January 2016 41 www.bahrainthismonth.com Rotary gatherings through the years The Rotary Club is a 1.2 million-member organisation which was the brainchild of Chicago attorney Paul P Harris. Formed in 1905, the club takes its name from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member. Renuka tells us that the principles and objectives of the Rotary are to enrich the community, making it a better place to live. The feeling is that without mutual understanding regardless of race, creed, colour or religion, there can be no lasting peace and happiness, which can only be brought about through a movement with objectives such as Rotary’s. The Kingdom of Bahrain was where the ideology of the Rotary Club first germinated in the Gulf region in 1965, giving birth to the Rotary Club of Manama. This club was an initiative of HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the then head of the government’s Information Department, and was formed in line with the Rotary International policy of the time. Shaikh Mohammed was also the first president of the club, and he, supported by THE CLUB WITH A CAUSE Rotarians Joe Josephson and Guy Baldwin, laid down a strong foundation for the group’s future. The first official meeting had an enthusiastic attendance of individuals holding senior positions in companies and government organisations in the Kingdom and had representatives of five different nationalities. Since then, Rotarians on the island continue to form lifelong friendships, exchange ideas and take action for a better tomorrow; their contributions having positive outcomes in the social warp and weft of Bahrain. To celebrate the completion of Rotary’s 50 years on the island, a gala dinner is being organised on January 21, 2016. A commemorative book has also been issued for this special year. A committee comprising members from the various Rotary clubs in Bahrain has been formed to plan and execute this gala, of which Renuka is the chairperson. She elaborates on this landmark year for Rotarians all over Bahrain: “The cornerstone of our organisation is service to the community and bringing about a change for the better. BEHNAZ SANJANA This philanthropic organisation, which has permeated cultures across the globe, is marking half a century in Bahrain. BTM caught up with avid Rotarian Renuka Ravindran to learn more. Keeping this in mind, the Rotary has zeroed in on the elderly section of society and how they can be helped. A multipurpose hall will be created for the use of the elderly to enhance the quality of their lives. This project will be time specified once fully defined, but will operate indefinitely.” With half a century of bringing about a difference and doing good for mankind all over the nation, Rotarians in Bahrain have upheld founding member Paul P Harris’s belief: “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” Renuka urges one and all to come forth and support this remarkable organisation for all the good that it does saying: “We invite individuals and corporates to join us at our gala dinner with entertainment and a DJ at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa hotel on January 21, 2016. Proceeds from the function will go towards our new project for elderly care.” Tickets are priced at BD30 per person and a table is for 10 people.
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