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A sentinel of free speech, change
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journalism career in 1923. During his long career, he worked for seven organisations and edited two daily newspapers. He also was a “shadow” editor of another one.
Discussants at the event said the process of newspapers becoming an industry began during his editorship. He is one of those talented journalists who played a leading role in modernising the mechanisms of newspapers much of which is still followed by the industry, they added.
Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said though he had multiple identities -- politician, litterateur, journalist, lawyer -- Abul Mansur was an intellectual first and all the other professions added to his personality.
“His journalism is still relevant… His spirit still resonates with us. And for that, we still talk about freedom of speech and express our opinions. Still, we protest something like the Digital Security Act,” said Serajul, also president of the parishad.
Mansur, about 100 years ago, pointed out the problems of farmers as the main problem of our society, he added. “He wanted a change in the society and for that, he worked as a politician, a journalist….”
Mansur knew for social change a cultural change was necessary. So, he laid emphasis on language and the use of appropriate words that reflected the thinking of ordinary people. Through his works and writings, he promoted cultural advancement, he added.
“He had the exceptional capacity and vision to portray the society as it was through his writings…Unfortunately, we don’t have that capacity,” Serajul added.
Calling him a man of dignity, Serajul said Mansur used to call a spade a spade. “He always spoke and wrote what he considered right.”
The New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said Abul Mansur considered journalism as a political activity, and journalism could be used for political and economic emancipation of the oppressed class of the society.
He said that Mansur stood beside Bangalee Muslims as 88 percent of them were peasants. However, he stood beside them, not on religious grounds. He did it because they were oppressed.
Mansur was the first among the journalists of his time who rightly figured out the importance of language in political discourse and addressed the issue.
Ali Ar Raji, assistant professor of communication and journalism at the University of Chittagong, said Mansur played a revolutionary role in establishing Bengali Muslim’s own language through his works and journalism.
Faruk Wasif, the planning editor of Bengali Daily Samakal, said that Abul Mansur was an extraordinarily patriotic and self-esteemed Bangalee and protested against the oppression of the Bangalee Muslims.
Researcher and journalist Kazal Rashid Shahin, in his keynote presentation, said that Abul Mansur played a significant role in establishing the philosophical foundation of Bangladesh’s renaissance.
He said Abul Mansur set some of the conditions for a popular newspaper -- supporting a popular political ideology, well-edited stories and reports, quality paper and printing, a reader-friendly size, regular publishing and timely distribution – through his work.
“His practices are still followed today and will be followed in the future. So, the relevance of Abul Mansur Ahmad’s journalism, is still on”.
The Daily Star’s Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam welcomed all by joining the event virtually.
Nine participants received awards in three categories at the event for writing essays on Abul Mansur Ahmad’s journalism.
Abul Mansur started his journalism as assistant editor of the magazine “Sultan” in 1923.
He later worked in different capacities in publications like the Mohammadi, and The Musulman, etc. He was the editor of the magazines Khadem, and Krishak.
He was also the shadow editor of Nabajug where Kazi Nazrul Islam was the editor.
The immensely popular the Daily Ittehad started its journey under his leadership.

Defiance
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I think such training is necessary for them,” he said.
Participants will learn eight self-defence techniques in four days under this initiative. The Youth and Sports secretary is scheduled to visit the village on September 20 and further decisions regarding the programme’s expansion will be discussed with him, said Debashis Kumar Mondal, general secretary of the academy.
Mentionable, four footballers were attacked on July 29 for playing in jerseys and shorts.
The following day, player Sadia filed a case with Batiaghata Police Station, accusing four people.
Three of the accused threatened an acid attack on the girls if the case was not withdrawn, following which Sadia filed a general dairy on July 31 in this connection.
The accused are currently in jail.