He was a hard worker. When we talk about the brave entrepreneurs of the country, the first name that comes to mind is the prominent businessman Nurul Islam Babul. He has been able to establish himself in our business community through his perseverance, hard work, and innovative talent. He set a unique example. He had the extraordinary ability to keep his word. Nurul Islam started his journey on a small scale and built one of the country's leading industrial enterprises—'Jamuna Group.' Jamuna Group is one of the top 20 leading private sector companies in the country in terms of revenue.
Nurul Islam Babul was a brave freedom fighter. He fought for the country with his life. He passed away on July 13, 2020. The renowned industrialist was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital after contracting coronavirus. He breathed his last there after a long month of fighting against COVID-19. His kidneys were damaged by COVID-19. Nurul Islam was 74 years old at the time of his death. After his death, he was honored as a heroic freedom fighter by the Ministry of Freedom Fighters.
Nurul Islam Babul's wife, Salma Islam, was always by her husband's side, not only in family life but also at work. She gave him advice and wisdom in all matters, both at home and outside. Salma Islam is serving as the chairman of Jamuna Group after the death of Nurul Islam Babul. Salma Islam is a politician, lawyer, and former member of the National Parliament. She also served as the State Minister for Women and Children Affairs in the Government of Bangladesh.
Salma Islam has expressed her intimate feelings by reminiscing about her husband, Nurul Islam Babul, to Farzana Laboni, deputy business editor of the Khaborer Kagoj. This interview was conducted at Nurul Islam Babul's office in Jamuna Future Park in the capital on the fifth death anniversary of his death.
"How did you feel about Nurul Islam Babul at first sight? What was he like as a person?" The Khaborer Kagoj asked her at the beginning.
Salma Islam seemed to have returned to the golden days of the past. "Our marriage was a family affair. We got married on February 1, 1973. I liked tall boys. I didn't really care about their skin color. I liked him at first sight. Nurul Islam Babul was quite tall. He was handsome, smart, brave, and talented in my eyes. He liked me the same way. He was very hardworking. He was also caring towards his wife and children. His own organization was another family for him, and he was sincere towards every employee of the organization. He was patriotic. Babul was not only my husband but also my guardian. As long as he was alive, I discussed every decision in my life with him," she said about her husband.
Prominent businessman Nurul Islam Babul was born on May 3, 1946, in Kamarkhola village, Churain Union, Nawabganj Upazila, Dhaka District. His father was Amjad Hossain, and his mother was Jomila Khatun.
Salma Islam said that Nurul Islam Babul fought for the country by risking his life. He loved the country very much. He did not like to acquire wealth abroad, so whatever he did, he did at home.
"My husband's grave is next to the mosque. Even though he is dead, he will remain immortal to me. I park my car on the road next to his grave almost every morning. I turn towards the grave and pray. Every night I pray to Allah, the Almighty, for my husband. As long as I live, he will be in all my work, just as he is now. He has a place in my heart. We were confined to our homes during the coronavirus pandemic. I saw many changes in him before his death. He devoted himself to worshipping God. He studied Islam. "I used to pray in the room next to our bedroom. He would stay awake most of the day while I prayed. Before he got sick, he had talked to me a lot. He prayed for me a lot," said Salma Islam.
"I realized from the beginning of my life with Nurul Islam Babul that he is very angry. However, I have kept in mind that he should not get angry. He has never spoken angrily to me. He loved me very much. Despite his busy schedule, he kept track of our three daughters and one son. When the children were young, despite his busy schedule, he would have dinner with us. He would eat lunch with his children after they joined the business," she added.
Nurul Islam Babul's son Shamim Islam is the managing director of Jamuna Group. His three daughters, Sonia Islam, Monica Islam, and Rosalin Islam, are directors of Jamuna Group.
