Speech by
Her Excellency Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim,
G.C.S.K., C.S.K., PhD, DSc
President of the Republic of Mauritius
on the occasion of the
Gala Dinner organized by the Rotary Club of Ebene
Tuesday 09 February at 19 30 hours
at Maritim Hotel
Distinguished Presidents of Rotary clubs,
Fellow Rotarians,
Ladies and Gentlemen ,
I am incredibly honoured to be here this evening.
I feel really great being in the midst of people who are
animated by loftier goals and who have a passion for social
work and to bring a glimmer of hope in the hearts of those who
need it.
Indeed, the guiding principle and spirit of the Founding Father
of the Rotary, Paul Harris, was kindness.
As Aesop, the famous Greek Philosopher once said:
(Quote)
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”
(Unquote).
By dedicating your time and energy, and more often than not,
your financial resources, you are demonstrating that kindness
is everything in life.
And I think it was late Princess Diana who put it more
beautifully when she said:
(Quote)
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of
reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do
the same for you”. (Unquote)
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Thank you very much therefore for having designated me to be
one of your recipient for the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow
(PHF) Award.
I understand this is a fitting tribute to a dignified person whose
life has inspired millions of people around the globe.
But I would like to believe that it is also a recognition for the
Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a
substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational
programmes.
I am particularly appreciative of the Rotary Club of Ebene, for
selecting me as a recipient of this PHF Award.
I feel privileged and touched by the endeavours and hard work
undertaken by Rotary International to make a significant
difference in the lives of people all over the world.
It is such an amazing emotion for me personally to learn that
the Rotary Foundation has, through successful networks of
support, been assisting its clubs and districts to promote
international understanding, goodwill and peace in the world.
The Rotary Foundation has also been able to carry out an array
of programmes that achieve beneficial changes in our world
such as improved living conditions, increased food production,
better
education,
wider
availability
of
treatment
and
rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, and more importantly,
rallying support for polio eradication.
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I am informed that the 2016-17 Rotary Year will mark the
centennial celebration of the Rotary Foundation, which started
at the 1917 Rotary Convention in Atlanta.
This will certainly be a special opportunity for all clubs and
districts around the world to join this centennial celebration.
You must feel proud to belong to a body that is over a century
old.
I am also glad that education and health underpin the two
distinguishing pillars of your noble mission and objectives.
In so doing, you are actively participating in promoting a just,
peaceful,
prosperous,
equitable,
inclusive
and
sustainable
society.
It is gratifying that in this increasingly materialistic world,
there are still men and women who are imbued with a warm
feeling of love and compassion for others.
And here let me quote what the Dalai Lama once said:
“If we each, selfishly pursue only what we believe to be in our
own interest, without caring about the needs of others, we not
only may end up harming others but also ourselves”. (Unquote)
These are words of wisdom that should guide you in your future
actions.
You know, Abraham Lincoln, the famous US President, also
known as the Father of the American Constitution gave the gift
of human dignity to the downtrodden.
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Mother Teresa, gave the gift of compassion to the forgotten.
And Mahatma Gandhi, gave the gift of peaceful change to the
oppressed.
Their very lives became gifts to the world and to humanity as a
whole.
We should be inspired by the great works of these great people
who have left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
Their influence and the contribution they have made to the
upliftment of the cause of humanity cannot be measured.
But their incredible acts of bravery, kindness, generosity,
honesty and temperance have given us hope and confidence
that we can make a difference in the lives of people.
When we give our time for a good cause, the rewards we reap
are far greater.
This evening, when I look around this room, I see huge
potential.
I see people with experience, committed with a high sense of
purpose and called by strong values to be of service.
I am fascinated at the thought that we can all work together to
create opportunities in the wider interests of our needy people.
Distinguished Rotarians,
Let me re-affirm that my door is always open and I invite any
one of you here or outside to come share with me your valuable
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ideas and thoughts on how we can make meaningful changes in
our society for the common good of our people.
Remember that each contribution that you make to the
community, no matter how small, counts and has a cumulative
effect of improving the plight of our society.
As Mother Theresa said: “I alone cannot change the world, but I
can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.
In conclusion, I want to tell you: Do your very best and be a “Gift
to the World.”
I also wish to share with you this short reflection:
“Men spend their lives in anticipation, in determining to be
vastly happy at some period or other, when they have time. But
the present time has one advantage over every other: it is our
own.” (Unquote)
Let us therefore act now and have faith in what we do.
Without faith, we can do nothing.
With it all things are possible.
I am humbled, honoured, and at the same time excited to be in
your midst to receive this PHF award.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the members
of the Rotary Club of Ebene for their kind thought.
I also have a special word of thanks for the accompanying
spouses of all the Rotarians.
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I wish you all well and good luck in your future endeavours.
I thank you for your attention.
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