Gone, but not forgotten

I want to pay my tribute to former The Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam. He was a giant among giants, a gentleman among gentlemen. There's an old saying, 'Out of sight, out of mind,' but that's not always true. Take Mahbubul Alam as an example. The first anniversary of the death of this former editor and doyen of the Bangladesh newspaper industry was June 6, but for reasons I cannot explain he has never really left my thoughts. It would seem he's made permanent residence in a small corner of my brain and he flashes a torch from time to time just to let me know he's there.

Mahbubul was the first Bangladeshi newspaper editor I had the pleasure of meeting some 20 years ago on my first visit to Bangladesh and my admiration for him was instant. My opinion then, as it is now, is that he was a consummate professional and a gentleman in every respect. Anyone would find it impossible to dislike him. What I particularly enjoyed was his frankness and willingness to call a spade a spade and serve his opinions without even a hint of sugar coating, apologies or excuses. He was a man of considerable knowledge and experience in many fields.

Why I remember Mahbubul so often is perhaps because it was he who encouraged me to write about corporal punishment in Bangladesh's schools. It was my privilege and pleasure to know him. He is gone but not forgotten. 

Sir Frank Peters
On e-mail