Rtn. Baban Deshpande
District Governor 2022-23
Panaji, the vibrant capital of the sunshine state of Goa, has been Home to Rtn. Baban Deshpande right from his birth on 24th July, 1961 into an accomplished family of reputed businessmen, professionals and social workers. His upbringing in this quintessential city of Goa molded this dynamic personality who completed his degree in Commerce from S. S. Dhempo College of Commerce and Economics, Panaji. An astute businessman managing family hotels in the city, he also holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from Vidya Vikas Institute, Margao.
Gaurish was invited to join Rotary in the year 2000-2001 as a member of the Rotary Club of Panaji which was chartered in 1963 and hold the distinction of being the very first Rotary club from Goa. Awarded the ‘Best Rotarian’ award in the very next year after joining, his achievements continued to grow by leaps and bounds with each passing year.
Among his numerous, notable accomplishments, the most significant are – adjudged the ‘Best Secretary’ of the Rotary Club of Panaji, the ‘Best President’ and ‘Best Asst. Governor’ at the district level. He was also the recipient of the R.I. President’s recognition for ‘Four Avenues of Service Citation’. During his President ship, the Rotary Club of Panaji was honoured with the R.I. Significant Award for ‘The Rotary Eye Bank of Goa’ which was adjudged the ‘Best Project’ in the district and is the only Government-recognized eye bank in the entire state.
He successfully led a team of four participants at the Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Eastern Nebraska & Southwestern Iowa, USA in 2012 as its Team
Leader for 28 days.
This suave Rotarian has served as an Aide to several dignitaries, including Rotary International Director, A. Monty, during the Rotary Institute in 2008; R.I. President Elect, Shekhar Mehta & Rashmi Mehta in Goa; Rotary International Director, Dr. Bharat Pandya & Dr. Madhavi at Centennial Summit, Kolkata and R.I. President, K. Ravindran, in addition to many others.
He has been an active Rotarian of Rotary International District 3170 and was elected unopposed, as its District Governor for the year 2021-2022.
Rtn Gaurish Dhond is an active philanthropist who has served various other organizations in different capacities, such as, Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, Chairman of the General Assembly of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Chairman of Panaji Ambulance & Welfare Trust, President of Goa Hotels & Restaurants Association, Vice President of Panjim Gymkhana, Vice President of Saraswati Vidya Mandir – Panaji, Chairman ITI Panaji of Government of Goa, Member of International Human Rights Association and more.
His other successful ventures include an SSI unit at Kundaim, the dealership of an IOCL Petrol Pump at Caranzalem and a real estate business across Goa. He is committed to upholding the inherited family values of integrity, sincerity and total devotion in every endeavour.
Rtn. Gaurish found the perfect life partner in Rtn. Pratima Dhond whose accomplishments include being the Vice President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chairperson of the Women’s Cooperative Bank Ltd. for the last twenty-six years. They are blessed with three children; two sons – Viraj, married to Dr. Shalmali and Sairaj, married to Dr. Sajal, and one daughter, Simran who is a fashion designer in Bangalore. They are doting grandparents to two grandsons Vanshraj & Uvraj.