Morningsun Online Desk //

The chief advisor of the interim government expressed hope that the youth of Bangladesh will build a new Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus. Regarding the recent intense movement of the students, he said, this movement has been carried out in a very planned manner (not chaotically). Nothing happened suddenly.

Dr. is currently visiting the United States to attend the session of the United Nations General Assembly. Yunus. He participated in an event organized by former President Bill Clinton’s organization ‘Clinton Global Initiative’ in New York on Tuesday. Professor Yunus said these words there. The event was organized in Jackson Heights.

In the event, Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke about the first days of his acquaintance and relationship with Bill Clinton, the story of the establishment of Grameen Bank in the United States and the recent student uprising in Bangladesh.

Dr. on the stage of this event. Yunus introduced three of the traveling companions while talking about various issues with his long time friend former President Bill Clinton. The Chief Adviser cited his Special Assistant Mahfuz Abdullah as the architect of the recent quota reform movement and later the movement to topple the government.

At one stage of the conversation, Dr. Mahfuz went forward. Yunus said, “The mastermind behind the mass coup is Mahfuz.” Although Mahfouz always says, he is not alone, there are many others. Although he is known as the mastermind behind the coup.

Dr. Yunus also said, ‘It (student movement) was very organized. Even people did not know who was leading the movement. So, you can’t grab one and say, well, the movement is over. The way they spoke will inspire young people all over the world.

At the beginning of the program, the former US President Clinton introduced Professor Yunus as the leader who took responsibility in response to the call of the young citizens of Bangladesh. At this time the whole hall burst into applause. The two leaders chatted with each other.

Meanwhile, Dr. Yunus began his speech by recounting his first contact with Bill Clinton. Said he received a letter from the US (in 1986), which surprised him. A governor of Arkansas (Clinton was governor of that state at the time) sent the letter. He wrote that he wanted to meet him soon.

In this context, Muhammad Yunus said, “I didn’t know how fast he meant by fast.” I told him, then when I come to the United States, I will definitely go and meet you.’

Dr. Yunus said, ‘He told me, it (seeing) is very important.’ I replied, ‘I see, how to come quickly. I will come, (but) cannot come earlier. Later I went to meet him. This is how our communication started.’

Muhammad Yunus said, “The Governor of Arkansas wanted to understand what Grameen Bank really is, which people are talking about. I explain the matter to them. Both he and Hillary were sitting in a hotel room there. It was there that I was invited for a discussion. Hearing all this, he said, “We need it. How fast can we get it to Arkansas.” That’s the beginning of this story.”

So, I went to Arkansas on his arrangement. I drive through the Arkansas countryside and see a strange sight. People are sitting around closed shops. Because the economy there was completely disrupted. Those who were with me showed me those people and said, “Can they do anything?” I said, of course, they are the ones who can do it, said Professor Yunus.

Dr. Yunus said, ‘They could not believe that those people could do anything. That was the beginning. Bill said, “Yes, we’re going to have a (Rural Bank).” I explained how it would work. This is how the journey of the rural project began there. Hillary took over. He (Bill) was the governor and wanted to do it. This is the beginning. But I didn’t understand why it was so important to him.

Professor Yunus said, “He (Bill) ran to become a presidential candidate. Then I understood. He was governor and now wants to be president. He told me, “When I announce my name as a presidential candidate, you must be present.” I did not understand why he wanted me to be present. Then he said, “If I am elected president. I will spread rural projects to every corner of the United States.”

At that time, the interim head of government said to the people present, ‘Do you think that people were happy? The next day news about him (Bill) came out. He is said to be a madman. He brought someone from Bangladesh to tell the Americans what to do. How is this possible?’

Muhammad Yunus said, ‘He did not give up trying. He repeatedly tries to explain why this is important. He never stopped talking about its importance. He never stopped talking about how a little money can change people and how important it is. That was the beginning and it continued even after he became president.

Professor Yunus said, ‘He (Bill) wanted to do this. Hillary came to Bangladesh with her daughter Chelsea to see everything. I saw Chelsea here (US). They spend four days with us in Bangladesh, wearing rural clothes; which is very commonly made on looms in rural areas.’

Dr. Yunus said, “They (Hilary and Chelsea) wear clothes made by village weavers all four days.” A local youth designed their clothes. Everyone said, “What is she (Hillary) wearing, how did you do that. Who designed the dress.” I was not prepared to answer these questions. I didn’t even know why they were asking questions.

But they became very curious. The dresses worn by the First Lady of the United States are made of very simple fabrics, made by village weavers. It is a great honor for those people; Those who make these with their own hands and have been doing it for years, said Dr. Yunus.

Dr. Yunus said, “Then Bill Clinton came (to Bangladesh). At first he said, “I can’t take this discussion at the breakfast table anymore.” Everyone is talking about Bangladesh, Bangladesh. I don’t know what they are talking about.”

