Founder of Lionism in Bangladesh:
Lion M R Siddiqui
District Governor
District 305 E.Pakistan 1962-63, 1963-64 and
District315, Bangladesh 1972-73, 1973-74
Mr. Mustafizur Rahman Siddiqi, Son of Mr. Mohammad Hossain Chowdhury was born on March 1,1926 in Sitakunda, Chittagong. After his schooling in Sitakunda he pursued higher education in Calcutta. He completed M.Com form Calcutta University in 1947. He served as Lecturer in Dhaka University from 1948 to 1950. He then took a higher degree in Commerce from London University and became a Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountant of England and Wales (ICAEW).His career as an entrepreneur started in 1962 and played a leading role in the establishment of a number of new ventures as Managing Director and Chairman.
He was elected a member of the Pakistan National Assembly in 1962 as an Independent candidate. He joined the Awami League in 1964 and was elected a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan in 1970 and a member of Bangladesh Jatiya Sangshad in 1973.After Liberation in 1972 he was appointed Minister of Commerce and Foreign Trade in the First Bangabandhu Cabinet.
Mr. M. R. Siddiqi was equally well known as a social worker. In 1958 MR Siddiqui joined the Lions Movement in East Pakistan. After the emergence of Bangladesh in 1972 Lion Siddiqi again took the lead to organize the Lions Clubs.He along with his colleague and close friend Deputy District Governor Lion Mohd. Khaled visited District after District to re-organize and form new clubs all over Bangladesh.His self less service and dedicated leadership over the years towards the cause of Lionism earned him the title of love from his fellow lions who came to regard him as “Father of Lionsim in Banglasdesh”in recognition of his service.He was the Forum chairman of “The 17th Africa and South West Asia Lions International Forum” held in Dhaka in 1989. Lion M. R. Siddiqi was District Governor for four terms of District-305E (Pakistan) for the year 1962-63, 1963-64 and District-315 (Bangladesh) for the year 1972-73, 1973-74, probably a record in Lionism.
He established Chittagong Lions Eye Hospital in 1963 and Chittagong Lions Foundation in 1966. Later he established Bangladesh Lions Foundation and as its chairman established Lions Eye Hospital in 1983 at Agargaon, Dhaka. Besides he was the chairman of OISCA (Bangladesh Chapter), chairman of Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industries Association (1984), convenor of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (1985), chairman of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (1985 and 1986), chairman of Underprivileged Children’s Education Programme (UCEP) Bangladesh (1988) and chairman of Bangladesh-Japan Friendship Society. He established Latifa Siddiqui Girls’ High School (1973) and Latifa Siddiqui Degree College (1985) at Kumira in Sitakunda. He died on 6 February 1992.