Thinking good is doing good. Knowing good about Rotary, I became a Rotarian, though, it was by invitation.
During my last stay in Dalhousie, people talked about the one-time ‘Rotary club of Dalhousie’. From my fond memories, I came out with what I could gather:
- That ‘It existed from seventies, at least, since when I was honored with the
‘Best Rotarian award 1977-78’. - That I remained the President Elect -1979-80, to succeed the President RTN. G. D Chadda, for the year 1980-81. RTN. Ghandharv Sain (former U N Observer) took over from me. During my tenure, RTN O P Vaish was the Governor, Rotary District 309.
Each club elects its own president and officers among its active members for a one-year term. The club secretary, club treasurer, and several Club Board directors, including the immediate past president and the President Elect.
- That Dalhousie- like each club conducted various service projects within its local community, & also held social events at least quarterly.
As ill luck would have it, GPO Bazaar caught fire, it was imperative that my club came to the rescue of the needy who lost their livelihood. Also donating an ‘artificial leg’ a handicapped; and ever helpful attitude remained a source of solace.
Encouraging meritorious students and teachers; adopting Barera village in the vicinity were other humble achievements. Donation of a television set, sports material and books brought cheers to the villagers
- That, Rotarians may attend any Rotary club around the world at one of their weekly meetings – like I did in Denmark (Haslev), way back in in 1983. The goal of the clubs is to promote service to the community they work in, as well as to the wider world.
- That, in recognition of m y distinguished efforts in furtherance of Rotary ideals, Rotary club of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh conferred honorary membership on me, for the year 2000-2001.
- Rotary International is a humanitarian service organization which brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world.
- Rotary concentrates on seven areas: promoting peace, improving health through disease prevention and treatment, improving the health of mothers and children, water and sanitation, education, economic development, and supporting the environment.
- Rotary clubs worldwide place a focus on increasing literacy.
- It is a non-political and non-religious organization. According to its constitutions (“Charters”), Rotary defines itself as a non-partisan, non-sectarian organization. Membership is open to “adult persons who demonstrate good character, integrity, and leadership; possess good reputation within their business, profession, occupation, and/or community.”
- With Headquarters at Evanston, Illinois, United State, the organization is globally spread Over 200 countries and territories; official language is English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- Rotary International has worked with the UN since the UN started in 1945. The two organizations shared ideals around promoting peace. Rotary received consultative status at the UN in 1946–47.
A district governor, who is an officer of Rotary International and represents the RI board of directors in the field, leads his/her respective Rotary district. Approximately 15 Rotary districts form a zone. A zone director, who serves as a member of the RI board of directors, heads two zones. The zone director is nominated by the clubs in the zone and elected by the convention for the terms of two consecutive years.
Rotary International Headquarters has a general secretary, who also acts as chief executive officer and leads the Rotary Foundation.
With RTN G. C khanna as the Honorary Secretary, through and through; the Presidents, RTN D. C Khanna & RTN Kirti Khanna took the club to the peaks. RTN Ashok Chadda played a very important role, being President M .C Dalhousie for many tenures. RTN D. R Berry the only honorary member carried on for many consecutive years.
Once up on a time, during the Third German empire, Rotary Clubs were grouped with Freemasonry as secret societies .Today, when I browse the internet; to my dismay, I cannot locate ‘Rotary club, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh’; rather, I come across ‘Rotary Club Dalhousie, NB, CanadaE8C 2R8 ’. The events and the records may have frozen somewhere in to the dormant archives.
I wonder if the Rotary – Dalhousie could rise back to its past grandeur and glory.
Prof. (Er.) Chander P Mahajan is an art critic & a free lance journalist. The Environmentalist stays in Shimla and Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India.
