Rotaract Medium

Lila was that woman nobody knew what went on behind her face in that bustling city filled with car horns and people racing, but no one really knew what went on behind the face she put up. About mid-thirties now, she was focused on climbing that corporate ladder at that very prestigious marketing firm. Everyone loved Lila; she was always a few minutes early, and nobody left the office before she did. Meanwhile, as Lila poured herself into her job, her health slowly took a backseat. Lila lives on takeout meals, fueled by coffee and late-night snacks, assured that sacrificing health was part and parcel of the pursuit of success. Sometimes, she dismissed the occasional bouts of fatigue, headaches, and restless nights as characteristics of a driven lifestyle. "I will rest when I am successful," she would reassure herself while her body whispered for attention. One fateful day, Lila fainted at her desk. The office was thrown into a frenzy as her coworkers rushed to her ...

Time—it governs every moment of our lives, yet its essence remains a mystery. Is it a universal truth that exists independently, or is it merely a human construct, an illusion we’ve created to make sense of the chaos? Philosophers, scientists, and even poets have wrestled with the nature of time for centuries, yet the question remains open-ended, as tantalizing as ever. The Concept of Time: A Human Invention? No doubt, the concept of time divided into seconds, minutes, hours, and years is a human invention. Even the ancient civilizations-from Egyptians to Mayans-made time measurements based on the sun, moon, and stars. But what exactly do we measure? Is a day and a year merely the shadow of Earth's rotation and orbit, or does it represent something more? Calendars, clocks, and deadlines-all are tools that humans have devised to impose order. But would time even exist without our perception? That's where the debate gets fascinating. In some ways, the human experience of time is ...

Every Ramadan, life slows down for a month. It’s a time when fasting, prayer, and reflection become a part of each day. Ramadan teaches patience and gratitude, but what strikes me the most each year is how it opens my heart to others, especially those who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. For me, fasting is a choice, but for many, going hungry isn’t. One Ramadan, my family and I decided to volunteer to make meal kits for families struggling to get by. My day would start early, with packing rice, running around the kitchen on Maa’s orders, setting aside bags of grains and dates, ready for distribution. We worked mostly in silence, each of us focused, knowing why we were there and how much each meal would mean to the families who received it. As my dad and I drove to deliver the food, I couldn’t shake the thought of how simple it was for me to end my fast at sundown. But for many, hunger is an ongoing reality, not something they can pause or turn off. The disco...

One of my favourite days of the year is Diwali. It has been since I was a kid. There is no greater joy than decorating the house, sitting in the pooja, wearing new clothes, and celebrating with the ones I love. To my kid self, this joy was universal no matter what festival brought it for someone. As I got older, however, I realized that this joy is not afforded to all. Marginalised groups, workers on duty, hospitalised people, or folks who have been left behind by their family; if they had any, to begin with, is; don’t get to partake in this joy. How unfair is that? Which is why when a youth organisation in my hometown Indore named Indore2030 started an initiative named ‘Dil-Waali Diwali’, I jumped on the opportunity to participate. It was a simple yet fulfilling plan. We circulated a list for food, medicines and a small amount of money, made postcards with a heartfelt message and our stamp on it, decorated and packed two diyas to hand out and brought sweets as well. These ...

The winter nights ain't dry anymore, For I learned to fall for me A little more. The clouds still cover the sun, The wind is still cold enough, The temperature still goes down, The dogs still howl, The sky still drizzles at night. Often it comes to my mind, Oh, so pretty! For I'm in love with me, Just a little more. Yes, true that, The love is less than What it will be tomorrow, But definitely sweeter Than the dessert I had at supper. The thunders are still so loud; I sometimes still shiver, The weather still so cold, But I don't feel the numbness anymore. True is the saying: The warmth of love Can melt any glacier. So be it. I am my beloved, And my beloved is me. That's what my name is for, My life is all about love, And it's a love story Which revolves around me. ~ Reine Preeam

India has one of the widest spectrums of wealth among its people in the world. In a country that is rich in culture and tradition, economic inequality is a huge hindrance to unlocking the potential that the citizens of India possess. Income inequality is a growing concern in India, with the richest 1% of the population holding more than 50% of the country's wealth. Approximately 15% of India's population is considered to be in a state of multidimensional poverty. There are important social and economic ramifications to this growing wealth disparity that needs to be addressed and rectified.  The unequal distribution of resources and wealth is one of the primary reasons for income inequality in India. Due to the nation's long history of colonization and the caste system, there is still a system of privilege and prejudice in place. There is a cycle of inequality running rampant throughout India, a cycle that can only be broken with the collaborative efforts of all ...

On September 8th, the Rotaract Club of RVCE hosted a touching event, “Hello! Grandparents,” aimed at connecting the youth with the elderly. This heartwarming initiative brought together Rotaract members and residents of Aarna Aayu foundation for an afternoon filled with so much joy and happiness. The purpose of this event was to spend time with grandparents on Grandparents’ Day, providing them with companionship, interacting with them and learning from their experiences. With a total of 12 volunteers led by two event chairs, this event gave Rotaractors a chance to learn from and respect their elders, while also highlighting the value of having empathy and respect for the elderly. “This event has a special place in my heart, and it is something I will never forget”, said Rtr Muskan, one of the event chairs for the event. It will not only be special to our club, but to all elderly that the volunteers spent time with, played games with and even watched ‘Anupama’ with! ...

By: Rtr. Kartik Rao  On August 9th 2024, The Rotaract Club of RVCE collaborated with NSS RVCE to conduct the “Wayanad Flood Relief Program,” which aimed to mitigate the damage of the floods at the Wayanad district in Kerala, providing much-needed aid to those suffering from this crisis. The devastating floods in Wayanad left many without homes and necessities, whose struggle touched the hearts of many volunteers at RVCE. The event took place at the Bengaluru Art of Living Centre, where 10 volunteers from the Rotaract Club of RVCE and NSS RVCE provided essential aid and supplies. They packaged grocery kits, umbrellas, clothing, and essentials such as sweaters and blankets meant to ease the burden of recovery for the victims of this crisis.  As the grocery kits were packed, the volunteers felt that hope itself was being bundled up, the more work they did, the accomplished they felt. The solidarity showcased by the volunteers was a sight to behold, with their shared p...