Obituary
Gazi Mazharul Anwar a legend of Bangladesh: Fakhrul
Describing musician, film director and lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar as a legend of Bangladesh, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday expressed deep shock at his demise.
"He (Mazharul) was one of the legends of Bangladesh. It would be wrong to call him only a lyricist as he was a creative artiste whose pen created many wonderful songs and poems in this country,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters at United Hospital as we went there to pay homage to the mortal remains of the noted lyrist.
"I'm a bit emotional at his demise as I had a very close personal relationship with him. I can't accept that he is no more. We have lost a rare personality and a brilliant artiste," he said.
Mentioning that the songs of the talented artiste inspired freedom fighters during the Liberation War, the BNP leader said, "His songs were the most inspiring for us in the 1971 war of independence, and he wrote thousands of songs in later times.”
Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of Gazi Mazharul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar, also a member of the BNP Chairperson’s advisory council, passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 79.
His nephew Shahriar Nazim Joy said doctors at the United Hospital pronounced him dead when he was taken there in the morning.
Hearing the news of his death, Fakhrul rushed to the United Hospital from his Uttara house and consoled the deceased’s family members.
Eminent cultural personality Gazi Mazharul Anwar no more
Renowned Bangladeshi musician, film director, producer and lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar passed away Sunday morning. He was 79.
His nephew actor Shahriar Nazim Joy said doctors at the United Hospital pronounced him dead when he was taken to United Hospital on Sunday morning.
Shahana Mirza, daughter-in-law of Gazi Mazharul Anwar, said that his father-in-law was suffering from acidity problem for the past few days. He was taken to a doctor yesterday for blood test and was scheduled to undergo more tests today.
Details regarding his namaz-e-janaza are yet to be announced and his burial will take place after the return of his daughter, singer Dithi Anwar who is currently staying abroad.
Born on February 22, 1943, at Daudkandi in Cumilla, Gazi Mazharul Anwar contributed greatly to the cultural and entertainment industry in Bangladesh with a glorious career spanning more than 60 years.
Read:Former election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar no more
In his legendary career as a lyricist, he wrote over 20,000 songs including the coveted patriotic song "Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy." He was one of the eminent lyricists of the Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and three of his songs are included in BBC Bangla's list of the "20 greatest Bangla songs."
“Sagorer Teer Theke,” “Monero Ronge Rangabo,” “Akasher Haatey Achhe Ek Rash Neel,” “Ganeri Khatay Swarolipi Likhe,” “Ei Prithir Pore,” “Osru Diye Lekha,” “O Amar Rosiya Bondhure,” “Eki Sonar Aloy,” “Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto,” are some of his most popular songs in Dhallwood.
As a film director, he has directed 19 films including “Shasti,” Bichar Poti,” “Artonad,” “Jiboner Golpo” and more.
He received the Bangladesh National Film Award as a lyricist for ‘Tit for Tat’ (1992), ‘Ajante’ (1996), ‘Churiwala’ (2001), ‘Lal Dariya’ (2002), ‘Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti’ (2003) and ‘Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe’ (2016).
Gazi Mazharul Anwar was honoured with the Ekushey Padak in 2002 and received the Independence Award in 2021.
PM mourns passing away of Sonia Gandhi's mother Paola Maino
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Paola Maino, mother of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
She also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended her heartfelt sympathy to Sonia Gandhi and her family.
"I can relate that the passing away of parents leaves a permanent vacuum in our hearts which can never be filled by anyone else. Despite these tragedies on our paths, our lives must continue," Sheikh Hasina said in a signed letter sent to Sonia Gandhi.
"It is my firm belief that the values, affection, love, and legacy taught and left behind by Madam Maino will be a source of inspiration and strength for you and your family members and will take you all forward in the coming days."
Also read: PM mourns death of freedom fighter Shawkat Ali
Writer-bureaucrat Khurshid Alam's 13th death anniversary Thursday
The 13th death anniversary of fiction writer and former additional secretary Md Khurshid Alam will be observed Thursday.
