Club President Shamim Begum joined past, present, and future District Governors in welcoming visiting District Governor Elect Skakeel Khani of District 3271 Pakistan. The gathering was organized by District Governor Syed Alirahi at the Royal Palace Restaurant in White Plains. DGE Shakeel is visiting New York on his way to the International Assembly in Orlando Florida. Among those present were Past District Governors Mahbub Ahmad (2019-20), George McKinnis (2021-22), Martin Schulman (2022-23), current District Governor Syed Alirahi, and First Lady Shazia Alirahi, District Governor Elect Garrett Capobianco, District Governor Nominee - our very own Dr. Maksud Chowdhury and District Governor Nominee Designate Serkan Ceylan. DGE Shakeel was joined by his wife and PDG Dr Pir Ibrahim Shah from his District. Also joining the gathering was Area Governor and District Secretary Bina Ahmad.
DGE Shakeel spoke about the Smart Village program in his District, which has been visited by past RI President Jennifer Joines, Incoming President Mario, and past RI Director Drew Kessler. He has donated his land and organized funds for the construction of these small homes for people affected by the floods. The homes are constructed with local materials and the residents themselves take part in building the homes, being trained by senior engineers. Each home is constructed on a raised platform so that future floods do not affect them. There is a community center, mosque, a school as well as gardening areas. DG Syed presented DGE Shakeel with a plaque commemorating his visit.President Shamim, DGE Maksud and AG Bina expressed their interest in DGE Shakeel's Smart Village Program possibly raising funds for portions of the project. DGE Shakeel and his wife presented caps and scarves embroidered by hand by local artisans in the village. The DGE invited all to visit the Village as his guests.
On the following day, AG Bina and PDG Mahbub invited the visiting DGE and his wife and our District's first couple to their home for afternoon tea.