AUGUSTMembership & New Club

Development Month

Rotarydesignated

month

Youth, Energy, Focus:Is this the new face ofIndian politics?

Issue 8 • AUGUST 25, 2020

BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MADRASDIST 3232 • 2020-21

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Greetings dear Rotarians,After a busy couple of weeks, including

the unforgettable full club fellowship that had us all a-tizzy, it’s a calmer time now.

Plus!

Rtns. Archana Sanjay, Sesha Sai and

Hemant Chordia tell us what this year’s theme words Respect - Collaborate - Motivate mean for them.

President Kapil Chitale and Secy. Prasad share with us an update on all that’s been happening in our region.

Rtn. Balaji Chinni continues to give us status reports from his very energetic Youth Services team.

For this week’s issue, I did just that. I went through some gold-standard nuggets that fellow Rotarians shared with me. Browsed through a ton of Rotary information online.

And found some fun facts, thought-provoking trivia and photographs that made me smile. I hope it’ll all make you smile too!

Rtn. Rajesh Mani gives us an insight into our speaker from last week, Mr. Prithvi Reddy from AAP.

Back to our comforting schedules of projects to run and weekly meetings to attend.

Until a few days ago, I was quite nervous about what this week’s Lighthouse would have, that’ll keep all of us interested and reading.

And perhaps, time to rifle through the pages of history to see what more we can learn about Rotary?

And I was happy to rediscover that at RCM, there’s no dearth of fodder for thought and introspection.

Have a great week!(And don’t forget! We are thrilled and

privileged to have our first Nobel laureate address us this week - Mr. Muhammad Yunus. Let’s all give him a rousing welcome and take back some wisdom from his talk…)

- Rtn. Shri Shakthi Girish

TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•EDITORIAL

1st Sept – Rtn. Harish K. Murthi

5th Sept – Rtn. Kishor Dandeker2nd Sept – Rtn. PP P.S. Govindachari

7th Sept – Rtn. Dr. M. Parkavi7th Sept – Rtn. N.K. Bhatia

(Rtn. PP K. Gopal Ratnam)

7th Sept – Rtn. Shanno Ravi2nd Sept – Ann. Sudha

4th Sept – Ann. Indraprabha

(Rtn. S.B. Goenka)

(Rtn. Mahul H. Shah)4th Sept – Ann. Thangam

5th Sept – Ann. Mohana (Rtn. P.C. Shyam Sundar)7th Sept – Ann. Renuka

(Rtn. PP Rajendran Sabanayagam)

(Rtn. Thomas Philip)

3rd Sept – Ann. S.L. Ratnam

Birthdays

Anniversaries

4th Sept – Rtn. PP S. Gunashekar

7th Sept – Rtn. PP A.S. VenkhatRamani Ann. Mallika

2nd Sept – Rtn. Ranjit Bakshi

& Ann. Padmavathy5th Sept – Rtn. V. Raja & Ann. Revathy

& Ann. Preeti

6th Sept – Rtn. PP V.K. Chandrakumar& Ann. Usha

& Ann. Dr. J. Sarada1st Sept – Rtn. J. Venkataramana

Living The Spirit of Rotary

WEEKLY MEETINGMONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020

2.00pm

PROF. MUHAMMAD YUNUSNobel laureate

in the presence ofRtn. Shekhar Mehta

Rotary International -President Elect

TOPICNO GOING BACK

3GLIMPSES TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

Speaker Prithvi ReddyPresident Rtn. Arjun Raja - RCC Metropolis

PP Rtn. P N Mohan Rtn. Rajesh Mani

Rtn. Kapil Chitale, President Rtn. P B Prasad, Secretary

PP Rajesh Somasundaram

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MINUTESOF THE MEETING

MINUTES TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

The President informed members about the passing away of two members of our Rotarians family: Rtn. Nalini's father & Rtn. PP Dr. Arulmozhi Varman’s mother-in-law. He requested members to observe silence in their memory.

