Keeping promises—honouring one’s word—is among the most invaluable traits of a person. The world runs on trust and commitment. These qualities elevate individuals, granting them respect and admiration. History shows that those who have succeeded in life, who have risen to positions of honour and leadership are those who have fulfilled their promises and stood by their word. It is by keeping promises that one earns the trust and confidence of others, which in turn paves the way to success.
Dr Muhammad Yunus is one such remarkable individual. Throughout his life, he has honoured every commitment he has made.
After Bangladesh’s independence, when the country was struggling with hunger and poverty and its people were suffering from famine and scarcity, Dr Muhammad Yunus—a young lecturer at Chittagong University—visited the village of Jobra for research. What he witnessed there moved him deeply. The suffering and despair of the poor affected him profoundly. That moment marked the beginning of his microcredit initiative. He resolved to change the lives of the poor through small loans—and he kept that promise.
Despite facing countless obstacles, he remained committed to his mission, expanding his work from Jobra to the entire country. His unwavering dedication to his promise made him stronger and earned him both national and international acclaim. Like other great figures, Dr Yunus kept the promises he made to the people. He vowed to transform the lives of the poor, to pull them out of hardship, to ensure their children could access education and healthcare. And he did just that—implementing multifaceted plans, one after another.
This created an image of Dr Yunus as someone who always fulfills his word, no matter the cost. He commits himself with intellect and effort, and that is what has elevated him.
As his microcredit initiatives spread across the country, Dr Yunus didn’t confine himself to Bangladesh. He took the fight against poverty to the world. Due to his tireless work, microcredit has now become popular globally. But he didn’t stop there. He made another promise—to help the poor become entrepreneurs through “social business.” He launched this challenging mission to change lives by empowering people to become business owners, not job seekers. And now, social business is gaining popularity around the world. People are inspired to dream of entrepreneurship—and that inspiration is Dr Yunus.
Though Dr Yunus never showed interest in politics, he always envisioned a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh, where all citizens enjoy equal rights. But when the country was wounded by authoritarianism, when people’s rights were violated and they were deprived of basic needs, Dr Yunus could no longer remain silent. He pledged to make Bangladesh livable again.
He aligned himself with student-led protests. After the July Revolution, when students urged him to lead during this critical time, he could not refuse. He promised to build a just, equitable Bangladesh—a “New Bangladesh”—and he has been working toward that goal for nearly a year. Despite various shortcomings of the current government, people still trust Dr Yunus. They believe he will restore their rights and lead the country to victory in its struggle for a new beginning.
It is undeniable that over the past year, many advisers in the interim government have faced allegations. The public is dissatisfied with several of the government’s actions. There are questions about why incompetent advisers remain in office. They are heavily criticised on social media. Some civil society figures even question who is truly running the government, with some describing it as a “childish administration.”
Yet, despite all this, the public still agrees on one thing: Dr Yunus is the right leader for this moment. He is capable of guiding the country out of crisis and into peace. People continue to trust him because of his track record—he has never broken a promise. He fulfills his commitments with utmost dedication and sacrifice.
Bangladesh is now in deep crisis. The only way out is through a free, fair, and impartial election that restores people’s rights and power. A democratic government must take charge to address the nation’s problems. The development blueprint Dr Yunus has proposed can then guide the country forward. However, the path to elections remains uncertain, with various factions opposing the process. As a result, violence, mob terror, and extortion are on the rise.
In June, Dr Yunus visited the United Kingdom and held a significant and historic meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. They discussed the country’s problems and possible solutions. Both agreed that a credible election should be held by February. This announcement brought hope and relief to many. People believed democracy would soon be restored.
But it seems some groups are actively working to sabotage Dr Yunus’s efforts. The National Consensus Commission, for example, has been holding meetings and imposing decisions on political parties. Their actions suggest they may be working to prevent elections. Other political parties are also creating confusion and uncertainty.
This growing despair and anxiety among the people is being fueled by those who oppose Dr Yunus. These groups seek to tarnish his lifelong achievements. But the nation hopes Dr Yunus will not be trapped in these deceptions. He has always overcome adversity, and people believe he will fulfill his promise—organizing a fair, free, and neutral election by February, and leading the nation to democratic revival.
There are no shortcuts to overcoming national crises. No country emerges from turmoil through imposed reforms. The only path to freedom from crisis is through people’s power. And that is only possible with a democratic government.
Dr Yunus, a wise man, understands this. He knows the path to recovery. And he knows that if he fails to restore democracy, his lifetime of achievements may be lost. That is why everyone hopes he will meet the nation’s expectations—by announcing a clear roadmap for elections by February and freeing the nation from uncertainty.
Because Dr Yunus does not break his promises. And that is why he stands tall today.
Audite Karim, playwright and columnist.
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