Khurshid belonged to the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) Cadre 1982 batch. Also, he wrote 19 books.
Read: Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary
Khurshid's first book "Shet-kopoter Dana" was published in 1987. His other works include "Digomborir Prem Nei," "Vangoner Podaboli," "Poribesh, Shomaj O Shamajik Bikash," and "Unoshotturer Koishor."
The former bureaucrat's last book "Shikkhoker Shomudro Jatra" was published in 2008.
PM mourns Sharsha AL leader Nuruzzaman's death
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Jashore Sharsha Upazila Awami League (AL) General Secretary Md Nuruzzaman.
Nuruzzaman, 62, breathed his last today at his Dhaka residence at 5am after a prolonged illness.
The AL lost a dedicated leader with the death of Nuruzzaman, Sheikh Hasina said.
She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended her heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.
Read: PM shocked at death of freedom fighter Sheikh Abdul Hakim
Former election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar no more
Former election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar passed away at a hospital in the city Wednesday afternoon. He was 80.
Sabbir Ahmed, a duty manager of United Hospital, said he was brought dead to the hospital.
His daughter Irin Talukder said her father's oxygen level fell on Wednesday morning and later he was taken to the hospital where doctors said he had suffered a massive cardiac arrest and breathed his last around 1pm.
Mahbub, also a renowned poet and juvenile writer, had been suffering from cancer for a long time.
He served as an election commissioner in the KM Nurul Huda-led five-member Election Commission from February 2017 to February 2022.
The Election Commission expressed shock at his death and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock at Mahbub's death.
In a condolence message, he described Mahbub Talukder as a brave son of this era. "Despite the hostile environment in the Election Commission, he single-handedly fought to ensure free, transparent and fair elections, but he could not achieve his desired goal due to the Commission's subservient role towards the authoritarian regime."
Mahbub also exposed the misdeeds of the Election Commission in eliminating voting, elections and voting rights at the behest of the government, the BNP leader added.
Read:Uncontested elections a concern for democracy: EC Mahbub
He prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.
Mahbub was born on 13 February 1942 in Netrakona's Purbadhala. He completed his secondary education at Nawabpur Government High School, higher secondary education at Dhaka College and higher education at Dhaka University.
In his early career, he had been engaged in journalism in the Daily Ittefaq and taught at Jagannath College, the architecture department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and the Bangla Department of Chittagong University.
In 1971, he participated in the Liberation War and joined the Ministry of Information of the Mujibnagar government. Later, he served in various positions during his five-year government service in Bangabhaban.
On January 24, 1972, Mahbub was appointed as a special officer of President Abu Saeed Chowdhury. He then served as President Mohammadullah's public relations officer.
During the tenure of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Mahbub served as his assistant press secretary.
He also served as the director general of Shilpakala Academy and in various ministries and organisations until his retirement as an additional secretary in 1999.
Mahbub received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2012.
Economy needs transitional policy to overcome the crisis: Debapriya
Noted Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Thursday called for a ‘transitional policy understanding’ to overcome the ongoing financial turmoil in the country’s economy.
"The main villain of the economy is the weakness of the financial sector. The reason for this is the lack of reforms that have been accumulating for a long time. Its effects are now visible. We are unable to move forward without a transitional policy,” he said.
Debapriya, a distinguished fellow of think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), made the remarks at a media conversation with economic reporters on “Overcoming the Current Economic Challenges – Towards a Transitional Policy Understanding.”
Also read: A roadmap needed for debt repayment of 20 mega projects: Debapriya
“The current crisis is only a symptom of the disease, because of the lack of reform. He said that the government has to reduce the subsidy to deal with the crisis in the financial sector. But now it was more necessary to give subsidies to protect poor people to control inflation,” he said.
He said Bangladesh’s economy is yet to go back to the pre-COVID benchmark and experiencing fragmented recovery and macroeconomic stability is under high stress, particularly due to inflationary pressure and unstable foreign exchange rate with the local currencies.
