Today I Saw a Revolution captures the remarkable life of Professor Badiul Majumdar, a visionary leader whose groundbreaking efforts have mobilized millions to end hunger in Bangladesh. This insightful biography offers a compelling look at the man behind the movement—his humble beginnings, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment to justice and empowerment.
Badiul’s story also reveals broader themes of leadership, resilience, and the vision required to confront the world’s most pressing challenges. His life is a testament to the power of individual and collective action to bring about lasting, transformative change.
For readers seeking inspiration and hope, Today I Saw a Revolution is a must-read—an intimate and powerful exploration of leadership, humanity, and the enduring impact of a revolutionary spirit.
A Timely and Relevant Message
This book’s release also coincides with the “Monsoon revolution” in Bangladesh, where an autocratic and corrupt government was deposed through the efforts of students. Majumdar’s efforts to empower young people and his fearless advocacy for governance reforms played a crucial role in setting the stage for this shift. His dedication to fostering democracy and challenging the status quo, despite great personal risk, made him a beloved figure among the people and a catalyst for the current movement towards justice and transparency.
Key Themes
We are enough, as we are, to take action on things that matter. People can be courageous leaders, especially those who get overlooked, like the poorest woman in a village. Badiul demonstrated that everyone has a role to play and is needed for true change to happen.
The book illustrates how inclusive, bottom-up approaches can drive sustainable change. By focusing on building movements that engage and include people at every level, Majumdar shows that collective action is key to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, and is a model for how local action can lead to global impact.
Despite ongoing social and political challenges, Majumdar’s story shows the value of persistence and engagement, even when outcomes are not guaranteed. His work emphasizes the importance of staying committed to justice and equity, no matter how daunting the task and without guaranteed outcomes. It shows that progress is possible even in challenging times.
A significant theme in the book is Majumdar’s belief in leading by example. He committed to doing the inner work, challenging his own biases, which set a standard for authentic, integrity-driven leadership. His approach teaches that true leaders must embody the change they wish through their actions and principles.
Why This Book Matters
"Today I Saw A Revolution" is not just a biography; it is a call to action. The book offers a blueprint for creating impactful change through grassroots movements and community empowerment. It provides valuable insights and inspiration for activists, development professionals, business leaders, and anyone passionate about making a difference. By challenging traditional approaches and showcasing the power of everyday people to drive extraordinary change, this book encourages readers to rethink what is possible and to believe in their ability to create a better world.
About the Author
Cathy Burke brings a wealth of experience and insight to this narrative, having served alongside Badiul as a senior leader at The Hunger Project for two decades. Her close collaboration and friendship with Badiul provide a unique perspective on his groundbreaking work. Cathy’s deep understanding of developing leaders and building movements enriches the storytelling, making this book not only an inspiring biography but also a valuable guide for anyone committed to social change.
Testimonials
“Badiul Majumdar helped pave the way for Bangladesh’s recent ‘Monsoon Revolution.’ He is a brilliant man, and widely loved by Bangladeshis for speaking truth to power.”
Dr. Kamal Hossain
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
“I have had the privilege of knowing Badiul Alam Majumdar for many years, and I deeply admire his unwavering commitment to social justice and community empowerment. His story is one of courage and resilience, showing us that real change begins with a vision and a willingness to act. Badiul’s leadership is marked by his ability to inspire others, to bring out the best in people, and to unite them around a shared purpose. His journey is a powerful example of how one individual’s dedication can light a spark that ignites change on a much larger scale.”
Prof Muhammad Yunus
Nobel Peace Laureate, Chairman of Yunus Centre
“This story of Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar will inspire millions of young people who are trying to find meaning and purpose in their lives. I have been fortunate to personally meet many resource-poor women and men who told me that they discovered their own strength to address the myriad challenges they faced after attending Badiul’s programs. This is a must-read book for all—young and old—who aspire to make a difference in this world.”
Professor Rounaq Jahan
Distinguished Fellow, Senior Research Scholar and Adjunct Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University
“Badiul Alam Majumdar is one of the boldest and most articulate activists within Bangladesh’s civil society. His mobilizing, writings, and dialogues have kept him on the frontline of Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for a credible and sustainable democracy. This biography should serve as both a historic account of one person’s contribution toward democracy and ending human deprivation, as well as providing an object lesson to activists in civil society on the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. It highlights the necessity of sustaining the struggle to serve the people of Bangladesh.”
