An Icon and Inspiration for the Youth
Special Correspondent: A man of imagination, he dwells in dreams—sometimes envisioning the heavens within his grasp, sometimes enthroning himself upon the humble soil. Yet every dream of his is entwined with a thread of humanity. His reveries know no end; he nurtures them quietly, within his soul. Always prepared for human service, his only reward is the affection of others. His rare gift lies in drawing others close with effortless warmth. This man is none other than Muhammad Abu Abid, Founder and Chairman of one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated youth-led social organisations - Durbar Tarunno Foundation. Young in years, yet a tireless warrior in his vision and deeds, Abid has worn many mantles: a fearless journalist wielding his uncompromising pen, a social worker standing steadfast beside the destitute, and a youth leader steering organizations with eloquence and resolve.
Although born in Halishahar, Chattogram, Abid’s very blood pulses with the rural cadence of Patuakhali’s soil. From his childhood he was a natural son of culture—acting upon the stage, reciting poetry, and debating with fervor. Wherever he stood, the stage would quicken with life. To his peers, he was always a symbol of innate leadership—possessed of a rare faculty for making strangers feel like kin. This natural radiance inevitably drew him into journalism and to a lifelong journey of social transformation.
With nearly a decade of experience, his journalistic career has spanned both national and regional media. At present, he serves as Managing Editor and Online Chief of the national daily Alokito Protidin. Beyond this, he is the Spokesperson and Central Joint General Secretary of the Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh (TRAB) and Spokesperson and Central Organizing Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan Crime Reporters Society, a government-registered body. He has also served as Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Administration. Abid’s reporting has cut deep into crime, corruption, and social malaise—earning him both renown and resistance. His impassioned protests against attacks on journalists made him a household name, while to emerging young reporters he has become a standard-bearer.
In 2019, Abid founded the Durbar Tarunno Foundation. The youth-centric organization swiftly captured national imagination with its inventive humanitarian programs. Its most acclaimed initiative, Amra Mali (“We are Gardeners”), galvanized thousands of young people into tree plantation and, crucially, tree care—instilling genuine environmental consciousness. According to The Daily Star, millions were inspired to protect trees as part of the movement. Abid’s vision underscored that planting is but the beginning—safeguarding life requires nurture.
In little time, the Foundation has pioneered myriad original projects—Free Eid Shopping, Rice and Lentils for All, Warm Meals on Winter Nights, Traditional Pitha Festivals, We are Humans (an inclusive initiative), An Alternative Valentine’s Day, and A Different New Year’s Eve. Each venture married social service with artistry, drawing unprecedented youth involvement and admiration at home and abroad.
Under his stewardship, the Foundation has garnered national and international recognition: Business Excellency Award 2025 (Maldives), Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Award 2024 (India), International Iconic Excellency Award 2023 (Nepal), Bangladesh Youth Volunteer Award 2023, and the Corona Frontline Warrior Award 2022. Beyond these accolades, he has received countless public receptions—yet Abid often reminds his audiences that the true reward of his life is not medals or titles, but the boundless love of people. Such humility, uttered in the prime of youth, ennobles his achievements even further.
Muhammad Abu Abid’s story is, in essence, the embodiment of a daring young heart’s dream. He has proven that neither scarcity nor adversity can arrest a vision. With indomitable will, one can not only serve society but also become an exemplar to others. His path is long, but his direction remains luminously clear—merging journalism, social service, and youth leadership into a single force. And people trust this journey, for his greatest honor is not an award on the wall, but the benedictions and affections of the masses.
Every dawn in Bangladesh rises upon thousands of young dreamers. Yet Abid stands apart as evidence that a single youth, armed with conviction, can stir a nation and can become a symbol of wonder. Harnessing the strength of youth and cherishing the love of the people as his most treasured prize, he strides forward, unbowed, unwavering.
