THE ROTATOR - Issue 01

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Your Rotator Team 2025–26

District Governor’s Message

Dear Members of the Iconic and Historic Rotary Club of Bangalore, President Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa, and the entire committee.

It is with immense pride and heartfelt joy that I extend my warm greetings and congratulations to the Rotary Club of Bangalore on this historic and remarkable occasion. Your club has once again demonstrated its unparalleled legacy of leadership and service.

This achievement is not merely a recognition of individual leadership; it is a reflection of the strong values, vision, mentorship of seniors, foresight, commitment to service, and culture of excellence that the Rotary Club of Bangalore has nurtured over decades.

Rotary has always stood as a beacon of hope and transformation through its motto, “Service Above Self.” The members of your esteemed club have consistently upheld these ideals through impactful initiatives in education, healthcare, community welfare, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian service.

At this significant juncture, I would also like to acknowledge and appreciate the spirit behind “Dhanyavad”—a pledge of commitment demonstrated through action. Rooted deeply in gratitude, humility, and social responsibility, this noble commitment reflects the true essence of Rotary. Dhanyavad” is not merely an expression of thanks but a philosophy of giving back to society, communities, mentors, institutions, and the countless individuals, CSR partners who shape our journey.

I am also aware that the next three years will be a period of significant transition for the Rotary Club of Bangalore, as our historic structure, the Rotary House of Friendship (RHF), undergoes a transformational journey. The existing building will evolve into a magnificent new structure that will emerge as an iconic landmark in Bangalore and within the Rotary family.

During this period of transformation, our three Presidents—president Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa, President-Elect Rtn. M. C. Dinesh, and President-Elect Nominee Rtn. TV Raghunath—will undoubtedly face numerous challenges.

However, I am confident that, with the unconditional and united support of the entire Rotary Club of Bangalore, along with the guidance of its mentors and senior members, the club will stand together as one body and emerge victorious, paving the way for a glo rious future.

As we look toward the future, I am confident that the Rotary Club of Bangalore will continue to lead with vision, unity, and compassion, creating an even greater impact on society. May your legacy of excellence continue to inspire generations of Rotarians and strengthen the ideals of Rotary across the world.

Congratulations once again on your exceptional accomplishments and your continued commitment to humanity.

Together, let us strive to do good in the world during this Dhanyavad Year 2026-27 and create a lasting impact.

Warmest Regards, Yours in Rotary, Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju

From the President’s Desk

Dear Friends,

To stand before you as President of the Rotary Club of Bangalore is both an honour and a responsibility that I accept With immense gratitude. This club has a remarkable legacy. For over nine decades, generations of Rotarians have built, nurtured and strengthened an institution that has touched countless lives. We are beneficiaries of their vision, commitment and service.

That is why the theme that will guide us this year is a simple but powerful word — Dhanyavad.

Gratitude for the friendships we have built. Gratitude for the opportunities we have been given to serve. And gratitude for the privilege of being part of something larger than ourselves.

As I reflected on the year ahead, I realised that gratitude is not simply about looking back. It is also about recognising our responsibility to carry a legacy forward. We honour the work of those before us not only by admiring it, but by building upon it.

Looking ahead, our Board has chosen this year’s main focus on an issue that affects every one of us —the environment, With a special emphasis on lakes and water conservation. Bangalore was once known as the City of lakes. Those lakes sustained communities, supported biodiversity and shaped the character of our city. Today, we are all aware of the challenges facing our water bodies and ecosystems.

AS Rotarians, we may not solve every environmental challenge overnight. But we can certainly contribute meaningfully. We can restore. We can conserve. We can educate. We can create awareness. Most importantly, we can bring people together around a common purpose.

Coming to projects, we are not into any number game. We will continue with many of the excellent initiatives that already form part of our club’s legacy and look at how we can take them to an even greater scale. We also hope to revisit and revive some of our longstanding projects that have touched countless lives over the years. Projects such as the Burns Ward at Victoria Hospital, Rajarajeshwari Hospital and Limb-a-Day project remind us of what Rotary can achieve when compassion is matched with action. These projects have served communities for many years, and our endeavour will be to make them functional, relevant and sustainable once again.

