Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder An Exceptional Personality Bengali version authored by Badiuzzaman Chowdhury English translation by Munshi Firoz Al Mamun Mustafa Tofayel Mohammad Nurul Huda Translated text edited by Prof. Mohammad Nurul Huda Printed by Maruf Enterprise 372/11, Shahadat Hossain Sharak West Jurain, Shampur, -1204. Cell : +880 1842 260913 Published by Prof. Dr. Md. Amanulla Vice Chancellor (Nominated) Z. H. Sikder University of Science & Technology Modhupur, Kartikpur, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur First Published June 2016 Secound Published October 2018 Price Tk. 1500.00 US$ : 18

(Sale Proceeds of this Book will be spent for the education of poor but meritorious students through Mokfor Uddin Foundation) Dedication

Late Zarina Sikder, Mother of Zainul Haque Sikder

Dedication

Late Mokfor Uddin Sikder, Father of Zainul Haque Sikder

Bangabandhu

Zainul Haque Sikder loved the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the way he respected his parents. A few days after the brutal killing of Bangabandhu along with most of his family members on August l5, 1975, Zainul Haque Sikder organized a Kulkhani at his residence in Dhanmondi. He had several cows sacrificed and distributed food to attendants and prayed for eternal peace and salvation of all the departed souls following the holy tradition of Islam. Protesting against these barbarous killings, Zainul Haque Sikder continued to sleep on the floor instead of a bed for long twelve years. Yet he mourns everyday.

Beloved wife Monowara Sikder who has all along inspired her illustrious husband

Z. H. Sikder with a smiling face 14 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Couple at their USA residence

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 15

Introduction

I frst met Zainul Haque Sikder at the Safe House of DGFI (Military Intelligence Department) in . It was March 15, 1976. The country was facing a tumultuous time owing to a series of incidents. On August 15, 1975, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed along with most of his family members by a section of disgruntled army offcers. It was followed by the killings of four national leaders and close associates of Bangabandhu inside the Dhaka Central Jail. A section of opportunist and delinquent persons plotted against each other for undue rank, post, position and power. Colonel Abu Taher, who went on self retirement from defense service, took a hard line against these follies. As one of the 11 sector commanders, he fought in the Liberation War in 1971. He sustained serious injuries during the fght. Col. Taher with the help of left-leaning Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, orchestrated an armed revolt of the soldiers and freed the then army chief General from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment. After being released, Ziaur Rahman betrayed his savior Taher and other revolutionary soldiers. I was not spared. It casta negative impact on my career as a teacher of Dhaka University. Ziaur

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 17 Rahman fshed in troubled waters. He emerged as a dictatorial military ruler. I went into hideout to avoid arrest. But DGFI arrested me. I was taken to Safe House of the army intelligence. I met Sikder and his nephew Juba League leader M. A. Reza there. The military regime of Zia launched massive crackdown on the leaders and activists of , Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and freedom fghters. They were arrested for being affliated with and loyal to Awami League and Bangabandhu. After the black episode in DGFI Safe House, the nation was exposed to many conspiracies, onslaught and killings. Col. Taher faced a camera trial. He was sentenced to death. The verdict was written prior to the sham trial. No prosecution and defence witnesses were testifed. And fnally Taher was hanged. I along with two of my brothers served jail terms on several occasions. After languishing in jail for fve years, I returned to teaching profession at Dhaka University. After a few years, once I attended a meeting of the Academic Council. I came to know that Zainul Haque Sikder donated money for constructing a building of Kuwait-Maitree Hall. I could remember the tumultuous moments of March 1976. I stood up. I said to have known Sikder in a very critical juncture of the country. I depicted his characteristics before all. I labelled him as a brave and freedom-loving man. The teachers were spellbound to hear his tale in pindrop silence. They all applauded Sikder for his courage and generosity. After some years, I was invited by Z. H. Sikder to his medical college at Rayer Bazar. One of my colleagues conveyed the invitation. Sikder sent a car to pick me up. We met each other over three decades later. I went round the medical college. He guided me with great enthusiasm. A medical college exclusively for women was a dream envisaged by Sikder. The dream came true for his relentless hard labour and perseverance. As a Dean of Biological Sciences of Dhaka University I came to know about the reputation of Sikder Medical College in the past. Later, I had the occasion to see it. Sikder spoke about another dream. He wanted to establish a university in Rayer Bazar. He drew my attention to many high-

18 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend rise buildings adjacent to the medical college in this regard. There are many universities in the capital. As such, I suggested that a university should be established in a remote area. Sikder gave his consent subject to the condition that I would help implement the project. I gave a nod. My promise was translated into reality. I tried my best to be with him in such a noble venture. I was deeply impressed by his devotion, concentration and dynamic personality. This modern and spectacular institution called the Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology was built almost overnight in Shariatpur's remote village Madhupur. The architect was none but Sikder himself. By then I was introduced with his elder son Mamtazul Haque Sikder Manzu. I never saw such a humble and hard working person in the past. I came to know that in 1971, when Bangabandhu's devoted follower Z. H. Sikder participated in the Liberation War, Manzu accompanied his father. At that time both the father and the son lived in a boat in the submerged areas of Shariatpur. The same Manzu again came back from America leaving behind his family and amenities of life to stand beside his illustrious father who had a new dream to create a university for the rural people of the newly-liberated . He was with us when we recruited teachers for the university. We selected scholars who had required qualifcation, talent as well as commitment to the ideology of the Liberation War of Bangladesh. By then I started calling him `Chacha' (uncle). Our dear Chacha accepted our selection of teaching staff without hesitation. Let me now share some of my personal memories with him. I was nominated as the Chairman of the governing body of the Home Economics College under Dhaka University. It is neither a government nor a privately owned college. This college was established bit by bit by a number of female teachers on their own. I told Chacha that we want to buy a piece of land for this college. He replied that he would donate land. He kept his word. He donated one acre of land to the college including the road inside the Sikder Medical College. When we needed fund to build a web archive on

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 19 the Liberation War, he came forward to help us. Then again, when we were making a documentary on Colonel Taher, Chacha was our patron. Now let me share a few things about this book. A few days back an elderly person named Badiuzzaman Chowdhury came to meet me with a manuscript. His hometown was Faridpur. He told me that he was with Chacha during the Liberation War. He spent years together in the world of journalism. He was involved with the newspaper , frst published during the Liberation War. The publication of this paper continued for a few years even after the war was over. He told me that he was working on the biography of Zainul Haque Sikder for some time. I liked the man at the very frst sight. He was more than seventy years old. He told me that while visiting the after almost forty years of the Liberation War, he was amazed to see the contributions of the war veteran Z. H. Sikder. He made special mention of the medical college there. Right at that moment he thought of writing a book on the life and works of Z. H. Sikder. He took this as a responsibility. It is a pity that in most cases we are not interested to evaluate the works of the great scholars during their lifetime. On the contrary, we are prone to highlight their works after their death. Traditions and practices of this kind need to be reversed. So Mr. Chowdhury volunteered to shoulder the responsibility of writing a biography of Z. H. Sikder. Apart from Sikder himself, he talked to many other persons related to his eventful life and works. His manuscript is the consequential culmination of all such interactions. Mr. Chowdhury requested me to go through his manuscript. It was a request that came from none other than Chacha himself. I cordially accepted that. What touched me most was that while writing the book on Z. H. Sikder, Mr. Chowdhury mentioned two other illustrious personalities : Ranada Prashad Shaha from Mirzapur and Zahurul Islam from Kishorgonj. These three men are tied in the same thread. This Muslim society of ours has seen many people who are rich in wealth and prosperity, but unfortunately very few of them

20 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend are blessed with a generous mind. Numerous people have become rich and wealthy overnight in post-liberation Bangladesh, but how many of them have come forward to bring smile to our poor people at grassroot level? So we should record the life and works of them who have contributed in this respect. Poet Hemachandra rightly said, " The path which bears the footprints of the noble, The path that makes them remember on all mornings, We, too, shall follow the same path and good doings, This is the way we would celebrate us as adorable."

We need genuine inspirations and examples for us. This will guide our future generations. Mr. Z. H. Sikder is a role model to us. His biography will play a decisive role for our successors. The way Badiuzzaman Chowdhury has collected valuable information to glorify Sikder's life and work, is praiseworthy beyond doubt. Hopefully, in future further research on him will contribute in a big way to complete the biography, which is expected to be translated into different languages. May the Almighty Allah grant our honorable Chacha Zainul Haque Sikder a long life full of creative diversity and multiplicity.

Dr. Md. Professor Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dhaka University and Former Vice Chancellor Jahangirnagar University

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 21

Writer's Words

Although human life ends with physical death, there are a few people who become immortal through their works and achievements. Most people usually get such recognition of these achievements after death, but Zainul Haque Sikder is one of the fortunate few who have become immortal during their lifetime through their contributions as a whole. The dream for which Bangladesh was liberated in 1971 has remained largely unfulflled as of now, but there is a group of people who have kept the fame of hope still burning for the upcoming generations in their works and endeavors. Zainul Haque Sikder is one of those exceptional people who braved many ups and downs in a number of diversifed roles such as social activist, industrialist, entrepreneur, banker and development strategist. His success is a marvelous example for today. Bold, uncompromising, outspoken and self-made, Zainul Haque Sikder is not only a scholar and academic planner, but also a war veteran. He has established on self-fnancing a full-fedged private university in a remote place like Shariatpur, the frst women's medical college in the capital city Dhaka and another medical college in Madhupur, Shariatpur. More to it, he has set up ten schools and colleges in Dhaka and his own locality apart from founding more than ffty mosques and madrasas. Aged over eighty-six, this untiring soul is still working fourteen to ffteen hours a day to run his business which is why he himself has turned into an institution. This very successful man did not

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 23 have the habit of writing at all and still does not. Through personal conversation, I came to know about his dream, philosophy, ambition and some supernatural phenomena and miracles, some of which are going to be discussed in the book. Although this is not a biographic novel, yet I hope that the readers will get thrilled and surprised after going through the eventful life-sketch of Zainul Haque Sikder. Many intellectuals, literary personalities and academics expressed their willingness to record the works of this living legend before me including the former minister and ambassador Dr. A. R. Mallik, the owner and editor of the 'Daily People' Mr. Abidur Rahman and many more. But uncle Sikder did not respond to any of them since he is not publicity-crazy. I am much indebted to him, for he has given me the valuable chance to write about him. The learned persons who helped me a lot in writing this book include the former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr. M. Anwar Hossain, eminent poet and academic Professor Mohammad Nurul Huda, Dr. Mohammed Jakaria, journalist and writer Mafz Imam Milon, and banker A. S. M. Bulbul. I got immense support from the owner of the Helpline Resource Ltd, Mr. Nurul Akhter, and his associates Asraful Islam, Md. Sadikur Rahman Ripon and many more. I am sincerely grateful to all of them. The book will be benefcial to all concerned in the feld of industries, business, arts and commerce. It will be specially rewarding to the students of schools, colleges and universities. I also hope that those who think and care about the society and mankind will be inspired beyond limit, since the life and events of this dreamer-fghter is the most precious possession for all of us. Badiuzzaman Chowdhury President Faridpur History and Heritage Council Mobile: 01718-531847

24 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Editor's note

Blessed with diverse identities as an assiduous self-made soul, Zainul Haque Sikder has blended the unalike essence of a lifelong activist and an unvarying mystic in his making as an icon of a free man in today's world. A victorious freedom fghter in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, Sikder is also one of the most trusted associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of the nation-state of Bangladesh. Born in , grown-up in Bangladesh, migrated to USA, and travelled to almost all the lands and shores far and near, Sikder is a resplendent portrait in the galaxy of few endearing world citizens from this part of the world. Mr. Badiuzzaman Chowdhury has viewed him from a close distance out of his long interaction and appreciation, both as a personal friend and an amateur historian, after which he has freely penned Sikder's word-picture in a seemingly confessional mode. He has deliberately borrowed from several sources — individuals, books, reports and documents — to give it a fnal shape with due acknowledgements to all. The draft-narration was in Bengali and it was published in book-length in March 2016 in Bangladesh. Repetition of some episodes has occurred here and there, since the individual narrators have tried to explain them from their own viewpoints.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 25 Soon the task of English translation started, a group of promising translators were tasked with, and I was asked to bring in line the entire English text and synchronize it as far as practicable. This I did in a modest manner. The author himself along with all complementary contributors, translators and facilitators worked sincerely and tirelessly. This is how the frst edition of English version has followed within less than three months after its original Bengali debut. We regret all sorts of errors despite our repeated efforts. Hopefully, this saga of a living legend of our time will be rewarding to all our valued readers belonging to diverse sections at home and abroad.

Dhaka June, 2016

Mohammad Nurul Huda Former Executive Director, Nazrul Institute and Winner for literature

26 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Publisher's note

Bangladesh has advanced well in the feld of book publishing. Many Books are published on a wide variety of themes and topics. On the contrary, there are few books written out of the down-to- earth experiences of life and their success stories by some rare personalities of our country. Similarly, the number of books on the winning entrepreneurs and the leaders of positive politics dedicated to the welfare of people in general is negligible. Zainul Haque Sikder is an illustrious freedom fghter, a trusted associate of the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a benefactor of the people at all levels. This book has been designed and produced in an impressive manner on the variegated stories of his immensely productive life. It upholds his train of thought, mission, vision and tales of valuable experiences in a lucid language. We believe that this book would greatly contribute towards transforming the future generations into a community of effective entrepreneurs. Considering the above perspective, the Trustee Board of Zainul Haque Sikder Science and Technology University, which is also the apex body of this organization, has decided to publish this book. We take pride in getting involved in this process.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 27 We also consider this publication as a signifcant milestone in the study of science and learning by this university. We pay our gratitude to Zainul Haque Sikder. We hope, readers would fnd this book a good read and share pleasure and experience with others.

Professor Dr. Md. Amanullah Vice Chancellor (nominated) Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology Modhupur, Kartikpur, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur

28 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The Visit

On November 13,2012, I visited Kartikpur, a village in Shariatpur district. I came to know that a university had been established by an individual at Modhupur under Bhedergonj , not far away from Kartikpur. The founder is a freedom fghter, a winning Businessman and a philanthropist. He is none but Zainul Haque Sikder, the worthy son of the soil of Kartikpur. I do not know whether any university was established under private initiative in any remote corner of the country even after 44 years of the independence of Bangladesh. On the other hand, more than ffty private universities have been founded in the capital city Dhaka and the port city of to facilitate education of the children of affuent parents. This prompted me to see the university at the earliest probability. On way to the university, my attention was drawn to many tin- shed houses on both sides of the road. But my eyes were fxed on a two-storied concrete building which was a branch of the National Bank. I came to know that there were 10 branches of the Bank operating in the area. I further learnt that, Zainul Haque Sikder is the founder director and chairman of the Bank, which was established on March 23,1983.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 29 NBL, Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology Branch, Madhupur

To develop Savings attitude among the people of Shariatpur and to build them self dependent, he established these many brances of the Bank there. We came to know that, many people of Shariatpur are working in America, , and Europian Countries including Italy. There was no suitable arrangement in the villages to get their remittance. So the villagers got their cash from the relatives working in illegal way. The remittance is not only changing economic condition of the local people, but also contributing to the sustainable GDP growth as a whole.

30 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The 10 branches of National Bank Ltd. had a total deposit to the tune of Tk 700 crore by December end, 2015. The branch-wise deposit was (1) Tk 129 crore in Naria, (2) Tk 74 crore in Gharisar, (3) Tk 67 crore in Shariatpur, (4) Tk 65 crore in Kazirhat, (5) Tk 65 crore in Bhedergonj, (6) Tk 50 crore in Madhupur, (7) Tk 47 crore in Bhojeswar, (8) Tk 45 crore in Kartikpur, (9) Tk 35 crore in Gosairhat, and (10) Tk 88 crore in Angaria. As I walked around, the Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital came to my notice from a distance. It was on the right side and the Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology was on the left.

Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital, Madhupur, Shariatpur

Shariatpur is not that much developed in education, healthcare, communications and infrastructure services.The people of the district located in the southern part of Bangladesh in the Ganges basin are worst affected by the erosion of the river Padma and its food, casting a negative impact on its economy. They are being helped by Z. H. Sikder in various ways to have their fate changed by establishing organizations like university, school, madrasa, mosque and orphanage. Currently about 50 social organizations run under his fnancial assistance.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 31 Besides , over 100 schools , colleges ,madrasas , mosques ,Eidgahs shrines and rest houses were either constructed or renovated by him in Shariatpur, Dhaka, Chittagong, , , Tangail and Rajshahi. He also founded such organizations in Ajmer Sharif of . Nine schools and colleges were established in Shariatpur and Dhaka alone. He set up Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital and Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology for the people of backward Shariatpur.

Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology, Madhupur, Shariatpur

Zainul Haque Sikder founded a good many educational institutions for his own area. These include Bangabandhu High School, Monowara Sikder High School, D.M. Khali Monowara Sikder High School, Abdur Razzak High School, Shamsunnahar High School, Monowara Sikder Girls' High School, and Begum Lutfunnesa Women's Madrasa. Besides, the religious organizations founded by him include Golarmath Baitul Aman Jam-e Mosque, Kartikpur Bazar Jam-e Mosque, Sheikhpara Jam-e Mosque, Purba Dinars Talukderbari Jam-e Mosque, Sureshwar Jam-e Mosque, Gafur Maulana Jam-e

32 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Mosque, Madhupur Jam-e Mosque, Ramvadrapur Jam-e Mosque, Daxindingamanik Rahmania Baitul Salam Jam-e Mosque, Al- Madina Jam-e Mosque, Sureshwar Dafadarbari Jam-e Mosque, Charvaga Jam-e Mosque, Sureshwar Suf Meherullah Jam-e Mosque, Madhya Dinara Baitul Aman Jam-e Mosque, Dinara Karanhogla Baitul Aman Jam-e Mosque, Sonakhola Al-Madina Nur Jam-e Mosque, Bhogeshwar Jam-e Mosque, Bizaribazar Jam-e Mosque, Khalifabari Jam-e Mosque, Karanhogla Zarina Sikder Trust Jam-e Mosque, Kantar Mosque, Ramvadrapur Dayalia Jam-e Mosque Mukterchar Chukderbari Jam-e Mosque, and Madhupur Charitable Dispensary.

Prime Minister inaugurated the Cardiac Care Centre It may be noted that in August 1992, he established the country's frst private medical college which is known as Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. In May 1998, the hospital obtained a Cardiac Care and Research Centre. On May 11, 2000, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the centre. The then SAVP of the First Security Bank Ltd Khandker Mohiuddin wrote in an article about founding the country's frst

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 33 women's medical college and cardiac centre by Z. H. Sikder, "He established the women's medical college in a bid to provide the neglected women folk with better service. As a result, the hospital will produce a large number of women doctors every year. The whole nation will be grateful to him.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offers prayer after inaugurating Cardiac Care Centre There are many people in the country richer than Z. H. Sikder, but very few of them have the mentality to spend money for the welfare of mankind in general. Zainul Haque Sikder is a name, a history, a legend and a most gifted personality. He is a rare person. A noble soul like him is not always born to work for the neglected and underprivileged people of the country. He also wrote that Z. H. Sikder introduced Cardiac Care and Research Centre so that poor people can afford treatment of heart diseases. Now, people need not go abroad for receiving better heart treatment expending their hard earned money. (Source: Souvenir on the occasion of formal inauguration of Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care & Research Centre by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.)

34 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The incident of expending money for the welfare of the poor and destitute with an urge to do something for the grassroots people is really rare. A handful of people who set an example by working for the common people in our country include founder of Kumudini Welfare Trust late Ranada Prasad Saha, founder of Zahurul Islam Medical College and Hospital late Zahurul Islam, and founder of Sikder Medical College and Hospital Zainul Haque Sikder. Any sane and sensible person should admit that it is easy to advise others to expend hard earned money for social welfare, but it is diffcult to do it by oneself. Most of the people in our society are desperate to protect their own interest. They would like to take everything instead of giving something. The number of the people, who are harboring a mentality to give and sacrifce, is very negligible in the world. It is very diffcult for somebody to expend money for the welfare of others if he/she does not have genuine confdence and magnanimity. An urge lurking in the mind to be devoted to the work of mitigating the sufferings of the common people and creating a good and congenial atmosphere for all is considered to be a noble thing. About society, noted educationist and writer Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed wrote, "Now-a-days, there is a dearth of mad people in the country — the kind of noble mad people who can change the future of a nation. There are no such noble and crazy doctors and teachers who promise to sacrifce the short span of their life for mitigating public suffering and attaining human development. Life is very valuable to us today. We are reluctant to sacrifce a single penny, since we take it to be a foolish job. I served as a teacher in for 25 years. I gave teaching to the best students of the country. Asked by me, most of the students used to say that they would like to become physicians. As I wanted to know about the reason, they expressed their determination to serve people. Later, many of them became doctors . But during their professional career they changed their earlier mentality to such an extent that there was hardly any sign of serving people in their attitudes. Their

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 35 minds were obsessed with avarice, self complacency, personal gain and interest only. Such a situation may be acceptable in a developed country. There is a question as to what will be the future of the country like ours with people striving for food and shelter if nobody comes forward with a vow to sacrifce life for the noble cause of others? There is no sound middle class in our society now. There is nobody to draw boundary line of his expectation. There is nobody to say, "This is the limit of my expectation." There is nobody to stop and reject. Everybody is following the math 2x 2 = 4, 4x2= 8, 8x2= 16, 16x2= 32, 32x2= 64, 64x2=128 and so on. We are surrounded by an ill tempered, perverse and unhealthy society. It is a country of suppressing healthy breathing. It is a suicidal and paralyzed environment lost and crashed into speed and abyss of confusion. All are in mad pursuit of looting. Everybody is looting whatever or whichever he can." [Source: Ranada Prasad Shaha, Abdullah Abu Sayeed, (Chairman of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra) Ranada Prasad Shaha souvenir, Sahitya Prakash, dated January 2013, page -27]. The view of Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed has been refected in the writings of former diplomat and comrade Mohiuddin Ahmed. Mr. Ahmed echoed the view of Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed. Describing the mentality of a section of rich people who amassed wealth overnight, he said, "Compare the lifestyle of looters with that of R P Shaha. They live in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara. It creates a false impression from their attitude and language that they were born in a British Lord family and educated in Eton, Harrow, Oxford and Cambridge. But the fact is that Dhanmondi residential area was created 40 years ago, Gulshan 30 years back, and Baridhara less than those i.e. 20 years. They undoubtedly were born prior to the creation of these posh areas. But they tend to forget the background of their parents. They can't remember the history of their birth. They deliberately try to forget, lest their 'aristocracy' clashes with it." [Source: 'Why another philanthropist RP Shaha was not born in Bangladesh?' - Mohiuddin Ahmed, diplomat and columnist. [Courtesy: Daily

36 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sangbad, dated December 2, 2004) Ranada Prasad Shaha souvenir, Sahitya Prakash, dated January 2013, page -182.] Notably, the idea, principle and works of RP Shaha, Zahurul Islam and Z. H. Sikder are almost identical. They can be called 'self-made men.' At the outset of their life, the trio struggled with adversities for establishment and career. They became wealthy by hard labor and perseverance coupled with frm determination to reach the goal. Their wealth resulted in their establishment and fame in the society. Unlike most of the rich people, they did not deviate from core values or their lives were not misled by wealth and property. Rather, they were imbued with a sense of developing the society by serving the neglected, deprived, underprivileged, poor and destitute people and educating the backward section of women. Basically, construction work and housing project earned Zahurul Islam vast property, albeit he began his career as a lower staff of housing and public works ministry. Zainul Haque Sikder took up a job of football player under EPR. Afterwards, he became rich by truck business, construction frm and housing projects. On August 26. 1992, Zahurul Islam founded a medical college and hospital at his village Bajitpur. It is one of the many organizations founded by him. Similarly, over 100 institutions were established with the fnancial assistance of Zainul Haque Sikder. Those include Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital and Zainul Haque Sikder University of Science and Technology located at Modhupur, a neighboring village of his ancestral house at Kartikpur. Initially, the establishment of a medical college by Z. H. Sikder was pending with the government's approval for several years. But it started academic activities with admission of students under MBBS course from 2015-2016 sessions. It may be mentioned here that Zainul Haque Sikder was frustrated over delay in getting permission for establishing a medical college.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 37 At one stage, he backtracked. When Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed came to know about the matter, he took an initiative to secure permission. Tofael Ahmed has been treating Z. H. Sikder as uncle from his childhood. Similarly, Z. H. Sikder considers the minister as his son.

Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed

The government fxed admission fees for all private medical colleges at Tk 15.5 lakh. But Z. H. Sikder cut the fees by Tk 3 lakh for admission seekers under the quota of freedom fghter, Ansar and VDP of his locality. The disabled, poor and meritorious students can also avail themselves of this opportunity. They have to pay Tk 12.5 lakh for admission. They can get themselves admitted into MBBS course by paying 50 percent of the admission fee initially and rest of the amount is payable in four installments during a period of next four years. Besides, the outstanding and poor students can get free admission.

38 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Health Minister Mohammad Nasim and Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed get off the helicopter and proceed towards the Manowara Sikder Medical College

On August 9, 2015, two ministers visited Manowara Sikder Medical College. They were Health Minister Mohammad Nasim and Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed. They also attended a function to distribute M. U. Foundation stipend among the students of Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology that day (August 9, 2015). Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said that Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital established by Z. H. Sikder in Dhaka already earned international acclaim. He hoped Monowara Sikder Medical College will also be the best medical college someday. Mr. Ranada Prasad Shaha was born on November 15, 1896. At the age of 7, he lost his mother Kumudini Devi. She died of tetanus during childbirth. His father Debendranath Poddar resorted to second marriage. Ranada could not continue education after completion of class- III because of cruel attitude of step mother and other problems. He was sent to maternal uncle's house at Shimulia. Deprived of

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 39 affection, he left the place. He fed to in search of a better future. For survival, he worked as a porter, a rickshaw puller and a hawker there from time to time. He sold newspaper in Kolkata railway station. And he did these odd jobs without any hesitation.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim and Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed at a function organized to distribute M. U. Foundation stipend at Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology premises in 2015

During the First World War, in 1914, he joined the Ambulance Corps of the . In 1917, he became Subedar Major of Bengal Regiment. After the war was over, he met George V and got a job in the Indian Railway Department as a war veteran. In 1932, he quitted the job of a train ticket collector and started a business However, the death of his mother without treatment cast deep impact on the life of Ranada Prasad Shaha. This prompted him to establish Kumudini Hospital. For advancement of women education, he founded Kumudini Women's College and Bharateswari Homes. He was trying to set up a women's medical college near the hospital. As he was killed by Pakistani occupation forces during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, his dream could not come true. After 30

40 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend years of his death, on June 3, 2001, Kumudini Women's Medical College started its journey. [Ranada Prasad Shahar Jibon Kotha (Life sketch of Ranada Shaha). Hena Sultana, Publication: Bishwa Sahitya Kendra. fourth edition, seventh printing, page-41). Notably, in spite of being a Hindu, Ranada Prasad Shaha gave some launches to be used by pro- Muslim supporters during the Sylhet referendum in 1947. He donated the launches as per request of then Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. There is a reference to this incident in the 'Unfnished Memoirs of Bangabandhu'. The irony of fate is that he was brutally killed by Pakistan occupation army. Zainul Haque Sikder is the founder of the country's frst private medical college having comprehensive heart treatment facility and the frst medical college for the women of the country. At the age of 19. Zainul Haque Sikder left home in search of a career. Son of a well-off family, Zainul Haque Sikder left home for a different reason. Being prudent from childhood, he requested his father to give him Tk 50,000 for buying a land in Dhaka. At that time. Dhaka was capital of . His father failed to realize his farsightedness and did not give the money. He abandoned the parent's legacy to be established in life with his own efforts. As of 2015, Z. H. Sikder was the owner of 400 bighas of land in Dhaka and 1,500 bighas in the region of his village home. In that year, he was 85. Besides, Z. H. Sikder bought several hundred bighas of land in other countries of the world.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 41 Columnist Badiuzzaman Chowdhury visits Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology. Syed Omar Faruk and Syed Nisar Ahmed Nabed, two successors of Joymia Peer Saheeb family at Telipara, are seen on the right and left of Badiuzzaman. Photo was taken on November 13, 2012

Leaving home, he came to Dhaka and joined the EPR as a professional footballer. Apart from doing the job, he used to drive truck at night. The housing business, which was dreamt by him at his childhood, became successful due to his hard work and perseverance. As I was drawing a life sketch of Z. H. Sikder in the velvet of my mind, suddenly, the motor vehicle carrying us already entered the gate of the university and stopped at the car parking area of the campus. I met some students there. Some of them were students of English Honours and some of Law. They completed frst semester and stepped into the second in 2012. They expressed their satisfaction over the standard of education in the university. That the university is run by highly educated faculty members equipped with multimedia and other modern technologies is the reason for their happiness.

42 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The photo shows the students of Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology

The students whom I met were local. They hailed from adjacent villages. Obtaining higher education staying at home was beyond their imagination. The students were getting admitted to nine departments under four faculties. The departments include English, Law, Business Administration, Environment Science and Disaster Management, Public Health, Civil Engineering, Electric and Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering. A beautiful green feld is encircled by a colossal round shaped building around it. Besides, constructions of many structures on 200 bighas of land are underway.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 43 A vast green field in front of Z. H. Sikder University building that symbolizes pastoral scene

The main campus is being constructed on six acres of land. Besides, the round shaped two-storey building has space for rooms measuring 2,00,000 square feet.

44 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Laying Foundation Stone of the University

On July 18, 2011, the foundation stone of Zainul Haque Sikder University of Science and Technology was laid by the authorities Concerned. A report published in the two days later reads, "The foundation stone of Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology was laid on July 18. The university will be set up on 6 acres of land at Madhupur in Kartikpur of Bhedergonj upazila under Shariatpur district. Zainul Haque Sikder, who is the founder of Sikder Medical College and Hospital as well as an eminent industrialist, will fnance all four establishments. He is a philanthropist. He works for advancement of education and society. As three other social welfare organizations will be established on the land, foundation stones of those were also laid the same day. One of the three structures includes a hostel for the varsity students. Two others are a rehabilitation centre for elderly people and a centre for the destitute. The last two are named after Parveen Haque Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 45 The inaugural session was held on 18 July afternoon and it was presided over by former chairman of the National Bank Parveen Haque Sikder. Besides, Zainul Haque Sikder, incumbent chairman of the National Bank, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Professor Anwar Hossain, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Dhaka University and former lawmaker Major (retd.) Aktaruzzaman attended the event as special guests. Two other teachers of Institute of Nutrition and Food Science of Dhaka University were special guests. They are Professor Abdus Zaher and Dr Nizamul Haque. Among others, Bhedergonj Municipality Mayor Abdul Mannan Hawlader, Upazila Parishad Vice-Chairman Abdul Mannan Rarhi, Mahisar UP Chairman Nurul Islam Sikder, Ramvadrapur UP Chairman Biplob Sikder and Narayanpur UP Chairman Salah Uddin Matbor spoke on the occasion. The programme was moderated by National Bank Managing Director Shafqur Rahman.

