Samtani will serve in the leadership role for one year in the club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The proprietor of several city stores, such as Shoppers’ Paradise and Bhagwans, will be given a further opportunity to ‘give a helping hand to those in need’, as the Rotary’s guiding motto is ‘Service Above Self’.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle last week, Mr. Samtani said he looks forward to a “memorable, fruitful, and historic year”, one that can be attained by the hard work, dedication, and cooperation of every member.

“Fifty years ago, 18 leaders from various professions got together and became the charter members of our club,” he said.

He continued, saying that, as testament of its motto, over the last 50 years the club has done several projects throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, reaching out to various communities.

Over the years, the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been making donations to charitable organisations and has been involved in community services, among other activities.

Touching on some of the plans for the club this year, he said, “We will definitely work within the structure of Rotary International and our Rotary Club of Georgetown.”

The producer of the film ‘Rainbow Raani’, which was released in 2006, said that the projects expected to come on stream this year will focus mainly on clean water, health, youth and education.

“These are the subjects that Rotary International has also asked us to pursue and when we undertake these kinds of projects, there is more peace on the earth,” he asserted.

“A proper response to these programmes and projects will surely improve the quality of lives around the globe,” he insisted.

He also noted that, last year, the club embarked on the Rotary Club Leadership Plan which is now a recommended structure for Rotary Clubs.

According to Samtani, it is a flexible plan to support the individual needs of clubs around the world.

Reiterating the importance of involvement of the entire membership in the club’s projects, he said that club leadership creates an effective organisation to pursue the objectives of Rotary.

Alluding to the dedicated group, Samtani insisted that no club president can be successful without the active participation of its members.

“With over 50 years of service in Guyana, there is no doubt in my mind that the present members will surely continue to serve Guyana and the world, and follow the path set by Rotary International and the charter members of our club.”

Mr. Samtani alluded to the 2009 Rotary theme: ‘The Future of Rotary is in your hands’, and said that this is a direct appeal to every Rotarian to be more enthusiastic and productive as a Rotarian.

He said that serving others holds immense benefits and great personal satisfaction and can bring hope to those in need and peace to the world.

Also, he said, one of his objectives this year is to promote the work of Rotary and to let people know more about the club and its mandate.

“Our aim this year is to let people know in Guyana what Rotary is all about. I think there is not enough information and we really want to put that information out and the press can help us in achieving that,” he stated.

“We have to put our efforts into ensuring that the projects are done, and that the work of Rotary is well-explained to the people in Guyana,” he said.

“So when they go to a Rotary function, or they support a Rotary fundraising event, let them know where the money goes.

“That the money has to go back into the society,” the new President stated.

He said that, apart from its traditional major fund-raising events, such as the Rotary International Bar, this year the club will be hosting a play.

Also, he said, a commemorative stamp produced by the club is expected to be released shortly.

“Let us spread the Rotary’s four-way tests for a better world, which are, of the things we think…Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? And will it be beneficial to all concerned?

He said that he wants to inculcate this message into society noting, “…if we can put this into our lives and embed it in the children, the world will be a much better place.

“I am trying to take it to schools, offices and ministries, among other entities, so that every Guyanese, every person in Guyana, will get used to these,” he said.

“At least it will hit them sometime or the other: Am I doing the right thing? Am I telling the truth? When I take this step will it be good for someone? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? And those kinds of things,” he explained.

“This year, also, we are going to host a day of sports for the physically-challenged. That is a great project that we are looking forward to,” he anticipated.

“It is 50 years and we are going to be doing a lot of other things,” Samtani reassured.

He said that the club currently has 70 members, being the oldest and largest in Georgetown.

The work of the Rotary Club of Georgetown started in 1959 in Guyana, and the Rotary’s motto is ‘Service above self’ and Samtani said he personally gets a lot of satisfaction when he is able to serve somebody, especially the young kids and the elderly.

“When I go to the day of sports, or when I go to the Christmas Cheers, or the church service for the elderly, the satisfaction derived by serving them I cannot explain to you, but the feeling is so good,” he said.

“It is an amazing feeling, I just can’t really express how great it is reaching out to others,” the cultural promoter also indicated.

“We want to make sure we help people in need, and I think all of my fellow Rotarians have the same feeling. They also are there to serve and we have a good fellowship among ourselves,” he stressed.

“Being the President of Rotary, I am just, say, the catalyst between the board and the members, and I like to see things flowing easily. Everyone does his or her work, and of course, with the blessing of the board and the membership, we are able to do more and more projects,” he said.

Being an active, longstanding member for over 24 years, he said, “I like to serve, I like to be with the people, I like to know that I can help someone who has a problem, and I would like to do something for the people and the country.

“This is a good chance and it is a dedicated group of people who want to do something for their fellow people, and also for Guyana, and to bring betterment to people who are underprivileged and in need,” he maintained.

“I will like to say to the people of Guyana that, when you see a Rotary sign, or a Rotary project, to support it, because it is for a good cause, so remember that whatever you contribute, even the smallest contribution, is the biggest contribution for us,” he appealed.

Also touching on some of the major achievements of Rotary, he said that the Rotary Foundation started a huge project called the ‘Eradication of Polio in the World’.

“When they started it in 1985 there were over 200,000 cases of polio per month around the world,” he disclosed.

“I am glad to report to you that today there are less than 2,000 cases of polio in the whole world, and that polio is now in only four countries in the world, and in another six to seven years it will be surely eradicated from the face of the earth,” he posited.

“There are plans to go into other diseases, but we are going to finish this project first,” he said.

He said the Rotary Club of Georgetown has also collaborated with international clubs to carry out projects.

The new executive body also includes President-elect John Carpenter; Vice President Amanda St. Aubyn; Immediate Past-President Aubrey Roberts; Secretary Anna Lisa Fraser-Phang; and Treasurer Harry Parmesar.

Rotary is a fellowship of 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders, comprising 32,841 clubs in 170 countries, and welcomes men and women of all cultures, races and creeds. The club maintains a non-political, non-religious stance.

The purpose is to provide humanitarian service internationally, and within our local community; maintain a strong network of business, professional, and community leaders who share the same ethical philosophies; and collaborate to promote world understanding and goodwill.

Rotarians are guided by four main philosophies, which are to: develop fellowship to foster service; maintain high ethical standards in all businesses and professions; make service a top priority in our lives; and develop a world perspective that prioritizes peace and goodwill worldwide.