Gaffar Chowdhury laid to rest

Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, a prominent journalist and writer, was laid to rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard after the second namaz-e-janaza held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the first namaz-e-janaza of Gaffar Chowdhury was held at the central mosque on Dhaka University campus.  

Prior to the namaz-e-janaza, the body of Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was kept at the Central Shaheed Minar where people from all walks of life paid their last respect to him.  

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque and senior Awami League leaders received the body soon after it reached the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:00am.

Chowdhury died in London on May 13 aged 88. He will be remembered forever among Bengalees for the lyrics of ‘Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano’ after the language movement in 1952.

Chowdhury was given guard of honour first and then opened for tributes for ministers.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Education Minister Dipu Moni, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman, President a faction of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Hasanul Haq Inu, and President of Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon, placed their rice tributes to the coffin.

Former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, senior leaders of different front and associate bodies of the ruling Awami League including Awami Juba League, Bangladesh Chhatra League also placed their wreaths to the body.

Besides, activists of several cultural organisations including Sommilito Sangskritik Jot, Kabita Parishad placed their tributes to the body.

Eminent cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar also paid his respect to the coffin of Gaffar Chowdhury.

After placing wreaths, Obaidul Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said the country has lost a pathfinder through the demise of Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.