BSS : Former managing director and chief editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and also ex- editor of the English daily The Independent Mahbubul Alalm was laid to rest this afternoon. He was buried at his father’s grave 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 this morning, were present on the JPC premises during the namaz- e- janaza. Among others, Daily Samokal editor Golam Sarwar, Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, president and secretary general of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahshan Bulbul and Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, BFUJ another factions’ secretary general MA Aziz, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) both factions Presidents Altaf Mahmud and Abdul Hai Shikder and general secretaries Kuddus Afrad and Jahangir Alam Prodhan, JPC President and General Secretary Kamaluddin Sabuj and Syed Abdal Ahmed took part in 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. Before holding the namaz-e-janaza former president of the JPC and editor of the News Today Reazuddin Ahmed recalled the glorious contribution of Mahbubul Alam at different sectors, especially in the journalism, saying, “We have lost our one of the guardians with demise of senior journalist Mahbub Bhai “. Alam’s younger brother Faridul Ahshan Mintu thanked all to give his brother respect. 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. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) also paid their last tribute to the senior journalist. Alam’s first namaz-e-janaza was held at Azad Mosque at Gulshan in the city after the Asr prayer Friday. Kulkhani and doa mahfil will be held at his younger brother Farudul Ahshan Mintu’s residence at house no-10/A, road no-48 at Gulshan in the city on June 9 (Monday). President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in separate messages mourned the death of Mahbubul Alam. 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 spanned 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 Madison, 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.
