Love for country, not for money

Reputed around the world, scientist Dr Bijon Kumar Sil says he has been working for the love of his motherland Bangladesh and its people and not for money.

"I have worked in Singapore and if you consider the financial aspect, it was handsome pay. Even when I worked in an organisation based in USA, the financial benefits were 10 times higher than the benefits I am enjoying in Bangladesh," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

Bijon, who is now a citizen of Singapore, made the remarks at a time when the issue of his nationality is being discussed by some media outlets that have reported that he was relieved of his duties from Gono University as he does not have an employment visa.

"I was born in a very ordinary family [in Natore] but have grown up with love from people around me," said Dr Sil, adding that his love for the people of this country was the driving force behind continuing as lead scientist of Gono University.

He further said that he took up the Singapore citizenship under special circumstances decades back.

"I worked there but that does not mean I forgot Bangladesh or that this is my motherland. I don't know exactly who is creating such debate and with what motive," said Dr Sil.

Dr Sil also said that he has the opportunity to work in Singapore and other countries; an opportunity that will remain open for him in the future.

The Daily Star also got in touch with Gonoshasthaya Kendra regarding Dr Sil's current status and complications regarding the work permit.

Dr Sil had two years' "employment visa" which expired in July. He applied for a visa and a one-year extension but did not get the work permit, said an official of the public university.

Gono University has already applied for his work permit and it is under process, said the official. Authorities have sought a few more papers which were also provided accordingly.

"We need Dr Sil. Bangladesh needs him. Students are reaping the benefits of having such an internationally acclaimed scientist. He does research work in our university. It's a matter of huge pride for us," Laila Parvin Banu, vice Chancellor of the university, told The Daily Star.

"We hope he will get the work permit soon," she added. "There is no question of relieving him. He is with Gono University."

Gonoshasthaya Kendra'sfounder Zafrullah Chowdhury said, "Some media outlets published reports that said Dr Bijon Kumar Sil was relieved from the university. It is a blatant lie. This information is not only misleading but disrespectful for him."

Born and brought up in Banpara of Natore, Bijon Kumar Sil worked as a researcher at the BSMMU along with professor Dr Nazrul Islam on dengue in 2002. He then worked for a while at the institute of Livestock Research in Savar.

"I made some breakthroughs while working there. Usually the research examination was done on plastic but I did it on glass and successful. The benefit of my invention was that the glass can be reused," Dr Sil said while reflecting on the early days of his scientific work.

An academic article on Bijon's invention was published in a French journal after which the Singapore government proposed him to join its civil service.

"I decided to go to Singapore. I had to go through a procedure. I talked with some high-placed Singapore officials, of whom some had come from other countries. I joined the civil service after taking citizenship of Singapore," Bijon said, adding that Singapore built up its human resources by bringing people from various countries.

According to Singaporean law, there is no scope of dual citizenship, that's why Sil said he had to surrender his Bangladeshi citizenship.

He was assigned to do research on dengue. But when the Sars virus hit the world, he was assigned for research on the virus. In 2003, he invented the testing kit for Sars which earned him global fame.

Till 2006, he worked in Singapore civil service and then joined a California-based organisation and worked there till 2013.

During that time, he invented Multisure hepatitis-C rapid test kit. He then worked in India for a while and then returned to Singapore again. In the meantime, he got 14 patents under his name. Five of his kits are approved by the European Union.

In 2019, he came to Bangladesh following an invitation by BMRC. At the beginning of January this year, when the coronavirus hit China, he informed Zafrullah Chowdhury about the danger of Covid-19.

"I have known Zafrullah sir for a long time. I informed him about my research on Sars virus and testing kit. I told him that I want to do research on coronavirus atGonoshasthaya Kendra and he agreed. I joined Gono University's microbiology department as its chairman," said Dr Sil.

He also led a four-member research team to develop antigen and antibody test kits for Covid-19.

Zafrullah said Singapore and China used Sil's talent to successfully combat the Sars virus.

"He [Bijon] came voluntarily to Bangladesh and should we not use his talent? If he leaves, whose loss is it? It is our loss; it is the loss of Bangladesh."

The Gonoshasthya Kendra founder also asked, "Thousands of foreigners are working in Bangladesh. How many of them have work permits?

"We are not saying that he should be allowed to work without a work permit. We have applied for it and will surely get it," said Chowdhury.

Coordinator of the GR Covid-19 rapid dot blot project, Dr Muhibullah Khandaker said those who are trying to create controversy have no idea about Dr Sil's credentials and his love for the country.

"As the issue of his work permit is pending, he is not taking his salary," he added.