By Special Correspondent | Habiganj

A decade ago, the northeastern district of Habiganj was recognized solely for its serene hills and lush tea gardens. Tourists visited to experience the greenery of Rema-Kalenga or Satchari. However, in recent years, a new crown has been placed upon the district: "The Fertile Ground for Science." The visionary behind this silent revolution is a young dreamer, Md. Mushahid Miah (Md. Mushahid Majumdar), whose movement began in a remote village in Shaistaganj and has now ignited a spark across the nation.

From 11 to 27,000: The Growth of a Giant

The journey began in 2017. Mushahid, then a student at Daffodil International University, had a childhood obsession with creating something new from discarded materials. However, while attending national science fairs, he noticed a disappointing trend: students were merely copying projects from YouTube to participate, with no real engagement left once the fair ended.

Driven by a determination to break this "culture of imitation," Mushahid founded the "Udavboni Biggan Club,Habiganj  (Innovation Science Club,Habiganj) on January 3, 2019, with just 11 friends. The mission was clear: to spread fundamental scientific thinking among grassroots students. Despite initial skepticism from society, Mushahid persevered. Today, the club’s membership has surpassed 27,000, with activities spanning over 233 educational institutions nationwide.

Building a Complete Ecosystem

Mushahid realized that inspiring interest in science wasn't enough; students needed proper training and access to components. To address this, he built a comprehensive "Innovation Ecosystem":

• Skill Training: Through the Shaistaganj Skill Development Institute, Robotics Academy, and Orjon IT Center, he is preparing the youth to face the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

• Technical Support: To ensure remote innovators have access to hardware, he launched e-commerce platforms like Robotics Shop BD and Udavboni IT Ltd.

• Media & Inspiration: To showcase the success stories of young talents, he publishes "Daily Durbar" and "Oddommo Magazine."

From a raw idea to training, procurement of parts, and final promotion—the entire solution for an innovator is now available right in Habiganj.

National and International Recognition

The impact of his work is evident. Members of his club have won more than 27 awards in various competitions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The name "Habiganj" has repeatedly echoed in national and international arenas. For his extraordinary contribution, Mushahid himself was honored with the "National Youth Award 2023."

A Vision for a "Smart Bangladesh"

Mushahid Majumdar believes that original innovation, not imitation, will be the strength of Bangladesh. "I wanted to create an environment where a young person’s dream would face no barriers. If Habiganj can do it, every district in Bangladesh can," he remarked.

Today, as young scientists play with robots amidst the tea gardens of Habiganj, they carry the dream of conquering the world. Standing as their lighthouse is Md. Mushahid Miah—a living testament that one individual’s noble dream is enough to redefine the identity of an entire region.