Abed Khan
Encyclopedia
Abed Khan is a prominent Journalist & Columnist of Bangladesh. He was born on 16 April 1945, in the village named Rasulpur
, Khulna district
. His maternal grandfather was one of the renowned journalists in British-India. Father of Abed Khan also advanced along the same path. That is why journalism prevailed in every horizon of his surroundings in which he was growing up ─ it was embedded in his blood. After starting his career in journalism in 1962 from daily Jehad, he has been deeply influencing, enriching and pioneering our news industry through his courageous reports, political columns and Editorial opinion (Op-ed) for almost last five decades. Alongside, he has also contributed with his creativity in electronic media. In its preliminary stage, it was constrained both by technology and infrastructure in comparison to the rest of the advanced world. Despite this limitations, his leadership to introduce modern journalism in both terrestrial and satellite channel earned popularity and acceptability among the people. He was the pioneer in this field. That is how he has become the legend of our country through his 49 years of career in Journalism; he has turned himself into a institute. Thus, being the youngest representative of the third generation of journalists, he has become most eligible to inherit his prior two generations. On the 30 June 2011, Abed Khan has reigned from the daily Kaler Kantho. As an Editor & Publisher, he is going to publish a new daily named Jagoron before February 2012.
in the same rank, which was the beginning of a long chapter of his career that was full of activity, twist and innovation. At that time, the daily Ittefaq ranked at the top of the most influential newspapers. This daily held its dominating standing for a long time without any competition close to it. Here, Abed Khan was gradually elevated through layers of shift-in-charge, chief reporter, Assistant Editor, and columnist in sequence. Only catalyst to such gradual elevation was his dexterity and creativity in journalism.
In 1 March 1971, he organized a local group titling Council for Free-Bengal Movement near Narinda-Wari area of old Dhaka and initiated the preparatory campaign for Liberation war through this organization as a convener. He witnessed the brutal devastation of the Pakistani Military during 25 March night from his office in Ittefaq Bhaban. It was the night of dreadful violence when Pakistani army burst into utterless brutality all over the area and set fire to everything in that office. Later in June, it was Abed Khan who first revealed to the world the real account of such unprecedented violence in the history of World Civilization on all over Dhaka including the newspaper offices. It was a crystal clear depiction of the first eyewitness broadcasted from the Akash Bani Radio Centre (Kolkata
) to the whole world. Earlier, he escaped from Dhaka on 29 March and crossed Indian border from Satkhira on 1 May. He started to voice a programme titling Jobab dao (Answer to Us) through Akash Bani Radio Station. It soon became widely popular among the freedom fighters. Pak Army reacted sharply to the programme and responded with a counter programme titled Jobab Nin (Take your Answers). Despite most of the presenter in the Radio used pseudonym during that period, Abed Khan was fearless to host programme in Akash bani by his actual name.
Meanwhile, he got enlisted as freedom fighter in Sector-8 of liberation war. Major Osman was in-charge of the sector by that time. Later, Major Monjoor took over the charge as commandant of sector-8. Captain Shakfiullah was the sub-sector commander to which Abed Khan belonged to. In the month of June, the National Liberation Movement Coordination Council was formed under the leadership of Moulana Bhashani with the alliance of twelve leftist-parties. Mr. Khan was one of the conveners of the western zone of this council.
The great role of young Abed Khan to spread fearless courage and inspiration among the young freedom fighters during our prideful war of Independence has remained as vivid example for us.
had been publishing a series of investigative reports prepared by Abed Khan named open Secret. New style of this series report transformed the long-established pattern of Investigation report and alters the heavily followed old structure. He quickly becomes eminent in pioneering a new style in this area of work. Activities or role of the government at that time were heavily influenced by this series. Open Secret can be termed as a key milestone in the field of Investigative journalism. This has also earned the honor of being quite popular as reference material in the study on this discipline. Afterward, he also initiated a series of column writing under the title Nibedan Iti (Offering with regards) under the pseudonym Obhajan (an ordinary man) when he was serving as Assistant Editor in the Editorial department. This series also gained huge popularity at that time.
, he resigned from it in 1995. That was the beginning of new career in his life. As a free-lancer, he kept on writing lucidly and simultaneously in several top-ranked newspapers in the country at that time – in Janakantha
, Bhorer Kajog and in Sangbad. Since 1995, Janakantha
started publishing one of his editorials titling Obhajoner Nibedan (An appeal of an ordinary man) in its editorial page along with another op-ed article under the title Let there be light at the front-page. Another series of satire article from him titling Gourananda Kobi Bhone, Shune Punyaban (Poet Gourananda describes, that the pious listen to) also attained huge popularity that was also being published in the same newspaper. Another of his Op-ed series titling Talk of the Town that was being published in the front-page of Bhorer Kajog at that time became so popular as if it was the talk of the country. Same newspaper was also publishing subeditorial article from him titling Prangone Bohirangone (Ins and outs) then. At the same time, he also kept on writing an analytical article series with insights in the Daily Sangbad titling Tritiyo Nayan (Third Eye). That was the time when Abed Khan was considered the most influential journalist and columnist to popularize a daily. That was the era when any dailies that published his razor blade-sharp articles or Op-ed, attained huge circulation and extra popularity.
