In memory of Professor Kazi Fazlur Rahim

Prof.Dr.KaziFazlur Rahim (1917-2004) was the patriotic vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh from 1971 to 1973. After receiving the proclamation of independence from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh at the administrative building premises on March 26, 1971 and proclaimed that from that time onwards, this university would be known as "Shadin Bangladesh Krishi Bishwabidyaloy" which is Independent Bangladesh Agricultural University in English.  I was then 18 years of old and the eye-witness of this historic moment as a young man of BAU campus. My father Illias Uddin Ahmed used to work at the BAU as Director of Physical Education. The photo is the historical document of Bangladesh Independence on behalf of BAU.
Professor Rahim also refused to accept the national prestigious recognition of then Pakistan the Tomgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam award as a protest against political and economic deprivation of then East Pakistan. Nation should not ignore the glorious contributions of Professor Rahim. He can be regarded as one of the finest intellectuals of Bangladesh independence. I salute him.
Personally, Prof. Rahim was very known to me. I cherish his golden memories.  Let me share one of my finest memories with him. I was then champion in the annual sports meet of Ananda Mohan Government College and Prof. Rahim was our chief guest. At the end of sports, Prof. Rahim asked me, "I will drop you out at your home." Then I rode his blue Mercedes car for vice-chancellor sitting with him and came home.  During riding, I requested him to make our playing field plain and smooth at the BAU campus. After a few days, I noticed workers of BAU project office came to make our playground plain. He was such a great listener. Besides, he set up swing sets around the campus for our campus children. Dhumkatu Club and Subuj Mela grew up in the campus to fulfil athletic dreams of our campus boys. I organised youth sports activities such as junior football and basketball leagues from our campus and published campus sports stories in the daily Ittefaq, a prominent national Bangla newspaper.All of these were possible because of Prof. Rahim, one of the most kind hearted man that have I ever known.
Email: iftuahmed@sbcglobal.net