The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Eminent Journalist and Editor of Daily Sangbad Bazlur Rahman was laid to rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard here yesterday with state honour. Rahman suffered a cardiac arrest Tuesday night and succumbed at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital in the city at the age of 67.

His death sent a wave of shock across the political and social arena including the culture and the media. Admirers, friends and colleagues rushed to the hospital to have a glimpse of the down-to-earth journalist who served the media for over five decades.

The body of Rahman was taken to Baneshwardi under Nakala upazila of Sherpur district yesterday, where a large number of people crowded at his village home and attended his namaj-e- janaza as well.

Later, the body was brought to Dhaka at daily 'Sangbad' office. The second namaz-e-zanaza was held at Ramna Apartment Complex in the city where his neighbours paid their last respect.

As the body reached the Sangbad office, a heart-piercing situation was created among long time colleagues, journalists and other employees.

Many colleagues out of sadness started weeping. Members of the 'Sangbad Family' paid their homage to the late editor and placed floral wreath at his coffin.

In the afternoon, the body of Bazlur Rahman was brought to Jatiya Press Club (JPC). Leaders of different political, social and cultural organisations paid their tributes to him.

The third namaz-e-janaza of Rahman was held at JPC premises. Political leaders, editors, journalists, former ministers, advisers and lots of admirers attended the janaza.

They include-acting president of Awami League (AL) Zillur Rahman, BNP chairperson nominated secretary general Khandakar Delwar Hossain, AL presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak and Tofail Ahmed, former Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid, BNP leader MK Anwar and Mushfiqur Rahman, former adviser of the caretaker government M Hafiz Uddin Khan, former UNESCAP Division Chief Dr Rezaul Karim, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Moniruzzaman Miah, Chairman of PSC Dr Sa'dat Hossain, noted lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Haque, Chief Editor of BSS Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, editor of the News Today Reazuddin Ahmed, elderly journalist ABM Musa, advisory editor of the Daily Janakantha Toab Khan, editor of the daily Jugantar Golam Sarwar, advisory Editor of the daily Amar Desh Ataus Samad and JPC President Shawkat Mahmud.

Leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) in separate messages condoled the death of Bazlur Rahman. They paid rich tributes and recalled with deep gratitude his contributions to the profession of journalism.

BFUJ Presidents Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul and Mozammel Haq, secretary generals Abdul Jalil Bhuyian and Ruhul Amin Gazi , DUJ President Altaf Mahmud and Azizul Haq Banna, General secretaries Omar Faruque and Sardar Farid Ahmed condoled the death.

Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) President Alamgir Hossain and general secretary Elias Khan also condoled the death of Rahman.

Qulkhwani

Qulkhwani of eminent journalist and Editor of the Daily Sangbad will be held after Asr prayers on Friday at his residence at I-2 Ramna Apartment Complex at Bara Magbazar in the city.

Relatives, friends, well-wishers and colleagues of Bazlur Rahman have been requested to attend the qul.

Executive Editor of the Daily Sangbad Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul said a memorial meeting will be held at Jatiya Press Club at 3PM on Saturday.

Besides, a citizen's condolence meeting will also be held at Central Shaheed Minar at 4 PM on March 3.