The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The 39th anniversary of death of late journalist Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, a legend in the domain of journalism of Bangladesh, will be observed today (Sunday) in a befitting manner.

On this day in 1969, Manik Mia, pioneer of fearless journalism and founder editor of the Daily Ittefaq, breathed his last at the age of 58 only.

Manik Mia, who was popularly known for his powerful political column under the pen name 'Musafir' in the Daily Ittefaq, dedicated his entire life for the cause of emancipation of the people in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and establishing democracy in its truest sense.

Journalist, editor, columnist and pioneer of democratic politics Manik Mia was a close companion of Hosayn Shaheed Suhrawardy. He always used his mighty pen as a weapon of struggle being inspired by patriotism, love for humanity and social responsibility. He was turned into an institution during his lifetime.

Manik Mia never compromised with his mighty pen to write against military rule, autocracy and violation of fundamental rights of people. In spite of repression, torture and harassment, he never compromised or surrendered to any evil force.

Different socio-cultural organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the death anniversary of Manik Mia.

The programmes include placing of wreaths, offering fateha, arranging Qurankhawni and milad mahfil, and holding discussions on the eventful life and work of late journalist.

Leaders and workers of different organizations and individuals will visit the mazar of Manik Mia at Azimpur in the city this morning to pay homage by placing wreaths and offering fateha there.

A Qurankhawni will begin at 6:00am today at the mazar premises of late journalist at Azimpur and munajat will be offered there at 9:00am.

Another Qurankhawni will be held at the rooftop of Ittefaq Bhaban at 1, Ramkrishna Mission from 8:00am. After Zohr prayers, there will be a milad mafil and munajat seeking divine blessing of almighty Allah for the eternal peace of the departed soul of late journalist.

In observance of the 39th anniversary of death, Manik Mia Parishad and Mehendiganj Awami Forum will jointly place wreaths at the mazar of Manik Mia at 7:00am and hold a discussion at Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium at 22/1 Topkhana Road in the city at 11:00am.

Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak will attend the discussion at the chief guest, while poet Asad Chowdhury, former president of Dhaka University Teachers Association Prof AASM Arefin Siddique, president of Biswa Bangali Sanmilon poet Muhammad Abdul Khaleque, president of National Front Comrade Nurul Huq Mehedi, general secretary of NAP (Bhashani) Abdul Matin Master, chief editor of Weekly Ajker Surjodoy Khondker Mozammel Huq and president of Muktijoddha Palli Society AH Alamgir will attend the discussion as special guests.

Mizanur Rahman Arzu, president of Mehendiganj Awami Forum, will preside over the discussion.