Zaima Rahman calls for greater investment in young talent

Barrister Zaima Rahman has called for greater investment in Bangladesh's young talent, urging society to provide stronger mentorship, equal opportunities and institutional support to help the next generation realise its full potential.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Zaima, daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, said she had recently met talented students from across the country who have excelled in diverse fields, including scouting, science fairs, debating, sports, environmental protection, music, the arts, language learning and coding.
She praised the students for their intelligence, curiosity, discipline and determination, noting that many continue to pursue excellence despite significant personal and financial challenges.
“Bangladesh has no shortage of talented young people,” she wrote, adding that many face obstacles from an early age, including financial hardship, family responsibilities, disabilities and limited institutional support.
Zaima said many young people feel they have no choice but to succeed in order to support themselves, their families and their communities, describing such expectations as a heavy burden to bear at a young age.
Reflecting on her interactions with the students, she underscored the importance of positive role models in shaping children's aspirations.
She said role models need not be famous or perfect. They can be parents who never give up, teachers who recognise a student's potential, coaches who instil discipline and perseverance, or anyone whose life inspires young people to believe they can achieve their goals.