Nearly two decades ago, a group of visionary Bangladeshi scientists embarked on a unique initiative. On March 6th, 2006, they launched a platform called Biggani.org—with the core aim of inspiring a new generation towards research, by sharing research-related information and interviews with scientists in the Bengali language. Their mission was to bring science into the mother tongue and make it accessible to the masses, so that the pursuit of knowledge would not remain confined to textbooks but become relevant to daily life. The founders believed that to bridge the digital divide, it was essential to foster an environment for scientific discourse in our own language. By creating and sharing information about science and technology in Bengali, it would be possible to lay a strong foundation for scientific thinking among future generations—Biggani.org was born out of this conviction.
Though the beginnings were humble, the vision was grand. At that time, accessible scientific writing in Bengali was rare in Bangladesh. For students and young researchers, the life stories of scientists seemed like distant beacons—something they learned only in fragments from English magazines or foreign sources. Biggani.org set out to bridge this gap with passion. The platform sought out talented scientists and researchers scattered across the globe, aiming to share their experiences in the mother tongue. Biggani.org aspired to build a bridge, so that the knowledge and experience of researchers abroad could reach the young minds of the country.
The Milestone of Two Hundred Interviews
Biggani.org has recently reached the milestone of publishing its 200th scientist interview—a number impressive not only in its quantity but also in its depth and scope. Each interview is a chronicle, and together, these two hundred interviews have formed a collective history of Bangladesh’s scientific journey. Here, you’ll find stories of researchers from all over the world—some are achieving success in nanotechnology, others seeking new solutions in agricultural science; some are pioneering space research, while others are making contributions to medicine or artificial intelligence. Alongside scientists working within Bangladesh, the platform showcases the stories of Bangladeshi researchers abroad. This diverse trove of experiences is not just a reflection of our collective identity—it also stands as a valuable historical record for the future. Across twenty years, the two hundred stories archived at Biggani.org chronicle how a nation’s curiosity and creativity have flourished on the world stage.
The most touching aspect of this long journey is the sincerity and community spirit behind every interview. Scientists from around the world took time to share their stories, and volunteers at Biggani.org documented them in Bengali for all to access. Sometimes staying up late to hold Q&A sessions over Skype or Zoom across different time zones, sometimes exchanging long emails—this is how the trove of experiences has been collected. Thanks to this community-driven effort, Biggani.org has reached the milestone of two hundred interviews. Each page pulses with dreams, the wisdom of elders, and endless inspiration for the young. These interviews with experienced scientists ignite curiosity in youths, opening new horizons before them, though inspiration alone is never enough—effective guidance is also crucial. That’s why, alongside tales of success, every interview also highlights lessons learned from failure, the steadfastness needed in tough times, and guidance for the journey ahead. These stories show that success in research does not come overnight; it is built on years of perseverance and endless curiosity.
Each quote in Biggani.org’s interviews can leave a deep impression on young readers’ minds. For instance, when a budding researcher reads the interview of a scientist like Professor Ahmedullah Aziz, they discover the message such figures have for the young. He has said clearly: “Science is not just about books—it’s a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, think, and discover something new.” These words remind the new generation that science is not about rote facts, but rather an irrepressible curiosity to explore the unknown. Professor Aziz also shares another valuable piece of advice for youths: “Remember: a pen, paper, and your mind—these three are enough for innovation.” In other words, even without enormous resources, creativity and intellect are the greatest tools. Such inspirational words can empower young people in any field, not just science. They feel, “I, too, have a pen, paper, and mind—I can do it!” This heartfelt connection between scientist and reader is Biggani.org’s greatest achievement.
But Biggani.org knows that responsibility does not end with inspiring dreams; turning those dreams into reality requires effective guidance and lessons in perseverance. As beautifully expressed in an editorial essay: “An interview with an established scientist may spark dreams in young eyes, but it’s equally important to deliver the message that realizing those dreams demands mental fortitude and perseverance… There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs.” With this realization, Biggani.org has recently begun publishing not just interviews but also numerous guides in Bengali on how to start research, how to prepare for higher studies, research ethics, and more. Because if inspiration is the fuel for flight, guidance is the map to the right destination. Biggani.org is relentlessly working to fill the gap in quality scientific resources in Bengali. By gathering diverse research content on one platform, it offers young minds accessible information. Among these is a new section, ‘Getting Started with Research,’ where a student can find answers to their questions and essential resources in their mother tongue. These initiatives are helping to build a stronger foundation for a culture of scientific practice.
This is precisely the power of communicating science in Bengali—it delivers knowledge to the masses and paves the way for a truly knowledge-based society. Unable to overcome the barrier of foreign languages, countless talented children from a young age regard science as incomprehensible or out of reach. But when a teenager can read the life story of a Bangladeshi scientist living abroad in their own language, they see that people from backgrounds like theirs have achieved extraordinary success in the world of science. In that moment, science becomes familiar, and their dreams begin to take shape in reality. From the start, Biggani.org has kept this in mind—a nation cannot become great merely by consuming the technology of others; only by gaining the capacity to create knowledge does it earn lasting distinction. Without opportunities for scientific discourse in the mother tongue, the flow of knowledge creation will remain constrained. Popularizing science in Bengali means planting the seeds of scientific thinking in the youth, awakening their imagination within the context of their own culture. With dedication and love, Biggani.org’s two hundred interviews are sowing those seeds every day.
Alongside celebrating this unprecedented milestone, our gaze is set firmly on the road ahead. In truth, the story of Biggani.org has only begun—these two hundred interviews mark just the start of a new chapter. In the coming days, many more scientists’ stories and new research narratives will be collected on this platform. Perhaps a few years from now, we will celebrate the three hundredth or five hundredth interview as well. But however the numbers grow, the central aim of each conversation will remain the same: to wrap science and knowledge in the stories of people, so the next generation can find their own way forward. This community-driven initiative is hopeful that, in the future, many more young science writers, volunteers, and researchers will rise from this platform, spreading the light of scientific practice to every home in Bangladesh. Perhaps among them will emerge the next Jamal Nazrul Islam or Satyendra Nath Bose—luminaries who will bring global renown to Bangladesh while working from their homeland.
At this moment, marking the completion of two hundred interviews, we recall once more that Biggani.org is not just a website—it is a movement. It is the tireless endeavor of scientifically minded people, striving to make Bangladesh self-reliant and prosperous through the light of knowledge. Readers, writers, scientists, teachers—the collective effort of all has carried Biggani.org’s journey forward. And through this collective effort, we can build a knowledge-based, innovative, and prosperous Bangladesh—rooted in the broad road of research. Thus, today’s milestone is not just a triumph for Biggani.org, but another leap forward in the dream of creating a science-minded Bangladesh. Among the countless stars shining in the sky of our imagination, the two hundred lights kindled by Biggani.org gleam like a constellation—showing us how the history of knowledge can be written by the power of community.
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