Website launched in memory of legendary entrepreneur Latifur Rahman

Right from the start, iconic and legendary entrepreneur Latifur Rahman earned success in his life through his robust values, hard work and through his honesty.

Yesterday was his 76th birth anniversary and to mark the occasion a website was launched in his name to highlight his life from the start to end.  The website (https://www.latifurrahman.com/) was launched at a virtual programme around 12:00pm yesterday.

Latifur Rahman overcame hundreds of obstacles to establish a successful business group -- Transcom Group -- that attained international recognition.

He was also the founding director of Mediaworld, the owning company of The Daily Star, and chairman of Mediastar, the owning company of Prothom Alo, both leading English and Bangla newspapers of the country with which he has left behind a legacy of being a patron to independent media in the country.

The website has been created at the initiative of Bangla daily Prothom Alo and was officially launched by Latifur Rahman's eldest daughter and Transcom Group CEO Simeen Rahman.

Addressing the programme, she said, "Keeping the memory, documentation was very important to my father. Whenever he had the opportunity, he would take pictures with his camera, store theatre tickets, brochures, and scan letters. He used to say, one day none of these will exist. We will all depart, only memories will remain.

"I didn't understand before why he used to say these things. Now I understand how important the memory is. We remember him through these memories. I hope this website will encourage not only those who know him, but also others who do not know him," she added.

Simeen Rahman expressed hope that the next generation of industrial entrepreneurs will learn about his business and values.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman said, "Latifur Rahman was our chairman. He is still deep in our hearts. He is still with us. Because, he was with all the success of Prothom Alo and he still is.

"His [Latifur Rahman's] thought was that Bangladesh would be a truly democratic state, governed by a democratic system. That is why there is a need for a strong and independent media in Bangladesh. From that thought, he was involved with The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. We have been inspired by him from the beginning to the end," Matiur Rahman added.

"…Through the inauguration of this website, we present our respect and love for him. We will uphold the ideals, goals and ethics of Latifur Rahman in all our work and it will be reflected in all our work," Matiur Rahman further said.

In 2017, Transcom Beverages Limited received PepsiCo's "Global Bottler of the Year 2016 Award". A video clip of a speech by Latifur Rahman in that programme and a documentary on Latifur Rahman's grandson Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, "Chhotu", were screened at the programme.

His grandson Zaraif Ayaat Hossain and other officials and employees of Transcom Group and Mediastar Limited were present at the virtual event.