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www.whyiam.org …a
service of
RGHF
Rotary Global History
"We live in the present, we dream of the future,
but we learn from the past."
Discuss this feature at
www.rghfforum.org
“MY boat to REDEMPTION”
 Rtn.
Rajiv Sharma
Assistant District Trainer
District Chairman – TRF Permanent Fund
Editor – Governor’s Monthly Letter
Rotary International District 3030 INDIA
(photo RGHF Members RIP
11/12 Kalyan Banerjee & Rtn. Rajiv Sharma)
“This generation has the responsibility for deciding whether the
human race is to prosper or decline, whether our conduct will
lead to a beginning or an end … It is the crisis of the human
race.” – Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
I joined Rotary, well in First instance it
was because my late father, also a Rotarian wanted me to do so &
secondly I was attracted since childhood to the speakers,
District Conferences & programs I got to see in RID 314 now RID
3140; to enter 5 star hotels unrestricted, rub shoulders & have
lunch with famous Goderejs; Wadias; Piramals; Merchants; (Ambanis
were not Rotarians then) listen to High Court & Supreme Court
Judges, State Governors, Head of states, film stars, Cricketers,
other leader in all walks of life, get their autographs without
been pushed; these were my “noble aims” to join Rotary. My movie
going stopped & I was attending more than 5 meetings a week when
I was in Mumbai & I was almost 20 days a month in Mumbai in
1993-97 period.
This, listening to & interacting with great
people, each one a giant in his own way, helped me metamorphose
from ordinary member of Rotary Club of Bhusawal – Rajiv to Rtn.
Rajiv. I became member of Rotary Club of Bhusawal in 1993 but
became Rotarian only by 1995. I found “PURPOSE” of my life. For
me, in my mind, service to mankind – became complete surrender
to service to God. I rarely go to temples – that may make be
atheist, but I am a firm believer in higher power & existence of
God. I agree with poet when he says – “Vahid sharab peene de
Masjid mein baith ka, yaw o jagah bata ki jahan Khuda na ho”.
But I never miss a Rotary meet, if I can reach & contribute my
best. This thought always remains in my mind, which I believe
will give me yet another opportunity to serve the mankind &
thereby paving the way to the ultimate goal “REDEMPTION” – from
the cycle of birth & death. For me Rotary became my “boat to
REDEMPTION” – my opium;
which helps me occupy my every single spare moment & keeps me
away from “sins”.
Rotary has taught me that honesty. Rotary
helped me realize that honesty is a norm & fashionable, not a
liability. A very difficult test may be & does make me
feel foolish most of the time, but in long run pays handsomely.
Rotary has helped me strengthen myself to resist pressures;
specially peer pressure; most of the time, I must admit.
Rotary has taught me
“self-discipline”.
What cannot be achieved by “dand (punishment) & bhed
(conspiracy) can it be achieved voluntarily? “Laws
may be made but they may not be obeyed. But once there is a
realization that certain practices have been followed and
implemented, then a fresh wave of thinking “self-discipline”
comes up”. Rotary is such institution. My parents & teachers
may feel bad but what their “discipline” did not do to influence
me – Rotary’s concept of voluntarism (“Rotarygiri”) & its motto
of “service above self” did. Rotary helped me understand purpose
of human life & values.
Rotary taught me to
“Walk the Talk” – I
try not to say anything till I have moral authority to say so. I
do & than ask others to do; even in my business.
AND I have learned to keep my
ego under control, at
least in Rotary matters.
I firmly believe that the people are ready
& eager for a better quality of life, a more genuine life, a
more honest life. And we Rotarians are and can be effective on
individual basis – Our setting example is essential. This point
was strongly stated by the Past RIP (1967-68) Late Luther H.
Hodges: “I hope that
every Rotarian will consider what he can do both as an
individual and through his organizations, to elevate the
standards of ethics and to promote the most widespread adherence
to them.”
I am really proud of being a Rotarian – and
I display my love & pride for Rotary very shamelessly – even
Rashmi is sometimes very angry & jealous on such display. She
says thank God she also is a Rotarian otherwise I would have
ignored her totally
(although wholly false assumption on her part – I love her
dearly).
I have written this from bottom of my
heart, & I invite you to consider what I have said, and then to
respond, to the editor.
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