Mrs Runa Begum (Grandmother)
Educator
Mrs Runa Begum was born in January 1967 in the village of Kamdapur, Alinagar Union, Kamalganj Upazila, Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh. She comes from the renowned Mirashdar family of Kamdapur, a family widely respected for its longstanding contributions to education, community development, philanthropy, and social leadership.
Her grandfather was a distinguished Mirashdar and was known throughout the region as a fair-minded, principled, and highly respected community leader. The family’s legacy of public service was further strengthened by her father, the late Tajud Ali Mirashdar, who was one of the most influential and respected figures in the area. A successful businessman, landowner, and philanthropist, he dedicated much of his life to supporting educational, religious, and social initiatives.
The late Tajud Ali Mirashdar was widely recognised for his generosity and commitment to community welfare. Through resources generated from his brick manufacturing enterprise, Tajud Ali Brick Field, he provided both financial assistance and construction materials for the establishment of Kamdapur Government Primary School and the local mosque. In addition to his charitable work, he was highly regarded for his wisdom in community arbitration and was frequently called upon to resolve local disputes with fairness and integrity.
Mrs Runa Begum’s mother, the late Azizunnessa Begum, was equally devoted to community service and charitable causes. Although she was a homemaker, she played an active role in supporting her husband’s business ventures, philanthropic activities, and community projects.
Growing up in such an environment, Mrs Runa Begum inherited the values of compassion, generosity, social responsibility, and a profound belief in the transformative power of education. These principles have guided her throughout her life and inspired her own contributions to educational and community development. Following in the footsteps of her parents and ancestors, Mrs Runa Begum has remained deeply committed to supporting educational initiatives and empowering future generations.
One of her most significant contributions was land donation towards the establishment and development of Tawhidul Islam Chowdhury Girls’ High School, a landmark project dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for girls in rural Bangladesh. This generous contribution reflects her unwavering belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for social progress, empowerment, and long-term community development. Today, Mrs Runa Begum is recognised for her dedication to education, community welfare, and charitable service, which continues to inspire countless individuals and serves as a shining example of how one family’s commitment to public service can create a lasting impact on society.
Her early education began at Gokulnagar Government Primary School. From a young age, she displayed a natural curiosity for learning and earned the admiration of both her teachers and classmates for her commitment to academic excellence. In 1983, she completed her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in the Science Group from A.A.T.M. Bohumukhi High School. Excelling in science and pursuing the subject reflects both her academic ability and determination to challenge conventional expectations. She continued her studies at Kamalganj Government College, where she completed her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in 1985.
Runa Begum’s success at this stage further strengthened her aspiration to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to society through knowledge and learning. One of the most significant milestones in her life came in 1987, when she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree from the University of Chittagong. Mrs Runa Begum’s accomplishment served as an inspiration to many young women and families within her community.
Recognising the importance of professional development in education, she later pursued formal teacher training and completed her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Dhaka Teachers’ Training College in 1998. This qualification marked a new chapter in her professional life, equipping her with advanced pedagogical knowledge and practical teaching skills. The B.Ed programme enhanced her ability to nurture young minds and strengthened her commitment to educational excellence.
Mrs Runa Begum was actively involved in a wide range of extracurricular and cultural activities. She was a talented participant in poetry recitation, sports, debating competitions, and drama performances, demonstrating both creativity and leadership. Her enthusiasm and achievements in these fields earned her numerous awards and recognitions at Upazila and District levels, highlighting her well-rounded character and ability to excel beyond the classroom.
Mrs Runa Begum began her teaching career in 1991 when she joined Kamalganj Bohumukhi Girls’ High School as a teacher. Over the years, she established herself as a dedicated educator, mentor, and leader whose commitment to academic excellence and student development earned the respect of colleagues, students, and the wider community.
From serving as a classroom teacher to becoming a Senior Teacher, she eventually rose to the position of Deputy Headteacher, a role in which she played a significant part in shaping the academic and administrative success of the institution. Many of her former students have gone on to achieve success in various professions both nationally and internationally, serving in education, healthcare, government service, business, engineering, and other fields. Their accomplishments stand as a testament to her dedication and lasting influence as an educator.
