Women Leaders unite to strengthen the spirit of “Service Above Self.”
5 July 2026 | Bengaluru
Rotary eClub Sakhi, an all-women Rotary club dedicated to creating meaningful social impact, welcomed the 2026–27 Rotary year with a graceful and inspiring Installation Ceremony on 5 July 2026 at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, Bengaluru. The event marked the formal installation of the club’s new leadership team while reaffirming its unwavering commitment to Rotary’s enduring motto, “Service Above Self.”
Bringing together Rotarians, distinguished guests, family members, and well-wishers, the ceremony celebrated leadership, fellowship, and a shared commitment to community service. More than a ceremonial transition, it reflected the club’s continued dedication to creating sustainable change through compassion, collaboration, and purposeful action.
Rotary eClub Sakhi has established itself as a vibrant community of accomplished women united by a common purpose: To serve humanity while empowering one another through fellowship and collaboration. True to its name, Sakhi, meaning friend or companion, the club brings together women from diverse professional backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, consultants, lawyers, educators, corporate leaders, coaches, social workers, and changemakers. Together, they foster an environment that encourages leadership, mutual support, and impactful service.
In an era where leadership is increasingly measured by compassion alongside competence, Rotary eClub Sakhi exemplifies how women can inspire meaningful change by combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to community welfare. Every initiative undertaken by the club reflects Rotary’s vision of creating lasting impact through collective service.
Beginning a New Chapter
The Installation Ceremony marked the beginning of another promising chapter in the club’s journey. As the incoming leadership assumed responsibility, members renewed their commitment to strengthening existing initiatives while introducing innovative programmes that address emerging community needs.
The occasion highlighted the harmonious integration of Head, Heart, and Hand: The wisdom to identify community challenges, the empathy to understand them, and the determination to transform ideas into meaningful action. This continues to underscore Rotary eClub Sakhi’s approach to service, ensuring that every project is driven by thoughtful planning, compassion, and measurable impact.
A Graceful Beginning
The ceremony commenced with a solemn invocation by Rtn. Nandini Narayan, creating an atmosphere of gratitude and reflection while seeking blessings for the incoming leadership and the year ahead.
Rtn. Celin Thomas extended a warm welcome to members, dignitaries, guests, and well-wishers. In her address, she acknowledged the dedication and collective efforts of every member whose commitment has strengthened Rotary eClub Sakhi over the years. Her heartfelt words set an inspiring tone for the celebrations and reinforced the club’s shared vision of service and fellowship.
Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future
One of the highlights of the ceremony was a reflection on the accomplishments of the outgoing leadership. Imm Past President Rtn. Prathima Rao reflected on the club’s accomplishments during the 2025–26 Rotary year. Her presentation highlighted the remarkable progress achieved through the dedication of members and the collaborative spirit that defines Rotary eClub Sakhi.
The projects addressed Rotary’s Areas of Focus, including Disease Prevention and Treatment, Community Economic Development, Basic Education and Literacy, Environmental Protection, Maternal and Child Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Vocational Service, Youth Service, Polio Eradication, and International Service.
Among the year’s notable initiatives were the establishment of Toy Libraries, skill development and tailoring programmes for women, e-waste awareness and collection drives, career counselling sessions, book donation initiatives, water purification and sanitation projects, menstrual health awareness campaigns, dental camps, cervical cancer awareness programmes, mental wellness counselling, youth leadership activities, and international flag exchanges. Together, these initiatives demonstrated the club’s sustained commitment to improving lives through practical, compassionate, and sustainable service.
Membership growth remained another important milestone, with Rotary eClub Sakhi welcoming several accomplished women who shared the club’s vision of service and leadership. The expanding membership reflected the growing appeal of Rotary among women committed to making meaningful contributions to society.
Reflecting on her tenure, Rtn. Prathima Rao said:
“Serving as the President has been a deeply rewarding journey of shared purpose and sisterhood. Leading projects like our Toy Libraries and Skill Development Classes showed me the profound impact of collective dedication and resilient teamwork.”
Installation of the New Leadership Team
The formal installation of the incoming office-bearers was conducted with dignity, pride, and a deep sense of purpose, marking a seamless transition of leadership. As the new team assumed office, members reaffirmed their commitment to Rotary’s core values of service, integrity, fellowship, diversity, and leadership.
More than a ceremonial change, the installation symbolized the trust placed in a team of dedicated women committed to leading with vision, compassion, innovation, and accountability. The occasion reflected Rotary eClub Sakhi’s enduring belief that leadership is an opportunity to serve and inspire meaningful change.
