Tributes paid to Dr Alauddin Al Azad

People from all walks of life pay their last respect to writer Dr Alauddin Al Azad at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid their last tribute to renowned poet and writer Dr Alauddin Al Azad by showering flowers on his coffin at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city yesterday.
The coffin of the veteran writer, who died at his Uttara residence in the city on Friday night after suffering from various old-age ailments at the age of 77, was brought to the Shaheed Minar in the morning.
Politicians, cultural personalities and activists, teachers and students converged on the area to bid adieu to him.
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former state minister Obaidul Kader paid respect to the poet. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, CPB President Manjurul Ahsan Khan and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique also paid their last respects.
Former prime minister and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia expressed profound shock at Azad's death. In a condolence message, she said the outstanding writings of Dr Azad have enriched Bangla literature.
The poet's wife Prof Jamila Azad and his relatives also paid last tribute by laying wreaths on the coffin.
Different organisations, including Jatiya Ganatantrik League, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Andolan, Writers' Foundation Bangladesh, Bangla Academy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, and Dhaka University Journalists' Association also condoled the death.