Of a seer and a discoverer
Tusar Talukder studies a journalist's life
Borennyo Shangbadik Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique Shilpotoroo Prokashoni
The book Borennyo Sangbadik Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique calls for a review for numerous reasons. The book has been published on the occasion of Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique's 50th birth anniversary. More particularly, this initiative was taken to celebrate the multi-faceted nature of Hai's work. This volume shows that Hai is a journalist who has, in many ways, been capable of attracting the attention of a good number of illustrious men from various professions. In a sense, it is quite difficult to pen a successful review of a book like this because a number of prominent figures of our society have attempted to view Abdul Hai from different angles.
In the prologue to the book, Dr. Emajuddin Ahmed, a former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and certainly a prominent educationist of our country, notes that two personality traits of Dr. Siddique, namely, politeness and honesty helped him much in being where he is today. I would like to add, by going one step ahead of Dr. Emajuddin, that Dr. Hai's 'communicativeness' assisted him a lot in being popular with his well-wishers and admirers.
Dr. Hai is not an ordinary journalist; rather he is more than a journalist. A true journalist should be a seer of the unseen; he or she must be a discoverer of the undiscovered. And yet, not too many journalists possess these qualities. However, I have reason to think that he is a real seer and discoverer of sheer truth.
At the outset, the editor of the book, Syed Abdal Ahmed, attempts to browse through the whole book at a glance. Needless to say, his editorial obviously made my job easier. Since the book brings in the contributions of 120 writers, it is not possible to cover the whole book in one review. Keeping this truth in mind, I have covered those write-ups which, I thought, must be focused on. Let me begin this part of my review with the valuable comments of Dr. Moniruzzaman regarding Dr. Siddique. In his article, he explores the idea that Dr. Hai should be a representative figure for youth. He ends the essay on a note of hope --- that Abdul Hai will expand his regime of social welfare with much confidence. Another essay which has fascinated me much is by Dr. Safiuddin Ahmad, who notes that he and Abdul Hai are soul mates. He likes to believe Dr. Siddique's perseverance and faith in people made him a man with a great heart. Furthermore, he flips through some incidents happening in different times in both their lives. He also discusses those qualities of Siddique which are really needed for credible, meaningful research. In the concluding part of his essay, he notes that though he sometimes forgets to communicate with everyone he knows, Siddique never forgets to communicate with his all acquaintances.
In an essay, Ehsanul Haque Milon, a former minister of state for education, quotes John F Kennedy, which, I anticipate you all know, can be applied to describing the patriotism of Dr. Siddique. This article bears testimony to Hai's involvement in multiple social works. Hai, in contact with the essayist himself, has raised his voice against all kinds of injustices at different times. At the end of the essay, some personal reminiscences of the writer have been added, which, I think, have enhanced the importance of this writing in many ways. Dr. Syed Rashidul Hasan, in his article, emphasises the substantiality of Siddique's PhD thesis in the present context of Bangladesh. Again, Dr. Sukomol Barua is moved by two special personality traits of Dr. Hai, namely, urbanity and candour. Another contributor, Abdul Ali Mridha, believes that Siddique is a special gift to the people of Raipura village. The title of Bahalul Haque Choudhury's essay maintains that the Hai personality is mainly comprised of three qualities, namely, honesty, honest desire and brevity.
A special feature about the book is that starts as well as ends with the essays of a long time friend of Dr Hai, Abul Hossain Pathan. Humayun Malik, in his story-like essay, expresses his deep love for Dr. Siddique. In his words, Dr. Hai snatched victory over fate in his life's journey. Malik confidently serves us the information that Siddique has never looked back; rather he always looks forward. He believes Hai's dedicated soul helps him go ahead without any difficulties. On the whole, he sings a song of Siddique's successes. Syed Fattahul Alim, once a colleague of Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique, talks about Hai's tendency to stay away from projecting himself. Siddique's ways of thinking about our politics, political leaders and country have been brought to the forefront through this essay from Syed Alim. Md. Hafiz Ullah, a well-wisher of Dr. Hai, acknowledges that Dr. Hai is committed to the people of this nation. Therefore, he relentlessly works for the people of our country. Last but not the least, one cannot but refer to the article written by Dr. Hai's wife, Momtaj Jahan Deepti. She would have you know that greed has never been able to touch Abdul Hai. In this regard, she has brought in many examples to indicate his simplicity. Some poems also have embellished the book, penned by numerous friends and younger siblings of Dr. Hai. They are images of the life of Dr. Hai.
I cannot but recall a saying from the well-known cricket player Sachin Tendulkar to evaluate Abdul Hai from my viewpoint: "Some stones are thrown at me and I have made them milestones". No doubt Dr. Hai has turned the stones coming at him into milestones.
Tusar Talukder, a free-lance writer and translator, teaches English Literature at World University of Bangladesh.
E-mail: tusar.talukder@gmail.com
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