46 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Story behind establishing the University

The root cause of establishing the Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology was manifested in an article of Professor Syed Rashidul Hasan. He is a teacher of Dhaka University and an adviser of Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology. The article was titled 'Legendary Z. H. Sikder: A Tale of 2003 or 2004.' He said, "I was the treasurer of the country's highest seat of education Dhaka University. Apart from looking after pecuniary matters of the university, I had to watch over the private medical colleges affliated with it. One day I came to know that the university authorities concerned suspended student admission and other academic activities in the country's sole medical college for women for some irregularities. The attitude of the varsity offcials seemed to be dubious. I could not believe the college to have resorted to any irregularity. Incidentally, I went to the medical college following one of my friends' heart ailments. The professionalism of the doctors, nurses and staffs of the hospital fooded with medical equipment and patients was surprising. It created a positive impression about the founder of the organization. I thought the man who acted behind establishing the hospital must be of high stature.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 47 Later, I came to know about Zainul Haque Sikder in details. I bowed my head to the great man. I felt plenty of respect for him. The action of the university offcials against an organization founded by this man made me suspicious. I decided to inspect the medical college offcially. I saw every classroom, lab and other facilities there. Finally, my gaze drifted from the objects to the man whom I started to respect much earlier. A calm but vigorous man welcomed us to his offce. I am still haunted by his frst sentence. He told me, "Hi young man, I am very happy to see you in a responsible position." He further said, "It is for the frst time that a high-up of the university is visiting my hard-earned organization." I returned to the university and rescinded the decision taken earlier by my predecessor. It cleared the way for the medical college to go ahead with student admission and other academic functions. This is how I was acquainted with him. He has been showing affection to me since then. I also started to call him uncle. I along with my family visited his village home at Modhupur in Bhedergonj upazila. The family members of the uncle accompanied by many doctors and nurses joined the trip. He hired a launch for the purpose. In those days, the barking of fox could be heard in the village. We passed a hectic life in Dhaka. In the past, none of my family members had gathered thrilling experience of staying in a village at dead of the night. Next day, we roamed about the street, land for cultivation and bushes around. As we walked along the thin demarcating lines locally called ails inside the paddy feld, he expressed his deep concern for the underprivileged and backward section of the villagers. He wanted to do something for the economic emancipation and happiness of easygoing people. My attention was drawn to many schools, colleges, madrasas and mosques jointly founded by uncle and his wife in the neighborhood. Many years have elapsed since our last meeting. Meanwhile we did not chance to meet and talk to each other. All of a sudden, he sent a message asking me to meet him immediately. I made it to his residence. He addressed me with 'Baba', a word meaning

48 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend father, sometimes used by a real father in reverse to call his son. The parents usually call their son Baba to show him affection. Sometimes, a senior person calls a boy Baba if he is his son's friend or classmate or placed at par with his son. Anyway, Sikder told me. "Baba, haven't you heard of my move to establish a university in my village? The campus building is constructed. I want you to Join the varsity as vice-chancellor." I was dumfounded to hear of founding a university in a rustic meadow. It raised more questions than answered. Who will take admission? Who will teach? How will the varsity run? He could probably read my mind. He realized the reasons for my silence. He said, "I have already invested more than Tk 25 crore in the project. The varsity aims at imparting higher education to the underprivileged youths of my area. It is not a cash crop for me. I will not take a single penny from it. I request you all to provide the poor children with higher education to integrate them into mainstream society. I will be happy to see a change in their life." I could not join the varsity as VC since Dhaka University authorities concerned did not grant me leave. Yet, I have been working with it as an advisor. I joined the mission of my uncle to turn a rural varsity into a breeding centre of future leaders. Both of us are working to this effect. If anybody comes to the varsity, he will be impressed with the jubilant boys and girls there. It will boost confdence in him. No force can suppress the people of Bangladesh. In the recent past, uncle established a medical college and hospital near the university. It is named after his beloved wife Monowara Sikder. The medical college already started academic activities with 40 students. The uncle's initiative rendered a little-known Modhupur village into a unique academic hub of the country. It is a great success for the nation. The person whose name will remain alive as an idol in the mind of people for time immemorial is our torchbearer Zainul Haque Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 49 We entered the University At the time of entering into the building, a big mural of the architect of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to my notice.

Mural of the Architect of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the entrance of Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology

The photos of the founder of the university Zainul Haque Sikder and his wife Manowara Sikder were seen hanging on the wall behind. The picture reminded me of the face of a slim brave freedom fghter and organizer of liberation war who directly fought in the war of independence equipped with sten gun in his hand in 1971. At that time I stayed in Kartikpur for long. I passed some time staying either in his house or boat. It may be mentioned that we used to spend most of the night in the boat for security reason. The photo hung on the wall showed his body to be a bit bulky after 40 years of liberation war. Led by him, the freedom fghters liberated various areas of the then four thanas namely Naria, Bhedergonj, Palong and Gosairhat from Pakistani occupation forces.

50 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend I could remember the mortar shell attack from the enemy tent at the time of liberating Bhedergonj Police Station. Suddenly, a 10- 12 years old boy named Anis Uddin Sarder shouted and cautioned Zainul Haque Sikder, "Sir, mortar shell is heading towards you." Zainul Haque Sikder along with Zainal Abedin Subedar and Naria thana freedom fghters' commander Mantu dove into the river and escaped inevitable death. The mortar shell hit water 8-10 feet away and exploded. The boy who cautioned Zainul Haque Sikder embraced martyrdom. I saw Z. H. Sikder frst at Kartikpur launch ghat in July-August, 1971. The liberation war was underway. He wore a lungi and a half- shirt. He was helping his wife to get on a Dhaka bound launch with some luggage. I was confused to see sending his wife with so many ornaments in ear, nose and neck to the capital blocked by Pakistan occupation forces. Although I did not see him earlier, I heard his name in 1965-66. At that time, his elder brother Mainul Haque Sikder's son M. A. Reza was Chhatra League leader and leader of student union at Jagannath College. Mentionable, I was a central committee member of Chhatra League for two years at that time (1965-66). Besides, I became president of unit Chhatra League during the same time. Two reasons put the-then popular students' leader M. A. Reza at the centre of discussion. Firstly, he was 6 feet plus. Secondly, he was excessively fat. So, everybody's attention was drawn to him. Secondly, he used to drive his personal car when he was a student. At that time, owning a personal car was an exceptional matter. I came to know about the vast properties of his uncle Zainul Haque Sikder at that time. He used to give his nephew Reza huge money for doing student politics. Z. H. Sikder was close to Bangabandhu and an ardent exponent of his political ideologies. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman advised his nephew Sheikh Moni to do business with Sikder's nephew M. A. Reza. The name of that business organization Sheikh and Sikder Company came from his (Bangabandhu's) mind.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 51

Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni M. A. Reza

Few days after seeing Z. H. Sikder at launch ghat, I along with Kartikpur High School Headmaster Amir Hossain attended a meeting on liberation war held at former's (Sikder's) house. Asked about the launch ghat incident, Sikder said the luggage carried by his wife was full of demonetized notes of one hundred taka. As Pakistan occupation government demonetized the notes, those were sent to Dhaka to be exchanged by a Bank. About ornaments, he said those were sent as part of strategy. If Pakistan soldiers remain busy with taking ornaments, they may not follow the money.

In this critical condition of the country, money is more valuable than ornaments. I was immensely astonished by his strategy. I started to call him uncle as he is my friend's uncle. It may be mentioned here that Amir Hossain hailed from Telipara village under Chamta Union of Naria Thana. At frst, he joined . He went on self-retirement from the job and became Headmaster of Kartikpur High School. Apart from teaching, he got involved in politics and social welfare activities.

52 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Amir Hossain, Kartikpur High Badiuzzaman Chowdhury, School's Headmaster at 70s author of this book (1971) He served people as the Chairman of Chamta Union for long. In 1971, Amir Hossain Master and author Badiuzzaman Chowdhury worked together to organize liberation war in the area. As he was the Chairman of Chamta Union in 1971, he did not allow anybody under his area to join infamous anti-liberation forces i.e. Rajakar and Al-Bader. Even, pro-Pakistan Peace Committee couldn't be formed in his area. As such, many Muslim and minority Hindu families came to the Union from Faridpur Sadar, Madaripur, Barisal, Dhaka, Chandpur and Comilla. They took shelter there during the turbulent situation of the liberation war. Later. I came to know that the wife of Sikder was at dark about the money and goods in the luggage which were carried by her, their youngest son and second daughter to Dhaka. It was the time of liberation war when I met Zainul Haque Sikder and stayed with him. I had no contact with him after the independence of the country. Forty years have elapsed since the independence. Today, I am lost the memory of 1971 standing in front of the entrance of the varsity founded by him.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 53 Sikder Family of Kartikpur

Zainul Haque was born to a family which had the title of Sikder. The word Sikder stands for family title, previously it referred to administrative rank. The word Sikder is derived from Sik which means tax zone like Pargana. The administrative offcial empowered to collect revenue is called Sikder. Sikder consists of Arabic Sik and Persian Dar. According to Banglapaedia, Sikder was the head of the administrative department namely Sik during the regime of Sher Shah. Later, during the Turkish and Afghan rule, all the provinces were divided into various districts under a new administrative arrangement. The newly created districts were called Sik under the tenure of Sultans. But the Siks were not well-organized and disciplined at that time. Sher Shah for the frst time introduced a regular and disciplined administrative system called Sarkar (Government) in the district level headed by two responsible high-ups. They are: 1. Chief Sikder (Sikder-e-Sikderan). He was the Chief Executive Offcer of the administration. 2. Chief Munsef (Munsef-e-Munsefan).

54 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Afterwards, Sher Shah recast the administration and created same new posts. For example: 1. Sikder with limited power or Army Chief and head of police. 2. Amin or Munsef 3. Fotahdar or Treasurer 4. Karkunch or Record Keeper. During his rule, Sikder and Amin used to deal with military and revenue sectors. Under administrative unit of Sher Shah, a Pargona consisted of some villages. Then, Sikder had to work as police there. During Mughal regime, emperor Akbar divided the districts into several Parganas or zones creating the posts of fve departmental heads there. of them, Sikder worked for Chief Executive, Magistrate, law enforcers and others dealing with criminal justice system. Sikder had another function to help the Revenue Offcer, Amin or Amalgujar of the district to collect revenue. Besides, Sikder was empowered to collect name, profession, address and the volume of landed properties of the local people. Basically, Sikder was an offcial who used to collect land revenue. Sometimes, Sikder referred to pecuniary jurisdiction of a provincial head of the administration. The tax collector and treasurer could spend money if needed taking permission from Sikder. In absence of any permission from Dewan, Sikder could pass order to expend the money in time of emergency. Later, the authorities concerned were informed of such expenditure. Therefore, Sikder together with Amin and Karkun could deal with proper distribution of the money accumulated in the Pargana Treasury. At the outset, Sikder was a military offcer. But, during , Sikder became a revenue offcer. The word Sikder was in use till 18th century. Later, the word turned into a family title. (Source: Bangla pedia, second edition, June-2011, volume-12, page-497-498) Now-a-days, Sikder refers to a family title for Muslim and Hindu both. The family title of Hindu zamindar of Kanaipur in Faridpur is Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 55 There are three prominent Sikder families in Shariatpur. Those include Sikder family in Kartikpur, Saturia and Lakarta. The list of the ancestors of Sikder family in Kartikpur shows that one Ali Reza Sikder was the owner of vast properties. He was a Zamindar. His son was Matiullah Sikder. Four sons and one daughter were born to Matiullah couple. The sons included 1. Mokfor Uddin Sikder 2. Abdul Aziz Sikder 3. Syejuddin Sikder and 4. Abdul Mazid Sikder. Jabeda Khatun was the only daughter. Mokfor Uddin Sikder had four sons. They are 1. Mainul Haque Sikder 2. Fazlul Haque Sikder 3. Zainul Haque Sikder and 4. Nurul Haque Sikder. According to family sources, Matiullah Sikder got the legacy of seven estates of his father Ali Reza Sikder. Of the seven, Matiullah gave one estate to the Zamindar of Bhagyakul in exchange of Tic 5,000 and started to live in Bilasipara under Goalpara district of Assam. Bilasipara was 22 miles north of Dhubri. He was given 2,000 bighas of forest in Sapra estate by local Moharaja in exchange of nazarana. Zainul Haque Sikder and his three brothers were born in Assam. Born on August 12, 1930, Zainul Haque Sikder apprehended that the Muslims hailing from India's eastern state and shall not be able to live peacefully in this region following the creation of two countries on the basis of political antagonism between Hindus and Muslims. He demanded Tk 50,000 from his father for buying a land in Dhaka, the then capital of East Pakistan. He wanted to live in Dhaka permanently. Failing to get the money, he left home for Dhaka in September, 1949.

56 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder's ancestral house named "Palli Kuthir" (Rural Cottage) at Kartikpur, Shariatpur That Zainul Haque Sikder apprehended correctly was manifested in the riot between Hindu and Muslim of Assam in 1950. Being worst affected with the riot, Zainul Haque Sikder's father along with other family members returned to the native home in Kartikpur with only hard cash to the tune of Tk 10 lakh, leaving timber trade, construction frm and vast landed properties in Assam. Mentionable, Zainul Haque Sikder's father Mokfor Uddin Sikder, being owner of a construction frm, built a new air base in Goalpara in Ruposhi of Assam meant for army during the Second World War. Besides, he constructed 25 km road and some bridges from Bilashipara to Boithamari for the infantry. He made huge proft from this business. He was director of Surma Valley Bank in1940s. His car driver was speaking. This is why Zainul Haque Sikder was fuent in Urdu since his childhood. This quality helped

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 57 him get a job in the EPR as a footballer. In spite of being a Bengali migrant, Mokfor Uddin Sikder was very infuential in Assam. The local people still remember him with great respect. There is a story behind it. The -Kohim road through Bilashipara was higher than the adjoining neighborhoods. Once, Goalpara. Kabutarkhata, Durgapur and Laksmiganj villages north to the road got inundated due to heavy precipitation. causing untold suffering to the villagers. The food victims requested district administration and local infuential people for releasing the water cutting the road. As military convoys run over the road, nobody dared to cut it. But Mokfor Uddin Sikder took the initiative and solved the problem. Summoned by the local administration, he justifed his work saying, it aimed at public welfare and the matter was subsided there. Later, a ferry service was introduced for the movement of military convoy.

58 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Kartikpur: A Village With a Glowing Tradition

Kartikpur is not an ordinary village. It is a place of good tradition. The Sikder and Chowdhury families including other families live here Like the Sikder family, the history of Chowdhury family is rich with century-old aristocracy. The village was once under the rule of Kedar Roy, one of Zamindars called Banglar Baro Bhuiyan. Earlier, the place was known as Hogla Pargana. But real name of this place is Hoogly now. (Source: Shariatpur Otit O Bartaman by Rab Sikder, page- 55). Sripur was the capital of Kedar Roy. It is situated on the bank of the river Kaliganga. Kedar Roy was in possession of many war ships. He appointed some Portuguese fortune seekers who were working as skippers of the ships. Of them, famous was Karvano. The heroic resistance of Kedar Roy to Mughal aggression took the image of Bikrampur to a new height. In 1603, Kedar Roy was injured and arrested in a clash with Mughal rulers' Subadar Man Singh. Later, in March 1603, he passed away. [-volume 2. page 459]. After the demise of Kedar Roy, the entire estate was

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 59 divided into three parts which were passed on to his ministers and army commanders. Bikrampur proper was held by Kedar's minister Raghunandan Guha Chowdhury and Kartikpur by army commander Sheikh Kalu. Besides, Raghunandan Guha Roy Chowdhury got Edilpur which constitutes a part of Gosairhat and Bhedergonj . After the demise of Sheikh Kalu, his daughter Nurunnesa got the legacy of zamindari estate. Accompanied by Man Singh, Mughal general Fateh Muhammad came to the place. He got married to Nurunnesa and started to live in Kartikpur permanently. During the rule of Mughal emperor Shahjahan, was worst affected by the disturbance by Portuguese mercenaries. They used to collect revenue from people on coercion. Fateh Muhammad ousted Portuguese and Shahjahan was pleased with his gallantry. In 1643, Shahjahan bequeathed zamindari to Fateh Muhammad through testamentary document.

Zamider Bari of Kartikpur

60 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Once, Fateh Muhammad visited the zamindar house in Edilpur and received hospitality. As Raghunandan's cute minor girl named Shashi Mukhi was playing in the household premises, Fateh took her in his lap and showed affection. In reaction, Raghunandan refused to accept the girl again in his house. Fateh was ashamed of what he did. Finding no way out, he took the girl to his house. His son and Shashi Mukhi tied the knot at his behest. Shahi Mukhi assumed a new name i.e. Shosha Bibi. Moved by the incident, zamindar Raghunandan granted 36 villages to his son-in-law as dower. His daughter gave birth to Mainuddin. According to historian Elphin Stone, during the lifespan of Mainuddin, the family got the title Munshi. His two sons are Munshi Naimuddin and Munshi Imamuddin. Munshi Naimuddin was born in 1644. He was a religious and kind hearted person. He did not allow anybody, irrespective of religion and caste, to leave him with empty hand. He arranged special donation for establishing the-then educational institution Maktab, Chatuspathi and Pathsala. Both Hindu and Muslim tenants earned money cultivating his tax-less land. He has become immortal due to his indiscriminate grant and favour. Poet Golam Mostafa writes about him: On the holy soul, the philanthropist, the great Munshi Mainuddin, Who said you have died? You're immortal, and evergreen. You are still refraining from enjoying the paradise garden, Rather you are visiting the huts of destitute facing endless burden. [Source: 'Bikrampur', second edition / Sri Himangshu Mohan Chattapadya, , Dhaka- 1859, Bangla 1338] Imamuddin, second son of Munshi Mainuddin, was born in 1647. Munshi Imamuddin went to Murshidabad for learning Urdu and Persian languages at the fag end of Sultan Shuja's regime, in 1659 or 1660. During the Mughal rule, zamindars were encouraged to learn offcial and court languages such as Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Pleased with good governance of Munshi Mainuddin, Nawab Shayesta Khan conferred Chowdhury title on him.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 61 The word Chowdhury originated from Sanskrit catus and dhura or dhuriya. The part catus means four ways or all round. while dhuriya refers to a burden or responsibility. The dictionary meaning of Chowdhury is leader, leading businessman of the city, head of a community or caste or village etc. The title was conferred on both Hindu and Muslim people of eminence. In the medieval , the landlords and revenue collectors were called Chowdhury. In some region, Chowdhury was district revenue offcer. In other parts of India, Chowdhury was a village head or a leader of businessmen or professional bodies in the cities. During the regime of Alauddin Khilji, Chowdhury was next to Makaddam being revenue offcer. When Mughal emperors ruled the Indian sub- continent, the landlords were classifed into three categories i.e. Chowdhury, Zamider and Talukder. In the dying days of Mughals. Chowdhury was lower than Zamider in respect of post. But they were higher than Zamider considering the social status. [Sirajul Islam. Banglapedia, 3rd volume, page 402. first edition 2004] Many renowned and aristocratic families of Bengal have kinship with Chowdhury family of Kartikpur. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ali's father Nawab Altaf Ali of Bogra, zamindar of Karotia in Tangail Wazed Ali Khan Panni, Nawab of Dhaka Ahsanullah, Khwaza Salimullah, Haji Shariatullah's successor A Khaled Rashiduddin Pir Badsha Mia, zamindar of Faridpur Yusuf Ali Chowdhury Mohan Mia and his son Kamal Ibne Yusuf have tied the knot with the women of Chowdhury family in Kartikpur. Instead of indulging in competition, the two families have been living in Kartikpur with friendly relations and mutual understanding for years together. In the late 1960s, Zainul Haque Sikder's elder brother Mainul Haque Sikder was in confict with the son of the Kartikpur zamindar family Samiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury alias Mashuk Chowdhury

62 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend over some local issues. The dispute took a serious turn within a short time. This prompted Zainul Haque Sikder to buy a frearm for his elder brother. Afterwards, both the families reached a consensus with their own initiatives. During the liberation war and after, some freedom fghters instigated Zainul Haque Sikder to take action against Mashuk Chowdhury for not having pro-liberation stance. But Zainul Haque Sikder turned a deaf ear to their plea. As far as I know, had the two families not maintained good relations, the village would have faced many untoward incidents in 1971 and thereafter. Zainul Haque Sikder really deserves admiration for his kind and determined personality which contributed to peaceful coexistence of all concerned in the region. After Kartikpur visit, I returned to Dhaka and met a descendant of this Zamider Familiy Mr. Samiuddin Ahmed Chowhury alias Mashuk chowdhury who was then residing in Dhaka. At one stage of conversation, I raised the issue of the university established by Zainul Haque Sikder. Notable, Mashuk Chowdhury is a maternal cousin of the author's father-in-law Syed Nurul Borhan who is successor of Joymia Pir Sahib of Telipara under Naria Upazila. So, Mashuk Chowdhury is my wife's Mashuk Chowdhury uncle. He is my father-in-law. He suggested me to meet Zainul Haque Sikder. The former made telephone call to the latter and confrmed appointment. A date and venue was fxed. Accordingly. Mashuk Chowdhury and I went to Sikder Women's

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 63 Medical College and Hospital premises on December 25, 2012. We were astonished to see the vast greenery, congenial atmosphere of the campus with some titanic building. We entered the large reception room. After being welcomed, we were taken to the room of hospital founder and chairman Zainul Haque Sikder. I saw him after 41 years and tried to compare him with the photo hung on the wall of the science and technology university in Kartikpur. After walking a long way of life, he seemed to have gained obesity. But his voice is still frm, deep and kind. After reception and exchange of views, we discussed about various present and past issues. At one stage of gossip, Mashuk uncle suggested me to write a book on the contribution of Zainul Haque Sikder and his family for the development of the people of Shariatpur and other parts of the country. He referred to my write-up on the Chowdhury family of Kartikpur which was published in Faridpur Itihash Oitijjo Parishad Patrika (A journal on the history and tradition of Faridpur) in this regard. I could not ignore the request made by respected Mashuk Chowdhury. I promised to present the eventful life of the great Zainul Haque Sikder to the people with my humble writing. Let us remember the inadequate healthcare service in the government hospitals in 1970s and 1980s. The country was yet to get any private hospital. As such, many patients had to go to neighboring India to receive better treatment at high cost. Besides, the number of female doctors in the country was negligible. Against this backdrop, Zainul Haque Sikder planned to establish a women's medical college and hospital in 1990s.

64 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Story Behind Setting up Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College

In 1982, Zainul Haque Sikder's daughter Parveen Haque Sikder was deprived of admission into Dhaka Medical College. However, she got chance in Medical College which was outside the capital city. She decided not to study there. On the contrary, she went to the USA to obtain a medical degree. This is what encouraged Zainul Haque Sikder to establish a medical college for the women community of Bangladesh. He discussed the issue with his family members.

Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital located at Monika Estate, Rayerbazar, Dhaka

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 65 Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) came to power through parliamentary polls in 1991. Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, who hailed from greater Faridpur, became health minister in the cabinet of the then Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum . Kamal Ibne Yusuf is a nephew of Pir Mohsinuddin Dudu Mia who is a descendant of Haji Shariatullah. Mentionable, the second sister of Dudu Mia was married to eminent politician of the-then Pakistan regime and a resident of Faridpur Yusuf Ali Chowdhury Mohan Mia. His frst and third sisters got married to two Zamider siblings of Kartikpur : Giasuddin Chowdhury and Serajuddin Chowdhury. Later, Serajuddin Chowdhury's daughter Shahela Banu was married to her cousin Kamal Ibne Yusuf. Both the families entered into closer ties after this wedding.

Health Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf during the establishment of Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College

66 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The then health minister Kamal Ibne Yusuf was well aware of the fact that Z. H. Sikder had a dream to set up a women's medical college. This prompted him to take some steps in this regard. He requested Zainul Haque Sikder to submit a proposal for setting up a women's medical college with a view to creating advanced healthcare services along with adequate number of women physicians across the country. The former also requested the latter to apply to the government. Sikder, who is a dedicated follower of Bangabandhu, was reluctant to do so. He said, "I am loyal to Bangabandhu. I will not apply as long as Khaleda is the prime minister of the country."

Later, the minister went to Sikder's house with an application typed by him. He discussed the matter in details with him and his family members. The discussion was rewarding and he managed to get the application signed by Sikder. It happened on July 23,1992, Friday . The day was a government holiday. Sikder was quite aware that a minister cannot receive an application on a holiday. This is why the minister Kamal Ibne Yusuf tampered with the date and made it July 25.

The minister left the house with the application. Few days later, he invited Sikder to the secretariat to discuss the issue. Sikder was reluctant to go there. He sent a representative named Omar Haider. At one stage of discussion, the then health secretary told the minister. "Zainul Haque Sikder Sahib is loyal to Awami League."

The minister said. "So what? How could BNP be born as a political party without the birth of Awami League? BNP has come into being, since a party like Awami League was born earlier".

Thereafter the minister himself carried the approval letter to Sikder's home. This approval letter was issued on August 5, just within 10 days of submitting the application. The whole procedure was expedited as a result of sincere efforts by the minister himself.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 67 Notable, the application was pending for 9 days out of 10 with the table of the then DG Health A. T. Siddique. Initially, this medical college got permission for admission of 50 students. As Sikder was not satisfed with the poor number of students, the permission got revised just for a double. The permission for admission of 100 students was only applicable for Sikder Women's Medical College. Following the request of Sikder's wife, the name of the college was changed a little bit. The name was changed from Sikder Women's Medical College to Zainul Haque Sikder Women's Medical College.

68 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Application for Z. H. Sikder Medical College

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 69 Latter of Goverment Approval for Z. H. Sikder Medical College

70 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Initially, Tk 50 crore was invested in the project. Gradually, this investment rose to Taka 200 crore. This is how this medical college came into being. On November 4, 2015 Mr. Kamal lbne Yusuf said at his Basundhara residence about establishing the country's frst women medical college, "Following our two-fold kinship with the Chowdhury family of Kartikpur, I was long acquainted with Zainul Haque Sikder, the descendant of another aristocratic family of this village. He is a frst class businessman and a multimillionaire since the Pakistan regime. I got to know some of his qualities i.e. concentration in work, sincerity, perseverance and integrity that attracted me most. This prompted me to start a business jointly with him in the early 1980s. I had an occasion to see him from close distance. Although he seems to be angry and wayward, he is actually kind, philanthropist, just and patriotic. He established a unique example of patriotism by taking part in the liberation war of Bangladesh in the middle of his life:" Mr. Kamal lbne Yusuf also said, "The healthcare sector of the country was disastrous when I got the portfolio of health ministry. It was 1991. The number of government hospitals was handful with inadequate doctors and medical facilities. Numerous patients had to visit neighboring India for their medical treatment spending hard- earned foreign currency of huge amount. As Health minister, I requested the well-off people in the society to come forward for solving the problem in the healthcare sector. I encouraged Zahurul Islam and Zainul Haque Sikder in particular to establish private medical colleges and hospitals. As I was well aware of the dynamism and effciency of Zainul Haque Sikder, I gave approval to his medical college and hospital on my own initiative, going beyond all offcial protocols. I made all high offcials concerned to sit together around one table and sign the approval fle in a day.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 71 Experts from Mount Elizabeth Hospital, visited Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital in 1996. From right, Z. H. Sikder is third and Health Minister Chowdhury Kamal lbne Yusuf fifth My efforts resulted in the increased number of private medical colleges, doctors and nurses irrespective of their gender, beneftting the people of the country as a whole. Even, now-a-days many patients from the eastern states of India are visiting Bangladesh for receiving better treatment. " The Zainul Haque Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital is constructed on a plot of 20-acre land in Monica Estate, road no 8A (former15) under Dhanmondi residential area. On August 5, 1992, the college started admitting students to various faculties. Currently, its room space is 10 lakh square feet including 1 lakh square feet for the academic activities of the college while 9 lakh square feet for the use of hospital as a whole. This is why it can be termed as the country's frst women private medical college providing medical education to its learners as well as advanced heart treatment facilities to the patients concerned.

72 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The vast greeneries at Zainul Haque Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital Situated in Munica Estate Updated information of Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital (2015) The number of students who completed MBBS and became physicians is 1,374, total female students 501, total foreign students 133, total foreign students including interns 125, local students admitted under 2014-2015 academic session 91, foreign students under 2014-2015 academic session 40, total nurse 120, intern doctors 104, lecture hall 4, tutorial room 15, common room 2, auditorium seat capacity 300, laboratory 8, number of books in the library 3,565, total journals including British journal and American journal of surgery 1,200, library seat capacity 120, library space 8,000 square feet, total residential students including foreigners living in the hostel 315, total seat capacity in the hostel 440, professors 14, associate professors 15, assistant professors 20, lecturers 39 and the patients who underwent open heart surgery : 3, 300. The departments available in the hospital are 1. Anatomy 2. Physiology 3. Bio-Chemistry 4. Pathology 5. Microbiology 6. Pharmacology 7. Community Medicine 8. Forensic Medicine 9. Medicine 10. Surgery 11. Gynecology & Obstetrics 12.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 73 Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology 13. Opthalmology 14. ENT 15. Gastroenterology 16. Paediatrics 17. Darmatology (Skin and V.D.) 18. Psychiatry 19. Urology 20. Radiology 21. Dentistry 22. Anaesthesiology 23. Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank 24. Cardiology 25. Cardiac Surgery 26. Physiotherapy 27. Dental Surgery.

Students of Z. H. Sikder Wonen's Medical College The diagnosis and clinical interventions include X-Ray, Ultra- sonogram, ECG, pathological, biochemical and microbiological tests. Apart from local students, girls from the USA, UK, KSA, United Arab Emirates, India and are studying in the Z. H. Sikder Medical College. A number of 123 foreign students got admitted to the college in the academic year 2011-2012. The authorities concerned have arranged accommodation for all foreign students and half of the local students in the college hostel. Z. H. Sikder Medical College is registered with Dhaka University, Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council and World Health Organisation (WHO). There are 500 beds for the patients in the Z. H. Sikder Medical College and Hospital. Nearly 400 patients receive treatment everyday from outdoor section. Besides, the number of daily admitted patients is 275 on an average. The hospital management provides free bed facility to 50 poor patients. Gulshan branch of

74 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend the medical college and hospital was inaugurated in the year 2000. It is equipped with 200 beds. Rare Success of Z. H. Sikder Medical College and Hospital Dr. Majibur Rahman, head of the department of Urology of the hospital, created a record by removing a leech from the body of a patient without operation. According to the hospital sources, a patient named Nowsad Hossain Tarafder was admitted to the hospital with a leech that entered into his body through sexual organ at the time of taking bath in a pond. Son of Abdal Hossain Tarafder, the patient, aged 12, hailed from Sekandarpur village of Habiganj district under . Bite of the leech resulted in profuse bleeding. Finally, blood was clotted. As he was initially rushed to Habiganj hospital, the doctors said he needed operation. Then the patient was taken to Sikder Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition. Dr. Majibur Rahman applied an innovative idea to solve the problem. He pulled out 13cm leech with the help of endoscopy machine. The incident was reported in the daily .

Managing Director of the hospital Monowara Sikder inaugurates Modern Cardiac Ward in the Gulshan Branch. Chairman of the hospital Zainul Haque Sikder is seen beside her.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 75 Dr. Majibur said, "This problem was never solved without operation in the past. We are frst to remove leech with the help of endoscopy. During monsoon, people may face the problem with leech entering into their body." He called upon everybody to be careful about themselves and their children to fend off any untoward incident. On August 5, 1992, ZHSMCH (the medical college) started its journey. The Cardiac Care and Research Centre came into operation in December, 1998. Six foreign consultants teamed up with local doctors and 50 nurses conducted 100 open heart surgeries within 11 months. Foreign consultants include Dr. Muraly, Dr. Prosandor and Dr. Ajit. The success rate of the operation was 99 percent. One patient died. It is above the international success rate which is 96-98 percent approximately in the hospitals of advanced countries. Lion Mohammad Faruk underwent open heart surgery at Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care and Research Centre. He visited various hospitals in India and Bangladesh both. He shared his experience in a write-up. He said, "I felt chest pain during Eid-ul-Azha holidays in 1981. I went to a doctor. The reports of various tests showed my heart ailment. I started to follow treatment protocol. I changed my food habit and avoided red meat, egg, butter, oily items and smoking. Yet the situation deteriorated after 1986. In 1997, I went to B. M. Birla Heart Research Centre in Kolkata. The doctors there suggested me to undergo angiogram test. I was not morally strong enough to have the test abroad. I came back home. Local doctors echoed the view of Indian consultants. In March or April of 1998, I was off to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre in Delhi. My wife and nephew accompanied me. The angiogram test detected two blocks in my heart, requiring urgent operation. I was not courageous enough to undergo such an expensive operation outside the country. Then I came back home and went to Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care and Research Centre. I was convinced

76 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend with the standard of doctors, nurses, treatment protocol and overall environment of the hospital. More to it, my relatives and close friends would be able to visit me. So I decided to undergo operation there. The opportunity of getting my heart operated by effcient doctors at a comparatively low cost also infuenced me. In fact, I received a surgery of modern and international standard. Six days into the operation, I left the hospital for home. I followed the instructions of the doctors for one month. After two to three months, my life became normal. Now, I am ok. I was impressed with the treatment by Dr. Muraly, Dr. Prosandor and their associates and care by nurse Dipa and her subordinates. Such a quality treatment in Bangladesh is really commendable. [My experience as an open heart surgery patient, Lion Mohammad Faruk MJ,F 28 Indira Road. Dhaka] The view of Lion Mohammad Faruk was substantiated by another report headlined "International standard hospital runs without publicity: 100 open heart surgeries in 11 months" published in the daily on January 27, 2000. The report claimed that a private cardiac care centre provides the patients with treatment of international standard without any strong publicity and campaign. The Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care and Research Centre situated at Rayer Bazar on the west of Dhanmondi is enriched with some world famous cardiac surgeons. A press conference was held on the occasion of the 100th open heart surgery in Sikder Cardiac Centre. Speaking on the occasion, the hospital authorities and physicians explained various aspects of their success. Dr. Muraly Provakaran, chief surgeon and clinical director of the Sikder Cardiac Centre, said "A good teamwork coupled with effcient management has acted behind our unprecedented success." He is a former consultant of Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 77 Senior consultant cardiologist Dr. M Matiur Rahman opines that the patients have to overcome various barriers and hassles for receiving proper treatment. "We offer the patients a comprehensive treatment to mitigate their sufferings."

Consultant cardiologist Dr. Shams Manowar joined here after 13 years of professional experience in the UK and South Africa. He placed Sikder Cardiac Centre at par with any modern hospital in the world in terms of equipment, manpower and effcient physicians.

Mr. Salahuddin Khan, executive director of the hospital, said, "People need not go abroad for better heart treatment. They can get international standard treatment here at affordable cost."

Dr. Muraly said that the treatment plan was designed in such a way that the patient could return home in a good health.

A member of the hospital management observed that the patients from neighboring countries would come to this hospital provided that success stories of treatment were disseminated properly. [Source: The daily Janakantha, Dated 27-01-2000, supplementary issue.]

