Major Gen Nazrul Islam’s ‘Zi-DoNa’ trilogy seeks to foster character-driven leadership
The book launch and literary discussion of the ‘Zi-DoNa Trilogy’, authored by Major General Md Nazrul Islam (Retired), was held in the capital on Saturday. Emphasising the trilogy’s core philosophy of ‘Focus, Execute, and Achieve’, speakers at the event noted that self-mastery is not merely a personal virtue but a national asset
The book launch and literary discussion of the 'Zi-DoNa Trilogy', authored by Major General Md Nazrul Islam, SBP, SPP, ndu, afwc, psc, G (Retired), was held in Dhaka today. The event brought together distinguished guests to discuss the trilogy's focus on self-governance, discipline, and purpose-driven living.
The author, Major General Nazrul Islam, explained that the philosophy of 'Zi-DoNa' is a coined term derived from three ancient sound-roots: 'Zi' (Chinese) meaning the Self or Mind; 'Do' (Japanese/Korean) representing the Way or disciplined action; and 'Na' (Sanskrit) denoting attainment or purposeful fulfilment. Together, he noted, they represent a structured human journey of 'Focus, Execute, and Achieve'.
"The real battle is not fought outside; the real battle is to manage oneself," Nazrul Islam said during his speech, reflecting on his 36 years of service in uniform and his observations in the corporate world. He emphasised that the trilogy, which contains 99 articles, aims to provide a true compass for young leaders and executives to navigate the turbulent sea of life.
"It was from this realisation that I decided to apply a soldier's philosophy to these pages. My training is designed for the battlefield—a mindset built to win, not to lose. That is my baseline. I believe every reader will find a resonant element here, as each article is purposefully segmented to tackle core themes, such as the concept of 'impossibility', and transform them into actionable insights."
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Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, ndc, psc (Retired), President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), attended the occasion as the Chief Guest. He remarked that the future of any nation depends on the quality of its people rather than just economic or technological progress.
"Institutions do not build themselves. Economies do not grow by themselves. Progress ultimately depends upon individuals and their character, their discipline, and a sense of purpose," Muniruzzaman said. He further praised the author for his commitment to continuous self-development, calling the trilogy a natural outcome of Nazrul Islam's lifelong journey.
"The qualities that ultimately sustain individuals and nations remain unchanged – discipline, integrity, resilience and a sense of purpose. That is why I find the message of the 'Zi-DoNa' trilogy absolutely timeless and important. At its core, it reminds us that before we seek to lead others, we must learn to govern ourselves. Before we seek achievement, we must develop character; before we seek recognition, we must discover purpose. These are not merely personal virtues but they are also national assets," said Major General ANM Muniruzzaman.
During the discussion, Sabur Khan, Chairman of Daffodil International University, announced that the trilogy would be included in the university's 'Art of Living' course. He observed that the current educational system often fails to teach professionalism and resilience. "The battle is really fighting inside our mind. This book can help change the mindset of our students," Sabur Khan added.
Shaquat Munir, Senior Research Fellow at BIPSS, noted that society today faces a shortage of wisdom and direction despite unprecedented technological advancement. "Before we seek to influence others, we must learn to govern ourselves," he stated, adding that the trilogy is a significant contribution to human development.
The trilogy consists of three volumes: Govern Your Mind, Form Your Life, and Endure Through Purpose. The first volume provides a basis for understanding thoughts and controlling the inner world to overcome fear and doubt. The second volume, Form Your Life, focuses on turning clarity into disciplined action and resilience. The final volume, Endure Through Purpose, explores leadership under pressure and the alignment of ambition with a lasting legacy.
The event was organised by M E Chowdhury Shameem, Publisher and CEO of NRB Scholars Publishers Limited.
