June 30, 2026

বাংলা

Bangladesh

A look back at those who left us in 2016

Remembering those Bangladesh lost in 2016 -- academics, doctors, politicians to writers, poets and actors.

News Desk

bdnews24.com

Published : 31 Dec 2016, 03:26 PM

Updated : 31 Dec 2016, 03:26 PM

Maverick Bangladesh author, poet and playwright Syed Shamsul Haq lost his battle with lung cancer on Sep 2. The 81-year-old left his indelible mark on all forms of Bangla literature with his magic touch. He was conferred the Bangla Academy Award in 1966 when only 29 – the youngest to have got the award. He got Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award, in 2000 for his myriad contribution to Bangla literature. Born on Dec 27, 1935, he had fiercely opposed the fundamentalist, anti-independence line of thought in Bangladesh. Maverick Bangladesh author, poet and playwright Syed Shamsul Haq lost his battle with lung cancer on Sep 2. The 81-year-old left his indelible mark on all forms of Bangla literature with his magic touch. He was conferred the Bangla Academy Award in 1966 when only 29 – the youngest to have got the award. He got Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award, in 2000 for his myriad contribution to Bangla literature. Born on Dec 27, 1935, he had fiercely opposed the fundamentalist, anti-independence line of thought in Bangladesh.

Shahid Qadri, one of the leading contemporary Bengali poets, died in New York at 74. One of the prominent poets of post-1947 Bengali literature , he brought in a fresh air by introducing urbanism and a sense of modernity His poetry is infused with patriotism, cosmopolitanism and universalism at the same time. Shahid Qadri, one of the leading contemporary Bengali poets, died in New York at 74. One of the prominent poets of post-1947 Bengali literature , he brought in a fresh air by introducing urbanism and a sense of modernity His poetry is infused with patriotism, cosmopolitanism and universalism at the same time.

Rafiq Azad, who was dubbed as the poet of love and war, passed away in March after being treated for two months at a Dhaka Hospital following a brain stroke. A freedom fighter in the 1971 Liberation War, Azad was honoured with the Ekushey Padak and Bangla Academy Award for his contribution to the Bengali literature. Rafiq Azad, who was dubbed as the poet of love and war, passed away in March after being treated for two months at a Dhaka Hospital following a brain stroke. A freedom fighter in the 1971 Liberation War, Azad was honoured with the Ekushey Padak and Bangla Academy Award for his contribution to the Bengali literature.

Pre-eminent paediatrician Dr MR Khan breathed his last at 88. Dubbed as the pioneer of paediatrics in Bangladesh, Khan founded several hospitals and institutions. He received Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award. Pre-eminent paediatrician Dr MR Khan breathed his last at 88. Dubbed as the pioneer of paediatrics in Bangladesh, Khan founded several hospitals and institutions. He received Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award.

Bangladesh’s first neurosurgeon Rashiduddin Ahmad passed away at 79 on Mar 19. He suffered a massive stroke and went into coma on Feb 9. Inspired by him, the neurosurgery department was established at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He also headed the neurosurgery department when the IPGMR was turned into a medical university in 1998. Bangladesh’s first neurosurgeon Rashiduddin Ahmad passed away at 79 on Mar 19. He suffered a massive stroke and went into coma on Feb 9. Inspired by him, the neurosurgery department was established at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He also headed the neurosurgery department when the IPGMR was turned into a medical university in 1998.

Nurjahan Begum became the editor of the Indian subcontinent’s first women’s weekly magazine ‘Begum’ at the age of 22 and was with it for 69 years. Published initially from Kolkata, the magazine shifted base to Dhaka in 1950 following partition. The leading lady in women’s journalism in Bangladesh was awarded the Begum Rokeya Padak in 1997 for contribution to women’s literacy and literature. She passed away of geriatric ailments at 91 on May 23. Nurjahan Begum became the editor of the Indian subcontinent’s first women’s weekly magazine ‘Begum’ at the age of 22 and was with it for 69 years. Published initially from Kolkata, the magazine shifted base to Dhaka in 1950 following partition. The leading lady in women’s journalism in Bangladesh was awarded the Begum Rokeya Padak in 1997 for contribution to women’s literacy and literature. She passed away of geriatric ailments at 91 on May 23.

Eminent anthropologist Helal Uddin Khan Shamsul Arefin passed away at 68. The former Dhaka University professor died at his Dhaka home on Dec 25. The 1971 freedom fighter, who has been described by colleagues as 'a meritorious and sincere educator', was involved with socio-cultural organisations and movements for small ethnic groups' rights and education. Eminent anthropologist Helal Uddin Khan Shamsul Arefin passed away at 68. The former Dhaka University professor died at his Dhaka home on Dec 25. The 1971 freedom fighter, who has been described by colleagues as 'a meritorious and sincere educator', was involved with socio-cultural organisations and movements for small ethnic groups' rights and education.

Architect, academician and researcher Khaleda Ekram was the first female vice-chancellor of Bangladesh's top engineering university, BUET. She died at the age of 66 while being treated for 'non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma’, a kind of cancer, and other related medical complications. She was the second woman in Bangladesh to lead a public university. Architect, academician and researcher Khaleda Ekram was the first female vice-chancellor of Bangladesh's top engineering university, BUET. She died at the age of 66 while being treated for 'non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma’, a kind of cancer, and other related medical complications. She was the second woman in Bangladesh to lead a public university.

