RI President Kalyan Banerjee wins hearts of District 3271

RCKA Bulletin Desk

Rotarian Kalyan Banerjee had visited Karachi in the past as well but this was more significant than ever before because he arrived as the President of Rotary International.

To pay a tribute and welcome him and his spouse Binota, a Grand Inter-City Meeting of District 3271 was held at Sheraton Karachi Hotel on May 27. 

The hall was packed to capacity and there was not single unoccupied chair. The powerful speech of PDG Faiz Kidwai, National Chair, Rotary Foundation, set the tone and PDG Aziz Memon, Chairman, National Polio-Plus Committee, followed it up with a superb introduction of RI President, Kalyan Banerjee, with whom he has worked closely for years. 

District Governor Iqbal Qureshi threw light on activities during the year while District Governor-Elect Jalaluddin Shaikh presented the vote of thanks in his usual crisp style. 

In between it was the address of the man of the moment, RI President, Kalyan Banerjee, which kept the audience glued to their seats and they had to put their hands together quite a few times to allow breathing time to the distinguished Rotary leader.

He referred to the audience as his dear brothers and sisters in Rotary, sharing his thoughts in candid manner. 

He complimented the Rotary leaders of Pakistan for doing a great job under the circumstances and urged them to continue doing it. 

“Binota and I have been fortunate to have visited different parts of the Rotary world and seen the many ways that Rotarians everywhere ‘Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.’ We were in Australia just the other week. But the kind of pleasure we derive while touring the South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, we have had special feeling of being at home,” RI President, Kalyan Banerjee, observed.

The Rotarians present on the occasion derived great inspiration by his acts and words and there was a long queue of donors who made the announcement on the spot. 

Kalyan Banerjee, hailing from the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat, India, had taken over as President of Rotary International on July 1, 2011. His term at office will be up to June 30, 2012. 

A Rotarian since 1972, he is Rotary’s 101st President and its third President from India. 

He has served Rotary as a Director, Rotary Foundation Trustee, Committee and Task Force Chair, International Assembly Group Discussion Leader, President’s Representative, and District Governor. 

He has also served as a member of the International PolioPlus Committee for many years and has attended international meetings with the World Health Organization and UNICEF in that capacity.