This is September 1. The 16th death anniversary of heroic freedom fighter Engineer Quamrul Islam Siddique, who was an engineer, urban and regional planner and a visionary of rural infrastructure development in war-torn Bangladesh. The result of his far-reaching planning is today’s Local Government Engineering Directorate – LGED.
He revolutionized many sectors including electricity and water. His engineering excellence was the signature of his engineering idea to prevent catastrophic floods by holding agricultural water with rubber dams. Although he is called the shaper of rural infrastructure, he took over the role of the Chairman of Dhaka Transport Coordination Board, in a short time he played an excellent role in solving the problems of Dhaka city’s dilapidated traffic islands, footpaths, unscientific tracks, weak signal system, unnecessary roundabouts, lack of neon lights and so on. ‘GIS’ and ‘GPS’ were introduced in Bangladesh for ‘ Digital Mapping ‘.
Today’s Metrorail Expressway was designed by him in the Strategic Transport Plan (STP) of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB). But he was not confined to the bracket of individuality. He was popularly known as ‘QIS’, a popular promoter of party and participatory initiatives. He was an exceptionally talented government official. Despite being a ‘Big Sir’ to the workers, he worked like workers. He spent his whole life in the application of engineering knowledge for the development of the country. He was not only a dreamer, but also an artist of dreams.
That is why he became an exemplary personality in the engineering sector of the country by putting the Engineers Institution Bangladesh- IEB on a strong footing in the development of the Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education in the country . His far-reaching expertise in the wake of India’s water invasion has caught the attention of the world. Many of his feats remain in villages and towns across the country, for ages to come. While doing all these things, he has become the eyesore of many. However, his diplomatic acumen was strong enough to make everyone functional. As a result, he gained worldwide fame during his time easily. He was a stubborn public servant. Therefore, even though the government changed with time, he remained steadfast in his positions; walked the straight path; never bowed down.
Be that a dictator or a Caretaker government or a Democratic government, all were impressed by his work. But he is still deprived of the country’s highest state honor due to his isolation in the state and government structure. He was awarded the title of ‘Magic Boy’ by the World Bank but was not awarded any national title; As the current Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize but not a state recognition from the government of Bangladesh.
However, on the third death anniversary of this engineer, Nobel laureate Dr. Yunus sent a note of respect. In which he wrote- ‘Though being a government official only with keen interest and dedication he (QIS) established the Local Government Engineering Department and proved that nothing can stand in the way of making a great contribution to the country if there is goodwill and sacrifice. The model he created for rural infrastructure development has made a revolutionary contribution to improving the quality of life not only in Bangladesh but also in third world rural areas.’
Brigadier General (retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain, Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Dr. Asif Nazrul and Syeda Rezwana Hasan paid tribute to this hero.
Advisor to the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Interim Government Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed was ‘shocked’ by his death in 2008. And said, he was a very knowledgeable person in various technical matters, was an efficient administrator, efficient manager – all in all a dedicated and tireless worker.…. Such an effective combination of words and deeds (as his) is not often seen… Mr. Siddique will forever be remembered in our memory for his deeds and his good dealings with people.’
Influential adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain said, “A civil engineer by profession, Mr. Quamrul Islam has made a place in the minds of the people of this country even though he was a government employee. He has left numerous achievements all over Bangladesh. …. Mr. Quamrul Islam’s tireless work has not only changed and expanded the rural infrastructures but also the rural economy has gradually developed due to these infrastructures. Due to the construction of farm-to-market communication infrastructure, farmers began to receive fair value for their labor. He opened new horizons by setting up ‘Rubber Dam’ to improve not only communication but also management of water conservation for irrigation during the dry season. Geographical Information System (GIS) was introduced in Bangladesh for the preparation of Base Map of Districts and Upazilas. GIS did not stop there, its widespread use opened up new horizons in the technology of Bangladesh. Even in 2008, GIS data and systems were initially used to redefine the boundaries of constituencies across the country—which enabled the work to be completed quickly. Mr. Quamrul Islam Siddique’s career history is full of achievements of a successful man. He worked tirelessly and selflessly to make Bangladesh known not only within the borders but also beyond.”
Not only as a city and urban planner, but his organizational ability, leadership
role and unrelenting sincerity in its implementation were unparalleled. He was a leading figure in the Glone Water Partnership. … He used to speak strongly in any international forum on the issues related to Bangladesh’s interest linked to international river law, and encouraged us to the fullest. We were honored to realize the respect and esteem in which international water experts held him because of his deep learning and leadership abilities.… He could bring together people of different views and paths. Many eminent people of Bangladesh, some of whom were even older than him,
readily accepted his leadership when they came to work with him”.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Water Resources expressing deep grief over the untimely death of Quamrul Islam Siddique and said that his presence in any forum would have given us confidence. His positive leadership meant that better things were in store for Bangladesh. A patriotic, wise and steadfast man like him was needed for a long time.”
But by the will of creator, his journey on earth was not long. Even from the bed of death from abroad, he sent a mail to his friend Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, another talented engineer, with an outline of the country’s sustainable development. But he is still alive in his actions, respect and love of teammates. He is remembered every year in various ways, though not in the state level but on a personal initiative. In prayers and discussions. As time passes by, the trotting sound of that horse gradually fades away. That is why, Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah lamented saying – ‘A country that does not appreciate a qualified man, a qualified man is not born in that country’.
