BREEZY NEWS
ROTARY
Happy Holi
President’s Message
Dear Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu- (RCMJ )Family,
As we close the month of February, I am thrilled to reflect on the incredible service projects our club has accomplished this month. From serving food as Anna Dan to downtrodden to having a Mumbai for Trek and clean-up Project for Specially abled, gave us new light to serve communities . We have truly made a positive impact in our community with the service Projects impacting over 200 plus individuals and impacted a community of over 1000 people. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to these efforts. Your time, talent, and resources have made a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
As we look ahead to the coming months, I encourage you to continue your generosity and support for our Rotary Club's service projects. Thanks to members for graciously donating for the service projects. Our donations to The Rotary Foundation and other community projects enable us to expand our reach and deepen our impact. These achievements would not have been possible without your dedication and support.
I request and urge you to continue donating to The Rotary Foundation and other community projects, knowing that every contribution counts and makes a real difference. We have a great potential be continue as an EREY Club. We should do it! As we continue to serve our community and make a positive impact, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible fellowship and bonding that exists within our Rotary Club.
Our club is more than just a group of individuals who share a common goal - it's a family. A family that supports, encourages, and inspires one another to be our best selves. I have seen first-hand, the strong bonds that have formed between our members, and I'm constantly amazed by the camaraderie and friendship that exists among us. Let it be a part and culture of our Club always. Sometimes in testing times, we all gather together and make things happen! As we say” When the going is tough , the tough gets going”!
Whether we're serving together at a community event, sharing a meal at a club meeting, or simply offering a helping hand to a fellow member in need, our club is a shining example of the power of fellowship and bonding. So let's continue to nurture and strengthen these bonds, shall we? Let's make a conscious effort to connect with one another, to listen, to support, and to uplift each other.
Together, we can achieve greatness - not just in our service to others, but in the love, care, and compassion we show to one another.
Thank you for being an integral part of our Rotary Club family. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our Rotary Club's mission. Let's keep up the fantastic work, RCMJ family! Together, we can achieve even more and create a lasting impact in our community.
Warm Regards, Subhashish Mazumdar President 2024-25
RC Mumbai Juhu
ANNADHAN: GROCERY DISTRIBUTION
On Sunday,the 9th of February-our club undertook an Anna dhan project. This project was initiated by Rtn Ramesh Rajagopal. Ramesh has been associated with Gems Project for over two decades. Equipped with a well vetted list, the project has 80 families listed as beneficiaries. As per the family size and income they are categorized and provided cards for receiving ration at a subsidised price. The supply consists of Rice, Sugar, Pulses and Oil. This distribution is carried out in the Sarvarkar hall, Vile Parle East on the second sunday of every month. On an average 65 families collect ration every month.
This month members of our club joined hands with Gems to provide the ration .It was commendable that many members came forward to donate to the cause and we collected the project amount of Rs 25000 from the members themselves Rtns Amarjit, Piyush, Jagruti President Subhashish , Ramesh and Ananthalakshmi were present for the event. Volunteers of Gem had invited their families to show appreciation of the Rotary clubs’ contribution.Tea and snacks were arranged. Our members got firsthand experience interviewing a fresh applicant, distributing ration and interacting with volunteers. Overall a good beginning to a Sunday morning.
- Ananthalakshmi
JBCN Interact Installation
14th February
Interact Club Installation at JBCN International School Oshiwara commemorated its second Interact Installation Ceremony in the 6th floorAuditorium at 8 am on 14th February 2025.
The ceremony commenced on a harmonious note with a soulful and melodious rendition of the national anthem, followed by the uplifting school song, performed by the talented Secondary choir. Their powerful and heartfelt performance set the tone for the event, filling the atmosphere with a sense of pride, unity, and school spirit. The welcome address was delivered by our CAS Coordinator, Ms. Sneha Merin Suresh, who seized the opportunity to greet all the distinguished guests and shed light on the initiatives orchestrated by the Interact Office bearers for the 2024-2025 term.
The momentous ceremony was attended by Rtn.Subhashish Mazumdar - President of Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu, Rtn. Piyush Shah - District Youth Coordinator, and fellow Rotarians Amarjit Singh Sabherwal, Damanjit Kaur Sabherwal and Ananthalakshmi Ramesh
Certificates were awarded to outgoing members of the Interact Club for their outstanding contributions and initiatives, facilitated by Principal Mr. Stephen Tumpane and Mr. Mazumdar for their service and dedication.
