Foyez Ahmed dies at 84

The journalist, writer and frontline cultural activist was suffering from old age complications Updates

bdnews24.com
Published : 19 Feb 2012, 09:25 PM
Updated : 19 Feb 2012, 09:25 PM
Dhaka, Feb 20 (bdnews24.com) –Journalist, writer and frontline cultural activist Foyez Ahmed died on Monday after he was taken to a hospital in Dhaka. He was 84.
Ahmed's niece Nurjahan Lucky told bdnews24.com that her uncle was admitted to the capital's BIRDEM hospital early on Monday after he felt sick.
But doctors declared him dead at 5am, said Ahmed's personal assistant Atiqur Rahman Sohel.
Ahmed, the founding chief editor of the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), had been suffering from old age complications for long, Lucky added.
His body was taken to Shilpangan Art Gallery in Dhanmondi, which he founded, after 9am.
Ahmed's aide told bdnews24.com that the body would be taken to Aparajeo Bangla at Dhaka University from Dhanmondi.
His mortal remains was kept at the National Press Club around 11am and then around 1pm those were to be taken to the headquarters of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
As per his wish, his eyes would be donated to voluntary organisation Sandhani and the body to Bangladesh Medical College.
Ahmed was born on May 2, 1928 in Munshiganj.
He was instrumental in the launch of Bengali service in Radio Peking (Radio Beijing).
The journalist joined Communist Party after partition in 1947 and took part in the nation's independence war in 1971.
Ahmed, also a popular writer of fictions and rhymes for children, has penned more than 100 books.
He was awarded Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Padak, Shishu Academy Award for his journalistic excellence and contribution to society and literature.
PM SHOCKED
Prime minister Sheikh Hasaina expressed her shock at the death of the senior journalist.
Her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the prime minister recalled his contribution to journalism and his role as an activist during democratic movements and national struggle.
She prayed for the departed soul and offered condolences to his family, Kalam said.
bdnews24.com/arr/zk/jr/bd/1116h