‘I have nothing more to ask for’

Not just for Awami League, Tofail Ahmed is one of the most important personalities in Bangladesh politics. He was an elected vice president of Ducsu, one of the central architects of the mass uprisings of 1969, a close confidante of Bangabandhu and one of the pathfinders of AL during tough times. The political icon recently announced that he has decided to donate all his liquid and non-liquid assets for the benefit of people. Why did he take such a decision? In an interview with The Daily Star, he talks about the decision.

The Daily Star (DS): The decision to donate all your wealth -- did you suddenly take it?

Tofail Ahmed: Not at all. It has been a long-term plan that I will not keep anything.

Let me tell you a story that motivated me. One day, Alexander the Great called in some important individuals who sided with him, and gave them three instructions.

"if I die, four doctors should carry my coffin. Those will be the ones who have treated me. Secondly, whatever I have earned should be given away. It should be distributed in the area where I'm to be buried. Thirdly, both my hands should be hanging out of the sides of the coffin," he said.

People will ask you about the reasons behind these actions, right? The reasons are, doctors can treat and sometimes, cure people, but they cannot keep someone alive.

And whatever I've earned has no value; I'm departing with empty hands. I'm going back from where I came. This gesture will remind everyone that they, too, will have to depart empty handed.

DS: But you have children…

Tofail: I have a daughter; she and her husband are established doctors. After my elder brother passed away, a son was born. I raised him as my own. None of them are my dependents. That leaves my wife and I. If I talk about my property, I really don't have that much. I own a house in Banani, and another in Bhola. The Banani house was built upon a piece of land granted to me by Bangabandhu, on my wife's name. She donated it to our daughter. Now my daughter is building a big hospital in Bhola. I'm not sure from where she'll manage so much money. If needed, she'll sell the Banani house.

I have another property in Bhola. Maybe I will get Tk 20 crore from selling it. I've donated it to Tofail Ahmed Foundation. I have some tax-paid cash in bank. The poor and needy will receive help from that fund.

DS: Even now, you help many. Sometimes we get wind of such news.

Tofail: I do it because I feel good about it. I don't do it to let people know.

DS: How do you help them?

Tofail: A disabled person's car got stolen while he was praying. He was crying inconsolably. I bought him a car with Tk 1.73 lakh. Channel i had reported about a tenth grader who got burnt in an accident. I decided to give her Tk 1 lakh. Similarly, I have listed many children's names and contacts. Every month some money gets transferred to their accounts from my bank account. Many of my friends and well-wishers help me with the foundation. I have built "Fatema Khanam Complex" in my mother's name, which has establishments like a high school, degree college, mother and child development centre, Liberation War museum, etc. I have built a beautiful old home with all modern facilities. It has ten rooms; each can house eight persons. Whenever I visit, I share a meal with them, and my son takes care of the arrangements.

DS: Are you disappointed with anything, or is there any feeling of disappointment acting within you?

Tofail: I'm a very satisfied human being. This is because I was with Bangabandhu.

DS: Can you give as an idea of the total amount of wealth or money that you intend to donate?

Tofail: I have some land that I have procured during different times. In 1988, I bought a piece of land in Adabar with my brother-in-law for Tk 4 lakh. After giving it to a developer, we got 18 apartments, of which nine came into my possession. I sold five of those for Tk 2.5 crore. This amount will go to the foundation. I gave the remaining four to my impoverished family members. There is a nine-bigha land in Kaliakair. I will sell it and donate the money to the foundation, too. There is a 1.5-bigha land at the side of Rampura. One person owed me Tk 13 lakh. He gave me the land instead of money. I'll sell it and donate the money to the foundation.

I'm a common man from Bhola. Bangabandhu should get all the credit for the Tofail Ahmed I have become. He dedicated his life for the wellbeing of others. I have also tried to adapt that same motto. Whatever I have now, I have decided to give it away for the benefit of mankind. I've received everything in life and I've nothing more to ask.

(Translated from Bangla by Mohammed Ishtiaque Khan)