This was the time when his article was also published by the expatriate version of popular Indian Dailies in Bengali named Probasi Anandabazar Patrika
. That time, Abed Khan was turning himself into a self-reliant institution – he became entirely free or independent of other institution. From 1998, the daily Prothom Alo
which was a newcomer then in the market, starts publishing sub-editorial from Abed Khan titling Kaler Kantho (Voice of the Time). Later, a freshly new daily titling Kaler Kantho appears in the market under the leadership of Abed Khan in 2009. Immediately, it attracted huge readership in a very short span of time.
Earlier, he worked for long as Editor in daily Samakal
. After taking over the responsibility at a critical juncture of Samakal
, he had miraculously turned around it at an acceptable level within 20 months.
He also played editorial role in daily Jugantor
from 2005-06 tenure. During this tenure, Jugantor could reestablish its lost image with his relentless effort, brilliance and creativity. Prior to that, he also worked for daily Bhorer Kagoj during 2003-05. Similarly, Bhorer Kagoj was also successful to banish its tainted image and recover from financial distress under the leadership of Abed Khan. He was also successful to raise its standard at an acceptable level by modernizing it in a very short period. As an Editor & Publisher, he is going to publish a new daily named Jagoron before February 2012.
Earlier of his career, he used to write stories in contemporary dailies or in supplements. Despite having the rare talent to rule over the world of literature alongside the media-world, none of those stories were published as a collection in a book due to somewhat strange reluctance. Only recently a beautiful book of fairy tales for children named 'Amader Tukunbabu' (Our Tukunbabu) has been published.
Rasulpur
Rasulpur is a village of Jalalpur Bhattian located on its road leads to Hafizabad....
, Khulna district
Khulna District
The district of Khulna consists 10859 mosques, 680 temples, 81 churches, 15 Buddhist temples and 9 tombs.-Places of interest:*The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The royal Bengal tiger inhabits the area; it is said that seeing the tiger enables a person to understand what a...
. His maternal grandfather was one of the renowned journalists in British-India. Father of Abed Khan also advanced along the same path. That is why journalism prevailed in every horizon of his surroundings in which he was growing up ─ it was embedded in his blood. After starting his career in journalism in 1962 from daily Jehad, he has been deeply influencing, enriching and pioneering our news industry through his courageous reports, political columns and Editorial opinion (Op-ed) for almost last five decades. Alongside, he has also contributed with his creativity in electronic media. In its preliminary stage, it was constrained both by technology and infrastructure in comparison to the rest of the advanced world. Despite this limitations, his leadership to introduce modern journalism in both terrestrial and satellite channel earned popularity and acceptability among the people. He was the pioneer in this field. That is how he has become the legend of our country through his 49 years of career in Journalism; he has turned himself into a institute. Thus, being the youngest representative of the third generation of journalists, he has become most eligible to inherit his prior two generations. On the 30 June 2011, Abed Khan has reigned from the daily Kaler Kantho. As an Editor & Publisher, he is going to publish a new daily named Jagoron before February 2012.
Inception of his career
Abed khan was introduced in journalism in the daily Jehad in 1962 when he was only 17 years of age. After working for almost a year there as sub-editor, he joined daily Sangbad in 1963. Next year, he moved on daily IttefaqIttefaq
The Daily Ittefaq is a daily newspaper which is one of the most published and circulated newspaper published from Bangladesh. This newspaper printed in Bengali by Ittefaq Group of Publications Limited...
in the same rank, which was the beginning of a long chapter of his career that was full of activity, twist and innovation. At that time, the daily Ittefaq ranked at the top of the most influential newspapers. This daily held its dominating standing for a long time without any competition close to it. Here, Abed Khan was gradually elevated through layers of shift-in-charge, chief reporter, Assistant Editor, and columnist in sequence. Only catalyst to such gradual elevation was his dexterity and creativity in journalism.
