| SPECIAL
A scientist with vision, purpose | | | | Sun, May 10th, 2009 2:59 pm BdST | Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news | |
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| By C.S. Karim
Dhaka May 10 (bdnews24.com)—I was still a student of physics department of Dhaka University when I saw Dr. M.A. Wazed Miah, a lively young scientist at the Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka. I was using the mainframe computer facility of the Centre, the only one in the then Pakistan. The place had already left its footprints firmly on many laboratories in many countries. The achievements were made possible by the dedication of the scientists of the centre. In those days these finest and highly trained gentlemen believed in sharing of knowledge and making output excel though group endaevours.
Dr. Wazed Miah was an important member of the select group. It appeared that he was possibly restless, looking for new opportunities for advancement of science and technology, to make science more meaningful to societal development. I remember having seen him for the last time as a senior colleague at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission in February, 1999, the last day of his career with the organisation. Even at that point of parting with his workplace of 36 years, not even an iota of his enthusiasm had withered. This is the finest example of dedication and unflinching commitment to a cause.
In a developing country science and scientists are considered by some as redundant and unreal in the context of development. He once told me, "In a developing country, where resources are scarce, it's only science and technology that can help maximise the benefits to the nation". All the prolific years of his life were dedicated to the task of glorifying science and the men behind it.
I had the opportunity to work closely with him for a number of years towards the end of his career at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. This engagement was related primarily to the introduction of nuclear power. He was persuasive. I remember him calling on International Atomic Energy Agency director general Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei in Vienna in 1998. He emphasised the country's commitment to peaceful uses of atomic energy and urged the agency to send a high-level delegation to Bangladesh to help assess the needs for fast-track implementation of the project. His request was entertained and following deliberations in Dhaka a time-bound action plan was drawn up delineating the time lines for various activities to be undertaken by the two sides. A year on, a training course was financed by the agency, which was possibly the largest of its kind conducted in any of its member states. Without the persuasive request it would have taken years to arrange such an event. Such examples of his way of getting difficult tasks done efficiently and quickly galore.
Dr. Wazed Miah had the sharpest of minds. He could often recount exactly how he had written his comments on a matter even after many years. This is a glaring evidence of application, merit and sound logic that went behind his decisions. Many tend to forget even in a matter of days or months simply because a particular decision was made in the past without sound logic and analysis and commitment. These were alien to him. He dismissed anything done by a scientist unless it had impeccable and sound rationale. He believed firmly in this, and indeed it formed the basis of whatever he did in science.
He was a great believer in our combined capacity and potentials of the country. He had confidence in the role of science in development and in international collaboration in materialising that goal. But it is the responsibility of the scientists to choose appropriate programmes that suit our needs. The cardinal objective should be found in a facilitating synergy between science and development, he once asserted. He found a lot of opportunities to tap nuclear science, be it in solving the problems of energy supply, or health care, or industries. Such perceptions made him look for new fronts and avenues. His vision was to have a future society based on scientific knowledge.
Dr. Wazed Miah wrote as many as seven text books, six of which have already been published. The seventh I hear was at the final stages of his editorial attention when he expired. I bear the testimony to the great efforts level that went into these tasks. The books were exhaustive to cater to the pedagogical needs of undergraduate or graduate students.
His logic was clear—the students in a developing country cannot afford to buy multiple text books for a subject. A student should buy the second text book only if he needs to learn beyond the curriculum. These text books were, therefore, written in such a way that they were more or less in-depth. I saw him editing one or two manuscripts. He read and reread each sentence, each paragraph, made editorial corrections, usually with pencil, eraser or even razor blades. The painstaking job went on and on until he was satisfied that the text was acceptable. His passion and patience for excellence were almost insatiable when it came to writing and editing. It is not that he had all the time in the world and easy tasks to do. Such problems were solved by putting in long hours day in and day out.