The leading national dailies carried reports on the excellence of the cardiac centre. On August 21, 1999, the daily Sangbad published a news item headlined "Treatment of critical heart disease available in Dhaka." The daily Star, on July 16, 1999, ran a report headlined "Beating Heart Surgery performed, Private sectors enters new era in coronary healthcare." The Sikder Cardiac Centre conducted 3,500 successful open heart surgeries so far.

78 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Childhood of Zainul Haque Sikder

Zainul Haque Sikder was frst educated at home situated at Bilaspur of Assam. It was in line with his family tradition. He was later sent to a nearby school, where Mr. Kawsar Ali was the Headmaster. Babu Prafulla Das was a class teacher. One day, Prafulla Das ordered the students to uproot the weeds from school ground. Since Mr. Z. H. Sikder was a freedom-loving and self-conscious child of an affuent family, he was unhappy with the behavior of his class teacher. He expressed his reluctance to go to school. He started to receive education at home again. If you dig a ditch for others, you have to fall into it yourself Z. H. Sikder realized the truth of the above proverb during his childhood. Recollecting his childhood memories, he said that he is a blatant example of the proverb. "If you dig a ditch for others, you might fall into it yourself." I stopped going to school few days back. I was receiving lessons at home. My house tutor was Khogen Babu. One day, he gave me a beating with a scale. This irked me. I vowed to retaliate. I collected a blade and broke it into pieces. I placed the small broken pieces of the blade on a chair thinking that the teacher would sit on the chair and get injured.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 79 The teacher was little bit late. I was having a gossip with my siblings. Forgetting the issue, I suddenly sat on the chair and received severe injury. A doctor came to our house. A couple of stitches were needed to stop bleeding. I was caught in a trap laid for others. I am still bearing the injury marks at the age of 85. Let me share this lesson with all others. Shortly after the incident, Zainul Haque Sikder was admitted to Indronarayan Academy. He started as a student of class III. His uncompromising attitude was manifested at his early age. When he was a student of class VII, he organized a serious protest against a Hindu teacher for making an offensive comment on our great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). As he is ultra white, the teacher thought him to be a boy of Brahmin caste. There were only two Muslim students in class VII. There were 50 Muslim students out of a total of 450 students in the school. However, all students of the class looked at Zainul Haque Sikder to know his reaction. He left the classroom. He whistled to unite all Muslim students to protest the comment. They disclosed the matter to Arabic teacher. Later, they registered a complaint with the Headmaster. The delinquent teacher was forced to apologize. He was also terminated from his service. Zainul Haque Sikder was still a school boy. During a confict between Assamese and , a school of the latter was set ablaze. Z. H. Sikder along with Zamider Purna Chandra Kalita and Abdul Aziz ware arrested in connection with the incident. Z. H. Sikder was released from the police station the following day. At this stage, he was sent to Aligarh Muslim University at Uttar Pradesh for completion of his secondary school education. It was originally founded by Sir Syed Ahmad as Mohammedan Anglo- Oriental College in 1875. Aligarh is over 1,000 kilometers away from Assam. To facilitate his education in a remote place, he was provided with all necessary articles, including 14 sets of pantaloons and shirts. It was compulsory for every student of Aligarh to have such dress.

80 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Aligarh University

This university is located in Aligarh city of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The previous name of the city was Koil or Kol. In 1542, a fort was constructed there. In 1776, Shia commander Najaf Khan occupied the city and it was renamed as Aligarh. The meaning of Aligarh is "high fort." The place was also named as Ramgarh, Sabitgarh and Mohammadgarh. The ancient city Koil was captured by Qutubuddin Aibek by the end of 12th century. It was under Delhi during the rule of Balaban's eldest son around 1270 and controlled by Jaunpur Sultanate in 1393. The place was independent in 1447. The Marathas of the Sindhia family took possession of the city in 1785. Lord Lake ousted Marathas in 1803. The modern town of Aligarh is greatly indebted to this university for its elevated status now. In 1871, Sir Syed Ahmed started collecting fund for setting up a school for the Muslim boys following the pattern of an English school.

Icon of Muslim Awakening Aligarh Univeristy

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 81 In 1871, Sir Syed Ahmad started collecting fund to establish a school for Muslim children modelled on an English medium educational institution. Kicked off in 1875, the High School took three years to turn into a college. Thereafter the High School and college started to run concurrently. The college was named as Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College. The language instruction for all subjects excepting the book on religion was English. Sir Syed Ahmad was in the helm of management of the school and college. Pioneer of Muslin Awakening and founder After his demise, the of Aligarh University Sir Syed Ahmad management was vested on a Trustee Board. There were 353 students in the school and 269 in the college in 1904. Of them, 36 were the students of law. In 1920, the college was rendered into a university as per recommendation of Calcutta University Commission. [Source: Islamic Encyclopedia, 3rd volume Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, second edition, page 22-23] Hailing from green and fertile Assam, the indomitable boy of Bengal Zainul Haque Sikder could not adapt with the desert-like lonely atmosphere of Aligarh. He suffered from homesickness. The green agricultural pastorals, birds and surrounding of his ancestral home were beckoning him. He returned to his roots three months later and got himself admitted to class VIII in Indronarayan Academy.

82 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Just like childhood, he felt attracted to his roots at the age of maturity as well. As such, he could not prolong his stay anywhere in Bengal. After the assassination of Bangabandhu Skeikh Mojibur Rahman along with most of his family members by some disgruntled army offcials in 1975, Zainul Haque Sikder was worried over the ungratefulness of a section of people of Bangladesh. In 1980, he along with his family members went to the USA to stay there permanently. He got success in business and social establishment. He also got state recognition which allowed him to stay there permanently. But he did not do so. After 10 years, he came back to his homeland. As per family decision, he went to hostel to continue his study in indronarayan Academy. As a former student of Aligarh he was loved by all. He became a protagonist in the Academy for his outstanding performance in sports and other extracurricular activities. Everybody used to count him irrespective of teachers and students. He developed a sort of self-conceit in him.

A few of Indronarayan Academy in Assam

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 83 At one stage he liked the room the Hostel Superintendent was living in. He decided to occupy it. The Super was a pious Hindu Brahmin. Since 80 percent students living in school Hostel were Muslim, he could easily execute the plan. He along with some cohorts slaughtered a cow and kept the bones in the room in absence of the Super. It sparked an unpleasant situation in the school. The situation deteriorated further. The incident which prompted Zainul Haque Sikder to go back to Kartikpur from Assam was the assaulting of a police constable. Abdul Mazid Sarkar alias Rarho, son of Abdul Razzak Sarkar of Bilasipara, used to play with Z. H. Sikder. He retired as Superintendent of police on April 1, 1988. Now he lives in Bilasipara. I talked to him over phone on September 17, 2015. He said, "I was one year senior to Abdul Mazid Sarker alias Rarho Zainul Haque Sikder alias Zunu. Superentendent of police retired My younger brother Aziz Sarkar on 1-4-1988 alias Lal was his friend. I retired as SP on April 1, 1988. We used to play together. Once, Dipak Chaktrabarty and Subas Banarjee of Indronarayan Academy went to steal mangoes from a tree of Bilasipara police station. The duo was assaulted by a Bihari police constable. They informed Zunu of the incident. The following day, we were playing in the feld. The constable was going past us. The duo identifed him. They battered him at the behest of brother Zunu." As brother Zunu hit the constable with boot, latter's two teeth were broken. A case was lodged in connection with the incident as per the directive of the then SP. Some students including Zainul

84 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Haque Sikder and my younger brother were arrested. The family of Zunu was as popular and infuential as us. At the hearing of arrest, the local people took to the street. The District Magistrate released the students.

Abdul Mazid Sarker (far right) and Zainul Haque Sikder (third) with other friends in Assam He also informed us over telephone, "Zunu left home leaving family members there. Other members of his family stayed back in India. Then his two brothers Faizul Haque Sikder and Nurul Haque Sikder died in Bilasipara. They were laid to rest there. Zunu wished to build a mosque there, since many Muslims were living in this region that time. A Hindu family, shifted from Bangladesh to India, started to live in their house. So, Zainul Haque Sikder backtracked from his decision." Enlarged on bail, Zainul Haque Sikder was admitted to class X in Kartikpur High School. But the candidates of this region including Naria and Bhedergonj had to sit for the matriculation examinations at a centre in Chandpur sub-divisional city under . The candidates did not have suitable place to stay in the underdeveloped Chandpur. They faced heterogeneous

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 85 problems. On the other hand, Barisal city had all civic amenities. The people of Madaripur used to go there. Madaripur was a sub-division of Barisal district. Later, Madaripur split into two districts. These are Madaripur and Shariatpur. In 1873, Madaripur sub-division went under the jurisdiction of Faridpur district. In 1978, Shariatpur became a full-fedged subdivision with Palong thana as its headquarter. It comprises Naria, Palong, Goshairhat, Bhedergonj and Damudya. These areas were earlier a part of Madaripur. In February 1984, Madaripur, Shariatpur. Gopalganj, Rajbari and Faridpur subdivisions turned into fve separate districts. The fve new districts were derived from greater Faridpur district. Zainul Haque Sikder obtained transfer certifcate from Kartikpur school and got admitted to Sakhipur High School. He changed the school just prior to HSC examination registration. He wanted to sit for the exam at Barisal headquarter centre. Other students namely Mahbub Ali, Nuru Mia and Mohammad Farid Sheikh also opted to change the exam centre. Each student needed to pay Tk 5, in addition to usual fee for the change. However. Zainul Haque Sikder made the whole payment to the tune of Tk 50. He passed the matriculation examination in March 1949.

86 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Memories of Kartikpur school

Academic life of Zainul Haque Sikder in Kartikpur was brief. During the short span of time, he invited a vendetta with Zamidar family. The Zamidar estate was divided into two parts. Nur Uddin Chowdhury, son of Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury, got half of the estate. Rest half went to Serajuddin Chowdhury's son Giasuddin Ahmed Chowdhury. The two successors resorted to competition, misunderstanding and antagonism. But, both of them were respected in the national level. In 1921, Zamider Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury was elected a member of Bengal legislative assembly. He was also the whip of the ruling party. He was active in politics until the independence of India in 1947. In 1940, Mohammad Ali Chowdhury son of Nawab Altaf Ali Chowdhury of Bogra, stepped into politics. Mohammad Ali Chowdhury was encouraged by maternal uncle Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury in this regard. Mohammad Ali was elected as a member of parliament and became a lawmaker from Bogra constituency. Later, he was inducted in the cabinet of the then government under the infuence of his uncle Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury, who was close to the then British Governor. The Governor used to stay in his summer capital Darjeeling for three months every year. Mesbah Uddin was one of the few people

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 87 who accompanied the Governor at the sanatorium. Following the independence of India and Pakistan from British rule, Governor General Lord Mountbatten relinquished power and left the place Before departure, he sent a personal letter asking Mesbah Uddin meet him. He presented Kartikpur Zamindar with many gift items which are now showcased in the recipient's house. Meanwhile, Gias Uddin Chowdhury was elected member of Bengal legislative assembly in the general elections of 1937. He was elected next year deputy chief whip of Bengal government led by Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq. He was chairman of Faridpur district board during a period from 1942 to 1943. He contested East Pakistan provincial assembly polls as a candidate of National Front in 1954 and came out successful. Next year, he was inducted in the cabinet of Abu Hossain. He got the portfolio of regional autonomy, cooperatives and registration. During his time, Dhaka Improvement Trust (DIT) was constituted. The defunct DIT later turned into Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). When he was a minister, ballot box system was introduced in the union council polls. Being a Muslim Zamider, Gias Uddin Chowdhury was the one who had to play a special role to work more for the development of his society. He was the frst Muslim Zamider who endorsed A. K. Fazlul Huq's proposal for enactment of a law for dissolution of Zamider system. The elimination of Zamider system was one of the 21 election pledges of United Front in 1954 general polls. Since 1937, Gias Uddin Chowdhury visited various European countries. When he went to Germany, Italy, Turkey and Egypt. he met world leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, Kemal Pasha and King Faruq. In London he met the emperor of India in a tea party. On his way back home he performed the holy pilgrimage in Mecca. He extended his utmost assistance for the common people of his country during the famine of 1942-43. Besides, he helped a lot in the formation of a good number of welfare organizations.

88 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Kartikpur was then a centre of timber business. The family of Zainul Haque Sikder used to send big pieces of woods from Assam to Bengal. Some of those pieces were sold in Kartikpur and other pieces were distributed to other areas of Bengal. Once huge pieces were brought by boats during the rainy season. It was quite diffcult to fnd a suitable place to keep the same. So some of those pieces were kept on roadside in front of Zamider's house. Zamider Nuruddin Chowdhury liked the pieces, which is why he asked one of his employees to write his name N. C. on those pieces. It was a desperate attempt to claim the ownership of those pieces. Zainul Haque Sikder used his legs to wipe out the name from those pieces in presence of the same employee of the Zamider. This irked the Zamider who summoned him by sending an employee. Zainul Haque Sikder refused to go, rather he advised the Zamider to come to him in person if he so needed. The matter ended there, since Zamider Nuruddin Chowdhury was a clever man who was well aware of the headstrong nature of Z. H. Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 89 Farsighted young Zainul Haque Sikder

The partition of the subcontinent in 1947 not only gave birth to India and Pakistan as two independent states, but also divided Bengal resulting in the exodus of Hindus and Muslims from their mother countries. Huge people started leaving their homestead selling land properties and other valuables. In its wake, the price of land was on the wane. Moreover, he could understand very well that since the Hindus and Muslims had created two separate States on the basis of their religious rivalry, the Muslims hailing from East Bengal to Assam would not stay there in peace for long. It was August 1949. Dhaka was made the capital of newly formed province called East Pakistan. Z. H. Sikder came here. He could foresee the value of this place and decided to buy land. He went to his father in Assam and asked for money. He demanded Taka 50,000. The father turned down his plea. He advised Z. H. Sikder to be educated, to earn money and then to buy land. Z. H. Sikder vowed to be self-reliant. He wished his efforts to be crowned with success. He abandoned the hope of getting parental properties.

90 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend He decided to leave the house at night, lest he should be challenged by the father. When darkness bade farewell to the setting sun, he asked domestic help Joynuddin to carry a trunk and a leather suitcase. The necessary items in the luggage included 14 pairs of shirts and pants given to him at the time of going to Aligarh. He was in possession of a camera, a costly wristwatch, three gold rings and some gold coins. Z. H. Sikder boarded on a Dhaka bound train from Fakiragram station of Assam at 11:00 pm. The train reached Dhaka next day. Before coming to destination, it had crossed Lalmonirhat, Fulchari and Bahadurabad. Now-a-days, a train can run over the Jamuna Bridge heading towards Dhaka. In the past, there was no direct train service in Lalmonirhat-Dhaka route. The passengers had to cross the Jamuna river by steamers. The vessels used to make movement between Fulchhari and Bahadurabad landing stages:Two trains kept waiting on either sides of the river to receive the passengers. Stepping into Dhaka, Zainul Haque Sikder got a room in a hotel. He met his parental uncle Khanbahadur Amir Hossain. The former wanted the latter to help him fnd a job. Khanbahadur got astonished. He said. "I completed my education getting fnancial support from your father. I owe to him my current position. Now, I have become Khanbahadur. You are a son of the person who fnanced my education. How is it possible for you to seek a job with matriculation certifcate without perusing higher study?" In reply. Z. H. Sikder hinted at the possibility of communal riot and racial hatred in Assam following the creation of two states splitting India. The place of Sikder's house in Muslim neighborhood Assam constituted a part of Hindu majority India. The Muslims, who hailed from East Bengal would no longer feel comfortable living in Assam. Against this backdrop, Z. H. Sikder needed a job to settle in Dhaka. Within a short time, the apprehension of Z. H. Sikder turned into reality. On March 1, 1950, a vested quarter in Assam started

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 91 a movement styled as "Bangalee Khedao". The objective of the movement was to oust people hailing from East Bengal. The situation deteriorated and turned into a riot. The Muslims were worst affected with the violence. Zainul Haque Sikder's father, who had to bear the brunt of the riot in 1950 moved to ancestral house in Kartikpur. He sacrifced right over huge properties in Assam. He was in possession of Tk 10 lakh at the time of coming to Kartikpur. About 68 years elapsed since India got independence. But the chaos went unabated. The dispute very often turned into a riot. In the frst quarter of 2013, a riot took a serious turn in Assam. Several hundreds of solvent families turned into paupers and took shelter in relief camp following arson attacks on their homesteads and business establishments. Fire gutted their dreams, too. Z. H. Sikder left Assam for Dhaka in September 1949. He sacrifced his right over parental properties. Later, his sacrifce was compensated and his dream came true. He became a professional footballer. At the outset, he took up a job in EPR within 12 years. he became a successful businessman. He bought several hundred bighas of land in Dhanmondi area before Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Z. H. Sikder collected a recommendation letter from Khanbahadur Amir Hossain and met the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shamsuzzoha with a view to getting a job in the police department. The IGP told him that he could join in the post of Assistant Sub- Inspector without any formalities. But he was required to qualify competitive examination to be a Sub-Inspector. He would have to wait for the circular. Although he did not feel attracted to the post of ASI, his friend Sheikh Mohammad Farid joined as constable in September, 1949. In the aftermath, Sikder contacted Army and Navy Recruitment Centre. Major Nawab Hasan Askari was in the helm of recruitment

92 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend centre. He was a descendant of Nawab family. He told Sikder that recruitment in Army Commission Rank will be held next year (1950). He left the place too. But he was running out of money. Out of three gold rings, two were already mortgaged. In such a situation, he went to the headquarters of East Pakistan Rifes (EPR) at Pilkhana. He wore twill silk shirt, white jeans pant, gold ring and wrist watch of west end watch brand. At frst sight, Major Mohammad Ahmed told Sikder, "You cannot do the job." In reply, Sikder said he was conversant with Urdu and English. Major asked, "How do you know Urdu?" Zainul Haque said, "We had several drivers who hailed from Punjab. I learnt Urdu from them." Major said, "You have come from a rich family. So, you cannot do this job." Zainul Haque replied, "I can play football well. You can recruit me as a footballer." At this stage, Major asked Sikder to go to the feld at 3:00 pm to face a test. Accordingly, Z. H. Sikder was present in the feld and started to play. He took up position in the centre half and scored a goal. Colonel TI Powers was happy with his performance. He got the job at Tk 200 salary per month. Besides, he was subjected to some extra facilities, including half liter milk and one chatak (58.32 grams) ghee. Zainul Haque withdrew salary at the end of the month. He went to Kartikpur to get back his rings from the mortgagee. At that time, Zamindar's Nayeb Mozaffar Mir came to know about his job in the EPR. Later, Zainul Haque's father met Colonel TI Powers at Pilkhana. He went there to get his son released from the service. Soldier Board secretary Fazlul Haq's elder brother accompanied him. Colonel Powers told Z. H. Sikder, "You are going to lose your

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 93 job. You are under-aged. According to your father, you are 17-18 years old." Sikder replied, "I am 19. Ask my father to refute my claim." He further said that the recruitment record shows that he is 19. So, he cannot be terminated from his job. Colonel asked for the recruitment register. Quoting physician's comment, register said, "By appearance the candidate's age is 19." The doctor relied on the appearance in absence of school certifcate as age proof. At this stage, Colonel told Z. H. Sikder's father, "As per recruitment register, I cannot dismiss your son from job. Let him continue the job. He will shine." Failing to get the son dismissed, the father said, "I shifted from Assam to Kartikpur. I brought Tk 10 lakh. You asked for Tk 50,000. I'll give you double. Please, go home." But Zainul Haque Sikder ignored the father's advice to quit job. The members of Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB) came from to Dhaka to hold recruitment in the Army commission rank in March 1950. Zainul Haque Sikder resigned from EPR. He faced ISSB and was selected. At this stage, he called on EPR offcers Captain Abdul Jabbar and Captain Amin. They hailed from Dinajpur and Rajshahi respectively. They congratulated Zainul Haque Sikder on getting a job in commissioned rank. But they cautioned him that his uncompromising attitude in every case is detrimental to defence service. There is no scope for Army offcials to protest anything. You hit Captain Shahnewaz in the playground. Had the offence been committed in West Pakistan, you would have faced trial in the Court Marshal.

94 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The trainers sometimes kick at the trainees with their boots for any fault. We suggest you to restrain yourself during training. After conversation with two EPR offcers, Zainul Haque Sikder decided not to join Army. He preferred to continue EPR service. He requested EPR bosses to reinstate him. The authorities were yet to accept his resignation letter and release him. As such, he was not required to be reinstated. In 1951, he was promoted to the post of Corporal (Nayek). He had to work in the Pay Section. Four years later, he tied the knot. An increase in family expenditure prompted him to go for business. Initially, he did not dare to start business for shortage of capital.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 95 Starting Business was a Miracle In 1957, Zainul Haque Sikder was doing his job in Pay Section. He had a subordinate named Lutfor Rahman who hailed from Noakhali. He was married. Despite expiry of 12 years of conjugal life, he had no child. Therefore, he used to visit saints and pilgrimages. He came to know about the existence of a saint at Zigatola, a place close to EPR headquarters. Lutfor Rahman wanted to go there. He requested Zainul Haque Sikder to accompany him. Zainul Haque Sikder was not interested to go to the saint. But he went there at the behest of his colleague. Zainul Haque Sikder took seat behind other people. But he saint asked him to sit beside him and collect the grants, gifts and money given by the visitors. He moved forward and collected the grants. On the sideline of the holy gathering, the saint whispered to Sikder, "You are going to buy a truck and start business." Zainul Haque Sikder had been mulling to start a business but buying a truck was not in line with his plan. Besides, a promotion was due. He was just counting days to receive an offcial letter in this regard. His salary was supposed to get hiked to Tk 500. So, he cast away an idea of doing business. Besides he was unable to start any business at all due to economic crisis. The idea of buying a truck therefora was out of context.

96 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend However, Zainul Haque felt attracted to the saint. The prediction created a mixed reaction in his mind. So he started to visit the saint quite often. Sometimes, he would go there without any reason. The saint rushed to the EPR gate by a horse cart few days later. He looked for Sikder. The modes of communication were horse cart and rickshaw back in those days. But the people could go from Sadarghat to Narayanganj by taxi. Too the taxi stand was located near Victoria park at Sadarghat. When everyone failed to trace Zainul Haque, the saint asked the soldiers to go to the frst foor of building no 11. The solders found Sikder in the stipulated place. Zainul Haque got astonished at the incident. When Sikder came to the saint, he was advised to ride on the horse cart for going to steamer dock at Narayanganj. They needed to pay Tk 5 for going to Victoria park from the EPR gate by horse cart each. The taxi fare was also Tk 10. The amount will be double for coming back home. Zainul Haque Sikder was worried about the money. The saint could read Sikder's mind. He said, "Are you worried about money? You need not to pay a single coin. All the cost will be borne by me. Get on the bus. Just accompany me." Z. H. Sikder boarded the vehicle being spellbound. The vehicle started to run towards Victoria park. They reached Narayanganj steamer dock at night. The ghat-3 of Narayanganj steamer anchorage was used by Chandpur bound passengers. Sikder was a little bit scared. As soon as they arrived at the ghat, an unclothed lunatic man ran away. Sikder wanted to know the reason for departure of the lunatic. The saint replied, "He is below my rank. As I am present, it is not possible for him to stay here."

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 97 The saint went to a solitary dark place and asked Sikder suddenly, "There is Dunia (worldly pleasure) and Akherat (happiness after death). Which one do you prefer?" Zainul Haque Sikder replied that he needed Akherat (happiness after death). Then the saint replied, "Yes, you will get both." The saint then vanished into darkness. Zainul Haque Sikder returned to EPR headquarters with a heavenly impression.

Business Begins with Buying a Truck

Few days later Sikder learnt that the authorities of Madina Bricks Supplies Company at Chawkbazar wanted to sell a truck. Sikder wished to buy it but he did not have money. He decided to procure some money by mortgaging his wife's jewelry and pay the amount as advance. The rest of the money con later be borrowed from friends and colleagues. His wife's ornament was mortgaged at Tk 1,000. Earlier, he shared his idea of buying a truck with EPR Colonel TI Powers who suggested him to buy it under the name of his family members instead of his own name. The government offcials are not allowed for any secondary commercial activities. As such, Sikder put the name of his mother, Zarina Begum, on papers showing that she was the one buying the truck. There was a Subedar Major who hailed from Rajshahi. The baina (advance) made by Sikder for the truck came to his notice. He lent Sikder Tk 1,600 voluntariliy. Quartermaster Zainal Abedin, who used to consider Zainul Haque to be his mita (a friend by nickname), gave him Tk 500. If two persons bear almost the same name, they regard each other as mita. It is like a bosom friend. Quartermaster Ali Akbar lent him Tk 900. So far Sikder borrowed Tk 3,000, but he needed Tk 1.000 more. He was found to be tensed at his offce, when Ration Contractor Sadaruddin asked him to cast away all tension. He hailed from Lahore. He took Sikder to his house. He opened the almirah where money was kept. He permitted Sikder to take any amount he needed. In reply, Sikder said, "Please

98 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend give me Tk 1,000." Sikder gave him a written undertaking saying that he would return the money in future. Sadaruddin tore up the paper. He ruled out the necessity of written commitment. But Sikder opposed it. He expressed his unwillingness to borrow the money in absence of written pledge. He told Sadaruddin, "You make monthly transaction to the tune of Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 through me. I never asked for any undue fnancial advantage. You gifted me a pen of Golden Sheaffers brand. I rejected it. So, I can borrow money from you subject to the condition that you will take it back." Zainul Haque took the money only after Sadaruddin had accepted the condition. As his father had a private car in Assam, be learnt how to drive a motor vehicle. He did not hesitate to make the best use of this skill. Initially, he drove the truck. His cousin Hakim was helper. The very frst commercial trip was interesting, too. He loaded the truck with straw. He was supposed to carry it to Kohinoor Chemicals Company Ltd in Tejgaon. The fare was fxed at Tk 15. But he faced a trouble as a tire suffered leakage. It took the whole night to reach their destination. The government quarter was not a convenient place to run a truck for business. The people connected with the business could not go to restricted places. He moved to a rented house in Kalabaghan. Within few months, he was burdened with debt worth Tk. 8,000. He had to pay Tk. 3000 to a vulcanizing shop in Nilkhet. He decided to wind up the business for going to London. He was offered a job related to electrical works in Manchester. Monthly salary was 14 pounds. His passport and visa were ready. He found a customer for his truck. He received Tk 11,000 from the customer. While he was counting the money, a stranger came there. He suggested Sikder not to sell the truck. Zainul Haque could remember the prediction of the saint. It was an identical situation. He refrained from counting the money. The stranger further said, "Your father also had a problem in Assam but later, he was able to

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 99 overcome it. Don't sell the truck now. It will bring you profts in time." He thought the matter for a while. Moved by the suggestion, Sikder backtracked from his decision to sell the truck. He expressed his unwillingness to sell the truck to the buyer. He asked the customer to take back the money. The customer doubted that the stranger was interested to buy the truck. He thought Sikder would sell the truck to the man at a higher price. But Sikder made him believe that he really changed his decision. He also assured him, "If I sell the truck in future. I will give it to you. Now I shall not sell it" Zainul Haque Sikder returned home at night. He was off to bed. He fell asleep. He dreamed of lunatic Gafur All of Kartikpur. Somebody has brought Gafur to his Kalabaghan house by a Morris Minor car. Sikder woke up next morning. He went to a workshop at Kalabaghan. He met motor mechanic named Apple there. A Morris Minor car was being repaired there. It looked exactly like the vehicle fron his dream last night. It was awaiting a test run. The incident was miraculous. It left an impact on the mind of Sikder. He proposed the mechanic, "Let us go to Banglabazar area." The objective was to meet Gafur. Sikder did not know the exact location of the lunatic man; however, he managed to detect his whereabouts. He met him at a house there. Gafur voluntarily went to Sikder's house. He spelled some sacred and mystical verses. He in haled dupair and blew on water. Then he sprayed the truck with the same water. At the time of leaving the house, Gafur took Tk 5 ,Tk 10 and Tk 15 gradually. Sikder became empty-handed. Finally, he took the Gultex bed sheet from Sikder's bed. But the incident was followed by the rise in income from the truck. The dilapidated tires did not get leaked off and on. After 30 days, Sikder paid all his dues. More and more people came to rent out the truck.

100 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder earned so much money that he bought three more trucks within four months. He started a joint venture business with provincial Engineers Company. It was October 1958. General Ayub Khan was yet to declare martial law. I came to know about the communicative skills of the saints from a story book in my childhood. These saints had spiritual powers. The story narrated the visit of Medieval Muslim traveler and scholar Muhammad Ibn Batuta to India and in the second quarter of the 14th century. It is pertinent to describe synopsis of the tale from my memory. Ibn Batuta reached Chittagong by a ship. He walked on foot to Sylhet in a bid to meet Hazrat Shah Jalal. On the way, he was intercepted by two unknown persons. They were messengers from the Suf Muslim saint. The duo claimed to have been sent by Hazrat Shah Jalal to lead Batuta to his shrine. But Batuta did not inform the spiritual leader of his visit. He stayed in Sylhet for a couple days. At the time of departure, Hazrat Shah Jalal gave him a coat. He stitched the it himself. He placed the coat on the body of Batuta. China was the next country visited by Ibn Batuta. From the ruler of China, he learnt that a famous Muslim saint would meet him. The ruler asked for the coat. Batuta was confused. The coat was extremely precious being a gift from Hazrat Shah Jalal. Yet, he sacrifced it considering the honour of the king. As per schedule, he met the Muslim saint. He found the person wearing the same coat. Asked about the mystery of the coat, the saint told him. "The coat is meant for me. Earlier, Hazrat Shah Jalal informed me of your visit to India. He knew that you will meet him at Sylhet. He prepared a coat for me. He wanted to send the coat by you so that I can receive it." The above incident bears testimony to the spiritual power of the personalities of mystic world. Unlike modern days, nothing like telephonic communications system was in operation in those days. Zainul Haque Sikder was guided by spritual infuences throughout his life. Miracles cast a positive in his early

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 101 career and kept ciming back afterwards. Some incidents are given below. In the frst quarter of 1990s, he returned home from USA and established Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital. A miracle occurred at the time of constructing a mosque near the hospital precinct. No plan by the architecture was followed in constructing the mosque. Sikder drew the picture on earth like a cobweb. So, there was no hardcopy of the design. Engineer Sheikh Kamrul Huda was entrusted with implementing the design. The workers broke open the ground to dig foundation. Then some abnormal behaviour of one worker came to the notice of other colleagues. They informed Engineer Kamrul that the man was possessed by airy spirit. Kamrul could not handle the situation. He took the worker to Zainul Haque Sikder. At this stage, Sikder pressed the little fnger of the workers left hand. The worker behaved like an angel who descended on him and started saying. "Please release me. I'll leave the place at once. I shall no longer stay here." Upon being asked about the reason for possessing him, the angel replied, "I am one of the seven sisters born to our parents. The siblings used to live here. But the worker passed urine on our abode. So, I want to punish him." The angel reiterated its appeal, "Please release me. I'll disappear without hindering the construction of the mosque." The work normaly restored after the worker was set free. The workers fnished digging foundation. The columns were erected up to the roof level. But Kamrul forgot the design which was inscribed on the surface. He could not confess that he forgot it. He was in dilemma. At night he fell asleep. He dreamt a good-looking pious man asking him to build the mosque as per the design given by Zunu (nick name of Zainul Haque). He also asked him to follow no other design. He could see the design painted on the canvas of his mind.

102 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The roof was constructed in line with the design the following day. Finally, the structure turned into a three-storey mosque. Engineer Kamrul Huda was curious to know about the appearance of Sikder's father. He requested his boss to describe the face of his late dad. At one stage of conversation, he disclosed the dream. This resulted in the disfgurement of the Engineer's face within a couple of days. Numerous holes and scars surfaced on his face. Sikder sent him to Ajmer Sharif for healing the deformity. He recovered by the grace of Allah and came back home. He is still working for the company of Zainul Haque Sikder. I talked to him personally. The construction of the mosque was completed within a period of three months in 1998.

Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital Jame Mosque The architectual views of the mosque found to be consistent with Islamic norms and basic features of Islam. But many of those features were taken into consideration at the time of building the mosque. A letter stating the characteristics of the design was sent to Islamic Foundation for its opinion.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 103 In reply, Islamic Foundation said that the specifcations bear testimony to Islamic norms and basic features. These are engraved in marble stone in front of the mosque. • There is one column in the centre of the mosque. It stands for the oneness of Allah. It means Allah is one and second to none. • The mosque building is star shaped with six edges or corners. It means that the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was a star in the galaxy before he was born. • There are fve fringes in the entrance and elevations of the building. These refer to fve pillars of Islam i.e. faith, prayer. charity, fasting and performance of Hajj in Mecca. • Every side shows fve lubbers taking a total of 30 in all elevations. It signifes 30 chapters of the holy Quran. • There are 99 beams in the second foor of the three-storey mosque. The number of beams stands for 99 names of Allah. • The mosque is based on 13 columns which denote 13 compulsory requirements of Salah (Namaz/prayer) to be performed validly. • It has seven domes. A Muslim should proclaim belief in seven things as mentioned in Iman-e-Mufassal. • There are four steps in the parapet. This number reminds us of four Caliphs {successors of Holly Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as ruler of the Islamic World}. It further refers to four holy books of Islam sent by Allah. These are 1. Torah/Tawrat (revealed to Prophet Moses/Musa) 2. Psalms /Zabur (revealed to Prophet David/ Daud) 3. Injil/Gospel (revealed to Prophet Isa /Jesus) 4. Quran {revealed to Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)}. It also stands for 4 kudsis and mazhabs of Islam. Besides, more miracles occurred in the mosque site. These are as follows: The construction work started 40 days prior to the month

104 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend of Ramadan. It means offering Tarawih (special prayer performed at night during Ramadan) started 40 days after the construction had been kicked off. Before frst Tarawih, Sikder arranged a Milad mehfl {special prayer in which a group of people offer salah, vecite surah and sing religious songs highlighting the dignity and command of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and Allah}. A total of 400 packets of food were bought for distribution among the participants of the Milad. But the number of devotees exceeded the limit. Actual number of attendants varied between 500 and 600. The volunteers assigned to distribute the packets were in trouble. However, Zainul Haque Sikder advised the volunteers to start distribution of food items in the name of Allah. Finally, 40 packets remained in excess. The Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr after performing fasting for 30 days. After Eid-ul-Fitr prayer, a Milad mahfl was again held in the mosque. The number of packets ready for the participants was 1,000. Actual number of devotees was much higher than estimated. Everybody got packet. As on previous occasion, 40 packets remained undistributed.

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf Abdur Razzaq

Notably, former Minister for Water Resources Abdur Razzaq of

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 105 Awami League regime and former Minister for Health and Family Welfare Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf of BNP rule were present on the occasion. Another miracle took place around the lake on the west of the main hospital building. Once Sikder stood near his offce room on the bank of the lake. It was midnight. Suddenly he saw that a tall man. wearing a white dress, was walking on lake water. The apparition was coming towards him from the south. He started chanting the name of Allah. He thought the apparition wearing white dress may not harm him.

A view of the lake adjacent to Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital It is not all about the miracle that took place in the life of Sikder. In 2013, Sikder sent his son Babu to a blind Hafez (a Muslim who commits the Quran to his memory) named Bazlur Rahman at Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat. The visit was aimed at distributing blankets among the poor. Accordingly Babu started his work. But Sikder instructed his son over phone not to distribute all blankets. He asked him to preserve some blankets separately. He

106 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend said that a dervish might appear to ask for few blankets. It also happened in reality. Few minutes after the mobile conversation, a parson looking like a dervesh appeared there and said, " Where are my blankets?" Babu then and there handed over the blankets to him politely. In return, the dervesh presented him a stone and said, "Make a ring with this stone and wear it on your fnger".

Blind Hafez Bazfur Rahman at Barakhada. Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat Former President of Faridpur Chamber and Commerce Mahmudur Rahman Khan and renowned businessman of the district Khalilur Rahman Maznu are also knowledgeable about the spiritual power of Sikder. They talked to the writer of this book on September 18, 2015. Their statements are as follows: "Sikder had a construction frm. In the month of May 1981, the construction work of a bridge near the place called Majurdia was underway. But casting of the roof was being delayed due to continuous

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 107 precipitation. Sikder visited the project site and directed us to fnish the work within 10 days. We expressed our inability to do so showing the cause of continuous rainfall. He did not make any comment on it. He asked for a glass of water. He drank some of it and chanted some holy verses in a soft voice into the remaining portion. Then he drank the whole of it. He assured us of a good weather in the next ten days. 'It will not rain in next10 days. Finish the casting of roof," he said. And he was right. It was raining everywhere except the place where the bridge was being constructed. After the bridge work came to an end within 10 days. it started raining cats and dogs." Mr. Mahbub Khan also said that Sikder used to visit Faridpur for looking after many under-construction projects in Faridpur region. He was always fanked by us. On May 30, 1981, an incident manifested Sikder's supernatural power. Sikder stayed in Faridpur the night President Ziaur Ratunan was killed. Zia was assassinated by some unruly army offcers in Chittagong. On that day Faridpur was hit hard by storm and downpour. Amid that stormy weather. Sikder said, "Zia is put in peril. Can't you see blood oozing from the sky? Zia is no more." The next morning, radio and TV reported that Zia was killed. It is mentionable here that, the Project Implementation Bureau (PIB) Director Mezbah Uddin was supposed to accompany Sikder during his Faridpur visit on May 27. 1981. He was to inspect the progress of the construction of Muzurdia Bridge. On his way to Faridpur, Sikder was accompanied by a saint. They made a stopover in the house of the Project Director. The name of the government residence was "Arunima". At one stage of conversation in the drawing room, the wife of Mezbah Uddin made a derogatory comment about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his son Sheikh Kamal. This irked Sikder. He brandished his pistol with an attempt to kill her. The lady fainted in fear. The saint cut in to say, "President Ziaur Rahman is counting his fnal days:' The Director cancelled his trip following the sickness of his wife. But Sikder left the house for Faridpur.

108 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder's close affnity with spiritual personalities is also evident from an incident in 1976. He was arrested by the then military led government after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A few days later, he was released after being acquitted of the charges lodged against him. He went to Rajshahi. He met Superintendent Engineer Abdur Rab. He was due to get his bill for a construction work. On the contrary, Mr. Rab asked Sikder to expedite the remaining work of an under-construction building there. He also insisted on handing over the building without further delay. But Sikder demanded his bill frst. The Engineer plotted a trick. Ignoring the issue of paying the bill, he said "Try to understand that it is the project of Army. You should hand over it at the earliest." Listening to him Sikder lost his temper. A few days ago, Army sent him to jail for nothing. Now, instead of paying the legitimate bills he deserve, the engineer was threatening him referring to Army. At one stage, Sikder uttered some words with regards to the Army. He left the room furiously. Later, the executive engineer lodged a complaint against Sikder with Rajshahi zonal headquarters of Army. The offcials at the zonal headquarters summoned Sikder. He was asked to appear before Martial Law Court. After receiving the order, Sikder, attempted to make a phone call to Major General Siddiqui. He was close to the Army offcer. But his wife Monowara Sikder intervened. She said, "Whom are you going to call?" Sikder replied, "Major General Siddiqui." She dissuaded him from making the call. She termed such phone call as futile exercise. She said, "It will not help the situation. You better call your Major Generals." Sikder asked "Who are my Major Generals?" Monowara Sikder replied, "The spiritual saints are your Major Generals." Sikder was moved by her suggestion. He thought for a while and decided to visit the shrine of the noted saint Shah Mokhdum in

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 109 Rajshahi. The evening preceding his appearance before the Martial Law Court, he took shelter in the Dak Banglow (Rest House) of Water and Power Development Board Authority (WAPDA) in Rajshahi. His representative who used to look after the project site fell asleep. At night, he went to the shrine alone. He stayed there whole night. After offering Fazr prayer, he came back to the Rest House. He went to the Martial Law Court at 10:00 a.m. accompanied by an associate and ensured attendance at the court. But the offcials concerned asked him to wait till the arrival of Col M.A. Aziz, the chief of the court. At 3:00 pm, Col Aziz came there wearing a half pant, tea shirt and cades. He told Sikder, "What is your name?" Sikder replied to his query. He permitted Sikder to sit on a chair. Then he wanted to know whether he yelled at the military offcials in reality. Sikder said, "The Engineer forced me to do more work than was specifed in the tender. I had to carry out his verbal order. But he did not speak about extra payment for it. I am quite in the dark about my bill. When I asked for bill, he intimidated me. He cautioned me that it is a project of Army. Any demand for bill may be perilous for me. In fact, I was acquitted of a fake charge by Army few days back. I lost temper to hear of this force again. I lost temper and made some derogatory comments in a follow-up to the Engineer's provocation. Besides, the Engineer is a dishonest person. He takes bribe from the contractors and clients. You (Col M.A. Aziz) may talk to other contractors to verify the authenticity of my claim." Colonel instantly called the Engineer on landphone at his offce. The latter was not present there at that moment. He was off to Dhaka on an offcial trip. Colonel told Sikder, "Go back. I'll see to the matter." Zainul Haque returned to Dhaka. After some days, Engineer requested Sikder to go to Rajshahi to take the cheque. In reply.

110 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder asked Engineer to give the bill to his representative in Rajshahi. A few days later, Rajshahi zonal military administrator Colonel Aziz requested Zainul Haque Sikder to meet him. Zainul Haque Sikder met the Colonel at his offce. Engineer Kabir was also there. Pointing to Sikder, Colonel told Engineer, He came to me. I kept him starving till 3.00 pm. He was already punished." Sikder laughed at Colonel. He said, "Did you keep me starving deliberately?" Colonel also laughed. He said, "Yes." At this stage, Sikder asked Colonel, "Do you know where you are now?" Colonel replied, "Why? I am in Rajshahi." Sikder said, "No, you are not in Rajshahi. Rather, you are in the area of Shah Makhdum. It is a place of this great saint." Colonel cut in to say, "Engineer, you did not pay him the bill timely. What was the reason for the delay? Do you take bribe?" Engineer replied, "No. I am not of that nature" Sikder told Colonel, "You can ask other contractors the question as to whether he takes bribe or not." Colonel reiterated his query, "Are you involved in bribery?" Engineer said, "A little. Not that much?' Shortly after the above incident, a section of military offcials committed a coup in Rajshahi. Colonel lost his job. It may be mentioned that Captain of Rajshahi zonal headquarters helped Zainul Haque Sikder face martial-law-court. Incidentally, Reaz was on leave at the time of coup. He was unaffected. Another spiritual saint in Bangladesh Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah is known to the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent. The

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 111 shrine of this great soul is located in Satkhira. Zainul Haque Sikder went to the shrine and offered prayer at least 25 times. However- his frst visit to the shrine coincided with a miracle. He left Dhaka for Satkhira by his personal car. On the way, he was discouraged to drive to the shrine after receiving fake information that the saint got the title Khan Bahadur from the British colonial ruler. Z. H. Sikder was against the British regime in the Indian sub-continent. As such, he disliked the people who received the titles Rai Bahadur. Roy Sahib, Khan Bahadur and Khan Sahib. These titleholders were collaborators and sycophants of British authorities. When he was close to Satkhira, he took a U-turn. Later, he came to know that the saint got the title for his education, knowledge and wisdom. He again went to the shrine. As he took bath in a nearby pond. he felt hungry. He wished to eat Biriani. It is a kind of food cooked after mixing fne rice and meat together. It is a common item for the people of Indian sub-continent. The item is liked for good taste and smell. Sikder is fond of this food from childhood. But he presumed that it might not be available in that area. When Sikder attempted to enter the shrine, its custodian took him to his room. He found there Biriani. It was cooked few minutes ago and was hot. Although the custodian was fasting, he arranged the food for Sikder. Having hidden intention fulflled miraculously, Sikder believed in the supranational power of the saint. Later, he went there on 25 occasions.

112 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Help from Spiritual Power

A hard worker and fghter, Z. H. Sikder also believes in supernatural power. He said, "A supernatural power extended a helping hand whenever I got into economic crisis in my life. During my student life in Assam, I used to go to the playground on the bank of Brahmaputra river every afternoon. I bought huge nuts at taka 1 and distributed the same among the children regardless of their religion and caste. The recipients used to thank me. It was my pleasure. I allocated Tk 1 per day. At that time, Tk 1 was very much valuable. The people could buy one maund of rice with this amount. I faced a debacle one afternoon. I had no money. I was turning the pages in the books. Suddenly, I found three new notes of Tk 1 each on my reading table. The currencies were hidden in a novel. When I opened at a particular page, the notes dropped from it. I tried to know the real owner of the money. But my bid turned out to be futile. I left home with the money. To avenge the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I wanted my son Manju to be a pilot. I sent him to USA. He got admitted to a fying institute

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 113 there. In the course of training, he sent a message asking for Tk 50,000. As per currency swap rate, a US dollar was traded at Tk 12. I forgot to send the money due to some preoccupations. At the time of Fajor prayer, I remembered that my son wanted money; but by then i become empty handed. I left the mosque. On the way. I met an executive engineer of the Roads and Highways department. He gave me an envelope full of money. The amount was as high as Tk 50,000. He wanted to leave it with me. I replied "We are involved in business. If any necessity arises, we may expend the money." Although I refused to have taken the money for courtesy, I thought the engineer created a good opportunity for me to send the amount to my son. Engineer told me, "If you expend the money, I will not take it otherwise. It is lying idle. I have to collect more money for buying a land. I will take back the money after arranging rest of the fund. " I said "I have land. You can buy it either." I showed him a piece of land adjacent to the homestead of Reza. I agreed to sell it at the rate of Tk 12 lakh per bigha. As the land was 0.25 bigha, its price was estimated at Tk 3 lakh. The engineer was interested to buy the land for its throwaway price. He said, "Are the papers and documents of the land valid?" In an authoritative tone, I replied "I am not involved in forged land business." He agreed to buy the land. I considered Tk 50,000 as advance. I sent the money to my son. Once I badly needed Tk 2 lakh to celebrate the birthday of my granddaughter Monika. Her birthday was August 7. I had no money at that time. My daughter (mother of Monika) wanted to lend me Tk 50,000 in the morning. But I refused to take the money. Finding no way

114 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend out, I left home; but I did not know where to go for the money. As I was driving my car a mason intercepted me at Monika Estate point of the road. I knew him for about 18 years. I lost my temper. I asked, “Why did you stop me?" He replied. “I would like to buy a land from you." l said. “Where is the land located ? Specify.” He pointed to a land within a little distance. It was beside the road. He said. “I am bent on buying the land just a few yards away. Therefore. I halted you here." He attempted to give me Tk 3 lakh. I did not take. “Is the road a suitable place for entering into a commercial deal? Come to my offce.” I took a U-tum. I returned to my offce. The offer was coveted. The packet of Tk 3 lakh was just on the cards. It was 1.5 times the amount I needed. After a few minutes. a peon informed me of arrival of the party. I permitted him to come in. I took Tk 3 lakh in advance. The man quitted the place. I expressed my gratitude to Allah. This is how I surmounted all barriers by the grace of Almighty. My economic crisis was never permanent. I never incured loss in business. I never retreat from performing a diffcult task."

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 115 Miracle of Getting Back Lost Things

Zainul Haque Sikder was fortunate enough to regain lost things. It was 1942. He was a student of class-III. The school was located in Assam. His father bought him a golden Sheaffer pen. It costed Tk 5.

The next day he took the pen in his pocket and went to school. He had to walk along the Delhi-Kohima road. The walking distance was a kilometer. His pocket was too small to accommodate the pen. As a result. the pen fell on the road. He did not notice it. When he reached the school. He realised that the pen was gone. He attended the classes in a melancholy mood. He looked to and fro at the time of returning home. Suddenly. his attention was drawn to some cow dung on the road. He found the pen in it. The pen was in the vertical position. Hundreds of military convoys used that road, but the pen remained unaffected. Sikder got astonished. The second miracle happened in his ancestral home at Kartikpur. He came there from Assam. One of his cousin sisters was newly wed. She lost her necklace in the pond at the time of taking bath. Many people tried to recover the necklace but in vain. Sikder's aunt was worried over the issue. She thought her daughter’s in- laws might take it otherwise. “They could doubt that we sold the necklace for money." the aunt said. In such a critical situation.

116 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder dived into the pond. He spotted the necklace in one go. The third miracle happened with a costly watch. Zainul Haque Sikder went to Barisal town to appear for the SSC examination. Some classmates including Nurul Haque, Mir Mahbub Ali and Sheikh Farid Ahmed accompanied him. They hailed from Kartikpur. Sikder rented a room. He along with his classmates stayed there. The cost of food and shelter was borne by him. After the examination was over, they were set to come back home. But he found his wristwatch missing. He kept it in the room. It was of Western Watch brand containing 21 carat gold. In 1944, his father bought him the watch. He was a class XI student then. Its price was Tk 150. Sikder went to the rooftop of the building. Sadness gripped his mind. While he was loitering in agonizing pain, he suddenly sold the watch. It was hidden under a brick near the parapet. He smelt a rat. He apprehended that Nurul Haque might have something to do with this. The fourth miracle was also related to a watch bat of different brand. Zainul Haque Sikder hired a household staff from northern district Kurigram. He was appointed at his residence in Dhaka. He left the house stealing a Rolex watch. It was made of gold and diamond. The value of the watch was $15,000. Sikder informed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bachchu of the theft. IGP hailed from Faridpur. His father Abdur Rahman Bakaul was a lawyer. He was a relative of Sikder. The IGP was provided with photograph and details of the suspect. Azizul Haque promised to recover the watch within seven days. After expiry of the deadline. Sikder contacted the Offcer-in-Charge of Kurigram police station. The OC refused to have received any instruction from IGP. The Superintendent of Police also echoed the reply of the OC. There was no headway in the investigation process. Zainul Haque announced Tk 15,000 bounty for the watch. He requested local Juba League leader Fulu Sarker to look into the matter. A group of 15/20 political associates of Fulu Sarker started feld

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 117 work. Their work gained momentum from the constant insistence of Fulu sarker. They looked for the thief on the basis of his particulars and portrait. There was light at the end of the tunnel. The thief was caught red handed in Lalmonirhat. He said to have sold the watch to a jeweler at Tk 1,400. The jeweler was set to board a Dhaka bound bus. He wanted to put the watch on kiln to melt for extracting gold from it. Juba League workers recovered the watch from him. Zainul Haque Sikder kept his pledge. He sent the bounty money to Fulu Sarker through National Bank manager. The ffth miracle took place at his Dhaka residence. Zainul Haque wears a Patek Philippes genuine wrist watch. Its price is $ 87,000. He was upset one morning. The watch went missing from his room. He discussed the secret with his daughter. She suspected the household staff and suggested her father to pressurize the suspect. Sikder told the orderly, "My watch is missing. You try to trace its location. You must fnd it out." Sikder went to another room. The aide told him, "Sir, I have failed to trace the watch. You look at bed again and ensure if the watch is there or not." Accordingly, Sikder moved the pillow and found the watch. Althrough The Sikder couple had already searched the bed cover and pillow earlier and found nothing. Sikder is yet to fre the aide despite his involvement in the theft.

118 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Only the Blessed Ones can Bloom Flowers

Former lawmaker of Kishoreganj and BNP leader, Major (retd.) Md Aktaruzzaman wrote an article on January 8, 2016. He said, "It was August 2000. I was supposed to join a road trip to the village of Zainul Haque Sikder at Shariatpur. A person was in need of crossing the for making a highway journey from Dhaka to Shariatpur. The highway communication between both sides of the river exclusively depends on speed boat, launch and ferry services. A special ferry was kept ready for us at Mawa ferry station. All of us were scheduled to throng at uncle's house located at Dhanmondi 15 in the city. We have addressed Zainul Haque Sikder as uncle since our childhood. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also calls him uncle. In short, he is known as uncle. He is a lion hearted person.

He may not be perceived from far. If somebody comes in contact with uncle, he may get a rare opportunity to see the ray of his mind that glitters. Close proximity is not enough to understand him. It is a very diffcult task to fathom his inner faculty. His heart is like a coconut consisting of hard shell outside, containing clear liquid inside.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 119 He is very strict and short-tempered. Sometimes he misbehaves in such a way that people get panic-stricken. But there is fip side of his behavior. In fact, he is very compassionate, kind, munifcent, pious, a man of action and a great soul. I am in close contact with him for last 8 or 9 years. I never saw anybody who approached him but was denied help. Even the person who plotted against him was put at the helm of his organization. It is unprecedented. The most salient feature of his character is that he is frm in his decision. He does not fip-fop on the policies due to pressure, intimidation and temptation. In utter surprise, the decisions taken by him in utter disregard of the opinion of others, always turn out to be correct. Anybody defying him endangers his own position and plunges into deep crisis. He is subjected to anger of uncle. It is awful. But uncle is childlike and innocent. When he passes time with grandchildren, he appears like a child not everybody can imagine the magnitude of his innocence. When he walks along the river bank amid kash (a kind of wild sugarcane) bushes, he sings folk songs. He slips off the emotional edge of life. Uncle is very much afraid of Allah, who punishes people for violating His rules. He is a pious great man. He always expresses gratitude towards Allah at the outset, during continuance and after completion of a work. Uncle recites the Quran and prays to Allah at the time of his loneliness. He takes permission of Almighty before commencement of a work. We never do anything at our best. He tells us, "Tell Allah, Who will get the work done by me. I am unable to do anything without His permission." It is our conviction that he just carries out the agenda of Allah. But some disbelievers like us do not try to evaluate uncle." Anyway, we were supposed to be present at his Dhanmondi residence within the stipulated time. He left Dhaka for village home as per schedule. Everybody except me joined his motorcar. He is very punctual. He performs all the work timely. He also expects other people to meet the deadline. He never allows delay in work. I was not off to bed timely. I continued to sleep till morning. I was late by 5 minutes and missed them. I drove my car towards Mawa

120 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend station. I missed the special ferry. I was 15 minutes late. I realized my fault. I violated his order. It was an audacity on the part of me. If uncle does not pardon me, I will not get rid of this curse. I won't be able to achieve anything in life. In a melancholy mood, I went to a tea stall at ferry station. I had a cup of tea. The usual ferry service would be available after 10.00am. There was no alternative except for waiting for the next ferry. Uncle came to know about my location. He booked a space for my car in the next ferry. He did it through his agent. Uncle is very careful. He monitors everybody. He takes care of all people regardless of their position and rank. Even he expresses his concern for a driver. All guests are equal to him. But he gives everybody his due what he deserves. I cast away my grief as ferry was booked. I was listening to the conversation of the common mass. I preferred to hear political gossip. I wanted to know public perception about the new government. But the people did not discuss political issues. Rather, uncle was put at the centre of their discussion. They used rhetoric about the wealth and money of uncle. They termed uncle a millionaire. They referred to hiring a ferry by uncle. They appraised uncle's ability to take large number of people to his ancestral home. Although they discussed about uncle, I had no patience to hear such conversation. I wanted a change in topic lest they should make a derogatory comment on uncle. People normally lash out wealthy men in their absence. I was afraid I could brawl with the people. I could avenge any sarcastic comment. I have blind support for uncle. I continued to hear their conversation for 30 minutes. But I did not fnd any negative ingredients in their speech. Their statements were full of praise and aphoristic revelation. They shed light on the glorious past of uncle. For example. he was a freedom fghter. He helped the helpless and destitutes. He solved unemployment in his locality. He is a good man and so on. There was nothing to be shocked. As I decided to leave the place, a whitebeard saint came there. The old man with gray hair put on saffron punjabi and white lungi. He sat

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 121 on a bench. He ordered a cup of tea. He was elderly with white hair. He asked, "Do you know the person who boarded special ferry?" Like schoolboys, everybody replied, "Mr Sikder. We saw him." He further asked, "Do you know the reason for his voyage?" After a brief eye contact with one another, a person replied. "Sikder is a rich man. He lashed out on the trip to meet local people ." The old man threatened him. He said, "Do not make any ignorant comment. Mr. Sikder is a pious man. He is loved by Allah. He is going to let the fowers bloom in his locality. You just wait and see. He will shine a light on the society. You cannot imagine as to what great deed will be done by Sikder. He is a true religious man. He is an agent of Allah. He does everything as per the command of Allah. This is why rivals cannot obstruct his activities." I was surprised at the comment of the old man. Uncle was reportedly going home to offer prayers at the graves of his parents. We accompanied him for the same purpose. The fact uncle will initiate some great project in his locality was not discussed earlier. Uncle is very busy dealing with his vast property and business in Dhaka. He is not supposed to get enough time to go to village home. I turned a deaf ear to the statement of the elderly man. After four months, I described the event to uncle. I saw a mysterious smile on his face. He told me; `See what Almighty Allah allows me to do." I was lucky to see it later. The old man made the comment in 2009. Within seven years, his prediction came true. In utter surprise, uncle had already founded university, medical college, polytechnic institute, helicopter training school, private airport, fve star resorts, several schools, 50 plus mosques and student hostels. The National Bank has got 10 branches. He established regional offces of the bank. He is working silently without any publicity. Everything is happening smoothly. Now I believe that the old man was a saint as claimed by uncle. According to uncle, the old man was a in disguise saint. Sikder is rightly shining light on the society as per the directive of

122 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Allah. What foolish we are! We avail ourselves of various facilities from uncle. But we could not know him well. I humbly like to narrate two incidents of my life. I have taken permission from uncle in this regard. It was October 6, 2010. I called on uncle at his offce in the evening. He summoned me. He asked me to go to the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.A.). I left my cantonment house for the shrine. I made the journey next morning as per a short notice. Engineer Kamrul Islam accompanied me. Uncle called me at 9.00am. He suggested me to remember Allah and chant verses of the Quran on the way. I already crossed Ashuganj. Within few minutes, I received a phone call from my driver. He burst into tears. He said that miscreants had entered my residence. They chopped family members indiscriminately. My wife was not spared. She as in a critical condition due to excessive bleeding. I called back to uncle. He consoled me, but also cautioned me not to halt my journey. He said, "Don't backtrack. Go to your destination." I went to Sylhet as per directive of uncle. I held telephonic conversation with all concerned and arranged treatment of my wife in Combined Military Hospital. I was confused as to whether my Sylhet journey was riddled with mistake. I committed no mistake by not suspending my Sylhet journey. In retrospect, I thought I should not have carried out the order of uncle. I found an answer. I would have been killed by the miscreants had I not been outside my residence. The miscreants could act killed by me too if i had returned to residence cancelling the trip. In both cases, I would have been sufferer. The then government might capitalized on the situation to harass me. So, it is my deep conviction that I rightly went to Sylhet as per the order of uncle. Uncle took me away that evening for my own good. Let me share another event. It happened in 2013. I worked on a project of uncle at Nimtola. I was busy with it round-the-clock. One evening I went to village home in Kishoreganj. I left the project site without informing uncle. I made many journeys since my childhood. I am 54 now. I visited invincible places, climbing up

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 123 the hills and walking along curvy mountain roads. I made journey for 72 hours without any stopover. I made the travels day in day out. Sometimes, the car was driven by me. my sometimes by driver and relatives. I never had an accident by the grace of Almighty Allah. except once when i got injured in a fatal accident just near my ancestral house. I was subjected to the punishment for defying uncle. The car was run by a professional driver. The vehicle plied the highway safely. It was just few yards off the village home. The car dashed against a tree near a pond. I sustained a serious mouth injury. I lost four teeth in upper jaw. The car would have veer into the pond unless there was a tree. I along with my driver would disappeared beneath the water. Next morning, two bodies would have been recovered from water, had the vehicle not dashed against the tree. Despite the incident, we fail to evaluate uncle properly. Fie on us! What poor fellows we are. Uncle, please forgive us.

124 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend I Saw a Humanitarian Great Man

National Bank additional managing director Md Badiul Alam wrote an article on the spiritual power of Mr Zainul Haque Sikder. He said, "It is barely possible to describe the qualities of National Bank chairman Mr. Zainul Haque Sikder. He is a symbol of humanity and kindness. Looking at him every time I saw a new light of hope and aspiration in him. I wonder as to how a man can be so kind. Many time I could not talk to him coherently. What I said was not intended. He supplemented my defciencies. He fgured out what I meant. He has knowledge, wisdom, experience, prudence and kindness. He brings good luck to humans. He encourages us to become visionaries. I believe that a murderer will confess to committing the murder if he comes in contact with uncle. He is the valiant son of the soil. He is a freedom fghter. He is our guide and light house. He is our guardian. Once. Zainul Haque Sikder stayed at Hotel Agrabad. He went to Chittagong for attending a meeting of the bank's board of directors. We called on Sir (Sikder) after fnishing all works. We were listening to his brilliant discussion. At one stage of the coversation,

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 125 he collected information about everybody. He wanted to know whether peon, security guard and drivers took food or not. It was night. He ordered the offcials concerned to arrange food for all employees and executives. A total of 65 persons had dinner. Zainul Haque Sikder paid the bill. A driver who ate food that night burst into tears. He said. "I am in service for many years. I could never dare to enter the Hotel Agrabad. I was not fortunate enough to have meal in such a posh hotel. But Sir made the impossible thing possible." He raised his hands and prayed for sir. The following day, Sikder Sir went to visit Singapore Market in Agrabad. He gave every driver tips to the tune of Tk 500. This is an example as to how he stands by the poor and destitutes. He has love for the people, especially the poor and destitutes. He is a pro-human great man. Zainul Haque Sikder came to Chittagong for the second time. We were with Sir at that time. He moved from Peninsula Hotel suite to a holy place named Allah'r Darbar at Boalkhali. He prayed at the shrine of Hazrat Abu Mokarram Muhammad Nurul Islam (R.A.). Then he visited his sister's house at Lalkhan Bazaar in Chittagong. He could not control his tears at the sight of his ailing sister. He carried a container full of holy water of Zamzam for his sister. He sat beside her for a moment. He recalled some memories of her. In the evening, chairman Sir attended marriage ceremony of bank's director Mr. Khalilur Rahman. After his arrival, he wanted to leave the place. The host requested Sir to have meal. He replied, "Some controversial persons have attended the function. If they come to me, I will lose my temper. I will hurl abuses at them. So. I would like to leave the place just now." He is second to none as a truth-teller. At this stage, Sikder moved to the shrine of Hazrat Shah Amanat (R.A.) in Chittagong. There is an orphanage at the right of the shrine gate. He donated money for the orphans. The keeper of the

126 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend orphanage was a religious person. He prayed for Sikder Sir. Sir told him. "Please, do not pray for my wealth and long life. Rather, pay for increase in my ability to help and serve the people." Sikder also offered prayer at the shrine. The shrine authorities gave us Anna Biriani as tabarak. Anna Biriani is a kind of delicious rich 'food. Tabarak is a food item cooked for a large number of devotees, visitors and strangers in a shrine. It is blissful. They also gifted us with a rooster at the time of leaving the place. The next day, the chicken was cooked and eaten. Afterwards. Sikder offered special prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Bayezid Bostami (R.A.) in Chittagong. He went to the shrine of Hazrat Garibullah Shah (R.A.) and did the same thing. The clock struck 11. It was a winter night. Cold wave swept Chittagong like other parts of the country. Besides, chill gripped the port city with mercury plummeting. It was a risky job to drive car due to the blurred road view. But chairman Sir was adament to go to the shrine of Hazrat Mohsin (R.A.) at Anwara upazila. The place is 35 miles off the Chittagong town. We were a little bit unwilling to take the risk. But chairman Sir was determined to go. He said, "You better stay here. But I must go." He got into the car. The vehicle attempted to move. Finding no way out we followed him. We were heading towards destination piercing the blanket of thick fog. The dim light posts seemed to be waiting in queue on either side of the road to welcome us. Finally, we reached the shrine. Chairman Sir offered prayers. The then managing director of the bank directed us to collect a bottle of holy water blessed by the saint through a process of incantation. He wanted the water containing healing qualities to get rid of eye ailment. We left the place at 1.15am. At the moment of crossing the gate, an imam of a nearby mosque stood before the car. An imam in the man who leads the prayer in the mosque. Uncle gave him some money. But the imam requested uncle to donate money for an under-construction building of the mosque. He said, "The construction of the mosque building is underway. The project is yet to be completed. The fate of the building is shrouded in uncertainty due to scarcity of fund. You may donate

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 127 money if you like." The uncle said, "How much money has fallen short?' The imam said the defcit stands at Tk 6 lakh. Then uncle promised to donate it. We came back. The following day, he sent the money to mosque committee. However, we fnally left the shrine premises at around 1.30am. We returned to Chittagong city within 15 minutes. It was surprising. Normally, the time required for crossing the distance by a motor car ranges between 1 and 1.25 hour. All fogs disappeared although it was the dead of night. The road was clearly seen. We came back at the drop of a hat. We stepped into Hotel Peninsula at 2.00am. Minister Enginner Mosharraf Hossain received Sir. At this stage. chairman Sir ordered food for all including driver, guard and peon. The hotel management served food for about 15 persons. Mentionable, every word articulated and every deed performed by uncle herald the victory of humanity. It sometimes denotes a celestial power gifted by God. He derived his spiritual power from his maternal side. His maternal grandmother Shaonen Nesa was sister of Jan Sharif Mawlana. Jan Sharif was a saint at Sureswar in Shariatpur. Father of maternal grandmother was a saint. He is known as Hazrat Shah Suf Meher Ullah (R.A.) to the devotees. Shaonen Nesa was buried near the shrine of her father. Sikder founded a mosque in memory of his grandmother here.

