Rtd RSEB PRO, Ravi Shanker Sharma dedicates his time to community service through Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar. Promoting the values of brotherhood, leadership, and social responsibility, he plays an active role in numerous welfare initiatives of the club.

Ravi Shanker Sharma has been contributing to social service and welfare as a Rotarian for the last 20 years. Since 2006, he has been continuously serving as a charter member of Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar.

Sharing his story, Sharma states that he has served Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar in various capacities over the years. During 2012–13, he served as the Club Secretary, while in 2020–21, he held the position of Club President. Over the years, he has also contributed in several leadership roles, including Director and Vice President, actively supporting the club's initiatives and community service projects.

His experience as a Jan-Sampark Adhikari (Public Relations Officer) at Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. (RVUNL) played a significant role in his Rotary work. Drawing upon his professional expertise in public relations and communication, Ravi Shanker Sharma effectively contributed to various Rotary initiatives and responsibilities, actively sharing his knowledge and work experience while serving the people through Rotary.

During all these years, he was entrusted with various responsibilities at the district level in Rotary District 3056. He also served in Districts 3050 and 3054, primarily in the area of Public Image. Reflecting on his roles, Sharma shares that he thoroughly enjoyed serving in both parts of his life, finding great satisfaction in contributing to society through his professional career as well as by Rotary service.

He further shares that Rotary is involved in numerous meaningful social initiatives, with a strong focus on environmental conservation, literacy, adult education, and health awareness. Through the consistent hard work and dedication of the Rotarians in his district, he has witnessed positive changes in both the condition and direction of society. He feels proud to be associated with such a movement, underlining that Rotary is a global organization with nearly 12 lakh members worldwide.

Sharma explains that every year the Rotary International and the District Governor introduce new themes, guided by the vision of the Rotary International President. These themes help direct members toward specific goals and encourage them to contribute more effectively to society.

Highlighting the achievements and contributions of Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar, Rtn Ravi Shanker Sharma shares that the club has adopted two villages—one at Manpura Macheri in the Amber Tehsil of Jaipur and another at Madhogarh in Dausa district. Along with his fellow Rotarians, he has actively participated in various developmental initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in these villages.

The club has worked extensively for the betterment of government schools and healthcare facilities. Their efforts include providing furniture worth approximately ₹10–11 lakh to government schools, constructing hygienic washroom facilities for girls, establishing computer laboratories, conducting vocational training programs, supplying medicines to health centers, and organizing healthcare camps. Through these initiatives, the club strives to provide villagers with better educational, healthcare, and community facilities.

Rotary Member R.S. Sharma further recalls that during his tenure as President of Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar in 2020–21, he, along with Rajendra Tiwari, who was serving as a Director of the club at the time, undertook several impactful projects in Manpura Macheri. These included reviving a small ‘bawadi’ (traditional well) to improve water availability and groundwater levels, renovating a nearby temple, and carrying out tree plantation drives. During the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rotary members continued their service activities whenever circumstances permitted.

He also shares that the club has made significant contributions to the Paul Harris Foundation (PHF) of Rotary International, raising funds through the collective efforts and support of 18 dedicated members.

Apart from his Rotary service, Sharma continued his professional involvement in the field of public relations after retirement. He served as Chairman of the Jaipur Chapter of the Public Relations Society of India, for six years, from 2018 to 2024, and is presently serving as a member of its National Council. Throughout his career, he has attended numerous All India conferences held across the country, where he gained valuable insights through interaction with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

He further explains that there are 25 chapters of the PR Society across India that regularly exchange knowledge, experiences, technological advancements, and innovative practices in the field of public relations. These platforms provide opportunities to study successful initiatives, evaluate progress, share best practices, and contribute ideas for continuous improvement and professional growth.

He also highlights a unique aspect of Rotary: its leadership structure. Club and organizational positions change annually, giving different individuals the opportunity to take on leadership roles, showcase their abilities, and contribute their ideas. This system not only develops leadership skills but also strengthens teamwork and collaboration among members.

According to Sharma, many people have the desire to do good for society, but it is difficult for any individual to bring about large-scale change alone. Working under the banner of Rotary allows like-minded people to come together, combine their efforts, and create a greater impact. He believes that this spirit of teamwork and collective service is one of Rotary's greatest strengths and a key reason behind its success across the world.

Sharing about his early years, Retired Engineer Ravi Shanker Sharma recalls that he had an interest in social work from a very young age, during both his school and college years. His association with Rotary began after interacting with Dr. S. K. Calla, who was then an Additional Chief Engineer and later became the Chairman of Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd.

Inspired by Dr. Calla's vision and discussions on social service, Ravi Shanker Sharma decided to give it a try and joined Rotary Club Jaipur Bapu Nagar as a charter member. In the very first year, he served as the Club Director for Club Administration. Since then, he has remained actively involved in Rotary, continuously contributing towards various social welfare initiatives and community development projects.

