Obituary
Jugantor senior reporter Habibur Rahman dies at 42
Habibur Rahman Khan, a senior reporter at the Daily Jugantor, died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday afternoon. He was 42.
Family members said he suddenly felt unwell with chest pain around 4pm on Tuesday.
He was rushed to the National Heart Foundation where doctors declared him dead.
Also read: Poet Mohammad Rafiq passes away
Habib is survived by a son and a daughter.
He will be buried at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard after namaz-e-janaza at Mirpur Shinepukur Housing Jame Masjid, his family members said.
Habibur Rahman started his career as a journalist after completing his bachelor's and master's degrees from Dhaka University.
He was a member of the National Press Club, Dhaka Union of Journalists and Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Also read: Ex-MP Panna Kaiser passes away
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Media Cell Convener Zahir Uddin Swapan and Member Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie separately expressed shock over his death.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condoled Habib's wife Farzana Mahmud Soni over phone after hearing the news of his death.
Also read: Veteran journalist M Shahjahan Miah no more
Poet Mohammad Rafiq passes away
Ekushey Padak-winning poet and freedom fighter Mohammad Rafiq, widely revered for his rebellious literary works, passed away on Sunday night. He was 80.
The poet, who had been suffering from various health complications, breathed his last on his way to Dhaka from Barishal around 9 pm on Sunday, according to his family sources.
They told the media that Rafiq went to his hometown in Bagerhat three days ago. When he fell sick on Sunday he was taken to a local clinic in Barishal city where doctors advised taking him to Dhaka.
He is scheduled to be laid for eternal rest in Bagerhat today.
Poet Mohammad Rafiq was born at Baitpur village under Bemrata union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila on October 23, 1943.
After passing the Matriculation exam, he enrolled in the science department of Notre Dame College in Dhaka; however, then switched to the humanities department at Dhaka College.
There he met and became friends with eminent fiction writer Akhtaruzzaman Elias , which left a strong impression on his literary spirit throughout his own literary journey.
After Dhaka College, Rafiq was admitted to the English Department of Dhaka University. In 1967, he graduated from Dhaka University in English Language and Literature.
During his student life, Rafiq made a name for himself by infusing poetic fervour into the student movement in the 1960s, and continued his rebellious creative journey during the Liberation War.
During the Liberation War, he worked at Sector-1 and later for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, inspiring the freedom fighters through his literary works.
Rafiq started his career as a college teacher after independence before joining the Department of English at Jahangirnagar University.
During this period, he continued writing and publishing his poetry and prose. He raised his voice through his poetries against the oppression in society and one of his poems titled "Khola Kobita" which was written against the military dictator Hussein Mohammad Ershad, garnered an incredibly massive response.
His maiden publication of poetry titled "Boishakhi Purnima" was published in 1970. His other notable works include "Dhulor Songsare Ei Mati", "Kirtinasha", "Kopila", "Swadeshi Nishwas Tumimoy", "Matsyagandha", "Bishkhali Sondhya", "Kalapani", and "Troyee".
For his influential contribution in the country's literature, poet Mohammad Rafiq was conferred with the Ekushey Padak in 2010.
His other recognitions and awards include the Bangla Academy Award, Prothom Alo Best Book of the Year Award, and Gemcon Literary Award, to name a few.
Ex-MP Panna Kaiser passes away
Panna Kaiser, former lawmaker, widow of Martyred Intellectual Shahidullah Kaiser and mother of actress Shomi Kaiser, breathed her last on Friday. She was 73.
She was undergoing treatment at the United Hospital in the capital and passed away on Friday morning, according to her daughter Shomi Kaiser.
Also read: Gynecologist Professor Dr. MA Taher Khan passes away
Panna left behind her two children - daughter Shomi Kaiser and son Amitav Kaiser, a banker.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has condoled her death.
Also read: Veteran journalist M Shahjahan Miah no more
Respectfully revered as the “Shaheedjaya” (widow of a martyr), Panna Kaiser was born in May 25, 1950 at the Barura Upazila of Cumilla in the then-Pakistan.
She completed her Master's in Bengali Literature from Dhaka University in 1969. Later, she taught Bengali Literature at the Badrunnessa College in Dhaka.
Panna Kaiser became a presidium member of the country's largest children's organisation "Khelaghar". She had been the chairperson of the presidium of the organization since 1992.
