BSS, Dhaka :
Former managing director and chief editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and also ex- editor of the English daily The Independent Mahbubul Alam was laid to rest Saturday afternoon.
He was buried at his father’s grave at around 3 pm at Azimpur new graveyard in the city. .
Alam, also a former caretaker government adviser, breathed his last at BIRDEM Hospital on Friday morning. He was 78.
Earlier on the day, his body was taken to Jatiya
Press Club (JPC) from United Hospital mortuary at around 1.30pm.
People from all walks of life thronged the club premises to bid a last farewell to the senior journalist.
Noted politicians, academics, senior journalists, cultural activists, civil society members and commoners paid their last tributes to Alam by placing wreaths on his coffin.
Different socio-cultural, political and journalist organizations also placed wreaths on his coffin.
Alam’s second namaz-e-janaza was held at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) premises after Johr prayers.
His widow and three daughters, who came to Dhaka from the USA on Saturday morning, were present on the JPC premises during the namaz- e- janaza.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, former adviser to the caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, Awami League leader Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, noted lawyer Barrister Rafiq- Ul Huq and Advocate Khandoker Mahbub Hossain took part in the janaza.
After the namanz-e-janaza, among others, the BSS, BFUJ, DUJ, JPC, Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Editors’ Council, Photo Journalists Association, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka Sub Editors’ Council, Chittagong Union of Journalists, Munshiganj Journalists Association, Dainik Samokal and Jatiya Press Club Workers Association placed floral wreaths on the coffin of Alam.
Alam’s first namaz-e-janaza was held at Azad Mosque at Gulshan in the city after the Asr prayer Friday.
Qulkhani and doa mahfil will be held at his younger brother Faridul Ahshan Mintu’s residence at House No-10/A, road no-48 at Gulshan in the city on June 9 (Monday).
Born in 1936 in Munshiganj, Alam started his career in journalism with Associated Press of Pakistan in 1957. He went into retirement on October 19 last year after serving The Independent as the editor for 18 years.
Alam’s career in journalism was over 50 years. He was editor of the weekly Dialogue (1992-1995), chief editor and managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (1987-1989), and editor of The New Nation (1986-1987).
In addition to his career in journalism, Alam held various positions in the government. He was ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan (1983-1986) and director general, External Publicity Wing and spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs (1980-1983).
He served as press minister at the embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC with the rank and status of an ambassador (1989- 1992); and earlier, as press councillor at the Bangladesh embassy in Washington (1978-1980). Alam served as press councillor (1976- 1978) at the Bangladesh high commission in London.
He was a member of the Dhaka Club, the National Press Club and the Officers’ Club. He was an honorary member of the Uttara Club.
He served as a member of the governing body of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (1980-1983), a member of the National Press Club in Washington DC (1989-1992), Bangladesh Press Council, and during the 1980s, as honorary secretary, Bangladesh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Alam lectured on Bangladesh affairs at different universities in the United States, including the University of Wisconsin at Madisson, New York State University at Stoney Brook and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
He did an MA in political science from Dhaka University. In 1963, he received training in Journalism and Commonwealth Relations as a Fellow of Commonwealth Press Union, and attended a short course at Oxford University.
He was a recipient of Atish Dipankar Gold Medal for his contribution to Journalism.
