United News of Bangladesh

Veteran journalist Toab Khan, Editor of ‘Dainik Bangla’, died of old age complications at a hospital in the capital on Saturday. He was 87. Khan, an Ekushey Padak recipient, breathed his last at the United Hospital at 12:30 pm, said Sharifuzzaman Pintu, Dainik Bangla’s Executive Editor. Khan started his journalism career in 1953 and joined Dainik Songbad in 1955. He was also the first Editor of ‘Dainik Bangla’ which changed its name from ‘Dainik Pakistan’ after Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. He became the Editor of ‘Dainik Bangla’ on January 14, 1972. He also served as the Press Secretary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1973-75. Toab Khan also served as Chief Information Officer and Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB). The veteran journalist also played a role as a strong voice in Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra to inspire the freedom fighters during the War of Liberation. He also served as the Advisory Editor of daily ‘Janakantha’ and later joined as the Editor of ‘Danik Bangla’. His body has been kept in a mortuary and decision regarding his burial place will be taken once her daughter Tania Khan returns home from abroad,  said his family. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep shock at the death of the veteran journalist. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of  the journalist. In a condolence message, the President said Toab Khan was a pioneer in journalism in Bangladesh. “The void created by his death in the country's media world will never be filled.” PM Hasina, in another message, recalled that Toab Khan, the Editor of Bengali daily ‘Dainik Bangla’, had played the role of a word hero of Swadhin Betar Kendra during the Liberation War. She noted that the distinguished journalist served with patriotism and devotion in various fields of mass media after the independence of Bangladesh. The prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathies to his bereaved family.

Enamul Haq, the first director general of Bangladesh Betar, has passed away. He was 93. The veteran journalist breathed his last at United Hospital in the city on Tuesday night, said his family. He was made director general of Bangladesh Betar after independence of the country. After two years, he was given the responsibilities of leading Press Information Department (PID). In 1980, he was posted to Bangladesh High Commission in London as press minister. He served as the editor of the New Nation newspaper and also contributed hundreds of articles for many domestic and international publications. Haq left behind his wife, two sons and three daughters. He was laid to rest in a graveyard at Baridhara J block .

“Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano” famed eminent lyricist, journalist, political analyst, columnist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away in London on Thursday. He was 88. He died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time) and Bangladesh High Commission in London is in touch with his family members regarding the next step, an official told UNB. Gaffar Chowdhury is best known for writing the lyrics of "Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano" which is widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. Born in the Ulania village in Mehendiganj, Barisal to Hazi Wahed Reza Choudhury and Zohra Khatun on December 12, 1934, Chowdhury completed his Intermediate Examination from Dhaka College in 1953 and BA from Dhaka University in 1959. During his student life, he wrote the elegy for the language martyrs which confirmed his glory as a lyricist for eternity. Known as the “Ekusher Gaan,” the song was first tuned and composed by Abdul Latif, and later recomposed by Altaf Mahmud in 1969. Read: President shocked at death of journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury After his graduation, Chowdhury began his career as a journalist and worked in different national newspapers in Dhaka. He worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.He went to London, the United Kingdom, in 1974 for the treatment of his wife Selima Chowdhury. He, however, could not return to Bangladesh for 22 years after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.Living in the UK as a well-respected journalist and columnist, Chowdhury began writing columns in national Bangladeshi dailies, Bengali newspapers of the Bangladeshi community, and a daily paper in Kolkata. He also founded the newspaper ‘Notun Din.’  As a writer, Chowdhury authored a total of 35 five books including “Dan Pithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi”, “Bastobotar Nirikhey” and others.  Documenting a book on the assassination of Bangabandhu Bangabandhu, Gaffar Chowdhury authored “Polashi theke Dhanmondi” which was later staged as a play in the UK in 2004 and later adapted into a film under the supervision of Chowdhury himself. According to many political analysts in the country Chowdhury’s direct participation in the democratic movement and reflection of observation through his concise writing style in his newspaper columns helped in the restoration of the real history of Bangladesh in the world’s media. His views, thoughts and comments on politics combined a personal style with accurate, inside information, and explained military, political, strategic and tactical assumptions of all sides in Bangladesh's complex conflict, and his columns got overwhelming responses from the readers. Read: PM mourns death of eminent journalist, writer Gaffar Chowdhury For his illustrious and iconic career,  Chowdhury received numerous awards including the Shwadhinata Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, UNESCO Literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, and Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award, to name a few. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid in separate messages expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Gaffar Chowdhury. In his condolence message, the president said that Bangladesh has lost a pioneer who was progressive, creative and believed in the spirit of the Liberation War. His immortal song on language movement gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Gaffar Chowdhury continued his works throughout his life to present the actual history in front of the nation supporting the pledge of the Father of the Nation to build Golden Bengal and upholding the non-communal spirit of Bangalees.” “Despite living abroad, through his write-ups he presented the ideology of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in national and international media,” she said. During the Liberation War Gaffar Chowdhury encouraged the freedom fighters by his writings in the Bangladesh Government registered weekly ‘Joy Bangla’, she added. The prime minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also expressed deep shock at the death of Chowdhury.In a condolence message, the foreign minister said that Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable. Momen said Gaffar Chowdhury will be remembered especially for his immortal creation "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" elegy. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem has expressed deep shock over Gaffar Chowdhury's death. In a condolence message, she said, “I am deeply saddened by the death Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury." She said through the country and the nation lost one of his best sons and the British-Bangladeshi community lost their lighthouse and guardian. Also read: Celebrity astrologer, lyricist Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury passes away

Veteran journalist and columnist Mostafa Kamal Pasha passed away at a hospital in the port city on Friday morning. He was 68. He breathed his last around 10 am. He was suffering from cancer for a long time, said Mohsin Kazi, joint general secretary of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists. Also read: Journalist HM Jalal Ahmed passes away He is survived by three sons and a daughter.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of  Mostafa Kamal, who was also an organiser of the Liberation War and former member of Chattogram North Awami League. She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. He also worked in various media including the daily Azadi and news agency APB. His namaz-e-janaza was held at Chattogram Press Club premises after Jumma prayer. Also read: Senior journalist Shamsul Alam Belal no more He was laid to rest at the Hathazari graveyard. Mostafa Kamal  was born in 1952 at Dhalai Union in Hathazari Upazila.

Veteran journalist and former executive editor of UNB Roushanuzzaman has been undergoing treatment with severe lung problems at Uttara Crescent Hospital here for the last 10 days.