After collaring, President Rtn. Kapil Chitale called the 8th meeting of RCM to order.

The minutes of the August 18, 2020 were duly confirmed.

Sgt-at-arms Rtn. Sanjay Rao Changanti played the 4-Way Test video of the week.

President Rtn. Arjun Raja of RCC Metropolis spoke on how the 4-Way Test taught him to communicate & connect with people and be socially responsible.

He also spoke about also how to handle difficult times and above all, be a better human being in the society & inspire others.

Rtn. Rajesh Somasundaram thanked speaker Prithvi for sharing his life's journey and his role in doing good to the society, despite setbacks, to become a politician to make the difference in lives of people.

The meeting was then adjourned.

President requested all members to join in at the District event to be held that day, on the initiatives taken by the District for conflict prevention & peace building, titled “Dare Dream Deserve”.

He said that, from becoming an Annette, Rotaractor, DRR and now as President, the 4-Way Test has made him to do good in all his activities by following the 4 principles of the Test.

President appreciated and acknowledged Rtn. Nimish Toila, who has been felicitated by the City Police for the good social work done by him silently during this pandemic period.

The link was also shared. This is being done by a Rotaractor.

Secretary Rtn. PB Prasad read out the birthdays/ wedding list of Rotarians and spouses for the week and wished them.

President then welcomed the speaker of the day Mr. Prithvi Reddy and invited Rtn. Rajesh Mani to make the introductions.

Rtn. Rajesh Mani introduced speaker Prithvi Reddy.

He fondly remembered his long association with Prithvi and the days in RC Bangalore. Prithvi is a businessman, a social entrepreneur, an activist & a politician with the Aam Aadmi Party.

Speaker Mr. Prithvi Reddy spoke on “A common man in politics" and the transformation he has made in the society in Bangalore. He urged good minds to realise that it is important to do good for people and for the community. Also he recounted his Rotary days and all the people he had associated with for charitable projects.

He then announced that our next meeting on the August 31, 2020, is a landmark day not only for

RCM but also for the Rotary world. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate, will address us all on "No Going Back”.

Rtn. Rajesh Mani acted as an moderator for the interesting Q&A session that followed.

President then thanked Rtn. Rinku Mecheri and Rtn. Alok Bhargava for bringing us these noteworthy guests to make for a landmark weekly meeting.

He also requested members to participate on the 31st August meeting.

RIPE Shekhar Mehta will also be participating.

The President also announced the Charter Anniversary of RCM’s daughter club Rotary Club of Cochin.

5PRES DESK

A note from the President

TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

Rounding off with a note on our fundraising and CSR teams, I send a salute to these team members who are working hard to formulate ways and means to raise funds during this unprecedented, difficult year and ensure that we as a Club will not be laid low by this pandemic in our various community service initiatives.

It has been nearly 2 months since we have started operating in our Club as a new board and it’s heartening for me to see how hard the whole team is working and with the same energy as when we started the year.

Something else we’ve done together, which even now brings a lump to my throat, is the RCM song or RCM “anthem” that Rtn. N. Prakash and others have put together. It details perfectly the scenario of today and it fills our hearts with hope and a shot in the arm, to tackle all the trials of this year with strength and a smile. Conducting e-programmes may seem restrictive in

some ways, but it’s also an avenue that poses a new world of opportunities and the team is tapping into these ways to ensure we get a most interesting year; rich and diverse in content and framework.

Coming to the subject of community service projects, it is understandable that this area is functional but a little low-key, given the global situation with the Covid-pandemic. Between economic upheavals both locally and globally, as well as various other restrictions, the Covid project, for example, is definitely underway, but reframed keeping the changing scenario in mind.

District meetings are well-attended and we are part of almost every meeting or event together.

The Lighthouse seems to be one such thread of connection for the year and I am delighted to see the work that the team has put into the publication. It’s no longer just a newsletter, but well on its way to becoming a proper magazine or coffee table glossy, with every aspect of design and content bright and

different and keeping us engaged in the words and visuals they have put together.

