Be an active contributor to the betterment of society.
Be an active contributor to the betterment of society.
A multifaceted individual, Vikas Shrimali dons two prominent hats. He is the Director of Daksh Auto (India) Pvt. Ltd., a leading dealership for Mahindra commercial vehicles in South Rajasthan and also of Honda two wheelers. Additionally, he serves as President of the Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite for the year 2023-24.
Vikas joined the Rotary Club in 2020 and has been actively involved in its social welfare initiatives ever since. He takes immense pride in the club's 17-year legacy of serving the community, particularly its commendable development work in government schools.
Providing further insight into Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite, Vikas mentions that the club has a total of 44 members and they consistently keep welcoming new members to their family. Together, they engage in social work, primarily focusing on initiatives benefiting school children.
Vikas shares that in 2023-24, Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite has undertaken several noteworthy projects, including their signature initiative, the P.A.R.I. Project (Pink Auto Rotary-Elite Initiative). This initiative involved donating pink electric autos to five deserving women beneficiaries, who were provided thorough training as drivers, for supporting their source of income, promoting female empowerment and environmental sustainability. While this marks phase one of the project with five autos donated, plans are in place to expand the project in the coming years by donating more pink autos to more deserving women drivers.
Another significant project implemented by the club was the "Cinema on Wheels" program, which reached out to over 3000 students from 10 government schools. Through short films, students were educated on topics such as Good Touch-Bad Touch, Mobile and Social Media Addiction, Gender Discrimination in Society, Women Empowerment, Environment Protection and others. This project aimed to provide a cinema-like experience to the children while conveying important messages.
Vikas says that beyond these projects too, Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite has made extensive contributions to the development of two government schools. They have built segregated toilets for boys and girls, hand wash stations, drinking water facility and also built a classroom and a smart class and donated computers, monitor screens, and other necessary equipment in a government school situated inside the Zonal Railway Training Centre. Additionally, they have adopted a government school in Amberi, Udaipur and have done repair and maintenance work of the classes there and have provided smart class equipment to the school.
He elaborates that the Rotary Club is a global organization with a century-long history of impactful work all over the world, particularly in polio eradication. As a vibrant organization, Rotary Clubs elect future presidents two years in advance, allowing them to plan and execute projects efficiently throughout their one-year term. They align their project themes with the global theme announced by the Rotary International President for the respective year.
According to Vikas, Rotary Clubs serve as a vital social platform for individuals interested in social work and giving back to society. They offer an opportunity to connect with social causes and engage in social work on a larger scale, extending beyond one's own city.
Vikas emphasizes the remarkable efforts of Rotary in polio eradication, asserting that no government has dedicated as much work to this cause. He believes that relying solely on government initiatives for all social work is not practical in a country as vast as ours. Rotary works in collaboration with the government, complementing their efforts in social welfare. Vikas encourages individuals who feel capable of making a difference to join Rotary, as he firmly believes that when everyone takes responsibility for their actions and engages in social work, our nation will flourish.
In Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite, despite having a comparatively smaller member count, they operate as a close-knit family. Each member actively contributes to the club's projects, not only financially, but also by dedicating their time, effort, and participation, says Vikas.
As the President of the club, Vikas's role is to provide the right direction for the club's projects and oversee various aspects of its functioning.
Talking about his personal life, Vikas expresses his happiness and pride in being born and raised in Udaipur. He says that he has had the opportunity to travel and work in different locations. He completed his schooling and graduation in Udaipur before pursuing an MBA from Indore. Following that, he spent six successful years in Jaipur, working for ICICI Bank, where he achieved six promotions and enjoyed a smooth corporate life.
Later on, Vikas moved to Singapore for a job opportunity, where he served as Head of Southeast Asia for a software company. However, his inclination towards business grew, and he found a promising opportunity to associate with Mahindra. In 2010, he returned to Udaipur, which became a turning point in his life. Since then, his journey with Mahindra has been ongoing.
Vikas proudly states that at present Daksh Auto is among the top three commercial vehicle dealers of Mahindra in India. They have received the "Highest Selling Dealer" award for the past three years. With a team of over 200 dedicated individuals, they consistently provide exceptional customer service across the seven districts of South Rajasthan.
In 2021, Daksh Auto joined forces with Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India [HMSI]. Vikas emphasizes their commitment to building a strong reputation in the automobile industry. He runs Daksh Auto in close collaboration with his younger brother, firmly believing in the power of teamwork.
When asked about his role models, Vikas acknowledges the encouragement he received from his ex-boss from ICICI Lombard, Mohit Sahney, who is now the founder and managing director of Finova Capital. Mohit Sahney's words, "We must not limit ourselves; instead, we should strive to expand our horizons," deeply resonate with Vikas. He believes in seeking inspiration from those who are ahead in life to propel personal growth.
Being a part of the Rotary Club has provided Vikas with numerous learning opportunities and enriching experiences, especially during his tenure as President. He highlights the value of teamwork, collaborating with individuals such as the District Governor of Rotary, Dr. Nirmal Kunawat, the upcoming District Governor Dr. Raakhi Gupta, his own mentor in Rotary, Ashish Chordia, his colleague Ajay Lodha and Assistant Governor (AG) of Rotary, Kamlesh Talesra and others.
Vikas shares that, among the 90 clubs of the Rotary District 3056, and among the 13 Rotary Clubs of Udaipur, the Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite is renowned as the "Club with a Difference" due to their unique projects. Vikas firmly believes that the club will continue to reach new heights in the coming years, with future presidents leading the way.
Vikas has a fondness for singing and is inspired by the song "Aashayein Dil Ki" which used to be the theme song for ICICI Prudential during his time there. Additionally, a quote that resonates with him is, "Kaun kehta hai ki aasman mein surakh ho nahi sakta, ek patthar to tabiyat se uchhaalo yaaron".
Reflecting on his achievements, Vikas highlights the significance and uniqueness of the P.A.R.I initiative by his club, Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite in the current year. The "Cinema on Wheels" project is also exceptional. These initiatives have garnered worldwide recognition, getting featured in the Rotary International magazine. Moreover, the club's school-related projects have been immensely satisfying, including the successful rescue of a school that was on the verge of closure. Vikas feels confident about receiving many awards from the Rotary District Governor this year, given their impactful work.
As the President of Rotary Elite, Vikas's message to all is that while clubs strive to do good work, they sometimes face challenges in identifying genuinely deserving individuals in need. He urges anyone aware of such cases to inform the Rotary Club so that they can address these issues. Being well-connected with district collectors and bureaucrats, they can collaborate and find solutions with their assistance.
Vikas also addresses a common misconception regarding their Pink Auto project. Some people question why women should be driving autos. To counter this mindset, he gives the example of the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, where many autos are driven exclusively by women. He believes that if their neighboring state can adopt such a progressive approach, we should also be open to empowering women and allowing them to drive autos. Vikas encourages those who know deserving women in need to refer them to the P.A.R.I initiative.
In conclusion, Vikas Shrimali, as President of the Rotary Club of Udaipur Elite, emphasizes the importance of joining Rotary for individuals interested in social work.