MADURAI: The president-elect of Rotary International Mr.Olayinka H.Babalola had lauded the significant contributions being made by India for the global Rotary movement through its increasing membership and humanitarian service projects on a big scale.
“India has a huge potential because of demographics and India provides inspiration to the world and it has a special place as Rotary International which was founded in the year 1905 gears up to celebrate its 125th year,” he said while addressing a press meet in Madurai yesterday.
The incoming RI president Mr.Olayinka Babalola whose term starts on July 1st 2026 was in Madurai to address Rotary delegates from various places at the Regional Membership Summit held in the city on April 1st 2026.
POLIO ERADICATION AND PEACE CENTRES:
The global Rotary chief for 2026-27 told reporters that Rotary International is always committed to its polio eradication and hence its surveillance activities and funding support continues to be in full swing even though polio was eradicated in India.
“Now, there are polio cases reported from Afghanistan and Pakistan. We must bear in mind that polio anywhere is a threat and we must continue to immunize the children. Surveillance, advocacy and polio eradication awareness involves money, and zero polio is a top priority for Rotary,” he added.
The Rotary International President-Elect for 2026-27 Mr.Olayinka H.Babalola also spoke about the Rotary Peace Centres established at different places in the world to usher in peace amidst rising tensions and conflicts in different countries.
“As an organization, Rotary believes in peace. We started a Rotary Peace Centre at Symbiosis University where advocate for peace is taken up on a missionary mode with skill sets,” he said.
ROLE OF TAMIL NADU IN ROTARY:
Speaking at the press meet yesterday evening, Rotary International vice-president for 2026-27 Mr.AKS Er.M.Muruganandam (MMM) has said that there are 1.2 million Rotarians in the world right now in 36,000 clubs.
“Membership of Rotary is increasing rapidly in Tamil Nadu. Our focus is to further accelerate membership in our State and hence summits are being organized for our organization’s expansion. Our service projects also will get more momentum in education, healthcare, schools infrastructure, cervical cancer screening, dialysis machines etc,” he added.
Past District Governors Mr.Y.Kumanan, Ms.R.Anandtha Jothi and Prof.Dr.R.Raja Govindasamy along with Rotary office-bearers including Mr.Nellai Balu were among those who were present at the press meet in Madurai during the visit of RI President Elect Mr.Olayinka H.Babalola’s visit to attend ‘Vision 2030-Regional Membership Summit’ in the city.
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