YUNUS LEADS BANGLADESH’S INTERIM GOVERNMENT AMIDST CHANGE

Why in the news?

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus becomes Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, leading a diverse Advisory Council following Sheikh Hasina’s ousting, aiming to stabilise and unify the nation.

YUNUS LEADS BANGLADESH’S INTERIM GOVERNMENT AMIDST CHANGE - UPSCsource:democracynow

About Muhammad Yunus Takes Charge of Bangladesh’s Interim Government:

  • New Role and Government Formation:
    • Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
    • Yunus, recommended by student leaders, will act as the de facto Prime Minister until elections are held.
    • The interim Advisory Council, sworn in alongside Yunus, includes youth, women, civil society representatives, and individuals from various minority groups. Notably, members of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League have been excluded.
    • Advisory Council Composition:
    • Salahuddin Ahmed: Finance and Planning. Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
    • AF Hassan Arif: Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives. Former Attorney General.
    • Brig Gen Muhammad Skhawat Hussain: Home. Former Election Commissioner.
    • Touhid Hossain: Foreign Affairs. Ex-Foreign Secretary.
    • Adilur Rahman Khan: Industries. Human rights lawyer.
    • Farida Akhter: Fisheries and Livestock. Advocate for ecological agriculture.
    • Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Environment. Award-winning environmentalist.
    • Asif Nazrul: Law. Legal expert and civil society activist.
    • Nurjahan Begum: Health and Family Welfare. Former acting MD of Grameen Bank.
    • AFM Khalid Hossain: Religious Affairs. Leader of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
    • Nahid Islam: Post, Telecommunications, and IT. Student leader and protest organiser.
    • Asif Mahmud: Youth and Sports. Student movement leader.
Key Facts aboutv Muhammad Yunus:

Muhammad Yunus:

  • Born: 28 June 1940, Chittagong District, Bangladesh.
  • Current Role: Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh since 8 August 2024.
  • Nobel Prize: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding Grameen Bank and pioneering microcredit.
  • Other Honours: U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009) and Congressional Gold Medal (2010).

Career Highlights:

  • Grameen Bank: Founder; supports microcredit through Grameen America and Grameen Foundation.
  • UN Involvement: Board member of the UN Foundation (1998-2021).
  • Esports Initiative: Partnered with the Global Esports Federation in 2022.

Career Development:

  • Post-1971: Active in Bangladesh Liberation War; returned to Bangladesh, joined the Planning Commission, then Chittagong University.
  • Poverty Reduction: Developed rural economic programs and microcredit projects; advocated for village governments.

Innovations:

  • Microcredit: Introduced concepts adopted in multiple developing countries.
  • Gram Sarkar: Advocated village government system; later declared unconstitutional.