April 27th, 2024, will forever be etched in the collective memory of District 3131 as a day when magic truly happened. Rotary International President-elect Stephanie Urchick graced our district with her presence, radiating elegance and fervor. The theme she unveiled, "Magic of Stars," captured our imaginations and set the tone for an unforgettable experience.

From dawn till dusk, the day was a whirlwind of activities, each one more inspiring than the last. We were privileged to accompany President-elect Urchick on visits to special projects, such as the HV Desai Eye Hospital, where the remarkable work being done to provide cataract surgeries for the underprivileged left an indelible impression.

The President-elect's meeting with the Council of Governors was nothing short of excellent. She was highly impressed by the remarkable growth achieved by Rotary International District 3131. She commended the district for its outstanding contributions to The Rotary Foundation, making it the number one district in the zone. Additionally, she applauded the district's positive membership growth. This recognition serves as a source of pride for District 3131 and reaffirms its commitment to Rotary's mission of service to society.

Meeting with our CSR partners was another highlight of the day, as we expressed our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering support and partnership with Rotary. Their dedication to making a positive impact in our communities mirrored Rotary's own commitment to service above self.

All the President-Elects and AG-Elects gathered at Novotel before 5 PM, eager to take a picture with Rtn. Stephanie. Opportunities like this are rare. RIPE Stephanie, dressed in a formal grey suit, made a stylish entrance. RI Director Raju Subramaniam was also present to add to the evening's glow and of course, DGE Shital was there with his better half, Ragini!

The main event started at 7 PM with DG Manjoo gracing the stage and RIPE Stephanie dazzling in a glamorous black saree in a Desi avatar. District Trainer PDG Dr. Shailesh presented a few glimpses of the year 2023-24 for RID 3131. Although brief, it was a glittering spectacle of achievements, with statistics flowing like a stream, as District Event Secretary Vivek Dixit pointed out. The accomplishments of RID 3131 under DG Manjoo’s leadership are so fantastic that words fail to describe them.

The evening continued with special awards such as the Avenues of Service Awards, Foundation Achievement Awards, Membership Awards and Community Service Awards for individual performances. In the Foundation Awards, Rtn. Charu Shrotri, Director Foundation, was repeatedly mentioned and finally invited to stay on stage.

DG Manjoo delivered a passionate speech, as she always does, conveying so much in her address. RID Raju Subramaniam focused on the theme of giving, which is truly the essence of Rotary.

RIPE Stephanie's speech was one to be treasured. This was her second speech of the evening. Earlier, she had energized her Presidents of 2024-25 with an assertive address. Her second speech, however, was more personal, sharing her life story and her Rotary journey. She recounted how she had never heard of Rotary when she was first invited to join and shared her experience with a Global Grant project in Poland. Her words revealed a woman who is both friendly and a taskmaster.

Each interaction, each conversation with DG Manjoo Phadke, DG Elect Shital Shah, DGN Santosh Marathe, DGND Nitin Dhamale, and the Presidents of 2024-25 seemed to sparkle with a special energy, as if touched by a bit of enchantment. Her presence illuminated our path, guiding us towards greater heights and inspiring us to reach for the stars.

The gala evening focused a spotlight on those Rotarians whose tireless dedication and selfless contributions have illuminated lives and transformed communities. At "Magic of Stars," we honored the Rotary heroes who embody the spirit of service above self. These are the individuals who selflessly dedicate their time, talent and resources to making a positive impact in the world. Their commitment to Rotary's ideals inspires us all.

As the day drew to a close, we reflected on the enchanting moments we had shared. It was a day to remember, where magic waved through her address to Rotarians, leaving all spellbound. This is what assimilation is about and this is what Rotary is about.