Journalist Toab Khan laid to eternal rest

Ekushey Padak winning veteran journalist and Editor of the Dainik Bangla Toab Khan laid to rest at Banani graveyard in the city Monday.

The body was first taken to the Dainik Bangla office at 10:00 am where his first namaz-e-janaza was held. Later, his body was taken to Central Shaheed Minar at about 11:30 am.

At the Central Shaheed Minar, he was first given a guard of honour. It was led by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shahidul Islam.

On behalf of the President his Assistant Military Secretary Jahangir Alam, on behalf of the Prime Minister her Assistant Military Secretary GM Rajib Ahmad and on behalf of Bangladesh Awami League its General Secretary Obaidul Quader paid tributes to the coffin of Toab Khan.

Awami League Organising Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Technical Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan and many others were also present.

Apart from this, various organisations led by Shahriar Kabir, Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Cultural Alliance, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Dhaka University Chhatra League, Sampriti Bangladesh and Bangladesh Recitation Coordinating Council paid tribute to the eminent journalist.

Family members including his daughter Tania Khan, brother prominent journalist Abed Khan, nephew journalist Salim Khan were present at Shaheed Minar on behalf of Toab Khan's family.

At about 1:00 pm, the body brought to the National Press Club where the second namaz-e-janaza was held.

Before the janaza, Jatiya Press Club president Farida Yasmin said, “We are deeply saddened as Toab Khan a lifelong member of the National Press Club, has left us. It seems, even nature is crying that we are bidding a final farewell to Toab Khan.”

“We will never forget him. A history of journalism in the country is coming to an end with Toab Khan” she added.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said, “Toab Khan was a legend in the history of journalism in Bangladesh. He made a brave contribution during the liberation war in 1971. After the liberation war, he worked as the press secretary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, worked as the chief information officer and also worked as the director general of PIB.”

“When Dainik Pakistan changed its name to Dainik Bangla, its first editor was Toab Khan. Today he left us while being the editor of Dainik Bangla. Many famous journalists of Bangladesh have been born from his hands” he added.

President of Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin, Editor of Prothom Alo Motiur Rahman, Editor of Daily Jugantor Saiful Alam, Executive Editor of Daily Janakantha Kamrul Islam Khan and president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Omar Farooq paid their respects on behalf of senior journalists.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Education Minister Dipu Moni, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Zahid Tushar also paid tribute to Toab Khan.

After the janaza, Jatiya Press Club, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Bangladesh Sub-Editor Council, Dainik Prothom Alo, Daily Dainik Kantha, Janakantha, Journalist Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, Muktijoddha Journalist Forum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and others paid their respects.

After that the body was then taken to his residence in Gulshan. Another janaza was held at Gulshan Azad Masjid.

Before the third janaza prayer at Azad Masjid, Toab Khan’s younger brother Obaidul Kabir Khan prayed for his forgiveness.

After the janaza, Toab Khan was buried in his daughter Esha Khan’s grave at Banani graveyard.

Toab Khan died at the age of 88 from complications arising out of old age at a city hospital at about 12.30 pm on Saturday.