Philanthropist Dr. Alauddin Ahmed [ দানবীর ড: আলাউদ্দিন আহমেদ ]

Philanthropist Dr. Alauddin Ahmed [ দানবীর ড: আলাউদ্দিন আহমেদ ]

Chairman, Advisory Council ,Gurukul Bangladesh

Alauddin Ahmed is a well-recognized name among the charitable social reformers in Bangladesh. In particular, his contribution to his native area in Kushtia is peerless.

Alauddin Ahmed – Childhood:

Alauddin Ahmed was born into an affluent family on July 31, 1944 at the Chakarghua (now known as Alauddin Nagar) village, under Kumarkhali thana in Kushtia District. He is the second among parents’ Bahar Ali and Tahirunnisa’s five offspring.

Alauddin’s grandfather Wasimuddin Ahmed was a renowned philanthropist and social reformer of the locality. Alauddin father passed away when he was only 4/5 years old. However, fortunately for young Alauddin and his siblings, his paternal uncle Mohammad Ali took over the responsibility of looking after the family.

Alauddin Ahmed – Education:

Alauddin’s initial education began at the family maktab (religious school) at age five. Eventually, he was enrolled in Nandlal Primary School. Under the watchful eyes of his uncle Mohammad Ali, young Alauddin studied meticulously and attained the attention and affection of his teachers.

The meritorious student and talented athlete completed his Matriculation from Jessore Zilla High School in 1961. The same year his higher secondary education began at Kushtia College (now Kushtia Govt. College). Despite difficulties in commuting, young Alauddin’s studies went on without a hitch and he attained his B. Com degree in 1966.

Though he had an opportunity to study Chartered Accountancy at the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, for unavoidable reasons Alauddin could not go abroad for high studies. However, he did study Chartered Accountancy at Shaha Majumer & Co. in Bangladesh.

Alauddin Ahmed – Professional Life:

In 1969, Alauddin Ahmed got the license to become an income tax officer and the following year, he started his career as an income tax lawyer. Within a short period his reputation extended far beyond his native Kushtia.

In 1980, Alauddin concentrated his business practice in Dhaka and soon made his way up among the established income tax advisers. His amiable nature, ability to adopt quickly, and integrity and conviction towards his profession made him popular. Gradually he started focusing on setting up business of his own including flour mill, dairy, agricultural farm, pharmaceutical industry and more.

Currently, he holds the positions of Managing Director, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Chairman, Alo Multipurpose Company Ltd; Executive Director, Healthcare Distribution Company; Executive Director, Shilaidah Dairy Farm; Managing Director, Alauddin Nagar Mushroom Industries Ltd; Managing Director, Alauddin Nagar Fisheries Ltd; Executive Director, Agro Process Industries; Director, Gazi Emporium and Director, Smaranika Enterprise.

Alauddin Ahmed – Social Welfare and Charitable Initiatives:

Qualities like philanthropy and the urge to do something for the betterment of the local population define Alauddin’s character. The Liberation War made a deep impact on him and subsequently he contributed in rebuilding the war-ravaged areas under Kumarkhali thana.

An ardent advocate of mass education, Alauddin took the initiative to set up educational institutions in his native area. In 1972, thanks to his persistent endeavors, Chakarghua Primary School was founded. The social worker also commissioned a madrassa (Chand Chakarghua Ibtadaye Madrassa) in his village in 1976. Subsequently to ensure further education, he funded a secondary school in Chakarghua. The school was founded in 1982. As a token of respect, the locals started calling it “Alauddin Ahmed High School”.

Gradually Alauddin’s social and charitable projects became grander and more comprehensive. He funded Kumarkhali College at the heart of the thana, commissioning to rebuild the then decrepit college building.

Egged on by local Al-Hajj Mohd. Mukaddas Hossain and noted social worker Gazi Habibur Rahman, Alauddin Ahmed funded the construction of a college in a neighboring village, Banshgram. The college opened in 1995 and has been named, “Alauddin Ahmed College” by the locals.

Grasping the need of technical education, Alauddin Ahmed has undertaken a plan to establish a technical college at his native village. The construction work for the college is underway.

Alauddin has been working tirelessly to improve the lives and livelihood of the local farmers. His project called “Agriculture, Irrigation and Drainage” was initiated in 1982. The project started with installing five deep tube wells and some light tube wells. To ensure proper irrigation, 3000 fully function drainage systems and 10,500 katcha (muddy pools) were set up.

His active involvement has also made it possible for Chakarghua and neighboring villages to get electricity connection. Thanks to funding the installations of numerous tube wells and the digging of ponds and other water reserves, people of the locality now do not have to ensure water shortage. Chakarghua Health and Family Welfare Centre is another example of his foresight in social development.

Alauddin Ahmed – Family:

Among Alauddin Ahmed’s siblings, Rabeya Khatun and Shukuruddin died in their infancy. His remaining brothers are Shafiuddin Ahmed and Yaruddin Ahmed.

Alauddin got married to Suraiya Bilkis on March 26, 1972. Suraiya is the daughter of local humanitarian and social activist Gazi Habibur Rahman. At present Alauddin and his family reside at East Rampura in Dhaka.