A gift to society

For their extraordinary contributions in society, Akbar Ali Khan and Prof Rounaq Jahan were awarded the "Gunijon Sombardhana" by Daily Bonik Barta and Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies yesterday.

Many eminent personalities, government high ups, scholars and researchers gathered at the capital's Sonargaon hotel to honour the two distinguished individuals, who dedicated their lives for the welfare of people and society.

At the event, a family member of late Akbar Ali Khan and Rounaq Jahan received crests from Foreign Minister Abdul Momen and Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs adviser to the prime minister.

Khan was an adviser to the caretaker government, but he resigned from the post as he was unable to perform his duties as an adviser in 2006-07.

With an illustrious career in bureaucracy already, Khan turned into a well-reputed public intellectual for his research work and literature. The eminent economist passed away on September 7 this year.

Recalling memories, Momen said he had a very good relationship with Khan.

Momen said when Khan was the economic minister at the Bangladesh embassy in the US in 1989, there was a big flood in Bangladesh. The minister then formed a forum involving Bangladeshis in the US to collect funds for the flood-hit people.

Back then, Khan had advised Momen to involve India and Nepal, and it was a great idea, Momen said, recalling his memories with Khan.

With an illustrious career in bureaucracy already, Khan turned into a well-reputed public intellectual for his research work and literature. The eminent economist passed away on September 7.

The foreign minister also said he has been acquainted with Jahan, a distinguished fellow and trustee of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), for a long time.

Jahan was a senior research scholar and adjunct professor of international affairs at the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University, US.

She was also a professor of political science at Dhaka University, and headed the women's programme at UN Asia-Pacific Development Centre, Kuala Lumpur and the International Labour Office, Geneva.

On top of that, she was a research fellow at Harvard, Chicago and Boston universities in the US and Chr Michelsen Institute in Norway.

Prof Jahan received her PhD in political science from Harvard University. She is the author of several internationally acclaimed books and numerous articles. Most of her research focuses on issues of politics, governance, gender, development and health.

At the event, Jahan recalled her struggles while studying. As her father was a government employee, she had to study at different schools in her early life. But she passed an amazing time as a student at Harvard, where she learnt that the sky's the limit.

Jahan is the author of several internationally acclaimed books and numerous articles. Most of her research focuses on issues of politics, governance, gender, development and health.

Mashiur Rahman said yesterday was a special day for him, as two of his close friends have been awarded.

Rahman also suggested translating Jahan's English books into Bangla, to make them accessible to the country's people.

CPD Chairperson Rehman Sobhan reminisced about his interactions and experiences with Khan.

About Jahan, Sobhan said her works have done wonders for society, he said, adding that she played a vital role for women's empowerment.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said from being a village resident, Jahan got into Harvard and also taught there. This is a great example of women's rise to the top. She is an inspiration for many.

And Akbar Ali Khan exemplified a bureaucrat, who had such sharp intellect and was administratively so competent, he said.

Anam suggested creating a culture of honouring such distinguished personalities.

Shamsul Alam, state minister for planning; Salehuddin Ahmed and Atiur Rahman, two former governors of Bangladesh Bank; and Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman at Power and Participation Research Centre, also spoke.

Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud moderated the event.