The story begins nearly seven and a half decades ago in a remote village named Ataikula in Pabna. Along the dusty roadside, a young man opened a tiny retail pharmacy named "Economy Pharmacy". His name was Samson H. Chowdhury. Armed with a small amount of money from his father and a heart full of dreams, his journey commenced. The broken health and absolute lack of medicine among rural folks deeply moved him, driving him to serve his community tirelessly day and night. Through this, he earned an invaluable treasure: the absolute trust of the people.
But he was not a man to remain confined to that tiny shop. Destiny had written an epic saga for him.
The Historic 'Square' Gathering of Four Friends
While serving people at his village dispensary, Samson realized that merely selling medicine would not transform the fate of his nation; true change required manufacturing medicine locally on domestic soil. However, he lacked the massive capital required for such an ambitious venture.
It was then that three of his closest friends stepped forward to stand by his side: Dr. Kazi Harunur Rashid, P.K. Saha, and Radhashyam Roy. On a golden afternoon in 1958, the four friends made a monumental decision to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. As a symbol of their equal partnership, the perfect symmetry of four corners, and their unwavering mutual trust, they named the company "SQUARE". The journey of Square began in a small rented room in Pabna with just a few basic machines.
An Uncompromising Battle for Quality
At the very inception of the business, Samson H. Chowdhury made a strict vow: "Medicine saves human lives, therefore, there can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to its quality."
At that time, the market was heavily dominated by well-established multinational foreign medicines. However, physicians were quickly captivated by Samson's sheer integrity and the flawless quality of Square's products. In a very short period, Square's medicines found their way onto doctors' prescription pads and into the medicine cabinets of everyday households. By 1985, overtaking all prominent multinational corporations, Square Pharmaceuticals secured the number one spot in the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical market—a position it has held undisputedly ever since.
Yet, Samson’s eyes were set even higher. In 2002, under his visionary leadership, Square became the first company in Bangladesh to export medicine into the international market. Today, when Square’s medicines save a patient's life in a hospital somewhere across Europe, America, or Africa, it carries the proud tag of "Made in Bangladesh", rooted deeply in that magical foresight from Pabna.
A Sapling Grows into a Mighty Tree: A Multi-Dimensional Empire
Following his monumental success in pharmaceuticals, Samson H. Chowdhury did not stop. He understood that to uplift the standard of living for his country's people, it was essential to contribute to multiple sectors. One by one, he engineered a massive, multi-dimensional empire:
• The Taste of the Kitchen: To simplify cooking for homemakers and provide pure spices, he introduced Square Consumer Products (widely recognized through brands like Radhuni and Ruchi).
• Textiles & Fashion: To enrich the country's garments sector, he established Square Textiles.
• Entertainment & Information: He introduced 'Maasranga Television', the country's first completely digital satellite channel.
• World-Class Healthcare: To ensure citizens wouldn't need to travel abroad for critical treatments, he built the international-standard 'Square Hospital' in Dhaka.
Today, this sprawling Square family provides direct livelihoods and employment to over 60,000 individuals.
Not Just an Owner, But a Loving Father Figure
The most beautiful facet of Samson H. Chowdhury's life was his profound humanity. He never viewed himself merely as the 'owner' of Square; instead, he considered himself the primary guardian of a massive family. Across Square’s hundreds of factories, there has never been a single instance of labor unrest or worker strikes. The reason? Samson Chowdhury firmly believed, "My workers must eat, live well, and be happy first; my profits come later." Whenever a grassroots factory worker fell ill, he would personally supervise and ensure they received the best medical care.
Concurrently, he stood as one of the most honest taxpayers in the nation, viewing the evasion of even a single penny of state duties or taxes as a grave ethical wrongdoing. He proved, in letter and spirit, that business is not just a tool to line one's pockets, but a noble medium to transform a society.
An Eternally Radiant Star
On January 5, 2012, at the age of 85, this great titan of industry left the mortal world while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore. He may no longer be with us physically, but the legacy of honesty, flawless corporate governance, and values that began at his tiny Economy Pharmacy continues to drive Square Group forward to new heights.
For readers, Samson H. Chowdhury’s life story leaves an enduring lesson: it does not matter where your life begins; with honesty, rigorous hard work, and a genuine love for humanity, it is entirely possible to conquer the world from a tiny village dispensary.