Nurul Islam Babul founded the Jamuna Group in 1974. The group has 41 industrial enterprises, including textiles, electronics, garments, chemicals, leather, beverages, toiletries, motorcycles, and housing sectors. The group holds top positions in the industrial and service sectors, including Asia's largest shopping mall, Jamuna Future Park, and the under-construction Marriott Hotel. The group is the founder of the Daily Jugantor and Jamuna Television. The company started manufacturing electrical components in 1975. He started the work of establishing Jamuna Future Park in 2002.
According to his wife, Salma Islam, Nurul Islam Babul was a very politically and economically aware person. Even though he was an industrialist, his family ties surprised his acquaintances. He is a unique example of the local business sector, having made huge investments within the country and repaying loans on time.
Salma Islam also said that Jamuna Group founder Nurul Islam will remain a unique example for his creation and active life. He was ready to dedicate his life for the country. The youth of this country can take courage to become entrepreneurs by knowing and following him. He would not compromise on the quality of his products. He always tried to produce quality products.
"When I got married, he had two shops in Ramna Bhaban. But he didn't want to run a shop. He always wanted to run an industrial factory. He worked hard for this. He did not rely on employees. He wanted to do every job himself. Babul was interested in establishing industries. His goal was to create employment. He always said that people cannot live comfortably if they do not get work, and to provide work to people, factories must be set up," Salma Islam reminisced.
"My husband never wanted to keep money abroad. He always tried to figure out how to take the country forward and to do something for the country. He has built such a big institution like Jamuna Future Park. As long as the country exists, Jamuna Future Park will also exist. He preferred to keep the country's resources in the country. All four of my children are educated abroad. They had the opportunity to get a high-paying job in the country where they studied, but they did not work there. They clearly said that their father (Nurul Islam Babul) asked them to return to their country, so they would return to their country," she continued.
"Nurul Islam Babul was a man of character and courage. I never saw any kind of weakness for other women in him. I have heard many rumors about many people. But my husband had no interest in this. He was a hardworking and sincere man. I realized after marriage that he was an angry person. I also realized that to be a worthy life partner for him, I had to study. So, I studied and gave myself time after finishing my household chores. I have always understood and listened to him. I have never given him a chance to find fault with me. He loved his parents, siblings, and relatives very much. I have also taken everyone as my own. He also loved my parents very much; he had respected them all his life," she stated.
"Nurul Islam Babul was a skilled organizer; otherwise, he would not have been able to build and run so many institutions successfully. My marriage date and the founding anniversary of Jugantor magazine are on the same day. I was given the responsibility of this organization. Then Jamuna TV was started. He always evaluated good employees. At the same time, he would hold accountable those who did less work. He could recognize people very well. Babul was very talented. He personally supervised every work of the organization. Even if he could not be present in person, he would keep in touch, even through mobile. He would personally give instructions and get everything done. If someone couldn't do something, he would personally supervise and get it done. He would not compromise with injustice," Salma Islam recalled.
"Our family was very conservative. My mother used to discipline us quite a bit. My brother used to discipline us even more. Nurul Islam Babul liked me and told the family about it. But my mother didn't want to marry me off without finishing my studies or studying a little more. He didn't like anyone coming to the house. My brother was also a very strict person. I grew up in such a strict environment that I wasn't allowed to go out with anyone. If Babul wanted to take me to watch a movie, he would have to take 12-13 members of the entire family with him. My uncle was the then Governor Shamsul Haque. My brother-in-law told Babul that if he wanted to get married, he would have to bring his guardians. Then he formally proposed to my parents. The marriage took place with everyone's consent. Babul was sincere towards his wife and children. My son studied at St. Joseph's School, then at Jhenaidah Cadet College, and did his MBA abroad. Two of the three daughters completed their schooling at Viqarunnesa Noon School and College and went to Australia for higher education. The eldest daughter became a doctor and later joined the business world. The second daughter has completed her studies in computers, and the younger one has completed her studies in IT. Babul was very busy. Even so, I will say that as a father, he was very caring towards his children. He is the most memorable and significant person in my life," she concluded.
