Rahat Khan laid to rest at Mirpur graveyard

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DHAKA, Aug 29, 2020(BSS) – Noted journalist and litterateur Rahat
Khan was laid to rest today at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’
Graveyard in the capital after Zahr prayers.

Earlier, his body was taken to Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the
morning from BIRDEM hospital where his first namaz-e-janaza was held.

His body was then taken to his last workplace ‘Protidiner Sangbad’
where his second namaz-e-janaza was held.

He was buried after third namaz-e-janaza held at the graveyard premises.

Joint General Secretary of Awami League (AL) and Information
Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil
and Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua paid tribute by placing
wreaths on the coffin on behalf of the party at JPC.

Later, the information minister placed wreath at the coffin on
behalf of the ministry.

JPC President Saiful Alam, General Secretary Farida Yasmin, Joint
Secretary Shahed Chowdhury and Director General of Bangla Academy
Habibullah Siraji recalled his contribution to journalisms at a
discussion before the namaz-e-janaza at JPC.

Later, BFUJ Secretary General Shaban Mahmud paid tribute on behalf
of BFUJ, JPC President Saiful Alam and General Secretary Farida Yasmin
on behalf of the club, DUJ President Quddus Afrad, General Secretary
Sazzad Alam Khan Topu placed wreath on behalf of DUJ leaders.

Homage was also paid on behalf of the cultural ministry, Bangla
Academy, Photo Journalists Association and Udichi.

Former Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury,
journalists leaders Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Saiful
Alam, Shaban Mahmud, Quddus Afrad and Sajjad Alam Khan Topu joined the
Janaza, among others.

Veteran journalist Rahat Khan died of old age complications at his
residence in the city yesterday (Friday) due to diabetes and various
old-age complications at the age of 79.

Born on 19 December, 1940 in Kishoreganj district, Khan wrote his
first story as a student in class three. He completed a degree in
economics and philosophy at Ananda Mohan College. He earned his MA
from the Department of Bangla Language and Literature at the
University of Dhaka in 1961. For the next eight years, he taught
Bangla at various colleges, including Jagannath College in Dhaka.

In 1969, Khan joined the Bangla daily Ittefaq as assistant editor.
He spent over four decades at the newspaper, eventually becoming its
editor.

In 1972, he published his first collection of short stories,
Onischito Lokaloy (Uncertain Human Habitation). The following year he
received the Bangla Academy Literary Award for his short stories.

He produced further volumes: Ontohin Jatra (The Eternal Journey),
Bhalo Monder Taka (Money for Good and Evil), and in 1983, Apel Songbad
(News of the Apple). In the early 1980s, he published his debut novel,
Omol Dhobol Chakri (Milk-White Service). He continued writing novels
into the 1990s.

After leaving Ittefaq, he was advisory editor of Dainik Bartoman.

He also served as the chairman of the board of directors of the
national news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).