‘His (Bill’s) feeling for the helpless was and still is so strong. Work on rural projects in Arkansas did not stop after he became president. The speed was reduced, but not stopped,” said Muhammad Yunus.

Professor Yunus said, “A project was started in Chicago. Now it is becoming rural (project) on a large scale. Rural America began in America. Here in New York City, in Jackson Heights. It was a very small project and later started to spread. There are now 35 branches of Rural America across the United States. Grameen Bank has branches in every major city. Grameen Bank’s customers here are about two lakh and hundred percent of the borrowers are women.

“It was his (Bill’s) dream. Now 150 million US dollars are given annually from these banks. We (Grameen Bank, America) have now reached this stage. We lend 1.5 billion US dollars a year, without any collateral, without anything and everyone repays on time,” said Professor Yunus.

Professor Yunus said, ‘In the next 10 years, our (Grameen Bank, America) lending amount is expected to reach 4 billion dollars a year. It’s a great story that he (Bill) started. We have just started our official journey as a bank (in Bangladesh). We were registered as a bank in 1983.

“When Bill invited me in 1986, it was a small plan at the time. Imagine how far into the future he could see. It’s a little plan from somewhere, he doesn’t quite know yet what it might be. That’s when he wanted it in Arkansas,” said Professor Yunus.

This Nobel laureate professor said, ‘This is how Bill and I developed a relationship with Bill’s family. We come a long way. It motivates me to do something. I continued to regularly attend CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) events thereafter and suddenly fell out of touch. I am very happy to be back here.’

Muhammad Yunus said, ‘You have heard many such stories about Bill. But most likely, many people don’t know that story, which I do. I have seen him up close, what he is really like. I am so proud to be friends with him, Hilary and Chelsea. It’s a wonderful relationship.’

Dr. Yunus also said, ‘He (Bill) tells that story wherever he goes, even today. He never forgot what happened to me and our work. Thank you (Bill) so much for being such a wonderful friend to me.’

Then Bill Clinton left the chair and came up. He hugged Yunus. The hall burst into applause again. Clinton began, ‘To my knowledge, you are the only older person who has been put into power by the youth of the country for his own extraordinary achievements. Because he strives to achieve that, which we all should. We should all think about the future. I am very proud of you, very grateful to you.’

Clinton said, ‘I think we should all do what is necessary to wish the well-being of Bangladesh and help them. A loan should be given to someone who knows how to pay it back.’

Then Dr. Clinton. Thank Yunus and go to say goodbye. Then Dr. Yunus said, he wants to say something about the current situation in Bangladesh. Then he said, ‘Young people always want to talk about young people. Youth should lead. Not old people like us.

At that time, Professor Yunus said about Bangladesh, “I did not understand what was happening in Bangladesh.” Suddenly all the youth of Bangladesh have come together and are saying, enough is enough. We will not tolerate these (injustice, discrimination) anymore. They did not tolerate, they surrendered themselves in front of the government’s (ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government) bullets.’

“Young people have sacrificed their lives. I watched some videos. They were standing there saying, “How many of us can you kill?” We’re here, kill us. But we will leave the world with a change, we will leave Bangladesh with a change.” This was their promise, they wanted to build a new Bangladesh,” said Muhammad Yunus.

He also said, ‘The next Bangladesh will be the Bangladesh of the youth. They made this promise. They invited me after the previous government left. Invite me to lead the country. That’s what I’m trying to do. We are trying to realize the dream that the youth have shown to the nation.

In this regard, Professor Yunus also said, ‘The way they (movement) have done, the whole nation has become one. The people of the whole country have supported the youth. At this time, everyone clapped. Then Dr. Yunus held hands with Bill Clinton and said, ‘I am very happy to have the support of the people of the United States in implementing this (aspiration of the youth). We want to go further. I want to build a new Bangladesh. They (the youth) said we had pressed the “reset button”. All the old ones are over. Now we will build a new Bangladesh.

A few students who led the student movement in the country were also present on the occasion. Dr. Yunus also mentions them. The whole hall burst into applause again. He called them to the stage.

At that time, Muhammad Yunus said, ‘The words and language they (the agitators) spoke in to build the country, to build themselves, is extraordinary. I’ve never heard anyone talk like that before. They are ready to work on their dreams. Please help them, support them. May their dreams come true. We can take this responsibility together. You (Clinton) will be with us to fulfill this dream.

Appreciating the protesting youth who came to the stage, Professor Yunus said, ‘They look like other youth. You cannot remember them separately. But when you listen to them, see their work, you will be moved. They have shaken the whole country.

Regarding the movement of the students and the people, the chief advisor of the interim government said, “This movement has been carried out in a very planned manner (not in a random manner). Nothing happened. It was very tidy. Even, people did not know who was leading the movement. So, you can’t just grab someone and say, well the movement is over. The way they spoke will inspire young people all over the world. We want to build a new Bangladesh.

Finally, Dr. Yunus said, “Youth will build a new Bangladesh, I wish them success.”