Volume 2 Issue 24 | December 08, 2007 |



  
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Behind the Scene

From Mymensingh
Portrait of a Teacher



Prof. Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan, called Ratan Da or Ratan Sir by many, has made his share of contributions in education, sports, culture as well as politics.

Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan is now the headmaster of Mukul Niketon High School, a famous educational institution in the Mymensingh region. Amir Ahmed, with his hard labor and devotion developed the school. He has stayed devoted to the school for the past 25 years.

He was born in Maharaja Road in the district town on November 28, 1941. Son of late Sultan Ahmed Chowdhury and late Azizernessa Chowdhurani, Ratan did his SSC and HSC from City Collegiate School and Govt. Ananda Mohan College in Mymensingh town in 1956 and 1958 respectively. Later he did his Masters in General History securing ninth position in the merit list from Dhaka University with honors in 1962. He took the charge of Mukul Niketon High School in 1983. He also underwent advanced training on "Education Administration and Management" from the National Institute of Education Administration and Research in Dhaka in 1991.

Before joining Mukul Niketon High School, Ratan served as professor of Gouripur College from 1964 to 1983. During this period he also held the chair of Principal from 1974 to 1976. A good athlete from his boyhood, Ratan excelled in different sporting events like cricket, football, basketball, hockey, swimming and athletics. He established Mukul Fouj in 1959 as a welfare organization for the children and youth. He also established the Mukul Fouj Cricket Team in the 1962-1963 season and the team participated in First Division Cricket league. Later another team was formed under Mukul Fouj and the team won the championship of the Second Division Cricket League. Later many brilliant players came out of the Mukul Fouj who served at the national level.

To help underprivileged children, he established the Mukul Niketon High School with a few students at Maharaja Road which is now has nearly 4000 students.

For his good performance as organizer, he was invited at the Second SAF games held in Dhaka in 1985. The 300 students of this school attended the inaugural and concluding session of the game under his excellent leadership and the performances of the students were praised highly.

Due to his vigor for creative work and for organization, he is associated with more than 35 organizations including sporting, cultural, political and social welfare organizations.

Among the huge number of organizations he is affiliated with are the Referees and Umpires Association, District Cricket Selection Association, Mymensingh Red Crescent Society, Shandhani Mymensingh Unit and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Conveyor of Muktijoddher Chetana Bastabayan and 71's Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committe, Projanma '71, Biswa Shanti Parishad, Bangladesh Awami League Mymensingh District unit, Bangladesh Jatiya Samaj Kallyan Parishad, Bangladesh Agriculture Atomic Energy Commission, District Relief and Rehabilitation Committee, Disaster Management Committee, Primary Education Committee, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Mymensingh Land Mortgage Cooperative Bank, Mymensingh Central Jail Inspection team, Afro-Asia Gano Sanghati Parishad, Sadar Boy Scouts, Mymensingh District Sports Association and Dhaka Divisional Krira Parishad.

In 1971 he was arrested and tortured by the Pak Army. Six members of his family including his grandfather were shot dead by the Pak Army during the War of Liberation.

Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan was selected as the best teacher of Mymensingh district in 1994. Now he is 65 but still highly energetic. He has one son and one daughter.

 

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