THE ROTATOR - Issue 21

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

Rotary Utsav

Rotary Utsav held on Sunday Nov 23rd was a tremendous success, reflecting the spirit of community, compassion, and meaningful impact that Rotary stands for.
Highlights & Impact
Total sales generated: ₹5,25,000, directly enefiting entrepreneurs from marginalised communities.
Footfall: Over 350+ visitors, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere throughout the day. Generous food donation: A Rotarian kindly purchased Bibimbap and Kimchi in bulk, which were sold entirely offering the perfect lunch for many and contributing significantly to fundraising.
Our guest of honour Mr Vinayak Joshi posted two reels featuring APD and One Minute Saree, resulting in a surge of inquiries and visibility for the vendors.
Several stalls sold out early and had to restock by 4 PM due to overwhelming demand.
One of the food vendors was offered a Rotary Monday Meeting catering contract, opening a sustainable stream of income beyond the event.
Rotary Utsav truly lived up to its purpose celebrating talent, creating opportunities, and uplifting communities. A heartfelt thank you to every Rotarian, volunteer, supporter, and visitor who made this event extraordinary.

Mega Health Camp

We are delighted to share that our Free Mega Health Checkup Camp, organized on 22nd November 2025 at Henk Bruna Swami Vivekananda Round Table School, Hoskote, was a tremendous success with 400+ patients benefiting from comprehensive medical screening and specialist consultations.
A heartfelt thanks to Rotary Club of Bangalore, BSRT 96 and Ramaiah Medical Hospital who made this initiative possible.
Together, we are creating meaningful impact and building a
healthier tomorrow.

⁃ Rtn. Gertrude D’souza

RCB hosts its 5th RCB Club Connect

On Wednesday, 19th Nov 2025, Rotary Club of Bangalore hosted its 5th session of “RCB Club Connect” – an initiative by International Service that resonates deeply with this year’s Rotary theme, “Unite for Good”. The objective is to celebrate global Rotary impact, foster idea exchange, and build meaningful international connections. In this edition, we hosted an inspiring line-up of speakers from:

• • Rotary Club of Williamston (Michigan, US)
  • Rotary Club of Minneapolis (Minnesota, US)
  • Rotary Club of Eagan (Minnesota, US)
  • Rotary Club of Bangalore (Karnataka, India)

Attendees:
Rotary Club of Bangalore (Karnataka, India): Rtn. Sandeep Ohri (International Service Director), Rtn. Aria Ohri (Chair, International Services), Rtn. Pragya Jain, Rtn. HS Sridhar, Rtn. Jigisha Rajguru, Rtn. Sukhen Padmanabha (President), Rtn. Dr. Mythri Shankar Rotary Club of Williamston (Michigan, US): Rtn. Sharon LaPointe (President) Rotary Club of Minneapolis (Minnesota, US): Rtn. Jireh Mabamba (President) Rotary Club of Eagan (Minnesota, US): Rtn. Karen Peterson (President)

Highlights from Club Presentations:
Rotary Club of Williamston (Michigan, US)
Speaker: Rtn. Sharon LaPointe.
Rtn Sharon showcased the Rotary Club’s service projects and fundraising efforts. She highlighted the club’s focus on direct service rather than just fundraising, mentioning three committees:
International Activities, Service Projects, and Satellite Volunteer service. The Service Projects Committee’s initiatives included a Blessing Box and adopting families for Christmas. The Satellite Volunteer Service Committee undertakes various projects, including river cleanup and adoption, park maintenance, and
assistance to the senior centre.The club organizes events like River Day to celebrate their community work and raises funds through activities like a jubilee, duck race, raffle, and Taste of Williamston. They also provide grants to support community and foundation projects.

Rotary Club of Minneapolis (Minnesota, US)
Speaker: Rtn. Jireh Mabamba
Jireh presented on the Minneapolis Club No. 9, highlighting its history of how it is the 9th Rotary club in the world . The club’s efforts include youth education, family support, and international partnerships, with plans to adjust their scholarship model to address greater needs. He also shared the story of how the phrase “Service Above Self” was coined by their club in 1910. Jireh shared updates about upcoming visits to India by the President-elect and spouse in February for a polio trip, and offered to share more details when confirmed.

Rotary Club of Eagan (Minnesota, US)
Speaker: Rtn. Karen Peterson
Karen presented on the Eagan Rotary Club, highlighting their 38 year history, three club divisions (noon, morning, and after- hours), and various service initiatives including teacher, safety officer, and veterans recognition programs, as well as educational projects like Camp Enterprise and a reading program for first graders. The club is currently planning a “Cheers for Charities” fundraising event to replace their previous community walk, while maintaining their successful after-hours meetings which run from 5:30 to 6:30 PM twice monthly at a local craft beer venue.

