CROSSROADSRotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 30

1

17th

Feb

. 201

2

“Nature and Value of Some Trees”SPEAKER: PP Professor P N AvadhaniLunch meeting of the 15th February 2012

Find your bulletin on the facebook page of “Rotary Club of Singapore”

Joke of the week“We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops” From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa MirpuriHAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDYhttp://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html

2

Introductory remarks

President Tapan Rao welcomed members to the third meeting of “World Understanding Month”. He extended a warm welcome our Speaker, PP Professor P. N. Avadhani.

Toast

As there were no visiting Rotarians from overseas, President Tapan called upon Rtn. Erich Vosshage to propose a toast to Rotary International.

Welcome of visiting Rotarians and guests

Rtn. Ronald Wong welcomed our guests and visiting rotarians

- Guests :Dr. Rupesh AgrawalMs. Jasbir Koh (Raffles Institution)

Visiting Rotarians :AG Erich Schneider – QueenstownPP Professor P N Avadhani – Jurong Town

3

Speaker of the week

President Tapan called upon PP Raymon Huang to introduce PP Avadhani. PP Raymon took a minute of preamble to advise members that in Rotary Year 1988/89, there were just 12 Rotary Clubs in Singapore and both he and PP Avadhani served as Presidents of their Rotary Clubs during that year. He added that the Presidents of that Rotary year have continued to meet each month for the past 24 years and next year, they would be celebrating 25 years of fine fellowship! Dr Avadhani was born and educated in India and received his Masters degree from the Andhra University in 1953. He obtained his Ph.D from what was then called the Newcastle Division of the Durham University in the UK in 1957 and was at McGill University in Canada as a post doctoral fellow until 1960. He joined the Botany department of the then called University of Malaya in Singapore where he taught full time until the end of 1992. He continued to teach part-time for a few years after that. He collaborated with colleagues in several institutions in the UK, USA, Europe and Australia and published several papers. During his working life he was adviser and consultant to several organizations

both governmental and non governmental as well as the private sector and continues to do so. PP Avadhani’s voluntary work involved nature societies in Malaysia and Singapore, the Rotary and RSVP, an organisation of senior volunteers.At the start of his talk, PP Avadhani quoted “Vriksho rakshati rakshaha” meaning “You take care of the trees and they take care of you”. PP Avadhani noted that trees played a very significant role in human evolution both physically, spiritually and culturally. Adding, that unlike all other forms of life, trees gave more than they took, PP Avadhani gave examples of how trees gave food, shelter and help in climatic equilibrium, oxygen production, carbon dioxide reduction, medicinal products and protection. He added that trees being anchored to the ground, have had to adopt and design strategies for survival, techniques of which, made any engineering manual look like primary school stuff! PP Avadhani regaled members with many anecdotes of information on the nature, role, value and features of some unique trees and plants. The Club’s vote of thanks was extended by Rtn. Dr. Albert Wee who thanked PP Avadhani for his interesting talk, which he added, members could listen to all day!

4

The Guide to Daily LivingBefore doing the things we want to do, consider first, the precept of the guide. Ask ourselves these 4 questions and act upon them:First: Have I spent some time in self-examination?Second: Have I spent quality time with my family?Third: Have I given my best to my work?Fourth: Have I given some time to someone near and far?The Guide, in fact, encompasses the 4 parts of the Object of Rotary.

MARK YOUR DIARYBirthday celebrantsRC wishes Happy Birthday to celebrants this week:February 22 – PP Sajjad AkhtarFebruary 27 – Jean-Philippe Lionnet

Anniversary CelebrantsRC sends best wishes to Wedding Anniversary celebrants: February 24 – T K Chew & MaryFebruary 27 – Sverker & Gunilla Moeller

This weekFebruary 22nd 2012

Meeting is cancelled in view of the World Understanding and Peace Day Fellowship Dinner on 23rd February at 7.30pm at The Churchill Room, Tanglin Club, 5 Stevens Road, S257814.

International Service Date: Thursday, 16th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: Moghul Mahal Restaurant, 177A River Valley Road, Novotel Hotel, Liang Court Shopping Centre, 6th floor, S179031Hosts: Rtns. Bharat Mandloi, Kunal Sharma, Dr. Ekkehard Wiek, Marcel Schobinger

Next week February 29th 2012

Reception Desk duty: PP Dr. Oliver Hennedige, Keith HarrisonSunshine Box duty: Xavier Sanjiman, Noshir Mistri

Speaker: Mr. Nishant Kasibhatla, Certified Speaking Professional & Guinness Record Holder in MemoryTopic: “Maximise Your Memory Power”

New Generations Service Date: Wednesday, 29th FebruaryTime: 7.30pmVenue: 237 Arcadia Road #04-06, The Arcadia Block B, S289844Host: Rtn. Uttam Kripalani

COMING ROTARY EVENTS FebruaryWorld Understanding Month

February 22nd

Meeting cancelled in view of the World Understanding and Peace Day Dinner

February 23rd World Understanding and Peace Day Fellowship Dinner at The Tanglin Club at 7.30pm

March

March 22nd – 25thDistrict Assembly and PETS at Grand Paragon Hotel, Johor Bahru

AprilMagazine Month

Queries, comments and articles request can be sent toJean-Philippe Lionnet bulletin@rotary.org.sg

The Four-Way TestOf the Things we think, say or do:* Is it the truth?* Is it fair to all concerned?* Will it build goodwill and better friendship?* Will it be beneficial to all concerned?