AHM Nouman
So far my memory reveals, I feel worthy to be known with and for Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yunus from the year 1973-74. As a developent practioner, mostly in reference with exercising Total Village Development (TVD), Shawnirvar Movement, Gram Sarkar–Shawnirvar Gram Sarkar of the then President Ziaur Rahman. With all others innovative and pathfinding activities for national building, finally during Micro- Credit Exercise stands as a successful foundation. The senior citizens mainly of development sector scenerio, is well known with all the mentioned programes- movement. All has success and failures too. On the contrary out of all, structured sustainable Micro Credit programs are proven successful and well acknowledged globaly. Dr. Yunus is the Micro Credit Pioneer and Noble Peace Prize winner in the year 2006.
I feel so proud to be known with D. Yunus while Mr. Mahbub Alam Chasi, a diplomate turned to a farmer, was the main bridger- my great path finder. Janab Chasi, was the Foreign Secretary, Government of Bangladesh during our blood shed Freedom Fighting War in the year 1971.
However, a booklet was published by DORP at the eve of Micro Credit Summit held at Halifax, Canada, 12-15 November 2006 Dhaka, written by me while Dr Yunush was the Champion. The title of the booklet was Micro Credit Summit – subtitle was: Dr. Yunus, a Dreamer – a Continuous Runner.
The booklet states:- On Dr. Yunus winning the Noble Peace Prize we are also proud and elated. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a dreamer, a Philosopher and an Activist – all in one. While he talks, he inspires. He talks in rhythm; he is a continuous runner. He calls a spade a spade and avoids controversy. He does not believe in empty emotion. He doesn’t sidetrack reality and he has proven all these by establishing Grameen Bank. He has taken bank credit to the doorsteps of the poor. Today millions of poor people, especially women like Razia of Shivaloy has broken through the chains of poverty. It didn’t happen in a day. The road was not smooth and silky, nor risk- free. The concept of small credit has now spread all over the world. Dr. Yunus is its Architect.
This concept achieved formal recognition on September 26, 1976through “ Dheki Rin Project’’ of Bangladesh Bank, after crossing a long way of formation groups, savings of morsel-full of rice, persuading Bangladesh Bank for recognition and all that. At last, Bangladesh Bank issued a circular: Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka, Agriculture Credit Department, Letter No. ACD (Proj).502/78-5002(7), Dated: 26.9.1978, The Managing Directors of all, Nationalized Banks & Bangladesh Krishi Bank, DACCA. Sub: Norms and Economics of Paddy Processing Scheme (Dheki Loan) to `the effect that poor people’ might be given credit facility without co-lateral. The casement was now open to the poor.
Innovative workers of poor strata got enthused. They went forward crossing all hurdles. But Dr. Yunus didn’t stop there. Subsequently, he established a separate bank for the poor- The Grameen Bank. He foresaw that without a separate bank of the poor, micro-credit program would not sustain long, the vested interested quarters would someday bring an end of this. They would try to proven that poor people were not worthy of any credit. So, indomitable Dr. Yunus, through trials and errors, from jobra (Chattogram) to Tangail project, proved it beyond doubt that “ the poorer, the best Bankerer.’’ The world has now accorded recognition to Dr. Yunus by awarding him the Noble Peace Prize 2006.
Now, the project of driving away poverty has to be further solidified by closing the loopholes, if any. All conspiracies against the poor have to be thwarted now. All antagonists have to be taken care of. It has been enunciated that poverty has been eliminated from Bangladesh, so it can be eliminated from all over the world.
Dr. Yunus had expressed through a TV channel on October 14, 2006 that poverty could be eradicated from Bangladesh within a span of 25 years from now. Through his speeches, writings, media talks and all that, it is transparent that over the last two and a half decade he has also developed the road map for the eradication of poverty.
