THE CHAKA
Bulletin of Rotary Club of Calcutta (RID 3291)
First published in 1925

Vol.76 No. 29
Tuesday, February 03, 2009

www.rotacal.org/chaka


TODAY'S SPEAKER
________________________________________________________

PRODIPTO BANERJEA
is the Executive Vice President of ITC Ltd., handling Risk
Management and Strategic Initiatives. He studied in StXavier's
School, Calcutta, graduated from Bombay University and completed
his M.Sc in Chemistry from I.IT. Kanpur. Subsequently he took up
Chartered Accountancy, qualifying in 1980. He is also a member of
the Institute of Cost & Works Accountants. Having started his career
with Shaw Wallace & Co. Ltd. he moved to ITC Ltd in 1982. Since
then he has handled a wide range of responsibilities in the
Company's
Finance Function including being the Head of Finance and MIS of the
cigarette business, as well as being the Head of Corporate Planning
and Treasury. He has also participated in the incubation and
development of the Company's initiatives in the consumer and FMCG
sectors. He has co-authored a book on Financial Management and
has often participated in seminars and conferences.


NEXT MEETING
February 17, 2009 at 1.00 pm
MR. RAJIV SONI
of Tata Steel will be the Guest Speaker
Rotary Sadan, 2nd Floor


NO MEETING
There will be no luncheon Regular Weekly Meeting of the club on
Tuesday, February 24 2009 at 1 p.m. Instead it will be held on
23rd February, 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at Rotary Sadan followed by
fellowship and dinner hosted by Rtn. Chandra Nath Mukherjee.


ONE WORLD
________________________________________________________

Today we raise a toast to
ROTARY CLUB OF SAN CATALDO
Italy, RID 2110


EVENTS
________________________________________________________

ROTARY ORATION and Weekly Meeting
February 23 Monday. Rotary Sadan 7:00 pm
Speaker
KRISHNAN SRINIVASAN
Former Foreign Secretary & Head of Indian Foreign Service
was Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs.
Held high diplomatic assignments as High Commissioner to
Bangladesh, Zambia & Botswana, Ambassador to the
Netherlands, Consul General in New York.
He will speak on "The History of Diplomacy"


MEMBERS' NITE
May 01 Friday
The most enjoyable event of Rotary Calendar "Members' Nile"
will be held on Friday, 1st May, 2009 this year. Members, their
spouses, children and grand children interested in participating
for the same may please contact Rtn Hirak Ray, Rtn Anusua Das
or R-Ann Anuradha Gupta (M: 98310-17941, Res: 2466-7332)
as early as possible so that their participation may be placed
into the format already conceived.



LEAD STORY
________________________________________________________

DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL VISIT Feb 03 Tue, 2009 RWM

Beginning with her traditional address of Nomoshkar, District
Governor,
Nayantara Palchoudhuri, spoke to us with quotations and messages
from great people. Her address was filled with emotion and as usual
from the bottom of her heart.

She said that as she stood here as the District Governor she was
flooded with warm childhood memories and her heart went out to
all those members of our club who have walked with her in her
journey and tryst with Rotary. She has been an integral part of the
family of this club and Rotary principles have been ingrained in her
since her childhood.

As the District Governor, she represented Rl President Rtn Dong
Kurn Lee and she reiterated the theme of the year-
Make Dreams Real. She repeatedly harped on the focus of the year -
children who were the most precious resource.

She was very impressed with the functioning of our club this year
and she specially mentioned the President, Secretary, and the
Directors of the Board for ably guiding the club as per its legacy.
She announced that if this example is emulated by the Rotary world
at large then the Rotary Movement will be able to achieve a
world stage which is free of evils of terrorism, ignorance, illness
etc.

She pointed out that we are a candle from which is
emitted innumerable sparks of light. With numerous anecdotes
she impressed upon us the need to make a mark in life and be true
to ourselves from within. She reminded us of the Rotary Foundation
and urged us to treat it not like a responsibility but as a mode
of generosity.

She concluded in her inimitable manner by comparing Rotary to a
river, which over a century has flourished, become wide and deep.
She wished us Bon Voyage.




ANNOUNCEMENTS
________________________________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS
to Rtn Dr. Dipanwita and Dr. Partha Hazari for becoming
grand parents last month.

TIME SCHEDULE FOR LUNCH SERVICE & RWM
Members are requested to note that Lunch service during
fellowship will remain open between 12.30 and 1.30 PM and will
resume again from 2.15 PM. There will be no lunch service whilst
the RWM is in progress between 1.30 and 2.15 PM. Members are
requested to note these timings and kindly extend necessary
cooperation

OBITUARY
Our Ex - senior Member Rtn. Tarit Sur passed away on Thursday,
January 22, 2009. He was member of the club more than 30 years.
On behalf of the club we express deep sorrow at the loss and
extend sympathy to the bereaved family.



