Matia Chowdhury
Matia Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
মতিয়া চৌধুরী | |
 Chowdhury in 2013 | |
| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 7 January 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Abdur Razzaque |
| Member of the Bangladesh Parliament | |
| Assumed office 25 January 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Zahed Ali |
| Constituency | Sherpur-2 |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 13 July 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Abdus Salam |
| Succeeded by | Zahed Ali |
| Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League | |
| Assumed office 21 December 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1942 Pirojpur, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Nationality | British Indian (1942–1947) Pakistani (1947–1971) Bangladeshi (1971–Present) |
| Political party | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Spouse | Bazlur Rahman |
| Education | University of Dhaka |
| Occupation | Politician |
Matia Chowdhury (born 30 June 1942)[1] is a Bangladeshi politician serving as the incumbent Deputy Leader of the House,[2] and the incumbent Member of Parliament from Sherpur-2.[3] She was the Minister of Agriculture under the first, second and third premiership of Sheikh Hasina,[4][5] from 1996 to 2001 and then again on 2009 to 2019 during the previous tenures of Bangladesh Awami League in power.[6] She is known as a veteran politician from the Awami League, and currently a presidium member of the party.[7]
Early life and education
Chowdhury was born on 30 June 1942 at Nazirpur of Pirojpur District. Her father, Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, was a police officer. She passed HSC from Dhaka Eden College. She later graduated from University of Dhaka.
Political career
Chowdhury started her political career from her student life. She actively participated in the movement against the Ayub regime and the movement against the Education Commission of 1962. She was elected the Vice-President of Dhaka Eden Girls College Students’ Union in 1963 and the General Secretary of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) in 1964–65. Chowdhury is well known[according to whom?] in South Asia for her fiery speeches and her adamant attitude, qualities that have earned her the nickname of Ogni Konna or Girl of Fire.[8] Although she started her political career with the left-wing National Awami Party, she is now one of the most senior leaders of the Awami League.[9][10] She was the president of the then East Pakistan Students’ Union in 1965–66. Between 1967 and 1969 time and again she was organizing anti Ayub movement and was detained in jail for about 2 years. She was released from jail during the mass upsurge of 1969.[11]
Personal life
Chowdhury was married to Bazlur Rahman, editor of The Sangbad, one of the oldest Bengali-language dailies still in circulation, who died on 26 February 2008.[12]
References
- ^ "Constituency 144_11th_En". Bangladesh Parliament. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "Matia Chowdhury becomes deputy leader of parliament". Dhaka Tribune. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "List of 11th Parliament Members". Bangladesh Parliament. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ "SAARC agricultural cooperation gets new momentum: Bangladesh Minister Matia". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "$4.8 million USAID grant to strengthen biotechnology partnership, food security in South". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Hon'ble-Ministers". Cabinet Division - Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Motia Chowdhury queues to buy rice". e-Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- ^ লাগাম টেনে কথা বলবেন, বিশ্বব্যাংককে মতিয়া চৌধুরী [Talking about the twist, Matia Chowdhury told the World Bank]. Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 2015-06-07. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Reject pro-Pakistani line of thinking: HT Imam tells BNP". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Prime minister, Awami League leaders pay homage to Bangabandhu". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Press Information Department (PID), Government of Bangladesh". pressinform.portal.gov.bd. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ "Sangbad editor Bazlur Rahman dies". www.independent-bangladesh.com. Retrieved 10 April 2016.