Abu Sayeed Mahmud's 10th death anniversary today

Today is the 10th death anniversary of Abu Sayeed Mahmud, founding managing director of Mediaworld which owns The Daily Star and founder chairman of Ekushey TV.
Slipping into a coma for several days following a stroke on November 6, 2003, Sayeed passed away in London on January 22, 2004. He was 71.
He was one of the architects of The Daily Star, and it was his untiring zeal and commitment to free media that set the course for the subsequent success of this paper. His initial leadership was crucial for its reputation and growth.
As the chairman of ETV, Bangladesh's first terrestrial private television channel that went on air on April 14, 2000, Sayeed was its principal inspiration and organiser.
It was Sayeed's dream project that he created and established successfully, giving Bangladesh a private TV channel that could compare itself in standards, innovations, and creativity to similar global ventures.
Sayeed was born in an illustrious family in Sylhet in 1933. Widely acclaimed writer Syed Mujtaba Ali was his maternal uncle.
He graduated from Dhaka University and became a successful businessman. He was elected president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry for four consecutive terms from 1988.
His career started in Shell Oil Company from which he joined Pakistan National Oil (PNO) after its launch.
After Bangladesh achieved independence, PNO was renamed Jamuna Oil Company, of which he became the deputy chief before quitting in 1977 to enter the world of private business by joining Transcom Group.
He later left Transcom Group and founded ETV.