Face to Face - Rtr. Yasin Bijapuri M.A.M.

We caught up with our President Rtr. Yasin for a brief interview. Here are the excerpts from that candid interview : -

1. For how many years now have you been associated with the Rotary movement?

A. I’m stepping into my 3^rd year in Rotaract. I started of as a plain Green Rotaractor who working for his Credits (Loyola College insists that every fresher does 120 hrs of Community Service).

2. Who were the main Reason/ source of Inspiration behind you joining this Rotary Movement?

A. To be really honest, I come from a Rotary family. My father is a Past President of a Rotary Club (the Rotary club of Madras North). But still, there were people like Rtr. Inder Kumar (President of RCLC for the Rotary Year 2008-09), Rtr. Aditya Mohan and the current president Rtr. Praveen who inspired me to achieve much more than just the hours required for finishing the credits.

3. When you initially joined this movement, did you imagine that you would rise to the position you are in now?

A. I actually never expected to come to the position where I am in now. I was just like any other Rotaractor, coming to the club on the 1^st day of college, where I saw this huge 20 x 10 banner put up with a phrase proclaiming that this club is the World’s Largest Rotaract Club. Even imagining me becoming something close to my current position in the club was impossible at that time.

4. You have now been elevated to the post of President of the club. How does it feel? Do you agree with the Spiderman maxim “With great power comes greater responsibility”?

A. Being the president of such an illustrious club now definitely makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine. Moreover, after seeing the work and the appreciation received by my past presidents, I feel motivated to reproduce the same. Yes, I strongly believe in that maxim and my biggest challenge will be to keep up with the standards set by my seniors and take it up a few notches further,.

5. Over the last two years, which project has been a special one according to you?

A. The project that is close to my heart is definitely ‘Meliora’ – the reason been that the result of the project was positive and helped many young school children to understand the Merits in joining and being part of the Rotary Movement. It was indeed heartening to see many students take a pledge to join Rotaract in their College years and even Rotary after that. I’m happy the project was a roaring success and I would target at conducting it in a bigger and better way this year.

6. Do you have any pet project / special project for the year?

A. There is nothing like a PET project for this year as such, because RCLC itself is something close to my heart, and what me and my team will need to concentrate on will be to organize every single project in the best way possible and see to that the standards are maintained or even elevated. To put it short, every project will get the SPECIAL treatment.

7. You were the Associate Editor of the club last year. How was that experience? Also, you were part of the organizing committee for WOW – DRC 2009-10. Was it an enriching exposure?

A. Being a part of the Editorial Team in the Club last year was amazing. Especially during the time of framing up Club Reports with people like Rtr. Jude, I felt like I was going through an amazing learning experience, though we couldn’t revive our Bulletin as planned. All that work and my performance as the Director for Professional Service helped me in bagging a role as part of the Organizing Committee for WOW ’10 (Annual District Rotaract Conference). That again, was a really unforgettable event.

8. What would be your parting words to our Green Rotaractors?

A. Firstly, I would like to extend my warm greetings to them from the RCLC family. We people are definitely special because we belong to the one of the finest institution in the country, and further we should feel proud to be a part of the Rotaract Club of Loyola College. All that I would like tell you is to make the best of the opportunity provided to you. Rotaract is one organization which offers almost everything including Individual Development, Fun and Frolic apart from the chance of serving the community around us. Emphasis and importance is given to each and every person and that depends on how you much interest you take. Target for something more than just getting credits and you would achieve it in the gamble and continue to be in the movement. Thank you :)

( Rtr. Yasin Bijapuri is a really wonderful , down-to-earth, and intellectual person. A great motivator of people, he is currently doing his Third Year Bachelor's in Commerce at Loyola College )