Remembering Quazi Azhar Ali

Quazi Azhar Ali was an outstanding and brilliant officer of the erstwhile Civil Service of Pakistan. Not only a civil servant, he was a reformer in the education and socio-economic fields. He was a dedicated philanthropist who founded many educational institutions and launched poverty eradication programmes.
Quazi Azhar Ali was born on March 10, 1934. He passed Matriculation and Intermediate from Mulghat High School and P.C. College, Bagerhat. He passed B.Sc (Hon's) and M.Sc from Dhaka University, with a first-class-first in M.Sc. He studied public administration in Cambridge University, UK, and obtained a Diploma. He got Master's Degree from Harvard University.
Azhar Ali was a teacher at M. M. College, Jessore, and later at M C College Sylhet and Dhaka University.
In1959 he joined the Civil Service of Pakistan and received foundation training in the Civil Service Academy, Lahore. After completion of training, he was posted to Rajbari as sub-divisional officer. On promotion, he was posted as deputy commissioner in Rangpur and Comilla districts. He also served as director general of BARD, Comilla.
Azhar Ali became the first secretary of BADC under Hatch Barnwell, I.C.S., who was the founder chairman. He was chairman Power Development Board, Tea Board, T.C.B, and FDC, Bangladesh. He also served as alternate Executive Director, Asian Development Bank. As a civil servant and secretary he represented Bangladesh in many important international conferences and seminars.
As a philanthropist patron of education and learning he established many educational institutions with his personal funds and raising subscription from the generous public.
The following are the educational institutions established by him:
* Bangladesh University, Mohammadpur;
* Mohammadpur Preparatory School and College;
* Sakina Azhar Technical College at Fakirhat, Bagerhat -- with his personal funds and his wife's pension
* Ashraf Uddin School and Khodeza Khatun Girls High School (in the name of his father and mother) at Fakirhat, Bagerhat.
* Fakirhat College;
* Rajbari College and Rajbari Girls High School;
* Khulna Public School and College.
Azhar Ali was one of the founder-members of Bangladesh Medical College and founder vice-chairman of Bangladesh Heart Foundation, Mirpur, Dhaka.
He was a man of courage, conviction and commitment. He was a man of sterling qualities of head and heart. He dedicated his retired life to the cause of education and socio-economic activities.
He established an NGO for poverty eradication. In the process, about 5,000 youths were trained in vocational fields and were suitably employed. A man of strong will and missionary zeal he overcame all obstacles and achieved success towards people's welfare.
In 1964, a communal riot broke out a Narayanganj. Though he was working as deputy secretary in the ministry of finance he was deputed to control it. Azhar Ali was equal to the task. With firmness and neutrality he controlled the riot. He earned the confidence of common men. He was appointed as administrator of Narayangonj Municipality.
Azhar Ali was founder president of Bagerhat Samity and greater Khulna Samity in Dhaka. He was honorary treasurer and secretary of the then East Pakistan Sports Federation. He worked hard towards development of Dhaka Stadium. During the cyclone in 1963 he was deputed for relief operation in Chittagong, Noakhali and Barisal.
He authored 15 books in English and Bengali on different subjects. He was loved and admired by his colleagues and common men. He will be long remembered for the services he rendered.
He is the pride of Fakirhat and a great man of Khulna.

Md. Sakhawat Hussain is a former Secretary.