The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Glowing tributes were paid to doyen of journalism Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the founder-editor of the Daily Ittefaq and a pioneer in this field, on the occasion of his 39th death anniversary yesterday.

The valiant fighter for democracy and human rights breathed his last on this day in 1969 at the age of 58 only.

Different socio-cultural organisations chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the death anniversary. The programmes included placing of wreaths, offering of fateha, holding of Qurankhawni, milad mahfil and discussions on the eventful life and work of the late legendary journalist.

Leaders and workers of different organizations including Manik Mia Parishad and Mehendiganj Awami Forum and people from all walks of life visited the mazar of Manik Mia at Azimpur in the city to pay homage by placing wreaths and offering fateha there.

Qurankhawni, milad mafil and munajat were arranged at the mazar premises. Munajat was also held on the rooftop of Ittefaq Bhaban at Ramkrishna Mission road. The participants prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

Speakers at a commemoration meeting recollected the life-long contributions of the noted journalist for establishing democracy as well as independent Bangladesh. They called him a fearless and uncompromising journalist.

The Manik Mia Parishad and Mehendiganj Awami Parishad jointly organised the programme at Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium in the city. Mizanur Rahman Arzu, president of Mehendiganj Awami Forum presided over the discussion.

Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak attended the discussion at the chief guest. 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 attended the discussion as special guests.

Abdur Razzak said Manik Mia played a significant role in inspiring the people to join the struggle for freedom under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He recalled that Manik Mia was an outspoken person. Therefore, he resigned from government job and took up journalism as a profession.

Prof AASM Arefin Siddique said Manik Mia took journalism to the masses and made himself the architect of journalism.

He said that though his writings were razor-sharp yet his works never encouraged violence. "Musafir" like him is the crying need of the hour, he said.

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

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

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