With his death, the Pabna people lost their guardian while the country lost a brilliant entrepreneur and an asset to the nation, said speakers at a citizens' condolence meeting in Pabna in memory of Samson H Chowdhury, former chairman of Square Group.
Pabna Press Club organised the meeting at its auditorium on Thursday with its President Prof Shibojit Nag in the chair.
Leaders and activists of different social, political and cultural organisations of Pabna attended on the occasion.
“Samson H Chowdhury started his business venture on a small scale from a village in Pabna some 50 years ago, but today his business covers 40 countries around the world.
More than 35,000 families across the country are dependent on his Square Group, which is a great contribution to the country's social and economic development,” the speakers said.
“Although he (Samson) reached the topmost position in the country through his firm devotion to work, yet he never forgot his roots. He loved the people and contributed in many social projects besides his business for their real development,” they said, urging all to take inspiration from his life to lead the betterment of the nation.
Pointing out Samson's role in the War of Liberation, the speakers said, “He sought international help during the war through his dramatic description of the genocide, conducted by the Pakistan occupation army on the Bangalees, in his letter to the Christian community around the world."
He also sent his three sons to join the liberation war, they said.
“Using the spirit of the liberation war, he struggled to build the economic foundation of the country. He believed that the development of the private sector meant the economic development of the entire nation and thus spread out his business,” they added.
Establishing Square pharmaceuticals in Pabna town in 1958 with his three friends, Samson did not look back and his perfect leadership lead the Square Group to become one of the biggest corporate houses of the country.
Veteran AL leader Advocate Amzad Hossain, Pabna Bar Association President Advocate Abdul Matin Miah, Pabna Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice-President Mahabubul Alam Mukul, Pabna district BNP Vice-President Abdullah Al Mahamud Mannan, educationalist Prof Md Nurunnabi, Pabna Annoda Gobinda Public Library Secretary Abdul Matin Khan, columnist Ronesh Maitra, journalist Anwarul Haque and freedom fighter Robiul Islam Robi spoke on Samson's life and works.
Samson H Chowdhury died in Singapore on January 5 at the age of 89 due to old-age complications.