Kabir Chowdhury passes away

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, a renowned educationist, author and a pioneer in the movement against fundamentalism, died of cardiac arrest at his Naya Paltan residence in the city early Tuesday. He was 89, report agencies. Family sources said he breathed his last in his sleep between 3.0 am to 5-30 am. He is survived by wife, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers. Hearing the news of his demise early in the morning, a large number of people, including relatives, friends and admirers, thronged his residence to show their last respect to the renowned educationist. The visitors included Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ministers, political leaders and activists, teachers, students, writers, journalists and litterateurs. Kabir Chowdhury was buried at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectual Graveyard after his namaz-ejanaza after Asr prayers on the compound of Dhaka University central mosque. Born in Brahmanbaria district in 1923, Prof Chowdhury studied English literature at Dhaka University in the early 1940s. His father was a senior government officer. Chowdhury began his illustrious career as a teacher at Pabna Edward College. He also served at Rajshahi Government College, Dhaka College, BM College in Barisal and Anandamohan College in Mymensingh. He joined the Dhaka University in 1974. Kabir Chowdhury, who significantly contributed to the dissemination of secular ideas and democratic values throughout his life, has over 250 books to his credit. In recognition of his contributions to education, literature and social movements, Kabir Chowdhury was honoured nationally and internationally. The awards he received include the Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, Swadhinata Padak, Bangabandhu National Award, Mohammad Nasiruddin Literary Award, Sher-e-Bangla Award and William Carey Award (India). In 1998, he was made National Professor of Bangladesh. Prtesident Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheiklh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in separate messages condoled the death of Kabir Chowdhury. President Zillur Rahman expressed his profound shock and sorrow at the death of Kabir Chowdhury. He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deep sympathy to the members of bereaved family. Hasina expressed her profound shock at the death of the country's one of the most secular voices, National Professor Kabir Chowdhury. The Prime Minister said the demise of the country's one of the celebrated academics and thinkers is an irreparable loss to the nation.