Dr. Ahmed Sharif: An ocean of wisdom

Dr. Ahmed Sharif

February 13 was the 90th birth anniversary of Dr. Ahmed Sharif, a researcher, teacher and renowned writer. We had gathered at his residence in 1999 to celebrate his birthday. Even though there was singing and recitation of poems our revered sir was very thoughtful. Someone proposed that we observe this day somewhere outside the resident of Dr. Ahmed Sharif, and everyone agreed. At this, Dr. Sharif said: "Surely you may celebrate the next birthday in grandeur, but at that time I may not be alive." His prophecy came true when he died 11 days later.
Great persons are a few in a crore. One such person was Dr. Ahmed Sharif, who left for us and posterity his numerous ever-bright achievements as philosophical lessons about the problems gripping our lives and the world. Today, he is alive for us not only as a historical figure but also for all his creative and thoughtful works.
Dr. Sharif used his pen and rationality against fatalism, abstract ideas and emotion till the moment of his death. He was a free agent and bold writer who was conscious of self-dignity and freedom. The rebellious writer wrote many articles against fascism, martial rule, imperialism and class-disparity. Ahmed Sharif wrote innumerable articles on society, literature, culture, politics, philosophy and history. "Lialy Majnu," written by Ahmed Sharif, was the first book published by Bangla Academy in 1957.
Ahmed Sharif was born at Shuchakri village of Chittagong in 1921. His father Abdul Aziz was a brother of the reputed literary genius Abdul Karim Sahittya Bisharad. Young Sharif was looked after and brought up by his uncle Abdul Karim. He grew up in the midst of an invaluable store of Punthi-Sahittya and contemporary magazines, periodicals and other literary works.
Dr. Ahmed Sharif drank deep and quenched his thirst for knowledge from Abdul Karim, and earned an astounding depth of erudition for which he became so noted and popular among the people of West-Bengal that the Rabindra Bharati Bishawbiddyalay honoured him with D. Lit degree in 1993.
Ahmed Sharif passed the M.A. Examination in 1944 from the Department of Bengali Language and Literature of Dhaka University, and earned the PhD in 1976. He started his professional career as a lecturer of a college. He joined the Bengali Department of Dhaka University in 1950, where he worked for 34 years.
During his longstanding service in Dhaka University he was honoured and entrusted with the responsibility of Chairman of the Bengali Department and as a member of the University Syndicate and Senate and President of the Teachers' Association. He was elected Dean of the Faculty of Arts for four terms. He was also honoured with the dignified post of "Kazi Nazrul Islam Professor" in Chittagong University.
Dr. Ahmed Sahrif was not only a teacher and researcher, he was also the pioneer of the progressive movement of Bangladesh. He was active in almost all the resistance and revolutionary movements that took place in the country. His contributions and achievements during the liberation movement are unforgettable.
He formed the Shadhin Bangla Biplobi Parishad. His article "Itihasher Dharay Bangalee" (Bangalees in the trend and course of history), for naming East Pakistan as Bangladesh, also referred to our national anthem --"Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobashi." Dr. Ahmed Sharif was one of the organisers and speakers in the protest meet of the writers and artists in 1968 against the repression and interference of the Pakistani rulers.
Even after liberation Ahmed Sharif stood beside the people of this country against any undemocratic behaviour and defied all fascist laws forced upon by the rulers of Bangladesh. He was a real spokesman of the sentiment of the people. Ahmed Sharif formed a committee for seeking justice and protecting the basic rights of the people during the famine in 1974. He was at the vanguard in the resistance against Martial Law, and formed a committee for resistance.
His sympathy towards the exploited, oppressed people spread up to the furthest corners of the world. He expressed his hatred for aggressors in severe language. Dr. Ahmed Sharif boldly declared: "The American cult of imperialism is responsible for poverty and illiteracy of Africans, Asians and Latin Americans." He was the symbol of free thought. He wanted the rise of revolutionary forces in suppressed nations of the world.
Ahmed Sharif never used to bow his head to any power. He fired us with the lesson not to yield to any evil force. He taught us to hate injustice. He was uncompromising in his personal life and social activities.
Firm in his thoughts, words and actions, he shattered all chains of false traditions and culture. He donated his eyes and corpse for the benefit of mankind. It was mentioned in his will that the "eyes are chief organs and blood is the nucleus of life. It is wise to use the total dead body for human need than to let it be eaten by worms in the grave."
The writer is a poet.