স্বপনের সমাধি খোঁড়া এ জীবন ... মনের গোপন ঘরে যে শ্বাপদ ঘর করে তাকেই লালন করে চলা এ জীবন! ডঃ ইউনুস! এক মহান স্বপ্নদ্রষ্টার নাম। বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে বড় সমস্যা ‘দারিদ্র’কে জাদুঘরে পাঠানোর পরিকল্পনা করার দুঃসাহস তিনি দেখান। শুধু স্বপ্ন দেখে তিনি দায়িত্ব শেষ করেননি, তাঁর স্বপ্নকে বাস্তবায়নের জন্য অক্লান্ত পরিশ্রম করে যাচ্ছেন নিরন্তর! দেশে-বিদেশে তাঁর কাজের স্বীকৃতিও মিলেছে। আজ এই মহান মানুষটির জন্মদিন; আসুন এই দিনে শ্রদ্ধা, ভালবাসা আর শুভ কামনা দিয়ে স্মরণ করি এই মানুষটাকে। শুভ জন্মদিন ডঃ ইউনুস!!! আদিম কাল থেকে সমাজ পরিবর্তনের জন্য যারা কাজ করেছেন তাদের সমালোচকেরও অভাব হয় নি।

ডঃ ইউনুসের ক্ষেত্রেও এর ব্যতিক্রম হবে কেন! তবে তাঁর সমালোচকদের মধ্যে অধিকংশ তার স্বজাতি। এই ব্লগেও অনেক বিজ্ঞ ব্যক্তি আছেন, যারা ডঃ ইউনুস কে হেয় করে পোষ্ট লিখতে লিখতে কীবোর্ডের কী উঠিয়ে ফেলেছেন। তাদের জন্য আমার শ্রেফ করুনা হয়! তাদের উদ্দেশ্যে আমি একটা কথা বলি, ডঃ ইউনুস দেশে-বিদেশে যতগুলো এওয়ার্ড পেয়েছেন, সেগুলোকে পাশাপাশি রেখে আপনাকে যদি বলা হয় এক নিঃশ্বাসে দৌড় দিয়ে এগুলো কভার করে আসেন, তারপর শুনব আপনার কথা। আমার দৃঢ় বিশ্বাস অনেকেই সেটা ক্রস করতে পারবেন না, মাঝপথে দম বন্ধ হয়ে অক্কা পাবেন। মিষ্টার বিজ্ঞ! চিজ-স্যান্ডুইস আর হোয়াইট ওয়াইন খেয়ে চামচামি করা যায়, দেশে-বিদেশে এত সম্মাননা আদায় করা যায় না।

এই সব বেয়াক্কল হিংসুটেদের জন্য ডঃ ইউনুসের প্রাপ্ত সম্মাননার একাংশ নিচে কপি-পেষ্ট করলাম! BANGLADESH President's Award: 1978 Originator of the concept of Three share Farming (Tebhaga Khamar) as a joint farming operation. Organised Nabajug Tebhaga Khamar in Jobra, Chittagong in 1975, around a deep tubewell which was lying unused because of management problems. Government of Bangladesh adopted the concept and introduced it in the country under the name of "Packaged Input Programme" (PIP) in 1977. Nabajug Tebhaga Khamar was awarded President's Award in 1978 for introducing an innovative organisation in agriculture. PHILIPPINES Ramon Magsaysay Award: 1984 Awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Field of "Community Leadership" in 1984 for "Enabling the neediest rural men and women to make themselves productive with sound group managed credit." BANGLADESH Central Bank Award: 1985 Awarded the Bangladesh Bank Award 1985 in recognition of the contribution in devising a new banking mechanism to extend credit to the rural landless population, thereby creating self employment and socio economic development for them. BANGLADESH Independence Day award: 1987 Awarded the Independence Day Award, 1987, by the President for the outstanding contribution in rural development. This is the highest civilian national award of Bangladesh. SWITZERLAND Aga Khan Award For Architecture: 1989 Awarded Aga Khan Award For Architecture, 1989 by Geneva based Aga Khan Foundation for designing and operating Grameen Bank Housing Programme for the poor, which helped poor members of Grameen Bank to construct 60,000 housing units by 1989, each costing on an average $ 300. U.S.A. Humanitarian Award: 1993 Awarded 1993 Humanitarian Award by the CARE, U.S.A. in recognition of role in providing a uniquely pragmatic and effective method of empowering poor women and men to embark on income generating activities. SRI LANKA Mohamed Sahabdeen Award for Science (Socio Economic): 1993 Awarded Mohamed Sahabdeen Award for Science (Socio Economic) in 1993. BANGLADESH Rear Admiral M. A. Khan Memorial Gold Medal Award: 1993 Awarded Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan Memorial Gold Medal Award in 1993. U.S.A. World Food Prize: 1994 Awarded 1994 World Food Prize by World Food Prize Foundation, U.S.A. in recognition of the lifetime achievements of an economist who created a bank loan system that has given millions of people access to adequate food and nutrition for the first time in their lives. U.S.A. Pfeffer Peace Prize: 1994 Awarded 1994 Pfeffer Peace Prize by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, U.S.A. for his vision of non collateral lending through the Grameen Bank and the courage of persevere in the concept that credit is a human right. BANGLADESH Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Memorial Gold Medal Award: 1994 Awarded Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Memorial Gold Medal Award in 1994. SWITZERLAND Max Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize: 1995 Awarded Max Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize in 1995. BANGLADESH RCMD Award: 1995 Awarded Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka Foundation Award in 1995. VENEZUELA & UNESCO International Simon Bolivar Prize: 1996 Awarded International Simon Bolivar Prize in 1996. U.S.A. "Distinguished Alumnus Award" of Vanderbilt University: 1996 Awarded "Distinguished Alumnus Award" of Vanderbilt University in 1996. U.S.A. International Activist Award: 1997 Awarded International Activist Award Gleitsman Foundation, U.S.A., in 1997. GERMANY Planetary Consciousness Business Innovation Prize: 1997 Awarded "Planetary Consciousness Business Innovation