Our very own outgoing President, Priyansh Sata, and Vice President, Spruha Jhaveri, spoke about successful projects from the past year during their tenure. These included the pan-school Clothes Donation Drive, which collected over 2,000 articles of clothing, tree restoration drive and Sports Mania, an exciting way to raise money through bake sales and foster friendship by playing matches They also offered valuable advice to the new members, encouraging them to stay curious and be cognizant of the significant responsibilities now resting on their shoulders.
The newly elected President, Aryan Kothari delivered an acceptance speech about how he is motivated by the desire to serve and create a difference. During his presidency, the club will continue from where previous projects left off, with an emphasis on education, economic development, and peace. With the guidance of teachers, friends, and mentors, he aims to work to live the Interact motto of service above self and create a difference that lasts. Continuing on to say that over the next year, all 14 members will have unique experiences, united by Interact’s mission of service above self. They will focus on global issues such as local economies, education, and peace in challenging times. Having joined the Interact Club, they are now committed to taking their impact to the next level. Next he introduced the board of directors and badging of each new member was done, each receiving an introduction. Chief guest Rotarian Subhashish Mazumdar addressed students, talking about how important service over self is and how proudhe is of the students that have stood to uphold this message and principle while motivating them with an inspiring speech on the great power and importance of service and leadership.
The vote of thanks was led by the newly elected Vice President Ahaan Modi whothanked all presentfor their participation and staff members for their support to make the entire event possible. Finally the event came to a graciousconclusion with the new President, Aryan Kothari officially adjourning the meeting,marking the beginning of new projects and exciting activities.
Musical Evening 15th February
In Toronto
Our own member Rtn Mohan Radhakrishnan had a musical show in Toronto Canada on the 15th of February
The highlight was Father -Son Duo Father singing and Son playing on Sexaphone.
What a proud moment for the Dad And of course for us too.
God bless the Jodi
-Sumana Menon
Ashish’s UMANG &RYLA
16 th February
Uncovering Mumbai's Hidden Histories: A Fort-Tastic Adventure, Trek & CleanUp Initiative
Treks to various forts and hills of Maharashtra, with dierentlyabled, was a very dear adventure close to the heart of one of our very active members, Rtn. Ashish Patankar who left us in a tragic accident last year. We at Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu, have been holding annual treks to various forts like Raigad, Kalsubai etc. Keeping the tradition alive, in his remembrance we renamed it as “Ashish’s Umang” and embarked on a trek in the heart of the city on Sunday, 16th Feb 2025.
To make the adventure smooth and hassle-free, a recce was carried out on 9th Feb by Pres Subhashish, Rtn Amarjit and Mr Santosh Sansare.
In a heart-warming display of determination and teamwork, members of Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu, members of Rotaract Club of Vivek College accompanied the speciallyabled citizens of Mumbai, supported by BeingUp Foundation, led by Mr Santosh Sansare, embarked on a thrilling journey
to explore three of Mumbai's lesser known forts: Bandra, Worli, and Sion. Each fort, nestled in the heart of the bustling city, revealed a unique tale of the region's rich history. This extraordinary adventure showcased the power of inclusivity and the boundless potential of individuals from all walks of life.
Starting from Bandra Station on the west-side, we all boarded a bus and a few cars after a light breakfast of Vada-pav, cake and Frooti. First stop was the Bandra Fort, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Arabian Sea, next to Hotel Taj Land’s End. The event was agged-o by Rtn Anand Ramnani, Avenue Chair – Youth Services III. This 17thcentury fort, built by the Portuguese, oered breath-taking views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai skyline. The fort has been lately spruced up with a small garden equipped with jhoolas for the kids and a gym for the healthconscious citizens.
After spending about an hour, we made our way to the Worli Fort, situated on the Worli Sea face. This 18th-century fort, constructed by the British, provided stunning vistas of the Haji Ali Dargah and the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Climbing the steps was a task, very much enjoyed by the participants, with help from the volunteers. All the participants were provided a meal of Veg-Biryani in the bus before moving further.
Lastly, we ventured to the Sion Fort, nestled in the Sion Hills. This 17th-century fort, built by the Portuguese, oered panoramic views of the city and the Eastern Express Highway. Recently refurbished by the Govt, it had a great landscape with greenery all around.
But our mission went beyond just trekking. We also undertook a clean-up initiative, collecting trash and debris from these heritage sites. Our goal was not only to preserve the historical signicance of these forts but also to promote environmental
sustainability. All the participants participated in this cleanliness drive in the premises by picking all the litter like plastic water bottles, various wrappers etc.
