Serajur Rahman

A. N. M. Serajur Rahman (1934 – 1 June 2015) was a Bangladeshi-born British journalist and broadcaster. From 1960 to 1994, he worked for BBC World Service, and was the deputy chief of BBC Bangla Service before retirement.

Early life

Rahman was born in Noakhali in the then Bengal Presidency. His father Mawlana Habibur Rahman was a teacher and scholar at Alia Madrasa in Calcutta. He spent most of his early years in Calcutta matriculating with distinction in 1947 from Calcutta Mitra Institution School. He was actively involved in the Mukuler Mahfil Youth Organisation. He regularly published articles and short stories in the youth sections of the Daily Azad, Daily Nabajug and Weekly Millat of Calcutta. He regularly participated in programs of All India Radio.

In 1947, after the partition of India Rahman moved to Dhaka, and was admitted to Dhaka College. He was actively involved in the Bengali Language Movement when it started in 1948. He was elected by his college to liaise with the University of Dhaka Students' Action Committee.

Career

Rahman continued his formal career in journalism. He served in the news departments of the Biweekly Pakistan, Daily Zindegi, Daily Insaf and The Daily Millat. In January 1953, he was appointed editor of the British Information Service in Dhaka. Under his leadership the press section expanded to include 12 journalists. Rahman during this time also edited a daily bi-lingual news bulletin, the fortnightly British Darpan and the magazine Ajker Commonwealth. From 1954 to 1959, he was also a part-time lead writer in The Daily Ittefaq.

In January 1960, Rahman joined the then East Pakistan section of the BBC World Service. He helped to coordinate the Bangladesh Liberation War's international publicity. In February 1994, he retired as the Deputy Head of the Bengali Section of the BBC World Service. After his retirement, he wrote columns in different newspapers in Bangladesh.

Awards and recognition

In 2002, Rahman was awarded the Ekushey Padak. In 2004, he was one of 15 people whom Bangladesh high commission in UK honored for their significant role there during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Personal life and death

Rahman was married to Sophia Rahman. He had one daughter and son, Susan Rahman Shapan Rahman, who both died before him.

On 1 June, Rahman died at around 11 am in Royal Free Hospital in London. He was suffering from some critical medical condition and illness for two months, including lung disease and other complications.