An inspiration for today’s generation

Litterateur, journalist and politician Abul Mansur Ahmad’s multifaceted success could be an inspiration for the present-day generation and one must follow his life and works comprehensively to achieve such feat, eminent citizens said yesterday.   

Abul Mansur Ahmad was a brave and honest chronicler of contemporary social reality. His journalism reflected progressive ideas and it was always on the side of those who were oppressed. His role as a politician is significant in the country’s history, they said at a discussion marking his 121st birth anniversary.

Abul Mansur Ahmad Smriti Parishad arranged the discussion at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of Faculty of Social Sciences of Dhaka University.

“His [Abul Mansur Ahmad’s] multifaceted life inspires me immensely,” said National Professor Anisuzzaman, who chaired the discussion. 

Anyone who wishes to write books on history must refer to his memoirs that depict objectively which are authentically our history, said Prof Anisuzzaman, adding that Abul Mansur Ahmad always wrote against hypocrisy and  duplicity of the elite. His talents were multifaceted and his vision encompassed the totality of social reality.

Abul Mansur Ahmad’s satires are important assets of the country’s literature, he further said. 

Addressing the discussion as chief guest, eminent scholar Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury said Abul Mansur Ahmad wrote on numerous topics and he was “prominent” in every field.

He said Abul Mansur Ahmad’s world of thoughts was dominated by three aspects -- economics, culture and politics. 

In economics he highlighted the role of peasantry, and he began his political career by fighting for their rights. He campaigned for recognition of farmers’ contribution in economics and realised the centrality of their role through his own experience as he came from a peasant family, said Prof Choudhury.

His satirical writings remain unmatched till today, he said, adding as a satirist, Abul Mansur Ahmad was prolific. 

In his speech, essayist Syed Abul Maksud said as a journalist Abul Mansur Ahmad was “objective”. He was “progressive” as an author while “pragmatic” as a politician.

“Abul Mansur Ahmad initiated modern journalism among Bengali Muslims,” he added. 

Prof Mahbub Murshid said Abul Mansur Ahmad did not write against religion but always attacked those who tried to take benefit from the misinterpretation of religion.

If anyone wants to take inspiration from his life, he or she must read his writings, he said. 

At present many young writers and scholars are showing a renewed interest in the writings of Abul Mansur, which is encouraging, said Prof Md Chengish Khan.

Journalists who face difficulties in their professional work could take lesson from Abul Mansur Ahmad’s life as a journalist, said journalist Kajal Rashid Shahin. 

Alongside discussion, the award-giving ceremony of an essay competition on Abul Mansur Ahmad was also part of yesterday’s programme.

Abul Mansur Ahmad Smriti Parishad took the initiative to arrange the competition for the second time, to encourage the youths’ engagement in the work of Abul Mansur in areas of history, literature and culture. 

Md Hasibul Islam, Md Saiful Islam and Sima Rani Arjya were the first,  second and third prize winners respectively in the category “Bigotry in  society and class-character in Abul Mansur Ahmad’s literature”.  The top three winners in “Context and progressiveness of Abul Mansur  Ahmad’s journalism” category were Yasmin Aktar, Russell Ahmed and Md  Emdad Ullah respectively, while Muhammad Ali Talha, Shahidul Islam, and  Md Imam Mehedi had the top three entries respectively in the category  “Politician Abul Mansur Ahmad’s thoughts on state and today’s  Bangladesh”.

In each category, first prize winners received Tk 10,000, second  prize winners got Tk 5,000, and third prize winners were handed a set of  Abul Mansur Ahmad’s books. Each winner also received a certificate and  crest.

Thanking the audience, Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star and member secretary of Abul Mansur Ahmad Smriti Parishad, said to encourage the youths, the Parishad will arrange the essay competition each year from now on.

Mahfuz Anam, youngest son of the celebrated litterateur, also invited those who took part in the competition to contribute in creating interest among their peers on Abul Mansur, holding informal discussions in their place of study or work.