Birthday of a dreamer

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the famous Latin American novelist  once remarked: " It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams". One could often relate this quotation to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder and Chairperson of BRAC and one of the most influential persons of the world according to the Fortune magazine. He had long been pursuing only one dream: that of lifting the downtrodden, helping the have-nots and sowing the seeds of 'empathy'.  Sir Fazle Hasan Abed has reached 81 years today but still his style of look, walk, and arguments devoutly reflect that he is yet to grow old!. 
  Mr Abed was born into the esteemed Hasan family of Baniachong under Habiganj district on April 27, 1936. Passing out from Pabna Zilla School and Dhaka College with flying colours, he moved to England at the age of only 18 for pursuing higher studies. After completing professional education in 1962, Abed joined world-renowned Shell Oil Company in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and perhaps as a prize to his perseverance, he quickly rose to head the finance division of the large conglomerate.  
It was during this time that the devastating cyclone of 1970 hit the south and south-eastern coastal belts of Bangladesh that cost hugely human lives, caused material losses, and impinged sufferings knew no bounds.  But the turmoil also turned a new leaf in his life. He ran to rescue the victims in inaccessible affected areas leaving the lush life behind. The comforts and perks of a corporate executive's life soon ceased to have any attraction. Soon followed the liberation war and he joined the war as a soldier in  soliciting support for Bangladesh through an armory of intellectual weapons. 
After the liberation war, instead of going back to the golden job in the Shell Oil Company as head of finance (Boro Shaheb), he chose the perilous path of serving the poor. He sold out his flat in England to create Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) in 1972 that started relief works in one of the most backward areas in Bangladesh called Shalla. The experiences in Shalla taught him that relief does not ensure development for which other elements are also needed. Both within and outside the country, his innovative and visionary ideas about a permanent solution to poverty have lifted millions out of poverty. 
   Then onwards, the rewards ran galore. He has been honoured with numerous national and international awards for his achievements including the prestigious World Food Prize 2015, also known as Nobel Prize for Agriculture. He pioneered a new approach to development that has effectively and sustainably addressed the interconnectedness between hunger and poverty. While receiving the prize, his cogent comments went to crown his 'comrades' : "I must acknowledge that the award does not belong to me alone; it is the recognition of BRAC's work over the last 43 years in providing pathways out of poverty for millions of people in Bangladesh and other countries in Africa and Asia…..The real heroes are the poor themselves and in particular, the poverty-hit women who overcome enormous challenges each day of their lives ….Throughout our work across the world, we have learnt that countries and culture vary, but realities, struggles, aspirations and dreams of poor and marginalised people are remarkably similar."
The hero of the 'have-nots' has reached 81 today. Still active and agile; batting bravely as if men can be destroyed but not defeated. We hail the hero and wish him a long and productive life. Following Jonathan Swift we say:   May you live all the days of your life.
The writer is a former Professor of Economics at Jahangirnagar University and currently, Chair, Department of Economics and Social Science (ESS), BRAC University. [email protected]/ [email protected]