With countries like America, Japan, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Germany and France dominating the world forum, third world nations seems to have taken a corner. But that is just an illusion of the mind, for if you look intently, these nations are a powerhouse of talent, having a forte like none others. And while talking of nations like these, Bangladesh tops the list. It may seem insignificant or petty but its talented pool of men and women have helped the country make its own ground in the world platform. And it is to those heroes that we dedicate this section.
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Birthdate: March 17, 1920
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tungipara, Bangladesh
Died: August 15, 1975
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is known as the "Father of the Nation" and “Bangabandhu" in Bangladesh. He was an Awami League leader and led the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. He was the first president of Bangladesh and later also served as the Bangladeshi PM.
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Fazlur Rahman Khan(Structural Engineer and Architect Known for His Innovations in High-Rise Building Construction)
Birthdate: April 3, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Died: March 27, 1982
Fazlur Rahman Khan was a Bangladeshi-American architect and structural engineer. Regarded as thefather of tubular designs, Khan is credited with designing several skyscrapers, including the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center. Thanks to his ingenious use of structural systems, Khan is often referred to as the 20th century's greatest structural engineer and the Einstein of structural engineering.
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Muhammad Yunus(Bangladeshi Econimist Who Won Nobel Peace Prize for Founding the 'Grameen Bank' & Pioneering the Concepts of Microfinance)
Birthdate: June 28, 1940
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chittagong
More like a messiah to the poor, Muhammad Yunus initially helped poverty-stricken weavers of Bangladesh with small loans and eventually set up the Grameen Bank. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning social entrepreneur serves several charities, too. He was eventually removed from Grameen Bank by the government, due to old age.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: May 24, 1899
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Churulia, India
Died: August 29, 1976
The Rebel Poet of Bengal Kazi Nazrul Islam is remembered for his vast body of literary work, including poems and songs written during the British Raj, mostly laced with socio-political overtones. His songs, known as Nazrul Geeti, are the staple for any Bengali household. He is also Bangladesh’s national poet.
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Shakib Al Hasan(All-rounder Bangladeshi Cricketer)
Birthdate: March 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Magura, Khulna, Bangladesh
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
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Mushfiqur Rahim(Bangladeshi Cricketer and the Former Captain and Vice-Captain of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team)
Birthdate: May 9, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bogra, Bangladesh
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
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Ziaur Rahman(President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981)
Birthdate: January 19, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Gabtali Upazila, Bangladesh
Died: May 30, 1981
Ziaur Rahman was a Bangladeshi Army officer and politician. He served as the President of Bangladesh from 21 April 1977 to 30 May 1981. He played a major role in the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. Ziaur Rahman is also credited with founding the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
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Tamim Iqbal(Bangladeshi Cricketer)
Birthdate: March 20, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
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Mashrafe Mortaza(Bangladeshi Politician and Former International Cricketer)
Birthdate: October 5, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Narail, Khulna, Bangladesh
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
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Mustafizur Rahman(Bangladeshi International Cricketer)
Birthdate: September 6, 1995
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Satkhira, Bangladesh
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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Md. Abdul Hamid
Birthdate: January 1, 1944
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mithamain Upazila
Md. Abdul Hamid is a Bangladeshi politician and the current President of Bangladesh. Hamid, who was sworn in as the president in 2013, is the longest serving Bangladeshi president. From 2009 to 2013, he was the speaker of the National Parliament.
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Humayun Ahmed(One of the Most Influential Writers in Bangladesh History)
Birthdate: November 13, 1948
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Netrokona District, Bangladesh
Died: July 19, 2012
Bangladeshi novelist and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed boasted of a PhD in polymer chemistry and had even taught at the University of Dhaka. His mostly depicted the struggle of the middle-class through his works. His films such as Aguner Poroshmoni won him multiple National Film Awards. He died battling colon cancer.
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Tahsan Rahman Khan(Singer)
Birthdate: October 18, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tahsan Rahman Khan is a Bangladeshi model, actor, singer, composer, and songwriter. He also serves as a professor at BRAC University in Dhaka. He is credited with composing Alo Alo, which has become one of the most famous songs in Bangladesh. A multi-talented personality, Tahsan Rahman Khan has also appeared as a judge at popular events like Miss Universe Bangladesh.