Greetings, dear fellow Rotarians,

It is as if they hit the ground running, if I throw my mind back at the very vibrant Installation Ceremony and Charter Nite that was organized, all hand-in-hand with each of our various committees, as true teamwork is meant to be.

I want us to read and remember the lyrics and sing it together, every time we meet online; and truly FEEL the words of the song.

I must mention the “Superwomen Team” at our Lighthouse bulletin. This year, more than ever, we need something to keep us in touch with each other and the Rotary world around us, because we won’t be able to meet in large groups for quite some time; and we need to feel that connection with each other and the work we do, in some manner or the other.

The Programmes Committee, including our Fellowship and Club Services teams, are working hard and adapting to the new game, using technology and innovation to make our events in the coming year unique and “un-missable”, in a manner of speaking!

Youth Services, though, is as bustling and full of life as the young and enthusiastic people behind us. Rtn. Balaji Chinni is one of the busiest people at our Club these days, attending every Rotaract and Interact installation event (which are still underway) and walking hand-in-hand with the young Rotaractors and Interactors on their various projects. I myself have attended many of these interesting events and continue to attend them and I must say, their positivity is infectious!

There’s a whole lineup of interesting – and landmark – speakers never before seen at RCM, as well a slew of programmes slotted in for the year ahead.

One of the most important areas we’ve focused on, starting with such events, is the strengthening of association between Clubs with threads of connection together. Like: All of us James Wheeler Davidson Clubs. In this regard, I doff my hat to Rtn. Jayshree Sridhar for her tireless work and determination, as well as the work and efforts of the entire International Relations team, in bringing together Clubs with common interests and explore many aspects of fellowship, including joining hands on community projects and so on. With Rtn. Raj Sabanayagam mentoring her and a slew of activities and focus-areas at hand, Jayshree is a very busy Rotarian, indeed.

As I have said earlier: There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.

It applies to Rotary as well. We have to keep innovating. We have to keep adapting. Change is the only constant and flowing with this change will give us all that we need stay on top of the game.

Pres Rtn. Kapil Chitale

6SPOTLIGHT TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020• 6

PRITHVI REDDY -Common Man In Politics

This is not just in India but even in other parts of the world, as you progress on the curve of education and economic well-being, the less you were affected by the Government policies and decisions, or even if you were affected, you were indifferent and hence never took part in active politics.

ommon Man - defined as ordinary people in a Ccommunity or nation, they form the majority of the population and are representative of the maximum people in a society and thus the virtues, needs and deficiencies of a common man would be a reflexion of that of most of the people in a society.

He, like most young people was completely disconnected from politics. The middle class he realized, lived in a cocoon, and they were largely self-sufficient and not dependent on Government for most issues, much like most of us.

Corruption was at its peak in Karnataka in 2010

Let me tell you a story of one such Common Man – Prithvi Reddy. Prithvi’s journey into politics started from there and

as a common man he wondered whether he could change this in some way. He went on to co-found Smart Vote, a citizen initiative in Bangalore to make elections more meaningful and increase voter turnout by bringing candidates closer to the voters and getting more people specifically the youth, to register to vote. While he himself accepts it was only partly successful, it gave him hope that some change could be brought about by the common man.

Then came the next initiative - Corruption Saku!

If you look at the voter turnout in most parts of our country it used to hover around 50% and a majority of that was an influenced vote, wherein people were voting based on money and muscle power, religion, caste or other identities. This meant a very small section of the "popular vote" was actually voted based on "issues".

By Rtn. Rajesh Mani

7SPOTLIGHT TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

He says, “In the last 70 years, the quality of education and educational infrastructure had hugely declined. Government schools were reduced to nothing and private schools were operating like profit-making shops. It was a norm that "if you have enough money, your children will receive good education and study in an air-conditioned classroom, but if you do not have money, your children will not get quality education.” The Government in Delhi initiated and executed changes in government schools – right from infrastructure to teachers’ training to paying more attention to interaction with parents.

and he, like many others, was angered by the abject disregard to the law.

