Atiur Rahman
Encyclopedia
Atiur Rahman is the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country. A development economist of Bangladesh
, he is noted for writing on popular economic issues, and has written a good number of books both in Bengali and English.
district in 1951. His father who was a landless farmer had received no schooling in his life. Atiur went to the school but had to quit after grade-III because of poverty. However his strong determination and will power made him conquer all the barriers. He had to sit for the class IV final examinations without attending any class. But when the result came out, his name topped the list.
of the-then Mymensingh
in grade-VII. A school teacher of the village Foyez Moulavi collected charity to facilitate his admission. Considering his financial inability, the college authority granted him free tuition. Thus he could continue at the college from where he passed the SSC and HSC examinations with outstanding results securing positions in the merit list both times. He went to the Dhaka University for studying economics. After obtaining BSS and MSS in Economics, he applied for Commonwealth scholarship and was successful. He went to SOAS, London, from where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1977. His Ph.D. thesis later came out as a book under the title "Peasants and Classes" published by the Oxford University Press
, which is much admired by the economists worldwide and is being used as a reference book in many universities throughout the world.
Before that he had worked at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies in different capacities for nearly 28 years and retired as Senior Research Fellow on 4.4.2006. He also served as director of the state-owned Sonali Bank
,
the largest in Bangladesh.
In 2001, government appointed him as the Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Janata Bank
, the second-largest in the country.
In 1994, he established a development NGO under the title Unnayan Samannay which grew into an excellent centre for research , development and cultural learning in Bangladesh. He was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shamunnay till taking up the job of the governor of Bangladesh. In 2006 he joined the Dhaka University in the department of Development Studies as a professor.
Also, he has played a major role in the much publicized microcredit
revolution in Bangladesh , serving in Mohammed Yunus' National Task Force on Poverty Eradication. He worked as Project Director or Team Leader of as many as twenty international and fifty national development projects of the country. He was also involved in the management of a number of socio-cultural organizations including Credit Development Forum, Monajatuddin Smriti Sangsad, Bangladesh Economic Association and Asiatic Society
and BangIa Academy.
Bengali language
English language
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, he is noted for writing on popular economic issues, and has written a good number of books both in Bengali and English.
Early life
From a very humble background Atiur Rahman rose to the top echelon of the society. He was born in a remote village in JamalpurJamalpur
Jamalpur may refer to:Bangladesh* Jamalpur District* Jamalpur Sadar UpazilaIndia* Jamalpur, Munger, Bihar* Jamalpur, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh* Jamalpur , West Bengal...
district in 1951. His father who was a landless farmer had received no schooling in his life. Atiur went to the school but had to quit after grade-III because of poverty. However his strong determination and will power made him conquer all the barriers. He had to sit for the class IV final examinations without attending any class. But when the result came out, his name topped the list.
Education
Atiur's mother came off a better background and was literate. It was she who was Atiur's first teacher. Atiur went to the village school till gradeVI. After grade-VI he wanted to go to a Cadet College for better education. Eventually he got admitted to the Mirzapur Cadet CollegeMirzapur Cadet College
Mirzapur Cadet College is the third oldest and one of the very best cadet colleges of Bangladesh. Like other cadet colleges it follows the national curriculum prescribed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board and gives special emphasis on extracurricular and co-curricular...
of the-then Mymensingh
Mymensingh
Mymensingh , pronounced moy-mon-shing-haw, is a city of Bangladesh situated on the river Brahmaputra. It is the headquarters of the administrative unit Mymensingh District. Mymensingh is the anglicized pronunciation of the original name Momenshahi, referring to a ruler called Momen Shah. The cadet...
in grade-VII. A school teacher of the village Foyez Moulavi collected charity to facilitate his admission. Considering his financial inability, the college authority granted him free tuition. Thus he could continue at the college from where he passed the SSC and HSC examinations with outstanding results securing positions in the merit list both times. He went to the Dhaka University for studying economics. After obtaining BSS and MSS in Economics, he applied for Commonwealth scholarship and was successful. He went to SOAS, London, from where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1977. His Ph.D. thesis later came out as a book under the title "Peasants and Classes" published by the Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, which is much admired by the economists worldwide and is being used as a reference book in many universities throughout the world.
