Journalist Baby Maudud remembered as ‘icon of honesty, sincerity’

Acquaintances and former colleagues have reflected on how AN Mahfuza Khatun, better known as Baby Maudud, left her mark on many with an honest, sincere, caring and down-to-earth approach to life despite being close to the circle of power.

They organised a programme to remember the senior journalist, writer, former MP and a lead organiser of women’s rights movement at the National Press Club on Friday, a day before her first death anniversary.

Baby Maudud, the social affairs editor of bdnews24.com, was 66 when she died of cancer on July 25 last year.

“Baby Maudud never deviated from leading a very simple life,” Anisuzzaman, Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University’s Bengali department, said at the remembrance.

She had held her head high in difficult times, which showed how dignified a person she was.

“She was very close to the circle of power but never took favours or influenced anyone. Many made requests to her, many got upset with her, but she paid no heed,” Prof Anisuzzaman, who presided over the event, said.

Baby Maudud, a close friend of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was an MP from seats reserved for women. Their friendship was also discussed at the event.

She was a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare and Library Committee.

“A person like Baby is rare. Her honesty, sincerity, and dutifulness for people are exemplary,” Prof Anisuzzaman said.

He noted the Press Club was her ‘second home’, and that club should ideally have a memorial to remember her forever.

Baby Maudud began her career in 1967, working at Dainik Sangbad, BBC, The Daily Ittefaq, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha and the weekly Bichitra before 

bdnews24.com.

Daily Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar said she had taught how to love people.

“But Baby Maudud was not self-centred unlike many today. We should try to follow her,” he said.

He also remembered her role in the welfare of journalists.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim said Baby Maudud ‘immensely loved’ the working class. “She never misused her powers despite being at the centre of power, which is unprecedented. Everyone should follow this way of life.”

The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, said Baby Maudud’s simplicity was evident by the fact that she travelled by rickshaw despite being an MP and a close friend of Hasina.

“When I told the prime minister (by telephone) that I would be attending this function to pay tribute to Baby Maudud, she said she was feeling sad as well,” Shakil added.

Author Syed Abul Maksud said Baby Maudud and Hasina shared deep bond that transcended blood relations.

Baby Maudud’s younger brother Abu Raihan and sons Robiul Hasan Ovi and Shafiul Hasan Dipta shed lights on her life.

Born in Kolkata on June 23, 1948, Maudud completed her Master’s in Bangla in 1971.

She was the third child of judge Abdul Maudud and Hedayet-un-Nisa, and had six brothers and two sisters.

She had joined the East Pakistan Students’ Union while studying at the Dhaka University.  

She was also a member of the Ruqayyah Hall Student Council in 1967-68.

She was involved in the movement of the Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee that seeks a Bangladesh free from war criminals.

Baby Maudud’s son Ovi said an award named after her for journalists would be instituted and the amount of her scholarship at the Dhaka University would be increased.

He invited everyone to a Doa-Mahfil at their Dhanmondi house after Asr prayers on Saturday.

Journalist Farid Hossain moderated the programme.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, MP Quazi Rosy, journalist Altaf Mahmud, publisher Osman Gani, and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, and journalist leaders, among others, were present.