R. A. Gani

Dr. R. A. Ghani (1927 – 15 January 2016) was a Bangladeshi engineer, philanthropist & politician. He was a member of the Jatiya Sangsad. He also served as the state minister of Ministry of Science and Technology.[1]

Dr R. A. Ghani D.Sc
Member of Parliament
for Rangpur-19
In office
2 April 1979 – 24 March 1982
Preceded byMohammad Lutfor Rahman
Succeeded byConstituency Dissolved
Personal details
Born1927
Bosniapara, Sadullapur, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died15 January 2016 (aged 89)
Square Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dr R A Ghani in 2008 Dhaka

Biography

Abu Faizi Mohammad Roushan Alam Ghani alias Dr R. A. Ghani was born on 1927 at Bosniapara in Sadullapur of Gaibandha.[2] He completed matriculation from Gaibandha Local Boys' School.[3] Later, he completed higher secondary studies from Kolkata Presidency College.[2]

In 1947 after the British rule ended surveyor Ghani transported official map documentation on the train with Khawaja Nazimuddin from Kolkata to Dhaka. Same year Dhaka became the capital of East Bengal.

He completed graduation from Ahsanullah Engineering College now BUET in Civil engineering in 1952. During this time student leader Ghani took part in the Language Movement.

Dr R A Ghani early 1970’s

In 1953 Dr. Ghani founded Brixton & Brixton Ltd (now GBL - Ganibangla Ltd) the oldest consulting engineering firm in Bangladesh.[2] Last notable consultancy was DAP - Detailed Area Plan for Dhaka City

He completed MS from University of California, Berkeley in 1963.[3] He studied application of pre-stressed concrete with famous professor & pioneering structural engineer T Y Lin. His hydraulics professor was Hans Albert Einstein son of Albert Einstein.

He received Doctor of Science D.Sc Degree from University of Washington.[2] Saint Louise Missouri USA. His theory “Shakedown Design of Engineering Structures” was subsequently used for nuclear submarine hull design.

In the 1960’s young engineer Dr Ghani worked at The Bethlehem Steel Corporation Pennsylvania, USA. He was involved with safety systems design of R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant Rochester NY USA.

An avid golfer Dr Ghani won a County Golf Championship Tournament in the US

In 1969, Dr Ghani returned back. He took part in the Liberation War of Bangladesh.[3]

44 Years in Rotary - Rtn. PP Dr R. A. Ghani PHF joined Rotary in 1972. He was the Charter President of Rotary Club of Dhaka Midtown (1978). He was President for three terms(1977-80, 1982-83). RI President Jack Davis accompanied by his wife Doris came to Bangladesh for the installation ceremony of Rotary Club of Dhaka Midtown in 1978.

Dr. Ghani was elected as a member of the Jatiya Sangsad from Rangpur-19 in 1979.[4] He was appointed as the state minister of Ministry of Science and Technology. He was instrumental in creation of the first National Science & Technology Policy of Bangladesh.

Dr. Ghani headed many delegations to UN - UNDP, GATT, TCDPAP, ASPAC, ESCAP, Group of 77. He had unique opportunity to preside over a plenary session of UN conference on Science & Technology for Development' in Vienna Austria

He was a Director of Bangladesh Bank. He was the Founder Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prime Bank Ltd. a private sector bank in Bangladesh. He took keen interest in developing local software talents’ and transform Bangladesh banking through software automation.

He was the principal patron to R A Gani School & College, Gaibandha

Dr. Ghani was married to Mrs. Hosne Ara Ghani.[5] They had three daughters & a son.[2]

He died on 15 January 2016 at Square Hospital in Dhaka the age of 89.[6]

References
  1. "ড. আর এ গনি আর নেই". Desh TV (in Bengali). 15 January 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. "আর এ গণির জানাজা হবে ধানমন্ডি ও নয়াপল্টনে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 January 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  3. "ড. আর এ গণির দাফন সম্পন্ন". Samakal (in Bengali). 16 January 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. "List of 2nd Parliament Members" (PDF). Jatiya Sangsad (in Bengali). Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  5. "বিএনপির নেতা আর এ গনির স্ত্রী আর নেই". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 3 September 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  6. "চলে গেলেন বিএনপি নেতা ড. আর এ গনি". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 15 January 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
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