Mahesh Kotbagi
A doctor by profession, an entrepreneur by nature, an adventurer by passion, and a Rotary leader by achievement, Past RI Director Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi embodies a rare fusion of capabilities and talents. Equally at home in the operating theatre, the boardroom, and the cockpit of a small aircraft, he has spent a lifetime pursuing excellence and uplifting those around him.
Born into a distinguished family of freedom fighters and doctors, Dr. Mahesh grew up surrounded by ideals of service and sacrifice. His father inspired him to weave social service into the very fabric of his professional life — a guiding principle he has lived by ever since.
An M.D. in Gynaecology from the University of Pune, Dr. Mahesh dedicated himself early to a powerful vision: high-quality healthcare at low cost. In 1991, he established his own hospital — the first of its kind in the region to earn ISO 9001:2000 certification. Today it stands as a thriving multi-specialty facility, and his expertise has been sought as a consultant for the development of numerous hospitals across India. To extend the reach of compassionate care, he founded the Chinmayi Charitable Trust, which supports affordable healthcare and education for underserved communities. Through this initiative, Dr. Mahesh continues to organise free health camps in slums and rural areas, bringing quality medical attention to those who need it most.
Dr. Mahesh's Rotary journey began in 1995, when he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Pune Sports City. He went on to serve as District Governor of RI District 3130 in 2005–06, marking the beginning of an exceptional Rotary career.
Under his leadership, more than 100 service projects have come to life, including a Functional Literacy programme empowering adult women across 11 villages, training programmes for thousands of teachers, cow-banks and dairy centres supporting underprivileged women, over 700 polio-corrective surgeries, and rural eye-surgery camps benefiting more than 20,000 individuals. He has also been deeply engaged in Rotary's youth initiatives, including Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) and Rotaract, mentoring the next generation of Rotary leaders.
Dr. Mahesh's rise in Rotary has been nothing short of meteoric. He has served with distinction across the full spectrum of Rotary assignments, including RI President's Representative at multiple District Conferences, International Training Leader, Chairman — Governor-Elect Training Seminar (GETS), Chairman — Governor-Nominee Training Seminar (GNTS), and Chairman — Technology, Rotary Institutes.
A gifted communicator with sharp wit and warmth, Dr. Mahesh is a much sought-after speaker on Rotary platforms worldwide. He has researched and authored several papers on Rotary subjects and produced numerous audio-visual films that bring the spirit of Rotary to life. He was also a trendsetter in pioneering technology-driven Rotary conferences.
His contributions have been recognised with Rotary's Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service, and the Polio Plus Appreciation Award. A staunch supporter and Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation, he embodies the spirit of Doing Good in the World.
Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi served on Rotary International's Board of Directors for 2021–23, concurrently holding several pivotal leadership roles:
- Member, Rotary International Executive Committee (2021–22)
- TRF Trustee Liaison Representative from the RI Board (2021–22)
- Member, RI District Reorganisation / Bifurcation Committee (2021–24)
- Chairman, Rotary News Trust (2021–22)
- Chairman, Rotary Foundation India (RFI) (2025–26)
Dr. Mahesh is happily married to Dr. Amita, a physician and his steadfast partner in life and service. The couple is blessed with two daughters — Dr. Chinmayi, a Radiologist, and Dr. Sana, who is a physician.
A defining facet of Dr. Mahesh is his willingness to take risks and walk “the road less travelled by,” in the immortal words of Robert Frost. This spirit finds expression in his abiding passion for adventure sports — flying, sailing, driving, and biking — alongside a deep commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental protection.
Past RI Director Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi continues to lead by example, with an unwavering commitment to the values of Rotary — Service Above Self, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of doing good in the world.