Prize" by the club of Budapest in 1997. NORWAY Help for self help Prize: 1997 Awarded "Help for self help Prize" by the Stromme Foundation in 1997. ITALY Man for Peace Award: 1997 Awarded "Man for Peace Award" by the Together For Peace Foundation in 1997. U.S.A. State of the World Forum Award: 1997 Awarded "State of the World Forum Award" by the State of the World Forum, San Francisco in 1997. U.K. One World Broadcasting Trust Media Awards: 1998 Awarded One World Broadcasting Trust Special Award” by the One World Broadcasting Trust in 1998. SPAIN The Prince of Austurias Award for Concord: 1998 Awarded The Prince of Austurias Award for Concord by The Prince of Austurias Foundation in 1998. AUSTRALIA Sydney Peace Prize: 1998 Awarded Sydney Peace Prize by the Sydney Peace Foundation in 1998. JAPAN Ozaki (Gakudo) Award : 1998 Awarded Ozaki (Gakudo) Award by the Ozaki Yukio Memorial Foundation in 1998. INDIA Indira Gandhi Prize: 1998 Awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in 1998. FRANCE Juste of the Year Award: 1998 Awarded "Juste of the Year" by the Les Justes D'or in 1998. U.S.A. Rotary Award for World Understanding: 1999 Awarded Rotary Award for World Understanding by the Rotary International in 1999. ITALY Golden Pegasus Award: 1999 Awarded Golden Pegasus Award by the TUSCAN Regional Government in 1999. ITALY Roma Award for Peace and Humanitarian Action: 1999 Awarded Roma Award for Peace and Humanitarian Action by the Municipality of Rome in 1999. INDIA Rathindra Puraskar: 1998 Awarded Rathindra Puraskar for 1998 by the Visva-Bharati in 1999. SWITZERLAND OMEGA Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement: 2000 Awarded OMEGA Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement in 2000. ITALY Award of the Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Senate: 2000 Awarded The Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Senate in 2000. JORDAN King Hussein Humanitarian Leadership Award: 2000 Awarded "King Hussein Humanitarian Leadership Award" by the King Hussein Foundation in 2000. BANGLADESH "IDEB Gold Medal" Award: 2000 Awarded IDEB Gold Medal Award by the Institute of Diploma Engineers in 2000. ITALY "Artusi" Prize : 2001 Awarded "Artusi" prize by Comune di Forlimpopoli in 2001. JAPAN Grand Prize of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize: 2001 Awarded "Grand Prize of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize " by the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize Committee in 2001. VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh Award: 2001 Awarded Ho Chi Minh Award by the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee in 2001. SPAIN International Cooperation Prize Caja de Granada: 2001 Awarded International Cooperation Prize Caja de Granada Caja de Ahorros de Granada in 2001. SPAIN NAVARRA International Aid Award: 2001 NAVARRA International Aid Award by the Autonomous Government of Navarra together with Caja Laboral (Savings Bank) in 2001. U.S.A Mahatma Gandhi Award: 2002 Awarded Mahatma Gandhi Award by the M.K Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, in 2002. U.K. World Technology Network Award: 2003 Awarded "World Technology Network Award 2003" for Finance by the World Technology Network in 2003. SWEDEN Volvo Environment Prize: 2003 Awarded "Volvo Environment Prize 2003" by the Volvo Environment Prize Foundation in 2003. COLOMBIA National Merit Order Award: 2003 Awarded "National Merit Order" by the Honorable President of the Republic of Colombia in 2003. FRANCE The Medal of the Painter Oswaldo Guayasamin Award: 2003 Awarded "The Medal of the Painter Oswaldo Guayasamin" by the UNESCO in 2003. SPAIN Telecinco Award: 2004 Awarded "Telecinco Award for Better Path Towards Solidarity" by the Spanish TV Netwark - Channel 5 in 2004. ITALY City of Orvieto Award: 2004 Awarded "City of Orvieto Award" by the Municipality of Orvieto in 2004. U.S.A. The Economist Innovation Award: 2004 Awarded "The Economist Award for Social and Economic Innovation" by The Economist in 2004. U.S.A. World Affairs Council Award: 2004 Awarded "World Affairs Council Award for Extra-ordinary Contribution to Social Change" by the World Affairs Council of Northern California in 2004. U.S.A. Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship Award: 2004 Awarded "Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship Award" by Fuqua School of Business of Duke University, U.S.A. in 2004. ITALY Premio Galileo 2000 - Special Prize for Peace: 2004 Awarded "Premio Galileo 2000 - Special Prize for Peace" by Ina Assitalia Fireuze in 2004. JAPAN Nikkei Asia Prize: 2004 Awarded "Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth" by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc. (Nikkei) in 2004. SPAIN Golden Cross of the Civil Order of the Social Solidarity: 2005 Awarded "Golden Cross of the Civil Order of the Social Solidarity" by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in May, 2005. U.S.A. Freedom Award: 2005 Awarded "Freedom Award" by the America's Freedom Foundation, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. in July, 2005. BANGLADESH Bangladesh Computer Society Gold Medal: 2005 Awarded "Bangladesh Computer Society Gold Medal" by the Bangladesh Computer Society, Bangladesh in July, 2005. ITALY Prize Il Ponte: 2005 Awarded " Prize Il Ponte " by the Fondazione Europea Guido Venosta, Italy in November, 2005. SPAIN Foundation of Justice: 2005 Awarded "Foundation of Justice 2005" by the Foundation of Justice, Valencia, Spain in January, 2006. U.S.A Harvard University, Neustadt Award: 2006 Awarded "Neustadt Award" by Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, U.S.A. in May, 2006. U.S.A Global Citizen of the Year Award: 2006 Awarded "Global Citizen of the Year Award" by Patel Foundation for Global understanding, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A in May, 2006. NETHERLAND Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom Award: 2006 Awarded "Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom Award" by Roosevelt Institute, Middleburg, Province of New Zeeland, The Netherlands in May, 2006. SWITZERLAND ITU World Information Society Award: 2006 Awarded "ITU World Information Society Award" by International Telecommunication Union, Geneva, Switzerland in May, 2006. KOREA Seoul Peace Prize: 2006 Awarded "Seoul Peace Prize 2006" by Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, Seoul, Korea in October, 2006. SPAIN Convivencia (Good Fellowship) of Ceuta Award: 2006 Awarded "Convivencia (Good Fellowship) of Ceuta 2006" by Fundacion Premio Convivencia, Ceuta, Spain in October, 2006. Norway Nobel Peace Prize: 2006 Awarded "Nobel Peace Prize 2006" in October, 2006. INDIA Disaster Mitigation Award: 2006 Awarded "Disaster Mitigation Award 2006" by FIRST INDIA Disaster Management Congress 2006, Delhi, India in November, 2006. INDIA Shera Bangalee:2006 Awarded "SHERA BANGALEE 2006" by ETV, India in February, 2007. U.S.A Global Trailblazer Award: 2007 Awarded "Global Trailblazer Award 2007" by the Vital Voices, Washington DC, USA in March, 2007. U.S.A ABICC Award For Leadership In Global Trade: 2007 Awarded "ABICC Award For Leadership in Global Trade 2007" by ABICC, Miami, USA in March, 2007. U.S.A Social Entrepreneur Award: 2007 Awarded "Social Entrepreneur Award 2007" by the Geoffrey Palmer Center for Social Entrepreneurship and the Law, Pepperdine School of Law, USA in January, 2007. U.S.A Global Entrepreneurship Leader Award: 2007 Awarded "Global Entrepreneurship Leader Award 2007" by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, USA in April, 2007. SPAIN RED CROSS Gold Medal: 2007 Awarded "Red Cross Gold Medal 2007" by the Red Cross Society, Spain in 2007. INDIA Rabindra Nath Tagore Birth Centenary Plaque: 2007 Awarded "Rabindra Nath Tagore Birth Centenary Plaque 2007" by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, India in May, 2007. NETHERLAND EFR-Business Week Award: 2007 Awarded "EFR-Business Week Award 2007" by the University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands in May 2007. U.S.A. Nichols-Chancellor Medal: 2007 Awarded "Nichols-Chancellor Medal" by the Vanderbilt University, U.S.A. in May, 2007. GERMANY Vision Award: 2007 Awarded "Vision Award 2007" by the Global Economic Network, Berlin, Germany in June, 2007. U.S.A BAFI Global Achievement Award: 2007 Awarded "BAFI Global Achievement Award 2007" by the Bangladesh-American Foundation Inc., U.S.A in July, 2007. U.S.A. Rubin Museum Mandala Award: 2007 Awarded "Rubin Museum Mandala Award" by the Rubin Museum, USA, October 2007. INDIA Sakaal Person of the Year Award: 2007 Awarded "Sakaal Person of the Year Award 2007" by the Sakaal Group of Publications, India in November, 2007. PHILIPPINES First AHPADA Global Award: 2007 Awarded "1st AHPADA Global Award" by the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (ASPADA), Philippines in November, 2007. Brazil Medal of Honor: 2007 Awarded "Medal of Honor" by the Government, Santa Catrina State, Brazil, November 2007. U.S.A. Award for UN South-South Cooperation: 2007 Awarded the "UN South - South Cooperation" by the United Nations, USA, December 2007. U.S.A. Project Concern Award: 2008 Awarded "Project Concern Award" by Project Concern International, Santa Barbara, California, January 2008. New York International Women's Health Coalition Award: 2008 Awarded "IWHC" Award by the International Women's Health Coalition, February 2008. Japan Kitakyushu Environmental Award: 2008 Awarded "The Kitakyushu Environmental Award" by the Mayor of City of Kitakyushu, Japan, February 2008. U.S.A. Chancellor's Medal: 2008 Awarded " Chancellor's Medal" by York College, USA, February 2008. U.S.A. President's Medal: 2008 Awarded "President's Medal" by Lehman College, USA, March 2008. U.S.A. Human Security Award: 2008 Awarded " Human Security Award" by Muslim Public Affairs Council, USA, March 