Biman chief departs but leaves a sea of smiles

The search to replace Biman Airlines Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin John Steele continues as he departs for his home in the UK later today (Friday) because of ill health.
And while the country will be most grateful to him for putting the national flag carrier on the right track with on-time arrivals and departures and a brand new fleet of aircraft (among his other accomplishments), there's a village near Gazipur where the children will miss him most.
Through their thunderous applause and loud cheering, they voted him the most loved person in Bangladesh when he attended a special 'farewell' party given by the Ali Akbar Fun'n'Games committee.
 "Kevin was an instant hit. Some of the children sang and danced to entertain him and he responded by singing and dancing for them! - They absolutely loved him," said Ali.
Ali's Fun'n'Games activities have been the weekly highlight in the area for over a decade, and attracts hundreds of fun-loving children from many surrounding villages.
Anti corporal punishment crusader Sir Frank Peters, who accompanied the airline chief on his visit, described Kevin as "unique".
 "It's hard to really define Kevin, without short-changing him on superlatives. His personal and professional accomplishments are as extensive as they are enormous. Name it and he's done it. We generously applauded Bangladeshi mountaineers Niaz Patwary and Musa Ibrahim after they had scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro. Undoubtedly a great sporting accomplishment, but Kevin had climbed it blind-folded! - Ha!
 "His departure is a sad day for Biman Airlines and the people of Bangladesh.  He and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a formidable awe-inspiring team. The timing of his ill health couldn't have come at a worse time, just as the airline was making a remarkable recovery and regaining the national and international pride and respect it had woefully lost."