Professor Anisur Rahman, a renowned economist and a key figure in Bangladesh's history, passed away while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Dhaka this afternoon (Jan 5).
According to the Public Relations department of the hospital, Anisur Rahman died around 1:10 pm, reports TBS.
He has been receiving treatment for pneumonia.
The news of his demise was confirmed by Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), in a Facebook post.
Prince expressed deep sorrow at the loss of Professor Rahman and paid tribute to his invaluable contributions to the country and its people.
Professor Rahman, a member of Bangladesh's first Planning Commission, played a crucial role in the country's Liberation War.
He was born in Mymensingh in 1933.
Binayak Sen, director general of the Bangladesh Development Research Institute (BIDS), noted that Professor Rahman had completed his Ph.D in Economics (PAED) from Harvard University.
"Following the events of 1975, he joined the International Labor Organization (ILO) and served there for 15 years. Upon his return to Bangladesh, he dedicated himself to writing and actively contributed to the BIDS journal," Sen said.
He further highlighted Professor Rahman's strong advocacy for participatory planning, emphasising his role in popularising the concept of participatory planning at the grassroots level.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Professor Rahman was a talented musician. He was known for his exceptional ability to sing Rabindra Sangeet and had been actively involved with the renowned cultural organisation Chhayanaut since the 1960s. He authored several books on Rabindra Sangeet.
Dr Sen concluded by stating that Professor Anisur Rahman could be aptly described as a "Renaissance man" given his diverse talents and contributions to various fields.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
