Editorial
Death of a visionary
We mourn Faiz Ahmed's passing away
We are saddened by the demise of Faiz Ahmed, an eminent writer and veteran journalist whose life was inextricably linked to all the progressive political movements of the nation both in the pre- and post-independent Bangladesh. His death brought an end to the colourful life of a true visionary who unrelentingly devoted himself to establishing the fundamental political rights of the Bangladeshi people.
A staunch believer in the communist philosophy, his multi-faceted life spread across a whole range of creative, journalistic, altruistic, political and cultural activities. He was actively involved in the language, cultural and the anti-Ayub movements in the 1950s and 1960s. During the countrywide democratic movement against Ershad's autocratic regime, he was one of the key figures in bringing together Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
As the chief reporter of the Bangla dailies Ittefaq, Sangbad, Azad and Purbadesh, he reported the Pakistani occupation forces' brutalities on and conspiracies against the freedom loving people of the erstwhile East Pakistan. He was the founding editor of the state-run news agency BSS.
Author of more than 100 books, the Madhyarater Ashwarohi is his magnum opus, which gives a compelling account of the media's role in crystallizing the political aspirations of the Bangladeshi people before independence. He was also a popular rhymester. In the cultural arena, he was an iconic figure. He was the founder of the country's leading cultural organization Sammilito Sangskritik Jote and the art gallery Shilpangan.
His eventful life and works will always remain as a perennial source of inspiration for those who choose to work unflaggingly for the establishment of people's fundamental rights.
We express our deep condolences to his bereaved family and friends.
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