Homage paid to Journalist Ajoy Paul

News desk
shottobani

Londonঃ On Monday, 16 January, UK Bengali journalist paid their last respects to prominent journalist Ajoy Paul. On the day, from 1.30 to 2.30 pm, the body of the deceased journalist was kept at the altar of the central Shahid Minar in Altab Ali Park, East London, for the tributes of all people.

The event was organised under the supervision of the Citizens’ Committee, formed on the initiative of friends and journalist colleagues of the deceased to pay their last respect. The Member Secretary of the Citizens Committee, journalist Ahad Chowdhury Babu, conducted while Dilu Naser read a brief biography of the deceased. Then, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for the deceased. Then, Himangshu Goswami and Gauri Chowdhury paid their last respects by singing the national anthem.

Bangladesh High Commission’s Minister (Press) Ashequn Nabi Chowdhury, President of UK Bangla Reporters Unity Matiar Chowdhury, Shottobani Editor, UK Nirmul Committee President Syed Anas Pasha, Janomot Editor Syed Nahas Pasha, Senior Journalist Abdus Sattar, London Bangla Press Club Vice President Rahmat Ali, Abdul Ahad Chowdhury on behalf of UK Awami League, Altabur Rahman Mujahid on behalf of Shahid Minar Committee, Dipayan Paul, youngest son of the deceased on behalf of the family, Lead Councillor for Culture & Recreation Iqbal Hossain, Councillor Abdal Ullah, Tower Hamlets Mayor’s representative Mohammad Zubair, former president of London Bangla Press Club Nobab Uddin spoke briefly reminiscing Ajoy Paul.

Following that, the representatives of Bangladesh High Commission, London Bangla Press Club, UK Bangla Reporters Unity, Sanatan Association, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, United Kingdom JASOD, Weekly Shodesh Bidesh, BisshoBangla News24, Udichi and other cultural organisations paid their respects.

Earlier, when the body of the late Ajoy Paul was brought to Shahid Minar, the body was accepted on behalf of the Citizen Committee formed to pay last respects journalist Ansar Ahmed Ullah, artist Himangshu Goswami, artist Gauri Chowdhury, journalists A K M Masum, Kamal Mehdi, youth leader Jamal Khan, London Bangla Press Club’s treasurer Saleh Ahmed, executive member Ahad Chowdhury Babu, Imran Ahmed, journalist Biswajit Roy Apu and Jewel Raj. Then, the coffin of Ajoy Paul was taken for last rites after being showered with last respects and floral tributes from community figures, colleagues and relatives.

In December 1970, a young Ajoy Paul sent his first report to Sylhet’s oldest newspaper, Jugaveri. More than five decades of the journalistic life of Ajoy Paul are full of rare experiences and gems of monumental achievements. However, the most shining chapter in his life was the experience of working in Daily Jagaran, published from Agartala, India, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Ajoy Paul is one of those talented journalists who started a new trend in the 1970s and 1980s. The language of the news was clear, and the subject was diverse. It will not be an exaggeration to say that Ajoy Paul has made a unique contribution to modernity in Bengali journalism. He, however, deserves the credit for connecting greater Sylhet to the changing era of Bangladeshi newspapers. This achievement is confirmed by the fact that he worked in all reputed newspapers in Bangladesh, the and UK, Canada.

Among the national dailies, apart from Banglar Bani, Dainik Sangbad, Desh Bangla and Bangla Bazar, he also worked for Sylhet’s local daily Sylhet Bani for some time and for Jugaveri, Sylhet Samachar, Deshbarta and Sylhet Dhani. Initially, he served as Sylhet correspondent for Surjer Desh newspaper, published from Sunamganj. After that, he was associated with UK’s weekly Surma, Jagaran, Potrika, Deshbarta, Purbodesh and Bangla News, published from Canada. In 2008, he was the acting editor of Monthly Hridaye Bangladesh magazine, published in London.

Apart from journalism, Ajoy Paul was also unique and incomparable in poetry and composing songs. Renowned artists like Subir Nandi, and Himanshu Goswami have given voice to his songs.

At the time of his death, he left behind his wife, two sons, relatives and many well-wishers.