128 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Grave of Grandmother and Founding a Mosque

Sikder family moved to USA in a bid to live there. One day, Indian superstar Salman Khan came to their family. He invited all family members to a function. He gave seven entry passes. The hero told Sikder, "Uncle, I have given seven passes for your family member to attend our cultural event. Please come to the function with all family members." Zainul Haque Sikder accepted the invitation and decided to enjoy the function. He received seven cards from Khan. In the afternoon, he changed his decision. He was unwilling to go there. He asked his wife and children to attend. His daughter made a phone call to her husband at Arizona. Following her call, he came back home. He stayed with his father-in-law in the house. The other family members including his wife went to the function. Mentionable, the middle son of the family Nik Haque Sikder developed friendly relations with the Indian actors. The family members stayed at Los Angeles at that time. So, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt and many others visited the house. They often used to go there. Against this backdrop, they were in close proximity to one another.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 129 Even Zainul Haque Sikder and Sunil Dutt shared a very close relationship. The family members left home for the function venue. Sikder remained in his room. He stood before a photo of his mother hung on the wall. He looked at the photo for a moment. In soliloquy, he said "Mother, I will construct a mosque in the area where you passed your childhood. It is that place where you were brought up."

A view of the mosque near the grave of Z. H. Sikder's maternal grandmother The situation prompted Sikder's wife to know the amount he was going to invest for the purpose. She eagerly asked, "How much money will you spend for constructing the mosque?" Sikder replied, "About Tk 50 lakh." She gave him a short bob of acknowledgement. She gave an approval of his decision. Mr. Sikder was swayed by her nod and was happy. Then he went to his maternal grandmother's house. He identifed the grave. He verifed the documents of the land. He was curious to

130 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend know whether the land of the grave belonged to his grandmother. The papers showed that the land was transferred to her by her father. Hazrat Shah Meherullah (R.A.) bequeathed 15 bighas of land to his daughter Shaonen Nesa. The mode of transferring the land was waqf. The waqf is a permanent dedication of moveable and immovable properties by a person for religious or charitable purposes. Later, Shaonen Nesa was laid to rest on the land. Sikder duly scrutinized the title of Meherullah (R.A.) over the land. He examined whether he was capable of handing the land over to his daughter. All the papers and documents were proved to be legal. There was an old fashioned antique mosque on the land. He demolished the dilapidated mosque and erected a new one. It costed Tk 27 lakh to build the new structure. Apart from this, he constructed a most exquisite gate at the shrine of saint Jan Sharif Mawlana in Sureshwar. Inscribed on the gate of the shrine is the name of Zainul Haque Sikder.

Wedding of parents

Mokfor Uddin's father Motiullah Sikder used to send big timber logs from Assam to East Bengal. The wood laden water vessels used to navigate the Brahmaputra river crossing the point of Chilmari. There were about 20 crews in the vessel. They used to cook and eat in the boat. Such a vessel got stuck to a shoal near Sureshwar. The present value of the woods in every consignment is over Tk 1 crore. Motiullah sent Mokfor to the spot to recover the wood logs. Adult Mokfor Uddin took shelter in the nearby house of the saint of Sureshwar. After some days, he recovered the woods. He not only took wood but also the beautiful princess of the saint. She is Zarina Khatun. Mokfor tied marital knot with her. The lady is none but the lovely mother of Zainul Haque Sikder. Later, Sikder's nephew Ali Reza also married the daughter of Godinshin Peer of Sureshwar. She is Farida. According to Islam, a peer is a spiritual advisor or mentor.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 131 Hazrat Jan Sharif Mawlana Sureshwari (RA.) In 1856, Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ahmed Ali alias Jan Sharif Shah Sureshwari (1856-1919) was born. As per Bengali calendar, his birth dates back to 2nd Ograhan of 1263. Sureshwar village in Naria upazila was his birth place. The name of his father is Hazrat Shah Suf Meherullah. He was a hard practicing suf worshipper. He used to practice ascetic austerities. He was respected everywhere. People still remember him with due esteem and reverence.

A shrine on the grave of the father of Z. H. Sikder's maternal grandmother

132 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend He reportedly refrained from drinking the milk of his cow if it grazed in the cultivable land of other people. He used to send the milk to the affected person to offset the damage caused to his crops. He always took simple food. He ate rice with one curry throughout his life. He was a follower of Mujaddedia Tarika which is a school of mystical thought propounded by Hazrat Mujadded Alfe Sani (RA.). But he had good relation with the devotees of other schools of thoughts including Chistia and Kaderia. If anybody came to him with a proposal to become a disciple, he would try to fgure out his character through conversation. He could comprehend the mindset of a particular person who came to become his disciple by exchanging views with him.

A gate at the shrine of Sureshwar peer He used to impart a disciple training on that school of knowledge which best suited him. Of the disciples, some was taught Mujaddedia, some Chistia and some others Kaderia. The rest others were given lessons on Sajlia and Kalandaria Tarikas. "Baba, I have selected you for a particular Tarika. I will train you accordingly. I will give you that lessons which are enumerated in the specifc mystical thought," the great suf peer told his disciples.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 133 The Orash Sharif of Hazrat Sureshwari is held during a period from Magh 19 to Magh 21. Unlike other Orash Sharif, this occasion does not allow any animal to be slaughtered. No meat is served for appeasing hunger of the devotees. Tabarak is cooked following a simple food menu. The authorities banned felling of animals from Poush 5 to Magh 21. The shrine premise is under the purview of this restriction. Sureshwari wrote 13 religious books in Bengali and Urdu. The books are Nur-e Huq Ganjenur, Chhafane Chhafar, Fawlul Keram. Madina Kolki Abatarer Chhafna, Sirre Huq Jamenur, Latayefe Safa, Ainanin and Matlaul Ulum. On Ograhan 2, 1326 Bengali year, he breathed his last. He was 63. The local time of his death was 5:30pm. Within the last couple of years, Zainul Haque Sikder donated money to many religious organizations and the shrines of renowned saints. He extended fnancial supports for construction of structures in those holy places. He constructed 24 Jame mosques in different places of Shariatpur. Moreover, a Jame mosque at Laksmibazar in Dhaka, a Jame mosque in Sikder Medical College premises and Edgah Jame mosque in Dhanmondi road 15 were constructed with his fnancial support. He built concrete structures in two shrines. Those are Dakhkhin Khan Kabir Shah shrine in Uttara and DIT shrine. He contributed money to the establishment and development of Bahadur Tokna Hazibari Jame mosque at Bhuapur in Tangail, Jamelkandi Jame mosque in Daudkandi of Comilla and Tohak Khana rest house near Sona mosque in Chapainawabganj. Apart from these, he spent money for the development of Eidgah feld at Shah Poran in Sylhet. Zainul Haque founded an Alia madrasa in memory of the saint Shah Chand Awalia (R.A.) at Patia in Chittagong. He set up a Shahi mosque to commemorate the saint Hazrat Shah Mohsin in Chittagong.

134 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Spiritual person Gafur Shah at Ajmer Sharif in India and Zainul Haque Sikder sits beside him He constructed Baba Gaffar Ali rest house and Khwaja Baba Jannati gate in Ajmer Sharif. He was lucky enough to meet innumerable saints in his life. At the same time he reached the peak of economic success. He has turned into an icon of trade and commerce. He owes to divine power and fortune for his current position.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 135 Success in Business Sector

If anybody desires to succeed in trade and commerce, he has to rely on correct strategies. Two other qualities namely perseverance and courteous behavior will play the role of catalyst in this regard. Famous American writer and psychologist Dale Carnegie focused the issue in his books. But Zainul Haque Sikder is an exception to this formula. He has been doing well in the business for over six decades with an exceptional character. He has some inherent qualities. He never stoops to irregularities and misrule. He is not devoid of principles of life. Sikder is singled out as a person with a difference. He is against the spirit of majority people. He raises voice against any kind of irregularity. He does not bother for any consequence. Sometimes, the high offcials suggested him to go through the books of Dale Carnegie. The characteristics of a great philosopher and Sikder are almost identical. He thinks that the blessings of Allah and saints acted behind his economic gain in the 1950s. In 1957-58, he kicked off his business with four trucks. He teamed up with Provincial Engineers Company and started the work of land flling in Dhanmondi area. He made huge proft. He bought land on

136 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend the west of road 5 of Dhanmondi. He constructed residential house there. It is located in road 8 now. In 1960-61, he set up a brickfeld in Rayer Bazar. He expanded the business gradually. The number of felds rose to 10. Then he began construction business. Initially, the trade name was Sikder & Sons. Afterwards, he launched another business under the banner of Zainul Haque Sikder Pvt Ltd. He was licensed with the government as the second class contractor. He was faced with some problems. He did not know how to submit quotation of a tender. He wanted to take help of a professional estimator or overseer in this regard. One morning, he stood before his residence. He found a well- dressed person chased by some day laborers. The place of the incident was close to him. The gentleman was busy protecting himself. Zainul Haque Sikder moved to save the man without delay. The day laborers blamed the person for terminating their job. They were working on master roll. The gentleman opted for flling the vacant posts with fresh workers. Sikder intervened. The situation was under control. Zainul Haque requested the offcer to consider the demand of the workers on humanitarian ground. The agitation was called off. He helped the offcer and his subordinates get into a car and leave the place safely. In the afternoon, Sikder got the identity of the offcer. A peon told him that the man was Azhar Uddin Khan. He is executive engineer of division-2 of the PWD. He is assigned to look after development in Dhanmondi area. "He invited you to his house. Please follow me," said the peon. Zainul Haque Sikder turned down the invitation. He asked the peon to convey his message to the engineer. "You tell your boss that he should have come to my house. He was not supposed to invite me. I do not work under him. I am not his subordinate. Why should I go to him?"

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 137 The engineer went to the house of Zainul Haque Sikder that very afternoon. He arrived at 5:00pm. Azhar introduced himself. He expressed gratitude to Sikder for the morning episode. He offered Sikder a chance to implement projects under PWD. A new horizon of construction work was open to Sikder. He told Zainul. "You are involved in truck business in association with a partner.Do have you licence for doing construction work? Are you a licensed contractor?" Zainul Haque replied, "I obtained a second class licence. But I never participated in tender. I did not try for any work order." Azhar Uddin took a letterhead pad from Sikder. He got the pad signed by Zainul Haque. Then he left the place. The PWD engineer came to the house of Sikder next day. He handed over a frst class licence to the host. The incident was a turning point in Sikder's life. It ushered in a new era. Azhar Uddin started to give work orders to Sikder. Even he extended other logistic supports. He did everything to get the work fnished. Zainul Haque constructed many buildings and bridges within a few years. He earned much reputation. This placed him with other renowned contractors in the country. Even he got the chance to work beyond the territorial limit. He achieved primary qualifcation to participate in the projects of Middle East and World Bank. He got the opportunity to work under ME in 1966 and global tender in 1970. Zainul Haque earned huge money. Before 1970 polls, he bought several hundred bighas of land in Rayer Bazar. A handful of people owned private car during Pakistan regime. That time Sikder was in possession of four cars for the personal use of him and his family members. Besides, he gave a vehicle to his nephew Reza to be used round the clock. About the assistance from spiritual power in his life. Zainul Haque Sikder said, "I was longing for an overseer or estimator. But Allah the Almighty sent an engineer to me instead of them."

138 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The proft of Sikder encouraged Bangabandhu to suggest his nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni to start business with M. A. Reza. The Father of the Nation named the organization as 'Sheikh & Sikder Co Ltd'. Sikder frst saw Bangabandhu at Poradaho railway junction in Kushtia. It was May 1945. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman boarded a compartment of the train. He then met Mujib in 1950. The venue was Awami League leader 's residence. Both of them shared a common view regarding love for the country and its people. The patriotism marginalized the gap between the two. They became close to each other. Their relations are also discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 139 Closed. Publication of Banglar Bani Started

In 1966, Bengali nationalist political parties announced six-point demand. The daily Ittefaq published many positive stories on the six points. General Ayub Khan was the at that time. Infamous Governor Monaem Khan slapped ban on publication of the Ittefaq. Bangabandhu landed in the central jail. Just prior to be imprisoned he whispered something into Sikder's ear. Bangabandhu expressed his concern over the closure of the daily. He said, "They (Pakistan ruling circle) closed Ittefaq. Now there is no media in the country to focus on our issues. I asked Moni to publish a paper. He is set to rent out a tin-shed house near Hotel Elysium in Hatkhola. The Banglar Bani will be printed there. I would like to request you to supervise Moni." Notably, the hotel was founded by the then Muslim League leader Kazi Kader. It is currently used as the quarters of the government offcials. Accordingly, the newspaper came into being. The lion's share of the cost was borne by Sikder. By that time, Moni and Reza started their joint venture business. Zainul Haque Sikder said, "Sheikh

140 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Fazlul Haque Moni was a dedicated politician like Bangabandhu. He did not give in to misrule. He never indulged in irregularities. He had no avarice for wealth. He preferred politics to money. He could have earned huge money. But he was hell-bent on serving people." The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Zainul Haque shed light on the characteristics of the premier. He referred to an incident in this regard. He said, "Once I called on her. She addressed me as uncle. She objected to have seen me after a long time. She expressed her regret at my absence." Sheikh Hasina said, "Uncle, why did you not come to me? How come you M. A. Reza never demanded any favour?" Sikder replied, "I didn't make any demand lest I should be rejected. It may cloud my relationship with you. Rather, let me do something special for you. I would like to appoint your son Sajeeb Wazed Joy as director of my bank." Sheikh Hasina turned down my proposal. She said, "Do you want my son to be a man like Tarique Zia?"

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 141 Rejecting the Proposal of Monaem Khan In the third quarter of 1960s, Sikder's nephew M. A. Reza was the unrivalled leader and VP of the then Jagannath College in Dhaka. Monaem Khan was the Governor of East Pakistan at that time. There was no Jagannath College unit of National Student Front (NSF). The NSF was the student front organization of the ruling party Muslim League. Monaem Khan wanted Reza to launch a branch of NSF in the college. He sought intervention of Zainul Haque in this regard. The Governor promised to secure him construction and supply works. Had Sikder agreed to the proposal, he would have earned several core taka. However, Zainul Haque told the Governor, "Reza and I are facing 71 cases." Monaem Khan said, "I will look into the matter. You will be acquitted of the cases." Sikder told Monaem, "Reza is adult now. I should not exert undue infuence on his political belief. Moreover, he is languishing in jail now. What I can do is I can send a message to the jail. I can convey your proposal in writing to my nephew." Zainul Haque played a trick. He came back home. He had cautioned Reza about the proposal before Monaem Khan contacted him.

142 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Monaem Khan sent three messengers to jail. They were DSP Nuruzzaman, Noor Mohammad and Inspector Kaikobad. They met Reza in the jail premises. They handed over a letter of Monaem Khan to Reza. Reza read out the letter. He refused to accept the offer. He said, "We are affliated with the politics of Bangabandhu. We will stick to our guns. Nothing will equate the loss of leaving the party. The belief and ideologies have no exchange value. We are unable to switch over to another party." Failing to convince Reza, the Governor sent the three offcials to his father in Kartikpur. Father of Reza accompanied the three offcials. He was called on by Monaem Khan. The governor requested Reza's father to such an extent that he went to jail to convince his son. Reza was determined enough to reject the proposal. He told his father, "Never come with such proposal in future."

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 143 Mahmud Ali of Nezam-e-Islam was Brought to Bangabandhu After returning to Dhaka, Bangabandhu summoned some political leaders including Mahmud Ali. Those leaders took part in a roundtable and expressed solidarity with Pakistan. Sikder teamed up with others to fetch Mahmud Ali from his residence. The politician used to live in house 4 at road 28 in Dhanmondi. About 60 people including Raju of Kalabagan, Nasirullah of Rayer Bazar and Reza joined the operation. They gathered in front of the house. Sensing the trouble, Mahmud called East Pakistan Rifes over phone. A large contingent of EPR soldiers rushed to the spot. Zainul Haque Sikder vowed to make the operation a success at any cost. But he was upset about the situation gathering storm. He maneuvered for pushing the troops back to the barrack. Sikder talked to an EPR offcer of Major rank. He termed the crowd as ranks and fles of Awami League. Zainul Haque Sikder said, "They have come to meet their leader. If you crowd them, violence may erupt. It may endanger your position. You better quit the place to fend off any untoward incident."

144 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend As Sikder served in the EPR with good command in Urdu, he could convince the offcer easily. The troops disappeared. Mahmud Ali was taken to Bangabandhu. The Father of the Nation used to live in a house at road 32 in Dhanmondi. The house later turned into a museum. A cultural event was being held at the moment Mahmud turned up. Mahmud was forced to sign an undertaking. He was fanked by all artistes and audience. He promised to follow Bangabandhu to push his agenda forward. He promised not to go against Bangladesh and Bangabandhu. Finally, he was safely dropped at his home.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 145 Intimacy with Bangabandhu

The seed of patriotism started sprouting inside Zainul Haque Sikder since his early student life. Subsequently it developed into a huge tree. This is why he found it wiser to come back to Dhaka to become a proud citizen of a newly independent country called Pakistan, envisaged as a free land for the Muslim community of the-then undivided India under colonial rule. Without any hesitation he left behind huge paternal property in the Assam province of the then India. In a sense he started his career with literally nothing and eventually succeeded in rendering himself into a self-made personality who was then slowly but convincingly being attracted by the rare qualities of the charismatic leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, particularly his intrepidity, love for humanity and patriotism. This is amply manifested in an epic novel entitled Neel Komol (Blue Lotus) by Abidur Rahman, who was the illustrious editor of English Daily The People and Bengali Daily Dainik GonoBangla. Both these newspapers played most vital roles in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh from the very inception. The editor Abidur Rahman was a businessman by profession, apart from being a multidimensional creative personality: a poet, a fction writer and a lyricist chiefy.

146 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend It is to be mentioned here that in the fateful night of March 25. 1971. the Pakistani occupation army fully destroyed the offce of The People with tanks, grenades and other explosives. Abidur Rahman was one of the frst fve persons including and Tajuddin Ahmed who were given fourteen years' rigorous imprisonment without trial by Occupation Pakistani Army for forming government of Bangladesh. He has written about Bangabandhu and Zainul Haque Sikder in his book entitled Neel Komol, "Zainul Haque Sikder's frst encounter with Bangabandhu was a most dramatic one. It was May 1945. Sikder was going to Kolkata by train. When the train stopped at Poradaho junction. a group of young men led by a tall and handsome person wearing a white Panjabi. a paJame and Aligarh- styled sandal entered the room. Sikder was impressed by him. To his amazement Sikder saw that this young man was searching out the suitcases of all passengers to fnd out 'smuggled goods'. Sikder retorted as he was approached by the young man, It appears Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 147 that you are neither an OC nor a police constable. Why are you doing this?" The leader of the small team then replied in a heavy voice. "It is our civil duty to stop 'black-marketing' as true citizens of this country. "Thanks", Sikder said, "I have nothing of this sort, I mean, goods of `black-marketing'." After some time this leader-like young man got on a Goalanda-bound train. Sikder's train started moving to the opposite direction on way to Kolkata. Few minutes later he came to know from a passenger sitting by him that the name of this young leader was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — a student leader who studies in Kolkata. Sikder was astonished beyond limit at the unusual activities indicative of sheer patriotism of that young man with an impressive look. He could not think that he would meet again exactly the same person somewhere someday. It was the year 1950. Sikder happened to encounter the same young leader in Dhaka city at the Swarighat residence of veteran Awami League leader Ataur Rahman Khan. Sikder reminded him of their interesting encounter at the Podadoho junction. The young leader smiled a little and said. "The country will march onwards if every citizen performs his duty sincerely." That day Sikder went to Ataur Rahman Khan's residence to consult him as his lawyer. It is just by chance that he again met the young leader who volunteered to check the smuggled goods by common train passengers. However, since that day this renewed encounter signaled the ever-lasting bridge of intimacy between the two. Imbibed with high degree of patriotism, Sikder has both natural and innate inclination towards people-oriented activities of all kinds. He is also well known as a person of great heart and magnanimity. This is why he was immediately arrested by the intrepidity and patriotism of Bangabandhu. At that time the centre of almost all political activities was invariably old Dhaka. Many famous Sadrars of Dhaka were blind supporters of Muslim League.

148 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder remembers very well that at a time when towering leaders like Maulana Bhasani and Shamsul Haque planned a public meeting at Armanitola Maidan, the young leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the source of their courage. The meeting was foiled by the infuential Sardars who supported Muslim League. But soon after the rampage, the valiant young leader Sheikh Mujib reorganized the meeting at the same Armanitola ground with the help of another Dhakai Sardar named 'Badshah' who was equally well-built and intrepid. This was the frst successful public meeting of Awami League at Armanitola and it happened owing to Sheikh Mujib's unfaltering determination and bravery as well as indefatigable fearlessness of Badsha Sardar. That day Sikder himself was present in the meeting as an attentive listener. In the days thereafter, the fort of Awami League started being stronger day by day resulting from the organizational commitment and bond of both Sheikh Mujib and Badsha Sardar. Both of them were fair and fearless. Sikder watched them closely. He was engaged in truck business to carry bricks and other construction materials in the brick felds of Rayer Bazar and adjacent areas since early 1950s. And this was the time when a nationalist movement as opposed to West Pakistani ruling junta was gaining momentum under the brave leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In any demonstration or meeting or political gathering, Zainul Haque Sikder used to send his trucks loaded with supporters. The friendship became closer day by day. Meanwhile, Ali Reza, who was the son of Sikder's elder brother, came closer to Awami League through Sikder. Eventually he got involved with the politics of Awami League as a young student leader. Reza was tall, big-bodied, stout and extremely courageous. He became increasingly desperate in his political encounters having close contact with the mesmerizing personality of Sheikh Mujib himself. His popularity grew steadily and soon he was elected as the VP of Jagannath College Chatra Sangsad.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 149 In 1964 when Governor Monaem Khan came to Dhaka University convocation as Chancellor of the University, Reza burst into fearless and unprecedented protest against him. Then police looked for him frantically, arrested him and sent him to jail immediately after arrest. Then Zainul Haque Sikder went to Bangabandhu and said, "If Reza gets so much involved in student politics, how shall he do well in studies?" Bangabandhu then replied to Sikder, "You are worried about the future of the son of your brother. But I am dreaming of discovering one lakh activists like him, by dint of whom I would be able to establish the birth rights of the nation called Bangali." Sikder said about the stead fastness of his character, "Bangabandhu was in prison when Argartala Conspiracy case was going on. I got busy to see him as soon as possible. I asked for a pass to SB people. SB offcer-in-charge Mr. Yunus said that I was supposed to be one of the convicts of the case, but fortunately I was spared. So I should not take pass to meet Sheikh Mujib, who was in strict security. But I was adament to meet him. I must enter the jail and meet Sheikh Mujib. So I contacted one of my familiar journalists. He was a reporter of Daily Azad and a political worker of NAP. He gave my identity as a journalist and accordingly collected a pass for me from journalist quota. I took the pass and went through security barricade carrying basketful of oranges for Sheikh Mujib. We started talking in a low voice. We heard that meanwhile Ayub Khan's envoy Fida Hossain had met him with some proposal. I wanted to know what he said to Fida in reply. Sheikh replied to me without hesitation, "I am Sheikh Mujib. I have never sold my head. And shall not sell it ever. Bangalees would surely get back their rights one day." Sikder mentions another aspect of Bangabandhu's character quite often. It is his innate love and affection for his people. His memory was extra-ordinarily sharp.

150 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend In 1965 Miss Fatema Zinnah contested the Presidential elections of Pakistan. All the opposition political parties including Awami League worked in favour of Miss Zinnah. In this context, Sheikh Mujib visited the Dhanmondi residence of Zainul Haque Sikder for election campaign in Rayer Bazar area. That day one `Suruj' of this locality worked hard for entertaining him with food. Bangabandhu remembered him for long. After the successful mass upsurge of 1969, Bangabandhu came out from jail and went to his historic residence at road 32, Dhanmondi residential area. On that very day Suruj also went there to see him. Bangabandhu was able to identify Suruj amidst huge crowd and asked him affectionately, 'How are you, Suruj?" Suruj was overwhelmed with joy to hear his name. He came straight to the residence of Sikder. "Sir", Suruj said, "Sheikh Shaheb has recognized me even after so many days. He has uttered my name, what a wonder!"

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 151 Benevolence of Bangabandhu

Inspired by his uncle Sikder, his nephew M. A. Reza got involved with the politics of Central Students League. Eventually Reza became a most trusted political activist of Bangabandhu. He had to go behind the bars many times because of his rebellious role against the ruling Pakistani junta as well as his participation in anti- Ayub movement before the independence of Bangladesh. He was frequently accused of activities subversive of state and discipline. Yet Pakistan government could not dissuade him from student politics. It has been mentioned earlier that Z. H. Sikder met Bangabandhu in prison and gathered all his details during the tenure of so-called . Bangabandhu was released from this case on February 22, 1969. Thereafter Reza advised his uncle Sikder to invite Bangabandhu someday to their residence. Sikder told Reza that inviting Bangabandhu means inviting some hundreds of his constant companions and entertaining them all with food, which is not manageable in his Dhanmondi residence because of space scarcity. But Reza did not give up. He insisted on inviting Bangabandhu to their residence at the earliest.

152 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend So Sikder asked Reza to make a phone call to Bangabandhu. Reza did so and gave the phone to Sikder for their conversation. Sikder exchanged greetings with Bangabandhu and invited him to his residence with all his associates. To his amazement, Bangabandhu gladly accepted the invitation. On the day scheduled for sumptuous meals nearly 500 guests including Bangabandhu, Tajuddin Ahmed and Syed Nazrul Islam came to his Dhanmondi residence in time. Sikder, too, took all preparations to entertain the honoured guests in a proper manner. As Bangabandhu stepped into his residence, Sikder was most courteous to receive him. He apologized to the great leader for inviting him over phone instead of going in person. Likewise, Bangabandhu was equally reciprocal to accept Sikder as his own brother, although both of them had no blood connection. Bangabandhu also thanked Sikder from his heart for inviting him and his party members to this wonderful feast. Sikder asked Bangabandhu to go inside the house and take his meals separately. But Bangabandhu stayed back in the open porch to eat and merry with all his friends and admirers. When preparations were going on for the feast and everyone assembled there relaxed in a gossiping mood, a group of young children passed before Sikder's residence chanting the slogan, 'We want the blood of Sheikh Mujib'. None could guess why it happened. Sikder was furious at this and he tried to foil the procession with the permission of Bangabandhu. Interestingly, Bangabandhu disagreed with Sikder, rather asked him to bring the young dissenters inside and entertain them with good food. Sikder did accordingly. This is indicative of the greatness and liberal attitude of Bangabandhu, the founder of Bangladesh. During the Martial Law regime in 1970, the country was passing through a terrible situation. Many people thought that Sheikh Mujib might be thrown behind the bars at any time. Sikder was much upset at this and discussed the matter with Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu also agreed, "You are right, Siker. I may be arrested any time".

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 153 Then Sikjder said, " How shall I know that you are taken to prison?" Sheikh Mujib replied, "I shall make a phone call to you." Sikder wanted to know, "Do you remember my phone number?" "Of course, I remember your phone number." Saying so he uttered Sikder's phone number. Sikder still remembers that unforgettable incident of Bangabandhu's incredible memory.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Zainul Haque Sikder

One day in the month of November in the year 1970, Bangabandhu and Sikder were sitting together and gossiping in the residence of road no. 32 in Dhanmondi area. Suddenly a man came there. He gave a piece of paper to Bangabandhu and said, "You sent me to American Embassy with your recommendation for a job. Before going there I saw that there is no seal with your signature. It will be nice of you if you please put the seal, sir". Bangabandhu smiled a little and said, "That's okay man, they know my signature, no need of seal." The man then put the paper in his pocket and tried to say something hesitatingly. Bangabandhu asked, "What do you want more?"

154 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend He entreated, "Sir, I feel shy to say that I have no money to go back home." Hearing this Zainul Haque Sikder gave him some money from his pocket. Bangabandhu looked at the man for a while, smiled again and said, "Just wait a bit." Bangabandhu went upstairs and came back after a few minutes. He also gave him some money secretly. Sikder then asked, 'I gave him some money earlier. Why did you give him again?" Bangabandhu replied smilingly, "May Allah bless you for giving him the money. But Allah has primarily sent the man to me. I can't send him back empty-handed." Sikder was glad and smiled too. Then he wanted to know, "How much have you given to the man?" "No, I can't disclose that." Replied Bangabandhu, "Your left hand should not know what you donated with your right hand. This is the lesson from Hadith." Sikder was dumbfounded and cast a look of disbelief at the great leader for a long time. Zainul Haque Sikder often opines that the independence of Bangladesh would never become a reality but for the birth of a most courageous, uncompromising and patriotic leader like Bangabandhu. More to it, the father of the nation has also set numerous unmatched examples of good governance based on justice and righteousness. Zainul Haque Sikder often tells these stories to his friends and others. Here is another incident. The hundred taka note was once demonetized during the tenure of Bangabandhu's administration. But he himself forgot to change his notes. Begum Mujib said with a jest, "Hundred Taka notes worth seven thousand and fve hundred got wasted despite the presence of such a towering leader in my home!"

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 155 Whenever anyone brings the context of Bangabandhu to Z. H. Sikder, he narrates numerous stories and legends of this kind taken from his life. We would narrate here yet another such story, which he can never forget. It was the month of June, 1975. A retired Army offcer named Major Saidullah came to meet him. He was very affectionate to Sikder. He called Sikder `Kaku'. That day he told Sikder in a trembling voice, "Kaku, I have come to inform you one bad news. If possible, please inform it to Bangabandhu." Then what Major Saidullah said was the story of a conspiracy. He told that some retired army offcers of were conspiring to overthrow Bangabandhu from power with some in-service army offcers. Many of these offcers are very close to Bangabandhu. He likes them personally. Major Saidullah disclosed the names of those offcers to Sikder and requested him to give those names to Bangabandhu, so that he can investigate the matter immediately. Sikder thought that his senses were getting benumbed after what he listened from Major Saidullah. In his inner mind he visualized a terrible scene of horror he never saw before. He ran to Bangabandhu without delay. Bangabandhu was sitting in his residence at road 32, Dhanmondi. He informed Bangabandhu of what he had heard from the retired Major about the impending danger. Listening to Sikder, Bangabandhu burst into his usual laughter, "Overthrow me? Those boys of Bangladesh Army? I have raised them in my own hand with love and affection. The real story is something else. Some people want to create misunderstanding between me and Bangladesh army. They know very well that I like you and trust you very much. So they are trying to create the

156 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend misunderstanding through you by giving me such manipulated stories." Bangabandhu trusted people, believed them and looked at them with liberal eyes. Over and over again he risked his life to give birth to an independent nation-state called Bangladesh. He could never think of the possibility of overthrowing him from power or killing him by anyone who is Bengali by birth and belief. He considered everyone of this land as his offspring and he was the rector of all. Sikder came back with a broken heart and started suffering from a kind of latent agony and frustration since then. At the same time Zainul Haque Sikder is a man of self-conceit, dignity and integrity. He was much hurt at the incident. But he said nothing. He came back without one more word and felt disconsolate beyond limit. He passed many sleepless nights since then. Then Sikder decided to travel to Ajmer Sharif to overcome his inner turmoil , physical sufferings and mental restlessness. He could not disbelieve the news of Major Saidullah. although Bangabandhu did not pay heed to it. After one month he came back to Dhaka from Ajmer Sharif. August 15, I975. Sikder could not sleep the whole night in an unknown fear and anxiety. The words of Major Saidullah were haunting him again and again. The country was passing through hard times. The situation was complex and anything might happen any time. After sleepless hours throughout the night, he heard the tremendous sounds of frearms, gun shots and explosives close to morning. The sounds increased quickly and it seemed that a battle had broken out. Sikder could guess nothing. For a while it seemed to him that Bangabandhu was fnished at that very moment.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 157 Participation in Liberation War at Bangabandhu's Call

Mr. Zainul Haque Sikder is a great patriot since his early childhood. So he was preparing all the way to participate in the war of liberation at any time at the call of Bangabandhu. This is why he could fully involve himself in the warfeld as a full-time fghter even at his middle age. Nothing could restrain him from doing so — not his business, riches, family, wife, offspring or the hands of his most affectionate mother. He has fought in the battle feld equipped with frearms risking his most precious possession called life. In this regard, we can mention the book called Swadhinata O Muktijuddhe Faridpur (Faridpur in the War of Liberation)' by Mohammad Didarul Islam. He is full of praise for the freedom fghter Zainul Haque Sikder who fought valiantly in guerilla warfare.