SPEECH
________________________________________________________

GLOBAL EFFECT OF RECESSION
Dr. Wilfried Prewo, CEO of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, addressed us at the RWM of January 27, 2009. He spoke
on the Effect of Global Recession in Germany.
Everyone has been affected by the global economy. In Germany,
there has been a crash of incoming orders, industrial production
and registration of new cars. There has been an investment
paralysis.
Within one month (September to October 2008 alone) 35 % of
investment plans have been reduced and over 80% have been
shelved but only 20% cancelled. There is extreme uncertainty
resulting in restricted lending practices by banks.

In his opinion the oscillation is from exaggerated risk appetite
("Irrational Exuberance") to Risk Aversion Hysteria. Government
responses have varied country wise. The government in the U.K.
have come up with tax decrease (VAT) to support consumption.
In France the government has activated sectoral measures, such
as subsidies for scrapping old cars, infrastructure investment and
investment subsidies for business.

In Germany the government has come up with a mixed bag -
infrastructure investment, subsidies for cars and R&D, minor tax
decreases, total about €80 bn. The requirements are investment
incentives to counteract paralysis (fast depreciation, business tax
cuts). What has to be avoided is raising national debt and
protectionist tendencies. The advantages of fast depreciation are
targeted to investment and that national debt will not increase.

The German economy is well positioned for a recovery due to
"bottom-up" reforms which include flexible work weeks and annual
hours, wage concessions in return for employment or investment
guarantees, lower wages for new hires, opt-out clauses in union
contracts, outsourcing/offshoring (market expansion and cost),
use of temps and R&D.



REPORTS
________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP AT THE HHI Jan 25, 2009 Sun
A wonderful fellowship and brunch was hosted by Rtn Dilip K Jaiswal
at the swimming poo! lawns of Hotel Hindustan International.
The ambience, food, light music, and the hospitality of the host
proved to be the perfect potpourri for a wonderful Sunday
for all Rotarians present.


NITISH LAHARRY CHILDREN'S LIBRARY Jan 26, 2009 Mon
Republic Day was celebrated at Rotary Sadan with the President
hoisting the National Tricolour. The following were also present -
PDGs Rtn Prabhat Krishna Rohatgi and Vijay Bhandari,
Hony Secretary Heena Gorsia, the Sgt at Arms Rajeev Paralikar,
the Editor with her son, Rtn Kirit Patei and R-Ann Kusum.
The Chairman of NCLCL Sujata Pyne joined later at the
Art exhibition. This was followed by a cultural programme by the
children of the Cultural Section.
Rtn Oindrila Sen conceptualized the theme and wrote the original
script. Subsequently, Ms. Asru Dutta suitably rearranged the
content in order to accommodate maximum number of children with
a view to making it a grand performance.


FAREWELL TO GSE TEAM Jan 30, 2009 Fri
A farewell dinner was hosted by Immediate Past President
Rtn Partha Sadhan Bose & Ann Chandra at their residence
Bose Niloy on January 30, 2009.
Group Study Exchange Team members from District 6800.
Carl David Awsumb, Laura R Hanton, Fernando M Branc and
Carolyn C Bomar attended.
It was a wonderful evening in a resplendent
ambience, delightful food and warm hospitality.
There was good participation from the district led byDG
Nayantara Pa|choudhuri and GSE Chair Rtn. Aruna Tantia.
Somehow our President Nandita Sen came to know that it was
the birthday of GSE team member Laura on that day and surprised
us all with a birthday cake. Our members had a wonderful
evening thanks to IPP Partha and his family.
- Purnendu Roychowdhury


CLUB ASSEMBLY Feb 01, 2009 Sun
Our Second Club Assembly was held on Sunday, February 01,2009.
It was attended by the District Governor, Rtn Nayantara
Palchoudhuri.
Also present were Rtn G.M. Kapoor, Special Aide to DG and
Rtn Ratan Arora, Assistant Governor.


DG OFFICIAL VISIT Feb 23, 2009 Tue
The District Governor Rtn. Nayantara Palchoudhuri came for her
official visit to our club on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Also
present
were Rtn. Meeta Lakhotia, Dist. Secretary, Rtn. Ratan Lal Arora,
Asst. Governor, Rtn. Noshir N. Framjee, and Zonal Representative
Rtn. Lila Bhoopal, Zonal Coordinator, R.L Dist. 3291




DISTRICT NEWS
________________________________________________________

THE INTERNATIONAL EVENING to celebrate the Birthday of Rotary
and World Peace & Understanding will be held on Saturday, 21st
February at RCGC. RI Director Elect PDG K. R. Ravindran from
Sri Lanka will be the keynote speaker followed by a musical evening
with Ms. Usha Uthup.



