Anwar Hossain Manju

Anwar Hossain Manju was born on January 1, 1946 in what is now the Pirojpur District of Bangladesh. Hossain has served a lifetime of positions in the government of Bangladesh. He was the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resource of Bangladesh from 1985 to 1988 under Hossain Mohammad Ershad. As Energy Minister, Hossain's achievements include the augmentation of energy generation from 700 to 2,500 megawatts, and the launching of the major public works project of the Jamuna Bridge. Hossain acquired the cooperation and appreciation of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other donors (including France, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain) to successfully implement the allotted amount of aid given to the country. Hossain then served as Minister of Communications (1988–1990) for Ershad's government.

Hossain was a vocal opponent of Ershad's introduction of religious references to the Constitution of Bangladesh. He objected to the declaration of Islam as the state religion of Bangladesh and warned that such an assault on secularism constitutes a slippery slope that would erode Bangladesh's successes as a progressive society.

From 1996 to 2001, Hossain served as Minister of Communications (1996–2001) in Sheikh Hasina's government. Hossain negotiated Jatiya Party's extension of support to Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, to form a national government. This Communications Ministry holds the public works portfolio. His achievements include the completion of Jamuna Bridge, a multipurpose bridge connecting 64-districts and 480 police stations (thanas) to its capital, Dhaka. As Communications Minister, Anwar Hossain laid the foundations for a complete road network, designed to reduce the number of ferry stops that were necessary to cross the river arteries of Bangladesh. He was also instrumental in laying the foundation for the first railway to travel from Bangladesh to Kolkata.

Hossain's public service also include positions in the Legislative Branch of Government. He served as Member of Parliament in Bangladesh for five consecutive terms. He was elected five times to Parliament in 1986, 1988, 1991, 1996, and 2001 to represent the Bhandaria-Kaukhali constituency in the district of Pirojpur in the National Parliament. The mandate of the last Parliament expired in 2006. Elections for the new Parliament are yet to be held.Prior to entering politics, Hossain was one of the most successful men in the media business of Bangladesh. He served as Editor and Publisher of the Daily Ittefaq from 1972 to 2007. The "Daily Ittefaq" is the first Bangla vernacular newspaper founded by Hossain's father, Tofazzel Hossain (Manik Mia).

Hossain is also Chairman of Jatiya Party (JP-Manju). Hossain led the faction of the Jatiya Party that rejected the 1994 decision of the Party leader Ershad to align the Party with Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP). He was a Presidium Member of Jatiya Party (1986–1994). Hossain was the Vice President of the Student League, which was the nationwide campus membership of Awami League during his tenure at University of Dhaka.

Hossain is also a businessman. His enterprise positions include Founder, the Aegis Holdings Group, a leader in diversified manufacturing and service interests in Bangladesh. Hossain is also Chairman of the Board, MAST Packaging Ltd. & Zenith Packaging Ltd., one of the most prominent packaging firms in Bangladesh with an international clientele including the [British American Tobacco Company] .

Hossain is a graduate of the University of Dhaka where he completed his Honors in Geography with Physics & Mathematics. He pursued further studies in International Relations at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Hossain is married and has 4 daughters and also has 4 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

References

* [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980614/16550534.html "Bridging Gaps". The Indian Express, June 14, 1998.]

* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9113735/BANGLADESH Encyclopedia Britannica Online]

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/businessline/2001/01/22/stories/142271b6.htm "Petrapole-Benapole rail link re-opens after 24 years" The Hindu, January 22, 2001.]

* [http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=289 "Awami League - Working out strategies" Probe News]