Service creates freedom from disease, poverty, division, and fear: Rotary International President

Five Young achievers recognized and awarded with a cash prize of 1L each, at the Rotary Zonal Institute in New D

New Delhi, 17 November 2025 — At the Rotary Institute, ‘Tejas: Wings of Change’ held in New Delhi from 14–16 November, RI President Francesco Arezzo called on Rotarians across the world to recommit to unity, continuity, and impact-driven service as the organization prepares for the future of global humanitarian leadership. The event was graced by distinguished guests including the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Dr. C.N. Manjunath, and Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha, Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi.

Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Vice President of India, said, “I was a part of Rotary when I was a student, as a Rotaractor. Rotary is an organisation that serves humanity from birth to death—protecting every child, uplifting every community, and standing with people in their moments of greatest need. Its spirit of seva and its alignment with national priorities make Rotary one of India’s strongest partners in progress. I salute every Rotarian for carrying forward a legacy of compassion, integrity, and action that continues to transform lives across the world.”

“In a world that is changing faster than ever, Rotary must serve as an anchor — a place where individuals are welcomed and empowered to act,” Rotary International President Arezzo said while addressing senior Rotary leaders from across Asia and beyond.

“When we unite for good, we honour the traditions that shaped us, while opening doors to a future where every individual can live free of suffering and full of possibility. In this unity, we find the strength to advance peace, support communities, and ensure that Rotary remains a beacon of trust and transformation for generations to come. This Institute strengthens our commitment to build across time and across differences, knowing that when Rotary is united for good, it becomes a global pathway to peace.”

Rotary’s past, present, and incoming leaders were present at the three-day gathering to discuss regional priorities, strategic alignment, membership expansion, and pathways to sustainable community impact. The event spotlighted Rotary’s work across global health, peacebuilding, education, and climate resilience.

Reinforcing the organisation’s strategic priorities, RI Director, K.P. Nagesh highlighted the evolving expectations of communities and the need for Rotary to respond with agility and purpose. “Today’s world demands new thinking and bold action. Whether it is eradicating Polio, expanding access to clean water, or enabling young people to lead, Rotary’s role is to bring solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and centered on dignity. The Institute has renewed our resolve to work smarter and serve deeper,” he noted.

RI Director, M. Muruganandam emphasized the importance of shared leadership and long-term programme continuity. “The Institute is a reminder that Rotary’s strength lies in collaboration across generations and regions. Our commitment to continuity ensures that each leader builds on the foundation laid by others. When we stay focused on outcomes”.

Rotary Young Achievers Award 2025

Five exceptional young Indian leaders were awarded INR 1 Lakh each for their groundbreaking contributions and embodying Rotary’s spirit of service:

• Akarshana Sathish, founder of ‘The Open Libraries,’ championed literacy by establishing 24 libraries to make books accessible to underserved communities.
• Aneesha Narain, a Paul Harris Fellow, has been recognized for her multifaceted humanitarian service, including the impactful Project OGAAN.
• Bhavini Bhargava, an international bestselling author whose evocative poetry collection, ‘Unheard,’ has garnered over 30 global awards.
• Nidhi Rana, a youth leader, founded “StepTern” for experiential learning and “TetraCaps” to transform waste into eco-friendly furniture.
• Suhana Saini, a world-ranked Table Tennis prodigy, with multiple World Championship medals and achieving World No. 1 in U19 Girls Doubles.

Three individuals were awarded as Inspiring Change Makers:

• Pushpa Priya — an IT professional and dedicated volunteer from Bengaluru who has served as a compassionate scribe for 1500+ visually impaired students
• Dr. Aparna Deshmukh — founder of Abhamaya Old Age Home in Pune, where for over 15 years she has created a sanctuary of dignity and care for abandoned and destitute elders, nurturing more than 70 residents as her own family.
• Rudra Prasad Mohapatra — former Junior Warrant Officer of the Indian Air Force, honoured for his continued service to society through veteran welfare, disaster relief, healthcare support, environmental conservation, and community empowerment.

Rotary members—including those in nearly 4600 clubs in India,  as well as  throughout the world–develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service—to support these initiatives over the last 100 years.