2008. AUSTRIA Annual Award for Development: 2008 Awarded "2008 Annual Award for Development" by OPEC Fund for International Development(OFID), Austria, June 2008. U.S.A. Humanitarian Award: 2008 Awarded "2008 Humanitarian Award" by The International Association of Lions Clubs, U.S.A., June 2008. SPAIN Friend of Children Award: 2008 Awarded "Friend of Children 2008" by Save the Children, Spain, October 2008. GERMANY AGI International Science Award: 2008 Awarded "AGI International Science" by University of Cologne, Germany, October 2008. GERMANY Corine International Book Award: 2008 Awarded "Corine International Book Award" by the Bavaraian Government for the book, "Creating World Without Poverty", Germany, November 2008. GERMANY TWO WINGS prize: 2008 Awarded "TWO WING prize 2008" by the Freie Universitat, Berlin, Germany, November 2008. USA Global Humanitarian Awards: 2008 Awarded "Global Humanitarian Awards 2008" by the Tech Museum, San Jose, California, November 2008. California World Affairs Council Awards: 2008 Awarded "World Affairs Council Awards 2008" by the World Affairs Council of Northern California, San Francisco, California, November 2008. USA Full Impact Award: 2008 Full Circle Fund awarded the Full Impact Award 2008 for his bold, inspiring leadership on November 13, 2008 PORTUGAL Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize: 2009 The Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize was awarded to Muhammad Yunus Creating a world without Poverty. It is the biggest award in the field of international studies. It is awarded on an annual basis to books, which offer outstanding analysis of global issues. May, 2009. USA Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service: 2009 Awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service from the Eisenhower Fellowships at a ceremony in Philadelphia, May, 2009. Slovakia Golden Biatec Award: 2009 Awarded Golden Biatec Award by the Economic Club, Slovakia, June, 2009. USA Gold Medal of Honor Award: 2009 Awarded the Gold Medal of Honor Award from the ATLAS, U.S.A, June, 2009. USA PICMET Leadership in Technology Management: 2009 Awarded the "PICMET (Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology) Leadership in Technology Management" from PICMET, U.S.A. on August 4, 2009. This award recognizes and honors individuals who have provided leadership in managing technology by establishing a vision, providing a strategic direction, and facilitating the implementation strategies for that vision. USA Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2009 Awarded the highest US civilian honor "The Medal of Freedom" by President Barack Obama at White House on August 12, 2009. The Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. SPAIN The Sustainable Development Award: 2009 Awarded "The Sustainable Development Award 2009" by Ecology and Development Foundation, Spain on October 22, 2009. GERMANY The Bayreuth Leadership Award: 2009 Awarded the "The Bayreuth Leadership Award 2009" by the University of Bayreuth, Wiesbaden, Germany on November 5, 2009 in recognition of work to create opportunities for economic and social development with the aim of eliminating world poverty. USA Prize for Ethical Business Award: 2010 Awarded the "Prize for Ethical Business Award 2010" by the Creighton University, Omaha, USA in February, 2010. USA Presidential Medallion Award: 2010 Awarded the "Presidential Medallion Award 2010" by the President, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA in March, 2010. USA Presidential Medal Award: 2010 Awarded the "Presidential Medal Award 2010" by the Emory University, Atlanta, USA in March, 2010. SPAIN SolarWorld Einstein Award 2010 Awarded the "SolarWorld Einstein Award 2010" by the SolarWorld AG, Germany at the 25th European Phtovoltaic Conference in Valencia, Spain on September 6, 2010. USA Presidential Medal Award 2010 Awarded the "Presidential Medal Award 2010" by the Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida,  USA in September, 2010. USA Congressional Gold Medal 2010 Awarded the highest civilian honor "Congressional Gold Medal" by US Congress in September, 2010. PERU Order of the Sun in the Grade of Grand Cross Awarded the highest national award given by the Nation of Peru CHINA Global Award, the Third China Poverty Eradication Awards: 2010 Awarded Global Award, the Third China Poverty Eradication Awards by The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development Management, Government of People's Republic of China and China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation in Beijing on October 17, 2010. U.S.A. St. Vincent de Paul Award: 2011 Awarded the St. Vincent de Paul Award by DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois on September 23, 2011. USA Elon Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership: 2011 Awarded the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership in 4 April, 2012 USA Jean