Needed: Young Literacy Warriors

My dear Rotaractors,

Rotaractors are not just partners of Rotary today but also leaders of tomorrow. You are full of energy and enthusiasm to learn, act and achieve. You are the social actors who can bring revolutionary changes and improvement in our organisation. Your participation is necessary for us to achieve any kind of future goals for prosperity, progress, peace and safety.

Similarly, for the development of our nation, Rotaractors have the most crucial role to play. If our nation is to achieve progress in the field of science, technology, finance, health and innovation, the zealous and sincere participation of you Rotaractors is required.  I sincerely believe your energy, creativity, enthusiasm, determination and spirit should be channelised to achieve progress.

Three key elements — education, employment and empowerment — contribute to the progress of a nation. A nation develops at a steady pace when the youth of the country is educated and their education is put to right use. A majority of youth in our country are uneducated. Most of them can’t read or write. Illiteracy is one of the biggest problems of our nation. The illiterate population holds back and hinders the nation’s progress. Rotaractors must make special efforts to take up literacy projects, partner with RILM and implement the TEACH programme.  I want each Rotaract club to give special emphasis to child development — Asha Kiran — and adult education programmes. Each one, Teach one should be the new mantra for Rotaractors.

Providing employment opportunities to the unemployed and under-employed youth of the nation is also very important. Lack of employment opportunities can lead to social unrest. Rotaract clubs should give special emphasis for creating opportunities for skill development and giving their voluntary time to help other youngsters gain better skills.

Thirdly, it is vital to empower yourself to take charge of your lives. It is important to channelise your energy and intelligence and involve yourselves in community decision-making. For this you need to hone your leadership skills. I urge each Rotaractor to participate in RYLA and Youth Exchange programmes.

The world is yours … go conquer it!

Kamal Sanghvi
RI Director, 2019-21