Praises heaped on Rehman Sobhan as book launched

FE Report | Published: August 30, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Intellectuals, economists and members of the civil society at a publication ceremony on Saturday highly praised Professor Rehman Sobhan for his exceptional write-ups projecting the economic disparity between the two parts of Pakistan that inspired the young generation to stand up against the inequality and wage a struggle for an independent Bangladesh.
The words of appreciation came at the launching ceremony of his book, titled "From Two Economies to Two Nations: My Journey to Bangladesh."
The speakers at the function urged the eminent economist to continue his relentless efforts to free the society from hunger, poverty and inequality.
The country's leading English newspaper The Daily Star organised the launching ceremony of the book at its conference room. It was attended by a large number of his former students, colleagues, friends and family members. Most of them recalled the seminal contribution of Professor Sobhan as a young university professor who inspired his students through his writings.
Dr. Kamal Hossain, a close associate of Professor Sobhan, narrated the story of how he became well known for his writings in newspapers on the economic disparity between the eastern and western parts of Pakistan in early 1960s. Prof. Sobhan that time made a presentation on the two economies of Pakistan which made headlines in the then Pakistan Observer.
"He inspired students to build a nation free from poverty, exploitation and inequality," said the eminent lawyer urging Prof. Sobhan to complete the second part of his book.
The first part of the book provides an intellectual history of Sobhan's participation in the debates on what was then defined as the two economies dividing Pakistan and the consequential economic deprivation of the Bengalis.
His writings were influential in shaping up the political debates of the time which culminated in making the Six-Point Demand by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The second part of this volume will include reportage of the historic political struggles caused by the denial of democratic rights of the Bengalis and its culmination in the War of Liberation.
The concluding section, the "Idea of Bangladesh," reviews the economic basis of Bangladeshi nationalism and the catalytic role of Bangabandhu in the birth of an independent Bangladesh.
The meeting was addressed, among others, by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Chowdhury, eminent political scientist Professor Rounaq Jahan, former caretaker government adviser Sultana Kamal, Prof M M Akash and BIDS senior fellow Dr. Naznin Ahmed.
Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, former Finance Minister M Syeduzzaman, former minister Dr. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman also attended the programme. It was moderated by Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam.
"Sir, we the students during 60s were highly inspired by you. We could liberate the country as you were able to inspire us," said Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon, who was also a student of Prof. Sobhan.
"I would not be a politician unless inspired by you," he added.
"We always found him sticking to principle, standing against injustice and taking up the fight whatever the issues were," said Dr. Rizvi terming Prof. Sobhan as his role model.
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