Golam Sarwar in the newsroom

Editor Golam Sarwar has spent most of his time in the newsroom throughout his life. During his remarkable eight-year tenure at the Daily Samakal, he was predominantly found in the newsroom, even dedicating most of his time there. Unfortunately, his last days were also spent in his beloved newsroom due to illness, from which he never recovered.

He used to arrive at the office around 11 a.m. As the editor-in-chief, he occupied his own office within the newsroom. He held meetings with key personnel such as the managing editor, deputy editors, news editors, chief reporters, and feature editors. The primary agenda of the day included deciding on the lead headline, determining the second and third headlines, assessing the number of special reports received, discussing any significant developments in reporting events, and reviewing important news from outside Dhaka. He meticulously planned the layout of the front page, back page, and other pages of the newspaper. Subsequently, he discussed editorial matters with relevant individuals, finalizing the editorial and deputy editorial sections, selecting features for the feature page, and concluding discussions with those involved.

He then allocated some time for discussions with advertising and circulation department heads. Finally, he engaged in discussions with the administration department regarding any important administrative decisions to be made.

Throughout his tenure, Editor Golam Sarwar exemplified dedication and commitment to the field of journalism, spending the majority of his time in the bustling atmosphere of the newsroom, shaping the direction and content of the Daily Samakal.

By 1 pm, Sarwar bhai would wrap up everything and leave the office. Most days, his destination was the National Press Club. Even if he had important tasks, he would leave the office shortly after 1 p.m. He wouldn't arrive at the office until around 11 a.m., so such incidents could occur sporadically, lasting for a day or two. Even when he traveled abroad, regardless of the time difference, he would receive calls from the managing editor, news editor, or other relevant personnel around 11 a.m. local time.

He would return to the office around 4 p.m. Upon his return, he would spend a few moments alone in his own room before calling the news editor, chief reporters, and others to discuss special reports. If there were particularly important reports, he would take charge of editing them himself, delegating the rest to others. He would then enter the newsroom around 6 p.m. where his own desk was situated. As he took his seat, others in the newsroom would become alert, even if they were not directly involved in the department. For the first few minutes, a hush would fall over the newsroom. Everyone would be attentive, as the editor's mood could influence the atmosphere. If anyone made a mistake or oversight, the editor could become stern instantly. This demeanor led everyone in the newsroom to maintain a serious attitude when Sarwar bhai was present.

While in the newsroom, Sarwar bhai would focus solely on news-related matters and wouldn't engage in discussions on other topics. If there were urgent matters outside of news, he would handle them in his personal office.

In the newsroom, Sarwar bhai would pay close attention to the event reports, carefully scrutinizing each report. If he particularly liked or deemed an event report important, he would personally edit it with great care. There were many days when Sarwar bhai, seated as the chair of the newsroom, had changed the lead report decided in the morning meeting. In fact, it was in the newsroom that Editor Gholam Sarwar seemed to come alive each day with renewed vigor. And it was for this reason that he had made most of the crucial professional decisions seated in the newsroom's chair.

While seated there, he would select the most important photos of the day for publication. If any report required graphics, he would personally oversee their design. Between 8 to 9 p.m., Sarwar bhai would retire to the makeup room. The Managing Editor would accompany him. It was in this room that the day's newspaper would come to life under Sarwar bhai’s guidance. In the makeup room, Sarwar bhai was even more serious. He would decide where each report would go, how each picture would be placed on which page, meticulously arranging everything. If any new news came in at the last moment, he would edit them right there. In this room, along with him, would be the deputy managing editor, additional news editors, or senior sub-editors. The reports that must be published in the next day's paper were edited by him or the responsible personnel in the newsroom. Most of the time, he would edit right there in the makeup room. If any reporter was needed for a report, they would also be directed in the makeup room.

The final makeup would be sent to the press for printing around 11 p.m. Sarwar bhai would then leave the makeup room and go to his personal office. Sometimes he would stay there for about ten minutes before returning to the newsroom. Now it was time to finish the second edition. He would work on it until nearly midnight. Sometimes, if a new important news came in, the situation would change. After the reporter or sub-editor wrote the report, he would edit it himself once. Then he would decide how much to change in the first edition's makeup and then leave the office. If he had to stay until 3 a.m. to finish this work, Sarwar would never leave before finishing it.

On days when there were major events, Sarwar bhai would stay in the office all night. For example, on July 1, 2016, during the terrifying militant attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, Sarwar, along with all of us, stayed in the newsroom. The reporters present at the scene were sending reports, providing updates, and I had the responsibility to coordinate. By around 2 a.m., almost all reports were completed. Then I asked Sarwar bhai if the second edition was ready now, or if he needed to stay longer. With a stern look, he glanced at me once. I didn't utter another word. I understood. He had to stay. The next morning, at 7 a.m., I left with Sarwar in his car, sitting beside him, and went home. After freshening up, I fell asleep. My sleep was interrupted by Sarwar bhai’s call. I saw it was 10 a.m. He said he had left for the office. I felt compelled to go to the office between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. There were a few incidents, but on important days for news, I had seen Sarwar bhai filled with an incredible strength. He forgot everything. He was immersed in the thought of enriching the news further and reaching it to the readers. He remained absorbed in that thought, becoming restless.

On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza collapsed in Savar. As soon as Sarwar bhai received the news, he called me and asked me to go to Savar as quickly as possible. Amidst the chaotic scene, that unimaginable catastrophe, the day passed into night, and I arranged to leave for home around midnight. Along with me was my colleague, Shahadat Hossain Parash. I called Sarwar bhai and he instructed me to ask Parash to stay there and for me to come straight to the office.

I arrived at the office around 2 a.m. Sarwar bhai was seated at his desk in the newsroom, deeply engrossed in editing a report. He wanted to know if there were any updates, and I briefed him on the latest situation. Sarwar bhai also called Parash. After the call, he paused for a few seconds, deep in thought, covering his face with both hands. Then he said, "How many days will it take to complete the rescue operation? Have you got any idea, have you spoken to anyone?" I replied, "I have spoken to the Fire Service. I have spoken to the Dhaka DC. They said it could take a week." Sarwar bhai’s eyes widened. "Do you remember the Spectrum building collapse in 2005? It took almost ten days there. The Rana Plaza incident is even bigger, isn't it? Then it won't be over in less than two weeks," he said. Sarwar bhai’s words turned out to be accurate. The rescue operation at Rana Plaza took a full 18 days to complete. During these 18 days, Sarwar bhai never left the newsroom before 3 a.m.

There are many memories of working with Sarwar bhai. Today, when clickbait journalism surrounds us, when the true essence of life depicted in the media is replaced by sensationalism, when the eyes of journalists are only fixated on the billions of dollars involved in the upper echelons of society's weddings, when obscenity is glorified in the first-class media, it is then that the absence of an editor like Golam Sarwar is deeply felt by a professional journalist. Golam Sarwar taught us to call a spade a spade. A strong personality like Golam Sarwar is much needed to uphold professionalism in journalism. Research needs to be done on Golam Sarwar's journalism. He could serve as a guiding light to steer the media on the path of dignity, both today and in the days to come.

Author: Journalist and IT analyst