Remembering Golam Sarwar: Seven years since the passing of journalism icon

The 7th death anniversary of eminent journalist and former Dainik Samakal editor Golam Sarwar is being observed today, Wednesday (August 13). He passed away on this day in 2018 at the age of 75 while undergoing treatment in Singapore. At the time, he was serving as editor of Samakal.

Sarwar was a pioneer of modern journalism in Bangladesh, with a career spanning over five decades. Beginning his journey in the 1960s, he became known for his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to secularism, progressive values, and the spirit of the Liberation War.

Born on April 1 in 1943 at Banaripara of Barisal, Sarwar obtained his Honors and Master's degrees from Dhaka University (DU).

In his student life in 1962, he started his career as a university correspondent at Dainik Azadi.

In the same year, he joined Dainik Sangbad as a sub-editor. He worked at the daily till March 25 in 1971. He actively participated in the Liberation War. During the Liberation War, he actively took part in the resistance movement in his hometown of Banaripara, Barishal.

After the independence, he served as the headmaster of Banaripara Union Institution.

Later in 1972, he joined Dainik Ittefaq as a senior sub-editor. He also served as joint news editor and news editor in the newspaper till 1999.

He was also the founding president of the Editors' Council of Bangladesh, a leading organization of newspaper editors. Widely respected for his leadership and insight, he was often referred to as a “teacher of journalists.”

Sarwar was also active in literary circles. His notable publications include Rongin Balloon, Shampadoker Jobanbondi, Amiyo Gorol, Amar Joto Kotha, and Swapno Beche Thak.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to journalism, he was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2014, a lifetime achievement award by the Cultural Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh in 2016, and the Ataus Samad Memorial Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

To honor his memory, Samakal staff and family members will gather today at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Mirpur at 12 PM for Fatiha recitation and prayers at his grave.