Golden Sparrow: My Heart’s Flight

 By Rtn. Jayashree Bothra, District First Lady & Event Mentor

When we first dreamt up Golden Sparrow, it wasn’t just about creating an event –it was about launching a movement. A space where women didn’t just gather, but soared. A celebration not of titles or trophies, but of every woman’s journey –the quiet strength, the loud laughter, the unspoken sacrifices, and the unapologetic joy.

As Event Mentor, my role was to gently nudge, steer, and sometimes just stand back in awe as the extraordinary women of Rotary took flight. This wasn’t a day of frills and flowers –it was a declaration. That womanhood deserves a spotlight not just in boardrooms and conferences, but also in spaces filled with music, dance, learning, and laughter. A carnival of spirit.

Why Golden Sparrow? Because to me, that little golden bird is more than a symbol –it’s a reflection of every woman I know. Beautiful yet strong. Delicate but determined. Overlooked sometimes, but never out of power. This event was our collective flight –and every woman who showed up brought her own wings.

It was delightful to see sessions that weren’t just informative but transformative. To watch women laugh without restraint, learn without judgment, and most importantly, lift one another without hesitation. Whether it was the stand-up comedy, the games, or the moving addresses –we made room for both heart and hilarity.

And yes, we must applaud the men who stood with us –not in front, not behind, but beside. Because the future we’re dreaming of is inclusive. A Rotary that celebrates not just service above self, but celebration above silence.

As I stood at the back of the hall during the flash mob finale –hearing the cheers, watching women of all ages dance with abandon –I knew in my heart: this wasn’t the end of an event. It was the beginning of something far bigger.

My hope is that Golden Sparrow becomes more than an annual affair. Let it be a mindset. A message. A memory we keep building upon.

Because when women rise, they don’t rise alone –they lift the world with them.