Final farewell to Akhtar Hussain at Shaheed Minar

People from various walks of life gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday morning to pay their final respects to poet and children's writer Akhtar Hussain in the scorching sun.

Akhtar Hussain's body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar at 10am. There, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Central Khelaghar, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi and the National Education and Cultural Movement, among other organisations, paid tribute to him with flowers.

Recalling memories, Akhtar Hussain's younger son, Pramit Hussain, said his father was a humanitarian person. Narrating an incident of his father's humanity, he said that one night his father returned home shirtless. The reason was that some people had beaten a young man on the road and torn his shirt. Akhtar Hussain had given his own shirt to that young man.

Pramit Hussain said that while ill, his father was pained to see the plight of fellow artistes. He was distressed to see that many artistes could not afford treatment. Conveying his father's last wish before his death, he said, "May no other artiste have to suffer this pain." At that time, he called on everyone to stand by artistes.

Taslima Akter, who came from Bailey Road to pay tribute, said, "Akhtar bhai is an inspiration to us. How much one person contributed to literature, politics, music—so many things. The departure of such a person is painful for us."

Former Chhatra Union leader Rajib Hasan said that during his time in Chhatra Union, he had the opportunity to learn from many extraordinary people, including Akhtar Hussain. When he was in doubt about any matter, he would go to Akhtar Hussain and get guidance from him. He said, "Today I have lost a political guru."

At the farewell ceremony at Shaheed Minar, Akhtar Hussain was remembered through the playing of the national anthem and Chhatra Union's party song. Later, this valiant freedom fighter was given a police guard of honour.

After the tributes, his body was taken towards Sirajganj around 11:30am. He will be buried there beside his wife's grave.

Akhtar Hussain died at Bangladesh Medical University at noon on Thursday after suffering a brain haemorrhage and various complications. He had long been suffering from heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes.

Akhtar Hussain wrote for children and adolescents for more than six decades. Including rhymes and children's literature, biographies, translations and edited volumes, the number of his published books is over a hundred. He also holds the credit for writing the highest number of entries in the five-volume 'Shishu-Bishwakosh' published by Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

Among his notable books are 'Shomudro Onek Boro', 'Ramdhonuker Sanko', 'Ultopalta', 'Halchal', 'Amar Duto Dana', 'O Hawa O Hawa', 'Paji Beraler Shasti', 'Freedom Fighter', 'Karnakusum O Kalopakhar Projapoti', 'Khelaghorer Putul Gulo' and 'Chhotoder Charan Kobi Mukundadas'.

For his contribution to literature, Akhtar Hussain received various honours, including the Bangla Academy Award, Agrani Bank-Shishu Academy Children's Literature Award, Alaol Literary Award, Language Martyr Abdul Jabbar Memorial Medal, the Muktijoddha Kalam Sainik Sammanana Memorial awarded by Dhaka University's Faculty of Business Studies, Moniruddin Yusuf Literary Award, M Nurul Kader Children's Literature Award and Bazlur Rahman Memorial Medal.

A fellow of Bangla Academy, Akhtar Hussain was a founding member of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi. He was also involved in writing and directing several early plays of the organisation. He also contributed to the country's cultural movement as an organiser of the children's organisation Khelaghar.

The popular song of Chhatra Union and Khelaghar, 'Amra To Sainik, Shantir Sainik', was written by him.