Mahbubul Alam remembered…

Mahbulbul Alam.11th Death Anniversary2025 _sirfrankpeters@gmail.com_

Those who are remembered, be it a Freedom Fighter or loved one, never die

Sir Frank Peters

Despite the vast number of ‘deaths’ in Bangladesh annually, there are some people who never die.

Sure they are physically not present where they can be seen hugged, or engage with us in banter or in social activities, but nevertheless, their presence is felt. Somehow they’re always present as if their spirit is transported by the wind or sunlight.

It’s much similar to Bangladeshi family members who are working overseas in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Malaysia, or wherever. They’re not dead. They’re not present to be seen, hugged, or smiled upon, but they’re constantly in the thoughts and prayers of the loved ones they left behind.

I doubt if a day goes by without their names or faces do not spring to the minds of those who love and admire them, for one reason or another.

Former iconic Independent Editor and consummate gentleman Mahbubul Alam is a member of that elite group. Sure, for convenience, us earthlings say he’s dead, but is he really?

If Allah calls you home isn’t that a bit like your mother or father calling you for a meal as a child and you begrudgingly stop playing with your friends even though you are having great fun playing football, cricket, or whatever and go?

Isn’t it like getting a special visa, a one-way ticket, and a life-long engagement contract to another country, never to return? Death doesn’t come into the equation, only separation. While a person is remembered they are never dead.

Those remembered never die

Right now if one were to walk into the offices of The New Nation, The Asian Age, The Daily Sun, The Daily Star, any of the TV news channels, or news portals like Green Watch, Blitz, The Country Today or BD Reports and mention – even in a whisper – the name Mahbubul Alam ignite a prayer and bring a bright twinkle in reverence to the eyes of many.

It’s impossible to even imagine Mahbubul having any enemies. He was that rare type of human being compassionate to the core and a consummate gentleman. He had the gift of making people feel special. It’s no wonder people warmed to him instantly and no surprise he isn’t, and won’t be, forgotten.

The newspaper doyen was a complete gentleman and a flawless professional who brought great respect and immeasurable dignity to the Bangladesh newspaper industry.

It’s hard to believe that June 6, 2025 marks the 11th anniversary of his passing.

Mahbubul was one-time editor of The New Nation – the first English-language newspaper in Bangladesh ¬– and the weekly Dialogue. Continuing on his successful path he landed the equally prestigious position of Editor of the Independent, which he held for 18-years until his death at 9:25am on Friday, June 6, 2014, at the BIRDEM hospital in Dhaka.  Mahbubul, 78, was buried at Azimpur Graveyard in Dhaka.

In 2007, Mahbubul became the Information Affairs Advisor to the caretaker government. Among the other accolades that peppered his illustrious career, he was the beam of light and inspiration that led the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) as its president until his death.

He was also a former managing director and Chief Editor of state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and the veteran journalist worked as minister (press) at the Bangladesh missions in Washington DC and London. He also represented Bangladesh as the Ambassador to Bhutan.

He led an illustrious career in life and continues to be an inspiration and influence to those who were fortunate enough to have met him, better still to have know him.

While we still use keyboards and there’s truth and integrity in our reports, Mahbubul will be with us.

Happy belated 11th Anniversary in Heaven Mabubul!

Belated? – My intensely beloved and treasured 12-year-old MacBook Pro laptop, gifted to me by Sheikh Majid Al Muella, succumbed to life-threatening complications and not even Tanveer Hossain and his elite team at Mac Systems Solutions in Farmgate could save. No doubt, Mahbubul you saw that I tried.

(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, royal goodwill ambassador, humanitarian, and a foreign friend of Bangladesh. )