Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, the composer of the timeless song 'Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February', a renowned journalist and columnist, passed away on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by the respect and love of thousands of people. He was buried next to his wife's grave at the Martyred Intellectuals' Cemetery in Mirpur, the capital.
Earlier, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was paid tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar, a symbol of the Language Movement and Ekushey. There, the brave freedom fighter was given a guard of honor. After paying tribute at the Shaheed Minar, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury's funeral was held at the Dhaka University Central Mosque and the National Press Club premises.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun) died in a hospital in London, UK, early on Thursday. He was 88 years old. His body was brought to Bangladesh on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight around 11 am today. Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque received his body and paid tributes on behalf of the government at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Agriculture Minister Md. Abdur Razzak, Railway Minister Md. Nurul Islam, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Culture KM Khalid, former minister and Awami League presidium member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasnim, Bangladesh Awami League Office Secretary and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Biplob Barua, among others, were present.
As per the pre-arranged program, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury's body was brought from the airport to the Central Shaheed Minar at around 1 pm. There, a minute's silence was observed and a guard of honor was given. Then, the song 'Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February' was sung to pay tribute to the creator of this timeless song.
First, on behalf of President Md. Abdul Hamid, his Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam paid tribute. After that, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Military Secretary Brigadier General Kabir Ahmed paid tribute. Later, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury paid tribute. On behalf of the Awami League, the party's General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader paid tribute along with the party's leaders and workers.
Then, tributes were paid on behalf of various individuals and organizations. The tributes continued until 3 pm. There, a minute of silence was observed again and the song of Ekushey was sung to bid farewell to him.
Earlier, Anupam Ahmed Reza Chowdhury, son of Gaffar Chowdhury, said that his father loved Bangladesh very much. He knew that the people of Bangladesh also loved him very much. He always said that he should be buried in this country. That is why he was brought here.
Anupam Ahmed Reza Chowdhury thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and everyone involved for bringing his father's body home.
After paying homage at Shaheed Minar, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury's funeral was held at Dhaka University's Central Mosque. Later, his coffin was taken to the National Press Club premises. Another funeral was held there too. Arrangements were made to pay homage there at the initiative of the National Press Club. Tributes were paid to him on behalf of journalists, various organizations of journalists and various media outlets.
Then, as per his last wishes, Gaffar Chowdhury was laid to rest next to his wife's grave at the Martyred Intellectuals Cemetery in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was born on December 12, 1934, in the Chowdhury family in Ulania village, Barisal. He was the founder and editor of the weekly 'Joy Bangla', the first independent Bengali newspaper registered by the Mujibnagar government during the Liberation War. Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury was awarded the Ekushey Padak and the Swadhinata Puraskar by the Bangladesh government. In addition, he has received various awards including the Bangla Academy Award, UNESCO Award, Bangabandhu Award, and Manik Mia Padak in recognition of his contribution to literature.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury has four daughters and one son. His daughter Binita Chowdhury died on April 13 at the age of 50. He received the news of her death from the hospital. Binita Chowdhury lived with her father in his house in Ezwar, London and took care of him.
