The Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan (RCKC) appointed Srinath Vardhieni as their new president for the 2024-2025 term on Sunday, June 23.
The club is a locally organised rotary club under Rotary International, a service organisation with a robust network of 34,000 clubs and over 1.4 million volunteer Rotarians worldwide.
Established in March, RCKC aims to bring together Rotarians from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds with various qualifications to help Rwandan communities through humanitarian service projects.
The club has 27 active Rotarians from fields such as ICT, construction, auditing and accounting, medical services, and environmental support.
The event brought together Rotarians, Rotaractors, officials, friends, family, and other board members of other Rotary Clubs in Kigali.
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With over 50 years of residence in Rwanda, Vardhieni is the Managing Director of MFI Document Solutions, a company operating across 18 countries in Africa. He has also been deeply involved in welfare activities.
As a founding member of the Indian Association of Rwandans, he has significantly contributed to sports, including serving as the captain of the Rwanda men’s cricket team for several years.
In his inaugural remarks, Vardhieni expressed gratitude and acknowledged the responsibilities ahead: "As I deliver my duties as president of the Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, this additional duty requires a little more effort. Kigali Cosmopolitan is a young rotary club established in March under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Kigali Seniors.”
He noted that RCKC has been established to continue the legacy of the Rotary Club through its service.
"As I take on the role of president of the Rotary Club in 2024-2025, I wish to re-activate this year’s annual team of the Rotary Club of Kigali Seniors. In this rotary year, we as a club have made some ambitious plans.”
Looking forward, Vardhieni outlined ambitious plans for membership growth and contributions to Rotary International, aiming to elevate RCKC to a fully developed rotary status.
Additionally, in terms of service and community projects, he said they are planning outreach projects for dental screening, hosting 2,000 patients and 2,000 residents.
Nilratan Mridha, High Commissioner of India in Kigali, praised the new president saying, "I know that he is an excellent social worker and a valued Indian associate.
"He is active and dedicated, and in his role as president, he will fulfil all your dreams and help the Rotary Club move forward.”
He further encouraged the members to work with the president and join him in his journey.
During the event, new members joined the club. Each person came on stage with the member who introduced them. They received a membership pin that symbolises their belonging to the club.