Although, when the idea of a political party was first floated, Prithvi was reluctant and wanted to maintain a political neutrality and continue the fight against corruption through civil society.

If good people do not stand up and start contributing in active politics, change will be difficult to come.

Prithvi is, today, a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and is a part of the National Executive of the party. He has been involved in the policy-making for AAP and headed the team responsible for the "economic policy" of the party.

The clinics offer free basic medical care services for common illnesses like fever, diarrhoea, skin problems, respiratory problems, first aid for injuries and burns, dressing of minor wounds and referral services. While dispensing free medicines and check-ups, it also allows 212 tests by the empanelled laboratories.

Prithvi was one of the founders of Corruption Saaku!, a citizen movement against corruption in Karnataka which then evolved to become the India Against Corruption, Karnataka Chapter. The Karnataka chapter was amongst the main support bases for the India Against Corruption movement in the country, attracting more than 6 lakh visitors to Freedom Park during the August 2011 campaign. This led to the introduction of the Jan Lokpal bill which primarily sought to mobilise the masses in support of their demands against corruption. The Bill is one of the most widely discussed and debated Bills in India, both by the media and the people of India at large, in recent times.

In all this while, Prithvi continued to work on his passion for education and was fully involved in running a rural school established by his family. A school that endeavours to try and ensure similar opportunities in quality education and sports, for rural children as their urban counterparts. The school is now considered a model rural school in Karnataka. He also co-founded Swabal, an industry initiative to promote skill development amongst youth, especially amongst school drop outs in a “Earn while you learn model”.

The success he had seen through IAC movement, the tabling of the Jan Lokpal bill and the potential as a common man to influence lives of millions, got him to consider getting into active politics.

He believes that he as a common man, has been

able to influence and impact society. He is particularly proud of the work in the field of education in Delhi.

It was an interaction with a bright, young environmentalist who asked Prithvi how many children’s lives he would be able to influence through his rural school or skill building initiatives, and if he did this through politics could he not influence the lives of millions. This was the first time that anyone had described politics in such a powerful way.

Even though the bill was not passed at that time, the success of mobilising the masses around an issue which was close to his heart (as well as the introduction of the bill) further strengthened his belief that he could influence change at a large scale, as a common man.

They have tried and ensured that government schools are at least as good, if not better, than the private schools. About 25% of Delhi's annual budget has been invested in education. With these funds, the schools today have world-class infrastructure with SMART classes, swimming pools, classroom libraries, modern desks and better laboratories.

The teachers and school leaders were given opportunities to learn from some of the most prestigious universities across the world, including University of Cambridge, University of Harvard and NIE Singapore, among others.

Prithvi is also very proud of their contribution to healthcare in Delhi and particularly on the mohalla clinics in Delhi. The effort was to offer cheap and quality health facilities to the people, they have put in place a network of mohalla clinics under the neighbourhood health facility scheme.

Mohalla clinics earned praise globally. World leaders such as former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and former WHO director general Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland hailed the project.

The story of Prithvi Reddy, a common man, left me with a thought: We often blame the problems of our country on the so called “bad” people, contrary to that belief the problem is actually the “good” people.

Belief can make a difference! A Common Man can make a difference!

8TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•CLUB LIFE

We can all earn fame, wealth, power… but respect is never earned. It's one’s values which people perceive that earns one respect. And when that happens, one motivates people to listen, follow and give them the belief in themselves.

RESPECT and MOTIVATION are two sides of the same coin. We can get motivated only by the people whom we respect. And that respect can be from simple deeds, words or actions. The way we treat everyone we meet, irrespective of age or position, shows character and maturity.

For me respecting someone is the biggest honour you can give to the person.

In our Rotary too, the respect that each one of us has for each other is the reason for us to work together in doing so many projects. Of these, some sh ine ou t and a re an inspiration to others!

