A key patron of free media
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event, among others.
Latifur Rahman was the chairman and CEO Transcom Group, a business conglomerate that set a high standard of ethical business in the country.
Mahfuz Anam however said that Latifur Rahman’s most telling contribution to the country was two independent media – The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.
“His world has been in the world of business—of setting up industries, setting up commercial institutions. His first foray into a world which was not his was the media. Yes, he always insisted, that we should think of it as a business and he insisted that if you really want to have an independent newspaper, you must be independent businesswise.
“If you come to me or come to the board, asking for money in every other year or every other month, then obviously. We will be not happy about it.
“But if you can turn the investment into a self-sufficient profit-making body, we will really get the type of independent that you want and we all want that the media should have,” The Daily Star editor said while reflecting on his many exchanges with the visionary businessman.
Mahfuz Anam however said that Latifur Rahman’s decision to enter into the media world was a tough one but he took the challenges on his stride despite knowing that it would hurt his other business entities.
“I would like to emphasize here that through his involvement with The Daily Star, eight year before he started Prothom Alo, he was actually coming into a different world.
“(It is) the World of opinions, world of respect for somebody else’s opinion, the world of allowing decent, the world of freedom of expression. It was not like his original world. But how he did come into this, how did he fall in love with this whole world of freedom of expression, of saying things to power that need to be said-- in my view it was due to his deepest regards for democracy.
“He never participated in politics, never was interested in it. But deep inside his heart he knew that democracy is the way for Bangladesh. It is only with democracy --however flawed and messy -- that Bangladesh will move forward.
“And he had a personal experience of it. He saw the collapse of democracy, saw the coming of military dictatorship, coming of autocracy. And inside his heart, he believed in democracy become strong. So, from that belief in democracy, coming into the media was perhaps the next step, said Mahfuz Anam.
Mhfuz Anam said as a journalist: “My love for the freedom of the press is natural but as a businessman Latifur Rahman’s love for the freedom of the press was an instinctually acquired position --a position he held so firmly.”
The programme began at 5:30pm and was streamed live on the sites and Facebook pages of The Daily Star and Bangla daily Prothom Alo.
Remembering his contribution to the country’s economy through ethical and honest business practices, Simeen Hossain said, “He had lost everything in 1971 and built Transcom Group from scratch.”
“Abbu may have left us but he will be with us in every step that we take,” she said.
“Abbu, I promise, your spirit will forever live with us,” Simeen Hossain added.
Rokia Afzal Rahman, chairperson of Mediaworld Ltd, the owning company of The Daily Star, said Latifur Rahman was “one of our strengths.”
“Never thought he would leave us so early,” she added.
Syed Manzur Elahi, chairman of Apex Group; Nihad Kabir, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI); and Matiur Rahman, editor of daily Prothom Alo, also spoke during the event.
In his concluding speech Zaraif Ayaat Hossain said he has seen his nanabhai up-close, calling him an incredible personality.
“We, the nanbhai’s family will never stop being carrying all his legacy, be the Transcom legacy and the legacy of being ethical business.
“Nabhai’s legacy will continue through generation – inshallah and that it our commitment to him, “ he concluded.
Founding chairman and CEO of Transcom Group Latifur Rahman, who breathed his last on July 1 morning, at his ancestral home in Cumilla, at the age of 75. He was buried at Banani Graveyard that same night.
Latifur Rahman was the founding director of Mediaworld, the company owning The Daily Star, and chairman of Mediastar, the company owning Prothom Alo -- the two leading newspapers of the country.
He was the driving spirit behind the establishment of The Daily Star.
Latifur Rahman was an honouree of “Oslo Business for Peace Award 2012” for his recognition of business ethics and social responsibilities. It is considered the most celebrated recognition in the business world.
The business tycoon lived by the highest standards of integrity and was a protector of professional and independent media. He would be remembered forever for his role in ensuring freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
Latifur was a remarkable gentleman who believed that the country’s future was bright.