Zahiduzzaman Tanveen’s passion for technology was evident from a young age. To reach his goals, he studied diligently. An outstanding student, he achieved GPA 5 in both secondary and higher secondary board exams. Completing his HSC, he enrolled in the Mechanical and Production Department at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). His talent shone brightly during his university years, winning awards in BUET’s Model Ship Propulsion Competition and Soccer Bot Competition during his first and second years.

Tanveen's ambitions extended beyond the national borders. He and his team clinched the championship at the UAS Aircraft Systems competition organized by the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineering, securing three out of six awards. Tanveen and his team also placed tenth globally and first in Asia in NASA’s European Rover Challenge.

These achievements are now bittersweet memories. On July 18, amid the quota reform movement, Zahiduzzaman Tanveen was shot dead in Uttara. His family claims he had gone to an ATM to withdraw money for family needs when he was caught in a clash between protesters and police. Mistaking him for a protester, police fired at him. The bullet pierced his throat. There were also pellet bullet marks all over his chest.

Tanveen collapsed on the ground after being shot. Students rescued him from an alley in Azampur and took him to the hospital. After receiving the heartbreaking news, Tanveen’s family retrieved his body from the hospital.

Tanveen’s mother, Bilkis Zaman, claims that he was never involved with any political party. His focus was entirely on drones. In 2021, under the ICT Division’s Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) competition, he won a grant of BDT 1 million. With this, he and his friends founded the drone manufacturing company ‘Ants.’

In a conversation with Tawsiful Islam, CEO of Ants and Tanveen’s friend, he remarked, “Without Tanveen, this company might never have stood up. Ants now works on drone piloting and mapping. The company is currently collaborating with the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Gas Field Company, the Department of Agriculture, Dhaka WASA, and other government organizations.”

Tawsif lamented, “Tanveen was the Head of Operations of our company. His creativity and drive are irreplaceable. His death is an immeasurable loss to this sector. He had offers from abroad. However, he chose to stay in Bangladesh to contribute to his country. He had big plans for drones.”

Tanveen lived with his parents in Uttara. It was one of the most affected areas by the quota reform movement on July 18. Bilkis Zaman mourned, “They riddled my dear boy’s throat and head with bullets. He never harmed anyone. He would go to various schools and colleges to educate students about drones for free. I will never get him back. But I hope the country finds peace, even at the cost of my child.”