Each fort, though weathered by time, stood as a testament to Mumbai's fascinating past. As we explored these hidden gems, we uncovered fragments of history, from ancient trade routes to colonial conquests.
As we navigated the rugged terrain and climbed the ancient fortications, the group's collective spirit and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. The specially-abled participants, with their unwavering optimism and resilience, proved that physical limitations can never constrain the human spirit.
This initiative was a shining testament to the power of community-driven conservation eorts. By working together, we can protect our shared cultural and environmental heritage for future generations.
As we concluded our trek and clean-up initiative, we carried with us memories of an unforgettable experience, newfound friendships, and a renewed commitment to promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and heritage preservation.
Event concluded with tea and biscuits for all the participants and distribution of Certificate of Appreciation for all the differently-abled participants and Rotaract volunteers.
Event was enjoyed by Rtns. Amarjit, Ananthalakshmi, Damanjit, Jagruti, Mugdha, Piyush, Ramesh and of course President Subhashish. Fun was imbibed by Minal (Ashish’s sister) and Sneha (daughter of Ramesh and Ananthalakshmi) along with little Adira
Ashish’s Umang From Mugdha’s heart
Forts of Mumbai – Trekking with Physically challenged participants - on 16th Feb 2025
We all woke up early on a slightly chilly Sunday morning of 16th Feb 2025 and assembled at Bandra station. Our aim was to yet again embark on a trek under the banner of ‘Ashish’s Umang, RYLA, Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu jointly with BeingUp Foundation’ - with the bright-faced and resilient - 6 Blind and 17 Physically challenged trekkers. This year’s plan was to trek to little-known forts of the busy and bustling city of Mumbai – To the forts of Bandra, Worli and Sion. Many of us might have zipped pass these forts numerous times while rushing about for our personal and work-related activities but few of us got time to explore these forts thoroughly. That was the reason this event was organized under the able leadership of BeingUp foundation and with the strong support of Rotary Club, Mumbai Juhu. Lots of planning and last-minute activities were undertaken and within a short span of couple of weeks this event was executed with a total success, on 16th February 2025.
Forme,thiseventwasevenmorespecial,asthiswasoneof thecauseswhichwasclosesttotheheartofmylate husbandAshishPatankar.Heorganisedmanysuchtreksover theyearsandheusedtobeastrongdrivingforceinmaking theseeventshappenwhileensuringthatthereismaximum participationofthespeciallyabledpeople.Evenonthedayof thistrek,weallcouldfeelhispresence,guidingusalong.
Iwanttosincerelythankeachandeveryonewhoparticipated forthisevent,whoensuredthatAshish’smemoryliveson throughallofus–BeingUpFoundationteam,Rotaryclub members,thespeciallyabledparticipants,alltheVolunteers andallthosewhoworkedremotelytomakethisevent happen.
Ihavebeenassociatedwiththiscauseoverpastmanyyears, wherealongwithAshishPatankarandSantoshSansare,we havebeentakingalongspeciallyabledparticipantsfor trekkingtotoughandremoteSahyadrimountains.Rotary ClubofMumbaiJuhuhavejoinedinthisdreamofAshishand havebeenoneofthebiggestsupportersofthiscause. Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytosharemyexperienceof trekkingalongsidethisstrongcommunity.Theyhave tremendouswill-power,drivetofightagainsttheadversaries, strongsenseofindependenceandtheynevergive-up,no matterwhat.Wegottolearnsomanythingsfromthem…. Thatwecanstopandrestbutneverquit.Thatweshouldhelp eachotherandencourageeventhelastpersonwho strugglestocompletetheclimb.
Reaching on top of the mountain gives these physically challenged participants the kind of confidence which only few other things can give. This is the activity which had always been beyond them, they were told that they cannot embark on such journeys, that they are weak and dependent, that they lack something physically and are not at par with other trekkers.Such treks give them opportunity to prove everyone wrong and break these stifling barriers imposed on them. Opportunity to prove to others as well as to themselves, that they can achieve anything and even the tallest and toughest mountains are no match for their tremendous willpower. This is precisely the reason Santosh and Ashish wanted to plan such events as we are avid trekkers, and we are the ones who have capability to guide these participants on mountains while ensuring their safety and wellbeing. This was the vision behind conducting these treks over last many years.I am glad that, because of Ashish, me and my children could be part of this amazing journey for so many years
-Mugdha
Patankar
THIS ARTICLE IS A TOTAL GOOSEBUMP ALERT!