Dr Wazed Miah set different standards for his colleagues and knew exactly what could be expected of each of them. Any deviation, unless justifiable on solid grounds, would mean a glare or two and in most cases one such episode was enough. I once took longer than expected to do something, or perhaps the job was not to his liking, I don't remember correctly. The famous glare he gave me was so scaring that I decided to be out of his sight for some days. I requested one of my very good friends to carry my files to him. The respite was brief, though, as I had to visit him in the hospital where he was receiving treatment for heart ailment. He waved other visitors out of his room, gave me a smile and said, "C.S. Karim (that's how he used to address me), how long can you keep on running away? Take these files, I have signed them already." He hardly took more than a day to sign anything that landed on his desk. And files and papers always came back with comments, usually making one to ponder, "How could I miss this, or make such a silly mistake?"
To Dr Wazed Miah, the man behind scientific pursuit was the most important pre-requisite to any success. He told me about the importance of understand the divergence of opinions of society about the scientists if we want to change the perception. Only then scientists will have better chance of finding their due places in the society. We should do our bit before expecting a reciprocal action. The research and development programmes have to be made responsive to national needs and priorities. "Reach out and find out where your effort levels are needed most," he would say.
He headed professional associations and outlets where one of his main goals was to sensitise a wide spectrum of society to the need to understand the impact science and technology could have on the national life.
Probably he was not fully satisfied with what was possible to attain. The unfinished task has to be taken forward; the responsibility lies with today's scientists.
I don't know of any instance in Bangladesh where a scientist has been honoured, even in a small way. The exception to this is the naming of a road on Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda. Can we, even for a change, make an exception? Can we do something that would not only pay tribute to this outstanding scientist, but also serve as an inspirational icon for the next generations of scientists.
On Saturday, the 9th May of 2009, came the final moments of the life of a visionary scientist—Dr. Wazed Miah., a scientist with outstanding qualities, dedication and versatility. We will mourn and brood, no doubt. At the same time it is time to take a vow to finish his dreams. The torch is passed on to the new generation of scientists to march ahead with the same dream, with a resolve to finish the task begun with great vigor and traversed only a part of the road that lies ahead.
Dr C S Karim is a former chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and caretaker government adviser
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From: abdul_momen@hotmail.com
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Re: Dr MA Wazed Miah was one of the pride in Bangladesh
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 10:55:38 -0400
A 'dua mahfil' has been arranged for Dr. M. A. Wazed Miah at the
Roxbury Mosque,
1 Malcom X Ave, Roxbury, MA 02119
Boston at
6:00 PM today May 9, 2009 (Saturday)
And you are all welcome to participate at the dua event.
Dr. M. A. Wazed Miah, Ph D, an eminent nuclear scientist of Bangladesh and former Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has expired yesterday at 4:25 PM in Dhaka at the age of 67. He was suffering from various ailments including heart ailment, renal failure, diabetes and high blood pressure for a long time. Dr. Wazed Miah was the husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They married on November 17, 1967. Throughout his life he maintained a very simple and honest life.
He stood 2nd in his matriculation examination in East Pakistan in 1956 from Rangpur and passed all his exams including B. Sc. (Honors), M. Sc. in Physics with distinction. He published nearly seven books plus many scientific papers. He completed his Ph D degree in U. K. in 1967. He left his wife Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Hossain Putul and millions of well-wishers.
Life-sketch
A nuclear scientist of international repute, Dr MA Wajed Mia, who breathed his last at a city hospital yesterday, is known more for his professional excellence in scientific arena but close friends and contemporaries were familiar to his role also as a student leader during the climax of Bengali nationalist movement in 1960s.
Several friends and contemporaries said his quality earned the position of the vice president of Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall while he was always under the affectionate shadow of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He even was arrested and served in jail for his leading role in the then 1962 students movement against Education Commission recommendations shrinking facilities for higher education.
But his academic excellence and knack for academic pursuit made him a nuclear scientist eventually installing to the top position of the country's Atomic Energy Commission after long career as a researcher and fellow at different scientific institutes and organizations in different countries including Germany and India.
"He all through tried to maintain a low profile while in personal life, led a very simple life and was an amiable person but never compromised with anything unjust," a relative earlier said.
Apart from his publications on scientific research and nuclear science, Wajed Mia also authored a number of books on social and political issues including one on the memories of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The books included Fundamentals of Electromagnetics, Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib-ke Ghire Kichhu Ghatana o Bangladesh".
