IPDC Ogroj: Anisul Islam Mahmud looks back on his legacy and contribution towards Society

Anisul Islam Mahmud is a distinguished member of the Jatiya Party. He first came to prominence in 1979, when he was elected as an MP in the Chittagong-5 constituency. He has been elected 6 times as the MP of Chittagong-5 for his valiant public work. His contribution to the countries political landscape is irredeemable. He was previously the Minister of Environment and Forest in the Cabinet of Bangladesh as well. Moreover, he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shasha Denims Ltd.

Born on 20th December 1947, in Chittagong, this iconic figure has an academic background that signifies what an intellectual he is. He was a Lecturer of Economics at the University of Dhaka from 1969 to 1970, a Senior Research Associate in Economics at the University of East Anglia from 1972 to 1973, and Lecturer of Economics at the University of Hertfordshire from 1973 to 1977.

While talking about his childhood and parents, He talked about how his father involving his mother in their Business, as well as the tragic death of his father in a plane crash. His father was the 2^nd person to open up a textile mill in the Pre-Bangladesh Era.

"My mother was very sick at the time of my father's untimely passing. Yet, she persevered through it and took care of us brothers and sisters with her all. She had a keen business sense as well since my father involved her in the business as much as he could in the early days. I would have been nowhere without the hard work and care my mother put into growing me up. My mother always pushed me to strive for the best, urging me to go abroad to obtain higher education".

He also attributed a lot of his success to his Cadet college, which helped him shape his core and made him more disciplined and focused. He briefly spoke of how he was introduced to politics when he was studying at Chattogram College. 

"When I got into Dhaka University, I was blessed to have so many future intellectual figures of our country studying with me. I quickly got involved in the political environment surrounding Dhaka University as well. We had some really memorable time during those years. Then I joined as a faculty in 1969 in the Department of Economics in Dhaka University."

Talking about the time he got married, He said, "A lot of the things in our life depends on luck. Thanks to the all mighty, I was lucky in the department and she has been the rock of my life ever since."

He talked about his Political Life, how his journey in Jatiya Party started for his love towards Democracy and how they brought about a change in the political atmosphere within the nation. He spoke about his time as a Minister of Environment and Forest, which he took up as a request from Hussain Muhammad Ershad. He momentarily talked about some of the key initiatives and policies he implemented, especially regarding sharing water with Nepal. He spoke about how preserving and maintaining the dams have severely reduced the floods within our nation in the last decade, Yet the situation might turn sour if they are not maintained properly. He also talked about his contribution to the Education Board and centralizing the schools and colleges nationally within the country. He touched upon his time in the foreign ministry as well, which he states were the toughest and turbulent task in his Government tenure. 

He talked about his hobbies during the segment, which includes photography, playing cricket, and flying planes. He likes to spend time with his family and friend nowadays.

He also spoke about the contribution of the younger generation throughout the years and during the ensuing pandemic. He said that the country is progressing rapidly especially because of the contribution of the younger generation. He touched upon and praised the government for focusing on the Youth and their education. He also urged them to make Education more accessible and Digital for our youth to take our country to the next height. He thoroughly emphasized how the Youth have completely changed the Digital Landscape of this country in the last couple of years.

The segment wrapped up with him imploring the youths of our nation to develop this country into a Digitally Sustainable country to compete with a bigger nation.

"I urge the youth to have faith, trust and love for their nation. To grow themselves into better versions to propel the country to stages which it has not reached yet. The countries fate rests upon your hands and I have full faith in your ability to adapt and conquer".

IPDC Finance Ltd presents Ogroj takes place from 8 pm-9 pm every first and third Thursday of the month. Guests on previous episodes include ex-Finance Secretary Matiul Islam, CPD Founder-Chairperson Prof Rehman Sobhan, Adcomm Limited Chairperson Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, ex-Finance Minister AMA Muhith, ex-Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Farashuddin Ahmed, ACI Limited Chairperson M Anis Ud Dowla, novelist Selina Hossain, ex-Finance Minister M Syeduzzaman, MediaWorld Limited Chairperson Rokia Afzal Rahman, composer Shujeyo Shyam, and dramatist Ramendu Majumdar.