Latest news with #RotaryInternational
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Francesco Arezzo Takes Office as President of Rotary International
Francesco Arezzo, member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has officially begun his term as President of Rotary International for 2025–26. Subsequently, from India, K.P. Nagesh, Rotary Club of Bangalore Highgrounds, Karnataka, and M. Muruganandam, Rotary Club of Bhel City Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, have been appointed as RI Directors for a two-year term (2025-27). Business Wire India Francesco Arezzo, member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has officially begun his term as President of Rotary International for 2025–26. Subsequently, from India, K.P. Nagesh, Rotary Club of Bangalore Highgrounds, Karnataka, and M. Muruganandam, Rotary Club of Bhel City Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, have been appointed as RI Directors for a two-year term (2025-27). Arezzo, a Rotary member for more than 30 years, will be the third Italian and the first from southern Italy to lead the global membership organization. During his term, Arezzo will focus on advancing Rotary's mission of unity and inclusion under the banner of 'Unite for Good', recognizing its profound relevance in today's world. 'Rotary's greatest strength lies in its ability to unite people of all cultures and generations through a shared commitment to doing good,' said Arezzo. 'As we look ahead, I am committed to building on this legacy – working together to advance peace, understanding, and opportunity around the world.' As head of Rotary's global network of 46,000 clubs, Arezzo will also oversee Rotary's top goal of eradicating polio. Alongside its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Rotary has achieved a 99.9% reduction in polio cases, and contributed more than US$2.6 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children from this paralyzing disease. Flt. Lt. K.P. Nagesh is a decorated Indian Air Force veteran, successful entrepreneur, and social changemaker. He joined Rotary as a member of his club in 1995. A trailblazing Rotarian and past District Governor, he is known for record-breaking membership growth and impactful service projects. In 2015–16, while serving as a district Governor, he led transformative initiatives that resulted in the addition of over 2,000 new members and the chartering of 52 new clubs, with a notable rise in women's participation. 'India is one of the strongest pillars of Rotary's global vision. From $6 million in fundraising a decade ago to $33 million in 2024 and growing, India is the second-largest global contributor. Our membership in India has more than doubled over the last decade, and we are on track to lead the world in numbers. Rotary's first Peace Center coming up at Symbiosis Pune is a powerful milestone—proof that India doesn't just contribute to global peace, we now host and shape it. Our focus for India is clear: scale our service projects, build trust with CSR partners, and transform underserved communities through health, education, water, environment, livelihoods, and peace. This is India's Rotary moment—and we are ready to lead with purpose, transparency, and trust,' said, K.P Nagesh, Rotary International Director (India), 2025–27 M Murganandam's Rotary journey began at just 16, when he joined Rotaract and participated in polio immunization drives in remote communities. A first-generation entrepreneur, educator, and social leader from Tamil Nadu, he has championed youth empowerment, skill development, and inclusive service across India. He went on to become one of the youngest district governors in 2016-17, leading record-setting initiatives recognized by Guinness World Records. His leadership has been marked by a strong focus on youth empowerment, literacy, health care, and women's safety. 'From leading one of the world's greatest public health victories—bringing polio to the brink of eradication—to now confronting climate challenges, education gaps, and rising inequity, our commitment remains the same: to serve, to uplift, and to unite. Unite for Good is not just a theme—it's a timely reminder that humanity is strongest when we act together. My vision is to make Rotary irresistible to the next generation by saying YES to youth leadership, YES to women at the forefront, and YES to safe, inclusive spaces for service. With India's unmatched energy and our 1:2:3 strategy for membership growth, we're poised to become Rotary's global heartbeat—bolder, kinder, and built to last,' said M. Muruganandam. Rotary members—including those in nearly 4600 clubs in India, as well as throughout the world–develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies, and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary's charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service—to support these initiatives over the last 100 years. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. Business Upturn take no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns: a legacy of service and community impact
