ICALDRC Linguistics Unit of Dhaka University conferred “International Creative Arts Award 2025” to Md. Ashanur Rahman for his outstanding literary contribution through his Bengali novel Lenin on the life of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.

Discussion on “Impact of Language & Literature on Enriching Minds and Inspiring Lives & The International Creative Arts Award-2025 Presentation Ceremony” held at RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University on 14 January 2026. These medals and certificates of honor were awarded at the event.
Professor Dr.Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University was the chief guest in the event. Professor Dr. Abdul Mazid, Vice-Chancellor, Jessore University of Science and Technology and Prof. Dr. Nasar U Ahmed , Pro-Vice Chancellor, North South University, were the special guests.
The keynote speeches at the seminar were delivered by Professor Dr. Nasar U. Ahmed of Florida International University, USA, and Ms. Liu Wenli from China. The seminar, titled “Impact of Language & Literature on Enriching Minds and Inspiring Lives,” highlighted the significant role of language and literature in shaping the human mind, fostering creativity, and strengthening global cultural connections.

Ms. Liu Wenli, a Chinese language teacher, captivated the audience by performing a song in the Bengali language, beautifully showcasing the intrinsic harmony between the Chinese and Bengali languages and presenting a compelling example of cultural bridge-building.

In his welcome address, Professor Lutfor Rahman Joy, Secretary General of ICALDRC, stated,
“Our core objective at ICALDRC is to bring together talented and creative individuals from across the world to build a global platform for research and creative excellence.”

Participants from Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and China, along with several other countries, attended the seminar and award ceremony. In recognition of outstanding contributions in the fields of language, literature, research, innovation, agriculture, education, performing arts, philosophy, and creative arts, a total of 50 distinguished individuals from home and abroad were honored with awards and fellowships.

The program was presided over by Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman, Director General , International Mother Languege Institute & Professor of Linguistics Department of Dhaka University. ICALDRC Linguistics Unit of Dhaka University has awarded this medal and award for creativity in various fields of research, literary publication, performing arts, education and cultural activities in recognition of their creative’s contribution.

Md. Ashanur Rahman stands at a rare crossroads where reason meets imagination, where the discipline of numbers walks hand in hand with the freedom of words. A banker by profession and a writer by calling, he currently serves as the Deputy Managing Director, Chief Economist, and Country Business Manager of City Bank PLC—one of Bangladesh’s foremost financial institutions. With more than two decades devoted to banking, his journey began in 2004 at Mercantile Bank and found its defining shape at City Bank, where, during a time of transformation, he helped redesign the foundations of credit, legal, and recovery functions. His vision led to the establishment of the country’s first Risk Management Division in a commercial bank—an initiative that later became a national standard under Basel II guidelines.

His professional path took him beyond borders when he joined the Royal Bank of Canada, where he gained global perspective and depth. Returning home in 2019, he once again took up the responsibility of shaping the future of City Bank. Under his leadership, the bank introduced Bancassurance for the first time in Bangladesh, opening a new chapter in financial services. Alongside this, he continues to lead the Write-Off Recovery Unit and contributes actively to several strategic and governance committees, bringing clarity, balance, and foresight to every decision. Educated at Jahangirnagar University and the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management, and further trained in investment funds in Canada, his professional life reflects quiet rigor and enduring commitment.

Yet beyond boardrooms and balance sheets lives another Ashanur Rahman—one who listens to history, memory, and human struggle. A passionate writer, he entered the literary world with his debut novel “Lenin” in 2024, a bold and contemplative reimagining of the life of Vladimir Ilich Lenin. Born of six years of patient research and relentless devotion, the novel stirred readers and critics alike, crossing borders and generations, and finding a home among Bengali readers in Bangladesh, India, and North America. In 2025, he expanded his literary canvas with his first short story collection, “Bhor O Baruder Golpo,” where dawn and gunpowder meet in stories shaped by time, conflict, and hope.

He is also a co-editor of two literary platforms—Mononrekha, a half-yearly literary magazine, and Lekhālekhir Uthān, a webzine dedicated to art, literature, and culture. His essays and reflections on literature regularly appear in Prothom Alo and Daily Samakal, while his analytical columns on banking and economics continue to inform public thought. Despite the relentless demands of professional life, he writes not in spare time, but in stolen moments—driven by a belief that literature is not a luxury, but a responsibility.