RESPECT & MOTIVATEAs you sow, sow you reap. We send

out the energies which are within us, to the others we meet.

But what do the words mean to us? How do they resonate with our inner thoughts and what do we identify with the most?

This year’s theme is RESPECT . COLLABORATE . MOTIVATE.

A philosophy that will be carried within every action of every Rotarian this year.

It’s so interesting to hear our fellow RCMers open up about how they carry their strong principles with them every day, within and outside of Rotary…

Rtn. M Sesha Sai Rtn. Hemant ChordiaRtn. Archana Sanjay

For “living” one can take, but for “life” we need to give. By the grace of Almighty, I wish to keep giving.

I realized one day, that if I just had somebody behind me throughout, to motivate me, I could make a big difference! Sadly, no one like that came along… so I just became that person for myself!

MOTIVATE

Some days you wake up motivated and ready to go. And some days things feel heavy as you rise and it is hard to find that inner drive. From being a successful entrepreneur, to a senior professor and at present pursuing organic farming, I realized that true bliss in life is to create a purpose and then make it sustainable with the help of the youth.

Being with the youngsters became my career once I had realized it’s self-motivating and meaningful. It awakens the sense of meaning in Life. I love investing in the next generation of leaders. Yes, it’s an investment, as it brings out the best in me. The youngsters are our future. We must share our experiences and help them learn from our mistakes. I used my position as a diplomat to penetrate the minds of youngsters. This position helped me to get the attention of these youngsters. Amongst so many fields of learning, I chose the field of agriculture and teach young people in my charge how get maximum productivity with limited resources. Farming is growing. Growing is life.

The five principles of collaboration are Trust, Respect, Willingness, Empowerment and Ef fec t ive Communication. It is therefore evident that unless each of those pillars are strong, the end result will g e t b o g g e d d o w n . T h e characteristics of the theme words Respect and Motivate, which is akin to the willingness to serve are crucial to achieve personal and professional success. It is therefore important to find purpose and how to connect the dots. Having a healthy willingness and motivation will help break down the walls that prevent social collaboration and a l s o p r o m o t e m e a n i n g f u l relationships.

May all Rotarians collaborate, co-operate and succeed in this year and always!

Collaborate is the last word in the theme of our RCM's year of 2020-21. It is also the word which completely represents the spirit of Rotary. All success is the result of effective collaboration.

COLLABORATE

9YOUNG STARS TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

A well-attended event, indeed, graced by President Kapil Chitale and a host of other Rotarians, as well as management and teachers of the college.

Themed on the famed TV show Game of Thrones and its famous caption Winter Is Coming, the entire event was conducted around this theme. Rtr. Dharika was collared by her parents and the gavel was given by her brother. The new board members for the year were introduced. The logo – showing an ant to signify hard work, sustainability and the generosity to help less fortunate others – was also unveiled. Keeping in tune with this, various other announcements were thus made:

Titled “The Throne – The Next Season”, the event saw a full house of participants, including visiting Rotaractors.

- A blog maintained by a college Rotaractor

he 5th Installation ceremony of Tincoming President of Rotaract Club of SDNB Vaishnav College, Rtr. Dharika Reddy was a surprise-event for the young President.

- The Panchabootha project promo was launched

After this, a blood donation project for doctors during this pandemic was announced, supported by Rtn. Sesha Sai.

- A women-themed project promo was launched

- A kadhi cloth banner for this rotary year conveying a no-plastic message and encouraging usage of Indian handloom fabrics

SURPRISE!