Now, it is time for materializing the road-map, time for reaping the harvest. The responsibility is now bestowed on all of us. We have to throng behind Dr. Yunus to help him go farther. Now, there is no room for hesitation or looking back. Now we have only to go forward. We have to negate this society to bring forth a new one. We have to strive for a society, were exploitation, disparity, corruption, violence etc. Will be non-existent, where the entire people, irrespective of sex, creed or color shall live in perpetual peace. Dr. Yunus has shown us path to it.
Many people may recollect that when Dr. Kamal Hossain was announcing the formation of his political front “Gonoforum’’ Dr. Yunus presented a written speech on that occasion. The caption of it was “Political speech by a Non-political Person’’. In 2006, it got published in different media. Another article captioned “Clean & Capable Candidate Movement.’’ At last, his article 100 Days Work Program for the Caretaker Government 2007-08 has been published. Through all the speeches and article his vision has been manifest.
In the recent past turmoil was going on in the Bangladesh political field over the issue of dialogue between two major parties BNP and Awami League. In this backdrop he was asked, what would have to be done now to overcome the political impasse. He replied in short “Hopefully the spirit of winning the peace prize shall touch our leaders as well’’. His daughter Deena more smartly reported to the journalists by saying “No comment’’.
Had Dr. Yunus been an impatient man like me, he would have told, “What have to be done I have already clarified, now just materialize this’’. But Dr. Yunus made of different metal. He is not a commoner like us. He is tactful, he has a clear way, a way to peace and progress. Now, the entire world is looking up to Dr. Yunus. Previously, I wrote, “At this juncture of time, we need a Gandhi’’. We have got that Gandhi. It is Dr. Yunus. We have to follow his path, now and onward. Else, we shall miss the goal of peace. We don`t now went to falter or go back. We have to traverse the road to peace and progress.
We now call upon Dr. Yunus, the “Ambassador of Peace’’ to bell the cat by fostering “ Election Management Council (EMC)’’ from the union level up to the national level. This council may comprise of the representatives of different political parties, social and cultural organizations, NGOs and civil society. We also urge upon Dr. Yunus to exert his influence to make the “Election Commission’’ free and powerful and ensuring a fair and transparent election through organizing Election Management Council. We desire the success of “Clean & Capable candidate Movement’’. We want responsible and accountable political parties, people-oriented administration and regime of the people. Dr. Yunus may pioneer the movement. On behalf of the teeming millions, we once again congratulate Dr. Yunus, the winner of the Noble Peace Prize, 2006 and the best son of our soil.
The booklet was publishedin newspapers of Bangladesh: Daily Ajker Kagoj, Dinkal, New Nation & Weekly Ekattor, October `06.
AHM Nouman, Founder of DORP & Winner of Gusi Peace Prize-2013. Email: nouman@dorpbd.org
Picture related some linkages and consistency of sustainable development base for poverty elevation:
Professor Ole Danbolt Mayer, the Chairman of Noble Committee, Norway, introducing by Grameen Bank founder and Noble Laurite Dr. Mohammad Yunus to AHM Nouman, Founder DORP, Bangladesh China Frendship Convention Centre, Dhaka, 16 July, 2008.
HM Queen Sofia of Spain inaugurating A 20- years Vision SAPNA program for Poverty eleviation in Bangladesh published by DORP at World Micro Credit Summit at pre-historical capital Beladoli, Madrid of Spain. AHM Nouman (R), founder DORP. 15th November, 2015.
World Microcredit Summit, 14 November 2011 at Madrid, Spain. Presenting to HM Queen Sofia on progress of SAPNA Project supported by AECID of Spain Government by AHM Nouman of DORP.
HM Queen Sofia of Spain (L), PKSF Managing Director and former Chief Adviser, Care Taker Government of Bangladesh Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed (R) where DORP Founder Mr. AHM Nouman discussing about Maternity Allowance to the poor mothers practicing in Bangladesh at 2nd Micro Summit at Helifex, Canada. 14th November, 2006.
