Ajay Harinath Singh Greatest Brand Leader 2018-2019

Md. Azadul
KabirArzoo
Positively Transforming the Fabric of Society
The Executive Director of Jagorani Chakra Foundation, Mr. Md. Azadul
Kabir Arzoo is a benevolent personality who has spearheaded many
projects and initiatives for the welfare of society. He has completely
devoted his life towards uplifting the lives of the marginalized sections
of society in Bangladesh
making the world a better
place
Mr. Arzoo has been on a mission to
support disadvantaged communities by
building their confidence and capacity
and in the process, he has played a
significant role in transforming the
country. Under his direction, the Jagorani
Chakra Foundation undertakes local,
regional and national programmes for
the ultra-poor, poor and underprivileged
communities to build the capacity to
share resources. The foundation also
encourages them to develop, control
and sustain their endeavours to achieve
greater prosperity.
With a desire to do meaningful work,
he started the Foundation in 1975 with
some of his peers as an initiative to
improve adult literacy and better the
lives of the marginalized. Little did he
know that this tiny step would become
a huge leap for humanity in the years
to come. He led a team of young and
energetic people with a proclivity to
break social stigma to make the sweepers
in his vicinity aware of their rights. He
helped them form self-help groups and
encouraged them to send their children
to school. He also implemented a
project that helped poor women conduct
income-generation activities.
Impacting Millions of Lives
In 2002, Mr. Arzoo took the audacious
step of working for the welfare of
commercial sex workers and their
children, which has led to the
integration of more than 100 children
into mainstream society. At present, Mr.
Arzoo leads a team of over 6,000 staff
members offering their valuable services
to about 12 lakh people in Bangladesh.
Through a leadership style that revolves
around empowerment and transparency,
he believes in promoting a friendly yet
professional environment based on a
foundation of strong values. His strategic
thinking and professional experience
have enabled the foundation to progress
on an accelerated and sustainable
growth path. He has implemented
various microfinance programmes on
Sustainable Livelihood, Education,
Environmental Sustainability, Human
Rights and Social Justice as well as Health
Intervention and Social Businesses.
Today, through the intervention of the
Foundation, thousands of learners have
benefited from adult literacy and nonformal
primary education. As many as
10 lakh disadvantaged children have
graduated from 22,593 learning centres.
As many as 59 lakh people have turned
entrepreneurs in 35 districts through the
microfinance programme (agriculture,
agro-processing, small businesses and
other service-oriented trades).
Awards And Accolades
For his exemplary contribution towards
social welfare, Mr. Arzoo has received
many awards including Honorary Doctor
of Social Work degree from Global Human
Peace University of India, Mahatma
Gandhi Gold Medal 2019 for Special
Contribution to Social Work, Nelson
Mandela Memorial Award 2019 for
Special Contribution to Socioeconomic
Development, Indian Agribusiness
Excellence Award 2019, Dadasaheb
Phalke Film Foundation Awards 2019
for Best Writer and Socialist, Sher-E-
Bangla Memorial Honor Award 2018
for his contributions to Social Welfare,
CITI Foundation Award for the Best
Microfinance Institute of Bangladesh,
Gold Medal on Microfinance from Mother
Teresa Research Council in 2009, Best
Practitioner’s Award in Microfinance
from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
and Special President Award of People’s
Republic of Bangladesh in 1994 for
Developing Valuable Co-curricular
Subjects and Awareness based Materials
for Adult Education.
“Mr. Arzoo has received
Best Practitioner’s
Award in Microfinance
from the PM of
Bangladesh, & Special
President Award of
People’s Republic of
Bangladesh in 1994”
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