Immediately after achieving blood-earned independence, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called people to implement ‘Green Revolution’ with the slogan of ‘Grow more food’. And in responding this call, he played the role of a commander. Despite the assassination of Bangabandhu, this heroic freedom fighter returned from the battlefield and played a leading role in the development of rural infrastructure to realize the dream of ‘Golden Bangladesh’. Not only the construction of roads, bridges and culverts, he also constructed ‘rubber dams’ which brought smiles on the faces of the farmers.
He started the work of setting up a farmer’s growth center at the union level. He was the one who laid the foundation for the implementation of Bangabandhu’s daughter’s ‘My Village-My City’ vision, much before it had been declared.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said, ‘I request all government employees to serve those who contribute to keep us afloat. Take care of those who are providing us with everything. Make sure that they do not suffer. ‘
He is a unique example of fulfilling that request made by Bangabandhu till his death. And it was none but Quamrul Islam Siddique, the ‘Magic Boy’ of the World Bank. His teammate Jamilur Reza Chowdhury called him a ‘visionary technocrat’.
But the general public knows him only as the founder of LGED. Because this department of local government has contributed in almost every field of government under his leadership since its establishment.
However, LGED has not taken away the work of any department but has shown how to create new fields of work that can make a huge contribution to the local, regional and national economy.
Mr. Siddique believed that the next world would be one of innovation. So, he was a patron of the use of cost-effective domestic technology. He introduced the country’s first biogas, windmill, pre-stress plant, sand roller, as well as ASS on rural roads for light vehicles.
He created forests, orchards, planned herbal gardens and nursery in office compounds, for the excavation of shallow ponds, conservation of bills-haors, and environment and environmental development.
Quamrul Islam Siddique has integrated the following projects into the mainstream of development. Such as, first flyover of the country, world class Dhanmondi Lake, Hatirjheel project, AHDM technology, road safety and so on.
He was the first to surprise the world by creating Upajila and Union Book, Digitized Map, MIS and GISR Remote Sensing.
He was the first to start using computers compulsorily in government offices. He introduced digital services to make government services easily available. At the union office level also fax-e-mail was added for the official activities. Provided services to partners through the website. His contribution in meeting the power shortage in the first term of the Awami League government is also proverbial.
In recognition of his work, Bhasani Gold Medal, Poet Jasim Uddin Gold Medal, IEB Gold Medal, CR Das Gold Medal, Abbas Uddin Gold Medal, Sher-e-Bangla Gold Medal, Bangabandhu Engineer Gold Medal, Bangla Academy Fellow and many other awards were added to his basket.
However, Kamrul Islam Siddique was completely disillusioned with these awards. In daytime, he used to be immersed in work. Even an hour before his death, he sat at the home of his only son in the United States and mailed to Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, who had recently returned to the country. That mail outlined the implementation of the Digital Bangladesh Vision. Basically, his blood was mixed with the country, the people of the country and genuine love for Bangabandhu.
His relationship with God was also of the highest order. Before leaving the last breath of life, he repeatedly remembered God in a muffled voice.
On September 1, 2008, at the age of 63, he moved back to Allah, the Creator. At the end of the state honors, covered with red and green flag, he started his eternal journey. Now he is sleeping in eternal peace in the capital’s Banani cemetery.
13 years have passed, he is not among us. Even then, his emptiness is increasing day by day. The demand for awarding this famous man known as the ‘Magic Boy of the World Bank’ is getting stronger.