Launch Of “Dhanyavad”, A Pioneering Environmental Movement Envisioned – English & Kannada.

Bengaluru, Karnataka, 28th of June 202 : Rotary District 3192 to Launch ‘Dhanyavad’ – A Transformative Environmental Movement. Smt. Maneka Gandhi to Grace Installation of District Governor Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju

Bengaluru, June 2026: Rotary District 3192 is set to mark the beginning of a landmark year of service with the installation of Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju as District Governor for Rotary Year 2026–27. The installation ceremony, to be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Mangala Mantapa, NMKRV College, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, will also witness the launch of “Dhanyavad”, a pioneering environmental movement envisioned to unite Rotary members across South Asia in restoring and protecting the planet.

The event will be graced by Smt. Maneka Gandhi, eminent parliamentarian, environmentalist and animal welfare advocate, as the Chief Guest, while Rotary International Director Flt.Lt. Rtn. K. P. Nagesh will attend as the Guest of Honour.

Dhanyavad – Rotary’s Salutation to Mother Earth

Derived from the Sanskrit word for “gratitude,” Dhanyavad is Rotary’s heartfelt expression of thanks to Mother Earth through meaningful environmental action. Conceived as a Rotary Program of Scale, the initiative seeks to mobilise more than 43 Rotary districts across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, making environmental stewardship a defining Rotary movement for the coming decade.

The programme aims to deliver measurable impact through:

* Planting one million native saplings, including 3 lakh saplings across 1,501 acres in Rotary District 3192;

* Installing one lakh water bowls for birds, stray animals and wildlife in water-scarce regions;

* Supporting 500 Ekal Vidyalaya schools strengthen tribal education while promoting forest stewardship and environmental awareness.

Inspired by Rotary’s historic global campaign to eradicate polio, Dhanyavad seeks to become Rotary’s defining environmental legacy. As its guiding philosophy states, “Polio was Rotary’s gift to humanity. Dhanyavad will be Rotary’s gift to the planet.”

Building on Proven Environmental Success

The Dhanyavad initiative builds upon the environmental vision and sustained commitment of District Governor Elect Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju, whose leadership has already inspired several large-scale ecological restoration projects. Among the most notable are the rejuvenation of the toxic KGF cyanide dumps, where over 1.2 lakh saplings and 3 lakh native seeds have helped restore degraded land, and the creation of the 1,501-acre Rotary Dakoju Forest in collaboration with the Rotary Environment Foundation and Sri Dhenabhagath Seva Trust. The forest not only contributes to biodiversity conservation but also supports the preservation of the endangered Amrit Mahal cattle while creating sustainable livelihoods for more than 8,000 tribal families.

With Dhanyavad, Rtn. Dakoju now seeks to scale this vision beyond District 3192 by inspiring Rotary districts across South Asia to collectively undertake afforestation, water conservation, wildlife welfare and tribal education, creating one of Rotary’s largest coordinated environmental movements.

A Year of Service with Purpose

Guided by the motto “Seva • Sankalpa • Sadhana,” District Governor Rtn. Ravishankar Dakoju’s Rotary year will focus on sustainable service, environmental responsibility and community partnerships that create enduring impact. The launch of Dhanyavad reflects Rotary’s belief that protecting nature is among the greatest acts of service to humanity.

The installation ceremony is expected to bring together Rotary leaders, public representatives, industry leaders, environmentalists and members from across the district to celebrate the beginning of a Rotary year dedicated to gratitude, compassion and action.

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