THE ROTATOR - Issue 29

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

A Cherished Relationship, a Trip to Remember

In the Rotary world, I doubt there’s another sister-club relationship as enduring and lively as the one we at RCB share with the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya (RCPJ), Malaysia. Credit goes to our Past President, the late Rtn. Peter Kashyap, who sowed the seeds of this bond back in 1978—79. After his stint in Malaysia as a Rotarian with RCPJ, he returned to Bangalore and became the architect of a connection that has now stood strong for nearly five decades.
That’s longer than most marriages, and certainly more fun! Over the years, RCBians have made it a tradition to join RCPJ’s landmark celebrations every decade or so,not just to rekindle friendships, but also to roll up our sleeves and pitch in with their projects. And true to the spirit of reciprocity, RCPJ members have often graced our events in Bangalore. I myself have had the privilege of leading RCB’s welcome on at least two of their visits.
Needless to say, these bonds have grown deeper with time, enriched by warmth, laughter, and memories that could fill several scrapbooks (or at least a few very lively WhatsApp groups). Not to forget the plethora of photos that could fill an album as thick as several volumes of the pictorial Encyclopaedia.
So, when RCPJ invited us to celebrate their 65th charter anniversary, a cheerful delegation of 23 RCBians and spouses, led by our ever- youthful President Sukhen, packed their bags and their best dancing shoes. Thanks to the meticulous planning of RCPJ and the equally meticulous coordination by our International Service Director, Rtn Sandeep Ohri, and chairperson Rtn Aria Ohri, the trip was smooth, fun-filled, and enjoyable every single minute.
And what a gathering it was! RCPJ hosted Rotarians from 10 sister clubs across the globe, even from as far as Riga, Latvia. We mingled with Rotarians from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and Kerala, all of whom had collaborated with RCPJ on projects over the years. It was like a Rotary United Nations, only with better food and fewer speeches.
From the moment we landed, the hospitality was flawless. Rtn. Capt. Sashi Dharan and his team seemed to have taken a solemn oath: “Thou shalt not let a guest lift a finger.” And they lived up to it. Every need, every wish, every whim was graciously taken care of.

THE WHIRLWIND DAYS
Day 1 (Jan 15 — Melaka): We set off to the historic trading port of Melaka, a melting pot of Dutch, Portuguese, Arab, and British influences. Between sightseeing, souvenir-hunting on Jurong Street, and sampling local coffee and sweetmeats, we soaked in the charm of the town. Dinner enroute with Rotarians from around the world capped off the day—special mention to our exuberant Filipino friends, whose energy levels could power a small city.
Day 2 (Jan 16 — Kuala Lumpur): A tour of KL’S sights, photo-ops galore, and a sumptuous lunch hosted by RCPJ. The evening brought us to the Grand Ballroom for the official welcome dinner—a glittering affair of speeches, introductions, and gift exchanges. RCB contributed plaques, tokens of friendship, and RM 6,500 to RCPJ’s community chest. Meanwhile, our golfers enjoyed a round under the expert guidance of Rtn. Kevin, proving that Rotary bonds extend even to the fairway. Day 3 (Jan 17 — Projects & Anniversary Gala): We visited RCPJ’s impactful initiatives, including a bakery project supporting single mothers and a community Tai Chi program (free daily classes at 8:30 am—now that’s service with serenity). At Petaling Jaya’s central market, we inaugurated a Global Grant Project for free public toilets, with local government officials applauding Rotary’s contribution. Lunch at a swanky golf club was followed by the grand 65th anniversary celebration. Picture this: an eight-course dinner, flowing beverages, traditional Malay dance, and music that had everyone on the dance floor. Clubs started at their designated tables but soon dissolved into one big Rotary family. By the end, nobody knew which club was which—except that we were all united under Rotary friendship.
Day 4 (Jan 18 — Farewell): Goodbyes are never easy. Some left early for onward journeys, others for shopping sprees, while the rest gathered for a farewell lunch that stretched well past 3 pm. True to form, RCPJ members accompanied us all the way to the airport, waving us off with warmth that made departure bittersweet.
THETAKEAWAY
Every participant returned with a heart full of gratitude and a suitcase full of memories (and maybe a few extra kilos from the feasts). The hospitality of RCPJ was nothing short of legendary, and the bonds of friendship forged over decades were strengthened yet again.
Here’s to RCPJ—may this cherished relationship continue to thrive for many more years, with celebrations that are as grand, friendships that are as warm, and itineraries that are as flawlessly executed (and hopefully with fewer calories next time).
-PP Rtn Vivek Prabhu