Another description of his active participation as a war hero is found in the book entitled Muktijuddhe Brihottor Faridpur (Greater Faridpur in the War of Liberation) by the veteran Awami League leader and active participant in the liberation war Mr. Mohammad Solaiman Ali. He has written, "I came back to Jaidevpur at 7 pm of

158 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend March 25. At about 8 pm two young men named Siraj and lmran told me that the Pakistani Occupation forces would march on the city that night. Then and there I called and gave the news to Jessore's Haji Shaheb who used to stay at Bangabandhu's residence round the clock. Then I went to Bangabandhu's residence along with Omar and others by an EPRTC bus. We met him and urged upon him to come with us. Bangabandhu refused to come with us saying that he would do what he must do. At the same time he called upon us to do everything in order to repulse the Pakistani attack on the innocent Bengalees that night. " We came back accordingly and created a barricade at road no 15 of Satmasjid road. At about 11 pm Pakistani army came there and started breaking the barricade. Right at that moment we started to fre by a double barrel gun from the rooftop of an adjacent building. Our fghters included Majnu, Imran, Omar, Iqbal, Siraj and others. Two pak soldiers were shot dead. Then the Pak army started fring at us violently. We retreated from the battle on stratetic ground and came back home at about 01 am. After midnignt Pak army started all-out attack everywhere in Dhaka city. Sheikh Kamal's friend Firoj came to me at about 5 a.m. and informed me that the Pak army arrested Bangabandh at about 01 a.m. On March 27, Chatra League leader Nure Alam Siddiqui was helped by me to reach the place called Ati safely. He was given a lungi and a gamcha to wear like a commoner. Then he went across the river via Rayer Bazar. The same day another veteran political leader Tajuddin Ahmed and Barrister Amirul Islam met me at Rayer Bazar brick feld at about 12 A.M. and sought my help to cross the river. I arranged their safe journey to Ati across the river. Previously, three young men Majnu, Emran and Siraj came to me with some rifes and sten guns secretly in a truck. They also sought my help to keep and use the weapons. I kept one sten gun with me. It was concealed in a bath room of the second foor of my residence. Other weapons were sent for distribution among the students at Ati by the son of Rahim Matabbor of Rayer Bazar.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 159 When I was returning home at noon, I saw three army trucks and one jeep loaded with nearly 150 soldiers. They had cordoned my residence. As I came within 100 yards of the residence, they saw me but could not recognize me. They threatened me to leave the place immediately. I went not too far and waited to observe the situation. The soldiers entered my residence and looked for arms frantically. They said that it was a fort, not merely a residence. My wife told them that our residence had been captured by Awami League and after that they hoisted the fag of Bangla. She also explained that in fact we were the supporters of Muslim League for long. After Awami occupation of our home, we took shelter at the ground foor. The soldiers searched everything and everywhere and fnally detected the sten gun from the second foor. So they opined that the house was the hideout of the freedom fghters. Then my wife Monowara Begum again explained that we knew nothing of the second foor which was then under the possession of Awami League activists. We had no idea of what they had kept there. Then the army said, "Where is Sikder, the leader of the miscreants?" My wife then remembered that I had close relations with a Pakistani army offcer named Major Nawab. He was staying at Sylhet cantonment at that time. He sent me a letter advising that if any one of Pak Army tried to put me in danger I should call him immediately. My wife could not decide what to do in that moment of utter crisis. She took the letter with its envelope and produced the same before the army. The soldiers read the letter from top to bottom and went back without doing any harm to them. They advised my wife to send me to nearby girls' school and meet the army offcer there. On 4 April I went to my village home at Kartikpur via Ati,

160 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Kolatia and Srinagar with all my family members. I stayed there for 8-10 days and then came back to Dhaka leaving behind all others at Kartikpur. I met the executive engineer Lutfar Rahman at his Magbazar residence. I was accompanied by Nannu Mia who was then working as accountant of Road Division. My bill worth taka a few lakhs was pending with him. I requested the engineer to pay the bill. He gave me two cheques of about one lakh taka. I cashed the money with the help of my colleagues and then returned to Kartikpur. It was the middle of the month of June. I reached Melaghor of India along with Stuart Mujib, Nasir Sardar, Ali Ahmed Moktar MP and Fazal master. There we met Captain Shaukat, Khaled Mosharraf and Haider. At Agartala we saw Awami League central leader Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury and student leader Nure Alam Siddiqui. Then I few to Kolkata from Agartala. On the way I met the couple and . On reaching Kolkata I met Tajuddin Ahmed, Honourable Prime Minster of the government of independent Bangladesh. was also there. He asked me to stay there and bring my wife and other family members from my home at Kartikpur. But I did not agree with him. I told him that I would go back home and participate in the liberation war actively. Accordingly I reached Melaghor again and met No 2 Sector Commander Khaled Mosharraf and Colonel Shaukat. I stayed one week at Shaukat's residence and then came back home along with Stuart Mujib, Abdul Hai and Abul Hossain. Khaled Mosharraf told me to work in Dhaka, but I did not agree, since Pakistani soldiers were looking for me there. Then Col Shaukat said, "Chacha, back home try to form Akkas Force' in the name of this great martyr with the help of retired EPR and police members under the command of Subedar Joynal Abedin. Please shoulder the responsibilities of supervising all of them." Zainul Haque Sikder liked the idea. So he took all the responsibilities of `Akkas Force' working at Shariatpur.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 161 Capturing Naria Thana

The freedom fghters captured the Naria thana towards the beginning of September. As per earlier planning of Zainul Haque Sikder, Akkas Force commander Jainal Abedin and FF commander Moti Mia attacked Naria thana. On the day of attack, Zainul Haque Sikder met Subedar Zainal Abedin and Moti in a strategic meeting secretly at midnight inside a school premise four miles away from the thana headquarters to launch the assault on the enemy. Everybody advanced towards the target after the plan was fnalized. A total of 80 fghters composed of liberation forces and freedom fghters took part in the skirmish. They had two LMGs, one two-inch mortar, many rifes and SLRs. Total weapons carried by the attackers were 80. Zainul Haque Sikder was the mastermind and central commander. The soldiers were divided into two groups: Akkas force under Subedar Zainal Abedin's command and FFs under the command of Naria thana commander Moti Mia. The two groups attacked the target from two sides at about fve in the morning.

Naria thana police and rajakars took strong shelter in their bunkers. They were about 40 in number. They had LMGs and rifes as well. As the freedom fghters opened fre on them, the enemy also fred back from their bunkers. After about one hour of exchange of bullets between the warring parties, Zainul Haque Sikder asked the freedom fghter to advance forward in order to call upon the enemy to surrender. but he did not do so. So Zainul Haque Sikder himself advanced forward and shouted toward the enemy, 'Hands up'. The offcer-in-charge of Naria thana responded to his call and surrendered raising his two hands. Nearly 30 police and rajakars were killed in the battle. All the weapons of this thana were captured by the freedom fghters who won the battle convincingly. Nayek Abdur Rashid and EPR Nayek Abdur Rashid of Gosairhat also took part in this combat.

162 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Capturing Bhedergonj Thana

The Pak army had a strong outpost in Bhedergonj thana combining a good number of police and rajakars. The freedom fghters had been planning to attack them long since. Finally October 10 was fxed as the day of attack. Zainul Haque Sikder along with Captain Babul, Zainal Abedin and Abdul Mannan Rarhi prepared the blue print of attack in a meeting inside a school building close to Bhedergonj thana. It was a major assault by the freedom fghters composed of 300 fghters from different sections of liberation forces. There were three strategic groups under three commanders. They were the Akkas Force led by Subedar Zainal Abedin, FFs led by Abdul Manna Rarhi and one hundred well-trained armed forces led by Captain Babul. Captain Babul's forces took position on the eastern side of the thana, and Abdul Mannan's FFs were posted on the southern street to repulse the enemy who might advance from Damudya. On the other hand, Akkas Force along with remaing fghters started the attack on the thana from the north under the command of Zainul Haque Sikder and Subedar Zainul Abedin. At 4 AM, October 10, the battle started under Zainul Haque Sikder's call. Living started from the rooftops of Dak Bungalow and both the parties got involved into a violent blood-stained confrontation. The battle continued fercely for 22 hours. When the attack rose to its climax at midnight, the police and rajakar forces inside the thana were compelled to surrender to the freedom fghters. At that very moment thousands of patriotic people chanted the slogan `Joi Bangla' in a bid to celebrate this memorable victory. Their slogans, on the one hand, threatened the occupation forces inside the thana and, on the other, inspired the freedom fghters beyond limit. A total of 87 police and rajakars were killed, whereas from the freedom fghters' side the only martyr was Habilder Mohiuddin Sardar. All the weapons were captured and the fag of the independent Bangla was hoisted there. The OC of this thana was caught red-handed while trying to escape by a way past the

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 163 soldiers of Rarhi. He was killed by them brutally and his body was cut into two. Awami League leaders and workers including Abdul Hai Mia and Abul Hossain stretched their all-out help in this battle. Capturing Palong Thana

A few days before the assault, Palong Thana Commander Idris Master went to the camp of Akkas Force and requested Zainul Haque Sikder and Subedar Zainal Abedin to launch the attack on this police station. On the day fxed for the attack, Zainul Haque Sikder, Zainal Abedin and Idris Master again met at a house one mile away from the police station and advanced for their assult. Their attacking forces got divided into three groups and advanced from three directions under the command of Subedar Jainal Abedin, Idris Master and FF commander Abul Quashem. The battle started at the night of September 13. When the freedom fghters took their position for the attack, Wireless Operator Salek Khan was talking to the Offcer-in-Charge of the police station. A young boy went to the thana and signaled him to come out. As soon as he did so, the attack started in full swing. Mujib Bahini thana commander Fazal Master along with his forces took part in this battle. More than one hundred freedom fghters carried 4 LMGs, 2 two-inch mortars and other fre arms. Thousands of militant people led by the veteran political activists Sirajul Islam, Zafor, Jalal Master and Salek Khan raised `Joi Bangla' slogan in a tumultuous chorus that frightened the police forces and rajakars loyal to Pak army. Completely demoralized, they surrendered without much resistance. Fifty fve police and rajakars were killed in the combat. The freedom fghters took possession of all the frearms of this police station.

164 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend The War of Liberation and After

The war of liberation for Bangladesh was conducted under the guidance of Mujibnagar government. In course of time this government identifed some objections against some persons who were playing dubious role during the Liberation War. So Mujibnagar government issued some orders to take appropriate action against them. The list of controversial persons included, among others, the revolutionary leader Shanti Sen, Sarbahara Party leader Siraj Sikder hailing from the village Lakarta and Siraj Sardar of Palong thana. Bhedergonj thana Muktijoddha commander Mannan arrested Shanti Sen, kept him captive in Sajonpur camp and informed Zainul Haque Sikder negarding the matter. Sikder looked at the matter positively and ordered the release of Shanti Sen for his historic contribution in the independence movement of the Indian subcontinent as a whole. Sarbahara leader Siraj Sikder was also accused of not supporting the Liberation War of Bangladesh and orders were circulated to take effective measures against him. Zainul Haque Sikder investigated this complaint from a neutral stand. He found that despite such allegation against him, Siraj Sikder did not take side of the Pakistani

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 165 army junta. He was a Bengali patriot. So it would not be appropriate to give some fnal verdict against him. He sent secret message to Siraj Sikder and asked him to leave the area immediately. This is how his life was saved at that time. After the independence of Bangladesh there was again an allegation that Siraj Sikder stayed at times in the house number 211 of Sikder Shaheb. This allegation came from Army DMO M. A. Malek. Bangabandhu was also apprised of this complaint. Zainul Haque Sikder presented a trustworthy explanation of the whole matter to Bangabandhu. He confessed that he had saved Siraj Sikder by sending him away from his area during the time of Libration War, but he never gave him shelter at his house in the post-liberation period. Sikder added that he was ready to face anybody, regardless of his position or power, to prove his role. Another person was Siraj Sardar of Palong thana. His name was also enlisted as one who played a controversial role in our Liberation War. But Sikder Shaheb knew very well that once he was a close associate of Bangabandhu. Though he was not actively involved with the politics of Awami League at that time, he was a genuine patriot. He did not think it proper to take fnal decision against him. So he issued directives to the freedom fghters under his command to do no harm to Siraj Sardar without his order. But FF commander Idris Sikder disobeyed his order and killed Siraj Sardar. Next to it, Idris was also killed. Doctor was an elected MNA from Naria. He was advised to go to India for working with Mujibnagar government. Accordingly the date and time for his journey was fxed. But he could not do so on account of his mother's death just one day before his departure. Some people did not take it easy and they kept pressurizing him again and again without considering his humanitarian ground. So Zainul Haque Sikder was compelled to write a letter to Mujibnagar government requesting the authority to appoint doctor Kashem as the liason offcer of the freedom fghters of East Madaripur under Sikder's command. Mujibnagar

166 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend government accepted his letter and approved the appointment of doctor Kashem as proposed. Maulana Ataur Rahman was a highly educated alim who lived in the Zamider's residence of Bhojeswar Choi Ani under Naria. He was not involved with any activity against the Liberation War. Yet he was arrested by the freedom fghters, but Sikder Shaheb allowed him to move freely.

Freedom Fighters of Naria, 1971 Zainul Haque Sikder is ticked and standing

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 167 Freedom Fighters of Naria, 1971 Zainul Haque Sikder is ticked and standing

Freedom Fighters of Naria, 1971 Zainul Haque Sikder on extreme left

168 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Group photo of Bhojeswar Panch Ani Freedom Fighters Camp: from right to left: Zainul Haque Sikder, MNA Doctor Abul Kashem, Subedar Zainul Abedin and Mohammad Didarrul Alam

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 169 Potrait of living Legend

Mr. S. M. Abul Bashar is a veteran freedom fghter and naval commando, former president of Bhedorgani upazila BNP and former upazila chairman-in-charge of Bhedergonj. He has written an article about the freedom fghter Zainul Haque Sikder. In this article he says. "I have read almost all the important chapters of world history, history of Islam and history of Indo-Pak subcontinent as included in our syllabus from primary school to university level. I have seen in my own eyes the since the very moment of its birth. I have read many books about many personalities who are widely known for their wisdom, benevolence and social service. Most of them have become famous after their death. But I am fortunate enough to see one living legend whose fame has gone beyond the borders of his homeland to the distant parts of the world. His works have beneftted millions of families at home and abroad. Numerous parents have smiled in gratitude viewing the success of their children. All these have become possible owing to the existence of a series of organizations including university, medical college, dental college, educational institution, bank and insurance etc. He established the same for the common people of this country. He has also set up numerous mosques. madrasas, orphanages and

170 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend old homes out of his deep religious devotion and commitment. He is none but Zainul Haque Sikder, the only living legend of our time. He is the common 'Chacha' of everyone, from the Prime Minister of the country to any one of its citizens. I shall not discuss a lot in this regard. On the other hand. I shall narrate some of my experiences of 'Chacha' as a freedom fghter. I viewed him from quite a close distance. Chacha is a most courageous and fearless war hero who has crossed miles together moving from one place to another, from a rural outpost to an urban hub, with only one commitment of freeing the country, his dear motherland. Whenever he has heard of the presence of an enemy force anywhere, he has faced them bravely risking his own life, which is why Allah the protector of all has given him protection at all the times. He has never approved killing his fellow human beings. On the contrary, he went forward to save them as far as possible and practicable. A glaring example is the eminent leftist leader Shanti Sen. the senior vice president of Samyabadi Dal. He was also a brave fghter against the colonial British rule during the independence struggle of the subcontinent. Towards the closing days of our liberation struggle, in the month of November 1971, Bhedergonj Muktibahini arrested Shanti Sen at the order of higher authority. They brought him to their camp for execution on the charge of collaboration with Pak army. At that time, Sikder Chacha was near Bhojeswar, far away from the said camp. As soon as he heard the news, he ran towards the destination to take an appropriate decision. He was highly respectful to Shanti Sen for his contribution in the movement aginst the British rulers. Sikder was thinking all possible pros and cons of his arrest and subsequent consequences. At one time Sikder Chacha's boat reached Kanchan Para Bazar near the Maisha camp. An soon as he left the boat, hundreds of people surrounded him with curiosity. I have seen from my childhood that wherever he goes, he gets surrounded by a spontaneous crowd. Then Bhedergonj thana commander Abdul Mannan Rarhi approached him quickly dispersing the mob and said

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 171 that there was a secret news for him. Chacha was well aware of what he would say. He was planning to implement his decision. Sikder became tactical this time. He said to Rarhi that there could be no secret to the freedom fghters; rather everything was open to them. So he ordered him to inform the news immediately. Rarhi then said in public that they had arrested Shanti Sen by the order of higher authority. Now they were waiting for his decision. Chacha was furious hearing the news. He rebuked Rarhi severely to disclose the authority decision before all. It is an exceptional case. He also explained that if Shaniti Sen was killed, the people would go against them. So it is better to untie the cover of his eyes and set him free. He should be safely sent back to his home. This is how Shanti Sen's life was saved by Chacha. Many more such cases are there including former East Pakistan Parliament member Manai Dewan, A. K. M. Nasiruddin alias Kalu Sardar of Shariatpur, Rambhadrapur Union chairman Ayub Ali and Tarabunia chairman Yusuf Bala. This is why Chacha needs no security person or body guard whenever he goes anywhere in the vast rural stretch of this country. I cannot help disclosing one more thing here. Sikder Chacha has not only fought for freedom alone, but he also sent to the Liberation War his nephew M. A. Reza who happened to be an eminent student leader, his cousin Abdul Hakim Sikder, Montu Sikder, Moti Sikder and many more. Above all, his eldest son Mamtazul Haque Sikder who had just stepped into 12/13 years of age, could not keep himself confned to four walls, rather followed the foot steps of his illustrious father and came out of home with frearm in his hand. He followed his father like a shadow till the fnal victory with arms in his hand. I have seen no other family with so much sacrifce, dedication and commitment. Behind all these there is another noble lady, the better half of Sikder Chacha, our respectable `Chachi' Monowara Sikder."

172 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Ideas of Zainul Haque Sikder. the Patriot

Zainul Haque Sikder got acquainted with freedom fghter Abu Zafor through M. A. Reza after the libration of Bangladesh. He hailed from Jhenaida under greater Jessore district. Sikder had affection for him like his son. Likewise, Abu Zafor stayed with him constantly. Then he migrated to the USA for higher studies. Eventually he got a job in America's Foreign Service and retired from the same as 3rd secretary after serving in many countries of the world. He closely observed the career and activities of Zainul Haque Sikder both in Bangladesh and USA. I got valuable information from him about Sikder which I am giving here in brief. Though Zainul Haque Sikder used to help the Awami League and Chatra League leaders and workers, the followers and leaders of other parties also approached him for fnancial assistance on various occasions. One day the famous pro-Chinese leaders Haji Danesh and Deben Sikder met him in his (Zafor) presence. After discussing this and that, Haji Danesh asked Sikder, "You are a participant in the Liberation War with arms in your hands, you have defeated the enemy in direct encounter, but what have you gained in the long run?" Zainul Haque Sikder replied in a calm voice, "Our people have won independence, my mother country is liberated — that's the biggest gain for me."

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 173 Then both the leaders complained that the-then government of Sheikh Mujib was selling jute to other countries at a cheaper price instead of selling it to China, who were ready to buy at a higher price. Since Sikder had good relations with the ruling party, he could advise them to sell jute to China. Sikder was diplomatic in his reply. He said,"How I can do that? China has not yet recognized our indendence. There is no question of having trade and commerce with them." Another incidence may be cited here. After the independence of Bangladesh, one Marwari businessman entertained Zainul Haque Sikder at a famous hotel in Kolkata. Sikder grew suspicious of the excess of their reception and entertainment. It came true. After some time, this businessman made him a proposal for smuggling gold from Bangladesh to India. He said, "We have come to know that the higher level employees and offcials of Bangladesh have great respect for you. Customs or police offcers do not search your car. We can safely carry gold from Bangladesh in your car." Sikder turned down the proposal on his face then and there. "We did not liberate our country for smuggling. I never did such ugly trade in the past and shall not do in future, too. Sorry, I can't help you anyway", he said in a stern voice. Another Marwari Company from India gave a proposal of starting a joint-venture business with Sikder. It was the business of exporting old news papers to India. Marwari assured him that it would be proftable every way. Sikder Shaheb wanted to know, "What is the price of old news papers? And what will be the ratio of proft in it?" Then the Marwari said, "New newsprints will be inserted inside old news papers. We will do it, you need to do nothing. We would just use your name." Sikder also hated the proposal and turned down the same on his face.

174 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Diverse Business after Independence Immediately after the liberation of Bangladesh, the-then Mujib government undertook a project of setting deep tubewells in 17 districts through Bangladesh Agricultural Corporation. 17 distinguished contractors got the work in 17 different districts. Sikder Shaheb got the work of undivided Jessore district at that time. Sikder Shaheb also produced two flms through his nephew M. A. Reza after the liberation of Bangladesh. One was entitled, `Alo Tumi Aleya', the other is 'Adalat'. He was successful in this business and gained a lot. He introduced a passenger service by waterway between Shariatpur and Dhaka with two launches called `MV Farida' and `MV Panna'. People were much beneftted by it. Besides, he bought one Tug Boat and two Barges for carrying goods by river. The boat was called `MV Zarina' and the barges were named `MV Dipu' and `MV Babu'. These two barges and tug boat were used to carry stone from Sylhet's Zafong, Chatak and Sunamganj to other parts of Bangladesh including Jessore and Nawapara in particular. He also began many more business of diverse modes with increasing profts. The-then of First Security Bank Ltd Khondokar Mohiddin wrote an article on the success of his business. It was published on 11 May 2000 in a supplement published marking the inauguration of Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care and Research Centre by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wrote, "I don't dare to write about Sikder Shabeb.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 175 I am just trying to utter a few words about him. He is undoubtedly an extremely successful personality in the business world of Bangladesh. He is a pioneer of real estate and construction business, a winning industrialist and entrepreneur. He is one of the organizers and directors of the frst privately owned Banks of Bangladesh. Sikder was one of the closest associates of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He actively respond to his call for Liberation War in 1971 and fought in many battle fronts with courage and intrepidity. He came victorious in all his battles against the occupation forces. He played a very important role in building the nation after the liberation of the country. Despite being so close to Bangabandhu, he kept himself at a distance power and propaganda at all times. This media-shy person has always employed himself in the welfare of his country and people. After Bangabandhu was brutally killed along with most of his family members at the fateful night of August 15, 1971 by some misguided miscreants, he left the country for USA to appease the anguish of his heart. He, too, established himself there as a successful business man. After four days of the assassination of Bangabandhu, he sacrifced four cows for Bangabandhu's Kulkhani at the courtyard of his own residence following the holy tradition of Islam. A person like him was really rare who could display so much courage and love at that time. It is noteworthy that many DGFI members came to his residence at that time. He asked the Maulana to conduct prayer for the salvation of Bangabandhu's soul in presence of the military offcers. Ignoring all administrative and military threats he organized the Kulkhani of Bangabandhu on that day. He loved him so much that he used to lie on the foor and sleep there for twelve years after the murder of Bangabandhu. He was also arrested by the-then military government for his love and dedication to Bangabandhu. They tried their most to fabricate a law-suit against him, but failed, which is why they were compelled to set him free honourably. Replying to thousands of queries from the military offcers he made only one reply, "I love this country as well as Bangabandhu who has presented us this country." Sikder never is an in his life personality. He has compromised with his principles for personal gains. Apparently he looks like a quick-tempered man. But this man of quick temper has a soft and

176 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend caring heart. His mind is as endless as the sea and as liberal as the sky. He has set up a medical college to provide quality service to the neglected people of Bangladesh. Every year many female physians are coming out from this college. The whole nation is grateful to him for this unique contribution. This country of ours has many richer people than Sikder, but the people who are willing to spend their money for people's welfare are really rare. Zainul Haque Sikder is a name, a history, a legend and a man born under a lucky star. Such great souls appear in different ages with the mission of social reform, human welfare and assistance towards the underprevileged section of a nation. His establishment of Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Centre aimed at providing improved medical facilities to the heart patients has brought these facilities within the reach of common people. Now they need not go abroad for such treatment spending their hard earned foreign currency. We pray for his long life and good health to the Almighty Allah for spending money and doing hard labour with a view to mobilizing higher medical facilities for the masses at grassroots level. If the persons like him survive and live long, both this country and nation will be increasingly beneftted in the days to come. (Reference: Souvenir on the occasion of formal inauguration of Z. H. Sikder Cardiac Care and Research Centre by Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.) After the death of Bangabandhu a group of Gonobahini went to Sikder's residence. They snatched forcibly four licensed arms from Sikder. These are one Two-Two Bore rife, one 320 Bore automatic gun, one pistol and one revolver. Later he made G.D. at the police station about this plundering of his licensed arms. JSD activists wanted to attack Indian High Commision and take Indian High Commisioner Samar Sen as hostage. The revolver used in this operation was one looted from Sikder's house. Two brothers of Colonel Taher were involved in this case. One of them was arrested by police after being injured at the fring of High Commision guards. Another brother along with three more were killed. Since there was previous GD by Z. H. Sikder, he got the revolver back through court.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 177 Preparing to Leave for America

Zainul Haque Sikder has his own estimate of the life around him. He has his own ideas which he tried to implement in a planned manner. Bangabandhu was at the core of his heart. He looks upon him as an extraordinary personality who has sacrifced his personal joy and merrymaking as well as the gains and profts for his family for the sake of regaining the lost and legitimate rights of the nation called Bangali. For this reason he had to go behind the bars and call upon his fellow countrymen for an all-out Liberation War ignoring the oppressions of the tyrannical rulers and risking the most precious possession called life. Millons of patriotic people responded to his call and participated in the historic Liberation War with utmost sacrifce to win an independent and sovereign nation- state called Bangladesh. It was beyond his imagination that a person like Bangabandhu who is the architect of a newly born nation-state could be killed by some discontented human beasts of this country in 15th August 1975. This is the index of our utter ungratefulness to Bangabandhu. It created a state of hatred in the mind of Z. H. Sikder.

The military junta of 1976 sent him to jail without any specifc complaint against him. However, his faults were that he was a genuine freedom fghter who fought in the Liberation War with

178 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend weapons in his hand and had close relation with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Above all, he organized Doa and Milad Mahfl at his residence after Bangabandhu's death. So after his unconditional release from jail he decided to leave the country for America with a heavy pain heart. He migrated to America along with all his family members in the month of September, 1980. He expanded his business there and at the same time completed his graduation in business administration from famous Century University. Then he got admission in the post-graduation course in UCLA University. However, he took leave of absence from this university after studying one year there since he had to travel frequenty to his home country on business purpose.

Zainul Haque Sikder and Monowara Sikder (1982) in Los Angels, USA

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 179 Arrival at America and Buying Houses At frst Zainul Haque Sikder went to Los Angeles. USA, from Bangladesh and started living in a rental house. After living there for a few days. he decided to buy a house in an attractive and pleasant environment of the city. His eldest son started showing him some medium sized houses costing around 60 to 70 thousand USD. But none of those houses was liked by Mr. Sikder. One day he was going to Marbist beach of Los Angeles along with his family members. His eldest son was driving the car. On the way close to Mullicka Hills. he saw an advertisement of selling a house. He stopped in front of the house. The burnished outft of the house of 12101 Palms Boulevard. Los Angeles. CA 90066 seduced Mr. Sikder to buy it. He rang the doorbell. When the owner came, Mr. Sikder expressed his intention to buy the house.

Zainul Haque Sikder in Los Angels, USA

180 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend He also wanted to know its price. The house owner told that the price was USD 3,00,000. Mr. Sikder then told him that he had come from Bangladesh and wanted to buy this house. He wanted to bargain and proposed USD 1,50,000 for the house. The owner frst lessened the price to 2.5 lakhs and Mr Sikder negotiated for 1.5 lakhs. Then the house owner proposed USD 2,00,000 and Mr Sikder again negotiated for USD 1,80,000. Then fnally the house owner agreed to sell the house at USD 1.85,000 USD. Mr. Sikder bought that house at 1,85,000 USD. Mr. Sikder is using this house as his offce till now. After this one, he bought another house for his residence at Beverly Hills, Fr 1130. Since then he bought many more houses in America and started a real estate business. He started buying old houses and selling those after renovation. This is how he was conducting his real estate business. Still he owns six houses in America. He has kept these houses for his personal use, not for real estate business.

A view of residence of Zainul Haque Sikder in USA

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 181 He arranged to sell garments products manufactured in Bangladesh to America and established an Energy Drinks Company there. He also set up Gas Station and Automatic Car Washing business. Now, he has 8 Gas stations and 12 automatic car washing centers. In addition, he has some rest houses in USA and some other cities of the world.

A view of residence of Zainul Haque Sikder in USA There are often many incidents of running away without paying the cost of fuel in many cities by the black Americans. Such an incident once happened in his flling station, too. He faced it with absolute calm. A person tried to fee without paying the cost of petrol and was caught by the employees working in the pump. When they reported it to Sikder, he did not react angrily. He sent the friend of the car owner to fetch money and set them free after the payment on his return. Since then no more such incidents occurred in his pump.

182 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Gas Station of Sikder Group at Laguna Hills, USA

Car Wash of Sikder Group at Laguna Hills, USA

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 183 Establishment of National Bank and Some Relevant Facts

In the beginning of 1983, the then government of Bangladesh decided to establish banks in the private sector. In pursuance of this decision, a reputed banker Mr. M. Haider Chowdhuri proposed to Zainul Haque Sikder, an immigrant to USA, to be the director of National Bank. Considering the interest of the country he accepted the proposal. The then Executive Vice President of National Bank M. R. Howlader, later Managing Director, wrote an article regarding his excellent role in directing the bank. He says, "Some people come to your life as Blessings, Some as Lessons' -- . Today I am talking about someone who is on one hand a 'Blessing', on the other hand a 'Lesson' for me. The name of this shining star in the business world is Zainul Haque Sikder. He is an owner of huge amount of business spreading all over the world. Among them there are banks, insurances, power generations, R R Aviation, Medical College, Technical University, Real Estate, Restaurant, Resort etc. But what I experienced of him was because of my job in National Bank. He was closely attached from the beginning of the National Bank. Now he is the chairman and a major share holder of it.

184 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend I joined The National Bank Limited on 14 April 1983, the very beginning of its journey. At that time, my position was Executive Vice President and it was the position next to Managing Director. It is relevant to mention that, the founder of this Bank M. Haider Chawdhuri was also the frst Managing Director. As I did not have any contribution towards the formation of this bank, I was not familiar with its directors. While performing my duties at the Bank, I got introduced with them slowly. I was little acquainted with Sikder Shaheb. However, the directors who knew him earlier, used to share their experiences of him. From their discussion, it was clear to me that everybody was very respectful to him. Within a few months of starting the Bank, an incident helped me to know about him. I am briefy narrating the incident. Sikder Shaheb along with his eldest daughter went to the offce of the Managing Director. Then a senior offcer of Bangladesh Bank was present there. Mr. Sikder politely asked him to complete his work with the offcer and he promised to wait until then. But the MD failed to realize the essence of his words. So, he proposed to fnish his works with Mr. Sikder earlier. It meant that he wanted to say him goodbye. Sikder considered it as somewhat detrimental to his dignity. So, he started to discuss his topics. But it did not continue for a few minutes only. During the discussion, he used such language as was not pleasing to MD. It was also very embarrassing to the offcer of Bangladesh Bank. Instantly, the MD drew conclusion to tackle the situation. But from this incident the MD as well as all other employees of the Bank learnt a good lesson. From the very beginning, the Directors had some misunderstandings with MD. Day by day the distance between them was increasing. Finally, it reached the height where many of the directors agreed to discharge MD from his position.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 185 At one stage I also got involved in it. MD's rival group proposed to me to become MD, but I refused. I told that in no way I shall become MD, rather I shall leave this Bank and go to another one, if needed. I was afraid if MD is changed so early, the existence of the Bank may be at stake. In a crisis like this, Sikder Shaheb extended his support towards existing managing director M. Haider Chowdhury. The board meeting for the removal of MD was held at 3pm on July 8, 1984. At about 1.30 to 2pm I called Sikder Shaheb with the request of not removing the existing MD. This is my frst telephonic call to Sikder Shaheb. Since then I have called him at home and abroad for numerous times seeking his help for the solution of numberless problems. However, my call was not necessary, since he himself was in favour of the MD. I just made my position clear to him. At one stage both the rival groups met in a meeting in the chamber of Barrister who was a minister of Ershad government. During the climax of discussion, Sikder Shaheb caught a member of the rival group by his shirt and dragged him out of the room. The opponents were scared of him. At that time there was a proposal for compromise and the current MD applied for leave of one month. He also proposed to submit his resignation after the leave is over. Sikder Shaheb did not agree with this proposal. Yet he kept silent at the greater interest of NBL. All these happened during the period August-September, 1984. Thereafter I took over as MD. The directors of M. Haider Chowdhury group played a neutral role about my appointment as MD, but Sikder Shaheb's role was wholly different. His direct and indirect support was my guiding force. All important solutions and decisions were taken by us sitting on the carpet of Sikder Shaheb's drawing room. At times I sat alone with him, at times other directors accompanied me. There is a reason of sitting on carpet as well. Protesting the Bangabandu's cruel assassination on 15 August 1975, Sikder Shaheb gave up all sorts of luxurious living and delicious food. He started living a most humble life. He used to sit on carpet in

186 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend his drawing room instead of sofa, bed or cushioned chairs. He also passed his nights sleeping on the foor. We, too, sat on the foor to show him respect. This exceptional position of Sikder Shaheb in NBL grew out of the most fascinating traits of his character : his unequaled aptitude, towering personality, outstanding IQ, pointed argument and aggressive presentation. He confessed, 'My hands move faster than my mouth.' Everybody took note of it. So there was no need of applying force for striking a balance in practice. The other qualities are his morality and honesty. Once he spent some money for an offcial work related to the Bank. The offcials calculated the amount as taka one lakh and deposited it to his account. Knowing this Sikder Shaheb was extremely furious, since he thought that the money was not given to him as per rule. The offcers were compelled to debit the amount from his account to pacify him. In fact, his role was most decisive in solving any important problem, which is why his presence was of utmost necessity to everybody. This is why he had to fy many times from Los Angeles, USA to his home city Dhaka to settle down any affair of exigency related to NBL. It is noteworthy that Mr. Sikder used to live in America and do business there as well. He used to run several gas stations and car washes that he bought himself in Los Angeles. He also had the history of leaving the country. After the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family on 15th August, 1975. he was terribly disappointed with his country. He is a freedom fghter who directly fought in the Liberation War. He was very close to Bangabadhu for a long time. Bangabadhu also respected him a lot. He was one of the few people whom Bangabandhu addressed calling 'apni' with respect. He could not bear the tragic death of Bangabandhu. So, on one hand he left the country, on the other hand he forsook all the pleasures of day- to-day life.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 187 However, according to bank records, Los Angeles was his permanent residence and he left for Dhaka several times from there. Considering all intents and purposes, once it was proposed by the board of directors that NBL must provide him with TA/DA according to their policy. But Mr. Sikder refused to accept any TA/ DA of this sort from NBL. A man of moral character, Mr. Sikder is also well disciplined as regards fnancial matters. I am referring to the decade of 1980s, when the sponsor directors of private banks could draw loans from their owned banks on given terms and conditions. Many directors of National Bank used to avail such loan facility as well. It is also true that in many cases, applicable rules and regulations were not followed properly. Mr. Sikder was one of the notable exceptions who did not avail such loan facility from the bank. Actually he was unwilling to accept bank loans, did his business only in cash, kept cash in various forms and did not deposit much in the bank. Dr. A. R. Mullick, a distinguished personality who was the chairman of National Bank Ltd. from its inception, had outstanding contribution in our Liberation War during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University. Moreover, after independence he was in India serving as the High commissioner of Bangladesh. Then he also served as Education Minister of Bangladesh. We can have some idea about Mr. Sikder's profciency and strategy in National Bank if we describe some incidents regarding his relation with Dr. Mullick. There was a murmur about Mr. Haider Chowdhury's resignation among the supporters of the former Managing Director. They thought that Mr. Mullick did not take any strong initiative in favour of the MD. If he took such initiative, Mr. Chowdhury would not have been compelled to resign from his position. Though it was baseless, many of them used to think that way. it is believed that Mr. Sikder also had similar opinion.

