Khaled, Khondaker Ibrahim
Khaled, Khondaker Ibrahim (1941-2021) eminent banker, economist, organizer. Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled was born on 4 July 1941 in Gopalganj. He holds a Masters in Geography from Dhaka University and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of the same university. He had devoted himself to the practice of freedom of thought throughout his life. His understanding of contemporary economy and society was very clear.
Ibrahim Khaled had been associated with the banking profession for more than four decades from 1963 to 2006, beginning as a probationary officer of Habib Bank. He served as Managing Director of Bangladesh Krishi Bank from 1994 to 1995, Agrani Bank in 1996 and Sonali Bank in 1997. Later, he was Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank from 1998 to 2001 and Managing Director of Pubali Bank Limited from 2001 to 2006. He served as an Independent Director on the Board of Directors of Pubali Bank Limited from 9 December 2020 to till his death. He was also appointed Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Bank. Khandkar Ibrahim Khaled had always been vocal against irregularities and corruption in the financial sector. Although working in the financial sector, he was devoted to establishing good governance in the country. He was not only a dedicated banker but also an outstanding organizer. In 2010, he was the Head of the Investigation committee formed by the government to find out the reasons for the collapse of the stock market. After the death of Rokanuzzaman Khan Dadabhai, he performed the responsibility of the ‘Kachi Kachhar Mela’ for a long time.
Among the noted books written by him are ‘Shekar Theke Latapata’, ‘Kichu Sriti Kichu Kath’, ‘Muktisangaram o Mahanayak’, ‘Firte Hobe Muktijuddher Bangladeshe’, ‘Jiban Jakhan Jeman’, ‘Banking Shanskar o Bebasthapana’, etc. He was awarded with the ‘Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah Gold Medal’ in 2009 and the ‘Khan Bahadur Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury National Award’ in 2013. Bangla Academy awarded him with an honorary fellowship in 2011.
He died in Dhaka on January 24, 2021 due to COVID-19 virus. [Muhammad Abdul Mazid]
