VP Radhakrishnan Inaugurates Rotary Tejas Meet

• Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated Rotary Tejas – Wings of Change in New Delhi.
• He praised Rotary’s contributions to health, literacy, clean water, environment and peace initiatives.
• VP highlighted citizen-led efforts as key to India’s development journey.
• Rotary leaders from across India are attending the three-day event at Yashobhoomi.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Nov: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Friday inaugurated the Rotary Tejas – Wings of Change event at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, marking the start of a three-day national gathering of over 1,400 Rotarian leaders, decision-makers, influencers, and invited guests. The event, being held from November 14 to 16, celebrates Rotary’s long-standing commitment to service, humanitarian work, and community-led progress.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President lauded Rotary International’s legacy of more than a century, crediting the organisation for its deep contributions to public health, literacy, clean water access, environmental conservation, and peace-building efforts. He said Rotary’s spirit of “service above self” aligns closely with India’s ethos of Seva Parmo Dharmah, reflecting the strength of collective goodwill.

Calling Tejas a symbol of both knowledge and compassion, Shri Radhakrishnan said these qualities drive societal transformation and are essential for modern nation-building. He added that India stands at a moment of unprecedented opportunity and innovation, guided by the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and emphasised that citizen-led initiatives like Rotary remain crucial partners in achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

Sharing personal anecdotes, the Vice-President recalled his days as a Rotaractor during his student years, noting how district conventions shaped his understanding of service and leadership. He highlighted major Rotary contributions, including the first ambulance service on the National Highway launched by the Coimbatore Rotary. He also commended Rotary’s rapid expansion, calling it the fastest-growing philanthropic network in the country.

Radhakrishnan underlined Rotary’s pivotal role in the global fight against polio, noting that the organisation has invested over USD 2 billion in the Global Polio Eradication Program, contributing to one of the most successful public health campaigns in history.

The Vice-President also stressed the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in strengthening Rotary’s humanitarian outreach. He said development cannot rest solely on governments and must be supported by communities, citizens, and corporate partners working together to build social and moral capital. He acknowledged Rotary’s participation in national priorities such as Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Har Ghar Jal as examples of high-impact grassroots contribution.

Encouraging Rotarians to continue pushing boundaries, Shri Radhakrishnan urged them to focus on skill development, digital literacy, environmental sustainability, and expanding healthcare access across India. He said Rotary’s ability to unite diverse individuals around a shared purpose makes its work especially impactful.

Rotary International, with a global network of more than 1.4 million members, continues to address key humanitarian challenges. In India, over 2,10,000 Rotarians across more than 6,700 clubs are working on projects spanning health, education, the environment, peace-building, and economic empowerment.