Nuclear scientist and former caretaker government advisor CS Karim laid to rest at Banani Graveyard

Nuclear scientist and former caretaker government advisor Chowdhury Sajjadul Karim has been laid to rest at Banani Graveyard.

Before the burial around 2.30pm on Saturday, former colleagues and well-wishers paid their last respect to the renowned scientist.

The former Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) chairman died at Bangladesh Medical College and Hospital (BMCH) on Friday night. He was 67.

Before the burial, his mortal remains were taken to the Atomic Energy Commission and three other places in the capital where his former colleagues and people from different walks of life took part in his Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers). 

His first Janaza was held at the premises of the BMCH at 11am.

The principal of the medical college Taimur Newaj, Director of the BMCH Rauf Sarkar, Managing Director of Channel i Shaikh Siraj and many others took part in the prayer.

“He was a very good human being. He will always be remembered for his contributions to nuclear science,” Shaikh Siraj said after the funeral.

From the BMCH, the body was taken to the Atomic Energy Commission in Agargaon.

After a Janaza at 12 noon, erstwhile colleagues and well-wishers of the nuclear scientist placed flower wreaths on his coffin.

Dr Karim’s mortal remains were then taken to Baitussala Jame Mosque near his house at Mohammadpur in Dhaka. After Zuhr prayers, a third Janaza was held there.

The last Janaza was held before the burial at Banani Graveyard, younger brother of the late scientist Niaj Karim said.

Dr Karim’s son Shabab Karim said the Kulkhani would be held at their Mohammadpur residence on Wednesday.

Dr Karim was born at his mother’s ancestral home at Chiitagong’s Mirsarai on Jan 7, 1948.

Since his father, as a judge, had a transferable job, he spent his early life in different districts and had to change schools several times.

After clearing school certificate examinations in 1964, he did his BSc and MSc in physics at Dhaka University.

He received his PhD and post-doctorate degrees on nuclear physics from Russia.

Dr Karim was also a member of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.

He was admired by his colleagues for his professionalism.

He always advocated the need to set up nuclear power plants to meet the energy-demand of Bangladesh.

He was also an expert on nuclear safety.

In January 2007, he was appointed as an advisor on agriculture, fisheries and environment issues to the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government.

During that time, he extensively toured the country in a bid to increase agricultural production of the country. His effort was highly appreciated.

Before joining the government as an advisor, he had a brief stint with bdnews24.com as Science Editor.

Despite his busy schedule, he continued to write for bdnews24.com and attended its events regularly.

Dr Karim had also served on various national committees on formulating energy and power policies.

He was also President of the Bangladesh Physical Society.