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For most authors, publishing a book is a dream tucked between the pages of hope. For a lucky few, that dream blossoms into a booming business. In the literary world where imagination meets economics, royalties act as the lifeline—connecting the soul of art to the reality of income. One remarkable example of this fusion is Md. Mojahidul Islam, widely recognized as the bestselling author of Bangla-language ICT books.
In the early 2000s, the digital world looked nothing like today. Internet access in Bangladesh was scarce, and computers were considered elite possessions. Public understanding of technology was limited—Facebook hadn’t gone global, YouTube was a concept unborn, and e-learning was still a whisper on the wind. Amid this tech twilight, Mojahidul Islam emerged in 2003 as one of the pioneering authors writing about computers in Bangla. At a time when technical resources in the native language were nearly non-existent, his work became a light for countless learners navigating a dark, unfamiliar terrain.
Known fondly as “Dheow” by his readers, Mojahidul Islam took the dense, jargon-heavy language of information technology and translated it into something students and young professionals could actually understand. His mission was simple but powerful: make ICT education accessible in Bangla. The impact was huge, earning him national recognition and a series of awards for his contributions to tech education.
Back then, the ICT sector in Bangladesh was still crawling. Most computer training materials were in English, and even those were hard to come by. Internet costs were sky-high, and trained instructors were few and far between. Mojahidul, a computer science graduate, saw this gaping need and decided to write Bangla tech books to fill the void. His books quickly gained popularity not just in Bangladesh but also across West Bengal, India. Within the first six months of launching his initial titles, he was receiving positive reviews—and by the end of the first year, he had sold over 30,000 copies, earning an impressive Tk 12,00,000 in royalties, more than his own annual salary at the time.
His books, published by major local publishers such as Systech and Gyankosh Prokashoni, often came bundled with CDs and earned him royalty rates as high as 30%—a rare feat in an industry where authors usually receive between 8% and 15%. This generous rate helped him become one of the most financially successful ICT writers in the Bangla language, with annual earnings exceeding Tk 3,00,000.
But for Mojahidul, the mission extended far beyond profit. He’s a firm believer in the power of ICT training to reshape futures. He advocates for government-supported programs to teach practical skills such as graphic design, SEO, web development, hardware repair, and e-commerce management. With nearly 70% of Bangladesh’s population—around 110 million people—under the age of 35, he emphasizes the urgency of offering educational resources in Bangla to ensure inclusive growth.
Despite having over 350 million Bangla speakers worldwide, Bangla still lacks significant representation in tech and digital content. Mojahidul calls for a collaborative push involving government agencies, linguists, tech experts, and researchers to elevate the status of the Bangla language in the digital domain.
His bestselling titles include Practical Networking Handbook, Swapner Career, 7 Days to Web Design: Dreamweaver MX, and Mastering E-Commerce. These books have not only shaped personal careers but have also been integrated into public training initiatives. For example, in 2007, the Department of Youth Development purchased his books to train unemployed youth in computer basics and troubleshooting. In 2017, the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics procured his works for use in school computer labs, helping build the ICT capacity of educators across the country.
Reflecting on his journey, Mojahidul shares that it all began with a realization: there was a massive gap in ICT awareness. So, he started writing. Over time, his focus shifted from translating existing content to crafting original works designed specifically for the young and unemployed—those who needed both knowledge and direction. He strongly believes that tech education can transform idle youth into active problem-solvers and contributors to national progress.
Beyond being a bestselling author, Mojahidul Islam is also known for his journalism and advocacy for digital education. He highlights the global demand for freelancers and insists that with proper training, even moderately educated individuals—homemakers, students, rural youth—can thrive as freelancers or entrepreneurs. This, he argues, can revolutionize economic independence in Bangladesh.
However, he also points out the elephant in the room: employment. Despite a surge in university graduates, job opportunities haven’t kept pace. Many young people, especially from lower and middle-income families, are leaving cities due to financial stress or looking abroad for work. Bangladesh’s youth bulge—46% of the population—is a ticking clock. If the government doesn’t invest in scalable, skill-based education soon, the demographic advantage could slip away.
He laments that while education has expanded, it often lacks depth. Many sectors still rely on foreign expertise because our training models emphasize rote learning instead of practical, job-ready skills. To counter this, he urges a focus on innovation in education, especially ICT-based training in Bangla.
Mojahidul’s success didn’t happen overnight. “I treat writing like a business,” he says. “I invest in editing, design, and marketing. And above all, I show up consistently.” Industry statistics reveal that fewer than 10% of authors in Bangladesh earn more than Tk 3,00,000 per year—usually by writing multiple books and taking charge of their own promotion. Mojahidul is living proof that with persistence and strategy, writing can become a full-time, financially sustainable profession.
To him, success in writing isn’t just about putting words on paper. It’s about creating a brand, cultivating readers, and understanding the economics of publishing. His story is a testament to how storytelling—when blended with smart planning—can lead to both impact and income. In a world where dreams are often dismissed, Mojahidul Islam reminds us that books can indeed turn into businesses, and passion can absolutely pay the bills.
