United News of Bangladesh

Ekushey Padak-winning eminent language movement veteran Ahmad Rafiq passed away in the capital’s BIRDEM Hospital on Thursday at 10:12 pm. He was 96. His special assistant Md Russel confirmed the news, saying Rafiq breathed his last at 10:12 pm. Hospital authorities said he had been on life support and suffered a cardiac arrest before his death. The veteran intellectual was admitted to BIRDEM’s Intensive Care Unit on Wednesday after his condition deteriorated. Doctors said he had been battling kidney complications and suffered several mild strokes in recent months. Earlier on September 11, he was discharged from LabAid Hospital and later admitted to Health and Hope Hospital in Panthapath. Due to the lack of required facilities there, he was transferred to BIRDEM on Sunday. According to writer Ehasan Mahmud, Rafiq’s body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 11 am on Saturday, October 4, to allow the public to pay their last respects. Later, his body will be donated to BIRDEM Medical College. Born in Brahmanbaria in 1929, Ahmad Rafiq played an active role in the historic 1952 Language Movement as a young student. He was among those who took part in protests and mobilisations demanding Bangla’s recognition as a state language of Pakistan. His lifelong commitment to the spirit of the Language Movement was reflected in his writings and cultural activism. Ahmad Rafiq went on to dedicate his life to writing, research and cultural activities. A Rabindranath Tagore scholar of high repute, he authored and edited more than a hundred books. He received both the Ekushey Padak and the Bangla Academy Literary Award for his contributions. The Tagore Research Institute in Kolkata honoured him with the title Rabindra-Tottwacharjo in recognition of his pioneering role in Rabindra studies across Bangladesh and West Bengal. Following the death of his wife in 2006, Ahmad Rafiq lived alone in a rented apartment in New Eskaton. He had no children. Despite his vast personal collection of books, he left behind no significant assets.

Language Movement veteran Abul Hossain died on Wednesday afternoon. He was 87. Abul Hossain was brought to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) at 4 pm, where doctor declared him dead, RMCH Director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said. Dr Bellal Uddin of RMCH quoting Abul Hossain’s family members said Abul Hossain was suffering from breathing complications and chest pain along with old age complications. Also read: Language Movement hero Yusuf Kalu passes away He took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on February 9, the doctor said. Abul Hossain left behind two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. Also read: Language Movement hero Rawshan Ara passes away Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and Rajshahi MP Fazle Hossain Badsha expressed deep shock at the death of Abul Hossain. They prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed their profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. 

Language Movement veteran and journalist Yusuf Kalu passed away at a hospital in Barishal on Monday due to old age complications. He was 91. Yusuf Kalu, also a freedom fighter, breathed his last at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital around 5:45 PM, said his son Md Shohagh. Also read: The forgotten Language Movement hero Born on January 17, 1931 at Miabari in Razapur Kanudaskathi of Jhalakati district, Yusuf was the youngest son of his father Obaidul Karim (Raza Mia) and mother (Fatema Khatun). He was a student of Barishal BM College. Until the death, he was active in works related to the history of Language  Movement and Liberation  War. Yusuf became involved in the Language Movement in 1948 when he was a student of class VIII. After passing Matriculation, he got admitted to IA at the Commerce Department of BM College and involved in Chhattra Union. Also read: Language Movement hero Rawshan Ara passes away He was also a member of the 25-member ‘Language Movement Council’. In 1952, Yusuf joined the Chhatra League and later got involved with Awami League politics. He started journalism in 1962 and joined ‘Daily Azad’ and ‘Daily Paigam’. Yusuf was also a general secretary of Barishal Press Club in 1962 to 1973. Yusuf, a freedom fighter, received training at Hasnabad, Hingalgarh, Taki Headquarters on May 14, 1971. After returning to the country, he fought with the Pakistan Army under Sector - 9 in Kaliganj and  Satkhira bordering area. Also read: Language Movement hero Osman Gani buried in Chapainawabganj His house was looted during the Liberation War. Senior Awami League leader Abul Hasanat Abdullah, MP in Barishal and Barishal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah expressed deep shock at the demise of the Language Movement hero Yusuf Kalu.

Language Movement veteran M Nurul Islam Dadu Bhai passed away at a hospital on Wednesday at the age of 91.

Language Movement veteran Laily Begum was laid to rest at her family graveyard in Kallyankathi village of Sadar upazila on Wednesday.