By Tarannum Rahman
On September 26, 2025, I found myself stuck between reality and the surrealness of it all.
One moment I was rushing between classes, and the next I was shaking hands with Dr. Muhammad Yunus! The Nobel Peace Prize winner, pioneer of microfinance, and now the person leading Bangladesh after last year’s revolution.
For those who may not know, Professor Yunus founded the Grameen Bank and truly revolutionized the fight against poverty through microfinance. His ideas not only transformed lives throughout Bangladesh, but they also helped improve the conditions in over 100 countries, including in the United States through the work of Grameen America.
Over the years, he has received countless awards for his resilience and commitment to uplifting struggling communities. But what struck me the hardest wasn’t his list of accomplishments but his humility. When he engaged with us at the reception, he radiated warmth as if we were all family. It wasn’t his prestige that stuck with me but his ability to treat everyone—whether a student, a professional, or a world leader—as an equal.
The reception began with guests greeting him, taking pictures, and sharing a few words of admiration. The room buzzed with energy as students, interns, and leaders from all over New York City gathered to celebrate a historic moment for Bangladesh.
During his speech at the Friends of Bangladesh reception, he paid tribute to the 1,400 student martyrs and thousands of protestors whose courage ended a 16-year dictatorship. He said, “We will never betray the dreams of the martyrs.” He acknowledged the lingering wounds brought forth by the previous autocracy. His words carried the weight of thousands as he discussed the rebirth of the nation through maintaining unity and compassion as we move forward.
Healing must happen together, not just politically but also holistically. Hearing this as a student, I didn’t just feel hope but also a great sense of inspiration. It reminded me that transformation begins with the people, especially the youth.
I also had the privilege of meeting Dr Tasnim Jara, a physician and social entrepreneur whose work is reshaping healthcare access across Bangladesh. With over 12 million people following her platform, she continues to empower youth to engage with politics in ways that can create sustainable change. Before leaving, she left us with this reminder: “Do not lose sight of what you are fighting for.” That simple line has been looping in my head ever since.
Walking out, I didn’t just feel pride in being Bangladeshi, I felt connected to a generation proving that student voices can move history. As a Bangladeshi-American, I often struggled to find belonging with either group, whether it was being “too American” to be Bengali or “too Bengali” to be fully American. But that night, those lines blurred. I stood among the presence of such powerful individuals who took their struggles and turned them into strength.
The reception was a truly mind-altering experience, and one that deepened my appreciation for Bangladesh’s ability to bring forth hope amidst challenges. It was a night to remember, filled with community and power.
A heartfelt thank you to the leadership of Friends of Bangladesh for giving me the platform to share my work and for advising me on how to grow in my career. You, too, are an inspiration to many and I feel so fortunate to have been part of your team during my internship this past summer. Even those Friends of Bangladesh leaders who weren’t able to attend the reception helped make it possible for me to be there, and for that I am deeply grateful.
To view a ten-minute video of the event, click here.
The author is a Bangladeshi-American undergraduate at the City University of New York (CUNY) who interned during the summer of 2025 with Friends of Bangladesh with support from the Colin Powell Fellowship for International Human Rights.
