Samson H Chowdhury's death anniversary today

Samson H Chowdhury

Today is the seventh death anniversary of Samson H Chowdhury, the founder of Square Group.

On this day in 2012, the visionary entrepreneur and industrialist passed away at Raffles Hospital in Singapore at the age of 86.

Samson Chowdhury left behind an unmatched legacy of entrepreneurship and industrialisation.

He built up from scratch Square Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Bangladesh, and set an example of ethical business that is certain to inspire many others in the years to come.

Born on February 25, 1926 in Pabna, Samson H Chowdhury was the eldest child of Eakub H Chowdhury and Latika Chowdhury. Educated in Mymensingh and Kolkata, he also obtained a diploma in management from a Harvard University school.

Samson Chowdhury, son of a medical officer in an outdoor dispensary, started a small pharmacy at Ataikula in Pabna in 1952. It was beginning of the country's one of the leading pharmaceutical companies that eventually became the Square Group.

He was awarded the Best Entrepreneur of the Country for the year 2000-2001 by The Daily Star and DHL. The American Chamber in Bangladesh honoured him as Business Executive of the Year in 1998.

He was founder president of Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies and vice-president of International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh.

He was also the chairman of Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd. He opened an orphanage in 1985 for poor Christian children at his ancestral residence in Ataikula in 1985.

Pabna people will remember Samson H Chowdhury today. Daylong programmes, including a discussion at Pabna Press Club, will be held, marking his seventh death anniversary.