After spending 28 memorable and glorious years as grasshopper in the Bangladesh gas sector the writer has to dissociate with it at the prime of professional career very much against the will. Never believed that there was any dearth of total commitment, dedication and sense of patriotism, which were spontaneous.

During these years of long association with natural gas sector, the author had the rare opportunity to become integral part of major gas infrastructure development projects in TGTDCL, BGSL, SGFL, JGTDSL and GTCL. The author almost regularly worked through official and weekly holidays. Building high-pressure gas pipeline, operating and maintaining it became more than a passion. My dearest friends know that I became bit of workaholic and in a way loved to eat, drink and dream gas pipeline. I do not think that wife and sons got greater attention than the pipeline projects I built.

During my long association I used to own the works, love them and could not think of anything else but to serve the sector. I worked through all the weekly holidays and even during Eid and other special holidays, sometimes ignoring family obligations. I can challenge that nobody involved in the gas sector can bring any authentic allegation against me about any corruption or abuse of official position. Still I was made to leave my job on very flimsy grounds. Possibly very strong stand against condensate thieves and unholy business syndicates could not be digested by the fortune-seekers. May be outspoken flamboyance as well as commitment to the values of the Liberation War also propelled anti-liberation forces to mastermind my exit. Some of the inquiry reports produced by the committee which I was part might have gone against vested interest. No one listened to many recommendations and suggestions I humbly submitted repeatedly for ensuring gas system security of supply. Consequently, national energy security is at stake and energy scenario will only continue to worsen as days will get hotter.

The author made repeated pledge to set up gas compressor station inside Bakhrabad Gas Field hub for the last 4 years but authorities were reluctant. Now they finally started action leaving Chittagong gas market vulnerable. KAFCO, CUFL and other major consumers have natural right to claim damage as Petrobangla could easily supply them gas for 6-7 hours from high pressure line pack and diverting more than 90 MMCFD from national grid only if the compressor was set up 2-3 years before. The compressors at Muchai and Ashuganj were identified almost 2 years ago. Now the inordinate delay would cause stranded gas at Muchai despite of huge hungry downstream market.

The energy experts can easily assess the absence of the undersigned from the abysmal performance of gas sector following dissociation in August 2005 a few weeks after Mahmudur Rahman, a long time intimate friend took charge of the energy ministry.
It really hurts when GTCL struggles with system operation or project implementation. I had a lot more to contribute for this helpless country and nation which does not produce experienced, willing and committed workhorse overnight.

Just for mere survival I had to take up a job abroad to keep the family moving. I beg excuse of my freedom fighter friends, my long time dedicated colleagues and well wishers who kept on reminding me my absence from the gas sector at a very crucial stage of the national energy security.

If ever anyone feels that any suggestion or comments would be essential, please feel free to fall back. The gas transmission pipelines all the way from Demra to Fauzdarhat, Bakhrabad to Beanibazar, Ashuganj to Bogra will definitely remember their dearest friend and caretaker as long as they exist. Every single drop of dust of Chittagong City Gate Station, Demra City Gate Station, Ashuganj Manifold Station, Baghabari Metering Station will definitely bear the memory.

Anyway, Goodbye Bangladesh gas sector, and sorry I could not serve at the moment when needed most. But life goes on. Eventually someone with more commitment, dedication and vision will fill the vacuum as no one is indispensable.

Ameen I miss you, Khaled I miss you, Mintoo I will miss you too. My good friend Bashir, Rahim -- all deserve special mention for their tremendous support and encouragement. Talukdar Bhai, I will always remember you. My innumerable well- wishers, please pray for me. My colleagues in GTCL, please leave nothing unturned to materialize our dreams and upkeep highest-level of professionalism at any cost.

Bangladesh must march along to achieve long-term energy security utilizing its enormous potential through the untiring efforts of dedicated professionals.

Throughout my entire career I got tremendous encouragement and inspiration from superiors, love and respect of all subordinates. I built some very important gas transmission pipelines for Titas, formed an integral part of BGSL system for almost a decade, operated the first and only oil well, upgraded and renovated many stations of Jalalabad Gas, nursed GTCL from infancy till 2005. The risks and burdens I had to shoulder to make the national condensate pipeline free from tapping is well known to various intelligence agencies.

I, on my own initiative, set up Liberation War monument, memorial for the martyrs of the Language Movement and dedicated flowerbeds for seven Bir Sreshthas and five language martyrs. If that was my mistake I am ready to embrace even death sentence. Only time will prove whether my commitment was of any value to the sinking energy scenario.

Sorry I could not compromise with the ideals of Liberation War, could not betray with the commitments that was made to the martyred freedom fighter friends Nasim and Nowfel, could not forget the advice of the greatest of the Bangladesh leader. Hence moment of separation nostalgia and pains numbs my thought process, which are too much for me to absorb. I will never forget sweet and sour memories those are crowding thoughts and emotions. If time permits I will definitely write memoirs unwinding the memory cassettes for EP readers.