Photo: Collected
Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, acting secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and political adviser to the prime minister, has described eminent journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury as a unique example of courage, dedication and steadfastness to ideals. In his view, Gias Kamal Chowdhury became especially well known to people for his role and his news reporting during the anti-autocracy movement.
Rizvi made the remarks as chief guest at a memorial meeting organised by the Bangladesh National Journalists Association at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the Jatiya Press Club today, Monday, marking the 16th death anniversary of Gias Kamal Chowdhury.
Recalling his student days, Rizvi said that during the days of movement and struggle they used to wait to hear Gias Kamal Chowdhury’s reports and comments. Especially during the movements of 1987 and 1988, the situation in the country and the movement’s programmes could be learnt through the BBC and Voice of America.
According to Rizvi, Gias Kamal Chowdhury was a particularly familiar face to people at that time. His reporting and comments became important to the students and people in the movement, and news of his arrest spread concern among the public.
The BNP acting secretary general said Gias Kamal Chowdhury was a man unwavering in his principles and ideals. Although there were various attempts to influence him or buy him off during the time of then autocrat Ershad, he did not stray from his ideals.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury and poet Abdul Hye Sikder, chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and editor of the Daily Jugantor, also spoke at the memorial meeting.
Poet Abdul Hye Sikder said Gias Kamal Chowdhury was a journalist of the people. Everyone will remember him for his affection for people, his patriotism and his humanitarian values.
Gias Kamal Chowdhury never built relationships with anyone for personal gain. Rather, it was his nature to stand by people in times of trouble and to check on them when needed.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury remarked that with the death of this renowned journalist, the country lost an eminent and honest journalist.
He said that just as the country lost a nationally revered and honest journalist with his death, he himself lost a lifelong friend.
Professor Dr Abdul Latif Masum, former vice-chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University and chairman of the Bangladesh National Journalists Association, presided over the meeting. Poet and lyricist Nahid Nazrul moderated the programme.
Sources
Original report: BSS
