Farewell Saleem-Bhai!

Heartbreaking news surfaced from Dhaka as the warm city lost one of the active residents with the demise of journalist, author and a progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. The gentleman with enough issues to talk to anyone anywhere and anytime passed away on 22 February 2026. He died undergoing cancer treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the age of 74. The smiley Dhakayan, full of life and energy, breathed his last at 11:30 am on Sunday. Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship (1990) for his work on environment and developmental activities, Samad used to contribute articles for TIME magazine, India Today, Outlook, Al Jazeera, International Affairs Review, News Times, Shuddhashar, Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka Tribune, Daily Star, Dhaka Courier, etc.

Born on 13 November 1952 in Dhaka, Samad completed his graduation from Jagannath College in 1976 and went to the USA for a master's course in Colorado State University. He did journalism all along his life besides playing a visible role in training a large number of novice journalists from small towns and rural areas of Bangladesh. He also conducted a series of workshops on environment and development journalism for south Asian journalists in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan.

Samad as a young reporter earned instant popularity with a media report on Shanti Bahini from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in south Bangladesh. As a journalist and media columnist, Samad continued his courageous endeavours pursuing investigative works and defending media rights. In 2002, Samad was arrested on charges of sedition as he freelanced for an international media outlet and put him in jail for over 50 days. He was subjected to physical torture during the days in custody. Two years later, Samad was forced to leave Bangladesh. He returned to his home country from six-year exile in Canada in 2010.

A permanent member of Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity, Samad was also associated with a number of acclaimed global organizations namely USAID, UNICEF, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Academy for Educational Development, Forum of Environmental Journalists Bangladesh, Environment & Social Development Organisation, Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism & Communication, etc.

During my first visit to Dhaka in 2001, I had the opportunity to meet a number of working journalists, who remained friends to me always. However, some of the great souls including Mahbubul Alam, then editor of The Independent and his colleagues Mrinal Roy (business correspondent) and Syed Lutful Haque (staff cartoonist) as well as FEJB president Quamrul Islam Chowdhury had already left this world. Whenever I visit the crowded city, I will miss all of them. In my last visit to Bangladesh, I made a personal visit to his family. Jasmine Bhabi, while offering a hot cup of tea, exclaimed- have it and ignore the taste, as it’s difficult to satisfy a brother-in-law from the land of tea (Assam). It was really tasty and I admired her preparation (tea bags with milk and sugar).

Good bye Saleem-bhai, for being an unconditional well-wisher, friend and approver beyond our religious affiliations! May Almighty offers enough strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss!

• Nava Thakuria is a journalist based in Guwahati, Northeast India. He contributes a wide range of international media outlets, reporting on politics, human rights, media issues, and the environment. Email: navathakuria@gmail.com