“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
On the evening of 12th July, at Hotel Holiday Inn, Jaipur, that line stopped being just a quote — it became the mood of the entire room. The occasion was the Installation Ceremony of Rotary Club Jaipur Midtown, where Rtn. Ranoo Srivastava ji took charge as Club President for the year 2026-27, along with her new Board of Directors.
Being part of this evening as Chief Guest, and sharing a few “Words of Wisdom,” was a deeply personal experience for me. Ranoo ji — whom I call Jija — was senior to my sister at MGD School. And when Jija calls, you don’t ask questions, you simply show up. In this club, it felt like relationships had already been pre-installed for me — Bhua (outgoing President Rtn. Tanuja Agarwal ji) and Jija.
The evening was conducted with great warmth and precision. Rtn. Maj. Gen. Dr. Anuj Mathur ji administered the oath as Installation Officer. Outgoing President Tanuja ji shared the highlights of her year, and Jija laid out her vision for the year ahead. PDG Rtn. Ajay Kala graced the evening as Guest of Honour
The story of Rotary Club Jaipur Midtown is inspiring in itself. Chartered in 1984, the club has today grown into a family of 118 members. Its Skin Bank project has given dignity and hope to countless burn victims, and its school renovation initiatives have given children not just classrooms, but confidence and opportunity. These aren’t just projects — they are legacies, built brick by brick, by heart.
One of the most exciting announcements of the evening was President Ranoo Srivastava’s commitment to make this club a 100% Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) club during her term. That is no small goal. Every single member becoming a Paul Harris Fellow means every member standing personally behind the Rotary Foundation — a powerful statement of the club’s collective spirit and generosity. I have no doubt Jija’s team will get there. In my address, I also made it a point to
remember the club’s mentor, PDG Anil Agarwal ji, whose guidance meant so much to me during my own Presidentship in 2014-15. And I bowed in respect to Rtn. Suresh ji Poddar and Rtn. Kiran Poddar ji – whose generosity has quietly transformed countless lives across the district. Tanuja ji’s torch now rests in Ranoo Jija ji’s and the spirit I felt in that room tonight is proof enough that the year ahead will be a memorable one.
“Service Above Self” is not just a motto — it is Rotary’s DNA. And with tonight’s installation, that DNA has grown a little stronger in this club.