The newly-inducted Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns. Image: Supplied IN THE vibrant community of Chatsworth, the newly-inducted Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns stands as a testament to the legacy of service. Founded in March 1988 by the late Siva Naidoo, the Rotary Club, which was registered by Rotary International, sought to meet the needs of the local community, a vision that has continuously evolved over the years. The Rotary Anns of Chatsworth was designed to involve the spouses of Rotarians in community service activities. Prelene Naidoo, the wife of Siva Naidoo, served as the first president, leading the group through its formative years. Each president serves a term of one year, with the new term having commenced on July 1. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The president of the newly-elected Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns is Sushiela Govender, while Shano Pillay serves as the Charter President. Navi Parumaul, a Rotary Ann for 25 years and the Public Image Director, said the Rotaract Club comprised 25 members, who were business entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, home executives and chartered accountants, among other professionals. She said the process of becoming a Rotary Ann had since changed now that they had become Rotaracts. "If your husband was a Rotarian then you automatically became a Rotary Ann. However as a Rotaract, you now don't have to have a spouse in the rotary. The Rotaract Club will identify a person who is worthy of community service and approach them to join. If someone is interested to join the Rotaract club, they can now contact the club and they will be vetted and then given membership," said Parumaul. "The work of the Rotary Anns was not previously recognised by Rotary International. However, the Rotary Club's president, Logan Pillay, and District Governor, Raj Ramchunder, assisted with the Rotary Anns registration to be recognised as a Rotaract Club with Rotary International. We celebrated our induction as a Rotaract." Explaining what this status meant, she said: "If the Rotaracts want to build a home for abused women and can raise R200 000 by doing local fundraising, we can now apply to Rotary International to see if we qualify for a further R200 000. "Rotary International will match the amount raised with a grant that is equivalent to the amount raised by the Rotaracts. This opens many doors to help people in need and create support to impoverished communities." The Rotary Anns are involved in various initiatives, she said, and are all aimed at uplifting and bettering the lives of individuals and communities. "We started a sanitary drive project two years ago. We saw the need to provide these essential items to young females, who were absent from school because they did not have access to the care products. Now, about 200 females from 10 schools in Chatsworth receive sanitary pads from us monthly. We make this possible through sponsorship and fundraising and hope to expand this project to reach more female learners. "On an annual basis we treat old age homes. We have been serving savouries and tea to ABH for the past 10 years. About 350 seniors benefit from this. We provide entertainment and a morning of fun. We also take the residents to a movie every year for the past 16 years. They enjoy their movie with popcorn and cooldrink. Thereafter, the Rotary Anns treat the seniors to a meal at one of the outlets at Suncoast." They have also done meals and Christmas cheers as well as refurbishments at the Thokozo Home for three years. "We have held pamper days for the Velankanni Church and the Woodhurst Senior Citizens Club in collaboration with Damorosa School. In addition to this, we have prepared meals for the patients of the Chatsworth Hospice Day Clinic for over 20 years. "The Rotary Anns prepare sandwiches and serve the patients with tea and coffee, muffins, yoghurt and fruit. On special occasions, the patients receive a gift. The Rotary Anns fundraise for the hospice by hosting a bingo night or a high tea. A substantial amount has been given to hospice over the years." Parumaul said they would refurbish a home for abused women and children in Chatsworth, and would host a gender-based violence workshop in November to support women and children who suffered the scourge of abuse. "We will also have a school uniform project, where needy pupils will be identified and kitted with complete sets of uniforms; a bursary project, where we will offer a bursary to a worthy student who requires financial assistance; and we will host anti-bullying workshops at schools." Sushiela Govender said like all the Rotary Anns, they were passionate about reaching out and changing lives. "Our passion to serve is always ignited when we see the joy on the faces of children and adults, and when hope and faith is restored in their lives." To find out more about the Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns, call Navi Parumaul on 082 466 1117 or email parumaulnavi@ or the membership director, Terona Govender, on 072 056 9021, or email POSTPLUS
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- The Guardian
A moment that changed me: An accident left me terrified of risk. Then I joined a stranger on a motorbike adventure