Born in Delhi, former Public Relations Officer Ravi Shanker Sharma later moved to Jaipur with his family. During his childhood, he was deeply influenced by his father's work in a printing press and journalism. Observing his father's active involvement in social and political activities gradually developed Sharma's interest in public affairs, communication, and social service.

He completed his M.Com degree along with a Diploma in Journalism. Driven by his passion for language and literature, he also pursued Hindi Literature and English studies while continuing his professional career. Sharma feels fortunate that the education he acquired closely aligned with the nature of his work throughout his career.

As a Public Relations Officer, his primary responsibility was to build and maintain relationships with people and organizations, a challenging task due to the extensive public interaction involved. Following the bifurcation of the Electricity Board, he continued his service with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. Through his communication skills and professional approach, he established strong rapport with various organizations and stakeholders. Reflecting on his career, Sharma believes that these relationships enabled him to serve his organization effectively and contribute positively to its public image and outreach efforts.

RCJ Bapu Nagar Past President Ravi Shanker Sharma considers Mahatma Gandhi as his role model. He deeply admires Gandhi's simplicity, values, and way of life. One of the principles that Sharma strives to implement in his own life is the belief that there is little value in merely preaching to others. Instead, he feels that when individuals practice their values sincerely, others naturally observe and adopt those positive qualities in their own lives.

Social Worker Rtn Ravi Shankar Sharma also believes that one should not expect qualities from others that they have not cultivated within themselves. This aspect of Gandhi's philosophy has had a profound influence on Sharma's thinking. It inspires him to focus on self-improvement first and then encourage others to bring about positive change through their own actions.

Further sharing his outlook on life, Ravi Shanker Sharma says that a philosophy contained in the lyrics of a famous song that has always guided him is:

"मैं ज़िंदगी का साथ मनाता चला गया,

हर फ़िक्र को धुएँ में उड़ाता चला गया।"

He lives with a belief in celebrating life and moving forward without allowing worries to overshadow one's happiness and peace of mind.

Among the many thoughts that resonate with him, a phrase that particularly touches his heart is:

"ये भी न रहेगा।"

…which he further describes by sharing that whether it is a period of hardship or a moment of great happiness, everything is temporary and eventually passes. Therefore, he believes there is no reason to become overly proud during good times or excessively discouraged during difficult ones. Instead, one should gracefully accept whatever life and God offer along your path.

This philosophy reminds him that change is the only constant in life. By understanding the temporary nature of both success and challenges, he has learned to remain balanced, stay humble, and continue moving forward with positivity and acceptance.

Talking about the challenges he faced during his career, Ravi Shanker Sharma shares that public relations is a profession that demands attention 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Building and maintaining the image of an organization comes with its own set of responsibilities and pressures. At any moment, one may be questioned by the media, political representatives, senior officials, or even the organization's top management, making the role both demanding and dynamic.

He further explains that communication has become much easier in today's era of social media, where information can be shared instantly with a large audience. However, during his professional years, communication largely depended on print media, making it significantly more challenging to disseminate important information, address public concerns, or communicate organizational decisions to a wide audience within a short span of time.

The nature of his job often left little room for rest, as one had to remain prepared at all times to respond to emerging situations. Despite these challenges, Sharma successfully completed his service with dedication and satisfaction. He credits his success to the support of a strong team, a cooperative management, trusted colleagues, and his educational background in journalism, all of which helped him effectively fulfill his responsibilities throughout his career.

Drawing upon his experience of several decades in social service, Ravi Shanker Sharma conveys a message to aspiring individuals who wish to join Rotary. He believes that along with a desire to serve society, one should cultivate qualities such as selfless service, brotherhood, networking, and a willingness to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Sharma highlights that Rotary is a global organization with a rich legacy of over 120 years, spread across more than 200 countries and regions, with over 12 lac members worldwide. According to him, Rotary provides countless opportunities for individuals to contribute meaningfully to society and participate in impactful community service initiatives.

He further emphasizes that one of Rotary's greatest strengths is its fellowship. The organization offers members the opportunity to interact with people from different professions, experiences, and walks of life. These relationships not only broaden one's perspective but also create a strong support network. Sharma believes that everyone needs the help and guidance of others at some point in life, and Rotary provides a platform where individuals can both seek support and extend it to others.

In his concluding remarks, Ravi Shanker Sharma shares that he feels privileged to witness the remarkable transformation of India over the years. He believes that the nation has benefited from strong leadership since independence, and that its progress has been made possible not only through the efforts of governments and leaders but also through the cooperation and contributions of its citizens.

According to Sharma, nation-building is not solely the responsibility of government officials or ministers. Rather, it is the duty of every citizen to contribute through sincere actions, responsible conduct, and a commitment to fulfilling their civic responsibilities. He emphasizes that along with demanding rights, people should also give equal importance to their duties.

With a belief that living with a spirit of brotherhood, embracing technological advancements, and adapting to the changing needs of newer generations are essential for the country's continued growth. Our country is undergoing rapid transformation, and every individual has a role to play in shaping its future.