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A BIOGRAPHY OF M SAIFUR RAHMAN
(Former Finance Minister)
(1932- 2009)
A BIOGRAPHY OF M SAIFUR RAHMAN
Mohammad Saifur Rahman was a well-known Bangladeshi economist and politician who served as the Finance Minister of Bangladesh for a long time, contributing to the country’s economic policies. He was a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and delivered 12 national budgets over three different governments. Rahman started his ministerial career as the Trade & Commerce Minister and later served as the Finance and Planning Minister for 12 years.
Rahman’s contributions to the global economic community were also noteworthy. He was elected as the governor of the golden jubilee conference of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Madrid, Spain in 1994. In recognition of his exemplary service to the nation, he was bestowed with Ekushey Padak, in the year 2005. Rahman’s enduring legacy as a visionary leader and accomplished economist remains an inspiration for future generations.
Known For: Finance Minister
Born: October 6,1932
Age: 76
Birthplace: Baharmardan, Moulvibazar, Sylhet
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Father: Abdul Basit
Mother: Talebunnessa
Education:
Moulvibazar Government High School
Sylhet MC College
Dhaka University
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
Occupation:
Chartered accountant
Finance Minister
Spouse: Duree Samad Rahman
Children:
M. Naser Rahman
Shafiur Rahman Babu
Saifa Rahman
Awards
Death: September 5, 2009
Death Reason: Road accident
Early Life
M Saifur Rahman, a notable figure, was born on October 6, 1932, in the village of Baharmardan, which is part of the Moulvibazar Sadar region in the Sylhet Division of present-day Bangladesh. His father’s name was Abdul Basit. He lost his father at the age of six years. He was brought up by his paternal uncle Mohammad Shafi.
Education
Rahman finished his school life from Moulvibazar Government High School in 1949. He then did his intermediate studies at Sylhet MC College in 1951, and graduated from Dhaka University in 1953 with a Bachelors of Commerce (Honors) degree. In 1954, he went to London and completed his studies to become a Chartered Accountant. He received a certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
Career
When Rahman was young, he participated in the Bengali Language Movement of 1952 in Bangladesh. This was a big deal because the government was favoring Urdu over Bengali, and the movement aimed to promote the use of Bengali. It was part of a larger effort to gain more independence and national identity for Bangladesh, and it helped in the fight for independence.
Rahman was a student at the University of Dhaka during this time, and he served as the vice-president of Salimullah Muslim Hall, one of the residential halls for students. He was involved in various activities and organizations that promoted Bengali culture and language, and he continued to play an active role in politics and society throughout his life.
Overall, Rahman’s life and contributions reflect the struggles and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for self-determination, cultural identity, and social justice.
Saifur Rahman joined Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal, a political coalition that supported then-president Ziaur Rahman in 1978. The party was later formalized as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in September 1978. After winning a seat in his home district in a general election in the year 1979, Saifur Rahman was appointed as the finance minister of the first BNP administration under President Ziaur Rahman. He served until 1981.
During his tenure, Saifur Rahman prepared a record 12 budgets and played a crucial role in opening up Bangladesh’s economy in the early 1990s. He was instrumental in pioneering major economic reforms and contributed significantly to the expansion of the economy after the restoration of parliamentary democracy. In total, he served as a minister in Bangladesh for 14 years.
Rahman, running on behalf of his party, won the general elections of 2001 in two constituencies. He secured 52% of the total votes in Moulvibazar-3 and 53% of the total votes in Sylhet-1, defeating candidates from the Awami League. However, he had to leave one of the seats as per the constitution and chose to leave Moulvibazar-3, which was later won by his son, M. Naser Rahman, also representing the BNP.
In 2008’s national elections, Rahman faced a double blow as he was defeated by Awami League’s candidates in both his constituencies. The loss came as a surprise and disappointment to Rahman, marking a turning point in his political career. On the other hand, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith emerged victorious in Sylhet-1, securing his position as the new Finance Minister. This turn of events not only reshaped the political landscape but also brought new challenges and opportunities for the winners and losers alike.
Personal life
M Saifur Rahman, a prominent political figure, tied the knot with Duree Samad Rahman, daughter of the esteemed Bazlur Samad Chowdhury, a well-known banker from Chittagong. Interestingly, Saifur’s maternal uncle-in-law was none other than the legendary AK Khan, a veteran industrialist and minister. The couple was blessed with three sons and a daughter, but unfortunately, Duree passed away in 2003 after battling cancer.
One of Saifur’s sons, M. Naser Rahman, followed in his father’s footsteps and ventured into politics. In 2001, M. Naser Rahman contested the by-elections and emerged victorious in his father’s former constituency of Moulvibazar-3. Additionally, Saifur’s youngest son, Shafiur Rahman Babu also entered into a marriage alliance with the daughter of the renowned Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, a well-known political figure and former Minister.
Lastly, Saifur’s only daughter, Saifa Rahman, married Amer Siddiqi, the son of the former Minister and diplomat, Mustafizur Rahman Siddiqi.
Awards
● Ekushey Padak, 2005 for role in Bengali Language Movement
● Order Nationale, Highest National Order of Senegal
Death
Saifur Rahman met an untimely demise on September 5, 2009, in a tragic road accident that occurred in the Brahmanbaria District. While traveling from his hometown to Dhaka, Saifur Rahman was rendered unconscious by the crash and was immediately taken to a hospital. However, despite the best efforts of the medical team, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead.
The day before the accident, Rahman had visited the shrines of Shah Jalal and Shah Paran in Sylhet and was on his way back home when the tragedy struck. In the wake of his passing, the community came together to mourn his loss, and five janazah prayers were held in his honor. The first prayer took place in the Gulshan Azad Mosque, followed by prayers at the BNP offices, Parliament buildings, Shahi Eidgah Maidan, and Moulvibazar Government High School.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of which Rahman was a prominent member, declared three days of mourning to honor his legacy. Rahman was laid to rest at his family’s graveyard in Baharmardan village, where he was buried beside his wife’s grave. His passing left a deep impact on the community, and his contributions to the nation and its people will always be remembered.
Legacy
Saifur Rahman is widely acknowledged as the mastermind behind Bangladesh’s economic metamorphosis and liberalization in the 1990s. He revolutionized the country’s financial landscape by implementing ground-breaking policies like VAT, tax reforms, and pro-market initiatives, which helped bolster the country’s economic growth. His untimely demise was a blow to the nation, as stated by A M A Muhith, the Finance Minister. The United States recognized his outstanding contributions to the country’s progress by lauding his instrumental role in uplifting the lives of millions of Bangladeshis and promoting a free-market economy.
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এই ওয়েবসাইটের সমস্ত বিষয়বস্তু সরল বিশ্বাসে এবং শুধুমাত্র সাধারণ তথ্যের উদ্দেশ্যে প্রদান করা হয়েছে। একটি জীবনী তথ্যের সম্পূর্ণতা, নির্ভরযোগ্যতা বা সঠিকতা সম্পর্কে কোন গ্যারান্টি দেয় না। এই ওয়েবসাইটের উপাদানের ফলস্বরূপ আপনি যে কোনও পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করেন তা সম্পূর্ণরূপে আপনার নিজের ঝুঁকিতে। একটি জীবনী আমাদের ওয়েবসাইট ব্যবহার করার ফলে কোনো ক্ষতি বা ক্ষতির জন্য দায়ী নয়।