Syed Manzur Elahi: A role model to emulate

It has been a year since Syed Manzur Elahi left this mortal world, but the silence he left behind still feels heavy. People build institutions, but only a handful of them build values that keep inspiring others even after they are gone. Syed Manzur Elahi was one such rare gem. His demise on March 12, 2025, at the age of 83, was not just the passing of a respected figure, it was the passing of a moral compass for those who serve and wish to serve the nation.

Born on September 26, 1942 in Kolkata, Syed Manzur Elahi lived through the era when the Indian subcontinent was going through major political upheavals. He graduated from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata with distinction in 1962 and later did his Master's in Economics at the University of Dhaka in 1964. It was his upbringing and the era which instilled the intellectual and analytical abilities in him, later defining his leadership. However, what set him apart from the rest was not his educational qualifications or leadership abilities, but his inherent sense of purpose.

Like most young graduates of his era, Syed Manzur Elahi started his career in a corporate. Before the results of his MA were out, he secured a job with the Pakistan Tobacco Company, now known as British American Tobacco, and was posted in Karachi. For many, this would have marked the beginning of a comfortable and successful career. But for Syed Manzur Elahi, this was not enough; he had a bigger dream in his heart than just being employed and drawing a salary.

And the opportunity came in 1971 when Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan. There was vulnerability and uncertainty in the new country. But this uncertainty instilled courage in him. He quit the job in 1972 and entered the entrepreneurial arena. This was a leap of faith into the unknown. He started working as an agent for a French leather importer. In 1975, he bought a company, Orient Tannery, in Dhaka's Hazaribagh when the government started to privatise companies that had been nationalised earlier. This marked the beginning of the story of Apex. Slowly, Apex grew from a struggling tannery into a leading footwear brand of Bangladesh.

Today, Apex shoes are available on multiple continents. What is more interesting is not the fact that this company has gained international recognition, rather the fact that this business has been based on ethics. In an environment where many are tempted to take the easy route, Syed Manzur Elahi chose to take the hard route and do things honestly and transparently.

He was regarded as one of the most respected business personalities in Bangladesh, not because of his success but because of his approach to business. He never compromised on ethics, honesty, and patriotism.

Outside the realm of business and trade, Syed Manzur Elahi committed his life to public service. He had the opportunity to serve as an Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh twice, first in 1996 and then in 2001. His service was not motivated by political aspirations but by a genuine commitment to service.

Syed Manzur Elahi's commitment to Bangladesh has also been evident in his contributions to building and developing many organisations within the country. He was the Founding Chairman of Apex Footwear Ltd, Apex Tannery Ltd, Mutual Trust Bank PLC, and Pioneer Insurance PLC. And as the chair of East West University Foundation and Sunbeams School Ltd., he had a part in shaping and building future generations. He also had a hand in building and developing organisations such as the Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh Freedom Foundation, the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, International Publications Ltd (the owning company of The Financial Express), Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Ltd.

He was also deeply engaged with the country's business community. His holding of leadership positions in organisations like Bangladesh Association of Banks, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh Employers' Association, and Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd proved that his peers trusted him and his opinion.

Other positions he held are the Vice-Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC), Director of Bangladesh Bank, Sonali Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Member of Regulatory Reforms Commission, Member of Public Administration Reforms Commission, President of the Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA), and Honorary Consul for Belgium in Bangladesh.

Throughout his career, Syed Manzur Elahi was awarded many honours in recognition of his services to the trade, industry, and economy. Among these honours is the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st DHL-Daily Star Bangladesh Business Awards 2023.

What is probably Syed Manzur Elahi's most enduring legacy is not his founding of companies or his positions and titles; it is his demonstration to the world that success and integrity are not antithetical terms.

Today, one year after his demise, Bangladesh continues to move forward in its journey of development. Yet, it is not hard to feel that something is missing - the voice of reason, the beacon of ethics, and the presence of a man who had seen and believed that business had the potential to serve the nation.

Great people never really die. They live on in the institutions they established, in the values they built, and in the memories they instilled in people around them. The life of Syed Manzur Elahi was not just a story of personal achievement; it was a school for succeeding generations of entrepreneurs, public servants, and citizens.

Today, as we mark the first death anniversary of Syed Manzur Elahi, we do not just mourn his absence, we celebrate his life which was lived with dignity, vision, and commitment to Bangladesh.

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