BM Report: Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s senior advisor, turns 86 years old today, Saturday. He was born in Bathua village, Hathazari upazila, Chittagong, on June 28, 1940.
His birthday has been observed worldwide as Social Business Day for the past fifteen years. Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary for the chief advisor, informed B Mirror that there isn’t a formal event planned to commemorate Dr. Yunus’ birthday. The government will not commemorate the birthday. The Jirabo Social Convention Center in Savar, Dhaka, hosted the opening of the two-day “Social Business Day” on Friday.
The main visitor was Dr. Yunus. Nevertheless, no plans were made for the chief advisor’s birthday to be celebrated during the ceremony.
Economist Dr. Yunus is the only Nobel laureate from Bangladesh. His banking of collateral-free microcredit to alleviate poverty has made him famous worldwide. The Grameen Bank he founded is also a Nobel laureate.
After Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, Dr. Yunus was removed from Grameen Bank. During the Awami League regime, Professor Yunus was plagued by oblique criticism of the head of government and cases. He was sentenced to six months in prison by the Dhaka Labor Court in January 2024.
When Sheikh Hasina fled on August 5 due to the student-public uprising, it was decided to form an interim government under the leadership of Dr. Yunus. At the request of the student leaders of the uprising, Professor Yunus took over as the chief advisor on August 8. His government is working to restore the collapsed law and order and the devastated economy. It is trying to reform various sectors including the constitution, elections, and public administration.
In the past, the birthdays of heads of government were celebrated. It was also celebrated politically. There was a surge of greetings on social media. Intellectuals and professionals used to write tributes to the Prime Minister. In addition to politicians and businessmen, government institutions used to publish advertisements wishing the head of government a happy birthday. After taking office, Dr. The office of the chief advisor prohibits the publication of advertisements using Yunus’s photo. His personal life is also hidden from the public eye.
Economist Dr. Yunus stands as the sole Nobel laureate from Bangladesh. His innovative approach to providing collateral-free microcredit aimed at reducing poverty has garnered him international recognition. The Grameen Bank, which he established, is also a recipient of the Nobel Prize.
Following Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power in 2009, Dr. Yunus was ousted from his position at Grameen Bank. Throughout the Awami League’s tenure, he faced indirect criticism from the government leader and legal challenges. In January 2024, the Dhaka Labor Court sentenced him to six months in prison.
When Sheikh Hasina fled on August 5 due to a student-led public uprising, it was decided that Dr. Yunus would lead an interim government. Responding to the requests of student leaders involved in the uprising, Professor Yunus assumed the role of chief advisor on August 8. His administration is focused on restoring law and order and revitalizing the struggling economy. Efforts are underway to reform various sectors, including the constitution, electoral processes, and public administration.
Historically, the birthdays of government leaders were occasions for celebration, often marked by political significance. Social media would see an influx of well-wishes, and intellectuals and professionals would pen tributes to the Prime Minister. Government institutions, alongside politicians and business figures, would publish advertisements celebrating the head of government’s birthday. However, since taking office, Dr. Yunus’s chief advisor office has prohibited the release of advertisements featuring his image. Furthermore, his private life remains largely concealed from public scrutiny.
