Bangladesh Mariners Reunion 2017 Toronto, 14-16 July

Bangladesh Mariners gathering in Toronto, Canada started off humbly by a dinner at the house of Ashfaqul Haq (14E) at 87 Lowinger Ave, Ancaster, Ontario in the evening of 14 July, 2017. It was informal and well attended.

Next day, there was a picnic at the Binbrook Conservation Park, 5050 Harrison Rd, Binbrook, Ontario. There was sumptuouos snacks and food. Lots of singing and sightseeing at the park. Some people went boating in the lake.

Boating……

Ziauddin Ahmed (6E) rowing in the air

In the evening, there was semi-formal dinner accompanied by songs, music, dance and short speeches. It was a beautiful evening. Lots of excitements. No one could stop talking while the event were going on.

Then there was a cake cutting ceremony. Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury (1N) and Shishir (41E) cut the cake followed by a loud applause.

There were very short speeches. Fazlu Bhai reminded us about the history of the Marine Academy. Excerpts of his speech is indicated below:

I want to narrate to you how the opening ceremony of marine academy happened in 1962. Now a days, when something opens, the Prime Minister or a Minister or some dignified officer or all of them are lined up to receive loud accolades from the audience. The opening speeches of the Marine academy was simple and short.

An Imam started the occasion with a verse from the holy Koran followed by an English translation which read as follows:

“God has created the sea for us to explore…..”

He said; “Now the Commandant will declare the opening of the academy.

The Commandant came to the podium and declared:

“I Mohammed Asif Alavi, in the name of Allah, the most merciful, do declare the Pakistan Marine Academy open. Alhamdulillah. May Allah bless us all. Will you please raise your hands with the Imam for a prayer.”

Fazlu bhai who was in that opening ceremony said; ”We are here today as an outcome of this Marine Academy.”