Shekhar- My Friend, My Leader

It was in 2004, that I first met Shekhar and Rashi, when they were our training leaders. We shared a common passion for Rotary as well as an appetite for good food. I have fond memories of breaking bread with him at Jai Hind Dhaba, a popular highway restaurant in Kolkatta, India. Readers would be interested to know that Shekhar is a teetotaller and a vegetarian, but cannot resist ‘Puchka’, a popular street-side snack, also known as ‘Golgappa’ in Delhi and ‘Paani Puri in Mumbai.

Shekhar is truly, a father figure, a friend, philosopher, and counsel to all associated with him. He has the ability to smell the potential in people and identify opportunities for them. He has a phenomenal memory which, combined with his genuine humility and informality, has made him a man of the masses.

As Rotary got closer to eradicating Polio from the face of the earth, Shekhar identified the next big challenge for Rotary- Literacy. He pioneered Rotary India Literacy Mission, which is taking giant steps towards making India 100 % literate, and also Rotary India Humanity Foundation. I am privileged to be a Founder-Trustee of both these initiatives.|

In the story, ‘Rotary is forging a path to full literacy in India’, which appeared in the Sept.21 issue of Rotary magazine, Vanessa Glavinskas writes: ”Long before he became Rotary International’s president, Shekhar Mehta was known for setting ambitious goals. “I realized making a country literate is no easy task,” says Mehta,“But I strongly believe in Gandhi’s view that if you find the goal, the means will follow.’”

I have personal experience of Shekhar’s insistence on Bigger, Better, and Bolder in everything he does. He believes in scaling up projects to achieve maximum impact, and maximum visibility. His broad vision seems to be blessed by the Lord because he has always managed to achieve his goals.

Sometime back, when Shekhar tested positive for Covid, he showed that he is the lifeblood of Rotary and the backbone of Rotary India. Even while he could not communicate with us, he did not allow Rotary India to become breathless or to stand still. No wonder he is fondly addressed as ‘Jagatguru’ (Universal Teacher) of Indian Rotary.

Today on his birthday, I wish him good health and happiness and pray that he continues to inspire and energize us all, on the path of service in Rotary.

It is wonderful to be here, as Americans start preparing for the Christmas season. One of the highlights of mid-November is the tradition of lighting up Christmas trees, everywhere across this vast country. In Chicago, this year’s tree-lighting ceremony took place at 6 pm on Friday, Nov.19 in Millennium Park.

The story goes that in 1882, the first Christmas tree to be lit by electric lights was seen in New York. It was lit by Edward Johnson who happened to be a friend of Thomas Edison. This seems to have started the wonderful tradition of placing strings of Christmas lights around trees and homes.

The Christmas tree, which is in itself a beautiful symbol of the Christian faith, has its ‘roots in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Hebrew cultures which used evergreen trees to symbolize eternal life.

Autumn, the season preceding winter, is called the Fall season in the USA. The trees all around are resplendent in red, orange, brown, and orange colors. Americans also celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, this year falling on the 25th of November. Thanksgiving originated as a harvest festival, and the traditional dinner includes indigenous food like turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

It is a special feeling to experience the festive mood in America. It reminds me of how all of us in India connect our festivals with nature, food, the seasons, and the environment. It tells me that human beings everywhere, however different their colors may be, are essentially children of one mother; Mother Earth.

The address 1560, Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, USA is the most iconic location for more than 1.2 million Rotarians across the globe. This is One, Rotary Center- World Headquarters and of Rotary International.

Back in the year 2004 when I was a serving District Governor, I had the occasion to visit Rotary World Headquarters. I remember being overwhelmed and humbled on entering the nerve centre of the greatest humanitarian service organizations the world has ever seen, a movement that has survived 2 World Wars and now has its footprint across the globe.

I will never forget that moment when I first walked into the RI President’s office.

Today, I walked into One, Rotary Centre for the first time in my capacity as Rotary International Director. Regardless of one’s position, the feeling remains the same. It made me acutely aware that we are part of such a magnificent institution.

For the benefit of those who have not visited RI Headquarters, let me share that until the Covid pandemic struck, free guided tours of One, Rotary Centre were available for groups of up to 10 people. During the 30-minute tour, you could

• Explore Room 711, a reproduction of the site of the first Rotary club meeting
• Visit the Arch Klumph Society gallery, featuring information about The Rotary Foundation and an interactive display that honors major contributors
• See the elegant Rotary International Boardroom on the 18th floor with views of the downtown Chicago skyline
• See the offices of Rotary’s senior leaders
• Enjoy sweeping views of beautiful Lake Michigan
• Visit the One Rotary Center gift shop to purchase a souvenir of your visit

Until the social distancing restrictions are lifted, you can avail of the tour on a virtual platform

I urge every Rotarian to experience the thrill of being in this holy shrine of Rotary.

P.S : When in Evanston, you can also attend a meeting of the Rotary Club of Evanston on Thursdays at noon, or the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse on Tuesdays, at 7.15 pm

On the 29th of October, 2021, Rotary world lost one of its most illustrious sons. Sushil Gupta, who had been elected as RI President for RY 2020-21 and had in April 2019, stepped aside for health reasons, finally succumbed to a 2-year long battle against motor nervous disease, and passed into the ages.

A titan of Rotary in India, he was respected by all for his commitment to water conservation, and related projects like Clean Himalayas, Save Gangotri, and inter-linking of India’s rivers.

The tears of sorrow shed by all of us in and outside Rotary are a salute to Rotary’s Waterman.

In his professional life, he was a doyen of the Hospitality business, being the Chairman and Managing Director of Asian Hotels (West) which owned the JW Marriot Hotel in Aerocity, New Delhi, and the Hyatt Regency in Mumbai.

He can be rightfully credited with the ‘Incredible India’ campaign that brought contemporary India on to the global tourism map. It was altogether fitting that he was conferred the Padma Shri in 2007.

During my Rotary career, I was privileged to work with Sushilji and I was fortunate to count him among my close friends. I can share with you all that Sushilji wore his great achievements very lightly and was an epitome of personal courtesy and graciousness at all times. There were several occasions when he insisted that I have lunch with him at home rather than in any hotel, in New Delhi. As RI Director he was kind enough to attend Rotary club of Pune Sports City event in Pune when I invited him.

One can never forget his command in Pranic Healing ( Medical Therapy ) which he would offer to his families and friends.

Life is truly full of uncertainty but Sushilji’s life reminds of that beautiful line from Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Anand’ – “Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi.” SushilGupta’s work, both professional and social, brought happiness to millions of Indians.

I pray that the Lord blesses Vinita-bhabhi and their children with the strength to bear this loss. We will all miss his leadership and his wisdom. May Sushil’s soul attain Sadgati.