The Rotaract club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the best stages where the leaders are being born. So, after witnessing the memory lanes of four spectacular individuals for our 3rd episode, we invited another two great personalities who took RACUSJ to greater heights.

When you first see him, you won’t believe that he would be a so jovial personality because at first sight, you may only notice his well-built figure and the beard face.

Our team was honored to have a chit-chat with this amazing personality, the 5th president of the club for the year 2015/16, Rtr. PP. Abdul Baasit.

And the other personality whom we met was a pretty lady who gave out a cheerful vibe from the very beginning, she was all in her smiling mood which attracted all of us for this great conversation.

It’s our 8th President of the club for the year 2018/19, Rtr.PP. Oshani Singapuliarachchi.

One side, there was a well-built gentleman with a beard face and on the other side, there was an enchanting lady with a charming smile.

And the stage was READY!!!!

So, our first question was to Abdul ayya, “Tell us about your Rotaract journey”

With a gentle smile, he entered to the conversation recalling the loving memories. Rotaract for him started back in 2015 where there was an annual Iftar gathering and met Rtr. PP. Ranisha. Also, he said that “obviously it was free food!” and I met a lot of Rotarctors there. Also, he mentioned “I wasn’t really a one who was keen of being very active in Rotaract, but eventually it did because it was quite addictive!”

Turning to Oshani akki, the same question was directed. Then, she began to arouse her memories telling how she started her voyage in Rotaract. “Before joining RACUSJ I was in IIT, and then I figured out that Uni will be the best option for me”  Also, she mentioned “Rotaract was one of the motivations I had in uni, and it kept going from there onwards!” with a great enthusiasm.

Coming back to Abdul ayya we asked about the support he got from his team specially to host several district events in 2016.

So, Abdul ayya said that it was challenging but at the same time he told that they didn’t know what they were up against when they were bidding apexes, so he said “we would just randomly raise our hands for anything and everything, eventually we landed!”

Further, he added the support he got throughout, it’s not just EXCO, it was all his peer presidents and further, he mentioned that they can’t organize district projects just by standing alone as only one club. So, he was thankful to everybody who were around him.

“Literato’19” How was the experience of that?”

Oshani akki started to add her amazing memories. She talked how she started the project with the aid of her batch mates who were in Rotaract. So, they thought of starting a project regarding literature which was the main subject field they were studying in the university. Moreover, she told that Literature is not limited to local arena, but International as well cuz it’s the connecting point of all cultures!” With a great pleasure she told that they could execute the project successfully though there were full of hardships.

After Oshani akki’s nice recall, Abdul ayya mentioned that he is so proud of Oshani akki and the entire team who were able to execute the project successfully for the very first time.

As the 3rd question for Oshani akki was, “What were the challengers you faced in your Rotaract year and how was the support given by the general members of the club?”

Saying it as a very valid question, Oshani akki told that leadership comes with a lot of obstacles and that cannot be stopped or marginalized anywhere.

“Rotaract was a perfect platform for us to learn especially with the surrounding people” also she added “without members, none of the projects would be successful”

Moving back to Abdul ayya, we shot our next question asking what were the amazing projects you did in your year and any unforgettable memories you had?

“National Youth Dialogue” on gender based violence which was partnered up with UNFPA was a very successful one. And also we tied up with the Welfare Unit of Sri Lankan Army, to do an Aesthetic Concert for disabled war veterans which were two incredible projects we did.

Again our moderator Hasini asked that “Were there any unforgettable memories?”

So, with the usual laughter, he started to recall about a car wash which happened at Havelock and while he was going to continue the story, his laughter interrupted him on telling the story for a few seconds while making Oshani akki and Hasini laugh.

Again he continued to talk about that car wash where they had to sell tickets which was organized to raise funds for the project “Ranahanda”. Furthermore, he described about the awkward moment and how people stared at them while they were selling tickets and Abdul ayya said that eventually they collected the money that they wanted” with the usual laughter.

“We won the Gold Awards for being the Most Supportive Club for being the most Participative Club, so how was that experience? We directed to Abdul ayya:

He told that they are really proud of that, and one thing he really wanted to give back to his peer presidents was to tell them that they are behind with every success of other clubs. Moreover, he told that when they listed down the number of projects that J’pura attended in other clubs, they had a list of almost around 150 + which was a great thing to me.

When we asked The most unforgettable experience she had in Rotaract?

