Bangla Academy DG Habibullah Siraji dies

Banglapress Desk: Bangla Academy director general and poet Habibullah Siraji passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka Monday night. He was 72. He left his wife, son and two daughters to mourn his death. ‘Bangla Academy DG Habibullah Siraji passed away at about 11:00pm on Monday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital,’ Bangla Academy secretary AHM Lokman confirmed the news. He said that his body will be kept on Bangla Academy premises at 10:00am on Tuesday. ‘His first namaje janaza will be held at the academy premises and second namaje janaza will be held at Azimpur Graveyard where he will be laid to rest,’ Lokman told the reporters. Bangla Academy director general and poet Habibullah Siraji passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka Monday night. He was 72. He left his wife, son and two daughters to mourn his death. ‘Bangla Academy DG Habibullah Siraji passed away at about 11:00pm on Monday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital,’ Bangla Academy secretary AHM Lokman confirmed the news. He said that his body will be kept on Bangla Academy premises at 10:00am on Tuesday. ‘His first namaje janaza will be held at the academy premises and second namaje janaza will be held at Azimpur Graveyard where he will be laid to rest,’ Lokman told the reporters. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of Habibullah Siraji. She prayed for the eternal salvation of his departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Habibullah Siraji had been suffering from different old age complications, including heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure. He underwent surgery at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital on April 7. Doctors removed a tumour from his abdomen and he had been receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Born on December 31, 1948, the poet was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2016. He became the director general of Bangla Academy on December 20, 2018. He also served as the president of Jatiya Kabita Parishad. As a writer and poet, he developed a sustained practice over the years. The books he penned include Kabiraj Building-er Chhad, Dao Briksha Dao Din, Momshilper Khoykhoti, Haoa Kole Jora Gari, Swapnahinatar Pakshe, Premer Kabita, Nirbachita Kabita, Kabitasamagra and others. BP/SM