Matia Chowdhury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matia Chowdhury
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মতিয়া চৌধুরী
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Chowdhury in 2013
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| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 7 January 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Abdur Razzaque |
| Member of Parliament for Sherpur-2 |
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| In office 25 January 2009 – 6 August 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Zahed Ali |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 13 July 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Abdus Salam |
| Succeeded by | Zahed Ali |
| Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League | |
| Assumed office 21 December 2021 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1942 Pirojpur, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 16 October 2024 (aged 82) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Political party | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Spouse | Bazlur Rahman |
| Education | University of Dhaka |
| Occupation | Politician |
Matia Chowdhury (30 June 1942 - 16 October 2024) was a Bangladeshi politician and a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Sherpur-2 constituency during 2009–2024. She was the Minister of Agriculture under the first, second and third premiership of Sheikh Hasina, from 1996 to 2001 and then again on 2009 to 2019 during the previous tenures of Bangladesh Awami League in power. She was a veteran politician from the Awami League, and was a presidium member of the party untill her death.
Early life and education
Matia Chowdhury was born on 30 June 1942 at Nazirpur of Pirojpur District. Her father, Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, was a police officer. She passed HSC from Dhaka Eden College. She later graduated from University of Dhaka.
Political career
Chowdhury started her political career from her student life. She actively participated in the movement against the Ayub regime and the movement against the Education Commission of 1962. She was elected the Vice-President of Dhaka Eden Girls College Students’ Union in 1963 and the General Secretary of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) in 1964–65. Chowdhury was well known in South Asia for her fiery speeches and her adamant attitude, qualities that have earned her the nickname of Ogni Konna or Girl of Fire. Although she started her political career with the left-wing National Awami Party, she was one of the most senior leaders of the Awami League. She was the president of the then East Pakistan Students’ Union in 1965–66. Between 1967 and 1969 time and again she was organizing anti Ayub movement and was detained in jail for about 2 years. She was released from jail during the mass upsurge of 1969.
Personal life
Chowdhury was married to Bazlur Rahman, editor of The Sangbad, one of the oldest Bengali-language dailies still in circulation, who died on 26 February 2008.
Death
Matia Chowdhury died on 16 October 2024 at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, following age-related health complications. She died at the age of 82.
