Welcome to Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU)

Mr. Khalequzzaman is an engineer by education. He got his MS and Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from the Technical University Berlin, Germany. He received his first professional experience in Germany and worked there for eight years. After his return to Bangladesh in 1999, he started his career as a freelance consultant for the power sector. Since 2002 he has been involving himself more and more with renewable energy technologies. In 2005, Dr. Khalequzzaman joined German Development Organization GIZ and was responsible for renewable energy projects. His main contributions were in the fields of solar energy, biogas, improved cookstove, etc. Improved Cook Stove (Bondhu Chula) project is the landmark project of GIZ in Bangladesh. Encouraged by GIZ in 2015, he established “Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU)” and the objectives are to run renewable energy projects on a big scale. During 2015-2020, he was in dual responsibilities - implementing Energizing Development (EnDev) projects of GIZ and coordinating of Bondhu activities. From 2020 he has been concentrating fully on BONDHU.

Suchitra Hajong was the most loving Bondhu (friend) at the Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and Bashori- A Nazrul Centre. She has left a mark of her contribution almost everywhere. She had to struggle a lot since her early childhood and she won almost every battle except the last one.

Suchitra Hajong was born in a Hajong family in Lengura village of Kalmakanda Upazila of Netrokona district. The day she was born was the Victory Day of Bangladesh, this is why she was named Vijaya. Later, her name was changed to Suchitra at the time of admission to the school.  At that time, when most people of the Hajong community were deprived of education, her context was a little different. Her mother Giribala Hajong was a school teacher. Giribala Hajong became the first woman from the Hajong community to pass the Higher Secondary and PTI examinations. To achieve this feat she had to face many adverse conditions created by both Hindu-Muslim, Bengali, and Hajong communities.

Suchitra Hajong's grandmother Kalavati Hajong was a leader of the Tanka Rebellion and a member of the Communist Party. Kalavati Hajong participated in battles against the British and native rulers and oppressors, sometimes even with her daughter Giribala Hajong on her back. We have noticed a similar trait of bravery in Suchitra. She used to come forward first in every situation with her idiosyncratic valor and when anyone needed anything, she would lend a helping hand without delay.

Suchitra Hajong's life struggle started at the very beginning of her childhood when she was 9 and her mother died. She was the youngest of her 10 siblings. She grew up with the love and care of her siblings. From childhood, she had a firm trait of self-reliance and loved to accomplish her work with devotion.

She was very talented. She studied at Lengura Government Primary School, Lengura High School, and Durgapur Women's College. She completed her BSc Honors in Computer Science from BUBT, Dhaka. Besides studying, she had a great interest in social activities. She associated herself with the Bangladesh Indigenous Forum (BIPF) and she came into contact with prominent dignitaries like Bhasha Matin, Prof. Mejbah Kamal, Santu Larma, Pankaj Bhattacharya, Khushi Kabir, etc.

In 2007, she attended a meeting of GIZ on Bondhu Chula and got acquainted with Khalekuzzaman. Since then she dedicated herself to making the Bondhu Chula project a success. With the inspiration, and assistance of Suchitra Hajong, SZ Consultancy Services Limited was established in 2008, and the Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) in 2015.

She was in the role of a spearhead in every initiative. Bashori- A Nazrul Center gained momentum due to the fervent initiative of Suchitra Hajong. “Lakho Konthe Bidrobi Kabita” (Recitation of “The Rebel”- Poem in Millions of Voices) is the biggest example. Thus, she made herself indispensable in every field. Under her leadership and guidance, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) participated in various environment-related fairs across Bangladesh. She coordinated the Bondhu chula activities of 250 NGOs, 6000 entrepreneurs, and about 1500 staff. All staffs, partners, and entrepreneurs were very near and dear to her. She kept regular contact with them and they too kept in touch with her. She was the commander-in-chief and led all activities. She had an innate ability to solve problems. She will be remembered for her devotion and love for mankind. Apart from the Hajong community, she also thought about the development of other indigenous communities as well as the Bengali community. She was a person with a positive attitude and always considered herself a very lucky person.

Many people live for a long time but do not contribute anything to this world, on the flip side, there are some people who come to the world for a limited time but leave their mark everywhere and Suchitra Hajong is one of them. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2017. Despite her illness, she continued her activities with zeal, courage, and endurance, and she did not retreat. Even after receiving chemotherapy, she would go to the office.

In December 2017, she launched a new project titled "Cancer and Women's Health" to raise awareness about cancer. Her last words were, "In 7 days I will recover and attend the office." She had to go on life support immediately after saying this and breathed her last two days later on 17 September 2018.

We feel her absence every moment and it will not be possible to fulfill her vacancy. Suchitra Hajong will live forever deep in our hearts. She devised several plans which remained incomplete due to her untimely demise and we are entrusted with the responsibility of accomplishing them. The life and work of our beloved Suchitra Hajong will inspire us in the days to come.