One of the great strengths of Rotary is the diversity of causes we support. Some are passionate about healthcare. Others are drawn to education. Some are inspired by environmental causes. Others find purpose in youth development, vocational service, community service or international initiatives. There is room in Rotary for every passion and every skill.

We have an ambitious portfolio of projects planned. We hope to touch projects worth 10 crs.

I would like to make a simple request. I urge each one of you to support at least one project this year. The contribution need not always be financial. It could be your time, your expertise, your network, your leadership, or simply your presence when help is needed. Every contribution matters.

I am fortunate to have an outstanding Board and a dedicated team of directors who have agreed to walk this journey with me. Without sounding clichéd, I have a board which is the best one can ask for, who I picked listening to my heart, and I am so glad I did that. My statutory committee readily agreed to be part of my team. I have all the past presidents too as part of this statutory committee so it is worth its weight in gold!

The year ahead will undoubtedly bring challenges. Every meaningful endeavour does. But I have complete faith in this club, because throughout its history, the Rotary Club of Bangalore has never been defined by the challenges it faced. It has been defined by the way it responded to them.

Before I conclude, there is one more reason why this evening feels especially meaningful. This is the last Installation Ceremony we will hold in Rotary House of Friendship in its current form. For generations of Rotarians, this building has been far more than a venue. It has been a place of fellowship, friendship, ideas and service. Soon, it will begin an exciting new chapter with its redevelopment and transformation. We are here to create history.

We will continue ourwork, continue our fellowship and continue creating impact wherever we meet. And when we return, we will return to a renewed Rotary House of Friendship, ready for the next chapter in our club’s journey.

As I conclude, I return to the theme that will guide us this year — Dhanyavad.

Thank you to those who built this legacy before us. Thank you to those who continue to strengthen it today. And thank you to those who will carry it forward long after us.

Years from now, people may not remember every meeting we attended or every event we organised. But they will remember the lives we touched. They will remember the opportunities we created. They will remember the hope we offered. Whether it is a restored lake, a revived hospital project, a young person given a chance to succeed, or a life transformed through service, each effort becomes part ofa larger legacy.

Friends, as a president I now stand before you asking you to take me along with you, make sure I do not falter for I am only human. Make me look and feel good, because withoutyou by my side, my board and I will not be able to achieve whatwe hope to. Looking foryour continued support because together we can. That is the true power of Rotary. That is the true meaning of service. And that is how we create lasting impact.

-Warm Regards, Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa, President

RI President’s Profile

Olayinka Hakeem Babalola received a university degree in engineering and is regional safety manager responsible for Shell Petroleum’s upstream oil and gas activities in sub-Saharan Africa and chair of the board of directors of Riviera Nigeria Ltd., an oil and gas engineering consortium.

Babalola began his Rotary journey in 1984 as a Rotaractor. He joined the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi 10 years later. His leadership roles include serving as district governor (2011-12), RI vice president (2019-20), and member of the RI Board (2018-20). He was also an active leader and participant in RI committees such as the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee (2017-23) and the Nigeria National PolioPlus Comm ittee (2013-present, adviser 2016-present).

Babalola has served Rotary as an endowment/major gifts adviser, RI training leader, member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, committee member, and president’s representative.

Babalola and his wife, Preba, live in the city of Port Harcourt. He supports The Rotary Foundation with a named endowment and as an Arch Klumph Society member. A trustee of ShelterBox LJK, he isa recipient of the Africa Centennial Heroes Award, the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World, the RI Service Above Self Award, and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.

-Rtn. Olayinka Hakeem Babalola President, Rotary International, Nigeria

Editor’s Message

A New Dawn for The Rotator

The Rotary Club of Bangalore’s online newsletter, The Rotator, has always been more than a bulletin – it is a mirror of fellowship, service, and the collective heartbeat of Rotarians.

Today, as I assume as its Editor, I wish to make the publication enter a fresh chapter, one that promises vibrancy, responsiveness, and a dynamic embrace of the age of Artificial Intelligence.

My vision is not just about design or cadence; it is about relevance. I seek to make The Rotator a living, breathing companion to the Rotarian spirit – an editorial voice that resonates with the immediacy of our times.

The newsletter must not merely report but respond, not just inform but inspire.

