He has been recently appointed as the new president of the Rotary Club of Phoenix. Samir Khatri explained why he joined this club, but, also, how the pandemic has affected our society.
Tell us about your professional background.
I am a chartered accountant by profession and have been served at various positions of responsibilities across different industries e.g., print media, iron & steel, banking, asset management etc. About 6 years back I started on an entrepreneurial journey and now I have a financial services company which has presence in Mauritius, India & Dubai.
How and why did you join the ranks of the Rotary Club?
I joined Rotary in 2012 and the reason then for joining then was to be able to serve the society, but in all honestly, while service continues the reason of staying back in Rotary is the friendship and fellowship that one shares with the other members. The bond that develops among likeminded individuals working towards common goals is amazing, and I guess that is what makes Rotary an amazing place to be.
What does the Rotary Club mean to you?
Rotary Club of Phoenix means different things to me at different times. When I have learned there, it has been a school to me, when I have found friends there it has been like a social club to me, when I see its members stand with each other through thick and thin it means a family to me and when we get to serve the community through the Club then it becomes a vehicle to bring positive change in society.
Tell us about your history with the Rotary Club.
I have been with Rotary Club of Phoenix for nearly 10 years, and during this time I had the opportunity to serve the club in various roles viz. Director of Public Image, Treasurer of the Club, Director of Projects and Club Secretary.
At Rotary club of Phoenix, we have a tradition of involving the new members more and more in club workings which leads to their eventual development into a person who can shoulder further responsibilities. I have been through this same process over the years, and I can truthfully say that it has been a great journey so far.
You have recently been appointed President of the Rotary Club of Phoenix. How did you receive this news?
When I first heard about being chosen to serve the club as its President, the reaction was mixed with various emotions, while I was grateful for having been chosen but at the same time, I realised that this would mean taking on additional responsibilities towards the cub. While the feeling was predominantly of joy the thoughts of having to plan for the year, having to take out more time and having to manage and stay true to the members expectations were all there as well.
What more do you plan to bring to the Rotary Club of Phoenix as president?
Rotary Club of Phoenix is now 19 years old and during these years the club has matured in its way of functioning. Our primary focus has over the years been on health and children and this year also we intend to work on projects in service of community along the same lines. But every year gives us a chance to enhance our service activities more and we will be taking this opportunity to strengthen further our connect with the community.
What new projects do you plan to work on as president?
We have various new projects planned for this year – major among them are distribution of sunglasses, in partnership with Plastinax, made from recycled plastic bottles to fishermen in Mauritius to protect their eyes from UV rays, mentoring and up-skilling of women entrepreneurs in SME segment, surgical intervention for children suffering from strabismus and others.
While these plans are there, with the pandemic and its related problems in the background, we only pray that we will be able to achieve what we have planned for the year.
You are very socially involved. With COVID-19, is the social aspect more necessary than ever?
Covid-19 has brought in its wake, various issues, and problems that no country or society had ever planned for. I think it is time for everyone be alive to the fact that the world as we knew it has changed. We all must be more conscious socially and be ready to give out a helping hand whenever possible. Each of us must learn to be grateful for what we have and be ready to share. Its only through a kind heart and a willing hand can we ever overcome to aftermath of the Covid-10 pandemic.
Is combating the harmful social effects of COVID-19 included in your mandate as president of the Rotary Club of Phoenix?
Yes. Rotary has always been in the forefront of helping the community whenever it is faced with problems and the mitigating the effects of Covid-19 on our community is certainly on our agenda. Our club has been distributing face masks, food packages and sanitary equipment during the lockdown of 2020 and 2021.
While these were done to mitigate the immediate downside of the lockdown due to Covid-19 we are now more focussed on strengthening the community to enable it to revive itself. Our plan to mentor women entrepreneurs in MSME segment is just one such move. During the last year we have also, with the help of US embassy, started to educate school children in home gardening advantages which will help us achieve food security over the years.
We have limited means, but we do believe that every step taken in the right direction will bring us closer to have a stronger, more inclusive, and happier community.
