🌱 Evolution of My Dreams and Realizations (Age 4 – Grade 12)

My earliest memory of having an “aim in life” dates back to when I was just three years old. I wanted to become a milkman—not because I was fascinated by milk delivery, but because I saw the milkman as a symbol of honesty and simplicity, someone admired by my parents. What I truly longed to be was a plain, honest person.

🛠️ Building Dreams and Saluting Flags

Soon after, I became captivated by the sight of people constructing houses. I wanted to be a building mechanic, mesmerized by the precision and purpose of their work. My uncle gifted me a toy mechanical toolbox, and I cherished it like a sacred artifact.

Around age four or five, my aspirations shifted again—I wanted to join the military. Every night, I stayed awake until the National Anthem played on BTV, saluting the flag with solemn pride. A television program depicting military life stirred something deep within me. One of my uncles jokingly said, “The secret: Tahsin wants to become the President!”—a remark that echoed a prayer my grandfather had once made when I was just a few months old. During a speech by then-President General Ershad, my grandfather prayed aloud: “God, guide my grandson to become the President and lead the nation.” My grandmother called my mother to witness the moment. That prayer became a quiet undercurrent in my life.

🏰 Heroes, History, and the World Beyond

In first grade (1993), a historical serial—The Sword of Tipu Sultan—left a lasting impression. Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali became my childhood heroes. Later, the novel Khun Ranga Path deepened my love for history. I devoured encyclopedias and general knowledge books, first gifted by my father and later discovered at my aunt’s house. I would stare at the globe, imagining myself as the King of Ancient Bengal, then King of Myanmar, and eventually lifetime President of Kazakhstan. My imagination knew no borders.

💻 Games, Novels, and the Writer’s Calling

In fifth grade (1997), I played computer games at a relative’s house and noticed that many around me aspired to become Computer Engineers. I thought, “Maybe I should try that.” 

While aiming for a future in Computer Engineering, I also entertained the idea of playing soccer professionally.

But my true passion during middle school was reading novels. I read voraciously, absorbing not just stories but the techniques behind them. Between grades 7 and 10 (1999–2002), I dreamed of becoming a novelist. For a living, I imagined myself as a Physician, Engineer, or Architect, but writing would be my soul’s work.

🧠 Medicine, Psychology, Science, and the Mind’s Machinery

In grades 9 and 10, I decided to pursue Medicine, encouraged by my parents. I also considered starting businesses and entering politics. 

But a pivotal moment came when I read my mother’s Educational Psychology book from her M.Ed. course. I realized that my fascination with novels stemmed from a deeper interest in the human mind. Literature captured subjective experience, but psychology offered objective insights into universal human behavior.

I began to see science as a tool to uncover experimentally provable general rules. Psychology gave me confidence to question established ideas and connect theory with lived experience. These realizations became the foundation for my later explorations in science.

🔭 Physics, Mathematics, Electrical and Nuclear Engineering, and Resonating Neurons

While preparing for my high school entrance exam, a chapter on energy in my physics book captivated me. I revisited my earlier physics texts and began reading undergraduate-level books, including Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time and books by Dr. Roger Penrose. I started writing down my own ideas and attempted to formulate new theories.

Physics taught me to understand the world through fundamental constituents and laws. It also revealed the necessity of mastering higher mathematics. Around 2003, the Mathematical Olympiad gained popularity in Bangladesh. I bought books and began solving problems. One book, নিউরনে অনুরণন (“Resonance in Neurons”), emphasized the idea that solving math problems could activate and enhance brain function. I found it to be true—my neurons were resonating!

My interest in psychology helped me appreciate the cognitive benefits of mathematical problem-solving. I even discovered my own methods for improving brain function. It was a profound realization: I could become anyone I wanted if I worked in the right way.

I also considered studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Nuclear Engineering as alternatives to Physics, but my growing confidence in higher mathematics convinced me that Physics might be the more fitting path.

🧬 The Scientist’s Vision

As I ventured deeper into science, new fields began to draw me in:

• Psychology led to neuroscience
• Physics led to Particle Physics, Cosmology and Evolutionary Biology
• Biology revealed the story of life itself

I envisioned myself as a scientist, decoding the laws of nature and seeking truth across disciplines.

🤖 The Spark of Artificial Intelligence

In grade 11, I read an article by Dr. Ali Asgar on Artificial Intelligence in one of his popular science books. It was a revelation. AI wasn’t just about machines—it was about emulating intelligence, bridging psychology and computation. I bought undergraduate texts on AI and dove in.

Later, I participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad (2005), where I met passionate programmers and problem-solvers. I realized I loved competitions and computation. Computer science was everywhere—it could simulate physics, biology and intelligence.

I read Medhabi Manusher Golpo by Prof. Dr. Kaykobad, which chronicled the lives of brilliant computer scientists. Though I was torn between Physics and Computer Science and Engineering, practical considerations and parental guidance led me to choose Computer Science and Engineering. It was a field that could house my multidisciplinary ambitions.

🎓 The Path Forward

By the end of grade 12, I had considered majors in:

• Computer Science and Engineering (Bangladesh)
• Physics (Bangladesh)
• Neuroscience (USA)
• Nanotechnology / Nanoengineering (USA)
• Bioengineering / Biomedical Engineering (USA)

I ultimately chose to study Computer Science and Engineering at university, knowing I could still pursue my broader intellectual passions.

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🌌 Living to Tell the Tale

My dreams have evolved—from milkman to mechanic, from novelist to neuroscientist, from King to coder. Each phase was a reflection of my growing understanding of the world and myself. I continue to discover new ideas and insights almost daily. And someday, I hope to share those realizations in full—living to tell the tale, truly.