From Hurricane Lamps to Diplomat: Tanvir Tops Foreign Affairs Cadetship

A young man from Netrokona, Tanvir Rahman, has achieved the rare distinction of securing the first position in the Foreign Affairs cadre in his very first attempt at the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. Raised in a modest household by a schoolteacher father, Tanvir spent his childhood studying under the dim light of hurricane lamps and candles in a village that lacked electricity. His journey from these challenging beginnings to the pinnacle of the country’s most competitive civil service examination has brought immense joy to his family, friends, and neighbours.

The final results of the 47th BCS examination, published last Sunday, confirmed Tanvir’s top ranking in the prestigious Foreign Affairs cadre. He hails from Raydum Bagra village in Netrokona Sadar Upazila, and is the eldest child of Abdur Rahman and Rina Parvin. His father serves as the headmaster of Shamshuddin Government Primary School in Netrokona, whilst his mother is a homemaker. The family has a strong academic focus; Tanvir’s younger sister, Afsana Rahman, is a third-year Mathematics student at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and his youngest sister, Nuzhat-i-Rahman, is a college student.

Local residents and family members recall that Tanvir was exceptionally driven from a young age, balancing an interest in sports with a rigorous commitment to his education. The lack of electricity in his village meant he had to rely on alternative lighting to study late into the night. Despite the financial limitations of a middle-class household, he remained focused on his ambitions.

His father, Abdur Rahman, expressed profound gratitude following the announcement of the results, noting that his son’s achievement far exceeded the family’s expectations. His mother, Rina Parvin, reminisced about their modest corrugated iron house where the family cooked, ate, and studied together in a single shared space. She attributed his success entirely to his discipline, structured routine, and unyielding hard work.

Tanvir’s academic trajectory reflects a pattern of excellence. He attended the prestigious Mirzapur Cadet College in Tangail, completing his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 2017 and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in 2019. He subsequently gained admission to the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), where he studied Computer Science and Engineering, graduating in 2025. Following his graduation, he joined Brac University as a lecturer on 1 June 2025, balancing his teaching responsibilities with his civil service preparation. He had also previously been recommended for the Information and Communication Technology branch of the Education cadre in the 49th Special BCS.

Speaking via telephone on Wednesday evening, Tanvir shared that his initial ambition was to build a career in academia, inspired by his father’s profession. Although he originally sought teaching positions at SUST and the Bangladesh Agricultural University without success, he maintained his confidence. He admitted that whilst he expected to pass, securing the top spot in the Foreign Affairs cadre was a pleasant surprise. Offering advice to future aspirants, Tanvir emphasised the importance of consistency, discipline, and sincere effort in overcoming significant challenges. Neighbours believe his success demonstrates that determination and perseverance matter far more than wealth, and they expect him to represent the nation with distinction on the international stage.