Rotary Club of Bangalore (India)
Speaker: Rtn. Sandeep Ohri (International Service Director) 
Sandeep showcased RCB’s 91 years of service through a historical video. He shared the club’s legacy, including its establishment in 1934, significant projects like the TB ward and mock UN sessions, and ongoing initiatives such as upgrading primary healthcare centers and solar power installations. Sandeep described several ongoing projects of Rotary Club of Bangalore including equipping rural dialysis centers and running a school for underserved children with 450 students. He discussed the “Milap” program for prospective members, which was recently modified to focus more on club activities. Rtn Sandeep also shared details about the Kala for Vidya Art Exhibition, which this year included 155 artists and 450 paintings, and an upcoming flea market event supporting home-based women entrepreneurs.
Overall, the meeting focused on celebrating the collaboration and vision shared among Rotary members. Rtns Sandeep and Nilesh Kapse highlighted the significant social service work done by Rotary Club of Bangalore, emphasizing its leadership in community service in India. Rtn Karen suggested exploring Rotary International projects on mental health, particularly at the upcoming 2026 convention in Minneapolis, and encouraged participants to connect and share resources through a WhatsApp group. Rtn Aria agreed to distribute meeting minutes and photos, and Rtn Jireh expressed interest in future participation, with Rtn Sandeep inviting everyone to join monthly programs and stay connected.
⁃ Rtn Aria Ohri

ELLA- A fairy tale rewired for the age of algorithms

Ella, written by Ann Usha Vijayarajan and directed by Ann Chitra Ganapathy, sets out to prove that fairy tales can survive the digital age though not without acquiring a few new circuits and a fresh coat of engine grease. This modern reimagining of Cinderella trades pumpkin carriages and glass slippers for motorbikes, AI companions, and a heroine who would sooner fix a carburettor than curtsy at court. The result is a lively, good-natured production whose charm lies less in magic and more in its spirited attempt to keep an age old story beating in a contemporary world. At the centre is Ella herself, boldly recast as the defiantly modern antithesis of her demure predecessor. She is confident, mechanically gifted, obsessed with high-powered bikes, and utterly unbothered by society’s expectations. Splitting her life between a garage and her training as a beautician two pursuits equally frowned upon in her social circles, Ella becomes a refreshing celebration of unapologetic individuality. Her physicality on stage, dirt-smudged and radiant, makes the character compelling from her first entrance.
Around her unfolds a colourful cast: Kit, the polished, wealthy urbanite; Emma, the stepmother more concerned with appearances than affection; and her two perpetually preening daughters, Ann and Beth, whose lives orbit high-end fashion like moths circling an expensive flame. The cleverest update, however, is the AI Fairy Godmother a gleaming, benevolent figure whose charitable programming gives the traditional magical guide a futuristic spin without sacrificing warmth.
The production opens with a playful homage to The Sound of Music, as village women lament Ella’s “problematic” independence in a number reminiscent of “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”. It is a witty, self-aware opening that sets the tone for a story determined not to take itself too seriously. The staging here is crisp, and the ensemble harmonies lend the scene an almost nostalgic glow.
The first encounter between Ella and Kit a small comic episode involving a sputtering motorbike is staged with charming awkwardness. Ella’s confident technical jargon and Kit’s impatient dismissal capture the cultural clash that fuels the story’s central romance. Their chemistry is understated but believable, and the play wisely avoids forcing sentiment too early.
The narrative’s strongest thematic thread emerges in its treatment of villainy. Gone are the wicked caricatures of older versions; instead, Emma and her daughters embody a sleek, modern hypocrisy, socially polished, outwardly civil, yet quietly dismissive of anyone who fails to fit their curated image of perfection. It is an effective commentary on contemporary judgement, delivered without heavy-handedness.
The much-anticipated transformation scene arrives with a blend of whimsy and cyber-slick charm. The AI Fairy Godmother’s intervention is imaginative, and the decision to elevate Ella’s two loyal friends, Vicky and Sandy, as her chaperones adds warmth to the moment. Costuming here is particularly strong, offering a visually striking juxtaposition between the everyday grime of the garage and the shimmering spectacle of the masquerade.
The ball itself is a lively sequence, humming with excitement and underscored by clever choreography. The masked dance between Ella and Kit is handled with an engaging mix of mystery and yearning. Her refusal to reveal her identity and her hasty flight as the clock strikes midnight retain the fairy tale’s timeless emotional pull. The half-mask left behind works surprisingly well as a contemporary echo of the glass slipper.
The final act, with Kit’s search culminating in the inevitable proposal, plays out predictably yet the production earns its ending through consistent warmth and sincerity. What might have felt cliché instead leaves the audience with a gentle satisfaction.