District Governor | Rotary International District 3080

Meet the District Governor who leads Rotary District 3080 for Rotary Year 2026-27 — vision, message, and signature initiatives for the year.

DG Dr. Rita Kalra — RY 2026-27

It is my honour to serve as District Governor for Rotary Year 2026-27. Together with the councils, district leadership, and the thousands of Rotarians across our region, we will build stronger communities and create lasting change through Service Above Self.

Theme alignment with RI President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola
Strengthening membership, retention, and fellowship
Scaling flagship projects in health, education, and water
Empowering clubs with tools, training, and resources

About the Governor

Dr. Rita Kalra exemplifies a rare blend of professional excellence and humanitarian service. As a distinguished HCMS Class I officer, her tenure as Hospital Administrator and then Principal Medical Officer Civil Hospital Panchkula has been marked by a series of significant achievements. Under her leadership, the hospital has been recognized as the first and best in the public sector across the country to receive Quality accreditation. Born and brought up in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, Dr. Kalra's academic and professional journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. A Medicine graduate from MGMC Indore, with further qualifications in DHM, PGD in Maternal and Child Health from IGNOU, and an MBA in Hospital Administration from SMU, her educational background lays the foundation for her distinguished career.

A devoted member of Rotary Chandigarh Midtown since 2009, Dr. Kalra has utilized her expertise in hospital administration to contribute significantly to Rotary's mission and objectives. She has been instrumental in launching several women-centric initiatives, reflecting her deep commitment to empowering women and girls. Projects like Aastha for cervical cancer vaccination, Hunnar for vocational empowerment, MAA for pregnant and lactating mothers, and Sudiksha for high nutrition underscore her dedication to addressing critical issues such as health, education, vocational skilling, and economic empowerment.

Dr. Kalra's Rotary projects, such as the Pink Fashion Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness, Mega Medical Camps, and the Kalam Express initiative for specially abled children, underscore her commitment to using her expertise for community betterment. Her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including setting up specialized wards and testing facilities, exemplify her dedication to public health and safety.

Her active participation in the Rotary International community is noteworthy. Her attendance at 10 RI conventions, three RI presidential conferences, two Rotary institutes, and her involvement as an RFE team member and visitor to numerous Rotary clubs internationally highlight her commitment to global service and fellowship. Moreover, as a host club contact, she has successfully executed over five Global Grants, channeling substantial resources towards impactful projects.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by multiple accolades from esteemed bodies, including the Helen Keller award for disability rehabilitation, three felicitations by the Governor of Haryana for excellence in healthcare, and recognition from the Chief Minister of Haryana and the Minister of Women and Child Welfare, GOI, for her work in maternal and child health. Awards such as Super Mom, Star Women 2020, Covid Warrior, and Covid Hero 2021, Rashtriya Gaurav Award — along with Rotary recognitions like the RI Avenues of Service Award, Best President, Best Club of District 3080 in 2018, and Best Assistant Governor in 2021 — underscore her remarkable impact.

Dr. Kalra's journey is further enriched by the support of her partner, Dr. Sanjay Kalra, whose passion for Rotary amplifies their collective contributions to the Rotary Foundation, where they stand as PHS members and Major Donors. They are blessed with two children — son Ruchir and daughter-in-law Prarthana, both specialized dentists, helping carry forward the legacy their father has created — and daughter Aarushi, a Doctor in Economics, pursuing her career at Oxford University. Dr. Rita Kalra's story is one of inspiration, showcasing how passion, leadership, and a commitment to service can transform communities and build a better world.

Governor's Message

Dear Fellow Rotarians of District 3080,

It is with immense pride and deep gratitude that I share this message with you for our District Directory — the publication which reflects our true values and unwavering commitment to Service Above Self. District 3080 has always been a shining example of what happens when empathy meets action and when individual goodwill is woven into collective impact.

Rotary International has given us a powerful vision: to unite and take action to create lasting change — globally, locally, and within ourselves. We see this vision come alive in our global movement to end polio, in our Peace Centers shaping tomorrow's peacemakers, and in community projects across continents that are delivering sustainable impact through grant partnerships. But lasting change begins within. Has Rotary changed you? And to create meaningful, lasting impact, what would you dare to change? What would you dare to build, create, or achieve as Rotary Leaders?

Leadership is our calling, and it begins with our inner readiness. Each of us carries an internal GPS, a quiet compass guiding us toward purpose. What you are searching for is also searching for you. We often wait for opportunities, yet opportunities are waiting for us too. As Rotarians, we stand at a unique moment in history. The world around us is changing faster than ever, and so are the challenges faced by our communities, especially women, children, and vulnerable families.

Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern — it is a growing health emergency. Across the world, extreme weather, flooding, heatwaves, and disrupted food systems are placing unbearable strain on already fragile healthcare services. When communities lose access to clean water, safe housing, or essential medical care, diseases spread faster and recovery becomes harder. Health threats do not stay confined to borders; a crisis in one part of the world eventually reaches us all. Strengthening resilient, equitable healthcare systems is not only a moral responsibility but a global safeguard — and Rotary has a vital role to play in leading this charge.

There goes a saying: Good, better, best — never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best. True greatness — the "bestest" — lies just beyond our comfort zones. To succeed, we must anticipate, forge ahead, seize opportunities, and make decisions where they count. Limits exist only to be challenged. I close with the words of Rumi: "Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you." Rotary is life. Let us allow it to live through us.

Together, let us be Unstoppables.
Together, let us ignite a Rotary decade.
Together, let us create lasting impact.

With warm regards and best wishes for a remarkable Rotary year,
Rtn. Dr. Rita Kalra
District Governor, Rotary District 3080