Old Victorians recall respected Principal Akhter Hamid Khan

The 100th birth anniversary of Akhter Hamid Khan,  ex-principal of Comilla Victoria College and the founder of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development was observed at CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka by the old Victorians (ex-students of Comilla Victoria College) and ex - Civil Service trainees at Comilla Academy on Friday 12th September 2014.
 It was organised by a celebration committee, obviously not to confine it in one evening just to get together but to take follow up steps to take fresh vow to brighten the light enkindled by Akhter Hamid Khan with his hard efforts. I set to write but could not proceed then as my health did not permit; now finishing the pending column to recall and express my feelings and experiences. I pray for salvation of his soul.
We were his students in 1950s, which left an imprint on our young minds, vivid in our memory that we still cherish. For me it was 1955-57 as an IA  (now called HSC) student when my elder sister was in the Degree class, passed away in 2011. My another sister Nazneen Jahan Begum read for four years for  IA and BA degree  and was  elected to the College Cabinet i.e. Students Union, two times. Of late, one of my college classmate ex-CSP Mr. Malek, retired Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh and Ambassador, rang me to reminiscence those years.  He would be writing an article as requested by an organiser of the celebration committee for publication of a souvenir on this occasion.
It was really exciting moment to recall our principal and teachers who kept our college life healthy in all respects, democratic culture and literary pursuits thriving, which are lacking for our children in post 1971 Bangladesh unfortunately. I told him there is no point to hide continuous campus terrorism, hot or cold, if we wish sustainable development which cannot be devoid of good moral character, equitable distribution of wealth and shared prosperity that we see around now in high rise buildings, new wealthy class and other physical infrastructures. On the other hand, there is rushing high and low classes as the case may be to leave this country, settle abroad or wage earners remittance from abroad. What all these will lead to!
In our college days we were all in good spirit beaming with life, spurred by sound educational environment and mother language movement. In all the departments there were devoted teachers ready to educate us, satisfy our thirst for knowledge smilingly. There were regular College Union annual elections, which as a matter of fact spread and deepened our friendship.
There were friendly contests that taught us democratic practice. We had two panels to contest: Democratic Students Front (DSF) and College Students League (CSL) in the annual run up in a very peaceful atmosphere that enabled us to learn the art of debate, speech in the meeting and express greetings and shaking hands. It instilled patriotic feeling for the people around, as if practical demonstration of what we learnt in the Civics class by our respected Prof Fazlul Karim and Prof Shamsul Abedin. We undertook flood relief activities, observed Ekushey February, and responded to the needs of the time; all in harmony with uninterrupted class attendance and sitting for exams on schedule.
One salient feature was the presentation of annual budget by elected College Union in a general meeting of the students presided over by the Principal. As usual different opinions and debate on items of budget generated heats among teenagers, which were controlled by our Principal as President. In one such meeting there were heats to the extent students were on feet and Mr. Akhter Hamid Khan lost his watch in the melee but found soon.
The shouts were heard from outside the campus, which prompted nearby Police officer to go to the office of the Principal to know if any assistance needed. Sir said NO and said teachers who cannot control his students but require outside help should not be teachers. That was the value prevailing then and Police used to regard the students as future leaders of the country. Our campus produced leaders for all spheres of life including politics and administration, development of different sectors.
Other important extra-curricular features that touched every student as per aptitude of each are cultural, literary and sports activities, which events were organised frequently by respective groups and attended by all. Students' organisations and separate cultural troupes apart from College Union held functions on different occasions befitting the same. We remember our teachers who so tirelessly moulded our lives with knowledge with the spirit of plain living and high thinking.
Principal Akhter Hamid Khan was an example before us who left British ICS job to serve as a teacher to uphold their rights, uplift their socio-economic status and spread the light of education. He involved himself in improving the lot of commoners; started experiments on cooperatives, rural works, adult education and family planning as his time permitted. Finally founding Comilla Academy for Rural Development, he became its Director, he handed over charge of Principal to his successor who carried forward the campus in its traditional glory. Now let the new generation of leaders in all spheres, particularly old victorians and ex trainees of Commilla Academy investigate and do the needful.
Principal Akhter Hamid Khan developed two-tier cooperatives: Primary units and Central Thana level, and implemented successfully in the field personally, which was acclaimed near and far. His personal honesty showed others how to work, many of his students got jobs in the Academy to follow suit. It was ungratefulness that our authorities could not appreciate his contributions, could not honour him to stay in Bangladesh as its citizen. Old victorians made an effort to bring him back to Comilla from Karachi. That could not be finalised though some of his students were in Government then. Be that as it may, he is in our hearts wish his soul rest in peace and next generations follow his ideals.

The writer is an economist, advocate and columnist,
email: [email protected]