Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan will live with the love of people, this is the great interest

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There was no rush in the life of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan. He was not attracted by material wealth. But what he got was the selfless love of people. He will live in that love. This is the meaning of his life.

This is how the students, colleagues and acquaintances of this great teacher remembered the late Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, a former teacher of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University. They said Sakhawat Ali Khan was a guardian. A true nurturer. A rational and secular man. Remembering such people is also a big task.

Society for Environment and Human Development (SED), a non-governmental organization, organized this memorial in Dhanmondi of the capital on Friday.

SED was established in 1993 as a research institute on media, environment and indigenous affairs. It was founded by the students of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan. Sakhawat Ali Khan was the chairman of the company from that beginning till his death. He was like an umbrella to the people of this institution, said Philip Gyne, general secretary of SED and student of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, at the beginning of the memorial service. He said, “The institution has faced various problems from time to time. Sakhawat sir handled them calmly and firmly. I was his student. But he was not only to me, but to all the students, he was like a father, an absolute guardian.

Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan passed away on March 9. He was a student of first batch of journalism department of Dhaka University in 1962. He started his career as a professional journalist in the mainstream newspapers of the country before and after the liberation war. He joined the department as a teacher in 1972. After 35 years and 9 months and 4 days of full-time teaching, he retired as a selection grade professor of the department on June 30, 2008, but he could not separate himself from the teaching duties of the department and the bonds of Maya. After being a supernumerary professor in the department for five years, he became an ‘honorary professor’.

Economist and executive chairman of PPRC Hossain Zillur Rahman mentioned that the trend of caring for others has weakened in the society. He said that the late professor Sakhawat Ali Khan has done this work till his death. Those who nurture others from behind like him, their importance is immense.

Mentioning the lack of professionalism as one of the current crises in Bangladesh, this economist said, “Be it in any profession, the lack of professionalism is at the root of our crisis.” He also said that Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan has tried to give a message of professionalism throughout his life.

Hossain Zillur Rahman announced that PPRC and SED will jointly give fellowship to two young journalists every year in memory of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan. He urged Sade to implement the initiative of awarding this fellowship to one man and one woman.

Amena Mohsin, a former professor of the International Relations Department of Dhaka University, mentioned that he received ideological initiation from the late Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan to focus on research without falling in love with power. Amena Mohsin mentioned that Prof. Sakhawat Ali Khan’s philosophy was to always tell the truth against injustice through honesty, frankness and professionalism and to maintain the importance of merit over administrative positions.

Commemorating late Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, journalist Farid Hossain said that he was a pioneer of ethical and ethical journalism. Who always prioritized accuracy of information over fast news.

According to Farid Hossain, journalism is about questioning those in power, but nowadays journalists are becoming part of power and are divided by party lines. He cited Sakhawat Ali’s modest personality and ideal of uncompromising courage in journalism as exemplary for the new generation.

Professor Robayet Ferdous of Dhaka University’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism called the late Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan as a devoted ‘guide’.

Robayet Ferdous said, Journalism is not only about providing information, but also a means of analysis and uncovering the truth. Prof. Sakhawazat Ali Khan’s austere and unassuming life and dedication to professionalism are exemplary for the present generation.

Acting Dean of the Faculty of Sociology of Dhaka University, Professor Mohammad Moinul Islam remembered Sakhawat Ali Khan and called him a wise and non-sectarian teacher.

Mohammad Moinul Islam said Sakhawat Ali Khan proved his love for students by taking regular classes till his death. To preserve his memory, the professor proposed to publish a memorial book and institute scholarships for students.

Zakir Hossain Raju, professor of media and communication department of Independent University, said, “Sakhawat sir was not in any hurry. He was innocent. He became a devotee of education leaving aside material pursuits.

Professor Mohammad Tanjimuddin Khan of Dhaka University’s Department of International Relations called Sakhawat Ali Khan a moral standard.

Tanjimuddin Khan said, how to keep oneself innocent even from being very close to power, this great professor has taught that. He got nothing. But what he got is people’s love. This is a great advantage.

At the memorial meeting, Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan’s daughter and associate editor of Prothom Alo, Sumna Sharmeen said, ‘After father’s death, the genuine respect and love of his students seems to show that he is alive among them. He said, I have learned from him not to assert myself by being slow and steady.

Prof. Sakhawat Ali Khan’s wife Maleka Khan expressed her gratitude to her long-time colleagues and well-wishers while remembering her late spouse. The family members of Prof. Sakhawat Ali Khan including wife, two children, grandson were present in the memorial meeting.

Development activist and current chairman of SED Khushi Kabir presided over the commemoration.

Professor Dulal Chandra Biswas of Rajshahi University’s Department of Mass Communication, Journalist Anis Alamgir, Shiuli Haque, Country Representative of The SWALZ India Bangladesh, Sabrina Sharmin etc. also spoke.