THE ROTATOR - Issue 49

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

GIFT OF SIGHT 910

To commemorate 91st year of Rotary Club of Bangalore (RCB), Eyecare Committee decided to gift sight to 910 economically
underprivileged patients by resolving any of the eye-related issues:
Refraction, Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Glaucoma. As RCB was also the host club for a Global Grant project (#23-49912) to establish 6 DR/Glaucoma Screening Centres and support treatment of 400 DR/Glaucoma patients, it was decided to support treatment of other issues like refraction and cataract by conducting Out-reach screening camps in association with 7 partner Eye hospitals.
During the last ten months more than 40 Outreach camps have been conducted, reaching out to over 4,000 patients, apart from the patients screened for DR / Glaucoma under the Global Grant Project. Summary of treatment provided during this Rotary Year to the patients diagnosed through Out-reach camps as well as under the Global Grant project is given below:

Annual ITFR Tennis Tournament

This annual Rotary Tennis Tournament is held in the fond memory of Late PRID Panduranga Setty. The event is sponsored by his Son Rtn Dr M P Shyam and Rotary club of Bangalore.
ITFR, (International fellowship of Tennis Playing Rotarians) is a fellowship group of Rotary districts 3191 and 3192 combined.
It is presently chaired by Rtn Dr (Sqn Ldr) P V Arvind (Highgrounds)

This year, about 30 Rotarians from both the disricts participated in the event which was held at Karnataka State Lawn Tennis association, courts at Cubbon Park.
We mainly had 3 categories –
1 ) Open doubles
2) 50 plus doubles
3 ) 60 plus doubles
Results of the tournament
OPEN DOUBLES
Winners – Kunsh Gowda and Preetham Moras
Runners – Rahul CB and Ganesh G.
50 PLUS DOUBLES
Winners- Dr ( Sqn Ldr)P V Arvind and Dr. Gautham
Runners – Rajesh Hiremath and Channabasava Prasad
60 PLUS DOUBLES
Winners – Dr. Mustali Vagh and Rajendra Rai
Runners – Ramesh Babu and Dr. Prakash Karanth

Romance Rekindled: Raag Rang’s Silver Jubilee at Rotary Bangalore

The Monday night at the Rotary Club of Bangalore unfolded like a dream woven in melody, nostalgia, and camaraderie. It was the Silver Jubilee celebration of Raag Rang 2026, a programme that has over the years become a cherished tradition of music and talent among Rotarians. The evening was dedicated to the romantic Hindi songs of the 90s, a decade that defined the soundtrack of love for an entire generation. As the first notes floated across the Rotary House of Friendship, the audience was transported back to their youth, to moments of blossoming romance and carefree joy, and the night became a living tribute to the timeless power of music.
The event brought together members from the Rotary Club of Indiranagar, Rotary Club of Cantonment, Rotary Club of Junction, and the home club, Rotary Club of Bangalore. It was not just a gathering but a spirited competition, with four teams—Diwane, Mastane, Parvane, and Anjane—taking the stage. Each team carried its own energy and charm, and as they sang, they sent the audience into a state of diwane, lost in the magic of melody. The competition was structured into four rounds, each designed to test not only musical knowledge but also creativity and spontaneity. The first round, Dhun, challenged participants to identify songs from brief music tracks, sparking excitement and laughter as familiar tunes teased the memory.
The second round, Shardhanjali, was a poignant tribute to departed legends like Dharmendra, Asrani, and Asha Bhonsle, reminding everyone of the eternal legacy of those who had given so much to Indian cinema and music. The third round, Antar Mukhda, demanded participants to reconstruct songs from jumbled words, a playful exercise that showcased wit and quick thinking. The final round was visual, adding yet another layer of challenge and entertainment.
The evening was compered with flair by Rotarian Riaz, who set the tone with the evergreen number “Pukaartaa chalaa hoon main, gali bahaar ki, bas ek chhaanv zulf ki, bas ik nigaah pyaar ki…” His rendition was not just an opening act but a gentle invitation into the world of romance and nostalgia that defined the night. Judges Anu Verma and Shailesh Rudra brought their discerning ears and warm presence to the proceedings, ensuring that every performance was appreciated for its artistry and spirit.
As the competition rounds unfolded, the audience was treated to a cascade of songs that defined the romantic 90s and beyond. Numbers like “Mere khwabon mein jo aaye,” “O mere dil ke chain,” “Na koi umang hai, na koi tarang hai,” and “Har kisi ko nahi milta yahan pyaar zindagi mein” stirred memories of youthful love and longing. The soulful “Mai shayar to nahin, magar ye haseen” and playful “Ina meena deeka” added variety, while “Shayad meri shaadi ka khayal aaya hai” brought smiles and laughter. The rains were invoked with “Rim jhim gire saawan, sulag jaaye mann,” and the monsoon romance continued with “Diwana hua baadal, saawan ki ghata chhayi.” The haunting beauty of “Abhi na jao chhod kar, ke dil abhi bhara nahin” reminded everyone of the bittersweet nature of love, while “Dil kya kare jab kisi se kisi ko pyaar ho jaaye” captured the inevitability of affection. Songs like “Saanson ki zarurat hai jaise zindagi ke liye” and “Ye mera dil yaar ka deewana” brought energy and passion, while “Aaja main hoon pyaar tera” and “Allah inkaar tera” added drama and intensity.
The night was a kaleidoscope of moods, with playful numbers like “Baar dekho, hazaar baar dekho” and “Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko” blending seamlessly with tender ballads like “Jaaneman tere do nayan” and “O aaj mausam bada beimaan hai.” The audience swayed to “Meri bheegi si palkon pe reh gaye jaise mere sapne bikhar ke,” and reflected on the twists of fate with “Pyaar humein kis mod pe le aaya.” The philosophical “Kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna” reminded everyone of the timeless wisdom embedded in song, while “Suraj hua maddham, chaand jalne laga” painted the sky with romance. Each number was not just a performance but a shared memory, a collective journey into the past that resonated deeply with everyone present.
The competition was fierce, but the spirit was celebratory. Rotary Club of Indiranagar eventually carried away the trophy, yet the true victory lay in the joy, entertainment, and fellowship that all four teams created together. The applause was not reserved for winners alone; it was for every participant who sang with heart, for every team that brought laughter and nostalgia, and for every note that rekindled the flame of romance in the hearts of the audience. The night was a reminder that music is not about competition but about connection, about the way a song can bridge generations and bring people together in shared emotion.
As the final notes faded and the evening drew to a close, the Rotary House of Friendship was filled with a sense of fulfilment. The Silver Jubilee of Raag Rang 2026 had not only celebrated music but also reaffirmed the bonds of fellowship among Rotarians. It was a night when melodies became memories, when competition became camaraderie, and when romance was not just sung but felt in every heartbeat. The audience left with smiles, humming the tunes that had defined their youth, carrying with them the warmth of an evening that had been crafted with love, talent, and the enduring spirit of Rotary. In the end, Raag Rang 2026 was not just an event; it was an experience, a celebration of the timeless romance of music and the enduring fellowship of those who cherish it.

