United News of Bangladesh

Bangla Academy president and eminent writer Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was 86. He breathed his last at around 2:30pm at the National Heart Foundation in Mirpur after falling sick at a family progrmame, said Serajul Islam (Seraj Salekeen), chairman of the Department of Bangla of Dhaka University. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq was a distinguished literary critic and a professor who taught for 40 years in the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka. He graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1965 and completed his master's degree at the same university in 1966. He served as the convener of the Rashtrabhasha Bangla Rokkha Committee (State Language Bengali Protection Committee). He also served as the president of Bangla Academy. He received several awards for his contributions to literature and research, including the Bangla Academy Award (1981), the Alakta Memorial Literary Award (2004), the Bangladesh Writers’ Association Humayun Kabir Memorial Award (1974), and  Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Center Award (1991), according to Bangla Academy. His first book, Muktisangram was published in 1972. More than 250 research articles of Prof Huq were published in national and international journals. His works included 32 books, 1 translation and he edited a total of 23 books. His son, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipon, who owned Jagriti Prokashony, was killed by Islamist militants on October 31, 2015.

Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, legendary folklorist and Chairman of Bangla Academy, passed away at a city hospital Wednesday (April 14, 2021) after losing his battle with Covid-19. The 80-year-old was on life support after being tested Covid-19 positive and was undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital for other illnesses as well. Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji confirmed the news to UNB, saying: "Professor Shamsuzzaman breathed his last at around 2pm at BSMMU after fighting with Covid-19 for two weeks." Read Prothom Alo joint editor Mizanur Rahman dies of Covid-19 The folklorist will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Manikganj later in the day. Professor Shamsuzzaman was put on life support on Monday as his condition had worsened. He and his wife tested positive for Covid-19 on March 30. Born in 1940 in Manikganj's Charigram, Shamsuzzaman is recognised as one of the most respected folklorists of the country. As a folklorist, researcher and writer, Shamsuzzaman penned and edited more than 100 books including "Folklore Charcha," "Muktabuddhi," "Dharmanirapekshata O Samakal," "Bangarashtrer Galpasamagra," "Kishore Rachanasamagra," and "Bangladesher Utsab." Read Ustad Shahadat Hossain Khan dies of Covid-19 He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2001, Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Award in 2017 for his great contribution to the arts and culture of Bangladesh. The folklorist completed his post-graduation from the University of Dhaka and started his career as a lecturer for Haraganga College in Munshiganj and Jagannath College (now university) in 1964. He was appointed as the director-general of Bangla Academy on May 24, 2009, and continued till May 23, 2018. Read A book fair unlike any other Shamsuzzaman was named the new Bangla Academy Chairman in June 2020 after the death of former president National Professor Anisuzzaman, who also died from Covid-19. In his esteemed career, Shamsuzzaman also served as the director-general of Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Shamsuzzaman worked as a faculty member of Bangladesh Agricultural University from 1968 to 1973 and National University from 1998 to 2001, too. Read Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away