Helena Khan, a famous name in children’s literature in Bangladesh, passed away at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, United States, on the evening of March 17.
Khan, born on March 23, 1923, authored more than fifty titles for both children and adults. Her ancestral home is in Kolkatapara village, Mymensingh. She was the eldest among her eleven siblings. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from the prestigious Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata.
Helena Khan was involved in numerous activities involving social work and education. In her career as an educationist, she served as the head of five different government schools in Bangladesh. As an author, she received many literary awards such as Bangladesh Shishu Academy Purashkar (2001), the Bangla Academy Award (2008) and the Ekushey Padak (2010) for her contribution to literature. Among her many books Tusharmanabi o Shat Bamon, Charti Belun, Bhooter Khoppore, Jhilimili, Kishore Rachanasamagra, Britter Baire, Pannar Jonyo, Paprir Rong Bodlay and Nirbachito Golpo are notable. She is survived by her three sons and a daughter.
Though Helena Khan breathed her last in a faraway land, she will forever remain close to the hearts of her fans, contemporaries and well-wishers. Her unforgettable books such as Gautam Buddher Deshe, Neel Paharer Hatchani and Golpo Pora Bhari Moja will keep her memory alive.