When the day is long and the night is yours alone, when you have decided you have had enough, hang on. Inspiration will come from the most unexpected sources, like two public servants, one civil, the other military. They both radiate an inner light, a generosity of spirit, a depth of character which I have not achieved. That's something to work on before I say enough.

Colonel Nazma Begum has won a special UN award for outstanding leadership in the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire, the West African country, torn by civil wars and conflicts since 2002. The first woman Army (Medical) contingent commander in the history of UN, she has also been selected for the “Military Gender Advocate of the Year-2016 Award”. The UN said that it would remember the Bangladesh contingent not only for the medical services it provided but also for her leadership skills.

What motivates her? “I believe women are gifted with some special qualities,” Col. Nazma says. “These human qualities can make a difference in any job including peacekeeping. Local populations, especially women and children, are more comfortable with women peacekeepers. As women, we can listen not only to what people say but also to what they don't or can't say.”

Most heads would spin after such accomplishments, but when you sit down and talk to her, she speaks little of her achievements and shows impeccable manners and humility. “All the credit goes to Bangladesh Government and Bangladesh Army which recruits the best and trains them to serve the nation and humanity with determination, commitment and courage. I have worked with Army personnel of many different countries. I can say that our officers and soldiers have the best professional and human qualities.”

What was it like working in a high tempo operational environment of Côte d'Ivoire? “In any military operation, medical units are the first to be deployed and the last to be withdrawn. We were the last contingent to leave. One night it was raining, there was no electricity and internet. There were threats of suicide attacks.”

She used unconventional methods to keep the spirit of her contingent high. “I play guitar. I taught them how to sing. They were away from their families. There was a cultural shock. Singing helped.”

Extremely well-read, Col. Nazma barely mentions that she has a PhD. She is also an acclaimed author and poet who has published more than fifty books on topics as diverse as medical science, nutrition, children's literature, mystery and travel.

What's her message to the youth? “Expand the power of your imagination. Study hard. Read good books. Listen to good songs. Read poems. Dream big. If you nurture your dreams, they will become a reality. There will be obstacles. Don't give up. You will overcome them. Life never leaves anyone empty-handed.” I have heard these words many times before. What makes them meaningful this time? She walks the talk.

The other character of this story is Jilufa Sultana, the Upazilla Nirbahi Officer of Taragonj, Rangpur. She mobilised more than thirty thousand people who planted 250,000 trees of 40 different species in an hour. That's supposed to be new world record. How did she manage to inspire so many people to forget their differences and rally behind a common cause? “The preparation started eleven months ago. I went to each and every Union Parishad,” she says over the phone. “I tried to explain to everyone that we don't have to shed our blood anymore. Our predecessors had given their blood for independence. What we need to do now is shed our sweat.”

She sounds more pensive than excited, like someone with history on her mind. “I worried if my call would awaken them - physically and psychologically. Little did I know that they could barely sleep that night, they were so excited. They were waiting for the dawn and get to the job. What a beautiful scene it was! Patriotic songs being played through loudspeakers, thousands of people from all walks of life gathering along the 153 roads of the upazila to plant trees.”

UNO Jilufa Sultana and Colonel Nazma have a lot in common. They both came from modest backgrounds and achieved extraordinary success by dint of perseverance, commitment and courage. They are multi-talented. Jilufa Sultana was a teacher and an award winning journalist before joining the civil service. Like Colonel Nazma's, UNO Jilufa Sultana's voice echoes resolve and modesty. “I could not have done it without the support of my bosses and the honourable MP. I think it was a revolution. If people of just one upazila could achieve this feat in just a day, imagine what could happen if all the people of the country responded to the call of duty.”

Imagine.

The writer is a member of the editorial team at The Daily Star.