My sincere thanks to each and every one of you for your constant support and help throughout this Rotary Year when I was given an opportunity to be the District First Lady, 2025-26. Being an active Rotarian myself, I looked at this opportunity a bit differently. I thought of it as an immense and rare chance for ‘Give and Take’ of ideas, views and insights regarding Service to Community and Fellowship! Of course, I tried to understand the innate purpose of this role in Rotary and with that in mind, I was at it!

I accompanied DG Santosh during most of the OCVs or DG visits to various clubs.  DG truly saw that each club and all the members he visited- understood what is the true meaning of being a Rotarian! All the clubs and their members along with their spouses were self-motivated and they whole heartedly, happily and passionately worked for the community service as per their strengths, capabilities and limitations as well.

Overwhelming response for District Conference Ruturang 2026 and Saurashtra Car rally added friendship-fellowship flavour to the Rotary Motto-Service Above Self.

The District Committees, Distict itself and our host club members worked very hard at all the stages of planning and execution of the District Conference Ruturang 2026! It was this total dedication, devotion, focus and passion of all that led to its success.

Everybody enjoyed listening to the outstanding speakers. It was an excellent, well thought out and planned team work of all the committees. In the two days agenda of the conference, there were fillers in between- performances from District Cultural Team and Presidents Group. I made it a point to witness their practice sessions. They were fully charged with unending energy for dance practice at the end of the day! Hats off to all those performers who won the hearts of the audience. Every second devoted for conference was memorable and special!

Throughout the year, Lady Rotarians, First Ladies and Anns were so deeply engaged and engrossed in their club activities and club projects that it was impossible to find any time nor there was a need for arranging any only ladies’ program at District level.

The avenue of Environment has done an excellent, stupendous and notable work. It has created general awareness amongst Rotarians which will be spread further! This is the global need of the hour.  Environmental issues found their place not only under the avenue itself but under various Global Grant projects, CSR-Grant Projects, CSR Projects, under Happy Schools, Women Empowerment, Water-Sanitation-Hygiene and Health avenues. For the first time in RID 3131, successful seminars on Circular Economy and Net Zero took place which were unique and appreciated by all the participants.

Though the schedule throughout the year was too hectic and demanding, the involvement with all the activities of Rotary in RID 3131 was really exciting, happening and relaxing!

Rotary journey for any Rotarian is a journey of satisfaction and self-realization that makes their lives easy and better. This spirit of community service and fellowship is a great reward we give to ourselves, because of which we realize and appreciate the purposeful importance of our existence in this world. I congratulate the district 3131 for its stupendous journey towards Service Above Self and Fellowship and wish forever success in future!  I am very thankful to the entire club that they gave an opportunity to Santosh to serve as DG of RID 3131 so that he could fulfil some of his Rotary related dreams and to me as First Lady of the District. Both of us got many new friends in Rotary beyond our club!

Thank You!

Rtn Tanuuja Marathe, District First Lady, 2025-26.