The outstanding achievements of Bangladeshis in 2021

With the next year knocking at our doors, it is almost time to bid adieu to 2021 – and what an eventful year it has been! Among the many affairs, it has been a year full of hopes and disappointments, lessons and learnings, greetings and goodbyes, happiness and sorrow, and most importantly, achievements – lots of them.

While several Bangladeshis have taken proud strides of success in various fields and attaining new heights of achievements throughout this year, there are among them some noteworthy people who have earned their names in the hall of fame for the days to come. These luminaries range across several sectors from science to culinary art to sports and everything in between.

So, let's take a look back at this exceptional year and re-celebrate the accomplishments as of one of our own. 

Kishwar Chowdhury
Culinary Arts
Kishwar has won the hearts of millions of Bengalis worldwide not only for bagging the third position in popular reality show MasterChef Australia Season 13, but also for staying true to her roots and proudly putting our local cuisine on the global food map for the world to see. 

Azmeri Haque Badhon
Entertainment
Badhon played the role of the eponymous lead actress in "Rehana Maryam Noor," the first Bangladeshi film to feature in the highly regarded Un Certain Regard section in the 74th Cannes Film Festival. Post screening, it received a standing ovation from the audience which was a matter of great pride..

Avik Anwar
Sports
Avik made history by being the first Bangladeshi international motorsports winner and Bangladesh Rallycross champion, who has won three races so far in the NGK Pro Car Championship in UAE. Hailing from a country where professional motorsports is non-existent, this was a tremendous milestone achieved.  

Tasnuva Anan Shishir
Media
Shishir shattered stereotypes and gender biased roles as she was appointed as the first ever transgender newscaster in Bangladesh by Boishakhi TV. A talented actor and model, she is also an advocate for the rights of the transgender community and this achievement was fruition of her tireless efforts. 

Dr Firdausi Qadri
Science
Dr Qadri has been honoured with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award recognising her contributions to vaccine development, advanced biotechnological therapeutics, and critical research that have been saving millions of lives along with her lifelong devotion towards the scientific profession to build appropriate human and physical infrastructure to benefit others.

Sadia Khanom
Invention
Sadia played a vital role in the global fight against Covid-19 as she developed a revolutionary disinfectant spray called "Voltique" that has the capability to fight all pathogens on any surface including that of coronavirus. It is deemed as one of the biggest breakthroughs of the pandemic.

Marina Tabassum
Architecture
Marina is the first architect from the global south to win the prestigious 2021 Soane Medal presented by Sir John Soane's Museum. Her passion to design buildings considering their natural environments, while embracing the design challenges of sustainability and collective impact on the planet led to this feat.             

Photo: LS Archive/ Sazzad Ibne Sayed/ Hoichoi/Collected