Accepting the responsibility with humility and gratitude, the newly installed President, Rtn. Rashmi Basavanhalli thanked every member for the confidence and trust placed in her leadership.
In her address, she outlined an inspiring vision for the year ahead, emphasizing that the club’s greatest strength lies in the collective commitment of its members. She encouraged everyone to actively contribute their ideas, skills, and experience to develop impactful projects that respond to the evolving needs of society.
She announced plans to strengthen the club’s outreach through initiatives in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, mental wellness, and community development. Collaboration with like-minded organizations and strategic partnerships, she said, would further expand the club’s ability to create sustainable and measurable impact.
Reflecting on the unique identity of Rotary eClub Sakhi, she remarked:
“Rotary Sakhi is a small group of strong women who are all leaders in serving our community, can manage any issues in our community, and will stand for each other. We are a no-nonsense club and a brand of our own.”
Her message resonated strongly with members, reinforcing the club’s culture of mutual support, professionalism, and purposeful service. She concluded by reminding everyone that even the smallest act of kindness has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
Distinguished Guests Inspire the Gathering
The Installation Ceremony was further enriched by the presence of distinguished guests whose inspiring messages encouraged members to continue pursuing excellence in leadership and service.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Ravishankar Dakoju, philanthropist, humanitarian, real estate developer, District Governor Nominee (2026–27) of Rotary International District 3192, and an eminent Rotarian, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address that deeply resonated with the audience.
Sharing one of his guiding principles, he said:
“You should give till it hurts, because until then you are sharing your comfort, not everything that you have.”
His powerful words served as a reminder that genuine service often calls for personal commitment and sacrifice. Drawing from his extensive Rotary journey and community service experience, he spoke about the transformative power of leadership rooted in compassion, integrity, and consistency.
He encouraged members to focus on projects that create sustainable, long-term outcomes while strengthening Rotary’s visibility and relevance within society. Appreciating Rotary eClub Sakhi’s achievements, he commended the club for creating a unique platform where accomplished women work together to address social challenges with professionalism, innovation, and empathy.
He praised the members’ enthusiasm and dedication, encouraging them to continue inspiring others through meaningful service and collaborative action.
Another distinguished guest, Ms. Nalini, captivated the gathering with inspiring real-life examples that highlighted entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and meaningful community engagement. Through relatable examples, she highlighted the importance of resilience, financial independence, continuous learning, and community engagement in empowering women to become agents of change.
She encouraged members to believe in their own potential, embrace lifelong learning, and actively mentor others. Stressing that meaningful progress is achieved through collaboration rather than competition, she urged everyone to continue building supportive networks that create opportunities for future generations.
Her address received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience and further reinforced the importance of women supporting women in creating lasting social impact.
Celebrating the Rotary Spirit
Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on Rotary’s enduring mission of addressing local and global challenges through compassion, service, and fellowship.
Members were reminded that Rotary’s impact extends far beyond individual projects. Every initiative, whether promoting education, improving healthcare, protecting the environment, supporting women and youth, or advancing peace, contributes to building stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
Rotary eClub Sakhi continues to embody these ideals by providing women with opportunities to lead confidently while serving society with empathy, professionalism, and commitment. The ceremony demonstrated how a shared vision, strengthened by collaboration and mutual respect, enables ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary results.
Looking Ahead
As Rotary eClub Sakhi embarks on another exciting chapter, the club remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding its service initiatives through innovation, strategic partnerships, and collaborative leadership.
The coming Rotary year promises an expanded focus on education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, youth leadership, mental wellness, community development, and humanitarian assistance. Guided by Rotary’s values and inspired by the enthusiasm of its members, the club aims to deepen its engagement with communities while developing projects that create lasting and measurable impact.
With a dynamic leadership team, an increasingly diverse membership, and a strong culture of fellowship, Rotary eClub Sakhi is well positioned to build upon its achievements and inspire more women to embrace leadership through service.
A Celebration of Purpose
The memorable ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Rtn. Mamtha B. S, who expressed sincere appreciation to the dignitaries, members, organizing committee, sponsors, and guests whose presence and support made the ceremony a resounding success.
As Rotary eClub Sakhi begins the 2026–27 Rotary year with renewed enthusiasm and purpose, it remains dedicated to transforming ideas into meaningful action through compassion, collaboration, and innovative service. Guided by Rotary’s timeless motto, “Service Above Self,” the club looks forward to another year of empowering communities, nurturing future leaders, and creating sustainable change that will leave a legacy for generations to come.
Rtn. Rajini GP
Club member, Rotary eClub Sakhi.
