Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj (Bengali: তানজিম আহমদ সোহেল তাজ, pronounced [ˈtandʒim ˈaɦmɔd ˈʃoɦel ˈtaːdʒ]; born 5 January 1970),[2] better known as just Sohel Taj, is a fitness and health activist, bodybuilder and retired Bangladesh Awami League politician and former State Minister of Home Affairs. He is the son of Bangladesh's first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad.[3]
Sohel Taj | |
|---|---|
 Taj in 2016 | |
| Member of Parliament | |
| In office 2001 – 23 April 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Afsaruddin Ahmad |
| Succeeded by | Simeen Hussain Rimi |
| Constituency | Gazipur-4 |
| State Minister of Home Affairs | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 31 May 2009 | |
| President | Zillur Rahman |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Lutfozzaman Babar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj 5 January 1970 Dhaka, East Pakistan, Pakistan (present in Bangladesh) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Simeen Hussain Rimi (sister) Afsaruddin Ahmad]] (uncle) |
| Alma mater | American University in Bulgaria Gordon University |
| Sohel Taj | |
|---|---|
| Bodybuilder | |
| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Hotline Commando[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) |
Early life edit
Taj was born in Dhaka on 5 January 1970 to Tajuddin Ahmad, who was the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Syeda Zohra Tajuddin, a former convenor and presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League.[2] He has three sisters, Sharmin Ahmad Reepi, Simeen Hussain Rimi and Mahjabin Ahmad Mimi.[4] He obtained bachelor of business administration degree from the American University in Bulgaria and masters from Gordon University in the United States in 2008.[2] His father was assassinated when he was 5 years old.
Career edit
Taj was elected a member of Parliament in 2001 with Bangladesh Awami League nomination. He served as a member of standing committee on the ministry of youth and sports. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 2008 and joined the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cabinet as the state minister of home affairs on 6 January 2009 and resigned from the position on 31 May the same year.[5]
Taj resigned from Bangladesh's parliament, where he had represented the Gazipur-4 constituency on 23 April 2012.[6][7] His sister Simeen Hussain Rimi was later elected MP to replace him in his former constituency.[8]
Sohel Taj launched the health and fitness related hit television show Hotline Commando on 20 July 2019 focusing on social issues of Bangladesh. He is the creator and host of the show. The program aired on private satellite channel RTV and is scheduled to run for 12 episodes. Due to COVID-19, the show has been on break after airing 6 episodes. It has reached a combined viewership (TV and social media) of over 20 million.[9][10]
References edit
- ^ "Sohel Taj's reality show Hotline Commando to air Tuesday". Dhaka Tribune. 30 September 2019.
- ^ a b c "Profile Of Ministers". The Daily Star. 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ "Hasina renews pledge on retrial". The Daily Star. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Hossain Shaikh, Emran. "Veteran AL leader Zohra Tajuddin dies". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Hasan Jahid Tusher (18 April 2012). "No attention to resignation". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ "Sohel Taj resigns from JS". The Daily Star. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Shakhawat Liton (2012-05-10). "No relief for Sohel Taj". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Hayat Mahmud, Abu. "Sohel Taj meets PM at Ganabhaban". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ সোহেল তাজের 'হটলাইন কমান্ডো'. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 18 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
- ^ "Taj to bring health reality show 'Hotline Commando'". The Daily Star. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-20.