188 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Mr. Sikder was of high opinion about Dr. Mullick. He thought that a dynamic person like Dr. Mullick as the chairman of the bank might increase its reputation and it would not be wise to drop him from his position because of personal grievances. He was strategically avoiding or giving less importance to the issue by not directly discussing about it. In these circumstances, everyone proposed to make Mr. Sikder the chairman of the bank, but he refused the offer. Rather, he called the directors who were known as the supporters of the chairman and discussed some strategy so that they could take strong position for not removing the chairman from his position. This is how he tried to convince the opposition party to avoid factions among the board of directors as well as maintain amicable relation among them. But the result was opposite. The directors in support of the chairman gave their opinion that they did not have any objection about his removal from his position. This means that they unanimously support his removal. Moreover, they do not have anything to say about it. The supporters of chairman thought that in reality Mr. Sikder was in favor of removing him from his position. So they did not object to the removal. Petty personal interests of some individuals may also work behind this. However, Mr. Sikder played a signifcant role in driving out the confusion of all concerned. He could convince all about not removing the chairman from his position this time. This is how the matter seemed to have ended there for the time being. But it did not end at all. The process was going on secretly. There was a rumor that the whole matter will not be confned to themselves, rather it would be formally proposed in the board meeting. It happened so. At one late night the secretary of the board informed me that an honorable director has sent him a notice to present a proposal as an agenda regarding the removal/dismissal of chairman at the next board meeting. I reported the whole matter to Mr. Sikder instantly. He told me to meet him at his house immediately. I went to his house with a copy of dismissal notice. Meanwhile the director who gave the notice went to Mr. Sikder's house after a few minutes of my telephone call. Without giving him

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 189 permission to enter his house, Mr. Sikder told him from upstairs, "Go away. I called MD. I will do what I should do". Realizing the situation the director went away. I discussed ins and outs of the whole matter with Mr. Sikder. We needed direct support of Mr. Sikder to keep the Chairman in his own position in the bank. But Mr. Sikder was known as a supporter of them who were opposing the Chairman. He gave me a tactful suggestion to overcome the situation. The suggestion was that the Chairman would submit his resignation letter to the board willingly as a matter of tactics. Then after discussions on it, the board would request him to stay in the existing position of Chairman for the greater interest of all concerned. Accordingly, the Chairman would remain in his position without withdrawing his resignation. But it was embarrassing to give such a proposal to the Chairman. It was also diffcult to get the proposal accepted by him. But the plan worked well and everything was done as per Sikder's strategy. The result was so spectucar that Dr. Mullick worked as chairman of the bank for next ten years peacefully. Now I want to point out some personal characteristics of Mr. Sikder. One is his own capacity to do hard work and the capacity of making others do hard work.The result was positive all the way. People used to work hard for hours together at his order. The other is his business policy and farsightedness. He got worldwide success in business for these qualities. Now I want to tell something about his IQ. I had no idea about the IQ level before couple of years. But I always told to my nearest ones that Mr. Sikder's IQ level is 180. At that time I did not know what I meant by IQ 180. I used this fgure to mean something very high. Recently I have collected some information about IQ. The average IQ of human being ranges from 70 to 130. An abnormal IQ level starts from 130 which is seen in one among 30 million. The highest scorers of IQ among the famous persons of the world are

190 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend American chess champion Bobby Fischer and the scientist Newton and Stephen Hawkins. The IQ range of these persons are 160 to 170. Despite knowing this information, I don't need to decrease the IQ range of Mr. Sikder. It will remain the same, 180, as usual. His behavior sometimes remains puzzling to many because of his high IQ. At times he shouts at someone who works under him, as soon as he enters his room and addresses him 'Sir'. All present there usually get perplexed. But taking note of the timing of that man's arrival, the tone of his speech and facial expression, he apprehends quite well that the man has come to him with a lame excuse regarding his duty. Others may hear the person for a few minutes to give their decision, but Sikder perceives it in a moment and gives his decision accordingly. We used to observe his IQ of this kind even in board meetings. When any director rose to say something, Mr. Sikder told him to stop, as if he could understand earlier what the director was going to say would not be acceptable in the long run. And he did not care whether that director was nominated from the MPs or the one with the rank of a joint secretary of the government. Surprisingly, even after showing such kind of behavior, the board's decision went always in his favor. On the other hand, Mr. Sikder knew how to have patience when it was necessary. He helped people who were in danger without hesitation. He never judged whether the person was his friend or enemy. He considered it as Almighty's mercy that people came to him for help. He had great trust on the Almighty. He always tried to acquire Almighty's kindness. And this secret is known to some of his nearest ones only. At last, there are some words about politics, which he didn't do, but understood quite well. He was involved in it. too. In 1990, after the fall of Ershad's government there was urgency for next election. After passing 15 years when Awami League was dreaming to come to power, House no 32 was always crowded as hub of Awami

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 191 politics. It was assumed that Awami League Leader Sheikh Hasina would be the next prime minister. Meanwhile, many important decisions had been taken as per Sheikh Hasina's advice. At that time Sheikh Hasina wished to meet Mr. Sikder. Sheikh Hasina sent Awami League leader and Member of Parliament Kazi Abu Yousuf from Bhanga of Faridpur and elected Member of Parliament Elias Ahmed from Shibchar to Mr. Sikder. She wanted to know whether she would go to meet the uncle or he will come to see her. Mr. Sikder informed them that he would come and accordingly he went to meet Sheikh Hasina. I was with him. Now I am briefy describing some of the events which happened at that meeting. It will give a little glimpse of their relation. There was a room on the eastern side of House no 32 and Elias Ahmed Choudhury (Sheikh Hasina's relative and father of present MP Nur-E-Alam Choudhury and Nixon Choudhury) received us from the gate and took us to her room. When Sheikh Hasina asked him to sit, he didn't do so as there was only one chair. When another chair came for me, he only sat on his chair. Giving Mr. Sikder the list of nominated persons of greater Faridpur by Awami League. Sheikh Hasina asked his opinion. In response, Mr. Sikder said, 'Whom you would choose for the interest of the party, is right. I have nothing to say'. When Sheikh Hasina requested him to become a candidate, he said, 'I didn't agree with such proposal even during the time of Bangabandhu. In fact, politics is something which I cannot adjust with." During the discussion, one of the most popular secretaries who became a minister of an important ministry wanted to enter into the room with his supporters. Sheikh Hasina signaled him to stop. Even when he asked for one minute, she refused. At one satge Mr. Sikder frankly said, 'Your party will not get more than one hundred seats'. Sheikh Hasina got startled hearing such comment. When she asked for the reason, Mr. Sikder said, "There is no candidate in the feld, all are in Dhaka to become

192 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend ministers. They arc distributing their offces?' Sheikh Hasina became sad. At one stage when the matter of fnance came regarding elections. Mr. Sikder asked me to give some money. The leader Sheikh Hasina did not agree with him. She said, "MDs have many disadvantages. They have to get the money from someone, who may want illegal advantages in exchange." She took no money. Both of us got astonished at such well judged comment of the leader. A footnote may be added here. As Mr. Sikder apprehended about the political events. BNP defeated Awami League in the 1991 general elections. I was sacked from the postion of MD of NBL because of my connection with Mr. Sikder and the incidences of visiting Awami League leader's residence in company with him. But I was not aggrieved at it. That leader came to power three times since 1991. Even these days she is stationed in the honourable position of Prime Minister. but I have never been to anybody's door to ventilate my grievances. Nor was it a necessity for me, because I could stand on my own by the grace of Allah. Again. it was Mr. Sikder who stood by me with a guiding role. After the expiry of three-year phase of injunction, I was appointed adviser to the First Security Islami Bank with the permission of Bangladesh Bank. And thereafter I was entrusted with so many commercial assignments. In all these I got his favor and utmost cooperation. and this sort of help and cooperation from him is still continuing unabated. With this, we came hack. but the recollections of certain exceptional characteristics of the then leader of our country left a permanent impression on my memory. (This article on National Bank was written in Bengali by the eminent Banker M. A. Howlader)

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 193 Five Counsels from Sikder Uncle

The then National Bank AVP and former senior vice president of First Security Bank Khondakar Mohiuddin has worked for long 21 years with Zainul Haque Sikder. He is a silent witness of many incidents of his life because of this long association. Citing a few of such personal eventful memories he writes, " At frst I came in contact with Zainul Haque Sikder on December 21, 1985 .I resigned my job with Krishi Bank and joined NBL on December 1, 1985 as Protocol Offcer Grade-II. Mr. Zafor Hamid, the then secretary of NBL called me on December 21, 1984, and instructed me to wait standby at the airport to receive the Bank's powerful director Mr. Sikder, who was scheduled to come back from America by a Singapore Airlines fight. I got myself prepared for the assignment. Having reached the airport I found there waiting in the lounge such executives as the then Managing Director Mr. Howlader, VP Shahjahan Kabir, Offcer Firoj, Jihad, Kamal Sharif, Aziz, M. A. Reza who is a nephew of Mr. Sikder and others. On completion of customs formalities, Mr. Sikder came out. Mr. MD, Mr. Reza and the host bowed down and touched the feet of Mr. Sikder and welcomed him with salam. I, too, was no exception. I thought myself that when a person like Mr. Reza had bowed down his head before this man, he must be a very powerful person. I know Mr. Reza from my student

194 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend life. So many interesting stories were widely known in the political arena about his strength. courage and extent of power. Then the MD introduced me to him as the new Protocol Offcer. Then and there I hit upon a plan to capture the mind of this tiger-like man. Thereafter I came to know from almost all that he is a haughty and very overbearing type of man, yet courageous up to supreme degree. After a few days since then, a board meeting was scheduled to be held in Chittagong. I was in charge of air-tickets for all as well as reception and refreshment in Chittagong. That provided me the opportunity to meet Mr. Sikder for two to three times more. Next morning, after reaching Chittagong he set out for the shrines of Amanat Shah, Garib Ullah Shah and Ahalla Darga Sharif to pay homage to them. I found him to be a simple man. He has great respect and affection for the messengers of Allah. I was charmed by his simplicity. For the frst time I got the opportunity to mix with him in a cordial manner. One of his nephews used to do a simple job at Agrabad. But he didn't hesitate to tell about his nephew. I was full of respect to him for his generosity. As a Director of the bank I did not notice any pride in his character. He maintained a very low profle. Having the privilege to get acquiainted with him, one day I placed a request to him, "Sir, many people address you as 'uncle', I also want to address you as `uncle'." He remained silent for a moment and said," What is your intention?" I replied, "Addressing you as 'sir' doesn't give me an intimate feeling, but `uncle' does. Sir, the more I observe you, the more I am captivated by you. That's why I want to address you as 'uncle' and place you in the most respectable position of my heart." I got the permission. After that, like everyone else, he became my `Sikder uncle'. Later I accompanied him many times to many places. I was enriched with diverse experiences of various categories. I have gained and learnt so many things from him. He used to say : I. Try to lead your life with honesty. If so, you will be able to win everything by the power of honesty. 2. Complete the task of the day on that very day. Do not leave any task for tomorrow. 3. Do

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 195 not neglect your poor relatives. 4. Obey and respect your parents. 5. Nothing is impossible for human being. You will be successful in every aspect if you have faith in Allah and try with honesty. Till now I abide by all these advice thoroughly. Till today I rush to him for guidance whenever I face any crisis. While working with him, every day I was confronting various types of tests. But by the grace of Allah and his guidance I became successful in all of such tests. I like to mention two things regarding this. Once he decided to visit Kathmandu. At night he summoned me to his house and informed me that the fight to Kathmandu was at 3pm. He asked me to make arrangements for his trip to Kathmandu. I gathered passports of all. Suddenly I noticed that her daughter's ( Pervin Haque Sikder, former Chairman of National Bank ) passport had expired. I informed him, "Uncle, Pervin Apa's passport has expired. A new one must be issued. I don't know how to manage it in half-a- day." He replied," My daughter will go, I don't know how will you manage it. If you fail, you lose your job." I became very nervous. At night I went to the house of Mr. Waliullah, Assistant Director of Passport Department. I informed him everything in detail. At that time the Passport Offce was at Moghbazar. They used to provide hand-written passport. After hearing everything he told me. "As it is a matter of losing your job, let me see what I can do." I offered my esha prayer and two rakats of Salatul Hajot prayer and sought aid from Allah. My mother taught me that in the time of crisis the Salatul Hajot provides positive results. I went to the passport offce at 8.30am. Assistant Director Waliullah called his trusted peon Swapan and asked him to deposit the Most Urgent Fee' at Sonali Bank, Eskaton branch and then get the 'verifed signature by the manager. I gave him the money and went out for buying ticket and procuring visa. I was anxiously murmuring lines from the Holy Quran. I was praying to Allah for His gracious help. I went to the Biman

196 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend counter to have the air-tickets booked, and then was back to my offce at 11 am. There I found the passport waiting just for signing. Meanwhile, Sikder uncle kept knocking at me over several phone calls as if to keep me under pressure. However, I received the passport at 11.30am by the good grace of the Almighty. On my way to the airport, I collected visa from Nepal embassy. I arrived at the airport at 2 pm. With boarding cards at hand, I gave a call to Uncle, "Everything is okay, now please proceed to the airport." My joy knew no bounds that day to have the job done successfully. I had to develop an unparalleled public relations network just to serve the needs of Uncle Sikder. I extended my public relations to every nook and corner of the country and every offce. It was just in view of Uncle's graceful look and caressing command on me, backed by his constant follow-up almost every minute. It was a great quality with Sikder Uncle that he never backed out if somebody had done something with his consent. In any adverse situation we got Sikder Uncle by our side shouldering all the responsibilities involved there. At this stage, I would like to cite one or two examples to demonstrate the strength of his moral character. On an occasion, a section of National Bank offcers sought his consent for the formation of an offcers' welfare association. He simply enquired of them if they would indulge in any activity harmful to the Bank. In reply, all the Bank offcers present there told that the welfare of the employees was their only motive and even Bangladesh Bank was no exception to it. Then and there he gave his note of consent and expressed his well-wishes. Having got his consent we formed a committee soon, consisting of 10-15 offce bearers with Bashar Bhai as our convener. We had our committee duly registered with the concerned authority. Following the registration, the Govt. Labor offce issued a letter in this regard to our Bank's Head Offce and a news to this effect was published in the newspapers. A hue and cry was raised in the Bank, on the issue. All the members of the Board of Directors sat in an emergency meeting, with Sikder Uncle, as the only

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 197 exception. The emergency meeting advised respected MD to suspend all the offce-bearers of the Welfare committee. On the exigency of the situation, all of us rushed to the residence of Sikder Uncle. He assured us not to worry over the matter. He further told us that since it was after his consent that we formed the Welfare committee, he would see to it. Certain directors of the Bank went to his residence to negotiate against us. He then unhesitatingly made it public to them that it was none but he himself who had advised the offcers to form a welfare association. He further warned them by saying, "You, the directors, are involved in a great deal of irregularities in the name of conducting the affairs of the Bank. It is me who has advised them to form an association." In the mean time sporadic sittings were there in the chambers of various directors, varieties of proposals were coming from various corners, and even serious threats, too were being pronounced from certain quarters, such as Mr. Mintu, A.K.M Taher, Mahbubur Rahman etc. Only Mr. M.S. Asgar was in support of Mr. Sikder, but he had already migrated to U.S.A. after having sold his shares to Mr. Sikder. A Board Meeting was convened. Mr. Asgar few from USA to attend the meeting. We. the association offce-bearers were passing our days amid great anxieties and uncertainties. We went to see our Uncle the night just preceding the Board Meeting. He advised us not to worry. He further assured us. "If anything adverse comes, I'll give you one crore of Taka with which you will do business and beat black and blue one director a month, open on the highways. You'll make public all their irregularities and corruptions." The day when the Board meeting took place, Mr. Sikder alone fought against the host of directors and compelled them to refrain from any decision adverse to us. He stood for our cause in the face of all obstacles. He was afraid of none but Allah, the Lord. He was as outright as to say anything boldly on the face of anyone. There is a plenty

198 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend of examples of it. Here, I would like to cite only one example. In those days, National Bank director Mr. Abdul Awal Mintu was a very powerful and infuential person. Since he was in the position of convener of the sub-committee of fnance of Awami League, he had an intimate connection with the party leader, Sheikh Hasina. He had the privilege to have lunch/dinner at Gonobhabon two or three days every week. He raised subscriptions for the election fund of Awami League. Suddenly a chaotic situation grew between him and Uncle on certain issues of the Bank. At that time, Mr. Mintu's father fell ill, when he had to be admitted to Sikder Medical Hospital. One evening, Mrs. Mintu in company with his mother came on a visit to Sikder Medical Hospital to look after his (Mr. Mintu's) ailing father. Mr. Sikder grew impatient on looking at them. He said, "I love Mintu so dearly, but he has got himself entangled in the quarrels of the Bank. Such entanglement on his part may cause damage to the progress of the Bank. Ask him to be careful about the situation. Advise him to follow the path of principle. I don't like those who are devoid of principle." Next evening Mr. Mintu and two other directors called on Uncle at his residence. Mr. Mintu addressed Uncle and apologized: "I have done nothing wrong so far; you are angry upon me on no solid ground." Uncle grew angry on hearing this. He said, "I am not a coward. I don't like back-biting. Whatever I want to say, I throw on the face of my target man." On hearing this, Mr. Mintu appealed to Uncle to forgive him. He said, "Please excuse me if I have done any wrong to you." A Board meeting took place the following day and all misgivings were set aside. One more story of similar type can hardly be avoided. For Mr. M.A. Reza, a nephew of Mr. Sikder to be lifted from 'C' group share holder to 'A' group, the consent of 'A' group share-holders was required. Sikder Uncle asked me to start for Chittagong the following morning, collect signatures from certain directors and return to Dhaka immediately. Then I drew his attention as to whether

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 199 a permission to leave station would be required. He told me that it was his order for me to comply with. I few to Chittagong by the very frst fight, collected signatures from two or three directors and came back. Someone of the directors informed the incident to the Managing Director. Director Mr. Habibullah and Director Mr. Mahbubur Rahman persuaded Managing director and the then secretary Jafor Ahmed to suspend me (Mohiuddin) from the job for leaving station without prior permission. Mr. Jafor Ahmed then phoned Sikder Uncle whether to sign my suspension order. Sikder Uncle sarcastically gave his consent with a cautionary word that the right hand which would sign the letter, might suffer a dismemberment of his arms by him. That night I went on a visit to Uncle's house. There I found the then MD sitting in his drawing room. Uncle asked him straightway whether he would comply with his instruction to go somewhere or wait for the consent of the Chairman. In reply, the MD fatly admitted that no further consent of anybody was necessary. Thereafter Uncle asked the MD how a prior consent of any further authority was required when he himself was the authority to send him (Mohiuddin) to Chittagong. Then the MD agreed to his desire and was pacifed. Uncle is very respectful to the Peers and Awlias. He has the practice of pilgrimage to the shrines of the Awlias and offering prayers there. It is believed that his prayers are most often fulflled because of his deep reverence for the spiritual leaders. A story of this sort may be narrated as follows: One day Uncle asked me to arrange for a Pakistani Visa. I was taken aback! Pakistan! What for? I wanted to know, "Uncle, where do you want to pay a visit?" He replied, "I will make a pilgrimage to the shrine of the benevolent Awlia called Ganj Baksh." I have heard of many a story about the miracles of benevolent Ganj Baksh from my brother Fuad. He used to serve in . Before the outbreak of the Indo-Pak war in 1965, the then Pakistani President Ayub Khan visited the shrine of the holy man and made a lot of tearful prayers for the help of the Almighty Allah. It was for

200 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend the blessings of Allah on that occasion that the Indian forces could not advance up to Lahore; they were rather compelled to retreat. I myself became very eager to accompany him in that pilgrimage. I made the request to him to have me in his company, and he allowed it. Having reached Lahore we kept our luggage in a safe custody and proceeded to the shrine just at the time of the Esha prayer. All of the companions went back to their respective hotels after having said fateha, but we the few remained there. We stayed over, because, after the end of the Tahajjut Prayer during the small hours, a special ceremony of prayers used to take place there. We held on to participate in that special prayer. It was biting cold there. Uncle was expecting a cup of hot tea at that moment, if it could at all be possible, particularly with a seat on the cushion there. But, Uncle did not utter a single word. All on a sudden, local Sardar type of a man called out pointing at Uncle, "Where do you come from?" Uncle replied, "We are from Bangladesh." He then cordially invited us and said, "Please be seated here." We sat on the cushions there. And the much—desired hot tea arrived after a while. Uncle started drinking tea. I observed that Uncle was having the tea with great relish. How miraculous the shrine of the Awlia was! I experienced it. Uncle has a mysterious connection with the Peers and Awlias. He utters something all on a sudden and it comes true then and there. We participated in the prayer of the small hours of the night. No sooner had the prayer episode fnished than Uncle pronounced, "Listen, Mohiuddin, Howlader is done away with." Even this day I ponder on with amazement what mysterious power Uncle had to pronounce words in anticipation, well ahead of the happenings! And, all those of his words come true! After some months Mr. Howladar was suspended by Bangladesh Bank, from the position of Managing Director of NBL. On that day, Sikder Uncle was scheduled to fy to America via Singapore. On the morning he went to the Bank and sat for a while in the offce of the MD. He spent some time there. For some days the correspondences

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 201 were very frequent on the subject of fctitious loans availed by the directors. Uncle advised the MD to issue letters informing the Chairman of the Board about such fctitious loans, with copies thereof endorsed to Bangladesh Bank. Uncle said, "If you do so, in course of time, you will fnd exemption from the charge of hiding and concealment of facts. And, if you do not follow my advice, you will be held responsible for those charges and be liable to lose your job." How strange a warning it was! The letter of suspension of the MD was issued from Bangladesh Bank that very evening, even when Uncle Sikder did not reach Singapore. In fact, such forecasts were something occasional from his mouth. Thank Allah, just as a matter of warning on the sinners like us. Sikder Uncle is a man of indomitable courage. He is never afraid of doing his works, home or away. One more story may be told here. Once we had the occasion to go to a pilgrimage at Azmir Sharif. Our ticket was confrmed for Delhi via Azmir. Uncle did a lot for the development of Azmir Sharif premises, including Jannati Darwaza, the gateway to Heaven. Because of his most sincere veneration for Khawaza Baba, only two days stay there did not appear satisfactory enough for him and he requested the Khadim in power (the sitting Khadim) there to try for the change of the tickets for two more days. He made the request only if the desired tickets had been confrmed. But the Khadim cancelled the tickets outright without having the delayed ticket confrmed. Uncle grew angry on this act of the Khadim and at a point of emotion even rose to assault him physically.

202 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 203 My Aunt, and the formerly director of NBL Mr. Ahmed Ali Miah and I myself -- all three could ill afford to manage the anger of Uncle. Thus the clock struck 12.00 at night. We went to bed. Before it was the time for the Fazr prayer, Aunt came to us to report that Uncle was not available in the hotel. We got worried at the news. I suggested that he might be available with Anis Chisti at his residence. Accordingly we rushed to the residence of Anis Chisti and heard that Uncle chased him there at the dead of night, caught him by the grip and submitted him to Azmir Sharif Police. At Azmir Sharif, the Khadems were well organized and were powerful enough. But Uncle had the guts to fnd fault with him and send him to Police custody even within the Indian territory. It was so wondrous an act! Sikder Uncle had one more magnifcent quality. It was that he knew how to pay someone back with manifold benefts, should there be any such benefcial hand. Let us come to a story to this effect. Uncle had good intimacy with a certain offcer, named Major Nowab of Pakistan Armed Forces. In 1971, when Independence war was going on, he was posted at Sylhet Cantonment. At that time he wrote to Sikder Uncle that in case of any trouble or misfortune from the Pakistani forces, he (Uncle) should then and there let the information pass on to him. When war broke out all on a sudden at the midnight of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani forces raided the residence of Sikder Uncle. Uncle was not present in his residence. The Pakistani forces began searching his rooms with such words as: "You are freedom fghters. There are arms hidden in your houses. Let us know where Sikder is." Aunt felt herself utterly helpless. Suddenly the words of Major Nowab fashed in her mind. She produced that letter from Major Nawab to the Pakistani forces, along with the postal envelop. The Pakistani forces then calmed down and went away. Sikder Uncle did not forget the incident. Later on when we were on a visit to Pakistan, Uncle was enquiring after all and sundry there as to how to reach Kembolpoor, how much

204 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend time it would take to reach there, etc. Our trip was from Lahore to Islamabad; he asked the taxi-driver about Kembolpoor. At last, early in the morning he managed a taxi and gathered information about Major Nawab's whereabouts and ultimately succeeded to reach there. He met Major Nawab. He offered him some rupees, too. At the dramatic style of meeting together, Major Nawab was taken aback. He could hardly think of a man recollecting benefts done to him long ago and visiting a far-off place to acknowledge his debt. He could faintly imagine what made it possible. Uncle even sought the help of the postmaster there to confrm the location of Major Nawab's house. The entire family of Major Nawab got spell-bound at the awesome generosity of a Bangali that Uncle Sikder was. We, in our side, too, felt proud of the greatness of the man before us who left no stone unturned in his drive to repay his earlier indebtedness. Hundreds of such stories are there about the exceptional activities in the life of Sikder Uncle. Those will take long to describe. Here are only a few more from my thirty years of memory-pack.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 205 The Surprise of a Day Before and After 21st August On August 15, 2004 people's leader Sheikh Hasina was at Tungipara in connection with the special prayer and Doa Mahfl at the grave of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. When ex-president of Chhatra League Mr. Enamul Haq Shamim came on a visit to Sikder on August 16, he grew suddenly angry with him and asked why the Chhatra League members had not been at Tungipara at that crucial time when only a few days ago Sheikh Hasina was under the threat of a bomb attack at Kotalipara. Then he offered a small amount of money to Sheikh Hasina through Shamim asking him to hand it over to her, and expressed his desire that she might distribute the amount to the helpless and poor section of people there waiting in expectation of her help. He added that he would feel glad always if the poor people received something from the hands of Hasina on that soil which was so dear to Bangabandhu. As soon as Mr. Shamim handed over the amount of money to Sheikh Hasina, she expressed her wonder on receiving it and said, "How strange is it that Uncle has surmised the incident of my missing the key of the locker! Many poor people are waiting here eagerly to have some help from me. It is really a good grace that the money sent by him will come to much help." Only a few days afterwards, the most infamous historical event

206 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend took place in Dhaka, on August 21. The vicious circle of enemy to Bangabandhu family conducted a most brutal grenade attack on the meeting of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League leaders. A large number of leaders embraced death on the spot; with serious injury Sheikh Hasina and some other party leaders escaped death. The detail of the tragic story is not unknown to the nation. Emotional as he was to the extreme, Sikder held patience for a while and stopped going to see Hasina instantly. All other hospitals having declined to receive the seriously injured victims, only Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical Hospital took up the responsibility of their treatment. The lion-hearted Sikder arranged for all medical facilities free of cost. The then administration and the police created pressure on the hospital authority to decline admission to those injured leaders of Awami League. Dauntless Sikder grew angry on the police offcer at this and asked him to take responsibility of the patient's life in black and white. Then they receded. The negative approach of the police and government machinery regarding medical treatment of the 21st August victims was proved of the then Government's involvement in the massacre. Not only did the Governmental agents of that time disturbed in the way of medical treatment of the grenade victims, but they also tried to locate the funding of the cost of such treatments. Kind hearted Sikder stealthily deposited money in the Hospital accounts of the patients in order to avoid chaos. It was again and again a characteristic with Sikder to continue his mission to the last. He never forgets the rewards he got from others. Three or four days after that tragic event, Sikder visited the residence of Sheikh Hasina to call on her personally. Dr. Debopriyo Bhattacharya and Professor Dr. Abu Ahmed were present there at that time. On seeing Sikder, Sheikh Hasina burst into tears and talked in a choked voice. She cordially acknowledged her indebtedness to him at all odds and bad times. She recollected the incident of his sending money a few days ago when she had been at Tungipara. Deeply aggrieved and profoundly sorrowful she acknowledged all the favour done to her by Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 207 Sikder Family's Contribution to under Construction Twenty two districts of the southern part of Bangladesh are backward in the pace of business and commerce because of communication network and other infrastructural defciencies. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his life-time felt the lacking and grievances of people in respect of communication network and expressed his desire in a public meeting to address the problem. He then spoke of building safeguard to Khulna port and reducing Dhaka-Khulna physical distance by way of a new road communication linking Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga-Khulna. It was preferable to Dhaka-Daulatdia because of lesser distance measuring about 100km. Immediately after the independence in 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman instructed additional chief engineer T. Molla in 1972 to take up a special project on Dhaka-Mawa-Khulna road. In the fscal year 1973-74, fund was allocated to this project for necessary earthwork and brick-manufacturing. But, after the sad and tragic events following the killing of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975, the said project activities were kept in abeyance and the manufactured bricks were diverted to other projects. The then secretary of Roads and

208 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Highways department, Mr. Mahbubuzzaman gave a note sheet giving his arguments on the uselessness of the project. Not only that, he held responsible all those personnel of the department who had lent support to the said project. Then Zainul Haque Sikder came forward. He, with the executive engineer Mr. M. A. Bari from Gopalganj, prepared a report justifying the need of the project and got it submitted to Ziaur Rahman, the then president, with the help of his (President's) advisor Mr. Akbar Kabir (Faridpur). Then the negative note sheet given earlier by the Roads and Highways secretary was held up. After a long period of twenty one years, Sheikh Hasina came into power and took initiatives of constructing the same road. With this end in view, the need for Padma bridge in Mawa-Kaworakandi route arose. With great hope to launch again the unfnished works of her deceased father, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of Padma bridge. The bridge has a length of more than 7 km. The river administration activities relating to Padma river continued until 2001. But it again suffered a halt when BNP government came in power for fve years next, followed by the two years rule under Care-taker government. In 2008, Awami League again came to power and resumed Padma bridge activities. Sheikh Hasina took all required initiatives to this end, including an agreement with ADB, for their fnancial aid. ADB came forward and even conducted a physical inspection of the site, but owing to conspiracies hatched up from home and abroad to sabotage the project, ADB ultimately backed out raising the question of corruption, which was actually basolen. In spite of World Bank's retreat from the terms of agreement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a bold, beautiful and courageous announcement in the National Assembly of Bangladesh that Padma bridge construction would be materialized from our own resources, if required. On hearing this epoch-making announcement of Sheikh Hasina, Zainul Haque Sikder congratulated her in printed media. In his message of congratulations he commented:

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 209 "It is our frm conviction that the entire nation will come forward in response to the announcement so made by Sheikh Hasina and will again get united in the spirit of 1971, with a view to translating the dream of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, into a reality. We are an independent nation. If we implement such a mega project as the construction of the Padma bridge from our own sources, the act will certainly enhance our honor as a self-reliant nation. The nation who could bring about total independence within a time span of nine months, would not fnd it diffcult to implement such a project from its own sources." When the Government issued Bond and Debenture for the purpose of raising funds for Padma bridge construction, Sikder and his family members purchased Bonds valued at three million dollars. Not only that, he advised all rich people living at home and abroad to purchase such Bonds. He encouraged thousands of immigrants in Italy to send remittances to Bangladesh. For this purpose, he sent there two of his worthy sons, Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder, both of whom are directors of NBL. In response to their persuasion, Shariatpur immigrants in Italy started sending larger amounte of remittances to Bangladesh. This is how Sikder family has participated in the construction of Padma bridge.