RI PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE FEBRUARY MESSAGE
________________________________________________________

FEBRUARY IS WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

Dear fellow Rotarians,

I grew up in a small village, the same village where my family had
lived for many generations. I lived close to many members of my
extended family, and our family traditions were very strong. In
those days, few Koreans ever traveled abroad, and there was
very little Western influence. My home, my language, and my
culture were all I knew.

When I was in my 20s, I made a decision that would shape the
rest of my life. With my father's encouragement, I traveled to
the United States to work and to study. I chose San Francisco
as my destination and spent nearly two years there, taking
classes and learning English. I made my way working at several
entry-level jobs.

It is difficult even today to describe what an impact that
experience had on me. Everything, and everyone, was different.
I was used to seeing only Korean faces; in San Francisco, I saw
people from all over the world. I worked hard on my English and
in my job. I learned what it was like to be the person who did
not understand, who cleaned up after others, who took orders
but never gave them. I learned how large the world outside my
village really was. And those experiences sent me back to Korea
changed.

When I returned to join my father's business in Seoul, I knew
what it was like to be a worker at the bottom of an
organizational hierarchy – and that affected how I treated
my employees.

I knew what it was like to do physical labor all day – and that
gave me increased respect for those who worked in every kind
of job. Perhaps most important, I knew how much of the world
lay beyond my own experience. I knew that there were so
many different countries and cultures, so many different people
in the world.

I knew that as much as we are all different, we are all essentially
the same. And I knew that everyone, everywhere, sometimes
needs help from others.

In Rotary, February is World Understanding Month – a time to
focus on the importance of goodwill and understanding for peace.
It is a time for all of us to pause and consider how we are
pursuing Rotary's fourth Avenue of Service – International
Service – because it is our international service, and our
international fellowship, that will do the most to help us all
build a more peaceful tomorrow.

Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee
President, Rotary International
February 2009



MINUTES
________________________________________________________

OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 03,2009

Total Members: 288
Exempted Members: 83
Members Present: 76
Visiting Rotarians & Guests: 7

1. The President Rtn Nandita Sen called the 4238th Regular Weekly
Meeting of the club to order at Rotary Sadan. The National Anthem
was led by Rtn Dilip Sircar.
2. The Minutes of the 4237th meeting of the Club held on January
27,
2009 at the Rotary Sadan were confirmed.
3. The President announced the sad demise of a very senior
ex-member of our club, Rtn.TaritSur, on Thursday, 22nd January,
2009.
He was a member of the club for more than 30 years and resigned
only last December on the ground of ill health. On behalf the dub we
express deep sorrow at the loss and extend our sympathy to the
bereaved family. A condolence letter will be sent.

4. The President announced that today was the official visit of the
District Governor Rtn. Nayantara Palchoudhuri to our club.
5. The President greeted visiting Rotarians Rtn. Dr. Sukanti
Taraphdar
from Rotary Club of Rochdale East, U.K., Rtn. Ratan Lai Arora,
Assistant Governor Zone XXIII, Rtn. Noshir N. Framjee, Zonal
Representative Zone XXIII, Rtn. Meeta Lakhotia, District Secretary
(Administration ), Rtn. G.M. Kapur, Special Aide to Governor, and
Rtn. Asish Basu, Rotary Club of Fostoria.USA.
6. The President proceeded to greet members celebrating their
birthdays and anniversaries during the week ending on
February 09,2009.

7. The President reported the following:
i) On Friday 30th January the Club organised a farewell dinner, to
meet the GSE Team members from RI Dist. 6800, USA. Immediate
Past President Rtn. Partha Sadhan Base hosted the fellowship and
dinner at his residence. Bose Niloy at 26, Ballygunge Park. It was
an
extremely enjoyable evening attended by the DG, District officials,
Past Presidents of various Rotary clubs and members who extended
home hospitality to the visiting GSE team and others. A large
number of our members attended. IPP Rtn Partha and R. Ann
Chandra were excellent hosts and organized the evening in their
inimitable manner.
ii) Health Care Committee organized a Free Health and Eye Camp at
Nalikul, Dist. of Hooghly on last Sunday, the 1st February, 2009.
ill) Last Sunday, 1st February, 2009 Health Care Committee also
organized Pulse Polio Immunization programme in Ward Nos.
87, 89, 133 & ourRCCs.
iv) The Second Club Assembly was held on Sunday, the 1st
February, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Rotary Sadan. District Governor
Rtn. Nayantara Palchoudhri, Asst. Governor Rtn. Ratan Lai Arora
and Special Aide to the DG Rtn. G.M. Kapur were present at the
Assembly. There was rich interaction between the Chairmen of
Committees with the DG and the District team which will show some
new directions for the coming half of the year, as well will help
realizing our planned projects with more confidence.

