Aziz Memon’s keynote speech brings out tears

RCKA Bulletin Desk

Governor Aziz Memon has a track record of delivering inspirational speeches but touching scenes were also witnessed when he spoke his heart out in the ‘Aman Ki Asha’ session organized during the District Conference in Ludhiana, India, recently.

“Trust me quite a few Rotarians and their families present on the occasion had broken into tears when I ran a video of one minute and 45 seconds, during the course of my speech,” he recalled after his return from Ludhiana where he was the keynote speaker in the programme which was a part of the Annual District Conference held there from February 3 to 5.

Here are excerpts from his keynote address:

“History may have divided us but geography binds us. How long are we going to play games and deny the future generations?”

“When we in Rotary work for peace, we don’t do it by negotiating treaties or demonstrating in the streets. Instead we build peace by example, by working together whatever our nationality or background, and putting others’ needs above our own.”

“We build peace by dealing with the problems that disrupt people’s ability to live normal, peaceful lives-whether those problems relate to lack of water, or sanitation, or safe, affordable housing; whether they stem from shortage of education or health care, or a need to build productive and positive connections between communities. In every thing we do, we rely on our good name.”

“This is why all of us have a responsibility to be sure that our good name is indeed known. We need to not just work through Rotary, but talk about Rotary, letting the world know about the work we are doing, the differences we are making, and the benchmarks we are setting. Our Rotary work speaks to our belief that a better, more peaceful world is possible, and we need to be sure that our voices are heard.”

“We have been proactively playing their part in achieving peace through service. The outstanding work of Dr Satyajit Bose, a famous cardiac surgeon, and Chairman, Mission Hospital, Durgapur and Dr Devi Shetty in Bangalore deserves special mention. Hundreds of surgeries have been performed under the Rotary’s Gift of Life project.”

“The pacemaker bank has also been immensely beneficial, having brought smiles back to the faces on many people. Now there are plans to build a hospital in Karachi, with the help of Rotarians from India, which will be rather appropriately titled Peace Hospital. The Youth Exchange programmes as well as the goodwill cricket tours have helped the cause. The Rotarians have set the example. The need of the hour is to capitalize on our efforts.”

“We have been setting examples by our deeds and noble acts. The subject of Indo-Pak relations is widely discussed on both sides of the border. Efforts continue to be made to keep the ball rolling and move in the forward direction to bring about a change for the sake of the peoples of these two neighbouring countries.”

“Whatever the magnitude of the differences or the bitterness of the past might have been it’s never too late to do something worthwhile to accomplish the mutual objective of prosperity and progress in the region. As they say there’s light at the end of every tunnel. The past cannot be changed but we have every right to put our acts together to make our present and future better than before.”