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Abdullah Abu Sayeed (born 25 July 1940) is a Bangladeshi educator, writer, television presenter, and activist. He is the founder and chairman of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, a non-profit organization that promotes the study of literature, reading habits and progressive ideas.


Early life

Sayeed was born on 25 July 1939, to a
Bengali Muslim Bengali Muslims (; ) 'Mussalman'' also used in this work./ref> are adherents of Islam who ethnically, linguistically and genealogically identify as Bengalis. Comprising over 70% of the global Bengali population, they are the second-largest ...
family in Park Circus,
Calcutta Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern ba ...
. His father was Azimuddin Ahmed, a teacher of English and Bengali literature, and a playwright. Their ancestral home was in Kamargati, Bagerhat District. Sayeed passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam from Radhanagar Mojumder Academy (School & College), Pabna in 1955 and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam from Prafulla Chandra College in Bagerhat in 1957. He later earned BA and MA degrees in Bengali from the University of Dhaka in 1960 and 1961 respectively. While studying at University of Dhaka, he organized, along with others, Birth Centenary of the Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore.


Career

Sayeed started his career as a guest teacher at Government Haraganga College, Munshiganj. Then he taught at Sylhet Women college for some time. In 1962 he joined Rajshahi College as a full-time teacher. After 5 months he joined Government Science College, Dhaka. He was also an acting principal for 2 years when he was only 23 years old. He also taught Bangla as a part-time lecturer at BUET. He took voluntary retirement as a professor in April 1992. Sayeed gave an interview for the post of assistant professor. Being impressed by Sayeed's brilliance and personality, Dhaka College's renowned principal Jalaluddin Ahmed invited Sayeed to Dhaka College. Sayeed later became the department head of the Bengali language at
Dhaka College Dhaka College (), informally known as DC, is a public educational institution of Bangladesh located in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the subcontinent. It offers Honours degree, honours and Master's degree ...
. He was very popular among his students. It is said that even students from other colleges came to attend his classes. He wrote a book on his teaching career named Nishfola Mather Krishok (Farmer of an infertile land). He edited the literary magazine ''Kanthashar'' (''The Voice'') in the 1960s which promoted a new trend in Bangladeshi literature. Sayeed started participating in TV programs from 1966. At first, he was presenter of children's programs and quiz programs. In the mid-1970s, he started presenting ''Shaptabarna'' (''Seven Colors''), a TV show on Bangladesh Television. Saptabarna was telecast once a week. It was a 90 minute long program. In the 1970s and 1980s, he also presented TV show ''Eid Anadamela''. He received the National Television Award in 1977. In 1978, he founded the '' Bishwa Sahitya Kendra''. He has close association with Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA) and Transparency International Bangladesh' (TIB).


Works

Sayeed has written and edited more than 50 books. * Bidaye, Obonti (2005) * Bohe Joloboti Dhara (2006) * Bhalobashar Shampan (2007) * Bishwo Shahitto Kendro O Ami (2007) * Bisrosto Journal (2007) * Amar Uposthapok Jibon (2008) * Amar Ashabad (2009) * Mrityumoy O Chiraharit * Swapna-Duhswapner Galpo * Rodanruposhi * Juddhajatra * Sangathan O Bangali * Amar Ashabad * Amar Boka Shoishob (2010)


Awards

* Ramon Magsaysay Award (2004) in journalism, literature, and creative communication arts for "cultivating in the youth of Bangladesh a love for books and their humanizing values through exposure to the great works of Bengal and the world". * National Television Award (1977) * Mahbub Ullah Trust Award (1998) *
Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak () is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of martyrs of the Bengali language movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and e ...
(2005) * Bangla Academy Literary Award (2011) for his essays * Khan Muhammad Farabi Memorial Award (2012) * Star Lifetime Award on Education (2016)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayeed, Abdullah Abu 1939 births Living people Bangladeshi male writers University of Dhaka alumni Academic staff of Dhaka College Ramon Magsaysay Award winners Recipients of Bangla Academy Award Recipients of the Ekushey Padak People from Bagerhat District Pabna Zilla School alumni