The birth of Rotary South, and everything that followed
From a charter evening in 1966 to a Diamond Jubilee in 2026 — the story of how one club became a Bengaluru institution.
December 1966: a charter for the south of the city
By the mid-1960s, Bengaluru was stretching southwards — and Rotary stretched with it. Under the leadership of District Governor Rtn. A. B. Ramanand, and with the Rotary Club of Bangalore as sponsor, a new club was formally inaugurated on 30 November 1966. The Governor's Special Representative who shepherded the new club into being was Rtn. M. K. Panduranga Setty — later a Past District Governor and Past RI Director.
On 12 December 1966, the charter of the Rotary Club of Bangalore South was presented to its first president, Rtn. Prof. P. Shivashankar, who led the young club until June 1968. The professor's imprint — scholarly, principled, quietly determined — has marked the club's character ever since. His son, PDG Rtn. S. Udayashankar, would go on to become the club's first District Governor.
Sixty years later, the club that began in the neighbourhoods of Basavanagudi and Jayanagar counts among its alumni five District Governors, Arch Klumph Society benefactors, and generations of Rotarians whose projects stand in brick, books and healed lives across Karnataka.
Six decades in moments
A selective timeline of the club's journey — from charter night to Diamond Jubilee.
The club is born
Inaugurated 30 November under DG A. B. Ramanand; charter presented 12 December to founder president Prof. P. Shivashankar. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bangalore.
The first handover
Prof. Shivashankar completes his founding term, setting a tradition of leadership that has continued unbroken for six decades.
Our first District Governor
Rtn. S. Udayashankar — son of the charter president — leads the district, the first of five Governors our club has given Rotary.
Two more Governors
Rtn. Shyamal Kumar Sen (1990–91) and Rtn. K. K. Suryanarayana Rao (1993–94) carry the club's standard to district leadership.
100% Paul Harris Fellow club
Every member a Paul Harris Fellow — a landmark of the club's deep commitment to The Rotary Foundation.
A fourth Governor
Rtn. M. N. Suresh serves as District Governor, continuing the club's remarkable record of producing district leaders.
Growth and a new home
Under President Sridhar B. R., the club inaugurates its own premises, charters the new Rotary Bangalore Spandana, and deepens the SABIC school-restoration partnership.
Golden Jubilee
Fifty years celebrated in style — including a commemorative Royal Enfield rally of 32 riders to Ramanagara — with Past RI President K. R. Ravindran gracing the closing celebration.
A new district: 3191
Historic District 3190 is reorganised, and the club becomes part of the new Rotary International District 3191, covering Bengaluru and surrounding regions.
A fifth Governor — and a first for 3191 from RBS
Rtn. Sridhar B. R. is installed as District Governor 2025–26 of RID 3191 — the fifth Governor from our club.
The Diamond Jubilee
Sixty years of Service Above Self. The celebration begins — and with it, the next sixty years.
Past District Governors from our club
S. Udayashankar
DG 1986–87
Shyamal Kumar Sen
DG 1990–91
K. K. Suryanarayana Rao
DG 1993–94
M. N. Suresh
DG 2010–11
Sridhar B. R.
DG 2025–26 · RID 3191
Sixty years is a beginning
Explore how we are marking the Diamond Jubilee — and the legacy projects that will carry the club into its next era.