THE ROTATOR - Issue 28

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

The Lake Project – 100 Acres, Devanahalli Open Jail

One of the major initiatives of RCB is the Lake Project at the 100- acre Devanahalli Open Jail, which houses over 35 inmates. These inmates enjoy a relatively free environment due to their consistent good behaviour and are often transitioned here before their eventual release.
The inmates actively cultivate vegetables within the premises, which are supplied to the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail on Hosur Road, making the project both rehabilitative and sustainable.
After a detailed study and assessment conducted with the guidance of experts, it was established that the area receives nearly 20 crore litres of rainwater annually. Recognising this immense potential, RCB initiated the creation of a two-acre lake capable of storing approximately 3.5 crore litres of water.
However, what makes this project truly special is not just the creation of the lake, but the holistic engagement with the inmate community. RCB has extended a wide range of support initiatives, including Wellness and health camps, Adult education programmes, Vaccination drives, Scholarships for inmates’ children ,and Vocational and skill-development training.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Collins Aerospace, our CSR partners for the past seven years, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in sustaining this initiative.
The total cost of the project is lakhs. A special note of thanks to Rtn Ranga, whose encouragement and support have been invaluable throughout this journey.
-Rtn. Manju

Yuva Yamini: A Decade of Nurturing Young Classical Talent

The 10th edition of Yuva Yamini was held on 11th January, marking a decade of nurturing young talent in Indian classical music. The programme featured 58 performances by 74 young artistes, presenting vocal and instrumental items in a 5—8 minute format, supported by accomplished accompanists.
The program in its dawn to dusk format commenced at 7.00 AM and culminated with the last performance at 6.00 PM. All the guests and participants were served satvic breakfast, lunch and high tea based on the slots in which they attended.
The event drew an enthusiastic audience of Rotarians, parents, and gurus, creating an encouraging environment for the performers. PP Rtn Ranga Rao, under whose presidency Yuva Yamini was initiated, was specially acknowledged for his continued patronage and for his donation of X1 lakh to the programme this year. The 2025—26 edition was coordinated by Rtn Pooja Srinivasamurty, Rtn Prasad Parasuraman, and Ann Vasudha Prasad, under the leadership of Youth Service Director Rtn Dr. Anil Agadi. All participating children received a memento and certificates, making them feel valued and appreciated. Rtn Shrichand Rajpal thoughtfully arranged high-quality Sai Baba calendars as take-away gifts for interested children.
Parents and gurus expressed their gratitude to the Rotary Club for providing a non-competitive platform that builds confidence and encourages young artistes.
-Rtn. Prasad Parasuraman

A Night of Quizzing Wonders with Ms Rashmi Furtado

The Rotary Hall was alive with energy. Conversations buzzed, and the anticipation of a challenge hung in the air. At the centre of it all stood Quiz Master Rashmi Furtado our guest for the evening, a renowned educator and the only professional woman quiz host.
“Tonight,” she announced, “we’re not just testing knowledge, we’re celebrating curiosity.”
Her first question set the tone: “Which everyday kitchen tool inspired Nike’s cofounder Bill Bowerman to design soles that left their mark on the moon?” When Rashmi revealed the answer, the waffle iron, the Rotarians marvelled at the ingenuity. Bowerman’s experiment had birthed the “moon shoe,” whose patterned sole was immortalised in lunar dust in 1969.
Next came a playful twist. “Before alarm clocks, how did people wake up on time?” Rashmi asked. The Rotarians chuckled as she described window knockers tapping panes with long sticks and pea shooters firing dried peas at glass. The hall erupted in laughter, imagining the chaos of mornings past.
Then Rashmi stunned the audience. “What unusual material has been used to craft jewellery in recent years?” The answer, breast milk, drew wide eyes. She explained how artisans preserved it into pendants and rings, turning motherhood into wearable memory.
History returned with resilience. “During the Great Depression, what surprising material was repurposed into clothing?” Rashmi asked. Flour and sugar sacks, she revealed, had been stitched into dresses and shirts. Manufacturers even printed floral patterns, knowing families would reuse them.
The quiz then shifted to toys with a deeper message. “Who created the Barbie doll, and why?” Rashmi asked. Ruth Marianna Handler, she explained, envisioned Barbie as a symbol of choice, encouraging girls to imagine futures beyond traditional roles and to trust their own decisions. “Which company devised different packaging shapes to show
that one idea doesn’t fit all minds?” Rashmi continued. The answer, Bournvita sparked discussion. Diversity of thought, she reminded them, deserved diversity of design.
Finally, Rashmi brought the quiz to its climax. “Who pioneered the business of harvesting natural ice, turning frozen lakes into a global commodity?” Frederic Tudor, the ‘Ice King,’ had shipped blocks of ice from New England to the tropics, revolutionising trade and daily life.
By the end of the evening, the Rotarians were exhilarated. Some had hit the bull’s eye with perfect answers, while others stumbled but left richer in knowledge. Rashmi Furtado had done more than test them; she had taken them on a journey through curiosity, invention, and imagination.
To sum it up: “Tonight wasn’t just about questions. It was about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.” Rashmi smiled, knowing that was the true purpose of her quiz to remind everyone that curiosity is the spark that keeps minds alive. 
As a snapshot of the full day, drawn to dusk, Yuva Yamini program Rotarians who attended the Monday meeting on 12th January were presented with two performances, one Group vocal piece and another group Tabla piece.

ShieldHer 56th Session: When the Legal Community Champions Prevention

ShieldHer: United Against Cervical Cancer marked its 56th awareness session on January 8, 2026, at the Advocates’ Association Complex, engaging nearly 200 legal professionals,150 women and 50 men in a compelling dialogue on cervical cancer prevention. The session underscored the shared responsibility of informed choices, focusing on HPV vaccination, early screening, and timely intervention as powerful tools against cancer. Led by Dr. Vidyamani Lingegowda, Senior Consultant at Sagar Chandramma Hospital, Bengaluru, the program translated clinical evidence into practical understanding. With clarity and conviction, she addressed risk factors, prevention strategies, and available treatment options, reinforcing a key message: cervical cancer is largely preventable when detected early.
The discussion that followed reflected strong engagement from the audience. Several advocates expressed keen interest in catch-up HPV vaccination, while others sought clarity on screening pathways.
The organizers gratefully acknowledge the support of Advocates Shwetha and Sharada for seamless coordination, and Advocate Sandhya for her warm hospitality.
By engaging professional communities beyond healthcare, ShieldHer continues to strengthen preventive health awareness across Bengaluru, one informed conversation at a time.
Rtn. Dr. Sowmya P. R. & Rtn. Dr. Nita Roy