The Civil society in Bangladesh has commemorated Father Richard William Timm for his great contribution to rebuilding war-torn Bangladesh, alleviating the plight of disaster-hit people, and the country’s education.
A commemoration event titled “Civic Commemoration Meeting” was arranged at Caritas Bangladesh’s head office in Malibagh, Dhaka, said a press release on Friday.
Remembering Father Timm, Bangladesh’s Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario stated that “Father Timm is still alive. He is alive in his thoughts, speeches, and his works.”
Honoring Father Timm for his great contribution, Aroma Dutta, Member of Parliament and executive director of PRIP Trust, said: “Father Timm was the pioneer of our development and the development activities under non-government organization.”
Thanking all the attendees at the event, Reverend Bishop Gervas Rozario, president of Caritas Bangladesh, said: “Father Timm started various development programs and served people in far rural areas selflessly.”
Mr Ranjon Francis Rozario, executive director of Caritas Bangladesh, delivered the welcome speech at the event.
Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, Dr Fr Patrick Gaffney, CSC, vice-chancellor of the Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Mr Joyonto Adhikary, president of Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Sanjeeb Drong, president of Indigenous Peoples Development Services (IPDS), among others highlighted various important aspects of the life of Father Timm.
Also Read - Father Richard Timm: A timeline of achievements
The speakers said that people of Bangladesh will remember Father Timm forever for his unforgettable contribution in rebuilding war-torn Bangladesh in 1971 and during various natural disasters.
Friend of Bangladesh
Born in the United States, Father Timm worked for more than six decades to spread the light of education and serve humanity in Bangladesh. Father Timm breathed his last in the United States of America on September 11, 2020.
Father Timm, one of the founders of Notre Dame College served as the sixth principal of the college. He also started the science department in the college, and in 1955 and later established the Notre Dame College Science Club.
BODY_People gathered at a commemoration event title “Civic Commemoration Meeting” was arranged at Caritas Bangladesh’s head office in Malibagh, Dhaka on Friday, October 23, 2020 | Courtesy
The American Father also founded Notre Dame College Debating Club and Adventure Club.
Simultaneously an educator, zoologist, development and human rights activist, his important contribution in establishing various non-governmental development organizations makes him the true friend of Bangladesh who worked to raise world public opinion in favor of the Liberation War in 1971.
This admiring man devoted his life to the relief and rehabilitation activities during the devastating cyclone in the south of Bangladesh in 1970 and during the War of Liberation of 1971.
For over six months in between 1971 and 1972, Father Timm was the director of the Cyclone Victims Rehabilitation Project on Monpura Island.
In 1987, Father Timm was awarded Magsaysay Award for his 35 years of tireless work in the development of Bangladesh. In the same year, he was awarded the Abu Sayeed Chowdhury Award for his work in establishing human rights in social service.
He established the Human Rights Council of Bangladesh and was elected its president three times in a row from 1987 to 1993. From 1990 to 1993, he established and served as the convener of the South Asian Forum for Human Rights.
From 2000 to 2011, Father Timm worked in different sectors of Bangladesh. His special tasks during this period were: rights and development of the tribal population, rehabilitation of the poor and physically challenged women, etc.
In 2008, he became a consultant for Caritas Bangladesh. In 2009 he was honored by the Vatican Pontifical Council for his work in Justice and Peace, and being a Distinguished Academician, Distinguished Writer, Distinguished Scientist, and Human Rights Adviser.
In 2012, the Bangladesh Government awarded him with the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” for his outstanding contribution during the War of Liberation.
