DHAKA, Mar 28, 2024 (BSS) – Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) journalists and general section staff (BSS) today paid rich tributes to former managing director and chief editor of the national news agency and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim staging a memorial meeting and special prayers.

   “He carried out his journalism profession with integrity and courage for over past five decades,” incumbent BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad told the memorial meeting attended as well by Karim’s wife Momtaz Shireen Karim  and son Moeenul Karim Abhash.

   Azad said as throughout his career he maintained a professional standard with reputation and as a 1971 veteran he never compromised with the spirit of the Liberation War.

   Karim, fondly called by his nickname Helal by colleagues in BSS as journalistic arena, breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on March 10. He made his debut as a journalist in BSS in 1972 as a staff correspondent.

  Besides being a BSS journalist, Karim served as correspondent of UK-based BBC, Press Trust of India (PTI), India’s The Statesman and India Today.

    Colleagues, many in emotion chocked voice recalled his humane and professional quality as a colleague and chief executive of the national news agency recalling their personal memories.

   They said professional ethics and personal values earned Helal enmity of vested quarters but never was he found to be revengeful despite his closeness to people in the helm of affairs.   

   They said even after switching his job as the premier’s press secretary, he was always remained concerned about the welfare of the former colleagues in BSS and in the profession. 

   “So far I know, my husband felt BSS as his family, for that reason, he always took care of BSS people,” Momtaz Shireen Karim said.

   BSS Managing Editor Anisur Rahman presided over the discussion, while BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President and Chief News Editor of BSS Omar Faruque, Chief News Editor (Bangla) Samir Kanti Barua, BSS City Editor and BFUJ Vice President Madhusudan Mandol, BSS Special Correspondent Anup Khastagir, President of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Deputy Chief Reporter Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, Deputy Chief Reporter Sazzat Hossain, Coordinator Abu Sayeed and BSS administration wing chief Mohammad Ali Khan Apu apoke among others on the occasion.

   The discussion was followed by a milad mahfil and prayers seeking eternal blessings for the departed soul while it was preceded by an iftar mahfil.