Mayer Global Citizen Award: 2012 Awarded the Jean Mayer Global Citizen Award by the Institute for Global Leadership of Tufts University on April 20, 2012. This award was created to honor Jean Mayer, by challenging and inspiring the students and the University community, by bringing to Tufts distinguished scholars and practitioners whose moral courage, personal integrity, and passion for scholarship resonated his dictum that scholarship, research and teaching must be dedicated to solving the most pressing problems facing the world. USA Outstanding Entrepreneur of Our Time and The Best Humanitarian of the Year" by OFC Venture Challenge: 2012 Awarded the Outstanding Entrepreneur of Our Time and the Best Humanitarian of the Year" by OFC Venture Challenge on April 23, 2012. USA Transformational Leadership Award: 2012 Awarded the 2012 Transformational Leadership Award from the Wright Foundation for Transformational Leadership on April 27, 2012 in honor of his achievements as a humanitarian and social entrepreneur. USA International Freedom Award: 2012 Awarded the 2012 Freedom Award by the National Civil Rights Museum on October 16, 2012 at Memphis, Tennessee as the founder of Grameen Bank for providing collateral-free loans to the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh. USA Salute to Greatness Award 2013 Awarded "Salute to Greatness Award 2013" by Martin Luther King Center, USA on January 19, 2013. Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award 2013 Awarded “Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award 2013” by Quinnipiac University, Connecticut, USA on March 6, 2013. U.K. Skoll Global Treasure Award 2013 Awarded “Global Treasure Award” by Skoll Foundation, Oxford, UK on April 11, 2013 U.S.A. The Congressional Gold Medal Award 2013 Awarded the “Congressional Gold Medal” award by the US congress on April 17, 2013. A special bill S. 846 was passed in US congress to award Congressional Gold Medal to Professor Muhammad Yunus by unanimous vote. The Public Law 111-253 for the award was passed in October, 2010. Honorary Degrees Received by Professor Muhammad Yunus: U.K. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, by the University of East Anglia, U.K., in 1992. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Humanities by the Oberlin College, U.S.A. in 1993. CANADA Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Law, honoris causa, by the University of Toronto, Canada in 1995. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Law by the Haverford College, U.S.A. in May, 1996. U.K. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Law by the Warwick University, U.K. in July, 1996. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Public Service by the Saint Xaviers' University, U.S.A. in May, 1997. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa by the University of the South, U.S.A. in January, 1998. BELGIUM Awarded a Degree of Doctor Honoris Cause by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium in February, 1998. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa by the Yale University, U.S.A. in May, 1998. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa by the Brigham Young University, U.S.A. in August, 1998. AUSTRALIA Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in Economics by the University of Sydney, Australia in November, 1998. AUSTRALIA Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University by the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia in February, 2000. ITALY Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor in Economics and Business (Laurea Honoris Causa) by the University of Turin, Turin, Italy in October, 2000. U.S.A. Awarded a Degree of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa by the Colgate University, Hamilton, U.S.A. in May 2002. BELGIUM Awarded a degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the University Catholique of Louvain in February, 2003. ARGENTINA Awarded a Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universitad Nacional De Cuyo in April, 2003. SOUTH AFRICA Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Economics, honoris Causa by the University of Natal in December 2003. INDIA Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa by the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswayvidyalaya, India in February, 2004. THAILAND Awarded a Degree of Doctor of Technology, Honoris Causa by the Asian Institute of Technology in August, 2004. ITALY Awarded a Degree of Doctor in Business Economics, Honoris Causa by the University of Florence in September, 2004. ITALY Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor in Pedagogyst by the University of Bologna in October, 2004. SPAIN Awarded a Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universidad Complutense, Madrid in October, 2004. SOUTH AFRICA Awarded a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics by the University of Venda, South