Chhabed Sathee: ‘The Optimists’ in New York, USA has collected funds of about 1 crore 31 lakh taka (about $1 hundred 25 thousand dollars) to help the poor and helpless students of Bangladesh. The annual fundraiser was held at a luncheon at a party hall in Long Island City, New York, on Sunday (October 9) at noon local time.
For the last 22 years, the American charitable organization The Optimists has been providing financial support to thousands of school and college-going children in Bangladesh, currently, there are more than 1,200 students receiving through The Optimists in different educational institutions in 22 districts of Bangladesh. Since its establishment in 2000, Optimist has provided scholarships to thousands of needy Bangladeshi students, officials of Optimist said.Hundreds of poor families’ children are now studying in famous educational institutions of the country including BUET, Dhaka University, after receiving scholarship support from the organization. Many have completed their studies and established themselves in their current family and society. Officials of Optimists said that fund raising meetings are held every year for students who are lagging behind in education in different parts of the country.
Hundreds of guests including the chairman, board of directors, volunteers and patrons of the organization were present in the event. Hundreds of New York businessmen, employers and donors gathered at the fund-raising meeting to support and support this humanitarian program at Optimists. Students and painters studying in schools and colleges in New York donated their paintings to the Optimists. The pictures were auctioned at the event. Proceeds from the auction go toward scholarship programs.
The fund raising meeting started with the performance of national anthems of Bangladesh and America presented by Fatima Shahab Ruma and Minhaj Shammu. After that, Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations gave a welcome speech.
Optimists President Shahedul Islam, Vice President Nik Muktadir, Secretary General Nishat Haque among others spoke at the meeting.
In the ceremony, Ataul Karim, a prominent scientist of the country, gave a valuable and instructive speech. Optimists consider public welfare as a whole in the field of education in Bangladesh
Media personality Nora Ali, promoter and publisher Sunil Hali and others gave a speech expressing optimism that they will play a significant role. Many wealthy businessmen and professionals who are enthusiastic to work to improve the fortunes of the neglected and deprived people of Bangladesh from abroad joined the meeting and came forward to make the 2022 fundraising campaign worthwhile and successful.
The Optimist’s Lifetime Honors are awarded for outstanding contributions to this humanitarian cause since its inception. The honorees were Sarwar B. Salam (prominent businessman Nazrul Islam accepted the honor on his behalf as he was not present at the ceremony due to illness). Cultural workers from New York including Major General Abdus Salam stationed in Bangladesh, Fatema Shahab Ruma, social worker Ahad Ali CPA, community activist prominent social worker Shahabuddin Chowdhury and music artist Parmita Das Mumu.
Besides, in this successful event on Sunday, many local school going students including many young men and women were wholeheartedly involved in the activities throughout the day.
BP/SM
