The Joy Maker: DG Mahaveer Bothra on Leading with Love

I caught up with DG Mahaveer Bothra Ji in his office, where the air buzzed with preparations for his Rajasthan Rotary friendship tour. He shared smiles, stories, and a lovelyl sambar vada and bun butter jam between animated calls with his Rajasthani counterparts. His multitasking prowess was as impressive as his warm hospitality.

Rtn. Sashi: DG Bothra Ji, February’s in the air, and love is too! How does this four-letter word play out in your Rotary playbook?

DG Bothra: (Chuckling) Well, they say love makes the world go round, but in Rotary, it makes service soar! When 1000 people showed up at my installation – breaking records, mind you – I realized it wasn’t my magnetic personality but the magnetic power of community love. Think of it as a heartbeat that synchronizes over 200 daily birthday wishes, countless handshakes, and endless smiles. It’s not just about wearing the Rotary pin; it’s about wearing your heart on your sleeve!

Rtn. Sashi: Speaking of wearing hearts on sleeves, I heard you played cupid between 1500 differently-abled children and Lord Balaji?

DG Bothra: Eyes twinkling Ah, that Tirupati trip! Talk about divine intervention! We didn’t just organize a darshan; we orchestrated a symphony of smiles. You know you’re doing something right when heaven and earth conspire to create magic. Those children taught us that the purest form of love doesn’t need words – just open hearts and willing hands.

Rtn. Sashi: You’ve been dubbed the ‘Recognition Revolutionary’ with your quarterly awards. What sparked this love affair with frequent appreciation?

DG Bothra: Laughing Why wait for an annual love letter when you can send quarterly valentines? Our Rotarians are out there spreading joy 365 days a year – shouldn’t recognition keep up? These quarterly celebrations have become our own version of ‘Rotary’s Got Talent,’ minus the scary judges!

Rtn. Sashi: Your daily ritual of 200+ birthday wishes is legendary. That’s more messages than most people send in a month!

DG Bothra: Think of me as Rotary’s very own birthday wizard! (Winks) Some people count sheep to sleep; I count birthday wishes to wake up. It’s my daily dose of digital dopamine – spreading joy one WhatsApp message at a time. After all, what’s better than making someone feel special early morning while they’re still in their pajamas?

Rtn. Sashi: From joint family living to joint Rotary success – how does that equation work?

DG Bothra: My joint family is like a daily masterclass in human relations! (Grinning) Where else can you learn negotiation skills over breakfast, practice patience while sharing the TV remote, and master the art of consensus building during dinner? These domestic diplomas have proven priceless in Rotary leadership

Rtn. Sashi: I hear you’re quite the fitness enthusiast. Is it true you never miss your daily walk and badminton, come rain or shine?

DG Bothra: (Bouncing with energy) Let’s just say my badminton racket gets more attention than my phone! Some leaders count steps to fitness; I count smashes and serves. (Laughs) My morning walks aren’t just about burning calories – they’re my mobile think tanks. Between you and me, some of our best Rotary projects were born somewhere between step 2,000 and 3,000! When they say “healthy body, healthy mind,” I add “healthy leadership” to the mix.

Rtn. Sashi: Tell us about Kalankarai Vilakku – your unique conclave for past presidents. It sounds like a reunion of Rotary rockstars!

DG Bothra: (Eyes lighting up) Exactly! It’s like organizing a concert of greatest hits, but instead of music, we have mountains of wisdom! These past presidents aren’t just former leaders; they’re our living, breathing Wikipedia of service. (Smiling warmly) We created this space where experience meets excitement, where stories flow faster than coffee, and where every “remember when” becomes a “what if we try.” It’s our way of saying “you’re not past presidents; you’re permanent inspirations!”

Rtn. Sashi: And then there’s Valar Pirai for Green Rotarians. How did this newcomers’ conclave come about?

DG Bothra: (With enthusiasm) Ah, Valar Pirai! Think of it as our welcome party with a purpose. These fresh faces bring such vibrant energy to our Rotary family – they’re like morning sunshine, full of warmth and possibility! (Chuckling) We wanted to create a space where our newest members could shine, where their innovative ideas could take flight. It’s amazing how these ‘green’ Rotarians, barely a year into their journey, bring such fresh perspectives to our time-tested traditions. (Smiling warmly) You know, watching them at the conclave reminded me of saplings in spring – so full of potential, just waiting to grow into mighty service trees. We mixed mentorship with merriment, wisdom with wonder, and created an atmosphere where every new Rotarian felt like they’d found their second home. After all, today’s newcomers are tomorrow’s leaders!

Rtn. Sashi: Your events are famous for their fun factor. What’s your secret sauce for mixing service with smiles?

DG Bothra: (Mischievously) Remember the fresh fruit stall incident at Valarpirai? There I was, watching distinguished Rotarian Doctors debating the proper order of eating fruit slices! (Laughing heartily) Who knew fruit could be such a conversation starter? My philosophy is simple: if you’re not having fun while serving others, you’re doing it wrong. Every event should have three ingredients: purpose, passion, and a generous pinch of playfulness!

Rtn. Sashi: What keeps your service engine running at full throttle?

DG Bothra: (Eyes twinkling) It’s a cocktail of crazy dreams and crazier determination! Mix in the trust of fellow Rotarians, add a splash of innovation, and garnish with endless possibilities. (Warmly) Every morning, I wake up thinking, “What heart can we touch today? What smile can we create?” It’s like being a happiness scientist – always experimenting with new ways to serve and surprise.

Rtn. Sashi: How do you turn lemons into lemonade when challenges pop up?

DG Bothra: (With a knowing smile) Challenges? Oh, you mean our creativity catalysts! When plans go sideways, that’s just life’s way of saying, “Show me what you’ve got!” Every obstacle is an opportunity wearing a disguise – sometimes a very good disguise, mind you! (Chuckling) The secret is to face challenges with a heart full of love and a mind full of possibilities. And maybe keep some actual lemonade handy too!

Rtn. Sashi: Last but not least, what’s your February message for our Rotary family?

DG Bothra: (With heartfelt enthusiasm) Dear Rotary family, let’s make love our superpower this February! Whether it’s through grand gestures or tiny acts of kindness, let’s sprinkle love like confetti everywhere we go. Remember, we’re not just service providers; we’re joy multipliers, hope distributors, and smile architects! (Eyes sparkling) When future generations write about us, let them say, “These folks didn’t just wear the Rotary wheel; they made the world spin with love!”

And there you have it – leadership with a laugh, service with a smile, and love in every line! After all, isn’t that what Rotary’s all about?