The unstoppable engineer transforming Bangladesh Railway

For decades, the Bangladesh Railway has been dismissed as a "losing sector." An unwritten rule long governed the institution: if a train simply reached its destination, it was a good day. Success was measured not by innovation or profit, but by the mere completion of a journey. To the public eye, the railway was a heavy, immovable burden—impossible to turn around.

Yet, in an era where bureaucratic shackles threatened to stall progress, Railway Engineer Tasruzzaman Babu kept the wheels of innovation turning against the odds. Proving that Bangladesh can solve its own problems with homegrown technology. Now, as the winner of the prestigious Silver Stevie Award 2025 for 'Most Innovative Technology Leader of the Year,' Tasruzzaman stands alongside industry giants like Google, Amazon, and Tesla, signalling a new dawn for the railway.

From Tragedy to Determination

Tasruzzaman's journey to engineering excellence was forged in personal tragedy. At just 12 years old, he lost his father to a truck accident. The loss left the familydestitute. "We were lost," Tasruzzaman recalls. "I remember crying and asking, 'What will we eat now?'"

While neighbours offered sympathy, some suggested he abandon his education to work in a brick kiln. His mother worked physically demanding jobs and ran small businesses to ensure her children stayed in school. His sisters, too, took on small jobs to fund his education, steadfastly refusing to let their brother's potential go to waste."My mother and sisters basically built me," Tasruzzaman says. He completed his studies from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and later from Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET).

Come to learn, go forth to serve

With a brilliant academic record and scholarships from world-class institutions like the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Japan, Monash University, and University College London, Tasruzzaman had every opportunity to settle abroad. It is a path many talented Bangladeshis take to escape the struggles of the local system.

Tasruzzaman, however, chose the harder path. "Schools often have the motto: Come to learn, go forth to serve, he reflects. "Many people leave because they can't handle the struggle. But if you can handle the challenge and create something here, the satisfaction is far greater."

He realised that while building an automated machine in America might be routine, building one in Bangladesh creates history. Driven by a sense of debt to the country that subsidised his education, he joined the Bangladesh Railway, determined to reduce the nation's dependence on imports.

The "Odommo" Inventions

Tasruzzaman's time at the railway is defined by his philosophy: "Where there is a 'No,' there is a chance to invent something new." This mindset led to a series of inventions he named "Odommo" (Unstoppable). His flagship innovation is Bangladesh's first automated railway turntable. A turntable is a critical piece of infrastructure used to reverse locomotives and turn coaches. For years, the Lalmonirhat turntable was nonexistent. This caused locomotives to run backwards—a dangerous practice that contributed to accidents, such as the tragic Egaro Sindhur Express crash. Using local technology, Tasruzzaman first built a manual turntable, later converting it into a fully automated system. It became South Asia's first automated turntable.

His innovations didn't stop there. When expensive imported "Wheel Set Guides" kept failing, Tasruzzaman re-engineered the chemical composition of the materials. His local version now lasts years instead of months, saving the railway millions. He also developed rerailing equipment and an Electric Lifting Jack for maintenance.

Global Recognition and Local Challenges

Tasruzzaman's work has not gone unnoticed. His win at the Stevie Awards—often called the "Oscars for Business"—marks the first time a Bangladeshi individual has won in this category. Beyond the Silver Stevie, he has also secured a Gold "Lifetime Achievement Award" and a Silver "Employee of the Year" award for the Asia-Pacific region, set to be presented in New York later this year.

Yet, the road was paved with resistance. "There were attempts from different sides to stop me," Tasruzzaman admits. "Most people would quit... But I knew my intentions were good."
This determination became the foundation for his success.

A Vision for the Future

Tasruzzaman is now heading to Louisiana Tech University in the USA for a fully funded PhD. However, this is not an exit; he sees this as a chance to gather knowledge to bring back home.

His vision for the Bangladesh Railway is ambitious. He wants to set up a system where Bangladesh builds its own trains and engines instead of importing them. He believes that if countries like Indonesia can export trains to us, we should be able to do the same.

Tasruzzaman Babu has proven that innovation comes from having the right attitude, not just the best resources. By making the "impossible" possible, he has modernised the railway and inspired a new generation of engineers. As he says, "We can solve our own problems with our own technology."