Work
On 29 April 2009, he was appointed as the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country, for a tenure of four years. He assumed charge on 3 May 2009. He is the 10th governor of the Bangladesh Bank, succeeding Dr. Salehhddin Ahmed. Till then he was a professor in the department of Development Studies at the Dhaka University.Before that he had worked at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies in different capacities for nearly 28 years and retired as Senior Research Fellow on 4.4.2006. He also served as director of the state-owned Sonali Bank
Sonali Bank
Sonali Bank Limited is a state-owned leading commercial bank in Bangladesh.It is the largest bank of the country.-History:...
,
the largest in Bangladesh.
In 2001, government appointed him as the Chairman of the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the Janata Bank
Janata Bank
Janata Bank is a state-owned commercial bank of Bangladesh established in 1971. Its headquarter is situated at Motijheel in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh...
, the second-largest in the country.
In 1994, he established a development NGO under the title Unnayan Samannay which grew into an excellent centre for research , development and cultural learning in Bangladesh. He was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shamunnay till taking up the job of the governor of Bangladesh. In 2006 he joined the Dhaka University in the department of Development Studies as a professor.
Also, he has played a major role in the much publicized microcredit
Microcredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
revolution in Bangladesh , serving in Mohammed Yunus' National Task Force on Poverty Eradication. He worked as Project Director or Team Leader of as many as twenty international and fifty national development projects of the country. He was also involved in the management of a number of socio-cultural organizations including Credit Development Forum, Monajatuddin Smriti Sangsad, Bangladesh Economic Association and Asiatic Society
Asiatic Society
The Asiatic Society was founded by Sir William Jones on January 15, 1784 in a meeting presided over by Sir Robert Chambers, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the Fort William in Calcutta, then capital of the British Raj, to enhance and further the cause of Oriental research. At the time of...
and BangIa Academy.
Poverty alleviation
Atiur Rahman has distinguished himself as an expert on poverty alleviation. It is his pet area and he has been engaged in first hand research to find the causes of poverty and means of remedy. One of the most important researches is his work on char (shoal) dwellers and poverty alleviation.Publications
Atiur Rahman is a popular newspaper columnist who often writes on poverty, public expenditure, economic development, public welfare and such other socio-economic issues. He has published 45 titles as of 2009, of which 16 are in English and 29 in Bengali. Some of his publications are as follows :Bengali language
- Agami Diner Bangladesh: Ekusa sataker Unnayana Bhabana, Pathak Samabes, ISBN 9848120394
- Alo andharer Bangladesh: Manab Unnayaner Sambhabana O Cyalenja, Mawla Bradarsa, ISBN 9844103371
- Apaunnayan: Samakalin Bangladesher Arthaniti, Samajniti, Pyapirasa, ISBN 9848065660
- Janaganer Bajet: Amsagrahanamulaka Pariprekshita, Pathaka Samabesa, ISBN 9848120289
- Susaner Sandhane Anyaprakas, ISBN 9848682368
- Svapnera Bangladesh, Khunje Phera, Dipti Prakasani, ISBN 9848061282
- Unnayan alap: Arthaniti, Paribesa O Unnayana Bitarka, Pathaka Samabesa, ISBN 9848120491
English language
- Beel Dakatia: The Environmental Consequences of a Development Disaster, University Press, ISBN 9840512587 (984-05-1258-7)
- Early Impact of Grameen, a Multi-Dimensional Analysis: Outcome of a BIDS Research Study, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and Grameen Trust, ISBN 9843114167 (984-31-1416-7)
- Education for Development: Lessons from East Asia for Bangladesh Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, ISBN 9812301321 (981-230-132-1)
- Peasants and Classes: A Study in Differentiation in Bangladesh Zed Books, Limited, ISBN 0862323460 (0-86232-346-0)
- Peasants and Classes: A Study in Differentiation in Bangladesh: Hardcover, Zed Books, Limited, ISBN 0862323452 (0-86232-345-2)
- People's Report, 2002–2003, Bangladesh Environment by United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh, Unnayan Shamannay (Organization : Bangladesh) Unnayan Shamannay, ISBN 9843208668 (984-32-0866-8)
- People's Report, 2004-2005: Bangladesh Environment by United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh, Unnayan Shamannay (Organization : Bangladesh
- Sustainable Environment Management Programme (Bangladesh), Unnayan Shamannay, ISBN 9843232259 (984-32-3225-9)