A Rotary Star is Born - History of Rotary Ivory City Mysuru
It was on Sunday 18th October 2015 a new club, Rotary Ivory City Mysuru was chartered with 29 charter members, and 16 of them were already past Rotarians 13 new members, all spouses of Rotarians. The Charter was dated 5th October 2015Three of the members were Past Presidents. Even before the club was officially chartered the members were regularly meeting every week at Sri Vidya Academy at Gokulam to have friendship and fellowship. The comradeships developed during these meetings continue even today. Thanks to our charter members for having formed the club on the foundation of friendship and fellowship. In fact this was aptly exhibited in the first fund raising project organised by the members even before the club was officially formed. The first “Dandiya Nite” was organised during the early part of October, 2015 which was appreciated by the elite population of the city of Mysuru. The event exemplified the organisational calibre of the members. This also signalled the bonding of club members and support extended by each and every member in making it a grand success. This also signifies that whatever responsibility taken up by the club will be successfully implemented.
On 18th Sunday, October 2015 the Charter presentation was made by District Governor Rtn. Dr. A. Bharthesh (Dist. 3180) in the presence of Assistant Governor Rtn. H.R. Keshava and GSR Rtn. P.K. Ramakrishna. The club was sponsored by Rotary Club of Mysore Mid Town. Thanks to the generosity of the members of Midtown. The uniqueness of this club was that there were 14 couples in the club. Another distinction was that Rtn. R. Muthukumaran who was the Charter President became the last President of Ivory City Mysuru in RI District 3180 and after the bifurcation of the district he became the first President in RI District 3181. Similarly Hon. Secretary Rtn. Animesh Chathurvedi became the last secretary in Dist. 3180 and first secretary in Dist. 3181. A rare phenomenon!
It is so fascinating to see members waiting eagerly every Wednesday for the weekly meeting of the club because that gives them an opportunity to see each other and exchange pleasantries. Even after three years the friendship and fellowship continues among members. Another feature of the club is that all the charter members except one are still continuing in the club and that only shows the bonding existing among members. It was felt in the first year itself that the club will prosper as an active club in the true spirit of Rotary. Today it is one of the most vibrant clubs in the district. Thanks to all the members. The club continued with musical evenings both for fellowship as well as for fund raising. Thanks to PP Rtn. Prasad for his leadership in all these activities. A second “Dandia Nite” was organised during the second year which also was a grand success.
After Rtn. Muthu, Rtn Nagaraj took over as President and Rtn Simha as Secretary. The club started giving more representation to lady Rotarians in the Board and other committees. A unique programme organised during the second year was the “Ivory Star Singer Contest” for students of Mysuru city schools and colleges, which drew large number of participation from students of schools and colleges. The high mark of the club during the second year was the organisation of “District Awards Night”. There were more than 400 registrations for the event and it was a grand success. Unprecedented in the history of Rotary, a new club could organise such a district even with outstanding success. This one incident uplifted the image of Rotary Ivory City in the district. Several of our members were in district committees. To top it all Rotary Ivory City won the second best club under all avenues during the completion of its first year. A tremendous achievement to a new club.
There was increase in membership and several useful projects were undertaken. After Rtn. Nagaraj, Rtn. Perumal took over as President and for the first time a lady Rotarian Rtn. Jyothi Mukesh was appointed as Secretary of the club. There was always more than adequate representation for lady Rotarians in the Board and various committees. This District Governor Rtn Rohinath honoured the club by appointing Rtn. Sunil L. Baliga as Assistant Governor of Zone-7. The club is really proud of Rtn. Baliga. The club has been very generous in helping the needy in the society. It has supported several organisations by donating funds from the club’s resources. A club which is only in its third years of existence has done a tremendous job in fulfilling the ideals of Rotary and contributing to the Rotary Foundation. The recently concluded “Dandia Nite” was another feather in the cap of Ivorians. All Ivorians are really proud to be a member of this vibrant club.
Today Rotary Ivory City Mysuru has 4 Interact clubs, One Rotaract Club and five Anganwadis adopted apart from several ongoing projects. Its involvement in Save a Child Project, Gift of Sight and Gift of Life Projects, Hearing Aid Project, Helping Destitute Home, Old Age Home, Helping Spastic children are some of the ongoing projects of the club. The club also started a new club at Saragur, unfortunately it could not continue. It is hoped that the club could rejuvenate that club once again with the support of enthusiastic Ivorians. The club has also ventured into signing Sister Club agreement with Rotary Club Bernam Valley, Malaysia, and Rotary Club of Karur, Dist. 3000 and agreed to support the community service projects of the clubs with mutual consent. This is a special project of the club. It is to be remembered that several of the clubs projects and programmes had enhanced the Image of Rotary among the citizens of Mysuru. Adam Raffi, OP Nayyar Nite etc., are a few programmes which highlighted the image of Rotary. Today there are 46 members in Rotary Ivory City. Out of that 20 are Lady Rotarians a record in the district. Rotary Ivory City has the largest number of Lady Rotarians in the district. The club has 80% of its members as PHFs and it is hoped that the club will become 100% PHFs in a couple of years. It will be a red letter day in the history of RI District 3181.
With the guidance of senior Rotarians in the club it is hoped that Rotary Ivory City Mysuru will grow from strength to strength and become the best club in the district. At this juncture the club fondly remembers the support and encouragement showered by District and Zonal Leaders in motivating and encouraging members to achieve new heights. It has been a tremendous boost to the club to get such support from the leaders. It is hoped that the club will continue to get similar support from future leaders also so that the club could grow from strength to strength.
Ivorians are a rare breed in the sense there is always class in whatever the club do and organise. It is because of the unity and comradeship of its members. It is a family club and it is hoped that members whose spouses are not members will soon become members in the near future at least before the next Charter Nite.
Club also got Global Grant for worth about US $44014/ for a Project called “Ivory Tender Vision” for testing and restoring the eye sights of Rural Primary School children.