Also read: Senior Asst Sec of Commerce Ministry Nazia Sultana dies of dengue
She got married to Shahidullah Kaiser, a writer and a journalist on February 17, 1969, who was abducted from his home on December 14, 1971 by the paramilitary Al-Badr and has been missing since then.
In 1996, Panna Kaiser was selected as one of the 30 reserved seats for women to serve as a member of parliament.
For her exclusive research works and write-ups, Bangla Academy conferred her with the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2021.
Veteran journalist M Shahjahan Miah no more
Veteran journalist and valiant freedom fighter M Shahjahan Miah passed away last night due to old age complications. He was 82.
He died at his Rampura residence, according to family sources.
Also read: Gynecologist Professor Dr. MA Taher Khan passes away
He left behind his wife, two sons, a daughter and host of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Also read: Azimpur Dayera Sharif Pir Shah Sufi Syed Ahmadullah no more
During this career as a journalist, Shahjahan served as the chief news editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Also read: Senior Asst Sec of Commerce Ministry Nazia Sultana dies of dengue
He served as general secretary of BFUJ, president of DUJ and as Minister (Press) at Bangladesh Mission in Washington.
Senior Asst Sec of Commerce Ministry Nazia Sultana dies of dengue
S M Nazia Sultana, a senior assistant secretary of the Commerce Ministry, died of dengue infection at a hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday.
She breathed her last while undergoing treatment at BIRDEM hospital this morning, said Haidar Ali, public relations officer of the Commerce Ministry.
Nazia , who was eight months pregnant, was admitted to the hospital two days ago.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Nazia Sultana.
In a condolence message, they prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Dengue has taken a serious turn in Bangladesh in the current year. Nine deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease to 185 this year.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has recorded 35, 270 dengue cases, 27, 622 recoveries.
Gynecologist Professor Dr. MA Taher Khan passes away
Gynecologist Professor Dr. MA Taher Khan, founding principal and executive committee president of Chittagong Mother and Child Hospital Medical College, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Sunday. He was 83.
He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, said Chittagong Mother and Child Hospital’s vice president Jabed Abshar Chowdhury.
Read: Azimpur Dayera Sharif Pir Shah Sufi Syed Ahmadullah no more
.Dr Taher Khan was admitted to Chittagong Mother and Child Hospital with dengue fever. He was kept at ICU there. He suffered head injury after falling and then taken to Evercare Hospital.
Meanwhile, Chittagong Medical University, OBSB Chittagong Branch, Chittagong Mother and Child Hospital, Bangladesh Medical Association, Chittagong and various organizations have expressed deep shock at the death.
Read: Ex-Dhaka University professor Rowshan Jahan passes away
Azimpur Dayera Sharif Pir Shah Sufi Syed Ahmadullah no more
Spiritual leader Alhaj Maulana Shah Sufi Syed Ahmadullah, also the incumbent pir of Azimpur Dayera Sharif, breathed his last at a city hospital in Dhaka early Friday. He was 77.He was admitted to Square Hospital a couple of days ago, following his return from hajj, due to cold and respiratory-related complications, as confirmed by family members.As a lineal descendant of Shah Sufi Syed Muhammed Dayem (R), Syed Ahmadullah assumed the mantle of pir after the passing of his elder brother, Alhaj Maulana Shah Sufi Syed Saif Ullah, in 1998.Historical records, such as the book “Glimpses of Old Dhaka” by Syed Mohammed Taifoor, trace the origins of Azimpur Dayera Sharif back to the mid-eighteen century when it was founded by Shah Sufi Syed Muhammed Dayem (R).Syed Ahmadullah is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, numerous relatives, and a vast number of disciples who deeply mourn his demise. His teachings and guidance inspired and touched the lives of thousands, both within the Sufi tradition and beyond.In addition to his spiritual endeavours, Syed Ahmadullah was known for his unwavering commitment to community welfare, spreading the message of tolerance and peace.The Namaj-e-Janaja (funeral prayer) for Syed Ahmadullah will be held after Asar prayer on Friday, followed by his burial at the Dayera Sharif compound.
Netrokona-4 MP Rebecca Momin no more
Rebecca Momin, a lawmaker from Netrokona-4 constituency, passed away this morning. She was 76.
She breathed her last around 4:30 am while undergoing treatment at Square Hospital in Dhaka, Mohanganj Upazila Parishad Chairman and upazila Awami League's General Secretary Shahid Iqbal confirmed.
She had been suffering from various old age complications for several years.