To pinpoint just one is almost impossible came the reply. Well when one’s Rotaract journey is as eventful as hers having many is to be expected. She loved the outstation visits, to which Rtr. PP. Abdul Baasit nodded in agreement. What did she love about them? Watch to find out!

She also went on mentioning certain projects that were close to her, WDSD (World Down Syndrome Day) was the closest to her heart and the most challenging one being YES (Youth Entrepership Summit)

Next came the question of where both of them were asked for their biggest learning in Rotaract.

Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit started off addressing the decision-making processes as leaders in terms of project management, leading and managing people. Affirming this Rtr. PP Oshani continued to say That learning doesn’t stop there.

Then came the fun part – The Rapid Fire Session where both of them had to answer with “whatever” that came to their mind first. [Chuckles] Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit went first.

• Favourite club project?

WDSD – that was the second time this project was mentioned in this session. Would it be brought up back again? That would make it a hat- trick

• Describe yourself in 3 words?

Stupid, Good, Generous  were the answers. Wondering why he started with stupid? Well, you aren’t alone.

• An unforgettable memory during an installation?

Talk about being fashionably late Abdul ayya turned up half an hour late on his outgoing installation

• How was the support received for the fellow clubs and Rotaractors from the district.

He had a lot to say disqualifying this as a rapid fire session question

• The most unforgettable food memory with Rotaract ?

He started off mentioning his go-to place during Uni ” Café by Boo ” ( like most of us here at USJ can relate to) “and perhaps still is ” he added. – Perhaps the yummy Cheese pasta still has a hold on them lot.

• How many members did you have in your executive committee?

Numbers tend to be forgotten, but the memories last forever. Apologetically he answered that it was around 19 to 21

• Describe your board of directors in one word

Awesome – nothing short of awesome indeed.

• Who is your Rotaract role model and why?

His brother, DRR for the years 2013/ 2014 and was the one who encouraged him to take the presidency too.

He went further to mention a sub role model – none other than Rtr. PP Ranisha She was like the iron lady of our club.

• Advice from you to fellow club members.

“To those who’re presently active, Test and try everything within your portfolios.”

• What does RACUSJ mean to you?

5 years back it meant pretty much everything to him. – that pretty much says a lot.

Next turning to Rtr. PP Oshani Sinhapuliaracchi it was her turn to meet the new set of 10!

• Describe your Rotaract journey in one word?

Challenging – well like they say the greater the obstacle the more glory there is in overcoming it and Rtr. PP. Oshani’s time as President isn’t any short of glorious

• 3 things you learned from Rotaract.

Have fun, Eat well, Work hard – a formula for a life worth living

• Who is your Rotaract role model and why?

She went on mentioning not one but two of them were special Rtr. Shakthi, Rtr. Ranisha

• Have you ever looked at a fellow Rotaractor as someone who was more than just a friend to you?

Ummm Yeah, and the time followed with a giggle

• Were you a person who attended an installation just for food?

Not really, she said and Abdul Ayya gave a look for it

It wasn’t so though according to her, it was mostly for the people, but food was one of the priorities….

• Name 3 projects that were so close to your heart?

YES, Someone’s Daughter, Literato

• Have you been scolded by your parents for going out so often and coming home late just because of Rotaract?

The question met with an obvious and casual “Yeah” from Oshani akki “It started off with scolding, and then they gave up” she continued.

• Name 10 friends you made from Rotaract?

Oh! For this one you have to watch the video. (She just had the problem of limiting 10)

• Advice from you to fellow club members?

Her message was indeed similar to Abdul ayya’s, and it was to try everything that you can think that can make a change, in her words “even though it may be stupid crazy or out of your reach just try” and “live the memories”

• What does RACUSJ mean for you?

It was the platform where I built myself, I learnt a lot and got great experiences. (It was everything for her at that time, and it still does.)

That completes the 3rd episode of THE LEGACY OF 10 YEARS IN RACUSJ!!!

A humble gratitude to the 5th President Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit and to the 8th president Rtr PP Oshani Sinhapuliaracchi for bringing down all the loving MEMORIES!!!

AND THAT WAS A COOL WALK DOWN!!!

STAY TUNED with us!!! (We have another two more exiting stories ahead)

Written by: Rtr. Kavishka Jayasekara & Rtr. Reema Shakir

Moderator – Rtr. Hasini Amanda

Video Editing & Graphic Designing – Rtr. Dinuka Lakshan, & Rtr. Ushan Kavindu