Back to basics

Sometimes,you need to look back to see ahead. Responsibility,service,ethics in business and profession,peace…are not old-fashioned concepts,but vital ingredients that make our society and hold true,more than ever before. And that’s the belief and sentiment of John Kenny, who will take over as World President of Rotary International in July this year. A Rotarian since ‘70,Kenny served Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland as president and vice-president and his theme for the year,‘The Future of Rotary is in your Hands’ comes with the conviction that Rotary is a great organization and has the potential to become greater if each Rotarian rises to the challenge and takes responsibility for its future. Like Churchill said,‘The price of greatness is responsibility.’

Talking of which,Kenny asserts the fact that to take on challenges in the future,Rotary must first fulfill the promise of a polio-free world,today,“we have given our word and must achieve our goal,working relentlessly so that no one is ever affected by polio. People have confidence in us and that’s the driving force,’’ smiles Kenny,who was in the city today. Water,hunger and literacy are key areas that Kenny feels need immediate attention. “We can live without oil,but not water. I think water will be an issue of conflict in the future and to provide safe,clean water to those who lack it is vital,’’ Kenny adds that a hunger-free world must not be a dream,but a reality. “Education is the key to banishing poverty,especially literacy among girls,’’ Kenny says his faith in Rotarians,need to reach out to people and give something back to society drives him to work relentlessly.

Peace and resolution conflict is an area Rotary International is focussing on,with short and long-term courses introduced by the organization in seven universities. “CEOs have forgotten about ethics in business and profession and what the world is facing today is because of their callousness and treating their profession as a business. We need to go back to basics,for when your hands are clean,you serve and are better accepted,’’ Kenny ends on a positive note,“we all have the power to make a difference.’’ .