Speakers at a discussion yesterday paid glowing tributes to renowned child organiser and journalist Mohammad Modabber for his pioneering role in organising the children to enable them to make a difference in their communities.
Noted educationists Prof Anisuzzaman and Dr Rafiqul Islam also unveiled a memorial book at the discussion marking the birth centenary of Modabber, popularly known as 'Baghban Bhai', who led the historic 'Mukul Child Movement' in the country with a view to ensuring the rights of children and juveniles.
Speakers at the discussion said Modabber was also a veteran anti-British movement leader and he was arrested several times and faced repression because of his involvement in the movement.
He wanted to establish a democratic society where the rights of children would be protected, they said, adding that Modabber believed youths could play the most important role in removing injustice and irregularities from society.
Modabber's pursued his journalistic career from 1924 to 1945 and he always believed in authentic news, the speakers said, adding that those who learned journalism under his supervision became renowned journalists later.
He was probably the first Muslim news editor in West Bengal, said Prof Kazi Madina.
During the historic language movement, Modabber wrote some remarkable write-ups criticising the then government of Pakistan, she added.
Modabber, born on October 6 in 1908 in West Bengal, also authored a number of books of journalism, history and literature.
Mohammad Modabber's Birth Centenary Celebration Committee organised the discussion at Sufia Kamal Auditorium at the National Museum in the city.