Educationist Prof Murshid dead

The former Vice Chancellor of the Rajshahi University and diplomat dies after fighting for life at a city hospital for nine days.

Eminent educationist Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid passed away on Saturday after fighting for his life at a city hospital for nine days.

He was 88.

Doctors at the Apollo Hospital pronounced his death in the afternoon.

The condition of the academician-turned-diplomat failed to look up since he had a massive stroke on Nov 29.

Ruling Awami League lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor disclosed the death of Murshid, a close associate of the country's founding President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at a function of the Awami Juba League organised at the Shikha Chirantan at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.

When contacted, Khurshid's daughter Sharmin Murshid confirmed bdnews24.com: "Father is no more."

Murshid's family friend Aminur Rahman Rana told bdnews24.com that a former Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University, Murshid had another brain stroke around 5pm, and later the doctors pronounced his death.

The noted educationist had been on life support and in critical condition in the Apollo Hospital since September after suffering a stroke, and until November, he suffered two more strokes.

Murshid was taken home for a brief period in October and had to be rushed back to the hospital on Oct 18 when he suffered the second stroke, which doctors said damaged 'half of his brain'.

The family decided not to send him to Singapore as doctors did not think it would be helpful.

Murshid improved a little for some time when he could breathe on his own. But his condition deteriorated again.

In a colourful career, Prof Murshid served as a member of the Planning Commission of the provisional government of Bangladesh in exile in 1971. He was Ambassador to Poland in 1975 and joined Commonwealth as the Assistant Secretary General in 1977.

He also taught at the Dhaka University where poet Shamsur Rahman, poet-author Abdul Mannan Syed and educationist Zillur Rahman Siddiqui were among his students.

He is also well known for his prose and thought-provoking essays for which he was awarded the Bangla Academy Sahitya Award.

His eldest son K A S Murshid is the Research Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and another son Kumar Murshid is a prominent Left-wing politician in Britain.

Eldest daughter Prof Tazeen Murshid is a BRAC University teacher, while younger daughter Sharmeen Mursheed is the Chief Executive Officer of the women's development and research institute, Brotee.

His wife late Nurjahan Murshid was a State Minister in the post-liberation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cabinet.

Prof Murshid was also the Chairman of the Transparency International Bangladesh, the local chapter of the Berlin-based graft watchdog, of which he was a trustee until death. (up to here is edited)

Condolence Messages

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock at the death of the eminent educationalist.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister recalled his invaluable contribution to the expansion of education in the country, her Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.

"He (Murshid) also played an important role in the country's all democratic movements," Sheikh Hasina said, adding his death is an irreparable loss for the nation.

The Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

RU Mourns Murshid's death

The Rajshahi University has been mourning the death of its former VC as it will hold its eighth convocation on Sunday.

Murshid was the first VC of the university after the Liberation War and continued in the job till 1975.

Recalling the educationalist, the university's incumbent VC Professor Nurullah toldbdnews24.com that his contribution to the university will always be remembered.

The university unit of the pro-government student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Students' Union, pro-Liberation War Teacherers' Society and RU Journalists' Association also condoled the death.

TIB Mourns Murshid's Death

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also expressed its deep shock at the death of Murshid, one of the founding members of TIB Trustee Board and its former Chairman.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in a statement said: "The Anti-Corruption Movement loses a pioneer, devoted and diligent personality in the death of Prof Khan Sarwar Murshid. From the inception of TIB in 1996, he played a vital role to accelerate the anti-graft movement, especially his profound suggestion, direction and help encouraged us to go ahead as an anti-graft institution."

The Board of Trustees and management of the Bangladesh chapter of the Berlin-based graft watchdog also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Prof Murshid was the TIB'sTrustee Board Chairman between 2001 and 2004 and was an honourable member of the Board until his death.