THE ROTATOR - Issue 24

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

Straight Down the Fairway

It started in the normal RCB understated way. The announcement at a club meeting that we propose to hold a Fund-Raiser Golf Tournament to raise funds for the project of the year, Smartboards for the govt schools. Ok, ho hum! Nothing to do with me. They will want me to play, so I will shell out a bit and enjoy 18 holes.
Then, on August 22, I received a message informing me that I was added to a WhatsApp group with a grand-sounding name: “Fairway Challenge Golf: Planning and Action Group”. That is when, like being caught in a whirlpool, I got sucked in. It was an ominous sign. The group had 13 members. With Headmaster Pres Sukhen, supported by Rani Jhansi Kavita as his Enforcer.
In the initial enthusiasm, messages flew fast & furious. It should be held in KGA. We need big sponsors. How much should be the entry fee? How many Runners & Banners? Who will be the VIP guest? Who will handle the catering? What about liquor sponsorship?What about the goody bags? Who will be the Referee? Blah…blah…blah…
Inputs started pouring in. Rtn Sunil will handle the publicity material. Rtn Satej, the prizes. Rtn Anand was there everywhere. Rtn Vish and I were given the mundane task of handling the actual game. Rtn Srini played the role of Kubera, keeping track of the moolah. Everyone would hunt for sponsors and players. Rtn Praveen promised oodles of sponsorship and players, and we thank him for all his support. Soon, we held the first Review meeting at KGA, hosted by the Headmaster. We gorged. We slurped. We also discussed. Passing players were shanghaied into registering for the tournament.
Messages flew in dozens on the WhatsApp group. What is the latest score on the Sponsors?
The tournament date of December 12th was nearing. The posts on the WhatsApp group were having traces of anxiety. Only 32 Registrations. What happened to that sponsor? Meanwhile, the HM was demanding statistics. How many paid registrations? How many through sponsorships? How many through the KGA committee members? One member had the temerity to ask, “How many RCB golfers have registered?”
It called for one more Review Meeting at KGA. We ate. We slurped. We discussed. It was a little more subdued than the previous one. But the sun had not set upon us. The rays shone brightly. The prizes were approved. The publicity materials were on target. Sponsors were eager to trust us with their money. Registrations were pouring in. The tournament process was in place.
Three days to go, and the atmosphere in the group was turning easy. Even Secy Rtn Kavita was smiling because she had finalized the Chief Guest. The well-known Olympian Ms. Reeth Abraham. The player numbers were heading to a century. The first drawing was prepared. The cheques were coming in.
D-day dawned early. The Final Draw preened in satisfaction. 115 players. All the publicity materials had been installed. Shining trophies are placed in formation. Goody bags all filled. The groups teed off. No hiccups. The Referee had an easy time as all players preferred enjoying the game, but also because all the rules were in place.
Fellowship. Food. Fun. And the Prize Distribution. Manoj kept the crowd from getting restless with his banter and quiz. All Izz Well!Headmaster Khush Hua!
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our sponsors- Sennheiser – Title sponsor, Prestige – Silver sponsor, Shekar logistics, Kasu Reddy, Nash, Sri Vasavi, Disha Furnish, Hinduja, Century, Sansera, HMG, HDFC, Muralidhar Duddu, GS Ravi.
-Rtn S V L Narayan

Music for a cause!

“Sneha Shankar Live” was a public image partnership for RCB, a brainchild of PP Rtn Girish who got us on board through his connection with the event organisers. It was Championed by Rtn. Riaz Basha, Rtn.Anusha Murthy and Rtn.Lavish. The organizers also gave us an option to use part of the proceeds of tickets for our causes, and we lapped it up to generate funds for the President’s Project of the Year, which is the Smartboards for Govt Schools Initiative.
Our Rotarians came forward to buy these tickets to help the cause and also enjoyed the concert as one RCB family. We were able to generate Rs.50000/- from the tickets sales as our share. And also raised Rs.20000/- as donation from PP Ranga Rao thru this initiative. In total we were able to raise Rs.70,000/- thru 100 tickets thanks to the amazing Rotarians of RCB.

