By Sakshi Sachdeva:
On Sunday early morning, I was amazed to see some youngsters planting saplings along the road side. After talking to them I was really impressed and so I decided to take an interview. Following is the conversation between me and a member of the Rotaract Club – Parin Kalra.
Parin Kalra is working as an Actuarial Analyst with Mercer India Private Limited. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hans Raj College, Delhi University. He actively participates in Rotary Club’s activities and holds a position of President for Rotaract Club, North Delhi. He has worked on numerous projects, which include traffic controlling, tree plantation and he has also supported an NGO which works with autistic patients.
1. Tell me about Rotaract Club and when you became a part of it?
Rotaract is an international youth body that undertakes the process of creating the responsible citizens of the world to bring about that positive change. The organization is made of young adults in the age category of 18 through 30 years. Rotaract is part of the Rotary International family. It’s a parallel world from those who believe they can make a difference. The purpose of Rotaract is to empower young men and women with an opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills that will assist them in their self development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote harmonious relations amongst all people worldwide through commonly shared emotions of friendship and service. I became a member of the club in 2009.
2. What kind of work do you do as a Rotractrian?
We work on three types of projects round the year:
- Professional Development
- Leadership Development
- Service Projects
We Rotaractian’s best-known motto is “Service above Self”, and its secondary motto is “We profit most who serve best”.
3. Why did you choose to become a member of this club?
I think I was drawn into social service while I was studying at Delhi University where I get an opportunity to know more about this organization. I like this whole idea of “Service above Self”, it not only made me responsible citizen also helped me in developing an approach to solve a problem from many angles and does not see the solution as lying just within the person. Sometimes I have to change the environment to solve a problem or sometimes I have to raise awareness of problems that an organization can create for individuals. This helped me in developing leadership skills in me.
4. Do you enjoy your job? Why or why not?
It is a difficult question. The job I do involves working with society, people, families who are going through a difficult period in their lives. So it’s hard to say that I enjoy it. However, I find it rewarding if I can make a positive difference in the life of a single child. I will feel happy and satisfied if I am able to bring some difference.
5. What is the current project that you are working on?
We are currently supporting Delhi government’s mass plantation drive initiated by our Chief Minister Sheila Dixit. We have planted saplings along the ring road in North Campus.
6. Great job Parin. I am really impressed by your work. As you must be aware that currently our government is planning to mine coal in the last remaining forests of central and eastern India. What can an individual, according to you, do to save a forest?
Well, you can spread awareness about the issue. Talk to the media, raise your voice. Write to your MP or MLA. Watch out for your own carbon footprint. You can join any organization supporting the cause.
Spread awareness using social media network. We all can contribute a bit to save it.
7. India is a growing nation, we need energy to grow. If we will not be supporting the government view then how do you think we would be able to meet our needs?
Well there are many ways to fulfill your needs. The most obvious is the Efficiency. We need to get efficient in the way we get the energy from coal and also get efficient in the way we use that energy.
Also, we can switch to renewable energy. We need to have renewable energy at much larger scale. We can switch to solar energy, wind energy or biomass fuel. Use energy judiciously. Act like a responsible citizen. And do save environment for future generation.
8. Where would you like to see this club and what are your future plans?
Well, I would like to include more people and grow the club in number. Also, at the same time I would like to ensure the quality of the services. I hope that youth will derive their untapped energy to serve the society. In future, I would like to work on more valuable and effective projects.
We wish Parin and Rotaract all the best.