A torchbearer, a mentor
Women entrepreneurs yesterday fondly remembered the contribution of Rokia Afzal Rahman to entrepreneurship and the overall business sector, calling her a torchbearer and a mentor for countless businesswomen in Bangladesh.
Their heart-felt reactions came as the noted entrepreneur and business leader breathed her last at the Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore yesterday.
"We are really very sad about her demise. She was a pioneering woman entrepreneur in Bangladesh and she showed us the way," said Monowara Hakim Ali, president of the Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Rokia Rahman was the president of the Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (BFWE). In fact, she was the founding president of the platform.
She was also the founding president of the Women Entrepreneurs Association, which was formed in 1994, and headed the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the oldest trade body in Bangladesh, for two terms in 2013 and 2014.
She was also the vice-president of the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh, the local chapter of the largest business organisation in the world.
Monowara, also a former first vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said Rokia Rahman loved women entrepreneurs very much and always suggested they work for people.
"She will continue living among us. She believed that the nation will advance thanks to the advancement of women."
Monowara also shared her memories with the former adviser of the caretaker government.
"She always advised me to maintain a low profile. She advised us to be confident and to continue. We learnt a lot from her."
Rubana Huq, vice-chancellor of the Asian University for Women, said, "Humility is her other name. I write "is" just because Rokia Apa will continue to live amongst all of us beyond today, just because of her compassion."
"She is a friend and a mentor and will always continue to be one."
Huq, also a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, described Rokia Rahman's contribution to the SME sector of Bangladesh as outstanding.
"Her encouragement to young female entrepreneurs is exemplary. A woman of courage, vision and optimism, Rokia Apa, will always be in our hearts," Huq said.
Sadequa Hassan Sejuti, secretary general of the BFWE, said, "Following her demise, Bangladesh has lost an idol. We lost a legend."
She said Rokia Rahman was very humble.
"She worked for every human being. She helped everyone who came to her and sought help. Her humbleness was unique. And, despite being so successful, the way she mingled with people was unbelievable," said Sejuti, also the managing director of Amar Desh Amar Gram, an initiative that works to create computer and web access for lowest-income groups.
"She was visionary."
She said Rokia Rahman was very supportive of other businesswomen and personally helped them in marketing and branding.
"I learned from her every day while working with her at the BFWE."
Sharing memories, Sejuti said, "In my personal life, she was like a mother to me. She was my guardian and idol. Every woman who had worked with her will say the same."
Humaira Chowdhury, an executive committee member of the BFWE, said Rokia Rahman proved that women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh can establish businesses, run them and become successful.
She said Midas mini-mart was established under her leadership and women entrepreneurs could market their products and even export because of the stores.
"She led and helped develop leadership. She was a woman with a big heart. Woman entrepreneurs like me have been able to advance because of leaders like her," said Humaira, also the managing director of Frontier Technology.
Sharnalata Roy, a woman entrepreneur in Sylhet, said she received guidance from the noted entrepreneur from the beginning of her journey as a businesswoman.
Rokia Rahman also contributed to the progress of women entrepreneurs in the northern region, recalled Anowara Ferdousi Poly, president of the Rangpur Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"There was no business chamber for women entrepreneurs in the northern part of the country and she guided us," she said.
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