Zones 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 leaders

After earning an engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Ananthanarayanan S. Venkatesh entered civil construction at age 23. He now leads a firm that employs more than 1,400 people.

Known in Rotary as “Venky,” Venkatesh joined in 1999, initially for networking and friendship. But during his first service project, a conversation with a young girl transformed his perspective. His club had donated benches to a school, and he noticed one girl sitting alone.

“I asked her why she wouldn’t budge, and she told me that this was the first time in her life she was sitting on a bench and not on the ground,” Venkatesh says. “That changed my entire perspective of what I wanted to do in Rotary.”

Since then, he has championed literacy and the empowerment of girls and women. “By educating a girl, we’re educating a family and generations thereafter,” Venkatesh says. “The return on investment is very high.”

Venkatesh has played a key role in the India Literacy Mission as joint secretary and national executive committee member, supporting teacher training and literacy programs across 2,964 schools. He has also served as director of two Rotary Action Groups.

Venkatesh served as RI director from 2021 to 2023 and as treasurer in 2022-23. He has also served as Rotary membership coordinator and learning facilitator. A frequent speaker at presidents-elect learning seminars and club leadership learning seminars, Venkatesh has attended more than 10 Rotary International Conventions and chaired the South Asian receptions at the conventions in Montreal and Seoul.

Venkatesh is passionate about the connection between Rotary’s public image and membership growth. “One day, people will ask us more often ‘Can I join Rotary?’ rather than us going around asking ‘Will you join Rotary?’”

For Venkatesh, part of Rotary’s appeal comes from how it affords its members a streamlined way to make an impact. “Rotary gives me a conduit, a platform, and an organized set-up where not only do I give back to the community, but my contribution becomes manifold when it reaches the community,” he says. “It’s a multiplier.”

Venkatesh enjoys competitive bridge and traveling to Malaysia and seaside destinations. His wife, Vinita, is a member of the Rotary Club of Chennai Anchorage. They are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation.

Flt. Lt. K.P. Nagesh is a self-made entrepreneur, educator, and social activist hailing from Ramanagara District in Karnataka, India. He graduated in mechanical engineering and joined the Indian Air Force as a Short Service Commission Officer in 1988. The Air Force instilled in him the values of commitment, dedication, discipline, and time management, which have contributed to his success as a leader.

Nagesh founded UNIQ Security Solutions as a result of his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills. Over 10,000 people were employed by this start-up, which later became the industry leader and had more than 500 clients in South India. He also established Uniq Skill Development Academy in Channapatna, Ramanagara District. This state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind facility is devoted to providing vocational training to rural youth so they can find employment opportunities with the Indian Uniform services and Corporate Companies.

In the year 2015-16, Nagesh served as the District Governor of Rotary International District 3190, where he set unprecedented records in membership growth, the highest growth of women and youth members, and contributions to the Rotary Foundation. His leadership made him the number one performing District Governor in the world. District 3190 was also regarded as the number one district for the year. Rotary International recognized his talent and appointed him as the Asst Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (ARRFC) for 2016-17 and as the Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor for 2017-18.

Muruganandam M , affectionately called MMM (Triple M), is a Chartered Engineer with 3 decades of experience in Supply Chain Management. He is the Chairman of the Excel Group of Companies which comprises diverse businesses such as Maritime & Shipping Logistics, EXIM Services, HR, Job Portal, Tours and Events, Trading, Infra, Energy Sectors, Agro Farming, Healthcare and Renewable Power Projects.

His educational qualifications are Industrial Engineering from IIIE Mumbai, MS from BITS Pilani, MBA in Finance in IGNOU and Master of Foreign Trade from Pondicherry University.

MMM was recognised as one of the Top 20 Most Inspiring Business Leaders by The CEO Magazine. His Excel Maritime & Logistics has received accolades like The Best Navigator (2012), by Times Group, Best Project Cargo Mover and C & F Agent, by Shipping Times of India, Top 10 Most Promising Companies in Logistics, Silicon Magazine, Best CSR by an Indian SME in the Economic Times MSME Awards 2022, Project Cargo Mover of the Year 2022 by Shipping Times and Top 10 Most Successful Logistics Brands 2023 by The Leaders Globe Magazine.

He holds a Lifetime Membership in prominent industrial engineering and renowned maritime and logistics forums. He is a proud alumnus of BITS Pilani and a member of the Trichy Rifle Club. MMM has emerged as a very successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and passionate Rotarian.

With "SAY YES TO ROTARY", as his mantra, MMM began his Rotary journey as a Rotaractor at the age of 16. Не won the Outstanding DRR of the World, became the Charter President of the Rotary Club of BHEL City Tiruchirappalli in 2008-09, and was elected as one of the youngest governors of RI District 3000 in 2016-17. MMM is known as the Guinness Governor for accomplishing 8 Guinness World Records commemorating TRF's centennial year and he led the TRF Centennial Summit which was presided over by RI President lan Riseley. By chartering 99 Rotaracts, 250 Interacts and 100 RCCs, he topped in Youth Service at the world level and bagged zonal awards for Membership Development, Public Image and contribution to the Rotary Foundation.

