Following the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975, his name was removed from educational institutions, the media, and government organisations. Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Bangabandhu's grandson, witnessed this erasure firsthand during his childhood in Dhaka in the 1980s.
Today marks Radwan Mujib's birthday. He was born on this day in 1980 to Bangabandhu's youngest daughter, Sheikh Rehana. A trustee of Centre for Research and Information (CRI), Radwan has spoken about his childhood experiences. He recalled how, at school, many had never heard of his grandfather. His classmates would ask, "Who is your Bangabandhu nana (grandfather)?" Teachers would react with fear, instructing him not to mention Bangabandhu's name.
Determined to reintroduce Bangabandhu to the youth, Radwan initiated the creation of the graphic novel series “Mujib.” This 10-part series, based on Bangabandhu's unfinished autobiography, has captivated children, adolescents, and young adults alike, making the country's history accessible through engaging storytelling. The graphic novel's popularity led to the release of another based on Bangabandhu's “Amar Dekha Naya Chin” (The New China as I Saw It), which also garnered significant attention at the Ekushey Boi Mela.
Radwan explained, "How will we teach the young generation, how will we reach them? The point is, we have to speak their language." Thus, a graphic novel was created to communicate Bangabandhu's legacy to the youth.
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Radwan also played a crucial role in producing the docudrama “Hasina: A Daughter's Tale,” which chronicles how Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived the 1975 massacre and their journey back to Bangladesh driven by a sense of duty. The docudrama resonated deeply with young people and received international acclaim.
Though Radwan prefers to work behind the scenes, his efforts have significantly inspired the youth. As a trustee of CRI, he empowers youth through the Young Bangla initiative, which boasts over 3 million members and organises events like the Joy Bangla Youth Award and the Joy Bangla Concert.
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Radwan emphasises the need to give more responsibility to the youth, asserting that young people should be involved in all sectors, from business and politics to NGOs.
Under Radwan's leadership, Young Bangla facilitates internship programs in various ministries, connecting young people with government activities. This initiative has been so successful that the Bangladesh Cabinet has issued a gazette to expand internship opportunities. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has become a member of Young Bangla, underscoring its importance.
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Radwan, who graduated in Governance and History from the London School of Economics and Political Science, also did his Masters in Comparative Politics from the same institution. Radwan Mujib is the editor-in-chief of the policy-based magazine “Whiteboard”, published by CRI.