Samson H. Chowdhury: A Shining Star

Mr. Samson H Chowdhury was one of the pioneer who worked for human welfare in Pabna region. He has created a legendary history through his work. He was born on 25th September 1925 in Orakandi village of Gopalganj. He started his studies in a mission school in Chandpur in 1930. His father was Dr. Yakub Hossain Chowdhury and mother's name was Latika Chowdhury. He was the first child of his parents. Yakub Hossain Chowdhury named his son Shimshon. May be he thought his son would be as strong as Samson in the Bible. He possessed that power in practical knowledge and intelligence. His father had a transferrable job. After Chandpur, Yakub Hossain Chowdhury came to Ataikula in Pabna in 1932. Then Samson H Chowdhury got admission in the village school here. In 1933, his father sent him to Mymensingh, where he enrolled in the fourth standard at the Victoria Mission School. Then in 1935, his father sent him to West Bengal and there he got admission in Bording Shinksha Sangh High School, Bishnupur.

 

He returned to Pabna in 1942 during World War II. In 1943, he passed matriculation from Ataikula School. It is known that he studied at Scottish Church College Kolkata. He then received a Diploma in Management from Harvard University School. He then joined the Indian Navy without the informing of his parents. In 1946 he took part in the naval mutiny against the British rulers and was finally arrested. After 5 days in jail, he was sent to a concentration camp for a month. He was then released. At the time of release he was given a clean certificate so that he would have no difficulty in getting a job in any government administration department.

 

In 1947 he joined the postal department as a government servant. At this time, a 15-year-old girl, Anita Biswas, came into his life. On August 6, 1947 Samson H. Chowdhury got married with Anita Biswas. In 1952, he resigned his job in the postal department and returned to Ataikula and started working in his father's drug store Hossain Pharmacy. In 1956, he started a small pharmaceutical company by borrowing money from his father. And named it "E sons". Later he changed the name to “Yaqub & Sons”.

 

In 1958, he and his three friends started a pharmaceutical company called "Square".

His three friends were Dr. Kazi Harun-ur Rashid, Dr. PK Saha and Radha Vinod Roy. Their initial capital was Rs.17,000. Square's journey began with 12 workers, a factory in an unpaved building, a few machines and a modest but sky-high dream and enthusiasm. He observed that malaria patients had to buy India-made Quinine at high prices. But the raw material for making Quinine is available in Darshana's Keru & Company sugar mills. In 1962 they opened a branch in Hatkhola, Dhaka. Later Square became a private limited company and this time their capital was Rs. 40,000. All of Square's products were excellent in terms of quality. So Square hiking the peak without looking back. In 1985 Square got the top position among all the companies in Bangladesh and till today it is at the number one position. Square is the first domestic company got approval to export pharmaceuticals products abroad.

 

In 1988 another separate division started its journey called Square Toiletries. Square Group is now successfully foraying into Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Readymade Garments, Toiletries, Informatics, Food Industry, Media (Mashranga Television), Square Hospital etc.

 

Samson H Chowdhury was very friendly in his personal life. He built a skilled workforce and world-class professional system at Square. He had a fatherly demeanor with all the coworkers. He and his wife Anita Chowdhury used to introduce all their workers as their children. Samson H Chowdhury has three sons and one daughter in his personal life. They are: Mr. Samuel Swapan Chowdhury, Mr. Tapan Chowdhury, Mr. Anjan Chowdhury and daughter Mrs. Ratna Chowdhury.

 

Samson H Chowdhury never compromised with quality. With great transparency, integrity and skill, he built a great society. He has received many awards and recognitions in his life. In 2010, he received a special award from the Bangladesh government for his special contribution to the economy. Business Man of the Year by The Daily Star and DHL in 2000, Business Executive of the Year by American Chamber of Commerce in 1998 and Ekushey Padak in 2013. Square Group was adjudged the best taxpayer by the National Board of Revenue in the financial year 2009-10. Samson H. Chowdhury was the Chairman of Square Group, Chairman of Mutual Trust Bank, Chairman of Transparency International, President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, founder president of Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies and held many other prestigious positions within the country and abroad.

 

Not only he has successfully contributed to his career but also his contribution in religious and social life was also immense. He was actively involved in church work. He led the BBCF (Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship) for 42 years. He served as BBCF general secretary (1956 - 1969) and president (1983 - 1985) and (1990 - 1993) for 13 years.

 

He was also vice president (1985 – 1990) of the Baptist World Alliance. He and his family are involved in many social activities in various ways. The financial contribution to Pabna Boys Hostel and Ataikula Boys Hostel comes from this Chowdhury family. He has established Square High School & College, There are thousands of other examples which are difficult to mention. I had the opportunity to be adorable in contract with him at workplace & personally.

Some Inspirational Quotes of Samson H Chowdhury:

·         No prayer no breakfast

·         God owes nothing to anybody

·         First million is always very hard

·         There is no short cut to success

·         A happy worker is good worker

·         If you love people, God will love you

·         If you don’t waste time, you will be successful

·         Never stand still, never slow down, never stop thinking

·         I am proud to be father of my 35 thousand children

·         If you stop innovating, you will be run over by your competitors

·         Truth, morality and ethics are the core elements of success of an organization.

 

He introduced a rule in his family - “No Bible, No Breakfast" So we can realize how much importance he gave to the Bible and prayer in his life. He died on 5th January 2012 at the age of 87 in a hospital in Singapore and was buried at Astras Firm House in Kashipur, Pabna. We are thankful to God for the life of this great man.

Writer: Ripon Dhiman Biswas