Staff Reporter :The 52nd death anniversary of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, one of the greatest leaders of undivided India, will be observed in the country today (Saturday) with due respect.The unparalleled leader in all-India politics, Suhrawardy dedicated his whole life to ensuring welfare of the people by upholding democracy above everything. He died at a Beirut hotel in Lebanon on this day in 1963. He was alone in the hotel suite at the time of his death.To mark his death anniversary, The Manik Mia Foundation will hold a discussion at the Foundation’s auditorium in Ittefaq Bhaban, 1 R.K. Mission Road in the capital at 4pm today. Professor Emeritus Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq will be the chief guest at the function. Veteran journalists Rahat Khan, Reazuddin Ahmed and Mahfuz Ullah, Professor Syed Anwar Husain and Professor Amena Mohsin will take part in the discussion as panelists, while Secretary General of the Foundation Syed Tosharraf Ali will moderate it.Meanwhile, different political, socio-cultural and professional organisations including the ruling party have chalked out various programmes to observe the day.The programmes include placing of wreaths at the grave of the great leader at 8:00am, discussion, Quran khwani, milad and prayer sessions.President M. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound respect to the memory of Suhrawardy on the occasion of his death anniversary.In separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Suhrawardy, terming him a champion of democracy.President Hamid, in his message, said Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy is an illustrious name in the history of democracy in Bangladesh.”The nation recalls with respect the contribution of Suhrawardy to establishing and flourishing democracy as well as in socio-economic development of the people of this region,” he added.”I believe, his life and work will inspire the young generation in democratic thinking and spirit and the overall welfare of the people,” the President said.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her statement, said Suhrawardy worked throughout his life for establishing democratic rights of the people and flourishing non-communal politics.”The life and ideal of this great leader will inspire us in advancing democracy and in overcoming political crisis,” she said.He was vociferous in the struggle for socio-economic development of the Muslims in the sub-continent and upholding their political rights, she added.The Prime Minister said Awami League had flourished further under the efficient leadership of Suhrawardy.Under the leadership of his successor, the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country achieved its independence, she recalled.