My appeal to Rotarians is heartfelt and direct. Participation is the lifeblood of the Club. The eagerness to serve society, which has always defined Rotarians, must now find new expression in the pages of The Rotator. Every committee, every initiative, every act of service deserves to be chronicled, celebrated, and shared – not as routine minutes but as stories of impact.

Continuity, however, remains my guiding principle. I, call upon the dynamic committees to carry forward the momentum of the previous year, to build upon foundations already laid.

With gracious wishes, I acknowledge the outgoing President, Secretary, and all functionaries whose dedication has shaped the Club’s journey. To the incoming leaders, I extend a welcome and wish you all the best. Leadership in Rotary, after all, isa relay – each baton passed with trust, each stride taken with purpose. In the age of Al, where algorithms curate our news and digital platforms shape our conversations, The Rotator seeks to be more than a newsletter. It aims to be a responsive dialogue, a dynamic forum where Rotarians see themselves not as passive readers but as active participants.

As the Club steps into another year of service, the editorial call is clear: let passion remain the first approach, let committees continue their dynamic work, let leadership transition with grace, and let The Rotator become the pulse of Rotary Bangalore.

-Rtn. Gertrude Dsouza, Joint Secretary

RCB’s 2026-27 Board Charts a Sharper Future – Purposeful Service, Creative Destruction

The evening at the Rotary Club of Bangalore unfolded with a rare blend of gravitas and gratitude, as Rotarians gathered to witness the installation of their new Board. The ceremony was graced by Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, Trustee of Tata Trust, whose keynote address stitched together philosophy, purpose, and pragmatic vision.

Mr. Bhat began by reflecting on the universal human desire to improve lives – our own and those of others. He invoked the concept of creative destruction, not as a cold economic principle, but as a necessary act of renewal for society. “We must destroy old assumptions about money-making,” he urged, “and replace them with value creation.” For him, this was not a capitalist’s creed but a call to reimagine purpose in service.

Drawing parallels between Tata Trust and Rotary, Mr. Bhat offered a compelling comparison. The Tata Trust, he explained, was designed by the visionary Jamshedji Tata to give back to society many times over. Today, 66% of Tata Sons’ shares are owned by the Trust, ensuring that dividends from Tata Group companies flow back into philanthropic initiatives. This structure, he said, was “magical in its design and humbling in its impact.” Rotary, in his view, mirrored this ethos with its disciplined execution, strong governance, and culture of service..

Yet Mr. Bhat did not shy away from hard truths. He pointed to India’s per capita social welfare spend of $228, far below nations like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. This gap, he argued, is where Rotary can play a vital role – by channelling resources purposefully and creating lasting impact. He reminded the audience that India has “democratised aspiration,” with millennials demanding purposeful corporate action. Young people, he said, are no longer content with token gestures; they want to see governance, culture, and CSR initiatives that truly matter. Rotary, with its sharp focus and credibility, is well-positioned to meet this challenge. His appeal was clear: Rotary must embrace creative destruction, shed outdated notions, and sharpen its impact. “Purpose is perpetual,” he declared, “and Rotary has the ability to be purposeful, sharper, and impactful in creating governance structures that endure.”

GLIMPSES OF INSTALLATION CEREMONY

A warm Welcome to our new Rotarians

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2026-27

Standing from left to Right :

PP Rtn. Zarir Batha (Addl. Director), Rtn. Dr. Maneesh Paul (Director- Community Service)

Rtn. Dr. Anju Agadi (Director — Youth Service), Rtn. Dr. Anil Agadi (Sergeant at Arms), Rtn. Dr. Gertrude Dsouza (Joint Secretary)

Rtn. M C Dinesh (President Elect), Rtn. T V Raghunath (Vice President), Rtn. Jigisha Rajguru (Treasurer)

Rtn. R V Bhat (Director-vocational Service), Rtn. S R Kamalacharan (Director-International Service), PP Rtn. Shailesh Rudra (Addl Director).

Sitting Left to Right :

Rtn. Vijay Rao (Secretary), AG Rtn. N Balakrishnan, DG Rtn. AKS Ravishankar Dakoju , Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa (President)

Chief Guest Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, Trustee at Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Immediate Past President Rtn. Sukhen Padmanabha, Immediate Past Secretary Rtn. Kavita Muthappa.

PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

Share-a-Smile Project

The Rotary Club of Bangalore successfully organized its first Community Service project of the Rotary year 2026—27, the Share-a-Smile Project, on 1st July 2026 at St. Patrick’s Boys Home, Brigade Road, Bangalore.

The initiative was undertaken with the objective of bringing joy, encouragement and support to 40 underprivileged boys through the donation of sports equipment and refreshments. A variety of sporting items were distributed, encouraging the children to engage in healthy recreational activities while fostering teamwork, confidence, and overall well-being.

The programme concluded with snacks being served to all the beneficiaries, creating a warm, cheerful, and memorable atmosphere forthe children.

The event was attended by President (2026—27) Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa, Secretary Rtn. Vijay Rao, Community Service Director Rtn. Dr. Maneesh Paul, Project Champion Rtn. Sapna Paul, Rtn Shanthi Baliga and several other Rotarians.

-Rtn. Satej Alur

Blanket Distribution

On July 2, 2026, Pres. Vineetha Chinappa and a team from RCB donated 130 blankets to destitute senior citizens being housed at the Poshaka Asaktha Sabha charitable trust in Banashankari. The project was championed by PP Rtn. N.S. Srinivasa Murthy who attended the event accompanied by Ann Sheela, Rtn.Srichand Rajpal and Ann Latha and Secretary Rtn. Vijay Rao.

-Rtn. Vijay Rao

Inauguration of Smart Class

On June 30th at Sri Ranganatha high school Kalkunte. Sponsor S Cube Ergonomics PvtLtd. LED with camera and UPS, class 1 to 10 preloaded syllabus with 10 4 seater desks were installed in the above school.

Over 150 students attended the function along with school officials. From RCB Pres. Sukhen Padmanabha, Secretary Kavita, Pres. Elect Vineetha Chinappa and other Rtns Rangarao, Gowri Oza, Shyam Ramdhayani, Anand Bindagi, Ramakrishna, Malavika attended the function.

-Rtn. Anand Bindagi

On Friday, 3rd July, the Community Services team of the Rotary Club of Bangalore the Smart Classroom (Smart Board) was formally inaugurated. The Smart Classroom was generously sponsored by Rtn. Ramakrishna Mudugal and family, while the project was spearheaded by Rtn. Anand Bindagi as Project Champion. The initiative aims to enhance digital learning and provide students with access to modern educational tools, creating a lasting impact on the school’s teaching and learning environment.

-Rtn. Satej Alur

StrongHer Goes to Rajasthan

Online Leadership, Awareness & Self-Defense Training Session

“Awareness & safety have no geographical boundaries…. our bodies do.”

On 3r Ju y, Rtn. Min u Buttar welcomed participants and shared the vision for Project StrongHer and its launch in September 2025. In just nine months, the program has empowered 5,270 schoolgirls across Karnataka through 18 projects, equipping them with essential life skills to recognize early warning signs, trust their instincts, set healthy boundaries, use their voice confidently, stay safe online and offline, and seek help when needed.

President Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa, Community Services Director Rtn. Dr. Maneesh Paul, and Mr. Rastogi of ST Foundation, Jaipur, extended their best wishes for this new collaboration.

The training session was led by Rtn. Minku Buttar and Rtn. Dr. Vimukhta Avinash, and present were other fellow Rotarians, the Karnataka and Delhi Taekwondo teams, and trainer aspirants from Rajasthan who will, post the training, spearhead the program in their state.

The Rotary Club of Bangalore is proud to partner with ST Foundation, Jaipur, to bring Project StrongHer to schools across Rajasthan. Through this collaboration, the Rotary Club of Bangalore will provide the curriculum, orientation, and trainer support, enabling local teams to empower thousands of young girls with the confidence, awareness, and self-defense skills needed to lead safer, stronger lives.

– Rtn. Minku Buttar, Team Lead StrongHer

Tree Plantation

On 3rd June 2026 the Community Service team of the Rotary Club of Bangalore planted saplings at the Rotary Dakoju Forest at Chellakere. The activity reflected Rotary’s continued commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability through increasing green cover and promoting ecological awareness.

-Rtn. Satej Alur