Dear Fellow Rotarians,

At the very outset, I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to all my fellow Rotarians for having reposed such a tremendous faith in me. I am at my wit’s end as to whether I’ll be able to stand up to your lofty expectations but you can be rest assured that I will put in best of my efforts to stand by my commitment and your trust. At a time when the country  is split asunder by religious bigotry, political fanaticism and mutual intolerance, when our world is on the brink of disaster owing to abject poverty, illiteracy and mutual distrust. Rotary appears as a beacon light of wisdom, peace and mutual tolerance.

July being the month of literacy, every Rotarian is expected to grid up his loin to banish illiteracy and ignorance from our country and guide and lead the lowly and the lost, the unfortunate souls forsaken even by the Gods, from darkness to light, from mournful moments to blissful existence. War is fought first in the minds of men. In like manner, misunderstanding and animosity, intrigues and ill-feeling are the resultant off shoots of our failures to understand and serene and sublime thoughts of other innocent people. Our efforts might appear trifles before such a stupendous task and people might think this to be an exercise in futility but it makes all the difference to the concerned people. 

August is Membership and Extension Month, the perfect time to share your passion for Rotary. Maybe you know some business associates or family members who would make great Rotarians, but you never considered them for club membership because they don't live near you. Take the time this month to call them, tell them why you think they'd make great Rotarians. Potential club members are everywhere. But to get them to join Rotary, we must use creativity and imagination.  Rotary International leaders keep emphasizing membership growth and extension because Rotary's very survival depends on it. "If Rotary is to grow, we all must take action." 

I believe we can thrive by seeking new members, retaining current ones, and sponsoring new clubs in the community.

Rtn Mukesh Changia.