HISTORY OF Rotary Club of Dhaka Central
Club ID Number: 21849
Rotary Club of Dhaka Central was sponsored by Rotary Club of Dhaka North with Late respected (PDG) Dr. Mohammad Moniruzzaman as the ‘Governor’s Special Representative’ (GSR). The Club received Charter on 16 May 1984, with 25 members on roll and Rtn Dr. S. Saleheen Qadri as Charter President. Over the years – through loss and gain; the current membership stands at 39.
The Club has sponsored: Rotary Clubs: Shyamoli Dhaka, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka, Dhaka Urbana, Aroma Dhaka, Dhaka Sorbojoya, 1 Rotaract Clubs of Wari are functioning: 1 Interact club of Dhaka Central. Rotary Community Corp (RCC) and had adopted 3 villages now 1 is functioning.
In several years, members received R.I. President’s & District Recognition for Membership Development and Extension.
Over the years - the Club has received District Recognition in all Four Avenues of Service. During the first year, Dhaka Central established two ‘Permanent Funds’ (FDR) for Scholarships to poor meritorious students, and Income Generation Projects.
Major continuous projects of the Club are: Eye Care (IOL implant); Arsenic Mitigation; Assistance to Children with Special Needs; Assistance to Acid Survivors; Health and Sanitation; Polio plus & Cornea Project. Several projects completed & some on going - with Matching Grants (MG).
From the first year till date: Rotary Club of Dhaka Central has received RI President’s Citation & District Recognition during several years.
Dhaka Central has continuously supported The Rotary Foundation - both financially & through Program Participation. In 1986-87 and 1987-88 the Club received District recognition for Second Highest and Highest Per Capita Contribution to The Rotary Foundation. In 1988-89 Club received Special District Recognition for becoming ‘Full Paul Harris Fellow Club’. RCDC will become a ‘Full Paul Harris Fellow Club’ in 1997-99 and 2019-20.
Dhaka Central regularly sponsors successful candidates for TRF programs. In 1986-87 the Club had sponsored the first (on world-wide competitive basis) 3H scholar (Mr. Abdul Motaleb Bhuiya for PhD in Agronomy in Manila). The Club and members also host TRF program.
From inception - members have served Beyond Club Level: in 1985-86, Charter President Dr. S Saleheen Qadri served as Dist. Joint Secretary. Later, several members served as District Secretary; Assistant Governor; Dist. Assistant Trainer, District Trainer and in 2015-16 SAM Showket Hossain served as the District Governor. He is also serving as RPIC, District Membership Chair 2019-2022, District Trainer 2021-2022. PDG Showket is also a GETs Trainer. Many members continue to serve the District in responsible positions. The Club has one recipient of Rotary’s highest award ‘Rotary Service Above Self Award’ and the most prestigious Award " Rotary International Avenue of Service Award".
Dhaka Central hosted the first (RID 3281) ‘Inter-Club Fellowship’ (1984-85) and First ‘District Assembly’. The Club also hosted ‘District Rotary Information Seminar’ and several ‘1st July Program’, Co-hosted Rotary Public Image Conference in the 13th-14th
September 2019 and Rotary Peace Seminar on 21st September 2020.
January 23, 1984: RC Dhaka North decides to sponsor additional club sharing their territory. Dr Mohammad Moniruzzaman (PDG) Governor’s Special Representative (GSR).
February 26, 1984: First organizational meeting held. Name proposed for new club: Rotary Club of Dhaka Central.
March 19, 1984 : First meeting as Provisional club, with seven members attending.
April 24, 1984: Charter Application Mailed to District Governor, number of Members on the charter list: 21
May 16, 1984: RC Dhaka Central was admitted to Rotary International.
May 25, 1984: Blood donation program arranged. Fifteen bottles of blood were donated to
Red Cross. Mr. Md. Shamsul Hoq, Minister for Information Govt. of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest.
June 25, 1984: Annual Report For 1983-84 Presented to the club.
July 14, 1984: Charter Presentation Ceremony.
At the time of the charter President RC Dhaka North: A Malek Chowdhury
District Governor RI Dist 329: Om Prakash Oberoi of RC Calcutta Midtown
R I Director Asia Zone 4: C K Oh of Korea
R I President: William E Skelton