Helicopter Milon era ends as minister turns to CCTV
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The period was 2001–06, when cheating dominated examination centers across the country. At that time, a state minister known for his ‘action hero’ image suddenly emerged on the scene. There was no protocol and no prior announcement. A helicopter would unexpectedly land from the sky, and he would step out to catch cheating in the act. His name was Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon. By taking a tough stance against unfair means in examinations, he became widely known at the time and earned the title ‘Helicopter Milon.’
Dr Milon, who earned recognition as a successful state minister for cracking down on cheating, has returned to the ministry after 20 years and now holds full charge of the Education Ministry. After taking office, the first public examinations under his leadership begin on Tuesday. Ahead of the SSC and equivalent exams, he has spent the past two months travelling across the country, speaking with officials involved in examination management. Alongside issuing directives, he has also taken their suggestions.
When asked whether he would again launch helicopter missions to stop cheating, the minister smiled slightly. Showing his mobile phone, he said, “Isn’t this more powerful than a helicopter? Now the mobile phone is like a satellite. I still remember how difficult it was to climb into the hills by helicopter. In some areas, we had to ascend as high as 1,000 feet. It was a dangerous journey.”
He said that difficult era of crossing hills has now turned into the satellite age. When a mobile phone alone can control the entire examination system, there is no need to travel to remote areas. All exam centers are now under CCTV coverage, and the passwords are under their control. “So, we will monitor whatever is necessary, whenever it is needed,” he said.
In those days, ‘Helicopter Milon’ was a figure of fear for cheaters and dishonest teachers alike. No remote hill or isolated river island could stop the education minister. Interestingly, those helicopter operations were not government programs—they were conducted on personal initiative. He would hire aircraft and carry out rapid visits from one education board to another. Inside examination centers, he would personally catch cheating in the act.
He would cancel answer scripts and expel exam invigilators. Even though the pass rate dropped to 44 percent, people said it brought a revolutionary change in education quality. His colleagues from that period recalled that people affectionately called him ‘Helicopter Milon’, a title they described with pride.
Twenty years later, Milon now sits at the top of the education administration. He has moved from state minister to full minister, with expanded responsibilities and greater autonomy. However, the minister has made it clear that he will no longer descend from the skies to catch cheating. Still, his recent ‘high jump’ at the Parliament complex has shown that his pace has not slowed. He now seeks to change his working style and rely on modern technology to combat unfair means in examinations.
Meanwhile, a severe energy crisis has gripped countries amid conflicts in the Middle East. Bangladesh has also significantly raised fuel and gas prices. Long queues and severe hardship are being seen at fuel stations across the country every day. Even government officials are becoming more frugal in their use of vehicles. In this context, helicopter operations are considered highly costly.
