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Sapnil Chowdhury is a passionate go-getter, who dabbled in acting, volunteering, and sports, among his other interests, throughout the years. He was born and brought up in Brahmanbaria until he moved to Dhaka to pursue a Bachelor's in Business Administration from American International University Bangladesh (AIUB). We caught up with him to find out more about his work.

Tell us a little about yourself.

 Since my days in school, I actively participated in cultural and sports-based events and activities. I would get awards for winning competitions then. During my days as an undergraduate, I tried to participate in co-curricular activities just as much, and eventually got associated with a theatrical production, called "Charuneedam", directed by renowned actor and director Gazi Rakayet Hossain. I earned the opportunity of acting in various television shows, and on the stage of Shilpakala Academy. While studying for my MBA at AIUB, 10 students were selected to participate in the Yoshy Cultural Exchange Program in Japan and I was one of the lucky 10 among thousands to have been selected to represent our culture in Japan for the 15-day tour. Afterwards I wrote the Bengali biography "Jersey No. 96" about cricketer Rana which was published during the 2019 book fair. I am now currently working at a private bank after being done with my MBA.

How were you inspired to write the book?

I have always loved cricket and wanted to play it myself, but I could not succeed in truly pursuing it due to the lack of support from my family. Eventually, I decided to pay attention to my education. That did not prevent me from wanting to write about cricket. It took me around three years to finish writing the book and I was very determined to write about someone who deserves to be more known. I had to stay in Khulna for 15 days while in the process of writing the book and I had to leave my job then because I was not allowed the 15 day leave. I learned a lot about cricketer Manjural Islam Rana in Khulna. 

You have also been recognised for your charity work. What kind of work do you do?

There is an organisation, called Adhare Alo, founded by Dr Taufiqul Islam Mithil, which helps women and children in need and it is in Brahmanbaria. I try to buy the necessary items for them. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we distributed food for 15 days, three consecutive times. With the help of my family on the other hand, I arranged for food to be provided for the needy in my hometown for around a month. From a humanitarian aspect, I try to do as much as I can for feminist movements together with my friends from DU.

The author is a freelance journalist. Email: nawarzareen@gmail.com.