Mrs Runa Begum’s outstanding contributions to education and youth development have been recognised through several prestigious honours. In 2004, she was awarded the title of Best Girls’ Guide Leader of Kamalganj Upazila in recognition of her exceptional commitment to the Girls’ Guiding movement. Through this role, she encouraged young girls to develop leadership skills, self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and community awareness.
Her dedication helped many students gain valuable life skills and become active contributors to society. In 2018, Mrs Begum received the prestigious award of Best Girls’ Guide Teacher at District Level, recognising her long-standing contribution to youth development, student leadership, and extracurricular education. This honour reflected her ability to inspire young people both inside and outside the classroom and highlighted her commitment to empowering girls through education and personal development.
Mrs Begum actively participated in numerous government-led educational initiatives, seminars, training programmes, workshops, and policy implementation activities. In addition to her educational responsibilities, she also served in various official capacities during national and local elections, undertaking important civic duties with integrity, professionalism, and impartiality. Her participation in these responsibilities demonstrated her broader commitment to public service and community engagement.
With more than three decades of dedicated service to education, Mrs Runa Begum has left a lasting impact on countless students, teachers, and educational institutions. Today, she is widely respected not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her dedication to nurturing future generations and advancing the cause of education. Her life’s work stands as an inspiring example of how one committed teacher can transform lives and strengthen communities through the power of education.
She has dedicated significant personal resources to ensuring that children, regardless of their financial circumstances, have access to quality education. Among her greatest acts of generosity is the donation of land, which she received as part of her marriage settlement (Kabin), for the establishment of Tawhidul Islam Chowdhury Girls’ High School. The school was founded to ensure that no girl is deprived of education because of poverty or social barriers. Significantly, the institution operates on a completely free-of-charge basis, making it a unique and impactful educational initiative within the region. Through her leadership and support, the school continues to provide access to education for students who might otherwise have been unable to continue their studies.
Mrs Begum personally supports many of the school’s operational and student-related expenses, including the provision of school uniforms, bags, textbooks, exercise books, educational materials, and registration fees. By removing these financial barriers, she has enabled countless students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their education with dignity and confidence. As a result, her initiative has become a powerful example of educational philanthropy and community-led development, inspiring others to invest in the future of young people through education.
The establishment and continued support of Tawhidul Islam Chowdhury Girls’ High School stands today as a lasting legacy of her dedication to social responsibility and educational equality. It has become a beacon of hope for many families and a model for community-driven educational development.
Mrs Runa Begum was born into a respected and accomplished family and is the fourth among her siblings. Her eldest brother spent many years successfully engaged in business in Singapore, while her second brother served with distinction as the Headteacher of a secondary school, contributing significantly to educational development. Her younger brother is currently an entrepreneur based in London, continuing the family’s tradition of professional achievement and community involvement.
Mrs Runa Begum has instilled the same commitment to education and excellence in her own children, who have achieved notable academic success. Her eldest son, Hasan Chowdhury, is deeply engaged in voluntary and civic service and served as the chair of a charity, governor of a school in London and established institutions, including founding Tawhidul Islam Chowdhury Girls’ High School.
Her son, Ahsan Kabir Chowdhury (Ripon), completed a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Dhaka, one of Bangladesh’s most prestigious universities. Following his studies, he served as a Senior Officer at Janata Bank, one of the country’s leading state-owned financial institutions. He later pursued an international career and is currently employed as a Habilitation Specialist in New York City, United States, where he continues to contribute professionally while maintaining strong ties to his heritage and community values.
Her only daughter, Chowdhury Tanjia Islam (Moon), demonstrated exceptional academic ability from an early age. She achieved a GPA 5 in both her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, reflecting her dedication and academic excellence. She is currently pursuing higher education in London, continuing the family’s strong educational tradition and commitment to personal development.
At present, Mrs Runa Begum is looking after the institutions that her husband has left and helping the community as a guardian. She is still teaching as the Deputy Head of Kamalgonj Bohumukhi Girls High School.
