District expansion in Goa takes centre stage as Rotary Rotaract Enclave convenes in Taleigao

Goa Khabar: Marking a major expansion for the district in Goa, the Rotary Rotaract Enclave was held on Friday at Taleigao.

Present were Rotary International President Yinka Babalola, Vice President, Rotary International, M Muruganandam, Director, Rotary International, Flt Lt K P Nagesh, RI District 3170 Governor, Rtn Dr Lenny Da Costa and other dignitaries.

Dr. Lanny Da Costa said that this year, RI District 3170 has set an ambitious goal of touching a million lives and for this 32 new Rotaract Clubs were chartered on Friday at the event. He said the District intends to achieve 100 Rotaract clubs by the September deadline and even more by the end of the year. He also said that over 300 Interact Clubs will be set up this year.

“That’s a promise we are going to keep. Some may call it ambitious; I call it necessary. Rotary is about taking action and truly making a difference. Somewhere a child sleeps hungry, a patient waits for dialysis, an elderly person will long for companionship, a family wonders if tomorrow will be better than today. If Rotary cannot respond to those hopes, who will? Every blood donor, every teacher, every volunteer, every foundation contributor, every dear member welcomed into Rotary, every smile we create together will become a legacy, and together that is what lasting impact looks like,” he said.

He also said that plans are afoot to service the Rotaract and Interact clubs and make them functional.

“We are going to have a full Rotaract orientation over the next two months for all the new clubs that are chartering. Rotary has given us so much. Rotary has invested in us right through so many years. As our President Yinka BABALOLA said, it is payback time. Everyone is working very hard to meet these dreams,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, YINKA Babalola urged the Rotaractarians not to seek permission to led, and instead step forward, speak up and take the initiative.

“We need community-based work formed entirely by Rotaracters from the clubs. The best tools of a new Rotary Club are based entirely on past Interactors. The step next is simple: the journey of service. The transition into Rotary is not leaving Rotaract behind. It is expanding their ability to start because Rotary gives you the courage, the struggle at work and opportunities. Rotary means you, your energy and your leadership. I urge you Rotaractors to come with the spirit of Rotaract with you, and add shape to the future of Rotary,” he said.

In his address, RI director Naguesh said that India is a young country, and the Rotaract movement in India must grow further. This can be achieved through the youth, who comprise 65% of the population, being people below the age of 35 and the future of the country. He also said they have set a target to have 1,000 Rotaract Clubs by September throughout the country.

“We have come up with a formula 1:2:3, that is every Rotary Club in India must have two Rotaract Clubs and three Interact Clubs with an idea to connect these youngsters to the organisation. Last year, we doubled the number of Rotaractors, which is nearly 50,000. Our vision is to tell the world that being a young country with the highest number of Rotaracts, we want to grow further and have one lakh Rotaractors by 2026-27,” he said.