“Development is not just about buildings – it’s about bringing smiles to people’s faces.” – Engineer Kamrul Islam Siddique
Rezaul Karim Reza:
In the history of Bangladesh’s development, a few names shine quietly- individuals whose contributions still echo in everyday life.
Freedom fighter and engineer Kamrul Islam Siddique, P.E., was one such figure- a rare blend of patriotism, technological brilliance, and deep humanitarian vision.
Birth and Education
Born in the heartland of Kushtia, Siddique was a dreamer from childhood- someone who believed in bridging science with real-life application.
He completed his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from BUET in 1966 and went on to earn a postgraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Sheffield, UK.
When the Liberation War began, he responded to the call of duty and took active part in the struggle for Bangladesh’s independence.
He often introduced himself this way:
“I am an engineer by profession, but a soldier at heart.”
A New Battle After Independence: Development
Post-independence, Siddique joined the government’s engineering department, but his vision reached far beyond bureaucracy.
He realized that the real battle after the war was against poverty and infrastructural backwardness.
He was the founding architect of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) – a revolutionary institution that transformed rural Bangladesh.
His development philosophy cantered on improving the quality of human life- not just building roads, but building futures.
“An engineer’s job is not just to construct roads,
but to illuminate lives.” – Kamrul Islam Siddique
A Pioneer Who Broke Conventions
Among his landmark innovations:
• Growth Center Concept:
He turned rural markets (haats and bazaars) into economic hubs, spearheading decentralized development.
• Rubber Dam Technology:
He introduced rubber dams in Bangladesh to secure irrigation water during dry seasons — a technology now applied in over 60 districts.
• GIS Mapping in Development:
He introduced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to base planning on real-time data — a breakthrough in evidence-based development in Bangladesh.
A Skilled Administrator, A Fearless Decision-Maker
Throughout his career, he held several vital leadership roles:
• Chairman, Bangladesh Power Development Board
• Secretary, Ministry of Communications
• Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works
• Administrative Head, Jamuna Bridge Project
• Executive Director, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB)
Representing Bangladesh on the Global Stage
Siddique also served as the Chairperson of Global Water Partnership- South Asia,
placing Bangladesh in a leadership position in regional water management.
He represented the country in over 100 international conferences, presenting Bangladesh’s rural development model to the world.
His strategies have been referenced in global development textbooks.
To him, development was never just urbanization- it was a path to human dignity and progress.
In the words of his colleagues:
“He was a symbol of uncompromising integrity- firm in decision, yet always respectful to people.”
Awards and Global Recognition
In honor of his contributions, he received:
🏅 Bangla Academy Fellowship (2007)
🏅 ‘Person of the Year’ by the International Road Federation
🏅 Multiple Gold Medals: Bangabandhu, Bhashani, Sher-e-Bangla, Jasim Uddin, IEB Gold Medal
🏅 JICA Merit Award
🏅 Numerous national and international accolades
A Leader in Social Causes
• President, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB)
• Chairman, Construction Committee of Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital
• President, Kushtia District Association, Dhaka
A Final Goodbye, An Eternal Legacy
On September 1, 2008, Siddique passed away from a heart attack in the United States, at the age of only 63.
But his legacy lives on- in rural roads, culverts, schools, and above all, in the consciousness of a nation.
Rabindranath Tagore once said:
“Man builds out of necessity, but creates out of joy… revealing his identity through creation.”
Engineer Kamrul Islam Siddique was a master of such joyful creation.
His Message to the Nation
“I want to see the people of Bangladesh happy and self-reliant.
Development is not just buildings- it’s bringing smiles to people’s faces.”
Conclusion: The Inspiration of a Builder
Many engineers will come- they will build roads, bridges, and towers.
But very few will think about the roots of the people. Kamrul Islam Siddique was one of those rare few- someone who saw development not as a bundle of bricks and cement, but as a union of land, people, and dignity.
He remains the pride of this soil – and his life reminds us:
“If you dare to dream, it doesn’t take long to shape reality.”
Photo Courtesy: Author
Sources: BUET, LGED, Global Water Partnership South Asia, Bangla Academy, Media Archives
Writer Bio:
Rezaul Karim Reza is a journalist and columnist who regularly writes on themes of the Liberation War, humanity, and the values of the nation.
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