MUNSHIGANJ, July 27, 2023 (BSS) – Veteran journalist and valiant freedom fighter M Shahjahan Mia was laid to eternal rest with full state honor at his village home at Kazirgaon in Louhajang upazila of the district this evening, a day after he breathed his last at his Dhaka residence.

Mia, 79, also a veteran journalists’ trade union leader, passed away on Wednesday night at his Rampura residence where he was passing his last days with old age complications after taking treatment in a city hospital last week.

Before his burial, a namaz-e-janaza was held after Asr prayers at Kazirgaon Government Primary School ground.

A contingent of police under the leadership of Louhajang Upazila assistant commissioner (Land) Ilias Ahmed conferred a guard of honor on him ahead of his burial at his village home, paying homage as a 1971 veteran.

A large number of people cutting across social strata including freedom fighters joined his namaz-e-janaza and took part in prayers after his burial.

Mia’s first janaza was held after Zohr prayers at the National Press Club premises where a large number of journalists and leaders of their trade unions and the Press Club joined the janaza and made brief comments commending Mia for his integrity both as a journalist and journalist leader.

They gave a somber farewell to Mia offering wreaths on his coffin.

National news agency BSS was Mia’s main professional workplace where he joined in 1972 and retired in 2004 as its Chief News Editor. He was elected five times as president of undivided Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and two times as secretary general of Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).

He served for a period of three years as a diplomat as he was appointed as the Minister Press in Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC from 1997.

After the janaza at the Press Club a wreath was offered on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim. Another wreath was offered on behalf of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Hasan Mahmud by the ministry’s staff.

BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad led the national news agency newsmen and general section staff in offering wreaths.

After obtaining his honours and masters degree from the premier Dhaka University in history, Mia made his professional debut in now defunct English daily The People’s and then obtained a diploma and master degree in mass communication and journalism from the same university.

Mia left behind his wife, one daughter, two sons and a large number of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.

BSS Board of Directors Chairman Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad and BSS journalists, officers and employees mourn his death and expressed deep condolence to the bereaved family.

They also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.