Obituary
Eminent fashion designer Emdad Hoque passes away
Renowned fashion designer and Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh (FDCB) Vice President Emdad Hoque passed away at a city hospital on Friday. He was 57.
He died at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, Shyamoli in the capital due to a recent heart attack.
The eminent fashion designer was undergoing life support due to multiple health complications for the last couple of days, according to FDCB General Secretary Shaibal Saha.
Read: Former minister Ghulam Mostafa dies aged 88
Confirming the news to UNB, Shaibal said that Hoque was suffering from kidney complications, asthma and other issues.
“He suffered a heart attack and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on November 2. He was put on life support for the last couple of days and was about to fly to Kolkata, India for better treatment, but unfortunately suffered a second heart attack two days ago and was put on life support again. He passed away at 2:16 pm today,” Shaibal told UNB.
His body is being taken to his ancestral home at Urdu Road, Old Dhaka. His namaz-e-janaza will take place after the Esha prayer and he will be buried at the Banani Graveyard, Saha informed.
A lifelong advocate for local handicraft-based fashion in Bangladesh, Emdad Hoque was the founder of Fashion Pathshala, a school of fashion and art. He was also the managing director of Studio Emdad, the director of Banglar Mela Limited, and a consultant for Raspberry Textile. He also worked as a Jury board member in many fashion contests and was respectfully recognized for his contribution to the fashion industry of Bangladesh.
Starting his career in the 1980s’ as a fashion columnist, Hoque joined BRAC as a Program Officer in 1992 in a development programme to monitor and develop rural sericulture in Bangladesh. He became the manager of BRAC’s textile department in 1993 and was especially involved in the production of cotton check fabrics for the Ready Made Garments (RMG) industry as well as developing silk fabrics for the popular fashion brand Aarong.
Read: Eminent writer and cultural personality Ali Imam passes away
Hoque later joined Grameen Uddyog as Chief Product Development officer. He formed Banglar Mela, a rural craft store in Bangladesh in 2001. He has relentlessly worked with the handloom industry of Bangladesh, to develop fine jute yarn and also served as the Vice President of FDCB for the betterment of the industry, alongside its President and eminent fashion icon Maheen Khan.
In recognition of his contribution to portraying traditional culture mingling with a western look at the international level and sharing his experiences among the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, Hoque received a lifetime achievement award from the Designers forum of Chittagong. He also received awards from the Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association, RTV, and Persona Bangladesh for his work as an eminent designer and fashion entrepreneur.
Dengue: 113 new patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Another 113 people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning.
The total fatalities remained unchanged at 271 as no death was reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the new patients, 66 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 47 outside it, said DGHS.
Read more: Dengue: 145 new patients hospitalised in 24 hrs Dengue: 145 new patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
A total of 645 dengue patients, including 350 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The DGHS has recorded 61,521 dengue cases and 60,605 recoveries so far this year.
'Kilo Flight' fighter Group Captain Shamsul Alam Bir Uttam, 74, dies
Group Captain Shamsul Alam (retired) Bir Uttam died Thursday at the age of 74.He was a brave fighter of "Kilo Flight," the code name for Mukti Bahini combat aviation formation during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Group Captain Shamsul breathed his last at 4:47pm at the capital's Evercare Hospital, according to the Inter Service Public Relations Directorate.
He was born in 1947 in Patuakhali district. In 1964, after completing his education in Dhaka, he joined the then Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur in 1964 and was commissioned in the GD (P) branch.
On June 3, 1971, he deserted his post in West Pakistan and came to Dhaka to join the Liberation War. But he was arrested immediately after his arrival at Dhaka airport as the Pakistan law enforcers realised he would join the Liberation War.
Unable to make him confess, they tortured the then Flight Lieutenant Shamsul in jail and tried to bring him under the jurisdiction of a court-martial but failed.
He was later released from jail on a general amnesty and was allowed to return home.
On September 13, 1971, after contacting the freedom fighters through a news correspondent, he left the country for India.
Read: Former minister Ghulam Mostafa dies aged 88
He reached Dimapur on 24 September and met the members of Kilo Flight. Initially, he started flying with DC-3 and subsequently flew Otter aircraft.
On December 3, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Shamsul along with his co-pilot got the first opportunity to prove their skill against Pakistani occupation forces. He flew from Kailashahar at 11pm and entered Bangladesh to strike oil depots near Chattogram airport. He returned to the base after a terrible flight with extreme craftsmanship avoiding enemy gunfire.
He was awarded the gallantry award Bir Uttam by the government. Group Captain Shamsul was also awarded the Independence Award 2017 for his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War.
PM condoles death of Dr SA Malek
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed shock and sorrow at the death of Awami League Advisory Council member and Bangabandhu Parishad President Dr SA Malek.
Malek was also former political adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former lawmaker from Faridpur-1 constituency.
In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina said that Dr SA Malek was also a very close associate of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She recalled that Dr SA Malek played a very important role in all the movements and struggles for the establishment of independent Bangladesh, including the language movement and the 6-point movement under the leadership of Bangabandhu.
She also said that Dr Malek participated in the Liberation War and played an active role in all the political activities of that time.
The Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
DCAB shocked at death of journalist Rased Mehedi's father
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) has expressed deep shock at the death of Mohammad Ali, father of its member journalist Rased Mehedi.
In a condolence message on Monday, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin conveyed deep sympathy to Prothidiner Bangladesh Special Correspondent Rased Mehedi and his family members.
Read more: DCAB shocked over death of journalist Jhumur's mother
They prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
Mohammad Ali, 77, breathed his last early Monday at a hospital in Dhaka.
He had long been suffering from old age complications.
Read more: Journalist Raihan M Chowdhury dies
Mohammad Ali was headmaster of Sonatala High School in Bagura and Principal of Panchagarh Police Line School and College.
He left behind wife, two sons, a daughter and host of relatives to mourn his death.
He will be buried at his family graveyard in Shibganj Upazila of Bogura later today (Monday).
Former minister Ghulam Mostafa dies aged 88
Former minister and member parliament ABM Ghulam Mostafa died Saturday. He was 88.
Ghulam Mostafa, also former secretary to the government, died at home after suffering health problems from old age.
His namaz-e janaza will be held at Gulshan Central Masjid (Azad Mosque) Sunday after Asr prayers.
Read more: Sajeda Chowdhury’s death is a great loss, PM tells JS
Ex-BNP MP Shahjahan Khan succumbs to injures
Shahjahan Khan, a former BNP MP from Patuakhali-3 constituency who sustained serious injuries in an attack reportedly by the ruling party activists on November 4, died on Monday at a city hospital. He was 71.
Khan, also the ex-general secretary of Patuakhali district unit BNP, breathed his last at LabAid hospital around 10am, his son Shiplu Kahn told UNB.
He said his father came under an attack by the ‘cadres’ of Jubo League and Chhatra League on the Patuakhali-Barishal highway while going to Barishal along with his followers to join BNP’s divisional rally the following day.
Read more: Square Group founder’s wife Anita Chowdhury no more
Shiplu alleged that the ruling party activists beat Khan with rods and sticks, leaving him critically injured.
He was admitted to a hospital in Patuakhali immediately and later shifted to LabAid Hospital on November 22 as his condition deteriorated.
“My father died about 10am today (Monday) while undergoing treatment at the hospital,” he added.
Shiplu said Khan will be buried at his family graveyard in Dakshin Sutabaria village next to his mother’s grave after Asr prayer on Tuesday after several namaz-e-janazas in Dhaka and Patuakhali.
Herring the news of Khan’s death, BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the party’s other senior leaders rushed to the hospital and talked to the bereaved family members.
Read more: Ex-state minister Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain passes away
The BNP leader paid homage to Khan by standing in solemn silence for a while in front of his mortal remains at the hospital.
Meanwhile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul expressed deep shock at the death of Khan.
In separate condolence messages, they prayed for the salvation of Khan’s departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Eminent writer and cultural personality Ali Imam passes away
Renowned writer, television anchor and cultural personality Ali Imam passed away on Monday at the age of 72.
He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Dhanmondi in the evening, according to his son Tanvir Imam. He was suffering from various complications including pneumonia.
Born in December 31, 1950 in Brahmanbaria, Ali Imam is credited with more than 600 publications.
Read: Ex-state minister Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain passes away
He also served as the general manager of Bangladesh Television (BTV).
He was the General Manager of Bangladesh Television (BTV) from 2004-2006 and the now-defunct Channel One (2007-2008) before serving as the CEO of several satellite TV channels at the end of his career.
However, Imam was best known as the anchor of "Hello Apnake Bolchhi" at BTV, regarded as the first live show of the country.
He was also the producer of Bangladesh Television's famous documentary educational program 'Dekha Hoy Nai Chokkhu Melia' (1980-1987).
Read: Ekushey Padak winner dance maestro Golam Mostofa dies at 82
From 1998 to 2004, he was the director of UNICEF's 'Mother and Child Development Communication Program' for 7 years.
He received the Bangla Academy Award for his child literature in 2001.
Ex-state minister Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain passes away
Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain, former state minister for Finance and Planning and BNP leader, died at a hospital on Monday. He was 85.
Abul Hussain, also a former vice-president of Barishal North unit BNP, breathed his last at Evercare Hospital at 11 am, said BNP’s media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Read more: Ekushey Padak winner dance maestro Golam Mostofa dies at 82
The BNP leader was survived by his wife, one son, a daughter and grandchildren to mourn his death.
He will be buried at Banani Graveyard following a namaz-e-janaza at Gulshan Azad Mosque after Maghrib prayer.
DCAB shocked over death of journalist Jhumur's mother
The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) has expressed deep shock at the death of Sufia Khatun, mother of DCAB member and Ekattor TV special correspondent Jhumur Bari.
In a condolence message on Friday, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin conveyed deep sympathy to Jhumur Bari and her family members.
They prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.
Read: President mourns demise of his press secy's brother
Sufia Khatun, 65, breathed her last at around 11:30pm on Thursday at her Chuadanga residence due to old age complications.
She left behind two daughters and a son, a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn her death.
Sufia Khatun was buried on Friday at her family graveyard in Chuadanga.
Journalist Jhumur lost her father too recently.