Africa in May, 2006. LEBANON Awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters by the American University of Beirut, Lebanon in June, 2006. SPAIN Awarded a Doctor of Honoris Causa by the University of Alicante in Valencia, Spain in June, 2006. SPAIN Awarded a Doctor of Honoris Causa by the University of Valencia, in Valencia, Spain in June, 2006. SPAIN Awarded a Doctor of Honoris Causa by the University of Jaume I in Valencia, Spain in June, 2006. BANGLADESH Awarded a Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in February, 2007. JAPAN Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities by the Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan in July, 2007. MALAYSIA Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Economics by the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia in August, 2007. KOREA Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the Ewha Womans University in September, 2007. COSTA RICA Awarded a Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa Degree by the Earth University in December 2007. U.S.A. Awarded an Honorary Degree by the Regis University, U.S.A. in March 2008. CANADA Awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of British Columbia in March 2008. RUSSIA Awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Moscow State University, Russia in April 2008. ITALY Awarded an Honoris Causa Degree in Science of Cooperation and Development by Sapienza University of Rome, Italy in June, 2008. U.K. Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctorate of Letters (D. Litt) in Glasgow Caledonia University, Glasgow, UK in December 2008. U.K. Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctorate in University of Glasgow, UK in December 2008. JAPAN Awarded an Honorary Degree in Kobe University, Japan in March 2009. U.S.A. Awarded an Honorary Doctors of Law Degree by University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia in May 2009. JAPAN Awarded an Honorary Degree from Hokkaido University, Japan in September 2009. TURKEY Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctorate in Istanbul Commerce University, Istanbul in October 2009. U.S.A. Received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Duke University, Durham, USA on May 16, 2010. JAPAN Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctorate in Kwansei Guakin University, Kobe, Japan on 18 July 2010. CANADA Awarded a Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada on September 1, 2010. PERU Awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa from San Ignacio de Loyola University, Lima, Paru on September 27, 2010. PERU Awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Paru on September 27, 2010. BELGIUM Awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa from University of Mons in Mons on October 18, 2010. U.K. Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in Economics from London School of Economics at London on November 24, 2011. Japan Awarded Honorary Degree of Doctorate from Tohoku University, Japan on 11 March, 2012. U.S.A Awarded Doctor of Humane Letters degree fromTuskegee University, U.S.A. on 12 May, 2012. U.S.A Awarded the degree of Doctors of Letters from Emory university, U.S.A. on 14 May, 2012. Albania Awarded the Degree of Doctoris Honoris Causa from the European University of Tirana, Albania on 15 January, 2013. U.K. Awarded Honorary Degree from University of Salford, Manchester, UK on May 18, 2013. Special Honour: PHILIPPINES Legislature of Negros Occidental, a province of the Philippines, passed a resolution awarding the status of "Adopted Son of Negros Occidental" for the contribution made to the poorest of the poor of the province, in 1992. BANGLADESH Chosen by The Daily Star, a daily newspaper of Bangladesh, as the "Man of the Year 1994". U.S.A. Was Chosen as the" Person of the Week" Professor Muhammad Yunus was chosen as the "Person of the Week" by American TV ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings on September 15, 1995 at the conclusion of the World Summit on Women held in Beijing. This is how Peter Jennings announced the news : "Finally this evening, our Person of the Week. As we reported elsewhere in this broadcast, the International Women Conference in China is now over. And the women there, from many parts of the world, will go home and try to inspire others to translate all the talking into action which will benefit women. On this final day of the women conference, we choose a man. He was on the agenda of the women conference because he truly understands the value of women." HONG KONG The ASIAWEEK, a weekly international news magazine has selected as one of the "Twenty Great Asians (1975 1995)". INDIA The Ananda Bazar Patrika a daily leading newspaper of India has selected as one of the Ten Great Bangalees of the century" (1900-1999). HONG KONG The ASIAWEEK, a weekly international news magazine has selected as one of the Asians of the Century (1900-1999). U.S.A The U.S. NEWS a weekly leading news-magazine of U.S.A. has selected as one of the 20 Heroes in the world in 2001. U.S.A Appointed as an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS by the United Nations in June, 2002. BANGLADESH Elected as a Fellow of the Society by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in September, 2003. U.S.A PBS Documentary : The 25 Most Influential Business Persons of the Past 25 Years Professor Yunus was chosen by Wharton School of Business for PBS documentary, as one of "The 25 Most Influential Business Persons of the Past 25 Years" Among others were : Bill Gates, George Soros, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Warren Buffertt, Michael Dell, Alan Greenspan, Lee Lacocca, Charles Schwab, Frederick Smith, and Sam Walton. PBS aired the programme on January 19, 2004, in their "Nightly Business News". U.S.A. Profiled in Discovery Channel In 2004, TV Cable Channel Discovery produced an autobiography documentary film series titled "Crossings". In each episode it featured "one individual who made significant contribution to society as a result of certain experiences in life." Twelve Asians were profiled in this series. Professor Muhammad Yunus was one of them. He was the only one from the South Asian countries. Among others were : Chinese actress-director Joan Chan, international action movie star Jackie Chan, Thai elephant keeper Saudia Shawalla, and Malaysian cartoonist Datuk Laat. FRANCE Inducted as a Member of the Legion d'Houneur by President Chirac of France in May, 2004. BELGIUM Appointed as a Special Advisor to Hon'ble Mr. Louis Michel, E.U. Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid in March 2005. FRANCE Awarded "Professeur Honoris Causa" by the most prestigious business school of France, HEC, in October, 2005. TURKEY Addressed the "Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly" at the invitation of the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mr. Bulent ARINC, on May 15, 2006. COLOMBIA Received the "Key of Bogota City" from the Mayor of Bogota City, the capital of Columbia in October, 2006. COLOMBIA Addressed Upper House of Parliament (Senate) and formal conferment of the title of "Knight", Colombia in October, 2006. CHINA Appointed as "Honorary Professor" by Peking University, China on October, 2006. HONG KONG "TIME" a weekly International news-magazine has selected as an "ASIAN HERO" of their "60 Years of ASIAN HEROS" issue in November, 2006. USA MSN chosen as one of "Ten Most Influential Men of 2006" in their MSN LIFESTYLE : MEN category in December, 2006. FRANCE Diploma of Honor given by Friends of the Indian Ocean, December 2006. KOREA Selected as a "Distinguished Fellow" of the Ewha Academy for Advanced Studies, EWHA WOMENS UNIVERSITY, Seoul, Korea in March, 2007. BAHRAIN Conferred the highest honour "Medal of the First Order of Merit" by the Kingdom of Bahrain in February, 2007. VENEZUELA Conferred the highest honor of Government of Venezuela “Order of the Liberator in First Class with Grand Decoration by President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela in Caracas, May 2007. U.S.A. Business Week a weekly international news magazine has selected as one of the Greatest Entrepreneurs of All Time in July, 2007. CHINA The Government of Hainan Province of the People Republic of China has honoured as an Adviser to the Government of Hainan Province in July, 2007. SAUDI ARABIA Conferred by HM King of Saudi Arabia the highest Civil Award "King Abdul Aziz Medal" in September, 2007. SAUDI ARABIA Establishment of a Research Chair at King Saud University in the name of Professor Muhammad Yunus in September 2007. SAUDI ARABIA Conferred Honorary Professorship of the University in the Department of Economics, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia in September 2007. ECUADOR Conferred Key to the City of Guayaquil and named Distinguished Guest of the City of Guayaquil declared by the District of Guayaquil, December 2007. ECUADOR Conferred Key to the City of Quito and named Distinguished Guest of the City of Quito declared by the District of Quito, December 2007. ECUADOR Visiting Fellow Catholic University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, December 2007 . USA Bill White, Mayor of the City of Houston, USA has honoured Muhammad Yunus through proclaiming January 14, 2008 as Muhammad Yunus Day, January 2008. BENIN Commander of the National Order of Benin : Conferred " Commander of the National Order of Benin" by the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Benin in Cortonou in February, 2008. RUSSIA Conferred Honorary Professorship at Higher School of Economics by Evgeniy Yasin, Academic Supervisor, Alexander Shokhin, President and Yaroslav Kuzminov, Rector, The State University of Moscow - Higher School of Economics in March 2008. RUSSIA Decorated by the Presidium of the International Movement of "Eastern