Syed Shamsul Haq, one of Bangladesh’s best known writers passed away at the age of 81 and due to lung cancer. Mr. Haq’s literary life and career spread across genres and was known for equal mastery over novels, poetry, essays and plays. He was also vocal against religious fundamentalism.

About Syed Shamsul Haq

• He was Born on 27 December 1935 in Kurigram in then Bengal Presidency of British India.
• His notable works include Boishakhey Rochito Ponktimala, Ekoda Ek Rajjey, Birotihin Utsab, Protidhwonigon and Opor Purush.
• He also wrote innumerable patriotic songs of immense beauty which inspired the 1971 Liberation War fighters.
• Awards and Honours: Bangla Academy Literary Award (1966), Ekushey Padak (1984) and Swadhinata Padak (2000), the highest civilian award of Bangladesh for his outstanding contributions to Bengali literature.

Did You Know?

• Bangladesh, meaning “Bengal nation,” is a low-lying country formed by the alluvial plain of the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system—the largest delta in the world.
• Supported by India, East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971 after a war of independence against Pakistan.
• Bangladesh has the third largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan.
• With more than 1,000 people per square kilometer (2,600 per square mile), the country is one of the most crowded on Earth.
• Poverty is widespread, and almost half of all Bangladeshis live on less than $1 a day.