Mahbub Anam's 10th anniversary of death today

Metro Desk

Today (Saturday, July 9) is the 10th death anniversary of eminent journalist and author Mahbub Anam, former editor of The Bangladesh Times. In a distinguished career as a journalist, he also served as a senior executive of the then Pakistan Observer, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Editors Council and was actively involved with Bangladesh Sangbadpatra Parishad, Bangladesh Press Council, and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Porichalona Board. For his contribution to journalism, he received Swadhinata Padak, Sher-e-Bangla Gold Medal, Moulana Akram Khan Gold Medal, Kaloddhani Padak, and Tribhuj Gold Medal. Alongside a long and successful professional career, Mahbub Anam also served as the general manager of Jamuna Oil Company and the director of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation. He was actively involved in politics from his student life. In addition to being the general secretary of Salimullah Muslim Hall of Dhaka University in 1954-55, he was appointed acting publication secretary of the Jukta Front on behalf of the Awami League in 1954. Mahbub Anam actively took part in the language movement in 1952. He was jailed several times for his role in the movement as the general secretary of Tamaddun Majlish, Mymensingh unit, the joint secretary of Rashtrabhasha Sangram Parishad and the general secretary of Salimullah Muslim Hall. In recognition of his contribution to the language movement, he was awarded "Bhasha Andoloner Bir Sainik Padak" by the then president Ziaur Rahman and Matribhasha Padak (posthumously) by Tamaddun Majlish. Mahbub Anam authored a number of books on cultural and political identity of Bangladesh including "Amra Bangladeshi Amra Bangalee" and "Itihasher Shikriti Bonam Bikriti". He also served as the president of Nattyamancho Bangladesh and Bangladesh Sahitya Sangskriti Kendro and was actively involved with Bangladesh Film Censor Board and Bangladesh Public Library Special Committee. He was the second son of eminent litterateur, journalist, and politician late Abul Mansur Ahmad and elder brother of Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.