Photo : Collected
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee to neighbouring India.
Yunus, 84, took the oath during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Dhaka on Thursday night that was attended Yunus, who was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work developing microcredit markets, was in the French capital for the 2024 Olympics when he was chosen for the interim role and returned home earlier on Thursday to tight security at the airport in Dhaka. political leaders, civil society leaders, generals and diplomats.
Earlier, Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ name was suggested as the head of the interim government on behalf of the 'anti-discrimination student movement'. Nobel Prize winner Dr. agreed to that proposal. Yunus, in this regard, said, 'When the students who have sacrificed so much, request me to come forward at this difficult time, how can I refuse it?'
During the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971, Dr. Yunus was engaged in organizational work to build public opinion in favor of Bangladesh abroad and provide support to freedom fighters. Returning home in 1972, he joined Chittagong University as an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and served as the Head of the Department. He was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1975 and held this position till 1989.
Dr. Yunus started his fight against poverty in 1974 during the famine in Bangladesh. He realized that small amounts of credit can be very effective in improving the quality of life of poor people. At that time, he launched the Rural Economic Project for research purposes. In 1974, he launched Tevaga farm, which was acquired by the government under the package programme.
Muhammad Yunus established Grameen Bank in 1976 to provide loans to poor Bangladeshis. Since then, Grameen Bank has provided $5.1 billion in loans to 5.3 million borrowers. Grameen Bank used 'Sanhati Dal' method to ensure loan repayment.
The need of the country and the nation, Dr. Yunus once announced the formation of a political party in 2007. On February 11 that year, he gave an open letter to the people of the country. In that letter, he sought advice and support about his politics. In that letter, he said, great initiative must be taken to create a new politics. Failing to do this, a clear exit from the old politics will not be possible.
In the open letter, he also mentioned, 'By the infinite mercy of God, I am a very lucky person. I have nothing left. I know, being involved in politics means being controversial. If you think my entry into politics will help create a new political atmosphere in the country, I am ready to take that risk.' We, like the people of the whole country, agreed to take responsibility as the head of the interim government at the time of transition of the country and the nation. Welcome Yunus. We believe that under his worthy leadership, the country and its people will be freed from the current crisis.
Messenger/Fameema
