Mr. E. A. Chowdhury

Not many Bengalis could claim a place in our hearts for their work obsession and public spiritedness. A distinguished soul among those very few who made an indelible impression for their intense work ethic and concern for the welfare of others was late Mr. E. A. Chowdhury who breathed his last on January 28, 2009.
It is indeed a sad commentary on our social responsiveness that the sterling qualities of a personality of Mr. E.A. Chowdhury's stature went unnoticed by the public eye for such a long time. Cynics would hasten to add that Bengalis become adorable only after they pass away. It is in these circumstances that this writer remembers Mr. Chowdhury with a tinge of guilt and grief.
E.A. Chowdhury was gifted with a flair for writing, no wonder he was the editor of the school and college magazines. He succeeded in bringing out a hand-written magazine. He studied in Sylhet Government High School, did his BA (Honours) in History from M.C. College, Sylhet and M.A in International Relations from Dhaka University. While serving as lecturer at Feni college he sat for the central superior services examination.
Mr. E. A. Chowdhury was appointed to the Police Service of Pakistan in 1954 and retired in 1986 after serving as Inspector General of Police for two years. During his eventful career he held charges of greater districts like Mymensingh, Dhaka and Jessore and acted as DIG of Chittagong range and Special Branch. Before becoming IGP he performed creditably as Additional IGP finance and development at the Police Headquarters.
Mr. E.A. Chowdhury had the distinction of being the first Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, in whose creation he contributed significantly by framing the draft ordinance and arranging physical accommodation for expanding police units. He evinced admirable interest in developmental work and the expansive police facilities in Uttara and Mirpur became a reality due to his persistent efforts. The police officers' mess in a prime location at Dhaka and the Chittagong Police Bhavan owe their creation to his unceasing devotion.
Concern for others, particularly in adversity brings, into focus our personality traits, and this was demonstrated in good measure by Mr. Chowdhury during the instable days of 1971, when he was Superintendent of Police, Dhaka. Many lives and property were saved due to his timely intervention.
Late E.A. Chowdhury was truly workaholic for he could work for sixteen hours a day. He relished helping his colleagues in accomplishing their task. He would often do the work of others ungrudgingly and in a pleasant manner; this was positive arrogation.
The untimely death of his young son in a road accident did not deter him from public duties, and he served creditably as chairman, Pubali Bank for many years after his retirement from public service. He also continued to grace the position of president of the Jalalabad Association, a body for the welfare of residents of greater Sylhet, and actively involved himself in the promotional activities. His was an exemplary, public-spirited life. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a columnist for The Daily Star.