RIYADH, 19 June 2004 — Effective communication can help bring about world peace, said Pakistani Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza during a function at a public speaking society on Thursday.
“Lack of understanding is the source of all trouble,” Mirza said at the 16th anniversary of the Riyadh Toastmasters Club.
Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena, who was the guest of honor at the function, was given the club’s International Award for excellence in communication. The Pakistani ambassador presented the award on behalf of the club.
In his acceptance speech, which focused on the family, Almaeena said a successful family life depended solely on proper and constant communication between husband and wife.
“Success in family life lies not in money alone,” he said. “The spouses should be equal partners in life,” he said and quoted a Hadith saying “The best among you is the one who is the best to his wife.”
Earlier in his address, Abu Zafar, outgoing president of the club, said the club is the oldest in the Gulf region and has some 250,000 members across the world.
Jojo Beliosis delivered a utopian speech, visualizing a harmonious world where mutual understanding is possible.
Janaki Pattnaik (DTM), former district governor highlighted the role of the club in training the members in communication skills.
The new executive committee for Riyadh Toastmasters Club for the year 2004-2005 was sworn in by Abdul Raoof, Area-I Governor. Abu Zafar was given the award of the Best Division Governor of 2002-2003.
The new office-bearers are: President, Aftab Khan; Vice President (Education), Roqui D’costa; Vice President (Membership), Antoni Manancheri; Vice President (Public Relations), Bhaskaran Balakrishnan; Secretary, Ghulam Nabi; Treasurer, Zafar Hussein; Sergeant-At-Arms, Vasudevan.
The Saudi British Bank was the main sponsor of the function while Mosaco, the distributor of Raymonds, Almarai, Carrier Air Conditioning, Lufthansa Airlines, Emirates Airlines, and Meezan Spices co-sponsored the event.
