Hadi’s Extensive Youth Career Plan Revealed Days Before His Death

Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi nurtured a unique and long-term dream for building careers of students. Just one day before being shot, on 8 December, he outlined a detailed plan on youth future, employment crisis, BCS-centric social system and necessity of creating entrepreneurs in an interview given to a private media outlet of the country.

In the interview, Sharif Osman Hadi said he currently wants to work on several issues, one of which is career planning for youth of the country. He said if research is conducted on students of almost all universities in Bangladesh, it will be seen that most students even in second year, third year or final year of honours do not know what they will do after completing honours. He described this situation as extremely disappointing.

Hadi said in Bangladesh practically only one target has been created: BCS. About five lakh students apply every year, yet only two thousand to two thousand two hundred are taken. This wastes four to five years. Explaining why this obsession with BCS, he said initial salary of a ninth grade cadre officer is 26 to 27 thousand taka, maximum 40 to 45 thousand taka if he does not take bribe, does not earn haram.

He said even assuming administration cadre or police cadre, salary 50 thousand, adding meeting etc. about 60 thousand taka. Yet there are countless private jobs in Bangladesh where respectable salary of more than one lakh taka is available. Despite this, why youth waste five years running after BCS, many commit suicide failing to become cadre: as reason behind this, he highlighted reality of last 15 years.

Hadi said in this time in Bangladesh, if there is one police cadre in a family, that family remains safe from dangers like disappearance, murder or crossfire. If there is one administration, tax or customs cadre in a family, such incidents do not happen with them. Even to lodge GD at police station, if there is no cadre relative, in many cases it cannot be done, he commented.

He further said now the new fight is: no matter which political party you belong to, even if supporter of ruling party, whether you can lodge case or GD at police station if injustice happens. He claimed if BCS administration, police, tax or customs cadre cannot eat even one paisa haram, then in future no one will want to take BCS exam. Because wearing 90 thousand taka watch with 45 thousand taka salary, DUDOK will ask where the watch came from. Then living will not be possible.

In this reality, as solution he emphasised creating entrepreneurs. Hadi said all governments in Bangladesh have said throughout life: become entrepreneurs. But in reality, even applying in bank with 50 thousand taka for five lakh taka loan, one faces bribe and complicated process. If go through number two path, all approvals are obtained, but through proper path, taking initiative is not possible.

In this context, outlining his own plan, Sharif Osman Hadi said his fight is to give skill-based training to at least five thousand youth. His target was to bring honours studying students of all private universities in the country starting from Dhaka University under this training.

Hadi said he has already talked to at least 10 institutes, who have assured cooperation in this initiative.

Hadi said the training will include language education: English, Arabic, French, three UN languages and Chinese. He said China is a big market, there is huge demand for Spanish and French in Europe. Arabic language has been limited only to religious studies in Bangladesh, yet knowing the language opens vast employment opportunities in entire Middle East. Due to not knowing language, many Bangladeshis cannot earn well there, he commented.

Mentioning his own experience, Hadi said he himself has taught English language to students of various universities in Bangladesh for 10 years. He planned to give training himself, build team and provide training in various languages. Alongside, giving various vocational training centred on ICT, students will get a guideline for future planning even while studying honours, he said.

He further said already 10 institutions in Bangladesh have contacted hearing this plan and promised free assistance if the initiative starts. Alongside empowering youth, he also mentioned stopping extortion at any end of Dhaka. Not knowing if big syndicate can be completely stopped, he commented he can certainly do at least two works.

For context, on 12 December afternoon, miscreants shot Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in the head in Box Culvert Road of old Paltan in Dhaka. He was convener of Inqilab Moncho and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency.

Critically injured Osman Hadi was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later at Evercare Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was taken to Singapore by air ambulance on 15 December for advanced treatment. He died there while undergoing treatment last Thursday.

On Friday evening, his body was brought to the country.

Later, around 3:30 pm on Saturday afternoon, Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was buried beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam next to the Central Jame Mosque of Dhaka University. He was buried beside the national poet.

Earlier, Hadi's janaza was held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Thousands of people from various classes and professions across the country attended the janaza held at 2:33 pm. After janaza, the vehicle carrying Hadi's body was brought to the Central Mosque area of Dhaka University around 3 pm.

Hadi's janaza namaz was led by his elder brother Abu Bakr Siddique. A mournful atmosphere prevailed in the entire area at that time.