‘I turned my pain into a movement to save people’s lives’: Ilias Kanchan

Veteran actor and founder-chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa), Ilias Kanchan, has urged the people of Bangladesh to come forward and help advance the movement for safer roads. He also revealed that he is currently unwell and asked the people of the country to pray for his speedy recovery.

Kanchan made the remarks while attending the 11th National Rally of Nirapad Sarak Chai, held yesterday (Friday, August 7) at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

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“Thirty-three years ago, I turned a deep personal pain into a movement to save people’s lives. Today, that movement has become a movement of people across the country. It is no longer Ilias Kanchan’s movement; it is a movement of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.

Speaking about his health, Kanchan said, “I am currently physically unwell. I sincerely ask the people of Bangladesh to pray for me. May Almighty Allah grant me a speedy recovery and give me the strength to once again actively work alongside the people and for the safe road movement.”

Wishing the people of Bangladesh good health, safety, peace and prosperity, Kanchan called on the government, administration, elected representatives, transport owners and workers, engineers, researchers, teachers, students, the media and every conscious citizen to become part of the safe road movement.

“We are not opponents of one another. We are all fellow fighters in the effort to save human lives. I am entrusting my dream to you. Even if I am no longer here, I hope you will continue to play your part in ensuring safer roads,” he said.

Kanchan returned to Bangladesh last Monday after spending more than 15 months in the United Kingdom for medical treatment. He had been receiving treatment in London since April last year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His treatment was carried out at a hospital in London and at the home of his daughter, Ema Islam. In August last year, he underwent brain surgery at a London hospital. Although doctors removed a large portion of the tumour, they could not remove it entirely due to the risks involved. He was later informed that he had brain cancer.

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Following the surgery, Kanchan underwent a prolonged course of treatment. During the first phase, he received chemotherapy for three consecutive months, followed by oral therapy.