Founded in Chicago over a century in the past, Rotary International began out as an “almost aristocratic” service membership for civic-minded professionals. As cities grew within the mid-Twentieth century, so did Rotary’s networks. The group’s recognition has since pale within the US as present members age and because it struggles to draw new recruits.

But the group’s membership has soared in India, greater than doubling since 2005 to 164,000. Members, many of their 40s and 50s, say they’re drawn to the enjoyable and good fellowship — and, in a rustic the place lots of of thousands and thousands stay in poverty, to the various alternatives for service. Read extra from Immanual John Milton as we speak on CityLab: Rotary Clubs Recapture Their Glory Days, Just Not in the US