The first death anniversary of journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani was observed on Sunday with due respect.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi marked the day by arranging a cultural and discussion program at its office in Dhaka’s Topkhana road.
At the event, leaders of various social, cultural and political organizations paid homage to the memory of the freedom fighter by reminiscing about various aspects of his life.
Udichi General Secretary Jamshed Anwar Tapan delivered the introductory speech while Vice-President Mahmud Selim presided over the event.
Prabir Sardar, vice-president of Udichi; Sagar Lohani, son of Kamal Lohani; Mostaq Hossain, former general secretary of Ducsu; and Mujahidul Islam Selim, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh, also spoke on the occasion.
An epic figure in Bangladesh's political and cultural history, Lohani breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sheikh Rasel Gastroliver Institute on June 20 last year. He tested Covid-19 positive.
A commentator, orator and anchor
Lohani waged a long struggle in his efforts to establish freedom of thought in the country, and his illustrious career in journalism inspired many others with hope and confidence.
Born on June 26, 1934, Kamal Lohani grew up witnessing India's independence movement, the partition of 1947 and the Language Movement of 1952.
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Lohani had his first job as a journalist with the Daily Millat in 1955. In 1962, he joined the cultural organization Chhayanaut as its secretary. He was jailed and tortured several times for his political activism during the Language Movement and the Liberation War.
Throughout his six-decade-long career, Lohani also worked as a commentator, orator and anchor.
He worked as chief news editor for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971. In the post-war period, he served in important positions in many journalist unions and relentlessly worked for establishing their rights and demands.
His activism and commentaries laid the foundation for many social movements that helped shape the country's democratic trajectory.
A committed activist and writer, Lohani produced many books, including Edesh Amar Gorbo, Bhasha Sankskriti O Ganomadhyam, Amader Sankskriti O Sangram and Rajniti Muktijuddho Swadhin Bangla Betar.
Awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak, Kamal Lohani at a particular stage served as president of Dhaka Union of Journalists.
He also served as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the president of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, as well as the general secretary of Chhayanaut.
He was also involved with Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum campaigning for the trial of the war criminals of 1971.
