| Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury | |
| Native Name: | উবায়দুল মোকতাদির চৌধুরী |
| Office: | Minister of Housing and Public Works |
| Term Start: | 11 January 2024 |
| Term End: | 6 August 2024 |
| Constituency Mp1: | Brahmanbaria-3 |
| Parliament1: | Bangladesh |
| Term Start1: | 2011[1] |
| Term End1: | 6 August 2024 |
| Predecessor1: | Lutful Hai Sachchu |
| Birth Place: | Brahmanbaria |
| Party: | Bangladesh Awami League |
R. A. M. Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury is a Bangladesh Awami League politician and a former Minister of Housing and Public Works of Bangladesh and a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Brahmanbaria-3 constituency.
Chowdhury was born on 1 March 1955 in Brahmanbaria to Abdul Rouf Chowdhury and Mosammat Halima Khatun Chowdhury. He earned his BSS and MSS degress from the University of Dhaka.[1] Besides he also studied Diploma in Rural Poverty Alleviation Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.
Education:[2] • Received primary education at village school and in Narayanganj.• In 1969, passed the Fazil examination securing 16th position in the first division from Madrasah-e-Alia, Dhaka.• Passed the first division in 1972 from Dhaka College obtaining the Higher Secondary (Humanities) Certificate.• In 1975, due to the situation of being underground after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971, he was arrested while returning from New Market area after attending a rally at Dhaka University. He took part in the Honors examination while in jail.• In 1981, obtained a Master's degree in Political Science.Diploma (Rural Poverty Alleviation), Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, 1996.Freedom Fighter• In 1971, responding to the call of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he participated in the Liberation War as a leader of the Mujib Bahini and was injured in the war. He was a leader in a sub-district.• A war-wounded freedom fighter (Gazette No.-2385).Political Profile[3] • Member of Parliament (9th Parliament) (elected for the first time in 2011);• Member of Parliament (10th Parliament) (second time);• Member of Parliament (11th Parliament) (third time);• Member of Parliament (12th Parliament) (fourth time);• Member, Senate, University of Dhaka (second time);• President, District Awami League, Brahmanbaria;[4] • Chairman, Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry - 11th National Parliament;• Member, Standing Committee on Government Assurances - 11th National Parliament;• Governor, Board of Governors, Islamic Foundation, Dhaka; (since 2009)• Former Member, Central Executive Committee, Bangladesh Awami League (twice);Chairman, Standing Committee on Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry - 10th National ParliamentChairman, Standing Committee on Water Resources Ministry - 9th National ParliamentMember, Standing Committee on Public Administration Ministry (9th, 10th, and 11th National Parliaments);Member, Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs Ministry - 9th National ParliamentEducational, Social, and Cultural Activities:• Mr. Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury is not only a political figure but also a dedicated social worker, education enthusiast, cultural activist, and generous person. He is involved in various educational institutions and activities.• Chairman, Muktadir-Fahima Welfare Trust;• Founding Chairman, Board of Trustees, University of Brahmanbaria;• President:Brahmanbaria District Committee, Dhaka;[5] Bishwaranjan Sen Charitable and Cottage Industries Foundation, Brahmanbaria;Narsingh Nagar Nurunnahar College, Brahmanbaria (former);Champaknagar Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury College, Bijaynagar (former);Pour Degree College, Brahmanbaria (former);Law College, Brahmanbaria (former);• Founder:Brahmanbaria Sheikh Mujib Degree College;Former Senate Member, University of Professionals (BUP).Life Member:Entrepreneur Member, Liberation War Museum, Dhaka;Belia (Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs)Bangla Academy;Dhaka University Alumni Association;Political Science Department Alumni Association, University of Dhaka;Registered Graduates, University of Dhaka;Red Crescent, Brahmanbaria;Public Library, Ashuganj;Brahmanbaria Islamic Center.Established:Habla High School;Brahmanbaria Science and Technology High School, Brahmanbaria;Brahmanbaria Science and Technology College, Brahmanbaria;Duruakha Banu Memorial Award, Chinair Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Degree College;Halima Khatun Chowdhury Memorial Award, Chinair Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Degree College;Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Memorial Award;Abdul Hai-Safiya Khatun Memorial Award, Ghataiara High School;Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury Distinction Award; Chinair Bangabandhu College.
Family Information:• Participated as one of the organizers and participants in the first protest rally organized in protest of the assassination of Bangabandhu on October 20, 1975, starting from the Bot Tola of Dhaka University and ending at Bangabandhu Bhaban.• Sheltered in India and upon return from India, arrested on the way back to Dhaka University and imprisoned for 23 months.
Imprisonment:In 1976, while in hiding, arrested on the way back to Dhaka University after participating in a rally at New Market. Familiar to student activists under the name Rabiul Alam Choudhury, he spent 23 months in captivity. He was released upon the directive of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
Government Employment:Joined the Civil Service (Administration Cadre) in 1983.Served as Private Secretary to the Honorable Prime Minister and held various important positions until 2001.• Also served as Assistant Private Secretary to the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in 1986.• In 1996, played a significant role as one of the organizers in the platform "Janatar Mancha" formed by the Bangladesh Civil Service Officers against the unilateral elections called by Khaleda Zia.
Chowdhury served as the co-general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League Central Student Council in 1970. In 1971,[6] while participating in the liberation war under Mujib's forces, he was injured in one of his legs by firing from Pakistani forces. In 1973-74, he was the Central Chhatra League's publications and publications editor and in 1975, when Bakshal was formed, he was nominated as a member of the 21-member National Chhatra League Central Committee.[7]
When the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took place in 1975, Chowdhury contributed to the development of the nationwide democratic student movement and resistance struggle.[8]
On October 20, 1975, Chowdhury led the march in Dhaka University to protest the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and played a role as one of the organizers of the first protest march on the streets of Dhaka on November 4.[9] Following this, he was arrested in October 1976 and imprisoned for almost 2 years and was released in September 1978 on the orders of the High Court.[10]
After passing the BCS examination in 1983, Chowdhury joined the administration cadre and in 1986 served as Private Assistant Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, Sheikh Hasina.[11]
In 1996, Chowdhury played an important role as one of the organizers of the Janata Manch, which consisted of Bangladesh Civil Service officers, against the unilateral election by Khaleda Zia. From 1996-2001 served as the private secretary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Later left the government job and joined politics[12] He was nominated twice as a member of Bangladesh Awami League Central Executive Committee. At present, he is successfully serving as the president of Brahmanbaria District Awami League.[13]
Chowdhury was nominated as a member of the Senate of Dhaka University on 28 May 2019[2]