THANKYOU MUGDHA FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND ALSO GIVING US A BIG PART OF THE PERSON WE ALL LOVED!
-Team Breezy News on behalf of RCMJ
ROTARY INFORMATION CAPSULE
-contributed by
Amarjit Singh Sabherwal
The Rotary Foundation
Arch Klumph, a perfect character out of a rags to riches story, in his speech as RI president at 1917 Atlanta annual convention, floated an idea of accepting endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world. Hardly, a moment of motivation, to the delegates that time. But it was the first pebble in what would later become a landslide of support that would improve millions of lives. And as happened so many times before in Rotary, it began in the mind of one man. “The Rotary Endowment Fund” as it was then called had its first endowment coming in the form of a leftover money of US$26.50 from the contributions collected to buy a gift to the outgoing RI president Klumph by members of Rotary Club of Kansas City. After the great stock market crash of 1929, when the donations to good causes dried up, on request of Paul Harris, RF made its first donation – US$500.00 to international society of crippled children.
Various fund drives were taken up to raise money for the Rotary Foundation.
In 1957, ten years after the death of Paul Harris, to honor the founder of Rotary a scheme was introduced to make Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow on him making a contribution of US1,000.00 to the TRF. In 1968, a category called sustaining PHF was created to make it easy for members to pay
US$100.00 annually. When they attained US$1000.00 they make him a PHF.
The Rotary Foundation’s accomplishments are impressive. Nearly 36,000 scholars from 110 countries have received Ambassadorial Scholarships valued at US$ 429 million. More than 46,000 people have participated in 10,600 Group Study Exchange teams at a cost of more than $82 million, and 18,000 Matching Grant projects in 166 countries have been funded at a cost of more than $182 million. Through PolioPlus, Rotary has committed more than $500 million to global polio eradication efforts. Since 1947, Rotarians have contributed more than $1.4 billion to the Foundation, with total contributions averaging more than $85 million annually. There are more than 800,000 Paul Harris Fellows, and new fellows are being added at a rate of 45,000 per year. The Rotary Foundation spends about $100 million annually on its programs and since 1917 has funded $1.4 billion in program awards and expenses yet still maintains net assets of almost $500 million. TRF truly is a great story about people who give and people who benefit.
MUNify 2024 was a two-day event that brought together young leaders eager to engage in stimulating discussions on pressing international and national issues. The event was designed to mirror real-world decision-making bodies, enabling participants to step into the shoes of diplomats and policymakers. The planning phase included selecting relevant topics for each committee, appointing experienced chairs, and coordinating logistical arrangements such as venue setup, delegate registration, and training workshops for debutant MUN participants.On 15 th February, the event commenced with a grand Opening Ceremony attended by our Dean Mr Talele and Rotarians Piyush Shah and Ananthalakshmi of our sponsor club Rotary Club of Mumbai Juhu. They delivered encouraging messages and marked the beginning by Lighting the lamp, in the traditional style. The inaugural session featured an introduction to MUN rules and procedures, followed by an Agenda Briefing.
Delegates were give fellow participants b sessions began. Discussions started off with delegates presenting their countries or parties stance, engaging in initial arguments, and setting the stage for in-depth debates. On the second day, the committees moved into more rigorous debate sessions, with multiple rounds of moderated and unmoderated caucuses. Delegates worked together to draft position papers and resolutions, ensuring that proposed solutions were backed by sound arguments and research. The event concluded with a final voting session, where committees debated and voted on resolutions. The ‘Closing Ceremony’ recognized the best-performing delegates, rewarding them for their research, negotiation skills, and diplomacy. It was attended by President Subhashish Mazumdar and the District RYLA chair Anand Ramnani
Throughout the event, the chairs ensured that the debates remained structured, engaging, and intellectually stimulating.
We pay homage to our Past President 2008-09
The First Presidents Meet 2026-27
What’s in a name-A rose by any other name would smell as sweet-said Shakespeare. The event at Jio Convention centre, hosted by our club , on 28 February bore testament to this statement. It was a fantastic ‘ First Meet’ for the Rotary year 2026-27 .RI President Nominee Sangkoo Yun was the chief guest for the event held by DGN Rajan Dua to introduce his President Nominees to the stellar Rotary world. PRID Flt Lt K P Nagesh was the guest of honour.
From the word go,Convener Amarjit, ably supported by our club was fully in action. From registrations to organisation and planning all the nitty -gritties,it was a team effort to ensure that the trust placed on RCMJ was well deserved.Once again we came shining-yet another feather on our cap. The carmaderie and team work behind and on site ,quetly expresses the unity we have and the reason we are together.Missed all of those who could not make it.
