Banik Barta, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), organised the ‘Gunijan Shongbordhona 2025’ (Eminent Persons’ Felicitation 2025) on Tuesday evening, honouring three distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to the country.
The eighth edition of the event was held at Radisson Blu Water Garden in the capital.
The programme began with an opening address by BIDS Director General Prof Dr A K Enamul Haque, while Banik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud conducted the event.
This year’s honourees included renowned entrepreneur and former adviser to two caretaker governments Syed Manzur Elahi (posthumously); eminent academic, researcher, economist and former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Dr Amirul Islam Chowdhury; and internationally acclaimed scientist Dr Firdausi Qadri for her contributions to vaccine innovation, testing, application and infectious disease research in Bangladesh.
Paying tributes to the honourees, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said the nation feels proud to honour three distinguished individuals who played glorious roles in their respective fields.
“Following in the footsteps of such eminent personalities, we will move Bangladesh forward more rapidly. Let this be our collective commitment today,” he said.
Speaking about Prof Dr Amirul Islam Chowdhury, Dr Salehuddin described him as a humble and knowledgeable individual who was successful both as a teacher and as an administrator, including his work at Gono Bishwabidyalay.
Referring to Dr Firdausi Qadri, he said she demonstrated unmatched dedication to scientific research, while recalling her late husband Dr Saladin Qadri as a close friend.
About Syed Manzur Elahi, the finance adviser said he was a soft-spoken individual who built numerous successful institutions with his own hands and brought a true revolution in business and commerce.
“Manzur Elahi in business, Amirul Islam Chowdhury in research, and Firdausi Qadri in science made extraordinary contributions. It is such visionary individuals who have brought Bangladesh this far,” he added, praising Banik Barta for consistently honouring eminent personalities.
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant and former student of Prof Amirul Islam Chowdhury, Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, said Prof Amirul was among a rare group of exceptional teachers. He also described Syed Manzur Elahi as an outstanding personality and acknowledged Dr Firdausi Qadri’s contribution in demonstrating how science serves humanity.
Former adviser to the caretaker government and Executive Chairman of PPRC Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said Bangladesh today needs three qualities most—decency, professionalism and responsibility—which he personally witnessed in Prof Amirul Islam Chowdhury.
Recalling his role in establishing Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, Dr Hossain said setting up a university in the monga-prone region was a significant and visionary initiative.
ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman said the late Syed Manzur Elahi made immense contributions to the country quietly and played a crucial role in keeping the caretaker government above controversy during his tenure as adviser.
CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun, a former student of Prof Amirul Islam Chowdhury, said she learned from him how to connect economic theory with real-life experiences, noting his integrity, modest lifestyle and ethical values.
More than 500 distinguished guests from various sectors attended the programme.
Since 2014, Banik Barta and BIDS have been jointly honouring eminent individuals who have made significant contributions to national development, policymaking, research and socio-economic progress. The 2025 event marked the eighth edition of the prestigious recognition programme.