Academician Moniruzzaman Mia served as the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and the Bangladesh Ambassador to Senegal. The pro-BNP intellectual died at the age of 80 at a Dhaka Hospital on June 6. Academician Moniruzzaman Mia served as the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and the Bangladesh Ambassador to Senegal. The pro-BNP intellectual died at the age of 80 at a Dhaka Hospital on June 6.

Veteran Awami League leader Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid had actively participated in the 1952 Language Movement, the 1966 six-point, the 1969 uprising which led to Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. The politician from northeastern district of Habiganj served as the social welfare minister during the AL-led Grand Alliance government, which took office in 2008. He breathed his last on Feb 25. Veteran Awami League leader Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid had actively participated in the 1952 Language Movement, the 1966 six-point, the 1969 uprising which led to Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. The politician from northeastern district of Habiganj served as the social welfare minister during the AL-led Grand Alliance government, which took office in 2008. He breathed his last on Feb 25.

ASM Hannan Shah, who was a member of BNP's policymaking National Standing Committee, had become active in the party after retiring from the Bangladesh Army as a brigadier general. He served as the jute minister after BNP took office in 1991. Son of Gazipur's Fakir Abdul Mannan, who was a minister in the Pakistan government, he passed away at the age of 74 on Sep 27. ASM Hannan Shah, who was a member of BNP's policymaking National Standing Committee, had become active in the party after retiring from the Bangladesh Army as a brigadier general. He served as the jute minister after BNP took office in 1991. Son of Gazipur's Fakir Abdul Mannan, who was a minister in the Pakistan government, he passed away at the age of 74 on Sep 27.

Lawmaker and state minister for social welfare Promod Mankin, who belonged to the ethnic Garo community, entered politics in 1991 after joining the Awami League. The four-time MP from Mymensingh - 1 constituency, was one of the key organisers of the refugee camp in India’s Meghalaya State during the Liberation War. He passed away on May 11 aged 77. Lawmaker and state minister for social welfare Promod Mankin, who belonged to the ethnic Garo community, entered politics in 1991 after joining the Awami League. The four-time MP from Mymensingh - 1 constituency, was one of the key organisers of the refugee camp in India’s Meghalaya State during the Liberation War. He passed away on May 11 aged 77.

RA Gani was a member of BNP's policymaking National Standing Committee. He was the state minister for science and technology in BNP founder General Ziaur Rahman’s Cabinet. An engineer by training, Gani passed away at age of 89 on Jan 15. RA Gani was a member of BNP's policymaking National Standing Committee. He was the state minister for science and technology in BNP founder General Ziaur Rahman’s Cabinet. An engineer by training, Gani passed away at age of 89 on Jan 15.

AFM Mohitul Islam had been the resident PA to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who witnessed and survived the August 1975 attack that left most members of Bangladesh's first family assassinated. In 1996, when the Awami League came to power he started a case over the assassination. He passed away on Aug 25 at the age of 63. AFM Mohitul Islam had been the resident PA to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who witnessed and survived the August 1975 attack that left most members of Bangladesh's first family assassinated. In 1996, when the Awami League came to power he started a case over the assassination. He passed away on Aug 25 at the age of 63.

Silver screen idol Parveen Sultana Diti starred in over 200 movies in her career. She won the Bangladesh Nation Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1987 for her role in ‘Shami Stri.’ The veteran actor lost a long-battle with cancer on Mar 20 at the age of 50. Silver screen idol Parveen Sultana Diti starred in over 200 movies in her career. She won the Bangladesh Nation Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1987 for her role in ‘Shami Stri.’ The veteran actor lost a long-battle with cancer on Mar 20 at the age of 50.

Shahidul Islam Khokon had mesmerised moviegoers with his martial arts-based action movies in the late '80s and early '90s. He first found Dhallywood success with ‘Larhaku’, and delivered a number of box-office hits, such as ‘Palabai Kothay’, ‘Madam Fuli’, ‘Bhanda’ and ‘Ghatak’. The filmmaker, who had been long suffering from a Motor Neurone Disease, died on Apr 4 aged 59. Shahidul Islam Khokon had mesmerised moviegoers with his martial arts-based action movies in the late '80s and early '90s. He first found Dhallywood success with ‘Larhaku’, and delivered a number of box-office hits, such as ‘Palabai Kothay’, ‘Madam Fuli’, ‘Bhanda’ and ‘Ghatak’. The filmmaker, who had been long suffering from a Motor Neurone Disease, died on Apr 4 aged 59.

Comedic actor and freedom fighter Farid Ali was popularly known as ‘Challi Foru'. The actor had been a favourite of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had won hearts in TV dramas throughout the 1970s and 80s. He breathed his last aged 72 on Aug 22. Comedic actor and freedom fighter Farid Ali was popularly known as ‘Challi Foru'. The actor had been a favourite of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had won hearts in TV dramas throughout the 1970s and 80s. He breathed his last aged 72 on Aug 22.

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