A gift to society

GBNEWS24DESK//

For their extraordinary contributions in society, Akbar Ali Khan and Prof Rounaq Jahan were awarded the “Gunijon Sombardhana” by Daily Bonik Barta and Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies yesterday.

Many eminent personalities, government high ups, scholars and researchers gathered at the capital’s Sonargaon hotel to honour the two distinguished individuals, who dedicated their lives for the welfare of people and society.

At the event, a family member of late Akbar Ali Khan and Rounaq Jahan received crests from Foreign Minister Abdul Momen and Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs adviser to the prime minister.

Khan was an adviser to the caretaker government, but he resigned from the post as he was unable to perform his duties as an adviser in 2006-07.

With an illustrious career in bureaucracy already, Khan turned into a well-reputed public intellectual for his research work and literature. The eminent economist passed away on September 7 this year.

Recalling memories, Momen said he had a very good relationship with Khan.

Momen said when Khan was the economic minister at the Bangladesh embassy in the US in 1989, there was a big flood in Bangladesh. The minister then formed a forum involving Bangladeshis in the US to collect funds for the flood-hit people.

Back then, Khan had advised Momen to involve India and Nepal, and it was a great idea, Momen said, recalling his memories with Khan.