Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to Lead Bangladesh Interim Government

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Appointed Chief Adviser to Bangladesh Interim Government

In a significant political development, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government. This decision was made during a crucial meeting chaired by Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The announcement follows the resignation and subsequent departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the country.

Yunus, renowned globally as the ‘banker to the poor’ for his efforts in alleviating poverty, was the top choice of the protesting students to lead the interim government. His selection marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

The decision to appoint Yunus was made during a meeting that included key student leaders from the quota agitation movement and the chiefs of the three armed forces. The student leaders expressed their confidence that Yunus’s leadership would bring positive changes and stability to the interim government. They have proposed a list of 10-14 prominent individuals to join the interim government.

At 83 years old, Yunus was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work with the Grameen Bank, which helped lift millions out of poverty. Despite his prestigious achievements, Yunus has had a contentious history with Sheikh Hasina’s administration, including facing over 190 legal charges and being forced out of his role as managing director of Grameen Bank due to age-related retirement policies.

The student-led movement, which played a crucial role in the recent political upheaval, had strongly advocated for Yunus’s leadership. Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the movement, confirmed Yunus’s willingness to assume the role given the current national crisis. Islam stated, “We have decided that an interim government will be formed in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, will be the chief adviser.”

Muhammad Yunus, born in 1940 in Chittagong, Bangladesh, studied at Dhaka University before earning a degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in the United States. His groundbreaking work with Grameen Bank has earned him international acclaim and respect.

Despite his accolades, Yunus has faced legal challenges, including convictions related to labor law violations. Nonetheless, his appointment marks a hopeful turn in Bangladesh’s turbulent political situation, promising a new chapter under his esteemed guidance.