AS Mahmud's 7th death anniversary today

Today is the 7th death anniversary of Abu Sayeed Mahmud, founding managing director of Mediaworld, the owning company of The Daily Star, and the founder chairman of Ekushey TV.
He passed away in London on January 22, 2004 after being in a coma for several days in the wake of a stroke on November 6 the year before.
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 -- AS Mahmud was its principal inspiration and organiser.
ETV gained quick fame and popularity for its innovative programmes and creative shows. It was his dream project that he created and established successfully, giving Bangladesh a private TV channel that could compare itself in standards, innovations, and creativity with similar ventures globally.
AS Mahmud was born into an illustrious family in Sylhet in 1933. Famous 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 the independence of Bangladesh, 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 of companies.
He later left Transcom and founded ETV. He was greatly disheartened when ETV was closed down on August 29, 2002 after a legal battle.