STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Rain fell steadily on Dhaka yesterday, soft and mournful, as friends, students, and admirers gathered to bid farewell to Professor Emeritus Syed Manzoorul Islam. The raindrops mingled with tears, blurring faces and flowers alike, as one of the country’s most beloved teachers was laid to rest.

The noted educationist, writer, and former professor of English at Dhaka University was buried at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Mirpur after two civic tributes -- one at Dhaka University’s Aparajeyo Bangla and another at the Central Shaheed Minar.

His body was brought to the base of Aparajeyo Bangla around 10:30am. Students and teachers stood in silence, their umbrellas unable to hide the grief etched across their faces. Around 11:00am, amid heavy rain, his coffin was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where hundreds gathered -- advisers of the interim government, academics, artists, writers, and citizens. They came not just to honour his achievements, but to remember the kindness and integrity that defined his life.

Under the supervision of the Jatiya Kabita Parishad, tributes were paid by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Dhaka University’s Department of English, BRAC, Asiatic Society, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Bangladesh National Museum, CPB, Jasad, Basad, Chhayanaut,

SEE PAGE 9 COL 7