Rotaract in Action: Service, Leadership & Impact

Project Highlights Rotaract Club of Swarna Bengaluru

About the Project:
Vision to Action Summit was a two-day youth empowerment initiative conducted on 11–12 January 2026 in Gundlupete by the Rotaract Club of Swarna Bengaluru in association with the Interact Club of Adarsh Vidyalaya, E-Teach India, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and Inner Wheel Club of Bangalore. The summit benefited over 500 students and aimed to foster holistic development through environmental action, leadership, and skill-building opportunities. On Day 1, more than 100 students participated in a clean-up drive near the Bandipur forest entrance, collecting over 100 bags of waste while learning about wildlife conservation, responsible forest conduct, the dangers of single-use plastics, and the importance of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Day 2 featured engaging workshops and competitions in public speaking, art, singing, table tennis, and endangered species awareness. The summit provided rural students with valuable exposure, boosted confidence, encouraged talent development, and created a unique platform for future leaders to learn, grow, and showcase their abilities.
About the Club:
Chartered on 3 March 2014, the Rotaract Club of Swarna Bengaluru (formerly the Rotaract Club of Bangalore Seshadripuram) is a dynamic club comprising approximately 50 members. In the Rotary year 2025–26, the club executed 75+ standalone projects and participated in 100+ collaborative projects, reaching and benefiting more than 2,500 individuals across diverse community service initiatives.

Project Highlights from Rotaract Club of Bangalore

Build for Bengaluru was a 30-hour hackathon inspired by Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus and conducted in collaboration with Google Developer Groups (GDG) Bengaluru and GDG on Campus REVA University. The initiative received over 2,000 registrations and 472 team entries from 76 cities across India, reflecting the enthusiasm of young innovators to create solutions for pressing community needs. Following multiple rounds of evaluation, 62 teams were shortlisted, with over 300 participants competing in the finale for a prize pool of ₹1,75,000. Supported by 70+ volunteers, 10 mentors, and 5 judges, the event fostered innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving while generating an overall project value of ₹7 lakh.
About the Club :
Established in 1968, the Rotaract Club of Bangalore carries a rich legacy of service, leadership, fellowship, and community impact.
During RI Year 2025–26, the club executed 178 projects, invested over ₹18 lakh, contributed 10,000+ volunteer hours, and impacted 6,892+ lives. The year witnessed 135.29% membership growth, a 90% retention rate, and over 80 collaborations with Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Clubs. With 80% member participation in district initiatives, 73% of new members chairing events, and 6 District events hosted, the club fostered leadership at every level. Its social media presence also grew significantly, recording 400,000+ Instagram views and reaching over 22,000 accounts.