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“In 1955, Dr.Jonas Edward Salk developed a polio vaccine that was certified as ‘safe and effective’”

and 5 years later, the US Government licensed the Oral Polio vaccine developed by Dr.Albert Sabin.

In 1979, Rotary began its fight against Polio with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines.

In 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, with an initial fund-raising target of USD 120 million. In a response that was an eye-opener for the world, Rotarians raised USD 240 million for Polio Eradication. This made the world sit up and recognize the power of Rotary.

In 1988, Rotary International and World Health Organization launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. At that time there were more 350,000 Polio cases in more than 125 countries.

In 2009, Rotary's total contribution to Polio Eradication touched USD 800 million. Bill and Melinda Gates pledges USG 355 million and challenged Rotarians to raise USD 200 million.

This would eventually result in a combined fund-raise of USD 555 million in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

In 2012, India was removed from the list of Polio-endemic countries after surpassing 1 year without any new cases of Polio. In 2014, India completed 3 years without any new cases, and the World Health Organization certified the entire South-East Asia region as Polio-free.

In 2019, Nigeria went 3 years without new cases caused by the wild polio virus. As on date, only Afghanistan and Pakistan remain to be freed from the disease. Yet, Rotary cannot sit back and rest. If we do not completely eradicate Polio in the next 10 Years, there is the horrendous possibility of 200,000 new cases across the world every year. 99% success can become 100% failure! What was expected to be a 10-year effort has taken more than 35 years. During the peak of the campaign, even the formidable forces of the LTTE had agreed to a cease-fire in Sri Lanka, to enable Polio Immunization. Today, as Afghanistan stands at a turning point in its troubled history, the Taliban has extended its hand of cooperation so that every Afghan child is immunized.

On World Polio Day, I urge every Rotarian and every Rotary Club across the world to remember that Polio eradication is what the world will thank Rotary for. We must accomplish the task. We must eradicate Polio from the face of the earth, forever.

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 visit Room 711, see historical displays, and enjoy Lake Michigan views.

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.” Sushil Gupta'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.