Jhenaidah:Mohammad Ali, a revered figure in Jhenaidah for his dedication as a newspaper hawker, passed away on Saturday at the age of 90 at his home in Kalikapur village under Jhenaidah Municipality.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Ali began his journey in newspaper distribution in 1960, guided by Mahbubur Rahman, the town's first newspaper agent. For 66 years, he was a familiar presence on the streets, delivering newspapers to residents, regardless of the weather.
Ali is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, and many relatives, colleagues, and well-wishers who respected him for his honesty and punctuality. Despite financial challenges, his commitment to his work earned him esteem from readers and fellow hawkers alike.
Local community leaders, such as Abdul Wahed of the Jhenaidah Newspaper Multipurpose Cooperative Society, and leaders from the Jhenaidah Hawkers' Association, Mizanur Rahman Badsha and Hafizur Rahman, expressed their sorrow at his passing. The Jhenaidah Press Club's President Asif Iqbal Makhon, General Secretary Aminul Islam Liton, and former President Asif Kazal also offered their condolences, describing Ali as more than a newspaper distributor, but a guardian of the local newspaper industry.
Ali's funeral prayer took place at the Kalikapur Jame Mosque premises on Saturday, and he was laid to rest at the Kalikapur graveyard. His presence will be missed by generations who relied on his daily deliveries to stay informed, marking the end of an era in Jhenaidah's connection to the wider world.