As I watched the sleek, white motorbike roll out of the hire shop in Thakhek, Laos, I wondered if I was making a dreadful mistake. It was March 2017 and I had agreed to go on a road trip with a stranger – an American named Travis, whom I had met a few weeks earlier. We were classmates on a Rotary International Peace Fellowship, which brought together people from sectors such as academia, farming and activism to learn about conflict resolution, in Thailand. I tended to have my guard up around people I didn't know but Travis's constant gentle efforts to get to know me had worked, and we bonded over a shared sense of humour. When he suggested we explore Laos together, it felt like a natural progression of our budding friendship. Travis wanted to visit a climbing hotspot, I wanted to see the Laos that wasn't on the typical tourist trail – and it seemed like the only way we could do both was to travel by motorbike, a mode of transport I actively avoided for many years. As a kid in London, I'd thought I would become a biker once I was old enough. My dad would zip to work on his bike every day and it seemed like a perfectly natural way to travel. But on New Year's Day 2004, I ended up in a Cambodian medical clinic while backpacking in the coastal province of Sihanoukville. A friend and I had been travelling by motorbike – me on the back – when it stalled and crashed to the ground. As we went down, my leg bounced three times on the hot exhaust pipe. At first, I was in shock. As I realised that the crisp smell of burning was emanating from my calf, I gasped; I went to scream but the pain was so intense that I couldn't make a sound. I tried to get help from a pharmacy but the language barrier meant I was given pigment cream for the shining, pink flesh glaring through my brown skin. Eventually, my burns were cleaned and dressed, but the wound was deeper than I had realised and I was required to return to a clinic daily for the next fortnight. I didn't Skype my parents for several days while I tried to assess the extent of my injuries. I vowed to wear more suitable, protective clothing when riding a motorbike in future but, once I was back in London, with so many other means of transport available, I found I was keen to avoid motorbikes altogether. The scars on my leg became a permanent reminder of the incident and I grew cautious about doing anything that involved an element of physical risk. By 2017, it had been more than a decade since I had ridden on a motorbike. Travis assured me that he had a licence and would drive safely. I looked down at the scars on my leg, took a deep breath and put on my helmet. I needn't have worried. The journey was smooth as we travelled to stunning temples, expansive lakes, hidden caves and little cafes. I even attempted rock climbing. We rode in the dark, travelling through winding mountain roads to reach scenic nooks that we would never have otherwise encountered. It was a trip that imbued me with the confidence to connect more readily with strangers and to adventure more. After I returned from Laos, I started going on more solo trips, relying on a mix of gut instinct, due diligence and being open-minded to realise my travel dreams while also staying safe. Travis introduced me to his school friend, Jackie, who showed me around Boulder during my trip to Colorado. The ripple effect of connecting with strangers continued when I took a solo trip to Puerto Rico and Jackie introduced me to Eli, a mountaineer from the Colorado climbing scene who was living in Ciales. At my San Juan guesthouse, I met Jess, Kathryn and Matt, and about an hour later, we were all heading to Eli's family's forest farm, The Flying Coconut. There, we shared life stories over incredibly juicy homegrown fruit – an experience I would never have had if I'd not been willing to ask people to split costs and come on something of a magical mystery tour. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Last winter, I visited Oulu in Finland. Since the buses into town weren't so regular, I got on a bicycle and learned to cycle for the first time in heavy, falling snow. The feeling was euphoric. My friend Erika even organised a road trip with a photographer named Teija early one dark morning so that I could fulfil a long-term desire to hang out with 100 howling huskies at Syötteen Eräpalvelut. From Travis to Teija, and with all of the many others in-between, I've realised that what these trips have in common is a willingness to step out of my comfort zone and forge valuable connections with people I don't know. By opening up a little bit more each time, it has led to endless adventures – and turned many of my dreams into reality. Bear Markets and Beyond: A Bestiary of Business Terms by Dhruti Shah and Dominic Bailey (Portico) is available now
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- The Guardian
A moment that changed me: An accident left me terrified of risk. Then I joined a stranger on a motorbike adventure
As I watched the sleek, white motorbike roll out of the hire shop in Thakhek, Laos, I wondered if I was making a dreadful mistake. It was March 2017 and I had agreed to go on a road trip with a stranger – an American named Travis, whom I had met a few weeks earlier. We were classmates on a Rotary International Peace Fellowship, which brought together people from sectors such as academia, farming and activism to learn about conflict resolution, in Thailand. I tended to have my guard up around people I didn't know but Travis's constant gentle efforts to get to know me had worked, and we bonded over a shared sense of humour. When he suggested we explore Laos together, it felt like a natural progression of our budding friendship. Travis wanted to visit a climbing hotspot, I wanted to see the Laos that wasn't on the typical tourist trail – and it seemed