Liberation War
Abed khan was a prominent freedom fighter had very active role in liberation war of Bangladesh. He advocates for the freedom of speech and he carries the torch of enlightened mind. He inherited the legacy of political activity from his family. Clearly, all his political activities were entirely driven by his passion for his country and the countrymen. Consequently, we found him as the active campaigner in the Student-Movement during 1962. He also played vivid role in the Six-Point Movement of 1966. Continuing the legacy, his activity turned even firmer and uncompromising during Anti-Ayub Mass Movement in 1969.In 1 March 1971, he organized a local group titling Council for Free-Bengal Movement near Narinda-Wari area of old Dhaka and initiated the preparatory campaign for Liberation war through this organization as a convener. He witnessed the brutal devastation of the Pakistani Military during 25 March night from his office in Ittefaq Bhaban. It was the night of dreadful violence when Pakistani army burst into utterless brutality all over the area and set fire to everything in that office. Later in June, it was Abed Khan who first revealed to the world the real account of such unprecedented violence in the history of World Civilization on all over Dhaka including the newspaper offices. It was a crystal clear depiction of the first eyewitness broadcasted from the Akash Bani Radio Centre (Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
) to the whole world. Earlier, he escaped from Dhaka on 29 March and crossed Indian border from Satkhira on 1 May. He started to voice a programme titling Jobab dao (Answer to Us) through Akash Bani Radio Station. It soon became widely popular among the freedom fighters. Pak Army reacted sharply to the programme and responded with a counter programme titled Jobab Nin (Take your Answers). Despite most of the presenter in the Radio used pseudonym during that period, Abed Khan was fearless to host programme in Akash bani by his actual name.
Meanwhile, he got enlisted as freedom fighter in Sector-8 of liberation war. Major Osman was in-charge of the sector by that time. Later, Major Monjoor took over the charge as commandant of sector-8. Captain Shakfiullah was the sub-sector commander to which Abed Khan belonged to. In the month of June, the National Liberation Movement Coordination Council was formed under the leadership of Moulana Bhashani with the alliance of twelve leftist-parties. Mr. Khan was one of the conveners of the western zone of this council.
The great role of young Abed Khan to spread fearless courage and inspiration among the young freedom fighters during our prideful war of Independence has remained as vivid example for us.
Era of Post-Liberation War
Since August 1972 after the Independence of Bangladesh, the Daily IttefaqIttefaq
The Daily Ittefaq is a daily newspaper which is one of the most published and circulated newspaper published from Bangladesh. This newspaper printed in Bengali by Ittefaq Group of Publications Limited...
had been publishing a series of investigative reports prepared by Abed Khan named open Secret. New style of this series report transformed the long-established pattern of Investigation report and alters the heavily followed old structure. He quickly becomes eminent in pioneering a new style in this area of work. Activities or role of the government at that time were heavily influenced by this series. Open Secret can be termed as a key milestone in the field of Investigative journalism. This has also earned the honor of being quite popular as reference material in the study on this discipline. Afterward, he also initiated a series of column writing under the title Nibedan Iti (Offering with regards) under the pseudonym Obhajan (an ordinary man) when he was serving as Assistant Editor in the Editorial department. This series also gained huge popularity at that time.
Freelancer - A Legion of Pen
After 31 years of long service in the Daily IttefaqIttefaq
The Daily Ittefaq is a daily newspaper which is one of the most published and circulated newspaper published from Bangladesh. This newspaper printed in Bengali by Ittefaq Group of Publications Limited...
, he resigned from it in 1995. That was the beginning of new career in his life. As a free-lancer, he kept on writing lucidly and simultaneously in several top-ranked newspapers in the country at that time – in Janakantha
Janakantha
Dainik Janakantha is a Bengali language daily newspaper published from Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is owned by the Globe group . This newspaper was first published on 21 February 1993....
, Bhorer Kajog and in Sangbad. Since 1995, Janakantha
Janakantha
Dainik Janakantha is a Bengali language daily newspaper published from Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is owned by the Globe group . This newspaper was first published on 21 February 1993....
started publishing one of his editorials titling Obhajoner Nibedan (An appeal of an ordinary man) in its editorial page along with another op-ed article under the title Let there be light at the front-page. Another series of satire article from him titling Gourananda Kobi Bhone, Shune Punyaban (Poet Gourananda describes, that the pious listen to) also attained huge popularity that was also being published in the same newspaper. Another of his Op-ed series titling Talk of the Town that was being published in the front-page of Bhorer Kajog at that time became so popular as if it was the talk of the country. Same newspaper was also publishing subeditorial article from him titling Prangone Bohirangone (Ins and outs) then. At the same time, he also kept on writing an analytical article series with insights in the Daily Sangbad titling Tritiyo Nayan (Third Eye). That was the time when Abed Khan was considered the most influential journalist and columnist to popularize a daily. That was the era when any dailies that published his razor blade-sharp articles or Op-ed, attained huge circulation and extra popularity.
This was the time when his article was also published by the expatriate version of popular Indian Dailies in Bengali named Probasi Anandabazar Patrika
Anandabazar Patrika
Anandabazar Patrika is an Indian Bengali language daily newspaper published in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai by the ABP Group. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.28 million copies making it the largest circulation for a single-edition, regional language...
