Veteran journalist Golam Sarwar’s has been buried at Dhaka’s Martyred Intellectual Graveyard on Thursday.
The 75-year-old, who was the editor of Bangla national Samakal, died on Monday while being treated at a hospital in Singapore.
Earlier on Thursday, his mortal remains were taken to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where people from all walks of life paid their last respects.
Among those paying respect were cultural personality Ramendu Mazumder, humanitarian worker Khushi Kabir, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, AL presidium member, Tofail Ahmed, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, advocate Quamrul Islam, information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid, finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and many others from administration, media and academia.
AL’s general secretary, Obaidul Quader, said,” Golam Sarwar was a freedom fighter and a non-compromising journalist.”
“His death leaves a void in journalism; the damage to the profession is irreparable,” commented education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid.
Earlier, the deceased was taken to his favourite workplace, the office of Bengali daily Samakal, and his third Namaaz e Janaza was held at the Textile University field. At this time, Samakal’s publisher, AK Azad was present.
Sarwar is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
The government appointed Editors’ Council President Sarwar as chairman of the Press Institute of Bangladesh or PIB in 2015.
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2013 for his contribution to journalism.
Born on Apr 1, 1943 at Barishal’s Banariparha, he graduated from the Dhaka University’s Bangla department in the 60s.
Starting his career as a journalist in 1963, he had worked at Dainik Poygam and Dainik Sangbad until the Liberation War started in 1971.
He fought the freedom war in his native Barishal.
In 1973, he joined The Daily Ittefaq and worked there until 1999, including two decades as news editor.
The veteran journalist launched two newspapers as editors.
The Daily Jugantor started its journey with Sarwar as editor in 1999 while the Daily Samakal in 2005.
He had also penned books, including rhymes book ‘Rongin Balloon’, a compilation of articles ‘Sompadoker Jobanbondi’, ‘Omiyo Gorol’, ‘Amar Joto Kotha’, and ‘Swapna Benche Thak’.
He was also a member of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board’s Appellate Division and had worked as a senior vice-president of the National Press Club several times.