RAC of NIEFGC (RID 3181)

Rotaract Club of Ponda Rotaract Club of Aurangabad West

Rotaract Club of Covai User Group

Teodora Valkanska

Bhutan Joint Secretary for RY 20-21

Rotaract Universidad INTEC

Interact College of IsipathanaRotaract Club de registro

RAC Lumbini Siddarthanagar, Nepal

Rotaract Club of San JustoRotaract Club of Aundh CounselRotaract Club de Araguaína

Rotaract Club of Mulund Hills

Rotaract Club of Mysore East

Spain DRR RID-2201

Rotaract Club of Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Pune

Rotaract Club of Dhaka Commerce College

Rac Belize CityRac of Registro

DRR 2020-2021, Bulgaria

Rotaract Club of University of Nigeria Nsukka

RAC of Sofia-Tangra

Rotaract Club of Barra Do Garcas

Interact Club of BojoghariRotaract Club of Celaya Nat-tha-hiUK's Drr RAC of Lahore 3272

Rotaract Golfe Saint-TropezInteract Club of BaneshworRotaract Club of Churchgate (RID 3141)

Rotaract Club of Bukit Combak

Rotaract Club of Andheri (RID 3141)

(RID 3310)

Rotaract Club of Patna Youth (RID 3250)

Wishes were send from Clubs around the world, like:

1010YOUNG STARS TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

6th Installation Ceremony ofRotaract Club ofJeppiaar Engineering College

A beginning is always a very delicate time for one to endeavor persona

“To break the New Ground, A Journey Towards Legacy

With 21 Happy Faces to lead the club

The 3 Guests of Honour were Rtn. Dr. Parkavi, Rotaract Chairman from RCM, Rtn. Shivkumar Eashwaran, Additional Rotaract Chairman from RCM and Rtn. Balaji Chinni, Youth Service Director from RCM.

Rtr. PP. Anbarasu, DRR 20-21 and Rtr. PP. Kamuvel, DRRE 20-21 were special invitees.

Turning our setbacks into opportunitiesForging ahead into our happily ever

after trip

The 6th installation ceremony – titled The Cubs – of the Rotaract club of Jeppiaar Engineering College, saw nearly 113 participants including Rotarians from RCM, District Officials, Lead Presidents, Lead Secretaries, Green Rotaractors and other Club members, friends and families.

This journey will be everlasting with togetherness”

On the way to build tomorrow's Legacy

1111ROTARY CONNECT TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

THE COVID PANDEMIC &ROTARY’S GLOBAL RESPONSE

As people of action, Rotary members are engaged in their communities — gathering for projects and offering help to those in need. But in many areas, life is changing drastically. Health experts are urging people to maintain distance from others or even isolate themselves in order to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus.

Fighting disease is one of Rotary’s main causes, so members already support efforts to promote proper hand washing techniques, teach people other ways to stay healthy, and supply training and vital medical equipment to health care providers. Now they’re helping health authorities

communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain because of the pandemic.

These are just some of the ways that members are supporting their communities right now:

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads uncertainty and hardship around the world, Rotary members and participants are innovating, caring for those affected, and showing that even at a distance, there are ways to help.

• The Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, Sind, Pakistan, distributed thousands of masks to people in Karachi.

• Rotary clubs in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state conducted a campaign to raise awareness about the threat of the virus. Members shared information about the illness and how to keep safe at two schools and distributed materials about using good hygiene to stay healthy.

• In Hong Kong, Rotary clubs have raised funds, packed medical supplies, and visited public housing to distribute masks and sanitizers.

Although clubs and districts are canceling or postponing their in-person meetings and events, they are still finding ways to keep up their fellowship, reimagine their service efforts and respond to the pandemic:

• The Rotary club of Metro Bethesda, Maryland, USA, is contacting neighbors who live alone and are quarantined. Volunteers are asked to contact at least five of those people each week to ask how they are and if they need anything. Members are also leaving flowers on their doorsteps.

• In Italy, one of the countries that has been affected most, clubs in District 2080 are raising funds to purchase ventilators and protective gear for overstretched hospitals. And when the worst of the outbreak was raging in China, the district’s clubs raised more than $21,000 for protective masks to prevent spread of the disease there.

• The Rotary E-Club of Fenice del Tronto invited the public to its 11 March online meeting to raise awareness about the coronavirus. A virologist spoke about the virus, how it spreads, and how to keep safe.

• Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka installed thermometers in airport bathrooms and produced posters to raise awareness about

the coronavirus for schools across the country.

Using technology to address the crisis

• The Rotary Club of Singapore hosted a webinar in which an epidemiologist and an infectious disease expert addressed questions and concerns about the coronavirus and the pandemic.

• The Rotary Club of East Jefferson County, Washington, USA, used crowdsourcing to create an online listing of area grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants that offer home delivery.

one only needs to sift through the pages (virtually, of course) of the Rotary official global website

www.rotary.org, to get acquainted with Rotary happenings not just in our region, but around the world. Here’s something interesting I read:

• Clubs in District 2041, also in Italy, raised funds online to buy protective gear for health workers who will care for COVID-19 patients at a 400-bed hospital being built at Milan’s fairgrounds.

• Clubs in District 3700 (Korea) have donated $155,000 to the Red Cross.

• Rotary members in Hereford, England, created a Facebook group for Rotary members and others to use to link people who need support with people or organizations that can help. More than 6,900 people have joined the group since it was started 14 March.

• The Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley, California, USA, held an online meeting for members of other clubs to share advice on using digital tools to remain connected. The club recorded the meeting so members could watch it later and share it with others.

• Rotary clubs in Zone 34 (Georgia and Florida, USA, and the Caribbean) created a guide to help members stay connected online. The Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean 7020 is helping clubs in the zone arrange online meetings.

• Two days before its annual fundraiser, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, moved the event to Facebook. It auctioned more than 100 items and raised more than $100,000, about the same amount as in previous years. Food set to feed 350 people at the event was delivered to those in need.

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LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE:Editor: Rtn. Shakthi Girish

Rtn. Indrani KrishnaierRtn. Shanno RaviRtn. Sharon Krishna RaoRtn. Rinku MecheriRtn. Rani Muralidharan

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

Contact the editor at: lighthouse.rcm@gmail.com

Contact club secretariat at: office@rotarymadras.in

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY:Rtn. Asst. Secretary, Rotary Club of Madras, 'Rayala Towers',2nd Mezzanine Floor, 158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 2, Ph: 28591020.

Design: www.studiodescience.comVisit: www.rotarymadras.in

DIRECTOR - PANDEMIC & DISASTERMITIGATIONRtn. S Balakrishna

DIRECTOR - YOUTH SERVICERtn. Balaji Chinni

DIRECTOR - CLUB ADMINISTRATIONRtn. Shanno Ravi

DIRECTOR - PUBLIC IMAGEAND FUND RAISINGRtn. Hemant Chordia

DIRECTOR - SERVICE PROJECT 1Rtn. N. Prakash

DIRECTOR - SERVICE PROJECT 2Rtn. Dr. Anuradha Ganesan

TREASURER(CHARITABLE TRUST)Rtn. Gooch Kumar

TREASURER(SPECIAL PROJECTS)Rtn. Nimish C. Tolia

TREASURER (CLUB FUNDS)Rtn. Aditya Agarwal

PRESIDENT NOMINEERtn. Jayshree Sridhar

Asst. SECRETARY/BULLETIN EDITORRtn. Shri Shakthi Girish

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTRtn. Dr. Vijaya Bharathi Rangarajan

PRESIDENTRtn. Kapil Chitale

HONORARY SECRETARYRtn. P B Prasad

PRESIDENT ELECTRtn. P.V. Mohan Raman

POSITIVE NOTE

#THROWBACK TIME!

TH E L I GH TH O US E A UGUST 25 , 2020•

So interesting to see how the history of Rotary not only goes way back, but also carries with it a fine name and respect with the top leaders from nations around the world!

Here are a few photos that made me smile when I saw them...

Recently, Rtn. N.K. Gopinath shared some photos with me, from the book The Story of ROTARY IN INDIA by Rtn. N.T. Joseph of the Rotary Club of Cochin.