The veteran journalist, columnist and writer Abdul Gaffar Choudhury is no more. The 88-years-old Bangladeshi born British writer, journalist, columnist, political analyst and poet was undergoing medical treatment for several days.
He breathed his last at 7.00am on Wednesday (UK time) at a hospital in London, Ekushey Padak winning journalist Swadesh Roy told the media.
Gaffar Choudhury is perhaps best known for writing the lyrics to “Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano” which is the most widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement.
Before moving to the United Kingdom, he worked as a journalist in different national newspapers in Dhaka. During the 1971 Bangladeshi Liberation War, he worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika. He has written more than 35 five books. Some of his notable works are: “Danpithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi”, “Bastobotar Nirikhey”. In the UK, he runs a newspaper named 'Notun Din'. He has written more than 35 five books.
He lives in London from where he regularly wrote columns for Bangladesh's national dailies, in Bengali newspapers of Bengali community in the UK and a daily newspaper in Kolkata.
He was born in the village of Ulania, Mehendiganj, Barisal in 1934. He graduated from Dhaka University in 1959 and came to England on 5 October 1974.
He has received numerous awards including Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1967, Ekushey Padak, Unesco literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, Sadhinota Padak in 2009.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her condolences over the passing away of Abdul Gaffar Choudhury.
