THE ROTATOR - Issue 07

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Your Rotator Team 2025–26

RBV School Celebrates Independence Day with fervour and enthusiasm

The Independence Day celebrations were held at RBV School with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervor.
Several Rotarians graced the occasion, including the President Rtn Sukhen, IPP Rtn Gowri Oza, Secretary Rtn Kavita Muthappa, Community Service Director, Dr. and Mrs. Agadi, and Rtn Ramakrishna Mudgal representing the RBV Task Force Committee.
All the children were dressed in colourful attire, and the entire teaching staff was present. The students presented a variety of cultural programmes and participated in a band procession, which was well received by the audience.

The chief guest for the occasion was Shri Nagaraj Yadav, MLC from Belgaum. In his inspiring address, he emphasized the importance of inculcating basic manners and values in children. He urged teachers to lay special stress on fighting corruption, which he described as an immediate national priority. He concluded by encouraging students to become responsible and promising citizens of the future.
The celebrations came to an end with a vote of thanks, leaving everyone with a sense of pride and commitment to the nation.

Rotary Brings Tech to Rural Middle School Smart Board Donation Enhances Learning

In a gesture of community support, RCB donated a state-ofthe-art smart board to Baglur Govt. School on 12th Aug. 2025. This board is sponsored by Israel Counsel General and it was inaugurated by Ms. Inbal, Deputy Counsel General.
The school, located in a rural area where resources can be limited, will benefit greatly from this technology upgrade. The smart board, a tool for interactive learning, will enable teachers to create engaging lessons with multimedia content, fostering a more dynamic classroom environment. “This donation will help bridge the gap in educational resources and open new avenues for interactive learning,” said Rtn Sukhen, emphasizing the club’s commitment to enhancing local education.

Baglur Govt School Principal expressed gratitude for the donation, noting, “This smart board will empower our teachers to  deliver lessons in more impactful ways, benefiting our students in critical thinking and collaboration skills.”
This smart board donation aligns with Rotary’s goals of supporting education and fostering community growth.

VRUDHI – A New Beginning for Teenagers and Youth with Autism

The ‘Soft Launch’ of the TYA (Teenager and Youth Autism) center at “Unit of Hope”, St. John’s Hospital, initiated by the Rotary Club of Bangalore, was a heartwarming experience.

Dr. Suhas, who is heading CAREADD, addressed the audience, explaining how Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease, and that we must recognize the fact that autistic individuals just experience the world differently, with unique strengths and abilities. He also shared that the team of doctors is focused on investigating behavioral strategies through a holistic Four-Stage Process:
1. Initial evaluation.
2. Home visits to understand the environment and available support
3. Psychometric assessments measuring cognitive, social, and language abilities.
4. Holistic views of individual needs to build support and intervention.

Their goals for TYA are: Empowering individuals and families to foster autonomy and resilience, boosting their self-esteem, foster creativity and potential income generation through marketable skills and Vocational training.

We interacted with some parents of some of the autistic kids, and witnessed precious moments of family acceptance, unconditional love, and selflessness.

We came away with a deep understanding that, “True inclusion begins when we challenge assumptions and see ability beyond labels”.

Present for the “VRUDHI” launch:
RCB President: Sukhen Padmanabhan | Community services Director: Rtn. Srinivas Velidanda | Rtn. Minku Buttar | Rtn. Kurien Thomas | Rtn. Kalyani Talukder | Rtn. Raghunathan R l Dr. Suhas Chandran (Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, St. John’s hospital) | Dr. Vijaya Raman (Clinical professor, St. John’s hospital)

Donors:
Rtn.Minku Buttar, Rtn.Raj Kiran, Rtn.Akil Rassai, Ms. Vatsala Sreepad.
Project Champion: Rtn.Minku Buttar

RCB Marks 79th Independence Day
with Patriotic fervour and tributes to the armed forces!

The Rotary Club of Bangalore (RCB) marked India’s 79th Independence Day with a spirited celebration steeped in patriotism. Members turned up in colourful tricolour-themed attire, adding to the festive spirit. The event opened with RCB President Sukhen Padmanabha hoisting the national flag, a symbolic gesture that set the tone for an inspiring morning.
Gracing the occasion were three distinguished veterans of the armed forces — Major General P. M. Cariappa, Rear Admiral R. L. Bhatia, and Air Vice Marshal Narendra Kumar. Introducing them, Rotarian Vijay Rao lauded their contributions, noting that service to the nation extended beyond defending its borders. “It is not only to the flag, but to every citizen,” he said. “Beyond the battlefield, our defence forces play a pivotal role in nation-building — from disaster relief to technological innovation and uplifting communities.”
Major General Cariappa urged the audience to see Independence Day as more than a remembrance of the past. “It is a call to renew our commitment to India’s future,” he said. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of the armed forces’ technological prowess and strategic agility.
Cariappa emphasised the forces’ multi-dimensional contributions — building vital infrastructure in remote regions, safeguarding prosperity through security, and serving as first responders in floods, earthquakes, and other calamities. He praised the military as a model of unity, with personnel from diverse states and languages working in perfect harmony. Internationally, he noted, India has contributed to 50 UN peacekeeping missions, making it the largest contributor globally.
Rear Admiral Bhatia, recalling his service during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, took the audience through the dramatic events that led to Bangladesh’s liberation. He paid tribute to women who kept families and communities together while their men served at sea. In a poignant moment, he recounted the bravery of Captain Mahendranath Mulla of INS Khukri, who chose to go down with his ship after it was struck in the Arabian Sea. Equally moving was his memory of Mrs. Mulla, who gathered the crew’s families and encouraged them to face life with courage despite their loss.
Air Vice Marshal Narendra Kumar highlighted the Indian Air Force’s role in securing the nation’s skies and contributing to disaster relief, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts. He underscored the strategic advantages of air power — speed, range, rapid deployment, and the ability to project force over vast distances.
Reflecting on Operation Sindoor, in which his own son took part, AVM Kumar described it as a “high-precision, intelligencedriven strike, executed with discipline and restraint” against terrorist targets in Pakistan. He concluded with confidence that the IAF was modernising rapidly to face future challenges, ensuring India’s airspace remains secure.The programme was a perfect tribute to our forces who protect us.
As the tricolour fluttered over the RCB grounds, the audience departed with renewed pride and a deeper appreciation for those who defend the nation in war and peace alike.