. Wanting to be a journalist all her life. Ms Farida Akhter ended up being a researcher and one of the most dedicated development worker! Her career took a different turn and her dream has remained a mirage Though she ad mite that she envies women Journalists, she has established her name and fame in her own field. A lady with remarkable stamina and zeal, she is one of the most successful researchers and development workers, working as an Executive Director of 'Ubinig'. which is a nongovernmental organisation based in Dhaka.

It is rather stunning to see a woman in her late 30s. to work dedicatedly on the policy Issues related to development. Its ideologies and its applications In our country that have far

reaching consequences on the lives of our people.

■ Ms Akhter. having completed her Masters in Economics from the University of Chittagong in the year 1978. with tlie urge and enthusiasm of beginning her career in jour ijglism started working for The Daily Life', an English daily in

Chittagong. Slowly and sadly enough, she be came aware of all the constraints in investiga ttve reporting and press censorship which depressed her a great deal. And then she switched on to research, by the end of the same year. She started extensive research in women's issues, health, agriculture and fisheries.

*1 wanted to know about our villages. What wc learnt at the university were barely theories. And to know the people and their problems, field research is essential." Hence she dedicated five years to extensive research with a group which was equally interested tn Intense study. This was tn collaboration with different national and international organisations. The research was a total learning process on Its own. Farida said that from 1981 they were slowly aware of the problems and drawbacks of development. That is when the urgency and essentiality for intensive study was distinct. And thus the Informal study circle was formed.

This continued till 1983. and through this study circle. Farida Akhter and the others in the study group felt that it was essential to form an organisation. And that is how ’Ubi-nig’ was born.

The name ‘Ubinig’ is the abbreviation of their Bengali name 'Unnayan Bikalper Niti Nirdharonl Gobeshona'. which in English Is — policy research for development alternative.

The organisation strongly advocates their views based on whaf they learn from research. But of course, without any hesitation embraces and appreciates the wisdom of others too. As Farida said. "Research is not an end in itself to us. We study reality not merely to know, but also to change whereever possible, and the change we aspire draws Its content from the democratic will of the people of Bangladesh'.

The work of Ubinig' as was learnt from its dedicated Executive Director. alms to resolve the debates of development from class as well as gender perspective. They have five main projects: health, women's development Issues. I nd ustrialt satlo n. population control and family planning and cdu

cation. Their main project areas are Dhaka. Tangail. Cox's Bazar and Noakhali. But research is carried throughout the country.

Worklng'ln full swing on all the above mentioned projects, one of Farida Akhter's most recent progressive project was to have opened the first and the only feminist bookshop tn Bangladesh. The shop. 'Probortona'. located at one of the busiest roads of Dhaka city, provides a reading space and a place for Informal discussion between women writers and readers. Added to It very recently they have a feminist publishing house, encouraging women writers and helping to promote their work.

Farida Akhter has earned a name not only amongst the development workers in the country alone, but her courage and promising work, along with progressive attitude is also Kreclated internationally. In one context.

is working to bring into focus the drawbacks of our womenfolk and how they are exploited and deprived. In many International conferences and seminars she was rewarded a number of times.