Nation pays tribute to Zafrullah
A torrent of tributes poured in from people of all walks of life for valiant freedom fighter and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday.
Eminent personalities, politicians, civil society members, environmentalists, social and cultural activists started arriving at the Shaheed Minar with wreaths before Zafrullah's body was brought there around 10:00am. Despite the scorching heat, the long queue of people reached the nearby Nursing College Gate.
Zafrullah died on Tuesday night at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital. He had been suffering from kidney, liver and other health problems.
Around 12:30pm, Zafrullah was paid a guard of honor led by Hedayetul Islam, additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka District Administration. His body was then taken to Suhrawardy Udyan where his third janaza was held.
A fourth janaza took place at Dhanmondi Gonoshahsthaya Nagar Hospital at 4:00pm.
His coffin will be at Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Savar from 10:00am to 12:30pm today for people to pay tribute. He will be laid to rest there after juma prayers.
At the Shaheed Minar, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, "Zafrullah Chowdhury was an ideal Bangalee. He was a brave freedom fighter. Some newspapers wrote 'people's doctor'. He was not just a doctor. He was also a pure, genuine Bangalee... He is the pioneer of our current healthcare system.
"He is also a pioneer of the drug policy that benefitted us. Bangalees were trying to make a lawful, democratic, and non-communal society where all citizens enjoy equal dignity. Zafrullah Chowdhury was a frontline soldier in that great war. Today, I pay my respects to him."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Zafrullah was one of the greatest sons of this soil.
"I have known him since my student life. He embarked on building the nation soon after independence. The nation benefited immensely from his valour and initiatives. Gonoshasthaya Kendra is the best example of it. We don't know whether we will ever get such an outspoken and democratic-minded figure again," he said.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said, "Today we are proud to export medicines worth $300 million. He put in unwavering efforts to formulate the drug [policy] and it has been possible due to those efforts.
"I would say that he did not participate in politics, but remained the voice of conscience in politics and took people forward. I pay my deepest respects to him."
Cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yousuff said Zafrullah could have lived in comfort in a western country, but he chose to join the Liberation War.
"In times of disasters, he always stood by the people. His initiative helped poor people access medical treatment at affordable costs. His drug policy was remarkable. His political views were different to mine, but patriotism was what we had in common," he said.
Social activist Khushi Kabir said, "Zafrullah dedicated his whole life for the people. He had love for the oppressed. The whole world will miss him, not just Bangladesh."
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