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Salman Shah(Actor)
Birthdate: September 19, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Zakiganj, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Died: September 6, 1996
Bangladeshi actor Salman Shah started his career with the film Keyamat Theke Keyamat, a remake of the hit Indian film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. His mysterious death at the early age of 24 was initially suspected to be a murder but was later ruled as a suicide.
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Mohammad Ashraful(Bangladeshi Cricketer)
Birthdate: July 7, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
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Liton Das(Bangladeshi Cricketer)
Birthdate: October 13, 1994
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dinajpur, Bangladesh
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
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Chanchal Chowdhury(Actor)
Birthdate: June 1, 1974
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pabna, Bangladesh
Bangladeshi actor Chanchal Chowdhury began his acting career with theater, joining the Aranyak Natyadal, though his parents wanted him to be an engineer. The 2-time Bangladesh National Film Award winner has been appreciated for his performances in films such as Moner Manush, Aynabaji, and Monpura.
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Lalon(Prominent Bengali Philosopher Regarded as an Icon of Bengali Culture)
Birthdate: October 17, 1774
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Jhenaidah District, Bangladesh
Died: October 17, 1890
Lalon, also known as Lalon Fakir, or Lalon Shah, was an iconic Baul saint, considered a symbol of Bengali culture. Since his poems and songs belonged to the oral tradition, they weren’t published during his lifetime. Eventually, Rabindranath Tagore published about 200 songs from one of Lalon’s manuscripts.
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Mosharraf Karim(Bangladeshi Film and Television Actor)
Birthdate: August 22, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
A much-acclaimed veteran Bangladeshi actor, Mosharraf Karim began his career on stage as an eighteen year old boy, before debuting on television and films. Since then, he has been appearing in numerous film and television productions, bagging several best actor awards for his performances.
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Allauddin Khan(One of the Most Notable Music Teachers of the 20th Century in Indian Classical Music)
Birthdate: October 8, 1862
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Nabinagar, Bangladesh
Died: September 6, 1972
Allauddin Khan was an Indian multi-instrumentalist and composer best remembered as a sarod player. He was also one of the 20th century's most notable music teachers in Indian classical music. Allauddin Khan was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for his immense contribution to Indian music.
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Ayub Bachchu(Guitarist)
Birthdate: August 16, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Died: October 18, 2018
Ayub Bachchu was a Bangladeshi singer, songwriter, guitarist, and composer. A rockstar, Bachchu is credited with founding one of the most popular and successful Bangladeshi bands of all time, Love Runs Blind. A pioneer of Bangladeshi Pop music, Bachchu is also counted among the greatest Bangladeshi singers of all time. In 2017, he received the Tele Cine Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Bimal Roy(Film director)
Birthdate: July 12, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Died: January 8, 1966
Born in present-day Bangladesh, Bimal Roy rose to be one of the most legendary filmmakers of India. Known for films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Devdas, and Bandini, he had won 11 Filmfare Awards and 2 National Film Awards. He had future icons such as Gulzar and Hrishikesh Mukherjee as his assistants.
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M. A. Wazed Miah(Physicist)
Birthdate: February 16, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Pirganj, Bangladeshi
Died: May 9, 2009
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Shah Jalal(Sufi figure of Bengal)
Birthdate: May 12, 1271
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bangladesh
Died: March 15, 1346
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Manna(Bangladeshi Actor and Producer)
Birthdate: December 6, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tangail District, Bangladesh
Died: February 17, 2008
Bangladeshi actor Manna is also known as the Dhallywood Yuvraj and the Mahanayak of Dhaliwood. His role in the film Bir Soinik won him a National Film Award. He also headed the Bangladesh Film Actors Association as its general secretary. His film Ammajan remains one of the Bangladeshi film industry’s most successful films.
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Abdur Razzak(Actor)
Birthdate: January 23, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Naktala, South Kolkata India
Died: August 21, 2017
Legendary Bangladeshi actor Abdur Razzak, also known as Nayak Raj Razzak, is best remembered for his hit films such as Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo and Jibon Theke Neya. The 5-time Bangladeshi National Film Award winner was also the first Bangladeshi actor to be named a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.
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Muhammed Zafar Iqbal(Bangladeshi Science Fiction Author and Physicist Known for His Books: ‘Meku Kahini’ and ‘Copotronic Sukh Dukho’)
Birthdate: December 23, 1952
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal is a Bangladeshi author, physicist, activist, and academic. Iqbal is credited with introducing and popularizing science fiction novels and stories in the Bengali language. Over the years, he has won several prestigious literary awards, such as the Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award, Sheltech Literary Award, Uro Child Literary Award, and Md. Mudabber-Husne ara literary Award.
