JUNE 6 is a special day of remembrance, especially within the Bangladesh newspaper industry.
It marks the tenth death anniversary of Mahbubul Alam, that wonderful human being, consummate gentleman, and newspaper doyen who once walked proudly among us, casting his blessings of goodwill, peace, and harmony among us.
Mahbubul was one of those rare, kindly gentlemen and old souls whom you鈥檇 never forget just after one meeting. Sure, he was a gentleman, acting to perfection in scripts seemingly written by divine authors. And undoubtedly, he was also an old soul. Only Allah knows of his true mission to earth, but one can be assured that his influence was honourable and inspiring. He departed from here in 2014, leaving a legacy to be appreciated, admired, and emulated.
Mahbubul was not only liked and admired in Bangladesh but also across many continents. He worked as minister (press) at the Bangladesh missions in Washington, DC, and London and as the Bangladesh ambassador to Bhutan. His career in journalism had surpassed its golden anniversary of fifty years, and he was also the managing director and chief editor of the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.听I remember in 1996 being taken to meet him for the first time at his office in Dhanmondi by Muhammad Musa, president of a Bangladesh freedom fighters鈥� organisation.听Before entering the building, the famous Bengali author and historian forewarned me: 鈥榊ou are about to meet a genuine, upstanding, honest, and sincere Bengali gentleman, the likes of whom are rare.鈥� Having been given an introduction like that, I half expected to find a bright, glowing halo above Mahbubul鈥檚 head. I didn鈥檛, but after several one-on-one meetings later, I discovered he had concealed it in his heart.
Mahbubul was a man of rare quality. To describe him merely as a gentleman would deprive him of the accolades and platitudes he so richly deserves.听Born in Munshiganj in 1936, the affable Mahbubul graduated in political science from the University of Dhaka.听His successful career is the sort of success many pen-pushers and two-finger typewriter thumpers aspire to achieve in their early teens.
In 1957, he began his fruitful career in journalism at a woodworm-infested corner window desk with the highly reputable Associated Press. The clanking and clacking of Imperial, Olivetti, Underwood, and Royal typewriter machines, in many stages of dying, filled the air like a well-disciplined orchestral performance that was music to his ears. Most journalists nowadays, with their ultra-silent keyboards, non-sticky keys, and personal separation booths, have no experience of such rousing, soul-appeasing music.听
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Ballpoint pen
MAHBUBUL has never been far from a leaky BIC ballpoint, tattered doggy-eared spiral notepad, or second-hand typewriter since leaving school.
He was one-time editor of the New Nation, the first English-language newspaper in Bangladesh, and the weekly Dialogue. Continuing on his successful path, he landed the equally prestigious position of editor of the Independent, which he held for 18 years until his death at 9:25 am on Friday, June 6, 2014, at the BIRDEM hospital in Dhaka. He was 78. Eight years later, his beloved Independent newspaper consumed its last printing ink fumes on January 30, 2022.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina took time off from her hectic schedule and was among the first to offer condolences. President Md Abdul Hamid and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia also condoled the senior journalist鈥檚 death. His wife and three daughters, who currently live in the US, survived him.
In 2007, Mahbubul became the Information Affairs Advisor to the caretaker government. Among the other accolades that peppered his illustrious career, he was the beam of light and inspiration that led the Newspaper Owners鈥� Association of Bangladesh as its president until his death.
If you take a casual stroll through the newsrooms of most eminent newspapers and online news offices in Dhaka and Chattogram today, there鈥檚 at least one member of the noble profession who鈥檚 worked with Mahbubul and who remembers him with great admiration and great fondness.听It鈥檚 men like Mahbubul Alam who give journalism a good name and bring honour and respectability to the nation in which they were born.
Mahbubul had the rare gift of making people feel special. People warmed to him instantly. He was a complete gentleman and a consummate professional. He walked the tallest among the tallest. While still remembered, he, like the freedom fighters of Bangladesh, will never die. And he deserves to be remembered.
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Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, award-winning writer, royal goodwill ambassador, humanitarian, foreign friend of Bangladesh.
