Editorial
Nowazesh Ahmed's passing
We are saddened
THE passing of Dr. Nowazesh Ahmed on Tuesday night has overwhelmed us with grief and a deep sense of loss. He collapsed just after delivering a characteristically brilliant speech at our "Celebrating Life" programme, a joint effort by this paper and the Standard Chartered Bank.
A renowned photographer and agriculture scientist, Dr Nowazesh broke the frontiers of race and community to embrace the world at large. Here was a man who projected Bangladesh with his photography that always bore the indelible mark of patriotism and commitment to the nation. A confirmed bachelor, Dr. Nowazesh was associated with everything decent in our cultural arena. He was a liberal humanist who refused to be inhibited by dogmas and irrational orthodoxy. His dream was a tolerant society that would stand for certain core values.
A great believer in not only political independence, but also intellectual liberty of the nation, the versatile man had great faith in our own traditions and customs and he made determined efforts to keep those alive. A frontrunner of civil society, Dr. Nowazesh was always vocal against any violation of people's rights.
He represented a school of thought that attaches great value to refinement and liberal thinking. Dr. Nowazesh worked with success in at least two fields. While as an agriculture scientist he had to delve deep into the mysteries of nature, his sense of aesthetics coupled with technical excellence made him one of the greatest photographers we have ever had. He was active till the last moment of his life and left an example of hard work and devotion. In his last speech, he left a message for the budding photographers, telling them that carrying a camera was not enough to be a good photographer. What he was referring to is the supremacy of the mind over matter.
Dr. Nowazesh, as his friends and well wishers know, was a fine gentleman always bubbling with friendly warmth and bonhomie. Today the nation needs men like Dr. Nowazesh whose sobering influence and wisdom will help it overcome the challenges ahead. We express our sympathy for the members of the bereaved family and pray for the salvation of the departed soul.
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