like the only way we could do both was to travel by motorbike, a mode of transport I actively avoided for many years. As a kid in London, I'd thought I would become a biker once I was old enough. My dad would zip to work on his bike every day and it seemed like a perfectly natural way to travel. But on New Year's Day 2004, I ended up in a Cambodian medical clinic while backpacking in the coastal province of Sihanoukville. A friend and I had been travelling by motorbike – me on the back – when it stalled and crashed to the ground. As we went down, my leg bounced three times on the hot exhaust pipe. At first, I was in shock. As I realised that the crisp smell of burning was emanating from my calf, I gasped; I went to scream but the pain was so intense that I couldn't make a sound. I tried to get help from a pharmacy but the language barrier meant I was given pigment cream for the shining, pink flesh glaring through my brown skin. Eventually, my burns were cleaned and dressed, but the wound was deeper than I had realised and I was required to return to a clinic daily for the next fortnight. I didn't Skype my parents for several days while I tried to assess the extent of my injuries. I vowed to wear more suitable, protective clothing when riding a motorbike in future but, once I was back in London, with so many other means of transport available, I found I was keen to avoid motorbikes altogether. The scars on my leg became a permanent reminder of the incident and I grew cautious about doing anything that involved an element of physical risk. By 2017, it had been more than a decade since I had ridden on a motorbike. Travis assured me that he had a licence and would drive safely. I looked down at the scars on my leg, took a deep breath and put on my helmet. I needn't have worried. The journey was smooth as we travelled to stunning temples, expansive lakes, hidden caves and little cafes. I even attempted rock climbing. We rode in the dark, travelling through winding mountain roads to reach scenic nooks that we would never have otherwise encountered. It was a trip that imbued me with the confidence to connect more readily with strangers and to adventure more. After I returned from Laos, I started going on more solo trips, relying on a mix of gut instinct, due diligence and being open-minded to realise my travel dreams while also staying safe. Travis introduced me to his school friend, Jackie, who showed me around Boulder during my trip to Colorado. The ripple effect of connecting with strangers continued when I took a solo trip to Puerto Rico and Jackie introduced me to Eli, a mountaineer from the Colorado climbing scene who was living in Ciales. At my San Juan guesthouse, I met Jess, Kathryn and Matt, and about an hour later, we were all heading to Eli's family's forest farm, The Flying Coconut. There, we shared life stories over incredibly juicy homegrown fruit – an experience I would never have had if I'd not been willing to ask people to split costs and come on something of a magical mystery tour. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Last winter, I visited Oulu in Finland. Since the buses into town weren't so regular, I got on a bicycle and learned to cycle for the first time in heavy, falling snow. The feeling was euphoric. My friend Erika even organised a road trip with a photographer named Teija early one dark morning so that I could fulfil a long-term desire to hang out with 100 howling huskies at Syötteen Eräpalvelut. From Travis to Teija, and with all of the many others in-between, I've realised that what these trips have in common is a willingness to step out of my comfort zone and forge valuable connections with people I don't know. By opening up a little bit more each time, it has led to endless adventures – and turned many of my dreams into reality. Bear Markets and Beyond: A Bestiary of Business Terms by Dhruti Shah and Dominic Bailey (Portico) is available now
Time of India
01-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rotary Club of Nagpur to install new team for 2025-26
Nagpur: The Rotary Club of Nagpur is set to install its new governing team for the year 2025-26 on Thursday. Rotary district governor Dyaneshwar Shewale will be the guest of honour for the installation ceremony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Architect Parag Date will take over as president, with Harrshit Jaiin stepping in as honorary secretary. Supporting them will be a team including president elect Gogi Bhasin, vice president Mahendra Kamath, treasurer CA Rajeev Chand, joint secretary Abhisheik Goyal, and sergeant at arms Meeta Shaw. The board of directors will include Suruchi Agarwal, Prathamesh Deshpande, Rahul Chaudhary, Harneet Singh Suri, Amit Parekh, Nivedita Singh, and immediate past president Neerja Shukul. Marking its 81st year, the Rotary Club of Nagpur is a 240-plus member organisation known for its social initiatives. Its signature projects include surgical camps at Bhamragarh and Melghat, the annual Walkathon, watershed management, youth career guidance, and international exchange programmes. The club has also championed mental health awareness, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The new leadership aims to build on this legacy by focusing on literacy and health, with a special emphasis on empowering youth. This direction aligns with the Rotary International theme for the year: 'Unite for Good'.