8. The President announced the following:
i) February is World Understanding Month. To observe the month
club will organize Rotary Oration on Monday, the 23rd February,
2009 at 6.30 p.m at Rotary Sadan along with Regular Weekly
Meeting. Shri Knshnan Srinivasan, a career diplomat, Ambassodor
to various countries and Dy. Secretary General in the Commonwealth
Secretariat in London will be the speaker and deliver the
"Rotary Oration". This will be followed by fellowship & dinner. Rtn.
Chandranatn Mukherjee & R-Ann. Subhra Mukherjee will host the
evening's fellowship &dinner.
ii. Regular weekly meeting scheduled for Tuesday 24th Febrary'09
will
be held on Monday 23rd Feb.'09 to combine it with the Rotary Oration.

9. Hony. Secretary Rtn Heena Gorsia made the following
announcements:
(a) Next regular weekly meeting of the Club will be held on
Tuesday,
the 10th February, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Rotary Sadan. Mr.
Prodipto Banerjea will be the guest speaker.
(b) The regular weekly meeting of the club scheduled to be held
on Tuesday, the 24th February, 2009 at 1 p.m. will be held on 23rd
February, 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at Rotary Sadan followed by fellowship
and dinner instead of lunch meeting on Tuesday, the 24th February,
2009 to be hosted by Rtn. Chandra Nath Mukherjee.
You are requested to kindly note this change & attend. So,
there will be no regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, the 24m
February, 2009.
(c) COMMITTEE ENGAGEMENT/S: have been published in
today's 'Chaka'. Members of the respective Committee/s may kindly
make a note of the date/s time/s and attend the meeting/s.

10. At the President's reguest Rtn. Zul Hirjee introduced his
candidate Mr. Samit Malhotra and Dist. Governor Rtn.
Nayantara Palchoudhuri inducted Mr. Malhotra as a member
of the Rotary Club of Calcutta.
11. The President declared that the District Governor, our
very dear Nayantara Pal Choudhury needs no introduction not
at least to this audience. DG Nayantara we never tire of saying
that you are the daughter of the club and that too a precious
daughter. You made us proud by being the first Lady Governor of
the new Rotary District 3291 when the erstwhile District 3290 had
no lady Governor in their long 88 years of existence. You make
us proud every time that we hear you address any of the club
meetings or district events, by your wealth of ideas, your clarity
of thoughts and lucidity of expression. One thing that comes out
very clear is your commitment to Rotary and its ethos.

12. The DG then addressed the gathering.
13. The President thanked the District Governor Nayantara for the
power packed speech, it was just superb. She said "It gives a
complete overview of what is happening in our entire District 3291.
Thank you for reminding us that we are the Number One. Hearing that
makes our adrenalin flow through our veins. Every time we hear this
it perks us up to justify being the number one and makes us strive
to
remain in that position. AND you know the theory of relativity
demands
that there is no stopping - you have to keep running even to
maintain
your position. If you look through our plans and programs of the
year-which we shared with you day before yesterday at our club
Assembly. Our plans are moderate -but our plans and programs are
rooted to the ground - something that is very sound , very basic,
that is very solid ,that which brings long term benefit to a wider
section of the community. And this is in keeping with the tradition
of our Club. We are not trying to do any thing spectacular like a
magician drawing a rabit out of his hat.

At the beginning of the year I and my entire team - the chairmen,
co-chairmen, members of committees sat together to put our
collective dreams together It was almost an exercise of building
castles in the air. We zeroed in on our plans for trie year, we
thought it through, we planned it through so that we could give
our dream castles a solid foundation, a foundation of reality.
The team is progressing with dedication, with electrifying energy
and shared commitment towards its goal of making its dreams reaL.
With blessings from the District and good wishes from the Governor,
I am sure our team will be able to reach its destination."

14. Hony Secretary, Rtn Heena Gorsia gave a hearty vote of
thanks.
The President then presented the District Governor, and the other
District dignitaries tokens of our appreciation.
15. The Sunshine Box received Rs 700/- with special contributions
from Rtns O.P.Malhotra, Dr.Dilip Saha, B.K.Dalmia and
Souryabrata Mondal.
16. The Club remembered Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City,
R.I. Dist. 3291 with good wishes.
17. The meeting was terminated at 2.45pm.

Rtn Nandita Sen President
Rtn Heena Gorsia Hony Secretary



AND FINALLY
________________________________________________________

WISPS OF WISDOM
Be sure that it is not you that is mortal, but only your body. For
that person whom you outward form reveals is not yourself, the
spirit is the true self, not that physical figure and pointed out by
your finger

JUST JOKING
The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.


FEBRUARY IS WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH