Country's prominent sociologists, politicians and academics have commented that Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury will remain immortal in people's minds in various ways and in various considerations.
They said these things after paying homage to the valiant freedom fighter at the Central Shaheed Minar on Thursday.
The body of Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury was kept there for three hours on Thursday.
People from all walks of life including eminent citizens paid final tribute to him.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said: “Zafrullah Chowdhury's departure is immediately a great loss for us. He was not only a brave freedom fighter, but also a doctor, he played an extraordinary role in the positive change of our society. He was a pioneer in establishing the Bengali nation as Bengalis in the world, bestowing the nation with knowledge and all the great works of the world.”
“I pay my personal respect to him. I have known him for more than sixty years. I went to his family. I ate with his parents. I talked to his siblings. This is a wonderful family. Zafrullah Chowdhury is the most extraordinary among the extraordinary,” said the minister.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribunePaying his tribute, Rashed Khan Menon said in an interview to the media said: “Zafrullah Bhai was my fellow freedom fighter in my student life and also in the liberation war. He stood by our side in our fight against exploitation and deprivation of people for a long time. He was truly a people's fighter in the liberation war. His fight did not end after the liberation war. However, he continued to fight even after the liberation war. His fight against imperialism was persistent not only within the country but also at the international level."
“He played an important role in formulating the drug policy of our country. We are benefiting from his efforts. He didn't exactly do politics, but he remained the voice of conscience in politics,” he said.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman said: “Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury was a famous person. Many of his institutions are affiliated to Dhaka University. As a former student of Dhaka University, he himself felt much respected. He had a very humble character. He was proud to introduce himself as a student of Dhaka University.
“For many reasons this man will be respected by people. He is a heroic freedom fighter. He has contributed tremendously in the Great War of Liberation. He lived a very simple life of very simple nature. It is undoubtedly exemplary,” added the DU VC.
Prof Asif Nazrul said: “He was much older than us and was sick. But still he was always a voice of protest against any injustice and injustice during the tenure of any government. Seeing his stance, we felt hesitant, ashamed to think that he could be such a protester in such adverse conditions when he was sick, then why can't we stand for truth and justice.”
Eminent politician ASM Abdur Rab said: "Our debt to Dr Zafrullah is immense. His debt will never be repaid. The nation should be grateful to him. Another Zafrullah will not be made in Bangladesh. People from all walks of life have come to pay their respects to him, apart from those of us who do politics for the poor and working people.”
Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki said that Dr Zafrullah's absence has created a big emptiness. But his works and multi-dimensional achievements, love for country and people will inspire the present and future generations for a long time. His achievements are established in many ways through the achievements of the people of this country. He thought about how to bring about a change in the interest of people. He always thought about human welfare, political, economic, social and cultural change.
Serajul Islam Choudhury said that Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury was an extraordinary person. He directly participated in the liberation war. Even before that, he held the spirit of liberation war, social change and state reform. After December 16, he realized that the liberation war was not over, he had more work to do. Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury has made outstanding contributions in two areas in particular. One is health and the other is education.