Poet Belal Mohammad, also a pioneer of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, died of old-age complications in Apollo Hospitals in the capital early Tuesday.
Belal’s long-time close aide Ayub Hossain said that the poet had died about 5:00am.
He was taken to the hospital on Monday evening when he complained of uneasiness, Ayub said.
The president, Abdul Hamid, and the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages offered condolences on the death of Belal, also an organiser of the country’s war for independence.
The president said, ‘The nation will ever remember his contribution to the independence war, especially his active role in forming Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.’
The prime minister said that in his death, the country lost a true patriot, who had always loved democracy and democratic system.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Baitul Aman Jam-e-Masjid at Uttara sector 14 near his house on Tuesday.
After the funeral prayers, the body was taken to the mortuary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. The body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minaar about 11:00am today for public viewing, Hasan Arif of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote said
Belal’s second namaz-e-janaza will take place at 12:30pm in the Dhaka University Central Mosque today. The body will then be taken to Bangladesh Betar at Shahbagh for viewing.
Belal’s body in compliance with his last wishes will be donated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
Belal was awarded the Independence Award in 2010 for his contribution to the independence war. He retired after working with Bangladesh Betar for many years.
He was born on February 20, 1936 in Musapur of Sandwip in Chittagong. He joined politics when he was a student.
He was one of the founding members of the Chittagong unit of the East Pakistan Students’ Union which later became the Bangladesh Students’ Union.
Belal also worked for the Daily Azadi as deputy editor. He started working as a scriptwriter for Radio Pakistan’s Chittagong office.
He along with others founded Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at Kalurghat, on March 26, 1971 from where the independence of Bangladesh was announced. After the air raid, the radio station continued with transmission from India and inspired millions during the war.
He lost his wife in 1975 and his only son in 1998.
He has written about 40 books on various literary genres. He also did some translations. Some of his noted books are Swadhin Bangla Beter Kendra, Samne Ache Muktijuddha, Sabar Agay Khadya, Ar Ek Muktiuddha, Dharma Jar Jar Rashtra Sabar, Kabita Noy, Parajay Nei, ,Akal Apatra,, ,Nirbachita Kabita, and Birsreshthader Katha.
-With New Age input
