and 4th in
India.
What makes you feel:
• Most excited – I have won the
Sholavaram car race 4 times – but what I was
excited about most, was the pride my father
felt for me.
• Most fulfilled – Though my children lost
their father during their teens, both are well
settled in life and I feel most fulfilled and
proud of them.
o Daughter has made it big in financial and
real estate investments.
o Son heads the Indo Swiss Chamber of
T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 13
By Rtn. Rani Muralidharan
Commerce, Chairman of Roche Diagnostics
for South Asia, and also director of Roche
Pharmaceuticals, India.
• Most angry – (thank you for this
question!) Unpatriotic bureaucrats and
politicians make me most angry! And
intellectually lazy citizens (including me,
ha-ha).
• Most gratifying – When I was bestowed
with Lifetime Achievement Award during
the Golden Jubilee of my Alma Mater – SIET.
Receiving it from Mr. Maroof Raza was
indeed an honour for me.
• Most loved – (this is most special for me)
When I was with my husband. Thoughts of
every little time I was with him bring a smile
to my face…
Share with us the most special moment
that is etched in your memory as the first
Woman President of RCM.
The Start and End of my tenure were the
most beautiful. It was a widely publicised
installation. For the first time “The Hindu”
covered the installation ceremony of a local
club so widely, with a big write-up. My year
ended with bestowing the Lifetime
Achievement Award to AR Rahman,
literally in my last meeting as President.
TRIVIA…
Pillars of support for you at RCM?
Rtns. Ravi Katari and N.K Gopinath were
instrumental in my becoming the President.
But there was one person who supported me
anonymously. Today his son/ daughter is a
member in RCM. Guess who!
How would you like to contribute to
RCM this year?
Being in health care. I feel, naturally it’s my
duty to do my best for RCM, for anything to
do with health and wellness.
Your message, in a sentence to the
women in Rotary.
Enjoy the Sparklers WhatsApp group.
Let’s catch up over movies, lunches and
dinners. It’s all about friendship, 100% that
and nothing else…
Watch this space for more...
CLUB LIFE T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 14

Four-way RCM
SONG OF
test for life THE YEAR -
LYRICS
Rtn. Prasanna Rajagopalan We Are
The Rotary
It’s in uncertain, unprecedented times like these that we have to remember our
age-old wisdom about our priorities in life.
There comes a time
…And the Four-Way Test is all about such priorities and I am so glad to be in When we make a certain call
Rotary and follow the principles of this test. When Rotary
My life motto - Hakuna Matata which means No Worries Be Happy. That is a Will come together as One
choice I make.
The Four-Way Test accentuates my life's motto and applying it every time helps to The world is suffering so bad
channelise my decision-making skills . And it’s time to lend a hand
Happiness is the natural result, when these fundamental questions are applied! To life
Being a part of this Generous, Kind, Empathetic, large hearted, socially The greatest gift of all
committed organisation is definitely going to be a life-changing experience for me.
I believe that it will pave the same way for a responsible future generation. Respect, Collaborate
- By Sharon Krishna Rau
And Motivate day by day
So that RCM
Will soon make a change
YOUNG SUPERHEROES

Celebrating
Oh! We are all a part of
ROTARACT The RCM family
Building healthy livelihoods
CLUB OF
International
For all in need
JEPPIAAR We are the Rotary

Yoga Day
ENGINEERING We are the RCM
We are the ones to make a better day
COLLEGE So let us start giving

I nternational Day of Yoga is celebrated annually Fighting Polio

on 21st June. Yoga is a physical, mental and And throwing Covid out
spiritual practice that was born in ancient India. It’s time we make a better day
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Rotary and Me
UN General Assembly address in 2014, suggested
the date of 21 June to commemorate as International We are the Rotary
Day Of Yoga, as it is the longest day of the year in the We are the RCM
Northern Hemisphere and shares special We are the ones to make a better day
significance in many parts of the world.
So let us start giving
The idea of this designated day was proposed by
the Hon’ble Prime Minister when he stated: Yoga is
an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It Fighting Polio
embodies unity of mind and body; thought and And throwing Covid out
action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between It’s time we make a better day
man and nature and a holistic approach to health Just Rotary And me
and wellbeing.
Working toward keeping such ancient holistic (Come on - sing with me!)
concepts alive, especially in today’s fact-paced
world, the Rotaract club of Jeppiaar Engineering We are the Rotary
College celebrated International Yoga Day on 21st We are the RCM
June 2020 at their college premises. Around 50 We are the ones to make a better day
students participated in the session.
So let us start giving
Mr. Raghuram, an instructor at Bramhakumaris
Chennai, conducted this commemorative yoga
session online for students and the faculty. Fighting Polio
Dr. M. Regeena Jeppiaar (Managing Director) and And throwing Covid out
Dr. V. Natarajan (Principal) inaugurated the Yoga It’s time we make a better day
Day Celebrations 2020. Rotary and Me!
POSITIVE NOTE T H E L I G H T H O U S E • J U LY 0 7 , 2 0 2 0 15

PRESIDENT
Rtn. Kapil Chitale
HONORARY SECRETARY
Rtn. P B Prasad
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Rtn. Dr. Vijaya Bharathi Rangarajan
PRESIDENT ELECT
Rtn. P.V. Mohan Raman
PRESIDENT NOMINEE
Rtn. Jayshree Sridhar
Asst. SECRETARY/BULLETIN EDITOR
Rtn. Shri Shakthi Girish
DIRECTOR - CLUB ADMINISTRATION
Rtn. Shanno Ravi
DIRECTOR - YOUTH SERVICE
Rtn. Balaji Chinni
DIRECTOR - PUBLIC IMAGE
AND FUND RAISING
Rtn. Hemant Chordia
DIRECTOR - SERVICE PROJECT 1
Rtn. N. Prakash
DIRECTOR - SERVICE PROJECT 2
Rtn. Dr. Anuradha Ganesan
DIRECTOR - PANDEMIC & DISASTER
MITIGATION
Seniors at Varshini Illam tending to their garden Rtn. S Balakrishna
TREASURER (CLUB FUNDS)
Rtn. Aditya Agarwal
TREASURER
(CHARITABLE TRUST)
Rtn. Gooch Kumar
TREASURER
(SPECIAL PROJECTS)
Rtn. Nimish C. Tolia

LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE:
Editor: Rtn. Shakthi Girish

Rtn. Indrani Krishnaier

Rtn. Shanno Ravi
Rtn. Sharon Krishna Rao
Rtn. Rinku Mecheri
Rtn. Rani Muralidharan

Send in your articles, news,

write-ups to be considered for
publication here on
lighthouse.rcm@gmail.com
Be in touch with the Lighthouse,
your very own RCM magazine!

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY:

Rtn. Asst. Secretary, Rotary Club of
Madras, 'Rayala Towers',
2nd Mezzanine Floor, 158, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 2, Ph: 28591020.
Contact the editor at:
lighthouse.rcm@gmail.com
Boys Town boys take a break with a rousing round of carrom Design: www.studiodescience.com
Visit: www.rotarymadras.in
Contact club secretariat at:
office@rotarymadras.in