Samson H Chowdhury’s 98th birth anniversary today
Ripon Dhiman Biswas
Today is the 98th birth anniversary of the country’s legendary entrepreneur Samson H Chowdhury.
He was one of the pioneers who worked for human welfare in Pabna region. He created a history through his work. He was born on September 25, 1925 in Aruakandi village of Gopalganj.
Samson started his studies in a mission school in Chandpur in 1930. He was the first child of his parents Dr. Yakub Hossain Chowdhury and Latika Chowdhury.
Yakub 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 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 Boarding 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 received a Diploma in Management from Harvard University School. He then joined the Indian Navy without the informing 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 hiked 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 Samuel Swapan Chowdhury, Tapan Chowdhury, Anjan Chowdhury and daughter 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 was elected as the President of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship in the year 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983-85 and also for the period of 1990-93.
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 established Square High School & College.