210 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder Group's Trade and Commerce at Home and Abroad

Sikder had seven years of stay in USA. During that time, he launched there a restaurant, called `Koi'. His son, Mr. Nick Haque Sikder is, at present, conducting the business. The restaurant has earned great reputation by this time. It has expanded its branch network in many cities of USA, such as Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegus etc. Apart from these cities, `Koi' has branches in Abu Dhabi, Bangkok and Phuket. A report on `Koi', published in a Bangladesh daily, reads like the following:

Sikder Group Hotel and Residence at Phuket,

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 211 `Koi' restaurant gives the relish of Asian Food `Koi' restaurant has earned reputation from Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi. Although its reputation depends mostly on Japanese `Shushi', Asian foods are also very much available there. The mastermind behind all the reputations of `Koi' is a Bangladeshi, named Nik Haque Sikder. He is a successful entrepreneur who has succeeded in raising himself to an unsurpassable height.

Sikder Group Koi Restorant in USA Two of the famous items in the menu of `Koi' are `Koi recipe rice', and 'Spice Tuna'. These items have provided a union of the Bengali tradition called rice and fsh. Here is the Asian favor that means something special. People fock together there to have a taste of the favor. The restaurant has a long menu, no doubt. Apart from fried fsh, Alupuri, Toban Yaki, Chilean Sea Bass are available there. And, also available is Japanese Shushi. The restaurant has an attractive interior decoration and a neat and clean dining environment. An aristocratic sense prevails there in the quality of furniture and fxture. The design is called 'Jane Inspired'. It provides customers with the 'Candle Light Dinner', if a customer desires to have so. `Koi' restaurant maintains Hollywood standard. Professionals from various corners abound there. It has rich lounge, too. Customers are at liberty to pass time there and do offcial work if they like so. `Koi' restaurant has achieved many awards and prizes of national and international rank. (Bangladesh Protidin; Dhaka, August 5, 2015)

212 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder Group Koi Resort and Residence in Saint Kits and Navis Island Besides the over-all extension of trade and commerce by their active participation in the infrastructural development of Bangladesh as a whole, Sikder group has also earned considerable commercial success by establishing the chain shops of `Koi Restaurant' and Koi Resort and Residence' in other countries. The foreign countries they have so far covered include USA, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Thailand and Saint Kits and Navis. The chief minister of St. Kits and Navis Island, Dr. Denjil L Dauglus has proposed for a branch in his island. Sikder has agreed to the proposal and a branch called `Koi Resort and Residence' is underway there.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 213 Wild Birds Also Love Sikder

From his boyhood Sikder was fond of hunting birds and animals and also keeping them as pet animals. He used to nurse all varieties of animals — be it a baby beaver or a baby tiger. The hunting of birds became a passion for him in his boyhood. He began keeping an air-gun with him for the purpose of shooting birds. But he had to hide his air-gun so as to avoid disturbance from his other brothers. He considered the shooting of birds as a matter of freedom of doing whatever he liked. Whenever he observed the arrival of migratory birds in the vast watery plains, haors and baors, he ran after immediately with the shotgun in his hand to shoot them. He bought his shotgun in 1953. He was often rebuked by his parents for his excessive obsession of shooting birds and animals. In course of time, his obsession gradually changed to ornithology, when he used to keep pet birds. It grew into a habit with him. He began keeping birds in cages and giving them food. The act delighted him much. Sparrows were so fond of him that when guest-spectators would attend him in his pastime with them, ten or twelve sparrows would dancingly come and jump on his arms and shoulders. They liked to spend times with him and go away after a while.

214 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Wild Ducks in front of Sikder's USA residence At a stage of his play with the sparrows and fowls, he began to ponder over why they liked spending times perching on his shoulders. Was it for their love of him or for hate? He asked himself what the birds wanted to tell him. His strange curiosity tempted him to shun playing with the birds. Though he did away with keeping pet birds during his student life, he took to a resumption of the hobby when he went to USA to reside there. Here, one day he went to Los Angeles to buy wild goose and swans. He failed to buy birds there and began to feel sick in heart. At such a stage of despair, all on a sudden a pair of wild swans focked to his residence in USA. When Sikder came out of his house to loiter out-of-doors, the wild swans willfully approached him as if seeking for his care and shelter. They began singing 'pack-pack' to draw his attention. Sikder then asked her daughter from home to serve the wild swans with food. His daughter served

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 215 them accordingly. Highly bleased, the wild swans few away at their own accord.

Domestic Cows of Zainul Haque Sikder On another occasion, two wild swans again few to the residence of Sikder and willfully approached him. He began speculating whether those were the same wild swans as the earlier ones. They were playfully loitering around him as if he was a friend to them. They were reluctant to go away. Sikder insisted all the members of his family to enjoy the presence of the wild swans, served them with food and took snap shots of their movements. Having completed eating, the birds few away. The Los Angeles market was unable to fulfll his desire of buying birds, but nature in her bountiful sincerity showed on him her blessings by sending the wild swans. Sikder felt highly glad at the incident and thanked Almighty Allah. He realized that there might be a bond of love between man and the wild birds.

216 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Pet Deer of Zainul Haque Sikder

Pet Camel of Zainul Haque Sikder Owing to his love for animals and birds he tends as many as 17 deer and 150 cows and camels in his Sikder Women's Medical College campus. At his village home of Kartikpur, Shariatpur he also tends 50 cows.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 217 Sikder restarts his business in full swing in Bangladesh

Atter coining back to Bangladesh from the USA, Zainul Haque Sikder re-started his business and commerce in full swing. Here, more than one project of his real estate business is on-going. He has recently established hotels and restaurants at Nimtola under Munshiganj, at Kuakata under Patuakhali, at Keraniganj under Dhaka, at Kaptai under Banderban, and at Shirajdikhan, Jamalpur, Nilgiri and Khulna.

Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex, Nimtola, Munshiganj

218 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex, Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj The construction of Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex building at Nimtola, Munshiganj has come to an end. This establishment covers an area of 50 bighas of land, which has a spread of 5 lac square feet room-space in a six storied building. 691 rooms are ready there to let to the shopkeepers. At Shirajdikhan under Munshiganj, he has another shopping complex under the same title, which covers an area of 7 bighas of land and a spread of 2 lac sq. feet room-space in a six storied building. 680 rooms of various sizes remain ready there to let to the shop-keepers. At Kuakata sea beach under Patuakhali district, the construction of a hotel and resort, owned by Sikder is underway. This hotel and resort there consists of a twenty storied building with 300 rooms and 40 villas. At Kaptai, Rangamati, he owns a hotel and restaurant which is one of the best of its kind in Bangladesh. Formal Launching of three star standard `Sikder Resorts and Villas' at Kuakata At the tourism centre, Kuakata, a hotel of three-star standard, under the name and title `Sikder Resort and Villas' was recently launched. On December 01, 2015, Chairman and Managing Director of `Sikder group' Z. H. Sikder and Monowara Sikder announced its inauguration by way of ribbon cutting. On the occasion, Sikder

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 219 group directors such as Ron Haque Sikder, Mamtajul Haque, Lisa Fatema Haque, Jeffery Sikder and Mandy Sikder were present. In his speech, chief guest Z. H. Sikder told that the resort so opened would provide three-star standard facilities to its clients from then on. Tourists in the sea beach of Kuakata henceforth would be provided with up-to-the-mark boarding and lodging facilities as far as practicable. Besides, construction is now going on for hotel complex in a plot of 70 bighas of land at Kaptai. Sikder has business at Mongla port, Khulna, too. Six new jetties will be foated there, out of which he will make two.

Sikder Real Estate Kuakata Resort Sikder also owns power generation stations in different places of Bangladesh under the name and title of Powerpack Holding Limited'. Electricity is being generated in those power stations. For example, at Keraniganj Dhaka, there is a 100 mw power station which is producing 100MW electricity every day. In addition, Sikder group has undertaken to set up two more power plants at Keraniganj, one of which will produce 200MW and the other 100MW electricity perday. Sikder group has another power plant at Jamelpur, which is producing 100MW electricity perday. At

220 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Nilgiri, there is a similar one. All such power plants are linked to the national grid.

Sikder Real Estate Kuakata Resort

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 221 Prime Minister at the Inaugural Ceremony of a Quick-rental Station at Keraniganj

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave out a call to the people to exercise austerity in the use of electricity. While inaugurating a 100MW Quick-rental Power Station at Keraniganj, she commented that the production of electricity and the saving of electricity by exercising austerity are equally important. She requested the citizens of the country not to indulge in the misuse of electricity and to be economical in this respect. Prime Minister emphasized the need for public awareness about exercise of austerity in the use of electricity. She added that the government has to spend a lot every year in the generation of electricity, for which the habit of improper use of it is not at all desirable. This establishment of Sikder Group is situated on a land measuring 7.11 acre by Dhaka-Mawa highway, where the electricity generating plant is at work in B.O.O. system. Among others, Prime Minister's advisor Dr. Towfq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, the state Minister, Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources, M. Enamul Haq, state Minister for Law, Kamrul Islam, Standing Committee chairman for Oil and Mineral Resources in the National Assembly, Major General Subid Ali Bhuiyan, Nasrul Hamid Bipu MP, Keraniganj Upazilla Parisad Chairman Shamim Ahmed and Sikder group Chairman

222 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder spoke. The inaugural speech was given by the Secretary to Electricity Mr. Abul Kalam Azad and the vote of thanks was given by PDB chairman Mr. Abdul Wahab Khan.

100MW PowerPack, Motiara, Keraniganj, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Quirk-rental Electricity Centre at Keraniganj, Dhaka

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 223 In her speech, Hon'ble Prime Minister said that during the last four years the nation had witnessed unprecedented success in all the socio-economic sectors including electricity generation. She added that people were enjoying the beneft of the tireless efforts exerted by the government. She said, "We have taken up the responsibility of reconstruction of the already fragile condition of electricity management at the very beginning of our formation of Government. We have given topmost priority to this sector, and have attempted to go into action in three steps, such as short-term, mid-term and long- term policies." She said, "My government gives priority to rental and quick-rental power stations side by side with remodeling and reconstructing of the older stations, aiming at the fulfllment of demand of power supply. The effect that comes out from it is that private sector investment gets encouraged parallel with the implementation of large scale power generation projects. Investment in this sector has reached eight billion by this time. On-going 52 power stations are contributing to the total production of 3650MW electricity newly added to national grid." In her speech, Prime Minister appreciated the joint contribution of the private and the public sector and said, "We have been successful in producing the maximum of 6350MW electricity, and we are now able to raise our electricity production up to 8425 MW." She also said, 'We have produced more than what we promised during our election campaigns. Now, 58% of our total populations are enjoying the beneft of using electricity. Fresh 25 lac account holders have been added, most of them living in the countryside. Load-shedding is done sometimes in rationing process in consideration of national priority." Prime Minister added that few more power plant stations were in the offng. Electricity would be imported from India also. She told that the renewable and recycling of fuel was also being encouraged by her government. She added further that her government had already signed a contract with Russia for the installation of two nuclear power stations in Bangladesh, each having a capacity of producing 1000MW electricity. Moreover, she told, capacity management was improving in the feld of circulation and distribution of electricity.

224 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sheikh Hasina said, "The works of high-powered electricity circulation lines with 400KV capacity are underway for the transmission of electricity between Sylhet-Kaliakoir, Chittagong- Meghnaghat and Khulna-Aminbazar. The construction of interconnecting lines and sub-stations between Bangladesh and India, having a capacity of 400KV, is also underway." Referring to the efforts of development in the electricity sector she said, "It is our government which has at frst adopted the policy of private sector electricity production. We at frst have come out successful in attracting investments both from the local and foreign investors. We have brought about check and balance in the system loss of electricity and increase in revenue earnings in this sector." Sheikh Hasina then put emphasis on solar panel in schools, madrasas and other institutions and mentioned that her government was the frst one ever to bring about cognizable development in the sectors like Agriculture, Health, Communication, Rural development and Digital Bangladesh, leading to the overall progress of the nation in each and every socio-economic sector.

Honorable Prime Prime Minister visiting the PowerPack Holding Limited accompanied by Advisor and Minister for Electricity and Energy Ministry

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 225 Some Exceptional and Courageous initiatives of Sikder Family

The worthy children of Sikder have earned success at home and abroad in multi-dimensional business and commerce. Each and every member of the family, such as architect and engineer Mamtajul Haque Sikder, Nick Haque Sikder, Dipu Haque Sikder, Rik Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder have success-stories of their own. Similar is the achievement of every daughter of Sikder, namely architect Nasim Haque Sikder, Doctor Parveen Haque Sikder, architect Lisa F. Haque Sikder. Ron Haque Sikder as the chairman and Rik Haque Sikder as the managing director -- the two have established PowerPack Holdings Limited, which is a corporate company in Bangladesh engaged in electricity generation and circulation. The company has played a very remarkable role in national development. They have also established civil aviation company under the name and title R&R Aviation Ltd. Mr. Rick Haque Sikder is its chairman, while Mr. Ron Haque Sikder is the managing director. The feet of R & R Aviation Limited has so far acquired one Jet plane and seven ultra-modern helicopters. High profle professionals of various

226 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend sectors have been availing themselves of the fight facilities in their emergency commercial and business needs of reaching far- off destinations within a short time. By so availing the facility they are saving their valuable time. On the other hand, the Jet plane is providing service as an air ambulance for those ailing patients who face emergency situations of medical treatment in the reputed foreign hospitals. Thus, a good deal of foreign currency is also being saved in terms of plane fares.

Jet air-craft of R & R Aviation with modern facilities The work of construction and establishment of an airport and pilot training centre is underway at Modhupur, under Shariatpur district, with the concerted efforts of the members of Sikder family. The training centre will provide most modern fight engineering and pilot training courses both to the private sector and military sector trainees. Adequate infra-structural facilities will be ensured there to attract probationary trainees from Bhutan, Nepal and other neighboring countries.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 227 Helicopter Air-Ambulance owned by Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital

Ship equipped with Operation theatre owned by Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital

228 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder Educational Support Complex

Zainul Haque Sikder has founded `Sikder Educational Support Complex' under `Mokfor Uddin Sikder Foundation', in the 'Monica Estate' compound adjacent to 'Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital'. Mokfor Uddin is the name of his father. His intention behind the foundation of Sikder Educational Support Complex' is to provide all required facilities to meritorious students of primary and secondary level. The construction work of the said `Sikder Educational Support Complex' consisting of fve buildings, each six storied, on a plot of three bighas of land, is going on in full swing. By this time, third storey of the frst building has already been constructed. The plan includes accommodation to be provided to the families of the poor but meritorious students. Each of the families will be allotted a quarter consisting of two rooms, one kitchen and one bathroom. Life-long cooperation in respect of fnance will be provided to the students living there in the midst of their families. They will require not a single farthing from their own sources. `Mokfor Uddin Sikder Foundation' will be funding their entire expenses. Students of age level between

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 229 8 and 12 will receive free education facilities initially for two years. Subsequently examination results will be taken into consideration for the free fnancing to be continued to them.

Sikder Educational Support Complex `Sikder Educational Support Complex' is thus extending their generous support to the cause of education of meritorious students. In future, when the structure of the building will assume a complete shape, the complex shall comprise fve buildings consisting of fve foors each. Ten families will be accommodated in each foor, and a total of 250 families of meritorious students will be provided with free board and lodge.

230 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Warm Relations with World Leaders

Ever since the beginning of his career, Sikder has had no particular political alignment. But he used to maintain favourable connection with the major political leaders of the country. In a similar style, he developed intimate relations with political parties and leaders in USA, too. It is simply because the stream of life of a dynamic and potential man can hardly remain confned to any geographical limitation. He has dreams to improve the lot of the millions living in this world. By dint of his effciency and achievement so far he enjoys a kind of self-confdence and power which brings him naturally to the contact of the world's greats.

Left to right: Dipu Haque Sikder, USA President Bill Clinton, Zainul Haque Sikder, Monowara Haque Sikder and Nick Haque Sikder

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 231 During the early eighties he developed a kind of intimacy with the Republicans of USA, and happened to extend multiple co- operations to them. President Regan, in a letter to him later on, praised him highly. He and his family members developed very good and warm relations with President Clinton as well. Sikder had several get-togethers with Bill Clinton. His son, Nick Haque Sikder, too, had intimate connections with Clinton. Sikder established himself as a businessman in USA within a few years of his stay there. But his heart had a slanting towards Bangladesh. Subsequently, he hit upon a plan to come back to his homeland. The occasion ultimately came to his lot when his ailing mother was hospitalized in a clinic at Dhanmondi. Though Sikder was an American green card-holder, he forsook the privilege of living there and came back to Bangladesh to extend his business network.

USA President Bill Clinton and Zainul Haque Sikder's Mid-son Nick Haque Sikder

232 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Mr. Dan Mozena, the-then US Ambassador to Bangladesh vistied Z. H. Sikder University of Science & Technology, Modhupur, Kartikpur, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur on August 05, 2014. Ms. Janina Jaruzelski, USAID Mission Director, Ms. Parveen Haque Sikder, Vice Chairperson, Board of Trustees, ZHSUST, Mr. Mamtazul Haque, Registrar, ZHSUST, Ms. Nasim Sikder, Treasurer, ZHSUST, Mr. Rick Haque Sikder, Member, Board of Trustees, Chowdhury Kamal Yousuf, Former Minister, People's Republic of Bangladesh, Were also present on the occasion. Sikder had warm relations with Pronab Mukherjee, now Indian President, ever since the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. Earlier when Mr. Mukherjee was the Defence Minister of India, Sikder sought his cooperation by a letter dated February 25, 2006, for the inclusion of the name of 'Z. H. Women's Medical College Sikder Hospital' in the directory of 'WHO Medical School'. Mr. Mukherjee that time extended his sincere cooperation and got the inclusion done. Sikder wrote a letter of thanks to Mr. Mukherjee on August 3, 2006, acknowledging his cooperation and help in the matter. Mr. Mukherjee in his turn, sent Sikder a letter of thanks on August 14, 2006. Later on, when Mr. Abdur Razzaq, the then Bangladesh Minister in charge of Water Resources, visited India and called on the Indian President Pronab Mukherjee in his offce, latter asked him, "Do you know Zainul Haque Sikder?" Mr. Razzaq replied, "Yes, I know him. We usually address him 'Uncle'. He, too, loves us very dearly and addresses us 'Nephews'. "Then Mr. Mukherjee enquired after

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 233 him as to what type of nephews they were and added that Sikder was a man of very fair mind who never forgot to acknowledge his indebtedness even for so insignifcant a cooperation as he had extended to him. He added that Sikder had sent a letter of thanks to him in that regard.

Left to right: Ron Haque Sikder, Parveen Haque Sikder, Monowara Haque Sikder, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Zainul Haque Sikder When 'All India National Congress' earned victory for the second time in 15th Lokasabha Elections' in 2009, Sikder wrote to Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi on May, 2, 2009, congratulating her on the victory. On receipt of Sikder's letter, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi gave a feed-back just the following day, on May 23, 2009, thanking him cordially. It was astonishing on the part of the Congress President to give the feed-back so promptly. Sikder sent a similar letter to Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh on May 24, 2009, and that, too, on behalf of `Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital'. Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh also made a gesture of thanks in return through his secretary, Mr. Joydip Sarkar, on June 11, 2009.

234 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Minister Abdur Razzak and Zainul Haque Sikder

Mr. Sikder beside the Tsunami victims in Japan When Japan experienced a fatal accident of atomic re-actor explosion owing to earthquake on March 11, 2011, causing large scale humanitarian disaster there, Sikder responded to it. With great sympathetic concern he wrote immediately to the Japanese Government on behalf of `Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital', seeking their permission that he might send a medical team there. But, owing to an embargo on foreigners in Japan, the permission was not accorded. Instead, the Japanese Covernment sent a letter of feed-back expressing their thanks to Sikder.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 235 Sikder Medical College and NBL Beside the Quake- victims in Nepal

When the fercest earthquake of the century shook Nepal in 2015, Sikder immediately sent a medical team for the help of the quake- victims there, under the banner of 'Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College'. In that most fatal of disasters of the century Sikder extended his hands of help and cooperation there as the chairman of both 'Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College Hospital' and 'National Bank Ltd.' The valiant freedom fghter Sikder could not remain silent then but sent there his team with medical support and relief materials. The team consisted of 12 members, started for Nepal on Friday, the 8th of May, 2015. In the team there were specialist physicians on orthopedics, surgery and medicine. Students of past years and the current ones of `Sikder Medical' extended their all-out co-operation to the medical team. The team took with them medicine, medical accessories, food and soft drinks and blankets supplied by NBL. BEXIMCO pharmaceuticals participated with the team by way of giving medicine at 50% discount.

236 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend A Kolkata-based organization named `Bishwa Bangali Parishad' arranged a function with Zainul Haque Sikder as the chief guest in which they admitted of his generous contributions in the feld of health and medical care and awarded him with `Subhash Chandra Basu Award'. His gesture of goodwill in the style of letter correspondences and exchanges of felicitations with various heads of states and his contributions in the feld of social welfare and medical co-operation was acknowledged in the aforesaid function. In recognition of such qualities, they honored him with the Award.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 237 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

238 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 239 240 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 241 242 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 243 244 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 245 246 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 17 May 2015

Managing Director & CEO National Bank Ltd. 18, Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000

Dear Sir

I would like to express my deep appreciation for your generous support of relief materials for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

I am pleased to inform you that we have dispatched those relief materials to Nepal for distribution to the quake victims. The authorities of the Government of Nepal for disaster relief have made the necessary arrangements to deliver them to the needy people.

I would like to thank you again for your generous assistance and kind sentiments towards the quake victims.

With warm regards,

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 247 National Bank Limited donated Tk. 2.00 crore to the prime Minister's Relief and Welfare fund for the treatment of petrol bomb victims as a part of bank's corporate social responsibility. Ms. Parveen Haque Sikder and Mr. Rick Haque Sikder, Directors of National Bank Limited handed over a check for Tk. 2.00 crore to Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban on February 19, 2015. As we have seen in the previous chapters, not only that Mr. Sikder has conducted his humanitarian and relief operations completely from his private sources, but he has continued doing all these initiatives also in the capacity of chairman of his dear institution called NBL. Whenever there was a flood or some other natural calamities, he pursued NBL to stand by the victims. His role became the most encouraging one in such humanitarian activities. He has always been vigilant about someone suffering from cancer somewhere, or a poor freedom fighter passing his days of physical suffering uncared for, or winter-afflicted people living their life amid inhuman conditions somewhere, or some down-trodden people in a backward section of the society living their life without hope. He has instantly come forward with a warm heart to show them the beacon of light. He is in the habit of always encouraging the Bank management to stand by all such suffering humanity. Of late, such activities of him has put on a commercial sub-title called

248 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend CSR, but Sikder's attitude to social welfare and human good is something continuous ever since the beginning of his career as a businessman. No doubt, during the rest of the days in his life Mr. Zainul Haque Sikder will be greeted with greater credits and good name. In conclusion, we hope that the biography of a man of such chequered episodes and success stories will emerge as an example to follow for all sections of people in the society.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 249 Sikder Group

Zainul Haque Sikder Monowara Haque Sikder Chairman Managing Director

Nasim Sikder Parveen Haque Sikder Mamtazul Haque Sikder Land Scape Architect Physician MS Structural Engineer Deputy Managing Director Vice Chairman Director

Nick Haque Sikder Dipu Haque Sikder Rick Haque Sikder BBA BBA BBA Director Director Director

250 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Sikder Group

Ron Haque Sikder Lisa F. Haque Sikder Monica Sikder BBA Land Scape Architect MS Genetic Engineering Director Director Director

Mandy Sikder Jeffery Sikder Jonas Sikder Physician Machanical Engineer IT Engineer Director Now Studying Bar at Law in Director London, Director

Son Haque Sikder Jhon Haque Sikder Director Machanical Engineer Now Studying Bar at Law in London, Director

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 251 Family of Zainul Haque Sikder

252 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 253 Photographs by Mr. A. F. M. Shariful Islam

Mr. A. F. M. Shariful Islam, the-then Managing Director (current charge) of NBL, visited USA in October, 2015 for inspecting a subsidiary organization of the Bank designed as NBL Money Transfer. Subsequently he also went to Los Angeles for procuring a feasibility report on setting up a new branch of NBL Money Transfer there. In a written report on Sikder's development and expansion of trade and commerce as a whole, he expressed the opinion that he had made tremendous variegated efforts in this regard. He was totally overwhelmed by his success. One can hardly believe his achievements, if one does not see the same in one's own eyes. Not only building the diverse outfts, but he also gave them elevated dimensions. This is how he is equally advancing in his commercial ventures at home and abroad. He came to know that the honourable Prime Minister of Saint Kitts Island entrusted the authority of Koi Resort and Restaurant with the colossal task of developing the entire island with modern designs and outlook. This is a rare accolade for him. As a Bangali every one of us should feel proud of him. Mr. Islam stayed as a guest at Sikder's Beverley Hills residence in Los Angeles. This is how he was fortunate enough to see the life style of this family very closely. His family members ride on a good number of most updated cars and live in a chain of most luxurious residences owned by them. One evening he visited the famous Koi Restaurant in person. Though it is widely known for Asian food in particular, it also offers other food recipies, which is why it is ranked as one of the leading restaurants of the world now. In its outside making and interior decoration there is a commendable mix of beauty and aesthetic variety. Apart from the different cities of USA, it has so far outreached with its branches in London, Dubai and Bangkok. Some photographs captured by his camera give a brief view of some of his outfts.

254 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Classic Convertable SC-500

Classic Convertable Corette

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 255 Organizations solely financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

01. Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. 02. Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology, Shariatpur. 03. Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital, Shariatpur. 04. Golar Math Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur. 05. Kartikpur Bazar Jame Mosque, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur. 06. Sheikhpara Jame Mosque, Modhupur, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur. 07. Purba Dinara Talukder Bari Jame Mosque. 08. Sureswar Jame Mosque. 09. Gafur Maulana Jame Mosque, Kedarpur. 10. Kartikpur Modhupur Jame Mosque. 11. Rambhadrapur Jame Mosque. 12. Dakkhin Dingamanik Rahmania Baitus Salam Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur. 13. Al-Madina Jame Mosque, Dingamanik, Naria, Shariatpur. 14. Suresswar Dafadar Bari Jame Mosque. 15. Kabir Shah Mazar, Umra Dakkhin Khan, Dhaka. 16. Z. H. Sikder Medical Jame Mosque, Dhaka. 17. Charbhaga Jame Mosque (In front of the residence of Inamul Haque Shamim). 18. Hatembag Jame Mosque. 19. Baba Gafur Ali Rest House, Azmir. 20. Azmir Sharif Jannati Gate Dorwaja (Khaja Baba). 21. Bangabandhu Adorsho High School. Charbhaga, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur. 22. Monowara Sikder High School, Bhedergonj. 23. D. M. Khali Monowara Sikder High School. 24. Kodalpur Abdur Razzak High School. 25. Mokfor Uddin Degree College, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. 26. Mokfor Uddin National Law College. 27. Modhya Dinara Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur. 28. Dinara Koronhugli Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur. 29. Sonakhola AI-Madina Nur-Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur. 30. Begum Lutfunnessa Women Madrasa, Manua, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur. 31. Bhojeswar Jame Mosque, Shariatpur.

256 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 32. Bijhari Bazar Jame Mosque, Shariatpur. 33. Ghorishar Bazar Jame Mosque, Shariatpur. 34. Dr. Moslehuddin Jame Mosque. 35. Khalifa Bari Jame Mosque, Karanhogla. 36. Charbhaga Jame Mosque, Shariatpur. 37. Kanar Mosque, Shariatpur. 38. Nur-E-Madina Nagar Jame Mosque (Behind Sikder Medical College). 39. Shamsunnahar High School, Rambhadrapur, Shariatpur. 40. Monowara Sikder Girls High School, Bhedergonj. 41. Rambhadrapur Doyalia Bazar Jame Mosque. 42. Muktar Char Chukdar Bari Jame Mosque (Naria West). 43. Millenium International School Swimming Pool. 44. Zarina Sikder Girls High School and College, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. 45. Zarina Sikder Primary and High School, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. 46. Monowara Sikder Rest House, Modhupur, Shariatpur. 47. Z. H. Sikder Educational Support Complex, Monica Estate, Dhaka. 48. Sureshwar Suf Meherullah Jame Mosque, Sureshwar, Shariatpur. 49. Millenium International School, Hospital Area, Dhanmondi West, Dhaka. 50. Sheikh Para Jame Mosque, Modhupur, Shariatpur. 51. Sikder Organic Market, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. 52. Babri Jame Mosque. 53. Begum Bibi Jame Mosque, Rambhadrapur, Shariatpur. 54. Char Ana Rarhi Jame Mosque, Shariatpur. 55. Moheshkhali Dalalbari Jame Mosque. 56. Sardar Bari Jame Mosque, North Rambhadrapur, Shariatpur. 57. Rambhadrapur Akandbari Jame Mosque, Shariatpur. 58. Rambhadrapur Islamia Madrasa, Shariatpur. 59. Tamiz Khan Jame Mosque. 60. Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex, Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj. 61. Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex, Nimtola, Munshiganj. Besides, Z. H. Sikder has given fnancial assistance to many more mosques, madrasas, shrines, schools, colleges and hospitals at home and abroad.

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 257 Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology, Shariatpur

Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital, Shariatpur Golar Math Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur

Kartikpur Bazar Jame Mosque, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur Sheikhpara Jame Mosque, Modhupur, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur

Gafur Mawlana Jame Mosque, Kedarpur Rambhadrapur Jame Mosque

258 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Dakkhin Dingamanik Rahmania Baitus Salam Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur )Charbhaga Jame Mosque (In Front of the residence of Inamul Haque Shamim

.Baba Gafur Ali Rest House, Azmir

Bangabandhu Adorsho High School, Charbhaga, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur )Azmir Sharif Jannati Gate Dorwaja (Khawaja Baba

.Khali Monowara Sikder High School D. M Monowara Sikder High School, Bhedergonj

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 259 Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Mokfor Uddin Degree College, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka Dinara Koronhugli Baitul Aman Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur

Sonakhola Al-Madina Nur-Jame Mosque, Naria, Shariatpur Begum Lutfunnessa Women Madrasa, Manua, Bhedergonj, Shariatpur

Bijhari Bazar Jame Mosque, Shariatpur Ghorishar Bazar Jame Mosque, Shariatpur

Khaliifa Bari Jame Mosque, Karanhogla Charbhaga Jame Mosque, Shariatpur

260 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

)Nur-E-Madina Nagar Jame Mosque (Behind Sikder Medical College Shamsunnahar High School, Rambhadrapur, Shantapur

Millenium International School Zarina Sikder Girls High School and College, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka

Zarina Sikder Primary and High School, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka Monowara Sikder Rest House, Modhupur, Shariatpur

Zarina Sikder Trust Jame Mosque, Madhupur, Shariatpur Sureshwar Suf Meherullah Jame Mosque, Sureshwar, Shariatpur

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 261 Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Sikder Organic Market, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka Sikder Resort, Kuakata

Z. H. Sikder Medical College, Gulshan, Dhaka Sikder Shopping Complex, Nimtala, Munshiganj

Babri Jame Mosque Baitul Mokaddash Jame Mosque, Dingammanik

Begum Bibi Jame Mosque, Rambhadrapur Charana Jame Mosque

262 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Tamiz Khan Jame Mosque Sardarbari Jame Mosque, Uttar Rambhadrapur

Bhedergonj Khanka Sharif, Maddha Dingamanik, Al-Madina Jame Mosque, Dingamanik, Naria, Shariatpur Jame Madnia Madrasha and Mosque

Moheshkhali Dalalbari Jame Mosque Monowara Sikder Girls High School, Bhedergonj

Manowara Sikder, Medical College & Hospital, Madhupur, Nur-e-Madina Jame Masque Shariatpur

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 263 Organisations Solely Financed by Zainul Haque Sikder

Rambhadrapur Akandbari Jame Mosque Rambhadrapur Islamia Madrasha

Rarhi Bari Mosque Sardar Bari Jame Mosque

264 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend R & R Aviation of Sikder Group

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 265 Koi Resort Residential Area

266 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 267 Phuket Resort, Thailand

268 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 269 270 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Plaiya View Villa

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 271 Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex Nimtola, Munshiganj

272 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 273 Millenium International School, Rayer Bazar, Dhaka

274 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 275 Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital, Shariatpur

276 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 277 An aesthetic View of Z. H. Sikder University of science and Technology

278 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 279 280 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Z. H. Sikder Shopping Complex, Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj

Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 281 In front of own Residence in Bangkok

282 Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend Zainul Haque Sikder Living Legend 283