Rebecca Momin was a three-time MP, nominated by Awami League for Netrokona-4 (Madan-Mohanganj-Khaliajuri) constituency.
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She was the wife of Liberation War organiser Abdul Momin, who was also a presidium member of Awami League.
Hailing from Netrokona's Mohanganj upazila, the veteran politician is survived by a daughter and a host of well-wishers.
Rebecca, who started her journey in politics as the vice-president of Rajshahi University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League in the 1960s, held various positions in the party throughout her long political career. She was also a former member of the Netrokona district Awami League.
In 2008, she was elected as a member of parliament for the first time. She was also elected MP in the 10th and 11th Jatiya Sangsad (parliament).
Rebecca Momin also served as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
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The first namaz-e-janaza for Rebecca Momin was held at Baitul Aman Jame Masjid in Dhaka's Dhanmondi at 10 am and the second janaza was set to be held at Muktapara field in Netrokona at 2:30 pm.
After the third namaz-e-janaza at 6 pm at her residence in Mohanganj Kajiati, Rebecca Momin will be buried there next to her husband's grave.
Ex-Dhaka University professor Rowshan Jahan passes away
Dr Rowshan Jahan, retired chair of Psychology department at Dhaka University (DU), has passed away at United Hospital in the capital. She was 82
Dr Jahan was buried at Banani graveyard on Friday after her Namaz-e-Janaza at Banani Mosque.
Read: Renowned economist Prof. Nurul Islam passes away in Washington
Completing her higher education from Dhaka University in Psychology in 1960, she moved England to pursue another Master’s of Science in Industrial Psychology.
She obtained her PhD from the Dhaka University. She joined as a faculty in Psychology department in 1966 and served over three decades.
After retirement, she became an avid writer and published many books, including a textbook on Industrial Psychology for post-graduate level students and a dictionary on Psychology.
She has over 35 scientific publications in her arena of expertise.
Women's issues including challenges faced by them at male dominated workplaces and in society were highlighted through her writings.
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Dr Jahan is survived by three sons, a granddaughter and three grandsons. She was born on September 7, 1941 in Kolkata.
Read more: Architect Tanweer Karim passes away in USA
Farewell Aftab: Now the young ones leave
Aftab Ahmed died on the 3rd of July, that is yesterday. I had suddenly come to learn a few weeks back that he was unwell and hospitalized. But I couldn’t find any common friend to confirm the news. I sent a message to his wife on messenger-someone I didn’t know- that went unanswered naturally.
Yesterday a stray post on Facebook mentioned his death. It was past 12 and no way to call him and know more. One of the nicest persons who walked this earth is gone and I have none to share my grief with. Aftab Ahmed was a first generation staff of UNB.
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Those were the happy days of journalism and the mixed crowd at UNB and Dhaka Courier were young, able and loved to laugh. That spirit can’t be recaptured now as it belonged to another history and age. Not only was Dhaka Courier the top selling weekly in town but UNB was strong and the most powerful news provider in Bangladesh. Those were heady days.
The line between the two –UNB and DC- was not always clear. This was because so many were friends, the young ones. Irteza, Huda, Aftab, Ayesha were close and on Thursday evenings when the cover page of DC was being done, they would all come to the top floor office of DC and chat and laugh and remind the world that they were young and spirited. Both Aftab and Huda were great at doing cover captions and the laughter that followed was always louder than the words that described the story.
Aftab was the nicest of the lot, an absolute gem of a human being. One of the most intellectually articulate people around, he bought a sense of humour and yet understanding of news value that was remarkable. I respected them all for their specialties if you will. Aftab was the quiet one, the deep one, the one who saw it all and said little. I respected him for that.
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Over time, as I drifted away elsewhere, contacts declined. I was a bit surprised that Aftab had joined the civil service but happy as he rose through the ranks. After a long time, his retirement actually, we met at a news media event last year. And of course we chatted about the old days. The same articulate, sharp witted, polite person he always was. I am bringing out a journal in English and asked him to contribute. He did. It will appear after he is gone. I wish he could be around to see it.
That old DC/UNB crowd is gone and dispersed. Irteza is in Malaysia and Huda is in the States and I am not in touch with either. Ayesha is with Prothom Alo (English) and our paths occasionally cross. But the crowd is gone. Now Aftab has left the building.
Farewell Aftab, keep laughing and talking and keep a seat for us too at the table. Best wishes and all my affections.