Intercity Meet On Vocational Service

Intercity Meet On Vocational Service

and

4- Way Test Award- Man Of the Year 2007

Venue: G. D. Birla Sabhagar, Kolkata

31st October, 2009

It was a spectacular evening on last Saturday (31st October, 2009). Under the auspices of R. C. Belur, we could witness such a grandeurous, mesmerizing sight of the 4-way test Award- Man Of the Year 2007. This year the felicitation was conferred to Sri Shashi Theroor- Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.

At the outset the vocational Award ceremony was held. Their contributions on different levels in different arenas qualified them for the felicitation. This year Mr. Soumitra Chattopadhyay was awarded for his unending dedication and able dramaturgy in respect to cultural affairs. Sri Mohan Singh as well and Mr. Bapi Lahiri were awarded for their melodious strains for several years in the arena of vocal music.

Sri Bapi Lahiri focused on the point that the contribution of Rotary in the areas of social services is immense. That is why his interest in serving Rotary would remain unmoved. On request from the audience he sang “chiro din e tumi je amar” and “Rotary jab bulaenge hum ayaenge, kabhi albida naa kahena”.

Thereafter, an ardent devotee, forerunner and disseminator of Rabindra Sangeet threw light upon the fact that he had been honoured by the veneration given in the august evening. His strains “Bandhu raho raho sathe” echoed through the pillars of the auditorium.

Last but not the least Pandit Ajoy Chakrabory was honoured for his tremendous contribution in the arena of classical music. PDG Ravi Sehgal introduced Mr. Shashi Theroor, the 4 way test award winner of the year 2007.

Born in London Mr. Sashi Theroor belongs to an elite family of Kerela.

He did his school Studies in London. However graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, thereafter he post graduated from Delhi and commendable educational qualifications were attained from Mumbai. He was awarded PHD too. He was a keen writer in London Review, Washington Post, New York Tribune, and New York Times. He is an author of so many books. Under the aegis of the under Secretary to Secretary General of UNO he discharged his duties so well that he was considered for the post of Secretary General of UNO thereafter.

Shashi Theroor through mesmerizing speech praised highly of the contribution of Rotary towards alleviation of poverty, human cause and world peace. He quoted from D L Roy’s patriotic lyric in Bengali “amar ei desete janmo jano ei desete mori". Although he was born in London he feels that he was born in India and desires to die in India. He asserted that whatever he can do he will do it for India throughout his life. He also said that good people from middle class are not participating in Indian Politics.

Rtn. Dr. Arabinda Roy’s compering was excellent. PDG Ravi Sehgal’s introduction to Mr. Sashi Theroor was so heart rendering that it touched everybody in audience including Mr. Theroor who mentioned that in his address.

Rtn. Nirmal Saha, the president of R.C. Belur will be remembered for his nice poem composed in adoration to Mr. Sashi Theroor.

Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University in his brief speech praised Rotary for their invaluable service to the community. Hon’ble justice Pranab Chattapadhaya and Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism Govt of India Mr. Sultan Ahmed performed excellently as motivators in this occasion.

Thanks to DG Rtn. Utpal Majumdar and his team for presenting us such an evening of immense enchantment. In the history of Rotary the scintillating effect of this evening will be engraved due to its immortal value because- a thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Rtn Pulak Kumar Mookherjee's perceptions