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Tarique Rahman(Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party)
Birthdate: November 20, 1967
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Karachi, Pakistan
Bangladeshi politician Tarique Rahman now heads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as its chairman. He is the son of Ziaur Rahman, former president of Bangladesh, and Begum Khaleda Zia, prime minister of Bangladesh. He fled to Britain after being convicted in the 2004 Dhaka terrorist grenade attack case.
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Shakib Khan(Bangladeshi Actor Who Won a Best Actor National Film Award for His Film, 'Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na')
Birthdate: March 28, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Shakib Khan, also known as the King of Dhallywood, or King Khan, is a Bangladeshi actor who first soared to fame with the film Anonto Bhalobasha and then established himself as the highest-paid Bangladeshi actor. His marriage to co-actor Apu Biswas was kept a secret for years.
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M. A. G. Osmani(Bangladeshi Military leader)
Birthdate: September 1, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sunamganj District, Bangladesh
Died: February 16, 1984
Birthdate: April 27, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Baniachong, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died: December 20, 2019
Fazle Hasan Abed was a Bangladeshi social worker credited with founding one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world, BRAC. For his significant contributions to social development, Abed was honored with many national and international awards, including the Laudato Si' Award and LEGO Prize. In 2014 and 2017, he was included in Fortune magazine's World's 50 Greatest Leaders list.
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Leepu Nizamuddin Awlia(Automotive designer)
Birthdate: October 1, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Ferdous Ahmed(Bangladeshi Film Actor and Producer)
Birthdate: June 7, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Titas Upazila, Bangladesh
Five-time Bangladesh National Film Award winner Ferdous Ahmed has been a successful actor in both the Bangladeshi and Indian Bengali film industry. He is known for hits such as Dada Thakur and Ek Cup Cha. He has also campaigned for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
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Hero Alom(Model)
Birthdate: January 20, 1985
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bogura, Bangladesh
A freelance music video model and actor, Hero Alom began his career as salesman, selling CDs and videos. Currently involved with satellite TV business, he started making music videos as a hobby and became popular. Concurrently, he also acts in films, mostly in side roles.
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Matiur Rahman(Military pilot)
Birthdate: October 29, 1941
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dhaka
Died: August 20, 1971
Despised as traitor in Pakistan and hailed as martyr in Bangladesh, Bangladesh-born Pakistani air force officer Matiur Rahman died while attempting to defect to Bangladesh with a Lockheed T-33 jet trainer during the Bangladesh Liberation War. For thirty-five years, his mortal remains lay buried in fourth-class-employees’ graveyard in Pakistan before it could be reburied with full military honor in Dhaka.
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Humayun Faridi(Actor)
Birthdate: May 29, 1952
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladeshi
Died: February 13, 2012
Bangladesh National Film Award winner Humayun Faridi had initially started studying organic chemistry but had to abandon his studies due to the Bangladesh Liberation War. Starting his acting career with theater, he later acted in series such as Songsoptok and Kothao Keu Nei, and films such as Din-Mojur.
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James(Singer)
Birthdate: October 2, 1964
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Naogaon, Bangladeshi
Bangladeshi singer-songwriter James, also known to his fans as Guru, is the lead vocalist of the rock band Nagar Baul. He has also performed Hindi tracks for films such as Life in a... Metro and Gangster. A talented photographer, he has also contributed to many of his album covers.
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Siam Ahmed(Actor)
Birthdate: March 29, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pirojpur District, Bangladesh
Bangladeshi actor Siam Ahmed began his career as an Airtel Bangladesh model. He later made his acting debut with the Bangladeshi telefilm Bhalobasha 101 and then soared to fame with films such as Bishwoshundori, winning the Bangladesh National Film Award. Educated in England, he is a qualified lawyer, too.
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Habib Wahid(Composer)
Birthdate: October 15, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Habib Wahid is a Bangladeshi singer and composer. He is best known for winning the Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Music Director category for his work in the 2011 film Projapoti: The Mysterious Bird. Habib Wahid has also received five Meril Prothom Alo Awards under the Best Singer category so far.
