Mosaic of Memoirs : Varied Experiences of a Member of the Civil Service

‘Mosaic of Memories’ is an autobiography containing a broad sweep of the socio-politico-economic development in the territory now constituting Bangladesh from an individual’s point of view . The time horizon is roughly the last six decades of the twentieth century . Starting from about the second World War, the chronicles end just at the outset of the 21st century The author ATM Shamsul Haque was the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka on the night of 25 March 1971 and witnessed first-hand the brutalities perpetrated on the unarmed Bangalees by the Pakistan Armed Forces. His survival was providential more than once . He is a witness to the development before and after that dark day. There are intimate details of some of these hitherto unpublished accounts as well as herrendous and hair-raising events in this gripping narrative. As the Secretary-in-charge of the Ministry of Information Broadcasting, the author observed the three coups d’etat of 1975 from very close quarters. Information on some interesting behind – the-scene activities will be found in the book.

The author has dealt with the issue of rural development from the experiences he gathered working in the concerned Ministry and in his capacity as Director-General of CIRDAP for long eight years. As Chairman Public Administration Reform Commission, he has furnished recommendations suitable to our present –day needs. Based on his active involvement in politics for about a decade and participation in the General Elections of 1996.

2001, he has dissected the major deficiencies in our system and offered suggestions that may provide food for thought to those who matter.

ATM Shamsul Haque was the Chairman, Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC), Goverment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, from 1998-2001 with the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. Before that he had taken voluntary retirement in 1993 from the post of Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh. He was the elected Director-General of the inter-governmental organisation CIRDAP for long eight years from 1984-1992. Shamsul Haque started his career as Lecturer, Dhaka University and joined the erstwhile CSP in 1960. As a member of the civil service, he worked as SDO, Tangail; DC, Barisal & Dhaka; and Secretary-in-charge, Ministries of Information & Broadcasting, Textile, Rural Development & Co-operatives, and Food. He was Chairman, BTMC from 1976-1978 and had a stint as Member, Planning Commission. Haque Practised in the High Court as an Advocate from 1993-1998. He joined politics on retirement from government service and was active till the Geneal Elections of 1 October 2001.Shamsul Haque had his education at home in Comilla Zilla School, Dhaka College and Dhaka University and obtained the degrees of BA (Hons) in Economics, MA in International Relations and LLB. Abroad he studied at the University of Cambridge. He attended the Australian Administrative Staff College in 1979. Haque was the General Secretary of the Dhaka College Students’ Union (1951-52) and has the unique distinction of being both the General Secretary (1955-56) and Vice-President (1956-57) of the SM Hall Students’ Union.

Shamsul Haque has travelled widely and participated in numerous international conferences, seminars and workshops. He was the president of SID, Bangladesh Chapter for a number of years. Born in 1937 in Comilla, he now lives with his wife in Dhaka.