⁃ Rtn Riaz Basha

AI as a Strategic Partner in Productivity

“AI is the most powerful technology humanity has ever created.” – Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
This statement captures the essence of the current technological revolution and reflects three critical dimensions. First, vision: AI is the defining technology of this century, shaping economies, cultures, and geopolitics.
Second, Optimism: AI has the potential to accelerate progress in science, medicine, and productivity. And third, caution: without careful regulation and ethical use, AI could pose risks to humanity.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mr Subramanya Rao (Subu Rao), Founder & CEO of Discover Dollar, during his 34-minute talk on Artificial Intelligence, where he focused on productivity and the value of time. His central theme was optimism, how AI can be harnessed to enhance efficiency and empower professionals.
Addressing Core Productivity Challenges, Mr Subbu mapped out three major challenges that hinder workplace productivity:
1. Strategic Dilution – Teams lose focus when overwhelmed by competing priorities, leading to fragmented execution.
2. Decision Fatigue – Constant micro-decisions drain mental energy, reducing the quality of strategic thinking.
3. Meeting Burden – Excessive or poorly managed meetings consume valuable time without delivering proportional value. According to Subbu, AI tools can directly address these issues by automating routine tasks, filtering noise, and providing actionable insights. This allows professionals to concentrate on high-value work and strategic decision-making.
AI Tools as Solutions
Combating Strategic Dilution: Mr Subbu recommended AI prioritisation engines that highlight the most impactful tasks. Tools like Superhuman.ai help manage workflows and ensure focus on strategic goals.
Reducing Decision Fatigue: He pointed to Fyxer.ai, which automates email replies and organises inboxes. By learning user preferences, such tools reduce repetitive micro-decisions and lighten cognitive load.
Minimising Meeting Burden: Otter.ai, transcribes and summarises meetings, enabling asynchronous collaboration and reducing redundant discussions. AI scheduling assistants further optimise calendars to prevent overload.
Optimising Time Management: Tools like RescueTime provide analytics on digital activity, helping professionals identify distractions and reallocate time effectively.
AI as a Strategic Partner
Mr Subbu stressed that AI is no longer just a support tool; it has become a strategic partner in productivity management. By tackling strategic dilution, decision fatigue, and meeting burden, AI empowers professionals to focus on meaningful work. The integration of tools such as Fyxer.ai, Superhuman.ai, Otter, and RescueTime exemplifies how automation and intelligent insights can transform the modern workday.
While optimistic about AI’s potential, Subbu cautioned that success depends on using the right data and context. Without these, outputs may lack scalability or relevance. He advised that the time saved through AI should be reinvested in building vision, allocating resources, and forging alliances.
He concluded by highlighting that true entrepreneurial power lies in strategic leadership, the ability to systematise processes, and the skill to empower teams through thoughtful delegation. AI, when applied wisely, strengthens these capabilities.

STRONG HER – 6: Empowering Young Minds, Strengthening Young Voices

The 6th edition was successfully conducted at the Government SKVD P.U. College, Chikkanahalli, creating a powerful platform for self-awareness and self-defense among rural schoolgirls. This program, with 14 Taekwondo Trainers from the Taekwondo Association of Bangalore, reached 600 girl beneficiaries aged 13–17, marking a significant step toward nurturing confidence, safety, and self-belief. This impactful initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Rotary Club of Bangalore and Rotary Bangalore Orchard. As a mark of respect and gratitude, the school felicitated the Rotarians with traditional peta and mala, reflecting the warmth and cultural pride of the institution.
The event was graced by esteemed donors PP Rtn. Ranga Rao and Rtn. Rashida, along with Rtn. Anusha, Rtn. Malavikka, PP Rtn. Gowri and Anne Kanchana. A highlight of the day was the distribution of 600 certificates to the participating students, symbolizing not only completion but also transformation.
What truly stayed with me during this particular program was the curiosity and maturity of these girls, and their eagerness to learn, which went far beyond physical self-defense; they were deeply engaged with the ideas of self-awareness, confidence, and personal boundaries. One moment that genuinely surprised and moved me was when a young girl asked me, “How can I practice setting boundaries confidently in daily life, especially with people I know, without feeling scared or guilty?” To me, this question reflected a powerful level of self-awareness and ideation on applying these lessons in real life at home, in school, and in their communities. It was not just about learning Taekwondo or techniques of defense, but about understanding their right to safety, dignity, and respect, and trusting their strength both within and outside the classroom.
– Rtn. Minku Buttar