Born on February 16 in 1942 in a respectable Muslim family of Fatepur village under Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district, Dr Wajed Mia was the youngest among four sons and three daughters of Abdul Quader Mia.
He studied up to class four at the primary school at his village and then up to class six at a high school under the Pirganj thana.
He obtained his matriculation with distinction from Rangpur Government District School in Rangpur district in 1956 and stood 2nd in the merit list and was admitted to Rajshahi Science College from where he passed the Higher Secondary Certificate examination securing 2nd position in merit list. (There was only one Board in then East Pakistan on those days).
Wajed Mia was admitted to Physics Department of Dhaka University in 1958 and obtained first class first in B. Sc (Hons) in 1961 and first class first in M.Sc in 1962 from same university.
He joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on April 9 in 1963. He obtained his 'Diploma from Imperial College of London in 1963- 64.
Mia returned home in September 1967 after obtaining his PhD degree in Physics from Durham University of the United Kingdom and joined as scientific officer at Atomic Energy Research Centre in Dhaka.
Later, he was engaged in post-doctoral research from November 1969 to 1970 in London.
Mia tied his nuptial cord with Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on November 17 in 1967. They have a son and a daughter - Sajeeb Wajed Joy and Saima Wajed Putul.
In 1969 he got the associate-ship of Italy-based International Theoretical Physics Research Centre of Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Salam where he was engaged in a research project under the world- renowned scientists.
In the same year he returned home and remained engaged with Atomic Energy Research Centre (AEC). He convinced Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib to allocate a land for the AEC in 1975.
In 1975 he was in the then West Germany to undergo higher training on atomic reactor science while his wife Sheikh Hasina was with her at that time and thus evaded the August 15, 1975 carnage.
He was engaged in research works at the New Delhi-based laboratory of Indian Atomic Energy Commission from 1975 to 1982, the period he actually was forced to leave an exiled life after the killing of Bangabandhu along with most of his family members.
On return home, he rejoined the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and retired as its chairman in 1999 when his wife was nation's Prime Minister. He did not solicit extension of his job which is common in Bangladesh. His nick name was 'Shuda' and his house is known as 'Shuda Shadan'.
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
From: ezajur.rahman@q8.com
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 11:52:16 +0000
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Re: Dr MA Wazed Miah was one of the pride in Bangladesh
Are you serious?!
He was first in line to the throne of Awami League.
He helped the Atomic Energy Commission contribute to Bangladesh.
He was a great Damand and Dulabhai in Bongobondhu'
s family.
This is why it is good he got state honours at his funeral.
This happens in any democracy.
Apart from such typical politicsation by AL I can add:
He was a good, honest, principled and humble man. This is without question. Allhamdulillah.
He wanted better for his family than the destructive legacy of family politics in Bangladesh. Allhamdulillah.
May Allah grant him eternal salvation.
--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, Mahathir of BD <wouldbemahathirofbd@...> wrote:
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> I know he was a meritorious student. But what is his contribution ? anything mention worthy? i heard none.
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> Can anyone give example ?
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> Is there any army in the world that can win over 150 Millions people? Should we be afraid of any country? http://www.earnparttimejobs.com/index.php?id=1608599
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> --- On Sun, 5/10/09, M. M. Chowdhury (Mithu) <cgmpservices@...> wrote:
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> From: M. M. Chowdhury (Mithu) <cgmpservices@...>
> Subject: [ALOCHONA] Dr MA Wazed Miah was one of the pride in Bangladesh
> To: cgmpservices@...
> Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009, 1:50 AM
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> Bangladesh has lost one of the pride as Dr MA Wazed is not with us anymore. My sincere condolence to PM Hasina and her family. May God gives her and family to be strong in this unwanted situation.
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> We all should pray for him and may Allah place him in Heaven.
>
> Regards,
> M M Chowdhury (Mithu), USA
> Director, Change Bangladesh Organization, USA
> www.changebanglades h.org
>
> Founder, Amreteck Pharma LLC, USA
> www.amreteckpharma. com
>
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