A star studded galaxy of Rotarians DG Chetan Desai,RID Raju Subramanian, TRF Trustee &PRID Dr Bharat Pandya, PRID Ashok Mahajan, PDGs Subhash Kulkarni, Rahul TImbadia, Gopal Mandhania, Srirang Prabhu, Rajendra Agarwal,Arun Bhargava, DGND Deepak Jiandani, Sec Gen
Designate Dilip Mulay Chief strategic Counsellor Vijay Sathaye,DG 3142Dinesh Mehta, DGE Harsh Makol stood tall with DGN Rajan to showcase our zone to RIPN Sangkoo Yun and our president nominees of RID3141 for whom it was an unmatched privelege.
Story within a story .......don’t skip this
On 26 Jan while we were at the Srivastava residence for our celebratory lunch and Fireside meeting,we also discussed the preparation for yesterday’s event.Rtn Deepshikha shared an idea-she could get a team for invocation a singer, a dancer and a painter who will present together -an invocation. The idea appealed to all of us and Amarjit took it to Rajan Dua and Deepshikha took up the responsibility for the same.
Yesterday, at the event the invocation was a mesmerizing experience with Abdhesh Goswami singing the Ganesh Vandana , Reetu Panwar depicting the same in Kathak style and Arun Awsarmol painting a 3 ftx 3ft Ganesha at the same time. The painting was presented to the Chief Guest as decided earlier.
Now on the sidelines,just prior to this, Dr Bharat Pandya asked Amarjit, what will Sangkoo do with it-it is not possible to carry it back to South Korea .And lo behold! Dr Pandya goes up on stage and a few whispers down-there is an auction of the painting ,bid starting at 1000USD .The auction conducted by RID Raju,who just knew what buttons to press. The painting went for 6100USD to Gayomard Panthaki.The painting was then signed by the dignitaries. It was amazing to see how they saw an opprtunity and converted it to a donation to TRF-a first hand lesson, if there was one!!
The architects, the team, the dream & the winner
Some team work ,some fun
The Chief Guest RIPN Sangkoo Yun stressed on the Climate change, its effects and essentially how rotary should adapt to change and be the force behind stalling calamity. RIDE Nagesh stressed on membership and bifurcation. PRID & TRF Vice Chair Dr Bharat Pandya was amazing, as ever with his pearls of wisdom for President Nominees. Speeches can’t be reported-that is an experience !But the essence of the Rotary Spirit and Ethos was woven in so beautifully in every speech.
DG Chetan Desai was supportive and DGN Rajan Dua was in his element, excited and motivating all at once, with his incredible project announcements. RID3141 aiming to top the world repeatedly and we should stick our neck out for our share in the pie.
Without a hint of envy, I should congratulate President Subhashish for being the President of the club that hosted RIPE and RIPN -it is an incredible honour. Congratulations also due to the senior members of the club who made this viable.
Among the many highlights of the evening was a Q&A session where the President nominees and the audience got an opportunity to interact with RIPN Sangkoo Yun. The session was moderated and supported by RID Raju Subramanian. The Indian postal department has released a stamp to commemorate the visit of RIPN Sangkoo Yun and this stamp was released at the event-a Rotary push in the right direction got us the honour rarely bestowed to a foreign guest.Rtn Jagdish Kotadia played an important role in this
DGN Rajan Dua in his speech recognised and appreciated the efforts and support of RCMJ and presented a plaque for the same.He made a special mention and presented a plaque to his friend and the Convener Amarjit Singh Sabherwal-it was a moment of pride for all RCMJites.
With the chief guest
Ramesh
1st March
Atharva Patankar
Son of Hon Member Mugdha & Late Rtn Ashish
Rtn. Damanjit Kaur Sabherwal
The March Calender
The Last Word
The month of February has been a privilege for our club as we hosted a district event on 28th Feb 20251st Presidents meeting of RY 2026-27 of DGN Rajan Dua's year
A special mention to Rtn Amarjit Singh Sabherwal to lead our club and it's members for this event which was held at Jio Centre Mumbai
It was also very fulfilling that we could do Ashish's Umang the trek for physically challenged . Especially as a tribute to our dear friend Ashish
Yours in Rotary
Sumana Menon
Editor- Breezy News
Editorial Team
Varsha Baradiya
Ananthalakshmi Ramesh