Dimension" with the International Order of Eastern Dimension for asserting the world's highest ideals, humanism, and progress and for enhancing of friendship between Russian and Bangladeshi people, Russia in April 2008. UKRAINE Awarded highest honor of the National Taras Shevchenko University in Kiev, Ukraine in April 2008. U.S.A. Delivered commencement speech at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Massachusetts, USA on 6 June, 2008. U.K. Delivered Adam Smith Lecture at Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK in December 2008. U.K. Delivered Romanes Lecture at Oxford University, UK in December 2008. U.S.A. Delivered commencement speech at Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA on 17 May 2009. JAPAN Conferred the Distinguished Professor of the Kyushu University, Japan on July 17, 2010. U.K. In 2008, in an open online poll, was voted the 2nd topmost intellectual person in the world on the list of Top 100 Public Intellectuals by Prospect Magazine (UK) and Foreign Policy (United States). Also voted 2nd in Prospect Magazine's 2008 global poll of the world's top 100 intellectuals. U.S.A Delivered commencement speech at Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA on 17 May 2009. South Africa Delivered the Seventh Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on July 11, 2009 at Johannesburg, South Africa. India Delivered the second Prof. Hiren Mukerjee Memorial Annual Parliamentary Lecture at 6 PM on Wednesday on the 9th of December 2009, in the central hall of the Parliament House in New Delhi. U.K. Inaugurated the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health in Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow on July 9, 2010 Japan Conferred the Distinguished Professor of the Kyushu University, Japan on July 17, 2010. Italy Honored with the highest national honor from the Republic of Italy, Cavaliere di Gran Croce on July 26, 2010 Peru Honored with Peru highest national honor, Order of the Sun in the Grade of Grand Cross by President Alan Garcia of Peru on September 29, 2010 Malaysia Named the Laureate-in- residence at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on July 15, 2011 U.S.A. Selected as one of the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our times by Fortune Magazine. This consists of an exclusive group of individuals, all of whom are known throughout the world for their innovation, vision and ability to get things done. U.S.A. Featured in a book called Transformative Entrepreneurs: How Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Muhammad Yunus and Other Innovators Succeeded" by Jeffrey Harris. The book came out in January 2012. Special Show Appearances The Daily Show with John Stewart Appeared in the Daily Show with John Stewart that aired on November 16, 2006 (Episode #11146), emphasizing that in lending the "poor should have the first priority". Oprah Winfrey Show Appeared in the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006 and discussed on poverty reduction strategies. The Colbert Report Appeared in the Colbert Report hosted by Stephen Colbert that aired on January 10, 2008, explaining microcredit model. Real Time with Bill Maher Appeared in the Real Time with Bill Maher that aired on May 22, 2009 at 8 PM and discussed on the Global Economic Crisis. The Simpsons Appeared as a live cartoon character in an episode of hit US TV show The Simpsons. The appearance focused on Grameen Bank and work on micro-credit, and aired on October 3, 2010. Awards Received by Grameen Bank SWITZERLAND Aga Khan Award For Architecture: 1989 Awarded Aga Khan Award For Architecture, 1989 by Geneva based Aga Khan Foundation for designing and operating Grameen Bank Housing Programme for the poor, which helped poor members of Grameen Bank to construct 60,000 housing units by 1989, each costing on an average $ 300. BELGIUM King Baudouin International Development Prize: 1993 Awarded "The King Baudouin International Development Prize 1992" for its recognition of the role of women in the process of development and the novelty of a financial credit system contributing to the improvement of the social and material condition of women and their families in rural areas. BANGLADESH Independence Day Award: 1994 Awarded Independence Day Award for outstanding contribution to Rural Development. MALAYSIA Tun Abdul Razak Award: 1994 Awarded the Independence Day Award, 1987, by the President for the outstanding contribution in rural development. This is the highest civilian national award of Bangladesh. UNITED KINGDOM World Habitat Award: 1997 Awarded World Habitat Award : 1997 by Building and Social Housing Foundation. INDIA Gandhi Peace Prize: 2000 Awarded "Gandhi Peace Prize :2000" by Government of India. U.S.A. Petersberg Prize: 2004 Awarded "Petersberg Prize 2004" by the Development Gateway Foundation, U.S.A. in 2004. Norway Nobel Peace Prize: 2006 Awarded "Nobel Peace Prize 2006" in October, 2006.  ।