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Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah(Poet)
Birthdate: October 16, 1956
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Mongla, Bagerhat district, Bangladesh
Died: June 21, 1991
Award-winning Bangladeshi poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah began writing poems early in his life, publishing his first two collections long before he acquired his master’s degree from the University of Dhaka. Remembered for his revolutionary as well as romantic poems, he died of depression and substance abuse, leaving a suicide poem, Bhalo Achi Bhalo Theko, for his ex-wife Taslima Nasrin.
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Ziaul Faruq Apurba(Bangladeshi Model and Actor)
Birthdate: June 27, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tall and handsome, Ziaul Faruq Apurba is a very popular Bangladeshi actor, who has been appearing in numerous television drama series since 2006, starring in his only film in 2015. Known simply as Apurba, he is also a successful model and currently owns a production house, debuting as a director with a telefilm in 2012 through his own organization.
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Dino Shafeek(Bangladeshi-British Comedy Actor Known for His Role of 'Ali Nadim' in ITV Sitcom 'Mind Your Language')
Birthdate: March 21, 1930
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Died: March 10, 1984
Bangladeshi-British actor Dino Shafeek was trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later gained fame with his roles in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Mind Your Language. He has also been associated with several charities. He is best remembered for his iconic role of Chaiwallah Muhammad.
Birthdate: February 1, 1930
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dinhata
Died: July 14, 2019
Hussain Muhammad Ershad was a Bangladeshi politician and Army Chief. From 1983 to 1990, he served as the president of Bangladesh. After seizing power as head of the army in 1982, Ershad declared himself president the following year. His regime is widely regarded as an era of military dictatorship.
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Soumya Sarkar(Bangladeshi Cricketer)
Birthdate: February 25, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Satkhira, Bangladesh
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
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Afran Nisho(Model)
Birthdate: December 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tangail, Bangladesh
Bangladeshi TV actor Ahammed Fazle Rabbi better known as Afran Nisho, soared to fame with the TV series Jog Biyog. The Tangail-born actor had started his career as a model and later also appeared in web series such as Morichika and Beauty and the Bullet.
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Andrew Kishore(Singer)
Birthdate: November 4, 1955
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Died: July 6, 2020
Andrew Kishore was a Bangladeshi playback singer who sang over 15000 songs, including many iconic tracks such as Achhe Baki Olpo and Jiboner Golpo. One of the most popular and celebrated playback singers in the history of Bangladesh music industry, Andrew Kishore received the prestigious Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Male Playback Singer category on eight occasions.
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Shayan Chowdhury Arnob(Singer)
Birthdate: January 27, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Born to a musician and filmmaker father in Bangladesh, Shayan Chowdhury Arnob studied in Shantiniketan, where he also met his wife, Bengali singer Sahana Bajpaie. He is known for his signature blend of Rabindrasangeet, pop ballads, and folk songs. He has also sung for films such as Monpura.
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Mostofa Sarwar Farooki(Director)
Birthdate: May 2, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nakhalpara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is best known for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Television, Third Person Singular Number, and No Bed of Roses. He also launched a youth film movement named Chabial and is known for merging realism and escapism through his works.
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Alamgir(Actor)
Birthdate: April 3, 1954
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Known for his roles in films such as Ma O Chhele and Desh Premik, Bangladeshi actor Alamgir is also a 9-time winner of the Bangladesh National Film Award. Born to a film producer, he was no stranger to films as a child. He is also the husband of famed Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila.
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Zillur Rahman(14th President of Bangladesh)
Birthdate: March 9, 1929
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh
Died: March 20, 2013
Zillur Rahman was a Bangladeshi politician best remembered for his service as the President of Bangladesh from 12 February 2009 to 20 March 2013. He played an important role in the Bengali language movement and Bangladesh Liberation War before establishing himself as an influential politician. In 2013, Zillur Rahman became the third Bangladeshi president to die in office.
Prominent personalities like Jibananda Das, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdul Latif, Bimal Roy, Jagadish Chandra Bose who have greatly contributed in helping forward a glorified image of their country, call Bangladesh their home. And that isn’t all for we have world renowned Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunnus, national poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam, educationist and architect Abul Kashem, scientist and professor Maqsudul Alam and philanthropist Hazi Mohammad Mohsin all hailing from Bangladesh. With this section, go through the pages to find a comprehensive list of famous Bangladeshi men who left their footprint on the world map.