Professor Rehman Sobhan
Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
“When I first met Badiul, The Hunger Project was pioneering a new expression of development, which was all about empowering people to end their own hunger. This was revolutionary at the time. Badiul incorporated this approach as consistent with his own understanding of effective leadership. His work transformed people and communities and made clear what is possible when individuals become authors of their own development. People living in the condition of hunger were no longer seen as the problem; they were seen to be the solution. The contribution Badiul has made to Bangladesh is immeasurable.”
Joan Holmes
Founding President and CEO, The Hunger Project
“Professor Badiul Alam Majumdar has been an activist of exceptional stature on many fronts, including political and civic rights, transparency and accountability, the rule of law, and the environment. He and I were instrumental in banning the highly polluting two-stroke engines that were widely used in three-wheelers in Bangladesh. In my view, his most important contributions are in awakening and mobilizing the present generation of youth in Bangladesh, and imbuing them with vision, hope, and a sense of direction."
Abdullah Abu Sayeed
Chairman, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
“Badiul Alam Majumdar’s biography deserves reading because it tells the story of a person who has remained steadfast for decades in working for the downtrodden who face adverse conditions—many of which were engineered by state apparatuses and vested interests. His tenacity and hard work continue to inspire many, as does his ability to bring people together to achieve something larger than any one of us. His commitment to establishing democracy, good governance, accountability, and transparency has made him an iconic figure in Bangladesh, but his contribution transcends national boundaries. I feel honored to have known him for the past decade and proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside him.”
Ali Riaz
Distinguished Professor, Illinois State University, United States
“To change systems requires an indomitable spirit, clear vision, resilience, and cutting-edge tools. But, most of all, it means working with people to help them see — often for the first time — the bottomless well of their own capacity. This wonderful alchemy of relentless passion and 'can-do' spirit is Badiul Majumdar's gift to the world and to those whom the world has forgotten. Today, I Saw a Revolution is a story of social, political, and personal transformation in Bangladesh. It is a powerful story of the making of a true Defiant Optimist.”
Durreen Shahnaz
Founder & CEO, IIX, 2017 Business for Peace Award Honoree, Author of The Defiant Optimist
"Nobody has unleashed the vision and leadership of women, men, and youth like Badiul. And nobody has so successfully advanced the principles of democracy and good governance in Bangladesh. If you yearn to live in a more just and sustainable world, learn from Badiul how to make it happen."
John Coonrod
Founder and US Chair, Movement for Community-led Development
“I greatly admire Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar for his persistent and intense advocacy for civic rights and democratic principles even in the face of physical threats. His amicus curiae brief prepared for the Bangladesh High Court in an election case was an important contribution to the jurisprudence on elections and helped pave the way for Bangladesh’s recent ‘Monsoon Revolution’. He is a brilliant man, widely loved by Bangladeshi’s for speaking truth to power and for his work to empower the young and disadvantaged by building democratic institutions.”
Dr. Kamal Hossain
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Principal author of the Constitution of Bangladesh
“It has been a great pleasure knowing Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar over the last two decades. I have known him as a dreamer and visionary with extraordinary leadership, commitment, and service to others. His two remarkable initiatives—The Hunger Project and SHUJAN (Citizens for Good Governance)—bear ample testimony to his unwavering commitment to the ideals of democracy, good governance, social justice, and the empowerment of people. May Dr. Majumdar succeed in his mission of 'chairaibeti' (moving ahead)—his relentless pursuit of an inclusive, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh.
Mohammad Abu Hena
Former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh
“Badiul Alam Majumdar showed courage when most others stepped back, fearing the consequences; he relentlessly advocated for accountability when others had given up all hope for it; and he repeatedly defied the supreme authority when nobody else dared. His constant fight for transparency has earned him widespread public respect. During our darkest days of repression, Badiul stood like a beacon of light for democracy and human rights.”
Mahfuz Anam
Editor, The Daily Star
“Today I Saw a Revolution tells the remarkable story of Badiul Majumdar and The Hunger Project transforming villages and ending hunger in Bangladesh. Meeting Badiul in 2005 and seeing his work changed the trajectory of my own life, including causing me to step up as a leader in my commitment to end hunger. To all of us who share the desire to make this planet a better place, this book is a powerful account of what is possible.”
Sheree Stomberg
Chair of the Global Board of Directors, The Hunger Project
“A few brave voices have stood out in the crowd, relentlessly fighting for Bangladesh’s democracy and the people’s right to self-determination and civic rights. Badiul Alam Majumdar’s courageous activism, articulate voice, and precise writing have unveiled the misdeeds of the autocratic Hasina regime and paved the way for our second liberation. Today, I Saw a Revolution is the story of a fearless fighter who never lost hope and never stopped speaking for the people.”
Matiur Rahman
Editor, Prothom Alo
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