& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

'Democracy in his heart

Speakers say about Abul Mansur Ahmad at seminar

Dun Correspondent, Kushtia
Abul Mansur Ahmad tried to uphold the Muslim identity in undivided Bengal through strong criticism of religious and social bigotry - issues still relevant today, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.
They were speaking in a seminar titled "Fanaticism and Class Character of Society in the Literature of Abul Mansur Ahmad" held at an auditorium of Islamic University (IU), Kushtia yesterday.
The university's Bangla department organised the event at the Rabindra-Nazrul Arts Faculty.
With chairman of the department Prof Dr Saidur Rahman in the chair, the seminar was addressed by Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam - son of Abul Mansur Ahmad - as chief guest.
Noted writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud was the chief discussant. Prof Gazi Mahbub Murshid, and convener of Abul Mansur Ahmad Smrity Parishad Emran Mahfuz also addressed the event as special discussants.
Syed Abul Maksud termed Ahmad's "Aina" an extraordinary work on societal dynamics and norms.
Citing excerpts from the book, he said Ahmad's writing showed how religious leaders try to exploit people and society. "He included all these in his writings from his experiences and observations throughout his multi-faceted career," Maksud said.
Ahmad's works were highly relevant then, and they remain relevant to the current society. It will surely reflect society of the future too, he observed.
"We are discussing him and his writings after more than a hundred years of his birth. I am sure the next generations will do the same after another hundred years," the renowned writer said.
In his speech, Mahfuz Anam said Abul Mansur Ahmad strongly believed in democracy. He carried democracy in his heart, and all his
attempts were towards establishing a democratic society.
Mahfuz Anam urged students to read and grasp what thinkers of the past and present convey about society.
He said Abul Mansur Ahmad took a critical look on various issues - social, political and religious - of both Muslims and Hindus. "He did it so Bengali Muslims could fully understand their identity in the context of undivided Bengal."
FROM PAGE 5
Prof Gazi Mahbub Murshid discussed Abul Mansur Ahmad's works in comparison with other contemporary writers. "Abdul Mansur is more important than many other writers of his time, and he will remain essential for a long time," Prof Murshid said.
Later, Mahfuz Anam visited "Press Corner", the association of working journalists of the university. He shared views on various issues with them, and urged journalists to write about research work taking place at the university.
Born on September 3, 1898 in Mymensingh, Abul Mansur Ahmad was a trailblazing litterateur, journalist, politician and social reformer. He was the minister for education in the United Front government of East Pakistan in 1956 and the minister for commerce and trade in 1956-1957. After the promulgation of martial law by
Ayub Khan in 1958, he was imprisoned and subsequently released in 1962, before retiring from politics.
Ahmad was known for his strong stand in favour of regional autonomy of East Pakistan. He also made remarkable contributions to industrialisation of the long neglected East Pakistan. He propagated secularism in a manner unparalleled in the 1940s, '50s and '60s.
His literary works include "Aina", "Asmani Purdah”, "Gulliverer Safar Nama" and “Food Conference". He also penned insightful works on social and political history of Bengal. He penned two autobiographical writings - "Atma Katha" and "Amar Dekha Rajnitir Panchash Bachar".
He received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1960, and the Swadhinata Padak in 1979.