THE ROTATOR - Issue 39

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

Transforming a School, Transforming Futures

At Hosa Government school, Chickaballapur, where 150 young minds come to learn and grow, the infrastructure was once in a dilapidated condition, cracked walls, leaking roofs, and falling plaster posed daily challenges.
Today, the story has changed.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Rotary Club of Bangalore team and the generous support of Trivium eSolutions’ CEO, Rtn.
Deepak Nakra, the school has undergone a complete transformation.
The Rotary Club of Bangalore undertook extensive refurbishment, including new flooring, fresh painting, waterproofing, and structural repairs. To enhance the learning environment, play equipment was installed, bringing joy and activity to the children.
Special focus was given to early learners, with Nali Kali desks provided for students of Grades 1 to 3, creating a more engaging and child-friendly classroom experience.
This “Happy School” project, made possible by Rtn. Deepak Nakra’s generous contribution of ₹ 19 lakhs, was completed in an impressive 60 days-impacting the lives of 150 students.
A true example of service above self-creating safe, vibrant spaces where children can learn, play, and dream.

-Rtn. A N Manjunath

Eye Screening Camp

Nightingale Sandhya Kirana had organised an Eye screening camp on 23rd March at Samudhaya Bhavana, Arundathi nagar, Nagarbhavi with the support of RCB and its Satellite club RB 2020.
Viveka Drishti Eye Hospital was the partnering hospital. Totally 56 patients were screened, out of which 21 were diagnosed with cataract, 24 needed glasses for correcting refractive errors. While cataract surgeries for the patients who are fit to undergo shall be performed on 10th April, Rtn PP Sanjay Udani of Udani Opticals will be donating the spectacles.

-Rtn. Dr. M.V.Ravikumar

Diplomacy Meets Dialogue at Consul General Night

RCB’s Consul General Night promised more than ceremonial speeches. It was a night of conversation, of ideas exchanged across borders, and of diplomacy expressed not through protocol but through dialogue.
The event unfolded as a panel discussion featuring two distinguished diplomats: His Excellency Mr H.E. Ewout de Wit, Consul General of the Netherlands stationed in Bengaluru, and His excellency Mr H.E. Beat Schmid, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland. Together,
they crisply responded to relevant questions from the moderator Rtn Raj Kiran and the audience, weaving insights that spanned technology, water culture, startups, environment, agriculture, and health innovation.
Mr. Ewout de Wit spoke with clarity and conviction about the enduring importance of Indo-Dutch relations. He highlighted how the Netherlands, with its centuries-old expertise in water management, could collaborate with India to address pressing urban challenges. Bengaluru’s traffic and water systems, he noted, were ripe for innovative solutions.
He praised the Bengaluru traffic police for their proactive measures and suggested that digital twin technology, virtual replicas of physical systems could revolutionise traffic management, particularly during high-pressure events like the IPL matches.
Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Wit emphasised cooperation in education, agriculture, and health food research. Indo-Dutch partnerships in research and development, he said could elevate cultural ties to new heights. He envisioned a future where digital-driven startups co-create solutions that benefit both nations, blending Dutch engineering precision with Indian entrepreneurial energy.
Taking the baton, Mr. Beat Schmid offered a Swiss lens on Indo-foreign collaboration. He began by noting that over 1,700 Indians currently work in Swiss companies in Switzerland, a testament to the depth of bilateral engagement.
He spoke passionately about Switzerland’s strengths in chip design, stem cell research and supply chain solutions, areas where Indo-Swiss cooperation could yield transformative outcomes. He highlighted the role of Swissnex Switzerland’s global network for education, research, and innovation, in advancing collaboration between India and Switzerland. Through Swissnex, partnerships are being forged across science, society, and industry, with a shared commitment to reimagining solutions that prioritise the planet.
Mr. Schmid also drew attention to Swiss companies’ contributions in Medtech, Biotech, and Life sciences, sectors that are increasingly vital in a post-pandemic world. He noted how Swiss firms are pioneering work in Language Al, helping bridge communication gaps and fostering inclusivity. His remarks painted a picture of Switzerland not just as a hub of precision engineering but as a nation deeply invested in human-centric innovation.
The Rotary House of Friendship, with its ethos of service and community, provided the perfect backdrop for this diplomatic conversation. The event was not about formal agreements or policy announcements; it was about building understanding, sharing perspectives, and exploring how nations can collaborate to solve common challenges.
Rotary has long stood for service above self, and by bringing diplomats into conversation with local leaders, it extended that ethos into the realm of international cooperation. The evening demonstrated that friendship and dialogue can be powerful tools of diplomacy, complementing official channels with human connection.
As the evening drew to a close, the audience left with more than just insights into Indo-Dutch and Indo-Swiss relations. They carried with them a sense of possibility that Bengaluru, with its vibrant ecosystem of startups, universities, and civic institutions, could be a laboratory for global collaboration.

ICGF “Sanjeevini” – A Night of Purpose and Collective Spirit

March 28th marked yet another memorable and meaningful evening as the ICGF Community Services initiative of District 3192 co hosted by Rotary Club of Bangalore and RI Dist 3192 came alive at Princess Green. Aptly titled “Sanjeevini,” the event embodied the spirit of healing, service, and collective responsibility. The evening was gracefully emceed by Dist Secy Rtn. Honne Gowda from District 3192, setting a dignified and engaging tone throughout. 

The program commenced with a beautiful interfaith prayer, symbolizing unity in diversity. The Hindu prayer was recited by Rtn. Dr. Vimuktha Avinash, followed by a Jain prayer by Rtn Sanjay, a muslim prayer by Rtn Sheikh Ahmed, and a Christian prayer by Rtn Solomon. This reflected harmony across beliefs and shared values of service.
The opening address by Rtn. Sukhen Padmanabha, President of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, highlighted the significance of ICGF and its growing impact. The purpose of Community service ICGF was highlighted by PDG Rtn. Srinivas Murthy. This was followed by Rtn. Dileep Pillai, District Director, Community Services, who highlighted significant projects of RCB and other clubs. He shed light on key programs such as Smart Board installations, the Floor-to-Desk initiative, StrongHer, and ShieldHer, all of which continue to create meaningful change at the grassroots level.
An inspiring address by Rtn. Elizabeth Cherian further elevated the evening. She emphasized the importance of reaching the urban poor and serving at the grassroots. One particularly powerful example she shared was of Mr. Gangadhar Tilak, who personally filled nearly 2000 potholes in Hyderabad, a reminder that impactful service often begins with individual initiative. Her words left the audience deeply motivated and reflective.
The evening also witnessed the felicitation of Shri Satish of Pramilla Veerappa Educational Trust.
Guest of Honour, Mrs. Savitha Sulugodu, CEO of SVYM, addressed the gathering with profound insights drawn from years of grassroots work. She spoke about the organization’s journey, its long-standing collaboration with Rotary, and the critical role of policy-level support in uplifting underserved communities.

Adding an engaging dimension to the program, a student interaction session as conducted and skillfully moderated by Rtn. Elizabeth Cherian. Simple and smart solutions to community issues innovated by the students were highlighted.
The event concluded on a warm and celebratory note with dinner, accompanied by a screening of the RCB IPL match. The ICGF captured the true spirit and style of RCB.

– Rtn. Dr. Vimuktha