News Archive

‘A plant is easily a plant, an animal is easily an animal, but a human being has to try with all his might to become truly human’, Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelley, eminent educationist, said in the Quantum Open Discussion session last Wednesday, quoting the famous Bangla poem.

‘God has given human beings infinite potential and has entrusted us to put it into good use’, he said. The purpose of human life is to become truly human by developing our potential and by winning the battle between good and evil that takes place within all of us.

Yet, in our national and personal lives, we have lost track of this great mission, he said. ‘If you don’t know where you want to go, any road will take you there’ he said, quoting the famous line from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

In the recent years, we have tried to amass wealth, power and position in whatever way we can, leading to disastrous consequences. Had we been more conscious about our value and ultimate destination, this wouldn’t have been our fate today, he said.

‘I believe the objective of Quantum Foundation is the complete development of latent strengths’ Dr. Shelley said. ‘People fail when they want to fail’, he said. ‘So, we should always think and wish positively. And I am convinced that Quantum Foundation has taken the right initiatives in this regard’

The speech, rich with humor, literary quotes, and personal stories, was enjoyed by everyone present.

‘I don’t really consider myself a successful person’ Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury said in the beginning of his speech at Quantum Open Ideas session on November 28th. But the story he told later showed he is the very epitome of success. The inquisitive and energetic son of a successful engineer, who read everything he could get his hands on and participated in almost every kind of sport, grew up to lead the biggest engineering projects in the country. Dr. Choudhury was involved with the Zamuna Bridge, the Cyclone Shelter Project, BUET’s Computer Center, Math Olympiad, and numerous other things, in addition to his roles as Professor in BUET, Information and Technology Advisor to the caretaker government of 96, and Vice Chancellor of BRAC University.

What are the qualities that take a man to such great heights? In his own words: sincerity. ‘I did everything as sincerely as I could.’ That, and optimism. He never backed down from a challenge. But most importantly, patriotism. Despite the temptations of a comfortable life in USA or Australia, he decided to come back. ‘My friends who live abroad often ask me if I have job satisfaction here’, he says, ‘I tell them I would never have had the chance to be a part of so many interesting projects if I had been abroad.’ ‘There is no lack of talent in this country’ he adds. ‘But there is not enough opportunity to develop it. We always look for a donor. But with the kind of guidance Quantum is providing, many people will gain the confidence to develop their talents and build the Bangladesh of our dreams.’ Amen to that!

Acharya Dr. Paresh Chandra Mandal

On Tuesday, September 4, millions of people around the world celebrated “Janmastami”- the anniversary of the arrival of Sri Krishna on earth. Keeping this in mind, Acharya Dr. Paresh Chandra Mandal, veteran Professor of the Department of Pali, Sankskrit and Comparative Religion in Dhaka University, and well-known for hosting the popular BTV program ‘Pobitra Geetapath’  (Verses from the Geeta), related the story of the birth of Sri Kirshna on Wednesday’s Open Ideas session. With colorful characters, interesting twists and turns and subtle humor, the whole discussion was mesmerizing. Yet through the ups and downs came a message that is simple and eternal. Just as we have a desire to be close to our Creator, He has an ardent desire to come closer to us. This is no different from the message in Islam or other religions. For example, Allah has said in the Quran that, “If you take one step towards Me, I will take ten steps towards you.” So those of us who think that the path to the Almighty is laid with thorns, should think again, because He can make it easier for us whenever he wishes.