Dhaka:Speakers at a discussion today reflected on the contributions of 23 deceased members of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC), noting that their work greatly enriched Bangladesh's media and journalism landscape, and their loss is deeply felt in the profession.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the remarks were made during a gathering at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the JPC, in advance of the club's 72nd founding anniversary. The event was organized to honor the members who passed away between October 18, 2025, and October 2, 2026.
The discussion was chaired by JPC President and Daily Kaler Kantho Editor Hasan Hafiz, while General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan served as the moderator. Participants observed a one-minute silence in memory of the deceased members.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Director and Chief Editor Muhammed Kader Gani Chowdhury addressed the event, highlighting the significant contributions of the deceased members, some of whom were recognized internationally. He expressed that their passing is a profound loss not only to their families but also to the club's community.
Poet Abdul Hye Sikder, Daily Jugantor Editor and JPC management committee member, described the deceased members as "exceptionally brilliant personalities" who contributed to society beyond journalism through their unique talents and creativity.
Khurshid Alam, General Secretary of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), emphasized the role of the deceased as veteran journalists in shaping the country's history and culture. JPC Treasurer Bakhtiar Rana noted that despite facing professional challenges and financial difficulties, these members set examples of objective journalism.
The 23 members remembered include Nikhil Mankhin, Akhtar Hossain Masud, Abdul Halim Chowdhury, Ibrahim Azad, Prashanta Ghoshal, Zakaria Kajal, Ali Mamud, Salim Samad, Dr R M Debnath, Khandaker Golam Azad, A S M Habibullah, Golam Kibria, Talukdar Harun, poet Al Mujahidi, Shahed Kamal, Mohammad Shahjahan, Mrinal Krishna Roy, Nurul Hasan Khan, Rafiqullah Shikdar, Khaled Haider, Kazim Reza, Amirul Momenin, and Toufique Imrose Khalidi.
A prayer was offered for the forgiveness and eternal peace of the deceased members of the JPC. The JPC's 72nd anniversary celebrations will commence on October 17, with the anniversary observed on October 20.