The nation has lost a guardian, a scholar and leader with the demise of National Professor Dr Anisuzzaman. His wisdom and progressive philosophy was guiding light for the nation and led us through various national crises. From the Language Movement in 1952 to the drafting of the constitution of Bangladesh – Professor Dr Anisuzzaman was the torchbearer for the country. The nation will always be in debt to Him and follow his teachings.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) remembers its Board of Trustees Member National Professor Dr Anisuzzaman at a virtual memorial event on 1 June 2020. The event was streamed live on CPD’s Facebook page. Eminent citizens and professionals and the family members attended the event from home and abroad.
https://www.facebook.com/cpd.org.bd/videos/1180190065657999/
Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD, moderated the memorial event. In her introductory speech Dr Khatun said that Professor Dr Anisuzzaman made an unparalleled contribution to the country. He participated in the Language Movement in 1952, Mass Uprising in 1969, and the War of Liberation in 1971. Among several roles played by Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, were the position of a member of the Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh liberation war and a member of National Education Commission set up by the government after liberation. He received Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India for his contribution to Bangla literature. With His demise, the country has lost a profound intellectual of Bangla literature, a guardian and a patriot.
CPD’s Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan, as the Chair of the event, remembered Professor Dr Anisuzzaman as a devoted scholar and teacher. Professor Sobhan said that Dr Anisuzzaman always chose a simple life over any recognition and proclamation avoiding publicity. His students or not, his disciplines or not Dr Anisuzzaman was a mentor to everyone. Through relentless passion Dr Anisuzzaman took his wisdom at a peak that citizens from different sectors sought for His counsel. CPD was fortunate to have His wisdom, knowledge and guidance. Now it is our duty to and follow His philosophy, said Professor Sobhan.
Mr M Syeduzzaman, Member, CPD Board of Trustees and former Finance Minister, remembered Dr Anisuzzaman as a courageous patriot. Dr Anisuzzaman always stood against communalism and raised His voice for social harmony, said Mr Syeduzzaman.
Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Member, CPD Board of Trustees, said that Dr Anisuzzaman was man free from self-conceit. He always tried to support whoever asked for cooperation and advice. He became the idol for all of us to correct our paths during any crisis.
Dr Kamal Hossain, President, Gono Forum, and former Minister, said that Dr Anisuzzaman made remarkable contributions during preparing the Bangla draft of the constitution of Bangladesh.
Dr Shahdeen Malik, Member, CPD Board of Trustees, Honorary Director, Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA), said that it was somewhat unimaginable in writing laws in Bangla language. We made that possible because we had the wisdom and patriot like Dr Anisuzzaman.
Mr Ananda Zaman, Son of Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, was present at the event. The event was also attended by Dr Swati Guha, Director, Nazrul Centre for Social and Cultural Studies, Kazi Nazrul Islam University, India, Mr Abul Khair, Chairman, Bengal Group of Industries, Eminent Singer Ms Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Founder, Shurer Dhara, Dr Shamsul Bari, Chairman, Research Initiative Bangladesh (RIB), Eminent Singer Ms Aditi Mohsin, Professor Dr Fakhrul Alam, Pro-Vice Chancellor, East West University, Ms Khushi Kabir, Member, CPD Board of Trustees and Coordinator, Nijera Kori, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Member, CPD Board of Trustees and Distinguished Fellow, CPD, Dr Ahrar Ahmad, Director General, Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Bidyapeeth, Mr Anisul Hoque, Author and Journalist, daily Prothom Alo, Ms Rasheda K Choudhury, Member, CPD Board of Trustees, Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government and Executive Director, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), Ms Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General, Bengal Foundation, Mr Mahbubur Rahman, President, International Chamber of Commerce – Bangladesh (ICC-B), Chairman and CEO, ETBL Holdings Ltd., Ms Fahmida Wahab, Independent Consultant, Canada, Barrister Sara Hossain, Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director, CPD, Ms Anisatul Fatema Yousuf, Coordinator, Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Member, CPD Board of Trustees and, Distinguished Fellow, CPD among others.
They remembered the contribution of Professor Dr Anisuzzaman in beyond Bangla literature particularly political movements, cultural harmony as a true nation builder.