Hormones in Harmony: Empowering Young Minds at Mount Carmel College

The Rotary Club of Bangalore (RCB), in partnership with the Karnataka Endocrine Society (KES), successfully hosted the third awareness session of the Endocrine Wellness Series—Hormones in Harmony for a Healthy Life on January 12 at Mount Carmel College, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru.
The session featured an engaging expert talk by Dr. Usha Sriram (DIWAS; Head Diabetes, Endocrinology & Women’s Health, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai), titled “Be Ready for Life — The A to Z of Getting Healthy.” Blending evidence-based insights with narrative storytelling and gentle humor, Dr. Usha highlighted practical approaches to holistic health, emphasizing lifestyle choices, hormonal balance, and women’s health. The program drew enthusiastic participation from 190 undergraduate and postgraduate students of Life Science and Biotechnology, along with 14 faculty members. An interactive Q&A addressed key concerns, including the distinctions between PCOS and PCOD and their reversibility, with expert inputs from Dr. Rajeshwari Janakiraman, Dr. Priya Chinappa, and Dr. Chitra Selvan of KES.
RCB and KES extend heartfelt thanks to the Mount Carmel College management for their invaluable support. The session was warmly received, reinforcing the importance of endocrine health awareness in academic settings.
-Rtns. Dr. Nita Roy, Dr. Sowmya P.R. & Dr. Anju Agadi

The Evolution of Indian Cinema Since 1947

Mr. M.K. Ragavendra, an Indian film/literary scholar, theorist, critic, and writer who had, till 2016, authored six volumes on cinema, and contributed to numerous newspapers and periodicals, kept the Rotarians spellbound with his narration of the evolution of Indian cinema at our Monday meeting. He mapped the story of Indian cinema decade by decade. He said when India gained independence in 1947, Indian cinema stood at a fascinating crossroads. Unlike Western cinema, which had long embraced realism, documentaries, political dramas, and historical investigations, Indian cinema leaned toward illusion, magic, and expression. Where Hollywood and European filmmakers sought to depict the world as it was, Indian filmmakers sought to reimagine it, drawing deeply from mythology, folklore, and emotional morality. Cinema in India became less about representing reality and more about creating a moral universe where emotions, fables, and mythic archetypes guided audiences.
In the immediate post-independence years, he said, Indian cinema reflected the concerns of a newly liberated nation. Films of the late 1940s and 1950s often used fables as their narrative backbone, addressing contemporary issues through allegory rather than realism. While Western war cinema depicted the brutal realities of battle, Indian war films emphasised patriotism, sacrifice, and the collective spirit of nation- building. Courtroom dramas and the image of the policeman became recurring motifs, symbolising justice and authority in a society grappling with law and order.
Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of modernity also seeped into cinema. Films like Awara (1951) and Mother India (1957) combined mythic storytelling with social commentary, presenting modernity as both promise and challenge. The policeman represented the state’s authority, while the courtroom became a stage for moral debates rather than legal realism.
Coming to the 60s, Mr Ragavendra said the 1960s brought new challenges, particularly the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Indian cinema responded not with gritty depictions of military conflict but with patriotic narratives that emphasised unity and resilience. Mythology continued to dominate, but now it was infused with contemporary anxieties. Films often portrayed the soldier as a mythic hero, embodying sacrifice rather than the harsh realities of combat.

At the same time, he mentioned, the regional cinema began asserting itself. Bengali cinema under Satyajit Ray leaned closer to realism, echoing Western traditions, while Tamil and Telugu films embraced mythological grandeur and melodrama. This divergence highlighted the richness of Indian cinema: Hindi films often emphasised national identity, while regional films explored local culture, caste dynamics, and linguistic pride. The 1970s were marked by Indira Gandhi’s rise and the Emergency. He said cinema reflected the image of a strong woman, both in mythic and contemporary terms. Her political presence inspired narratives of female resilience, with heroines portrayed as embodiments of strength and sacrifice. Films like Aradhana, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Sholay showcased women who could challenge authority and redefine morality.
Narrating the shifting nature of Indian cinema, he recalled how the 1980s saw a surge of escapist cinema, with larger-than-life heroes dominating screens. Yet beneath the spectacle, films continued to grapple with social issues—caste, poverty, and inequality. He pointed out that the regional cinema flourished, with Malayalam films exploring nuanced social realities and Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu cinema addressing caste hierarchies. Hindi cinema leaned toward melodrama, often using mythic tropes to address contemporary struggles.
Economic liberalisation in the 1990s transformed Indian cinema.
Bollywood embraced globalisation, producing films that blended traditional values with modern aspirations. Love stories like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge became cultural landmarks, presenting romance as both mythic destiny and modern choice.
By the 2000s, Indian cinema had become a global phenomenon. War films like Border and LOC Kargil emphasised patriotism over realism, echoing the tradition of mythic heroism. Regional cinema gained unprecedented strength. Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu cinema tackled caste, gender, and social justice with bold realism.
By 2014, Indian cinema had evolved into a vast mosaic offering diverse perspectives rooted in language, caste, and local culture. Unlike Western cinema’s investigative realism, Indian cinema remained a theatre of emotions, morality, and myth, an art form that reimagined reality rather than replicating it, Mr Ragavendra concluded.