Renowned journalist, dramatist and poet Rafiqul Haque, popularly known as ‘Dadubhai’, died on Sunday. He was 85.
Journalist Rafiqul, who had been suffering from old-age complications, breathed his last at his own residence in Mugda area in Bangladesh capital Dhaka at about 11:00am, said his family members.
Rafiqul Haque, feature editor of Daily Jugantor, returned to his workplace after surviving Covid-19 last year. However, he was completely bedridden for the past six months due to his old-age complications.
He left behind his wife, two sons and one daughter to mourn his death.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak winning rhymer and journalist Rafiqul Haque Dadubhai.
In a condolence message, the prime minister prayed for the salvation of departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Rafiqul Haque Dadubhai was born on January 8, 1937 in Kamal Kachna area of Rangpur.
He was the initiator of a children’s page called ‘Chander Hat’, published in the Daily Purbodesh, from which he got the title of ‘Dadubhai’.
Haque served as the Executive Editor of the Dainik Rupali, the Dainik Janata, and worked in several important positions in the Dainik Azad, the Dainik Lal Sabuj, The Bangladesh Observer and his last workplace, the Daily Jugantor, during his distinguished career.
From 1976 until 1983, he was the acting editor of the Kishore Bangla, the Indian subcontinent’s only weekly newspaper dedicated to children.
In 2019, Rafiqul Haque Dadubhai received the Bangla Academy Award and the Bangladesh Children’s Academy Award for his significant contribution to Bengali children’s literature. He received numerous prizes including the Agrani Bank Children’s Literature Award, Chandrabati Academy Award, and All India Children’s Literature Award.