Journalist, researcher and civil society figure Syed Abul Maksud died here following a sudden illness at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday (Feb 23) evening. He was 74.
Family sources said Maksud, more known as a columnist and civil society leader, suddenly fell ill at his Dhanmodi residence in the afternoon prompting family members to rush him to Dhaka’s Square Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.
“He complained of breathing problems... we took him to the hospital where he was declared dead,” his banker son Syed Nasif Masud said.
Maksud hailed from Manikganj and on conclusion of education he began his career as a government information official ahead of making his debut in journalism, joining the now-defunct Bangladesh Press International (BPI).
He joined national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) after the merger of BPI with state-owned BSS in mid 1970s.
A left-leaning Maksud quit BSS in 2004 to be a freelancer and began to wear monk-like white robes as a protest following the US invasion of Iraq.
He briefly served as founding Editor of Chattogram based the Dainik Suprobhat Bangladesh.
Maksud left behind his wife, a son a daughter and a host of admires to mourn his death.
He authored a number of research works on political history of Indian sub-continent and the then East Pakistan and known for his extensive studies on Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.
In recent period he appeared as a major campaigner for road safety.
President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of noted journalist, columnist and writer Syed Abul Maksud.
In separate condolence messages, they prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.
BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad and former BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor and Prime Minister’s incumbent Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim mourned his death.
