News and views from Shamsher Chowdhury (1968-1974)

I worked 32 years for many international organizations, but the most outstanding place of all was the Pakistan-SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory, now ICDDR, B. What makes ICDDR,B so special? It's legacy of dedicated teams of professionals--both national and international, past and present. ICDDR,B can be rightfully described as an institution for humanity, by humanity and serving human health.

I recall those dreadful days of 1971, how in the face of extreme dangers and security to their lives, many of the expatriates declined to be evacuated despite instructions from their embassies/missions. I know of no other international organizations whose expatriate personnel expressed their solidarity with our cause as they did then. Yet, at the same time, this was also the cholera season and patients were pouring in at regular intervals. As typical of the staff and all other professionals of this great institution, the level of prompt attention and care of the patients continued. ICDDR,B's principal resource continues to be its manpower, now as it was then. Once a member of the ICDDR,B staff, you will always be an important member of the family no matter what. It happens to be one of those rare organizations, which never fail to remember and recognize the contribution made by any one to the cause.

At ICDDR,B the spirit of work and brotherhood between expatriate professionals and the local staff has always been a unique one. I recall an incident, which to my mind illustrates the matter most aptly. It was shortly after the devastating cyclone and the tidal bore which struck the coastal belt of the then East Pakistan on 13 November 1970. Young Dr W H Mosley was flying in and out of Dhaka in a helicopter carrying medical aid to the most affected areas. I was then the Head of the Transport Section. My responsibility was to have truckloads of supplies ready after the end of each flight for the next one and deliver them to the Helipad. Each day there were two to three flights or even more. One day past midnight, Dr Mosley came to the Transport Section and found me anxiously waiting. He gave me a big smile and asked Hey Shamsher, what are you doing here at this hour? Did you have something to eat? Before I could say something in response, he made me sit beside him under that famous jackfruit tree (which I believe is no longer there), took out two pieces of sandwich and shared one with me. After exchange of some pleasantries, he left for his residence. So did I.