Besides, the global economy’s prospects for FY23 --commodity price rise, supply chain disruption, and logistic, increase in transportation cost – are bad for Bangladesh, he argued.
In such a situation the economy needs a transitional policy understanding for a period of 2-3 years to overcome the uncertainties (national and global) for stabilization and consolidation of the economy with a short-term outlook.
Export-Import deficit of USD $33.25 billion, the current account deficit of $18.70 billion, and the overall external deficit of $5.38 million, these are the symptoms of the disease, not the disease itself, he mentioned.
The revenue share in GDP did not go up more than 10 per cent of GDP, the share of income and asset tax in total revenue stagnated at around 30 per cent, and the budget deficit was increasingly being funded by borrowing from banks, all are the elements of fiscal mismanagement, he said.
Also read: Food production, price control should get prioritised in budget: Dr. Debapriya
In reply to a query, he said the recent fuel oil price hike is disagreeable and imprudent, the economy will not be benefited from this move in the current context domestic economic situation, he said.
Debapriya pointed out that the government has cut subsidies in the oil sector, which are now diverted to pay the capacity charge of rental power plants.
He urged to increase the interest of bank lending to 12 per cent for a moderate credit growth, and protect depositors increasing its rate to 8-9 per cent.
He also called for ending the direct central bank’s interference in fixing the exchange rate, rather it should be fixed by the competitive market rate.
In reply to another query, he said people will pay revenue eagerly when they can see transparency and adaptation in government expenditure including procurement.
Desh Rupantor Editor Amit Habib no more
Daily Desh Rupantor Editor Amit Habib passed away at a hospital in the capital Thursday night.
Amit, 59, breathed his last at 11pm while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Desh Rupantor Chief Reporter Ummul Wara Sweety, said.
The Desh Rupantor editor was admitted to the hospital after he had a major stroke on July 21. He also suffered a stroke in 2020.
"Amit Habib's first namaz-e-janaza will be held at 10pm at Desh Rupantor office in Bangla Motor and the second namaz-e-janaza at the Jatiya Press Club at 11pm. After that, his body will be taken to Jhenaidah," Sweety said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud expressed profound sadness and shock following the death of Amit.
He prayed for the Desh Rupantor editor's departed soul and extended his deepest sympathy to his family.
Before joining Desh Rupantor, Amit worked for different dailies, including Kaler Kantho, Samakal, Jai Jai Din, and Bhorer Kagoj, in different positions. In 2018, Amit joined Desh Rupantor as its editor.
Also read: New Nation Editor AM Mufazzal passes away
BNP chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Haider Ali dies
BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member and former secretary Barrister Haider Ali has passed away. He was 71.
He breathed his last at 10:05pm on Sunday while undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital in the capital, said Haider’s son barrister Jisan Haider.
"My father was suffering from liver complications for a long time,” he said.
He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers.
Jisan said Haider will be buried at his family graveyard at Narayankhola under Nakla upazila in Sherpur after his namaz-e-Janata at Bhotkandi Eidgah ground there.
Haider Ali served as secretary in different ministries including Information, Textiles and Jute and Women and Children Affairs during his career.
Haider Ali became active in BNP politics after retiring from government service in 2008.
Read: Opposition leader Raushon condoles Rabbi's demise
Opposition leader Raushon condoles Rabbi's demise
Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad on Saturday expressed deep shock at the demise of Jatiya Sangsad deputy speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah.
Advocate Fazle Rabbi, a valiant Freedom Fighter and Member of Parliament, died during treatment at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York. He was 76.
In her condolence message, she said, “Rabbi, an advocate by profession, was active in politics and he worked for the country... People of the country will remember his contribution in the Liberation War and parliamentary democracy forever.”
“His death is an irreparable loss in the political arena which will not be healed soon,” she added.
Raushon also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Read: Bangladesh Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi passes away