Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy is a reputed military officer in Bangladesh Army. He is a legendary figure in Bangladesh for his leading role in the rescue operations in Rana Plaza Collapse on 24 April 2013 in the Savar sub district of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Tazreen Fashion Factory fire on 24 November 2012 in Ashulia on the outskirts of Dhaka. He was also the architect of two Guinness World Record making events of Bangladesh; ‘Largest Human Flag on 16 December 2013’ and “Most People Singing National Anthem Simultaneously” in 26 March 2014. He is now a lieutenant General in Bangladesh Army.
Early Life
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy was born in an elite family (Zamidar Dynasty) of Sandwip on 01 June 1960. His father Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury and mother Begum Noor Jahan had a daughter and four sons. He is the 2nd amongst them. He grew up to teenage and completed his elementary education in the natural environment of Sandwip, which is an island in the Bay of Bengal. Simplicity of the Inhabitants and the flora and fauna of the island have influenced the spiritual development of Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy. In the middle of the luxury, wealth and plentiness of his childhood, a coastal erosion took away most of the lands and even the residence of his family during his early teenage. Then the family shifted to their new house in Rangunia, a sub district in Chittagong. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy then shifted to the famous Bindu Basini Govt. Boys' High School in Tangail and completed Secondary School Certificate. He accomplished Higher Secondary Certificate from Dhaka College.
Army Life
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on 15 June 1980 with 2nd BMA Long Course. 6 East Bengal, one of the pioneer units of Bangladesh Army is his parent unit. He has a versatile military career. He commanded Infantry Battalion, Rifles Battalion, Rifles Sector, Infantry Brigade, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, Special Security Forces, Dhaka Logistics Area, Infantry Division and Army Training and Doctrine Command. He was also the Vice Chancellor in Bangladesh University of Professionals, a leading public University of Bangladesh. Besides, he performed duties in important appointments both at Division and Army Headquarters. He served as Battalion Commander in Bangladesh Military Academy, Director Operations in Border Guard Bangladesh and Director Military Intelligence Directorate, Army Headquarters. He was the Founding Member and Chief Instructor in Non Commissioned Officers’ Academy of Bangladesh Army. He was also the Founding Member and Pioneer Senior Instructor and Chief Instructor in Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (BIPSOT). He served as instructor in Switzerland, United States and Nepal to conduct training on United Nations affairs. He also served in Mozambique as United Nations Military Observer and Chief of Operations of Bangladesh Contingent in Sierra Leone. At present he is the Commandant of National Defence College, which is the highest educational institute of the Armed Forces for the top ranking political, military, civil and private sector personnel of Bangladesh.
Education
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy is a graduate both from Defence Services Command and Staff College and National Defence College. He also obtained LLB, Master’s degree in Defense Studies, Master's in Security Studies, Master's in Political Science and Master's in Business Administration. Presently, he is doing a thesis for PhD in Bangladesh University of Professionals. General Hasan was the member of UOTC (University Officers Training Corps) during his college life.
Achievements
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy engraves his steps everywhere he serves by materializing unique and innovative ideas. During his tour of duty in any capacity he introduced many worth mentioning things. As the General Officer Commanding, Army Training and Doctrine Command, he materialized the one year and then two years training for the recruits, four years training and academic curriculum for Bangladesh Military Academy cadets, Higher Secondary Certificate and Degree curriculum for soldiers, harmonization of leadership training for Non Commissioned and Junior Commissioned Officers and induction of first ever female soldiers in Bangladesh Army. As the General Officer Commanding of the prestigious and strategic 9 Infantry Division, he introduced seminar and Soldiers’ Club for Junior Commissioned and Non Commissioned Officers. Which later spread throughout Bangladesh Army. He also materialized a world class Computerized Wargame Centre in Bangladesh Army. He first introduced the Tactical Support Team in Special Security Force when he was its Director General. He contributed significantly for the overall development of Ansar and Village Defence Party during his tenure as the Director General. As the Vice Chancellor for a very short tenure, he started the infrastructural development of Bangladesh University of Professionals. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy received gallantry award 'Bir Bikrom' for displaying indomitable courage during a counter insurgency operation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts where he was injured with enemy bullet but captured the camp without fearing his life. He has also contributed significantly during the process of peace treaty in the Chittagong hill tracts. As the General Officer Commanding, 9 Infantry Division, he led the rescue operation of Tazreen Fashions, Savar in 2012 and Rana Plaza, Savar in 2013. He received the coveted ‘Senabahini Padak’ (SBP) for his exemplary leadership and contribution in Rana Plaza rescue operation. He coordinated and architected two Guinness World Record making events of Bangladesh i.e. ‘Largest Human Flag’ on 16 December 2013 and “Most People Singing National Anthem Simultaneously” in 26 March 2014, thus brought glory, honour and dignity for the people of Bangladesh.
Personal Life
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy has seen many ups and downs in his life. He has experienced numerous challenges and Critical situations. He has seen his family’s residence drowning under sea. From the sudden fall from the lavishness of a wealthy life he experienced the struggle of a migrant family from a simple sea island to the reality of harsh mainland. He has seen the face of the death during his counter insurgency operations where enemy bullets almost took his life. He has also seen thousands of dying victims in Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions during the rescue operations. He is barely contented by saving thousands of lives rather he feels downhearted for the victims who helplessly perished there. He still haunts his childhood house and vast playgrounds which he lost in his early ages under the Bay of Bengal. He is a living history of Bangladesh Army who has physically experienced many controversial episodes of the country. Experiences made him more educated, humble and resilient. Therefore he feels eager to mix with people of all walks of life. He loves nature and wildlife which he lost in his childhood. He believes in the famous philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”. His eagerness to his duty and knowledge never ends.
Family
There are many famous and notable persons in his family tree. Golam Khaleque Choudhury popularly known as ‘Light of the Island’ awarded by the British Indian Government was his Great grandfather. While Fayez Ahmed Chowdhury and Wahid Ullah Khan were his paternal and maternal grandfather respectively. Abul Kashem Swandip, educationist, journalist, organizer and first newsreader of 'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra' and ‘Ekushey Padak’ winner (posthumously) in 1998 is brother in law to Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy. He is married with Begum Farzana Nigar. They have two children - a daughter and a son. General Hasan loves golfing, angling and reading books at his leisure time.