Comparative pen picture on the life and works of president Zia and Dr Yunus
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
The late President Ziaur Rahman and Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus represent a unified spirit in thought and philosophy.
Although one was a military leader and the other a civilian, both serve as enduring symbols of reality, distinguished by their talent, creativity, and commitment to societal advancement. They exemplify purity and simplicity, standing as embodiments of beauty, grace, and moral excellence.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in his personal and professional life, has been a dedicated teacher. He cultivated himself through the ideals and virtues of education and, through his tireless efforts, secured a place among the esteemed figures recognized globally.
Both individuals consistently demonstrated an unquenchable desire and persistent effort to elevate human life toward dignity and excellence. One remains among us, the other has departed, yet the sincerity inherent in both remains unquestionable.
The late President Ziaur Rahman exhibited a profound dedication to life, civilization, cultural refinement, etiquette, self-respect, clarity of thought, and consciousness. Through these qualities, he established his presence on the world stage. The same characteristics are evident in Professor Dr. Yunus. Through their shared virtues, they have contributed to setting global standards in leadership and human development. Both figures advanced society and the nation through their courage, intellectual depth, and visionary thinking.
President Ziaur Rahman, in particular, played an unwavering and self-assured role in national leadership alongside his military service. His legacy continues to be revered, with thousands of followers and administrators paying tribute to his dedication and sacrifice.
His honesty, sense of justice, and discipline continue to inspire. He led the people and the country with remarkable intelligence and bravery, organizing the masses and inspiring the youth to embody honesty, integrity, and ideal leadership. His encouragement awakened thousands from complacency. He envisioned a society where the 36 crore hands of 18 crore people would become productive forces driving national prosperity.
He was deeply committed to alleviating the suffering of marginalized communities, striving to uplift the underprivileged through empowerment and inclusive development. President Zia chose to stand among the people, acting not as a distant leader but as a friend and companion of the masses.
In Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, we witness the continuation of these ideals, values, and aspirations, serving as a testament to their shared legacy of service to humanity.
Muhammad Yunus was born on 28 June 1940 in a Bengali Muslim family in the village of Bathua, Shikarpur Union, Hathazari Upazila, Chittagong, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh).
He is the third of nine siblings. His father was Haji Dula Mia Sawdagar, a Zahuri, and his mother was Sufia Khatun. He spent his childhood in the village.
In 1944, his family moved to Chittagong city and he moved from his village school to Lamabazar Primary School. In 1949, his mother began to suffer from mental illness. Later, he passed the matriculation examination from Chittagong Collegiate School and ranked 16th among 39,000 students in East Pakistan.
In 1976, while visiting poor families in the village of Jobra near Chittagong University, Yunus discovered that very small loans could make a very significant difference to poor people. The women of the village who made bamboo furniture had to take loans at high interest rates to buy bamboo and pay their profits to the lenders.
Traditional banks did not want to give small loans to the poor at reasonable interest because of the risk of high loan defaults. But Yunus believed that, given the opportunity, microcredit could be a viable business model so that the poor would not have to pay high interest, but could keep the profits of their own labor. Yunus loaned Tk856 from his own money to 42 women in the village, who received Tk 0.50 (US $0.02) per loan. That is why Yunus is credited with the concept of microcredit.
Yunus was the first Bangladeshi to ever get a Nobel Prize. He established Grameen Bank in 1983, which plays a significant role in poverty alleviation in various countries of the world including Bangladesh. In 2006, he and the Grameen Bank he founded jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.
After receiving the news of the important award, Yunus announced that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million (equivalent to $2.18 million in 2024) award money to create a company to make low-cost, high-nutrition food for the poor; while the rest would go towards establishing the Yunus Science and Technology University in his home district as well as setting up an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh.
Ziaur Rahman is one of the great heroes in the history of Bangladesh, remembered for his courage, leadership, and contributions to the nation’s development. He was born on January 19, 1936, in Gabtali, Bogura, into an ordinary family. From an early age, qualities like discipline, perseverance, and patriotism were deeply ingrained in his personality.
After completing his education, he joined the Pakistan Army, where he quickly rose through the ranks because of his intelligence and bravery. However, it was during the Liberation War of 1971 that he truly became a national figure. It was Ziaur Rahman who, from the Kalurghat radio station, first declared the independence of Bangladesh.
His bold voice inspired millions to join the fight for freedom, and he himself fought courageously on the frontlines. For his bravery, he was awarded the title “Bir Uttom,” one of the highest gallantry awards in Bangladesh.
Finally, it can be said that the late President Ziaur Rahman and Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus are two unique figures of their time and era. Both stand as enduring symbols of visionary leadership. They will forever be remembered in the hearts of Bengalis as torchbearers of peace, progress, and universal brotherhood.
Therefore, at this critical juncture, let us pledge to support Professor Dr. Yunus wholeheartedly, in his efforts to guide the nation through its current challenges and lead it toward a brighter future.
(The author is a former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and Rotary Learning Facilitator, Rotary Club, Dhaka Elite).