Born on 18 Dec. 1962 in a
traditional and eminent business family of Jaipur, Neeraj Sogani displayed
exemplary leadership atributes as the President of the Students' Union and in
sports by playing Lawn Tennis at the natonal level. Immediately ater his
graduation from Panjab University, Chandigarh, his keen interest to serve the
nation drove him to join the Indian Army wherein he served as a Commissioned
Officer in the most inhospitable and hazardous terrains including the Siachen
glacier in the Himalayan ranges.
As a commander of a technical
sub-unit, Neeraj was baptized with fire in one of the most active combat zones
in the Asian Subcontinent. During service, he was also awarded four medals;
participated as a team captain at a national level firing competition; and, was
part of the Himalayan Car Rally as well. After hanging his boots, he chose to
come back to his roots in Jaipur where he established a business venture
related to automobiles and also managed the family business of real estate.
Neeraj has been associated with the
Rotary fraternity for the last decade and a half, participating whole-heartedly
in all the welfare activities in different capacities. His home club is Rotary
Club Jaipur Central and in which he has held all possible positions in the Club
management hierarchy to became the President in the year 2010-11. At the
District level, he was assigned numerous appointments and the responsibility of
publishing the District Handbook. In 2012-13, he became the Assistant Governor
and leader of last GSE Team that visited North Carolina (USA). In addition, he
was force behind not only landing three International Grants but also
completing/pursuing them as the Primary Contact. Neeraj is actively associated
with his Club's ongoing serving projects which include working towards the
improvement in the condition of the Cremation Ground and a school for the
blind.
An avid traveller, Neeraj has
visited several countries across the globe; he has addressed his District
Conference and a large number of Rotary Clubs in USA, Australia, Europe, Nepal
and Bhutan. He is MPHF (Level-2) and recipient of many Rotary awards including
the RI-Avenue of Service Award, Rotary Foundation-District Service Award, RI
Presidential Citation, Outstanding Assistant Governor, GSE Team Leader,
Outstanding President, Outstanding Secretary, etc. Moreover, Neeraj is the only
veteran from India who has been given an honorary membership of Rotary USA
Veteran Association. He is an active member of IGFR (International Golfing
Fellowship of Rotary) too.
Apart from Rotary, as a
philanthropist, Neeraj has been associated with a number of social welfare
agencies and religious and educational organizations, apart from his family's
charitable trust. He resides in Jaipur with his wife Bindu, who is anactive and talented Rotarian too and has
contributed towards numerous social initiatives in a commendable manner.
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
As we embark on yet another Rotary year, let us pledge -
once again - to rededicate ourselves to fostering a spirit of selfless service,
global co-operation and citizenship. We are
fortunate to be part of an organization where
governments, businesses, civil society groups, and individuals, can come
together and work for the promotion of
peace, development, and human rights. In fact, over the years, we have seen the
enduring value of Rotary as:
• a forum for committed
philanthropists to do good in the world;
• a first responder to humanitarian disasters, providing
food, shelter, and medical aid;
• a watchdog for human rights and protector of peace; and,
• a convener on global challenges, from disease outbreaks to
climate change.
So, taking this legacy forward, I – along with Bindu - offer
my services to espousing
the causes taken up by Rotary and urge you and your spouse
to do the same. Let D
3054 set an unprecedented example in carrying out the
mandate placed upon us
by Rotary. As Club
members and in the various capacities as
Office Bearers that
each one of you will discharge the responsibilities entrusted to you in the coming
year, I am sure you will play a vital role in supporting Rotary’s transformative work
as well as be on the frontlines of today’s challenges and
tomorrow’s opportunities.
I, therefore, wish us all a very fruitul
and gratifying Rotary year ahead as we
plunge headlong into working towards furthering our service
agenda. I also
congratulate the District Publications
Committee for their concerted efforts in
bringing out this Directory which, I hope, will serve as a
useful, informative
compilation for
inter-Club and intra-District communication.
Finally, remember, this is our chance to set the path for a
world where everyone
has opportunity and dignity, and no one is left behind. So, let us
work together to
achieve this future, build the world we want, and “Be the
Inspiration” for all.