My Dear Fellow Rotarians,
I share our deep shock at the incidence at B D R Head Quarters, Peelkhana, Dhaka on 25-26 February 2009 and the loss of valuable lives of our pride, our Army officers. W e convey our sincerest condolences to the members of the affected families. We pray for eternal peace of the departed souls and sympathize with the members of the bereaved families. May Allah help us all. When you receive this copy of G M L we will be at the fag end of March 2009 and that is the signal that we have only last quarter of Rotary year 2008-2009 to make dreams real. We would have to run fast and work hard for the finishing line of our Rotary year to translate our commitment we made earlier in to reality.
Many of you, a record number of Rotarians, attended the siIver jubiIee district conference 2009 on 27-28 February 2009 at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center, S her-e-Banglanagor, Dhaka. I thank all fellow Rotarians who attended and managed the conference for making it a success under very trying circumstances most of which were beyond our control. We all tried to make the conference a success in the prevailing circumstances. Inview of prevailing situtation chief guest Rtn. Mehta failed to arrive in the conference venue from abroad but RIPPR Jiichiro Frank Nakajima and his gracious spouse Takako attended right from the inaugural session of the conference. Frank delivered his inspirational speach which was acclaimed by all present. Details of conference will follow.
February is the Rotary designated world understanding month. The district conference provided us an opportunity to meet Rotary leaders from home and abroad including RIPPR Jhiichiroo Frank Nakajima and his spouse Takako and the members of group study exchange team from Brazil. February is also Rotary's founding month-23rd February being its anniversary date. This year for the first time 31 clubs of Dhaka area organised celebration of Rotary's 104 founding anniversary by cutting cake, deliberations of present and past R I officers and cultural program followed by sumptuous dinner. Thank you Rotarians for your deep support and active cooperation.
As you all know district conference is the greatest annual Rotary event of the district and the purpose of district conference is to further the object of Rotary through fellowship, inspirational speeches and discussion of matters relating to the affairs of the clubs in the district and the Rotary International generally. The conference considers any special matters submitted to it by R I board or matters originating within the district. The conference also helps interaction with prominent leaders in various fields of service and expertise in the communities on issues affecting the welfare of the citizens. We were immensely benefitted from inspirational deliberations of RIPPR Nakajima and the speakers of different sessions of the conference. I thank Conference Chair Safina phf,b,md for her commitment and dedication to make the conference successful inspite of prevailing uncertainty. I also thank all the members of all the conference sub committees. My thanks are also to the speakers, moderators and resource person of different sessions of the district conference.
Chairman, Balloting Arrangement Committee PDG Prof. Jalel U. Ahmed with the members of the committee PDG Jamaluddin and PP Mohemmed Ayub and representatives of the candidates R tn A.H.M. Zader and R tn cdre (Retd.) M. M. Rahman conducted election of DGN (2011-2012) of R I District 3280, Bangladesh. Chairman of the balloting arrangement committee PDG Prof. Jalal U. Ahmed along with members of his committee and the contestants came to the dais after the election is over and declared Rtn AHM Zaker as DGN (2011-2012) while newly elected DGN (2011-2012) and other contestant cdre (Retd.) M.M. Rahman congratulated District Governor for arranging a fair election. Both the contestants greeted each other by deep embracement and thanked all participates present and expressed their commitment to work together. I also extended thanks to the contestants and congratulated DGN (2011-2012) A.H.M. Zaker mphf and his spouse Jesmine.
Rotasia, Inter District Rotaract conference of Rotaracts of south Asia held in cox's bazaar, longest sea beach of the world during March 5-8, 2009. Rotaractors of six district of 5 countries participated. Myself along with DRFC and other district officials participated in the ROTASIA-2009.
March is literacy month and Rotary International attaches importance to literacy. The ability to read is an indispensable element i n a person's equipment for living. Anyone who has not been given the opportunity to read and write can not lead a full human individual and social life. Clubs of the district took lots of projects on literacy, adult literacy and functional literacy. I hope they will continue their efforts for literacy project to improve quality of life. Next month April is Rotary magazine month. District Publication Committee with the help of clubs i s making arrangement to observe magazine month. This will be a newer district program. I ask Rotary clubs to join in large number at the Rotary Publication Seminar to be held on 18 April 2009 at Sasakawa Auditorium of ICDDR,B Mohakhali Dhaka. March is also the month when our liberation struggle started i n 1971. O n 25th March 1971 Pakistani occupation forces unleashed barbarous attack on the civilian population of the then East Pakistan. The world witnessed the barbarous attack on the civilians. I remember the myrters of March 71 with honor and salute them for their sacrifice in their endeavor to earn independence.
Before I conclude with a reminder that if any clubs fails to pay R I semiannual dues by March that club may be suspended. So expedite payment R I Semiannual dues for July- January period.
District First Lady Bakul joins me to wish you all health and happiness while we continue our endeavor to Make Dreams Real by bringing smiles to the children of the world because they are the future of the civilization and al so the future of Rotary i s i n your hands.
With warm regards and best wishes.
Md. Hafizullah MPHF
District Governor 2008-2009
RI District 3280 Bangladesh
