Knowing Our Members
Knowing Our Members
An Interview with Rtn. PP Narayandas Rathi
By Rtn. Krishna Kumar
Celebrating Lifetime Achievement Award to Rtn. Narayandas Rathi
I met with Rtn. Past President Narayandas Rathi on 12th August 2025 at 5 p.m. for a tête-à-tête in his beautiful house in Koregaon Park. Narayanbhau, as everyone fondly calls him, and his elegantwife, Rtn. Aruna Rathi, (member of Rotary club of Poona Downtown and Past President of the Club) received me at the door, and ushered me in to their well-appointed living room. It was the beginning of an hour of new memory that would be etched in my mind forever. We sat at the dining table, and I was promptly treated to delectable pakodas, sweets, bhakarwadis and a refreshing cup of tea, that kept the conversation lively and enjoyable. I am grateful to Arunaji for joining us in the conversation.
Congratulations Narayanbhau on receiving the first of its kind honour for an RCPian – lifetime achievement award spanning over 40 years selfless service as a Rotarian. How does it feel, Sir?
It feels great to have received the award, and while it is not what we work for, it is good to have a recognition. It will inspire me to work harder for the causes that are dear to me (he walks up proudly to the 3 recent awards that he got which were displayed prominently displayed in the living room):
- DG’s Special Service Award in recognition of outstanding dedication, unwavering commitment and remarkable contribution
- Award for Skills Development and Self Employment Project
- RCPC Excellence in Vocational Service Project Awards.
Where and when did your pet Cancer project start?
I started this project in 1998. Initially my team used to hire a bus and go the slums and collect women to our approved hospital for a cancer test. But the women detected with cancer, would resist treatment say their husbands would discard them. But soon this culture changed, when men too began to be detected with cancer.
But then, I realised soon, that I should be focusing on children with cancer, as that would mean giving them hope to live well for decades, as opposed to adults for whom we hardly could add a 10 to15 years to their life.
So, in 2015, we decided to decided to give treatment to children up to 18 years of age. Every year we cured about 20 children. During the last financial year, we cured and saved 20 children out of 22.
My assistance with financial support comes on the basis that there would be a crucial treatment required which could save the life of the poor children.
How does it feel to have saved these children from the deadly cancer?
You know, when we go to meet them along with their parents, at the hospital or at our club, these children run around, playing happily, completely oblivious of the fact that they have come out of the jaws of death. The feeling cannot be expressed in words. The joy is boundless.
How does the future look for this project?
Look, I am 90 years old, and I continue the work, with undeterred enthusiasm. I spend Rs 10 lakhs (Rs 30,000 per head on an average) out of my own pocket every year for this cause. We carry out this project at the KEM hospital and I have faith that the team that works is doing a brilliant job. And I am sure the projects will continue in the future with the involvement of my wife. I am sure our club will also get involved in expanding the impact of the efforts.
Arunaji: The success of any project depends on the personal involvement of members. In the cancer project, my husband took it as his own personal mission, and therefore success was guaranteed during all these years, and so it will be in the future. Of course, I will step in when required. His first wife passed away due to cancer in 1995 and that painful experience inspired him to step out and do something for the community.
What other projects do you work on as part of the Rotary Club of Pune Central?
I have also been supporting a course for Home Nurses and Patient Care Attendants for almost fifteen years. The aim of the program is to provide vocational skills to underprivileged girls and help them gain financial independence.
This course, conducted at Anjuman-I-Islam Polytechnic for Girls, equips students with necessary skills to provide high quality patient care. We provide financial support and conduct regular assessments to monitor the overall progress of the trainees. After completing the training and internship most candidates get employment as junior nurses in private hospitals or as bedside assistants.
I am glad to say that every year thirty to forty girls, hence thirty to forty families, benefit from this program.
Arunaji, Rotary seems to be an integral part of your daily life.
Arunaji: Of course, now that we have all the time in the world even more so. When I joined Rotary in 1997, attending every meeting was mandatory. We still follow the practice of attending meetings, as it is in our DNA.
Narayanbhau: Indeed, after working for over 50 years, especially starting a business from scratch, it is satisfying to see it thriving and I am glad that I have always put social work as an important part of my daily life. And over the years we have made so many friends at Rotary, and that makes us happy.
Sir, you were President of RCPC in the year 1992-93. How is the club different today?
People today are much busier. In those days, attendance and involvement of the members was much higher.
Arunaji: The onus is on the senior members too to get to know the younger members. I am sure the new members will find time from their busy schedule, to contribute by getting involved in projects.
What do you find joy in outside of Rotary and business?
Family is important and I like to stay in touch with all of the family members.
Arunaji: My husband and his brothers started the chemical business together from scratch and the family has been raised with the strong values of hard work and family bonding. It is amazing to see such a large family sticking close to each other. And the one thing that few people know about him, is that loves pulling off a good prank on others.
Any message for the new members of RCPC?
Take any project that you like. And involve in it personally; own it and do it with your heart.
I thanked both Rotarian Past President Narayandas Rathi and Rotarian Mrs. Aruna for their time and for indulging me. The world needs more selfless souls like Narayanbhau. Because it is a better place today due to his relentless work. We stepped out to their lawn for a photo. And I began walking out to the main road to wait for my driver to arrive. Lo and behold, Narayanbhau, arrived in his car to give me company until the driver arrived. I remembered my dad. He would have done the same.