A doctor by profession, an entrepreneur by nature, an adventurer by passion, and a Rotary leader by achievement, Past RI Director Dr. Mahesh Kotbagi embodies a rare fusion of capabilities and talents. Equally at home in the operating theatre, the boardroom, and the cockpit of a small aircraft, he has spent a lifetime pursuing excellence and uplifting those around him.

Born into a distinguished family of freedom fighters and doctors, Dr. Mahesh grew up surrounded by ideals of service and sacrifice. His father inspired him to weave social service into the very fabric of his professional life a guiding principle he has lived by ever since

An M.D. in Gynaecology from the University of Pune, Dr. Mahesh dedicated himself early to a powerful vision: high-quality healthcare at low cost. In 1991, he established his own hospital — the first of its kind in the region to earn ISO 9001:2000 certification. Today it stands as a thriving multi-specialty facility, and his expertise has been sought as a consultant for the development of numerous hospitals across India. To extend the reach of compassionate care, he founded the Chinmayi Charitable Trust, which supports affordable healthcare and education for underserved communities. Through this initiative, Dr. Mahesh continues to organise free health camps in slums and rural areas, bringing quality medical attention to those who need it most.

Dr. Mahesh's Rotary journey began in 1995, when he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Pune Sports City. He went on to serve as District Governor of RI District 3130 in 2005–06, marking the beginning of an exceptional Rotary career.

Gurjeet S. Sekhon is a distinguished professional with over three decades of experience spanning agriculture, marketing, information technology, and leadership coaching. Known for his exceptional analytical skills and deep expertise in data interpretation, he has made significant contributions to IT education and the travel industry, earning recognition from the Government of Punjab for his outstanding service.

A passionate Rotarian since 1994, Gurjeet is a member of Rotary Club Amritsar Civil Lines. He has served in numerous leadership capacities, including District Governor (2014–15), Rotary Coordinator for Zone 4 & Rotary India (2019–23), and currently as the Action Plan Champion for Zone 4. His leadership has influenced communities across more than twenty Rotary districts in India and internationally.

He has demonstrated remarkable commitment to Rotary training and development, serving as Chairman of the Governor Nominee Training Seminar (2023) and Governor Elect Learning Seminar (2025). He also served as a Facilitator at the Regional Leaders Training Institute in 2021 and as an International Learning Facilitator at the International Assembly in Orlando in 2024 and 2025.

Gurjeet is an internationally certified Marshal Goldsmith Leadership and Life Coach, strengthening his ability to mentor, empower, and inspire leaders worldwide.

He was unanimously elected as Rotary International Director for 2027–29, representing Zones 4 & 7, one of the highest leadership roles within Rotary International.

His contributions have been honoured with several distinguished recognitions, including the Service Above Self Award and the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.

At heart, Gurjeet finds his greatest joy in family—his wife, Rotarian Past President Amandeep, and their daughter, Mannat.

Guided by Rotary’s core principle, “Service Above Self,” Gurjeet S. Sekhon continues to dedicate his life to leadership excellence, community service, and global impact.

Mr. Basu Dev Golyan is a distinguished industrialist, visionary humanitarian, and globally respected Rotary leader whose life journey reflects an unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and nation-building. Born into a values-driven family rooted in integrity, compassion, and entrepreneurship, he developed strong leadership qualities and a deep sense of social responsibility from an early age. These formative values shaped his lifelong dedication to ethical business practices, community upliftment, and humanitarian service.

As the Chairman of the Golyan Group of Industries, Mr. Golyan has played a pivotal role in expanding and strengthening one of Nepal’s leading business conglomerates. Under his dynamic leadership, the group has diversified across banking, insurance, manufacturing, hydropower, renewable energy, hospitality, exports, and sustainable agriculture. His leadership philosophy emphasizes innovation, responsible governance, long-term sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. Through his strategic vision and entrepreneurial excellence, he has significantly contributed to Nepal’s industrial development and employment generation while promoting sustainable and socially responsible initiatives.

Mr. Golyan’s Rotary journey began in the late 1980s and has since evolved into decades of dedicated and impactful service. Rising through various leadership roles, he served as District Governor of RI District 3292 in 2011–2012, where he strengthened the district’s global presence and expanded Rotary’s reach to Bhutan. During his governorship, he successfully organized the first Rotary International Literacy Summit in Nepal, reinforcing his enduring commitment to literacy, education, and peace-building. His leadership during times of crisis has included large-scale disaster relief initiatives, distribution of shelters for flood and earthquake victims, and numerous humanitarian and health camps that have benefited thousands of underserved families.