History of RC Ramna

The journey of RC Ramna is remembered for improving lives of millions of Bangladesh. The Rotary Club of Ramna was chartered by Rotary International on 25 April 1977.

The Rotary club of Dhaka, late PDG Habibullah Khan was the Chartered President of the club and PDG Mustafa Zaman Abbasi was the GSR. The first meeting was held in early 1976 at 35 Hare Road, the official residence of Rtn Azizul Haq (R.C.) the then member of the Council of Advisors of the government. Later venue shifted to Ramna Restaurant under the Presidency of Rtn late Habibullah Khan and to the IBA premises at the initiative of Prof M. Shafiullah Director, IBA.

The Charter Presentation Ceremony was held on July 28, 1977 with 21 members under District 329- (comprising Bangladesh, Nepal, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mozoram, Monipur, Tripura, Shikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Island). The Charter was presented by District Governor (1977-78): Rtn Probhat Kumar Sinha, and Rotary International President (1977-78) was Rtn Jack Davis and the theme of the year was “Serving to Unite Man Kind”.

The Office bearers of the Charter Year (1977-78) were: President: Rtn late Habibullah Khan; Vice President: Rtn late Md. Ismail Hossain (Former IG Police); Secretary: Rtn Zahirul Karim; Treasurer: Rtn A. C. Nath; Director: Rtn late Azizul Haq; Rtn late Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed, Rtn late Isa Kazmi, Rtn late Khurshid Anwar. The sponsored Rotaract Club of Ramna was under the chairmanship of Rtn Anil Chandra Nath. The leadership of the club provided by our illustrious rotarians and presidents like PP Atiq R Mahmood, PP Saudur Rashid, PP M O Ghani and present and active Rotarian PP Syed Rezaul Karim in the initial years for their efforts in outreach activities and defining the goal of the club towards service to the communities.

This has resulted in various international partnership that lead to membership of the club with diverse nationalties and a number of international coperation projects. RC Ramna still continues the legacy to implement sustainable global grant projects.

The Club Bulletin named “Krishnachura” was first published in 1978 and still continuing under able leadership of Rtn Parvin Ahmed Khushi. The Club had the distinction of receiving award of 3-H Banner Club for its contribution of USD 15 per member towards the 3-H Fund of Rotary International 1981-82. The RC Ramna later established “Atiq Memorial Fund” in 1986  with Taka 8 lacs for activities in rural areas in Rtn. PP Atiq’s memory. This fund is providing vital support to the Club activities through its earned interest. The capital over 16 lacs. 

One of the major achievements of the club was the successful implementation of MOSTI (Manually Operated Shallow Tube-wells for Irrigation) project with installed 482 shallow tube wells in rural area. Tube-well for Irrigation and Sanitation Project under the community service obtained approval of the RI in the year 1986 with a 3H grant of USD 4,50,000 which is equivalent approximately of Tk: 1.5 corers. The project was formatted by Rtn PP Dr. Rezaul Karim. Later implementation was coordinated by Rtn PP M A Matin and Rtn late ABM Siddique. This project involved sinking of 2000 Tube-wells, 17 deep tube-wells 14,000 water sealed sanitary latrines, 74 shallow tube wells and setup of additional 120-R societies. 

In 1988-89 Rtn Habibulah Khan was elected the District Governor of District 328. Earlier he served as Cabinet Minister and as High Commissioner to South Africa in 1995. Another flag ship project of RC Ramna was inaugurated. Nobel Laureate Mother Theresa District Floating Hospital Project, which was initiated by our former club member Rtn late Alimur Rahman Khan whose daughter Rtn Barrister Ayesha Tahsin Khan is now a second generation Rotarian of RC Ramna. The Floating Hospital project has grown into an expanded hospital project to treat the poor people living in the char areas of greater Rangpur. RC Ramna has yet another global project to meet the health need of the people of the region. Rtn PP Asheq Ul Islam played a vital role. Please see some photo snap of the project.

The club received contribution of Tk: one lac during 1994-95 towards the club fund for its vocational services by Rtn Yusuf Abdullah Harun. A scholarship fund of Tk: 2 lac fifty thousand received from the advertisement. Also Project fund of Tk: 1 lac was created under the title Mahamudul Ahsan (Babu) scholarship fund by PP CAM Mohiuddin during 1994-95.

The Club supervised a donation of USD 50,000 received from the Rotary Club in the District of Spokane, USA for a hospital established at Nalta, Satkhira by a leading Orthopedic Surgeon Rtn Dr. AFM Ruhul Huque PHF, former Cabinet Minister of Health. An Ambulance was procured for the Nalta Hospital, at Satkhira by District 328. Grant sponsored by Rotary Club of Spokane RI Dist 5080 USA and RC Ramna, RID 328 total, Cost of Tk: 6,79,307 where Tk: 1,00,000 was supplemented by the members of RC Ramna.

During the last devastating cyclone and tidal surge of 29th April, 1991 along the coastlines of Bangladesh, our Club with the initiative of PP Rtn. M A. Kalam started: “The Cow Bank Project”. Large number of families’ benefited. Our Club has always supported any vagaries of nature with innovative projects.

The Club acknowledged patronage of late PDG Azizul Haq who passed away during the Rotary Year 2002-2003, icon the Rotary Club of Ramna. The 99th anniversary of Rotary International was celebrated by RC Ramna. Education programme with Tk: 52,900 were completed with benefit to street children, needy and blind students of ABC (Assistance to Blind Children). Free Medicine was offered to poor patients at Akhalia Medical Centre at Narshingdi. Presently Akhalia has yet another Global Grant Model School & College along with Global Partner from Korea.

The Club organized tree plantation with Dhaka City Corporation (which is now DCC South and North) at the garbage dump sites at Matuail and Amin Bazar.  The first lady President of Rotary Club of Ramna was Rtn Dr. Shahida Rahman for 2004-2005, was the centennial President. She took the Club to higher pedestal and Club received 18 awards from the District. Please peruse separate report on the Endowment Fund.
During Presidency of Rtn PP AKM Nozmul Haque MPHF, who is unwell, Club’s Endowment Fund was initiated. Presently over Tk 25 lac & the interest accrued is used for Club Projects. 
Club under Presidency of Rtn PP Fawzia Naaz MD organized a seminar attended by Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee was highly recognized by all the Clubs.
Rotary Club of Ramna sponsored a new club in the District namely; Rotary Club of Baridhara during Rtn. PP M A Hashem’s tenure & Rtn. PP M A Matin was the Governor’s Special Representative(GSR) appointed by the then Governor now PDG Selim Reza.

The club is fortunate to recognize the first AKS of Bangladesh late PDG M Ali Mahbub in our Club who has successfully implemented Global Grant project Eye Clinic in Bogura TMSS. A number of Global Grant projects on basic education and literacy have already been completed. 

A new Global Grant Projects with MAMMS for benefit of poor women; our PP Rtn Dr. Rezaul Karim MD has been actively following the activities of the project.