. That time, Abed Khan was turning himself into a self-reliant institution – he became entirely free or independent of other institution. From 1998, the daily Prothom Alo
Prothom Alo
Prothom Alo is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language.-History:Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. As at January 2009, it had an average circulation of 435,000...
which was a newcomer then in the market, starts publishing sub-editorial from Abed Khan titling Kaler Kantho (Voice of the Time). Later, a freshly new daily titling Kaler Kantho appears in the market under the leadership of Abed Khan in 2009. Immediately, it attracted huge readership in a very short span of time.
In the Cultural Sphere of Electronic Media
While Abed Khan established his trail of success in the print-media, he had similarly contributed in several ways in the electronic media as well. He first came in contact with state-run Television channel as early as pre-liberation period. During 1971, his narrative program in Akshbani Radio at Kolkata titled Jabab Dao (Answer to us) which was broadcasted in his own youthful voice was widely accepted and jolted the freedom fighter with great appreciation. After the war, he used to write script-play for a satire talk show for Bangladesh Radio. That program was also acclaimed for its use of humor. From this time, he was becoming popular in electronic media as well. 1978 marked his entry in cultural guild of Bangladesh Television. A joint presentation by the conjugal duo of Abed Khan and Dr. Sanjida Akhter which was a magazine show on couples titling Tumi ar Ami (You and me) got great popularity from its very beginning. They also conducted another magazine show on songs by the couple-artists titled ek-e Brinte (From the common root). This couple also played the role of scriptwriting and presenting a famous Eid-special program popularly known as Ananda Mela (Fair of Joy), which is a program of pure fun on Eid occasion. Among those whose attachment has led this program to reach the apex of the popularity, this couple is one of them. From this time, he became a very prominent TV-personality busy in moderating countless talk shows on TV channel. This is still continuing to date in the same flow. He was also elected once to be the president of Radio and TV Artists Association.Journalism in Electronic Media
Abed Khan served as the Chief of news and current affairs Department in Ekhushey Television from 1999 to 2001. He got involved with it from its inception and established it as a benchmark for world class standard for news program in Bangladesh. At the primary stage, technology and infrastructure in electronic media was severely short of resource in comparison to other countries more advanced in this field. Despite this limitations, modern journalism in both terrestrial and satellite channel got popularity and acceptability under his leadership. He is the pioneer in this field. Earlier, he also climbed another peak of popularity with his investigative TV series program titled Ghatanar Arale (The Secrets behind the event) during 1996-99.As a Newspaper Editor
Abed Khan possesses sheer courage that is not readily visible in the history of our newspaper industry. Currently, he had been serving as the founder editor of Daily Kaler Kantho from 2009 to 2011 (30 June). He undertakes the declaration of the newspaper by picking the title of his renowned article series Kaler Kantho. He started this publication after successfully soliciting and then securing a sponsor from a large business conglomerate in Bangladesh. Breaking all the records in the newspaper history, daily Kaler Kantho reached its circulation level at 275 thousand per day within three months of its publication.Earlier, he worked for long as Editor in daily Samakal
Samakal
Samakal is a Bengali language daily newspaper published in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Samakal started publishing in 31 May, 2005. As of 2007, the circulation of Samakal is around 200,000....
. After taking over the responsibility at a critical juncture of Samakal
Samakal
Samakal is a Bengali language daily newspaper published in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Samakal started publishing in 31 May, 2005. As of 2007, the circulation of Samakal is around 200,000....
, he had miraculously turned around it at an acceptable level within 20 months.
He also played editorial role in daily Jugantor
Jugantor
Jugantor is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language.It is the second largest circulated daily news paper of Bangladesh. Jugantor is largely popular among the rural people.Features1. Protimoncho2. Bicchu...
from 2005-06 tenure. During this tenure, Jugantor could reestablish its lost image with his relentless effort, brilliance and creativity. Prior to that, he also worked for daily Bhorer Kagoj during 2003-05. Similarly, Bhorer Kagoj was also successful to banish its tainted image and recover from financial distress under the leadership of Abed Khan. He was also successful to raise its standard at an acceptable level by modernizing it in a very short period. As an Editor & Publisher, he is going to publish a new daily named Jagoron before February 2012.
Publications
Among his publications- Obhajoner Nibedan (An appeal of an ordinary man)
- Kaler Kantho (Voice of the Time)
- Gourananda Kobi Bhone Shune Purnaban (Poet Gourananda describes, that the pious listen to)
- Prosongo Rajneeti (Political Affairs)
- Anlo Boye Kon Barta
- Harano Hiyar Nikunjo pathe. etc.
Earlier of his career, he used to write stories in contemporary dailies or in supplements. Despite having the rare talent to rule over the world of literature alongside the media-world, none of those stories were published as a collection in a book due to somewhat strange reluctance. Only recently a beautiful book of fairy tales for children named 'Amader Tukunbabu' (Our Tukunbabu) has been published.