President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of veteran journalist, columnist and Swadhinata Padak winning writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.
In a message of condolence, President Hamid said:"Bangladesh has lost a pioneer who was progressive, creative and believed in the spirit of the Liberation War. His immortal song on language movement gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation during the Liberation War."
In a seperate message, the PM said: "Writer of 'Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano' Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury with his talents and works upheld the spirit of the country's Liberation War and non-communal spirit of the Bengalis till his death."
He (Gaffar Chowdhury) also put forth the country's true history before the nation and supported the Father of the Nation's dream to build a "Golden Bangladesh" in his writings, Sheikh Hasina added.
The PM also said Gaffar Chowdhury had inspired freedom fighters through his writings in the weekly "Joy Bangla" newspaper during the period of Liberation War.
They both prayed for the departed soul of Gaffar Chowdhury and conveyed his deepest condolences to his bereaved family.
The 88-year-old political analyst and poet breathed his last at Barnet Hospital in London due to cardiac arrest around 6.45 am (local time).
