WHY I WILL ALWAYS BE A ROTARIAN? 
I had my first brush with Rotary many years ago, as a 22 years old Medical Student at Solapur….. I was felicitated by the Club Meeting for success in the MBBS exam…. I remember that I was very impressed with the speeches and the good work that was being done by Rotary for the needy in society…. I met and got to know PDG Dr. M.G. Pradhan, my favorite Rotarian and surely the nicest person that I have ever known!

I was encouraged by the same Club to apply for the GSE Program. I was not selected, but I did learn more about Rotary in preparing for the Interview! 
Years later, I again applied for the GSE Program as a Team leader. Alas, I was again unsuccessful, and I guess I didn’t feel too good about it, but I was impressed with the transparency and fairness of the selection process. 
In later years, as a District Governor and later as DRFC Chair for three years, I tried to maintain these standards, and it was sometimes sad to select one person from among so many good candidates! 
I had begun to like Rotary by then. Where else could one find and befriend so many nice, decent and caring people? 
Sure, they talked a lot and didn’t seem to accomplish all that was talked about, but their efforts and intentions were honest. I remember our daughter Uma winning the first prize at a Math’s Competition organized by a Rotary Club, and I wasn’t even a member then!
I joined a new Club as a Charter Member 30 years ago, and I still remember being a typical member (attending irregularly, coming late, leaving early) till the Club (in its wisdom) nominated me to be the President!
I sobered up and started taking things more seriously. I discovered that there was more to Rotary than what I had imagined. I started getting to know my fellow club members and discussing what we could for our community. Suddenly it became more enjoyable, more fun and more satisfying!
I still remember my first Rotary Conference at Mahabaleshwar in 1990. I remember my 11-year-old daughter Uma sitting enrapt through all the sessions and enjoying whatever was on offer. I remember passionately discussing rotary with my club members late in the night. I was truly inspired by the then DG Dr Satish Kaushik, and others like Kalyan Varde, Dada Karandikar, and so many others, too numerous to name !
I won my first award for best participant at an intercity forum that year. I was named an Outstanding President. Without realizing it, I had become a Rotarian!  
I remember arguing with my past Governor friends about improving procedures, and being challenged to get things better by taking more responsibilities, and suddenly I was spending more time for Rotary than before.
I remembered being lauded by Past Rotary International President Mr. Raja Saboo, who came to inaugurate our 3H Project in Pune, and then challenged us to take this mission of free operations to African Countries. We were all so proud to be a part of that pioneering work that started with the Uganda Project and continues even today.

Serving as a District Governor was a huge challenge. We were a very large District then, and a lot of travel was involved. It was a breath-taking Roller Coaster ride! The District Conference at Goa was a huge success and still lives on in the memories of many of those who attended! 
Being asked to speak at the Training Assembly at Anaheim was an unexpected honor. The many friends that I have made through Rotary from all over the World, remain dear to me even today. I have done many things and received many recognitions over the 38 years that I have been a Rotarian. I still do a lot of interesting and rewarding work for the Rotary Foundation in the 3H Cadre. I still enjoy going to Institutes and Conventions. I miss many of my friends who have left Rotary, but I always look forward to making new Friends in Rotary.

I see the changes that are happening in Rotary as we struggle to adapt to an ever-changing World around us… I miss the camaraderie and the fellowship opportunities that existed in such abundance 25  years ago. But I will always continue to be a Rotarian, and try to contribute my bit to strengthen and enrich the wonderful movement that is Rotary!

Dr.Madhav Borate
RCP Downtown, Pune